Self Publishing.

I am thinking that all authors need trained professional assistance too absent.
It is too big an industry for amatuers to be able to professionally manage the whole process all the way through.

Soontobe I assume you are not confusing self publishing with self publicising?

Self-publishibng is definitely a two-edged sword. It is simply not true that "everyone has a book in them". Writing, whether fiction or non-fiction, is a craft. Being able to pick up a pencil or tap on a keyboard does not make an author. Far too many books are published by even reputable publishers every year only to end up in remainder bookshops or pulped. I guess that there is some electronic equivalent of this kind of books' graveyard.

Having spent my entire professional life working for publishers, as a copy editor, proof-reader, indexer, commissioning editor, editorial director and non-fiction author, I am firmly of the belief that all authors need trained professional assistance to turn their brainchild into a readable book that at least partially fulfils their ambitions for it. One of the biggest problems is that the least able authors – who may be experts in their own professional fields – are the touchiest about changing one word or comma, let alone a whole paragraph of their great oeuvres, however incomprehensible their writing may be.

1. I wasnt rude to Galen. I didnt do any sarcasm, heavy or otherwise. If you cannot see it there isnt anything I can do about that.
I answer many of your questions, so dont get that bit either.
2. You have not read my post right about spellings either.

Beware! Yet another soon -centric thread!
Mimosa I dipped into the kindle store and your idea does sound exciting.
Please understand when I say I wish you the success you deserve.

Goos heavens Soutra what on earth possessed you to write a post like that?

I'm shaking my head too
1)why were you so rude to Galen?

2) it is not enough to be "embarrassed" by spelling mistakes. If an author expects their book to be bought and enjoyed, he or she has to provide value for the reader's money. It is their business to produce a polished and professional piece of work, not some half baked product of intellectual laziness. If you buy an item of clothing, you expect the seams to be properly sewn, food from the supermarket should not be "off" or dirty or damaged, the plumber who fixes your washing machine should do a proper job, things have to be fit for purpose.
Embarrassed has 2 "r"s in it anyway!!
I have re read your post to Galen and still do not see why you should see fit to try the heavy sarcasm. But I don't expect you to answer that, that would be a first.

I am shaking my head actually.
My words are there as they are.
Nothing more to say or add.

And reread my posts again actually.

Why someone is not allowed to be embarassed by a book in print with spelling mistakes is beyond me.

I meant I was glad that threads evolve naturally.
and good to grrrranny too.
I dont do sarcasm, heavy or otherwise.
Read my posts again, please.

NanKate's post.
Thank you for the good advice.
I agree that I think that the big trouble with self publishing is marketing. Not easy the other way either.

mcem - no definitely not the only one

I'd be disappointed if it was. I was interested in reading more about self publishing and other GNer's experience of it. If it is being subverted I'm off!

?

No, you aren't the only one, mcem!

More than once I've been glad of the kindle option to download a sample before buying a book. Poor syntax and grammar plus limited vocabulary and contrived writing style meant that I certainly didn't want to commit to the full purchase!
For a first amateur attempt I'd say excellent proof reading is absolutely essential to the inexperienced writer.
Must admit that I found the first chapter of Fifty Shades of Grey really dire and that didn't even have the excuse of being self-published. Still don't think I missed much.
Am I the only one who thought the title of this thread was becoming rather ironic?

Brilliant Galen. Marvellous
What is all that about?
Have I missed something or is it meant to be heavy sarcasm. If the latter, it is entirely out of order and warrants an apology for being downright rude. And adding Good only compounds the insult.

And why should someone you "know" be embarrassed by spelling mistakes when there are enough perfectly good dictionaries out there not to mention the ubiquitous spellcheckers

I think this is a wind-up.

I never knew that any books were self published when I first got my Kindle. I did find some apparent typos in some of them but it didn't occur to me that they weren't published by any other than big name publishers. I'm a voracious reader and read all sorts of books. I found some to be endearingly naive but thought it was deliberate! I like some of the old war time diaries that the writers children have found and published. Really intriguing insights into everyday life.

Hello Soontobe well a lot has been happening on this thread since I was on early this morning.

You asked me two questions so here goes. From my experience self publishing generates very few sales because there is no one out there to see your book unless you make great efforts to promote yourself, especially if it is on Kindle as opposed to hard copy.

My friend got a local charity shop to allow her to launch her book, but of course you have to try and get folks to attend the promotion and more importantly buy the book.

Even with established authors like my DS his publisher expects him to do some self promotion so this year he is touring on and off for 12 weeks to schools/ festivals in the UK and abroad. I only tell you this so that you realise that very few, if any, authors can survive without doing self marketing. The publisher provides posters, bookmarks etc but my DS distributes them predominantly himself.

I really don't want to be negative but breaking into the USA market is notoriously difficult, even though I agree with you that the subject of your book may appeal to Christians over there. Perhaps you could send some copies of your book to some church groups in the US, just a thought.

Don't let me put you off writing, you could be the lucky one whose book takes off.

Good

Galen is marvellous and brilliant and brave and intelligent. Wish I had half of her courage. Off thread topic - never mind.

I may have one more in me, maybe not. But personally, and I dont know about anyone else, it takes a lot out of me.
I have read of people chain smoking through them. Others drink coffee. I suck sweets ie sugar. Not good for me.

Goodness, for a moment there I thought you meant there were more of your books in the offing, soontobe...

Soutra, yes re the self publishing.
The person I know who has done it, is embarassed by her multiple spelling mistakes.

Brilliant Galen. Marvellous!

It is non fiction. Very bible based. More suited to American christians probably. Plus there are more of them!

And S2B it's not for you to dictate what should be in a thread or not!
Threads evolve naturally.