Is it best to self publish a memoir?
I am writing a memoir about how I sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and how I have been recovering and living afterwards. Every doctor, therapist, and person I have met who hears my story has told me that I should write a book. A lot of instructional sites I find tell me that I should self publish because it is difficult to get agents and big publishers interested in a memoir. I do not have the start up cash to be able to print my book to have it distributed or to do my own marketing that will reach more people than I can just tell or people who hear by word of mouth.
Memoirs are interesting for publishers only if a celebrity is involved. If nobody knows who are you, you can't expect people will look for your memoir in the store. In your case i suppose the focus will be on traumatic experience, so if I were you, I would build a book on this, starting with a title. Two things about self publishing:
1. It was never easier, more accessible and with more opportunities to promote in history. You can start with an ebook, what means zero cost for printing and no problems with storage, distribution etc., then build on print-on-demand services where the cost of production still stays on zero, or, if an ebook catches on, find a publishing house which will be happy to publish a title with already established reputation. In all cases your biggest investment would be time spent on promotion. Only you can estimate the worth of your time.
2. Many great authors used self publishing: Hans Christina Andersen, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Stephen King, ... Do I need to say more?
Hope this helps.
Thank you. Once I have the book finalized, completely edited and perfect to go i will look more info self publishing.
by MordechaiZoltan 15 years ago
Hi! Thanks in advance. Does self publishing a piece of work limit it's ability to be published through more traditional "bricks and mortar" routes?
by Matthew Dawson 14 years ago
What is your opinion, Is it better to self publish or find a publisher and get a contract...Now days with modern technology as it is it has become easy for an author to self publish. However is it really worth the time that it takes to also self market? I have found that the old traditional way of...
by Jes Mathias 14 years ago
this post is part rant, part need help.I was very excited recently that an "agent" picked up my MM for publication and actually I received quite a bit of slid feedback and even submission requests. But, that happy kite soon turned into a what the ---?!First to my surprise three...
by Andrew 14 years ago
How hard was it to self publish a book?
by Isabella Mukanda 8 years ago
What does it take to self-publish a book/novel?I have been considering self-publishing my work for some years now. I would like some advice from people who have self-published before.
by M. T. Dremer 10 years ago
Has your experience with self publishing been positive or negative?For those of you who have self published a book (either physical or ebook), how would you say your experience was overall? Please consider things like production costs, self promotion, sales and reviews. What is the best thing about...
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