I’m learning that there is a broad spectrum of opinion regarding self publishing within the industry.  Traditionally, self published authors were perhaps considered to be writers who were unable or unwilling to sell their manuscript to traditional publishing houses nor to gain representation from an agent.  However, along came Kindle Direct Publishing via Createspace and now a plethora of self pub companies and suddenly it was much easier and cheaper to self pub.  Writers who feared rejection could now see their book for sale at minimal or no cost to themselves without facing the dreaded slush pile.

What if an author has self published and now wishes to traditionally publish?  Conferences such as WDC14 comprise many industry experts extolling the virtues of hybrid publishing – the merger of trad and self published books or a combination of the two.  Such conferences will shout loud and clear the message that there is no longer stigma attached to authors/books who have chosen to self pub.  However, does this reflect within the industry itself?  Do agents and editors practice what is now preached?

While one can see the potential viewpoint of an agent:  your book has already gone to market and is therefore unattractive to trad publishers,  let’s delve a little deeper and think about this.  If a writer can demonstrate marketability and demand for his/her book then should it be dismissed by agents/editors?  If it’s saturated the market then the answer is probably yes – where can it go next?  However, if the writer has dipped their toe in the water and their work has been well received with evident scope to further develop and sell then why wouldn’t an agent or editor be interested?  After all, the risk is less if the book has been proven to have a market keen to buy it.  The self published writer has most likely demonstrated an ability to build a social platform and enthusiasm toward promoting their book.  They have established an audience and when one considers the expense and risk to publishing houses of taking on a new author, a successfully self published author has already proven their book sells.

Hybrid publishing seems to be the way forward.  Traditional publishers and agents can cherry pick the books that they wish to acquire/represent while the author can retain digital rights perhaps (although eBooks are increasingly becoming the bread and butter of the book world) or in any case, negotiate and work in partnership together so that all parties benefit from a mutually rewarding opportunity.

So … it really shouldn’t be ‘them and us’ trad Vs self, in my opinion.  If a book has legs, let it run!

What an incredible journey I had this last weekend at the Writers Digest Conference in New York City.  I set off from Heathrow Airport, London, with more than a little trepidation at venturing so far alone.  As I sat on the plane for the 8 hour journey (no idea why it only took just under 6 hours flying home although the pilot clearly floored the accelerator pedal!) I mentally kicked myself.  Janey, this is just another crazy thing in the long list of craziness that is your life.  Just like flying to Borneo last year to trek through the jungle and stay with the Iban people.  I had sat on that super long flight wishing I could have the plane turn around and go home, yet it proved to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  This trip was no different albeit with fewer deadly snakes and spiders and a diet that didn’t consist of monkey and rat!

What I discovered was a wealth of writing education and inspirational talks amongst like minded people, in a fabulous environment of the Roosevelt Hotel.  I clung to every word uttered by best selling authors, dreaming that one day I could have a tenth of their success and talent.  Then it sank in that they too were once where the 5 or 600 of us sat, at the start of their writing journeys and everyone seemed to agree that they felt motivated and inspired to return home and write – and to produce the very best work that we are capable of.

The most terrifying and exciting element of the conference was for me the agent pitch slam.  I described it as speed dating for writers;  with just 90 seconds to pitch my books but no guarantee we’d click and date 😉  Each of the 6 agents I pitched was charming and encouraging so now begins the follow up – sending out 5 partial and one full manuscript.  I have a favourite whom I’d love to work with but I’ll keep that a secret for now.

I can’t deny I was star struck by the awesome, hugely talented, witty (and yes tall, handsome) Harlan Coben and his signed novel ‘Missing You’ now has pride of place on my bookshelf.

So here I am back in England with a fresh spring in my pen and a renewed hunger to succeed in my writing dream.  I can’t wait for next year’s conference …