Publishing a quality book costs thousands of dollars. Traditional publishing, which is supposedly most prestigious, is a way for authors to take less financial risk. It’s odd…an entrepreneur who is willing to take a risk on themselves (quality hybrid or quality self-published authors) is less prestigious than an arrangement where the author provides a service (“here’s my book!”) to a business (the traditional publisher) for the privilege of losing less if the book doesn’t sell well and making less if it does.
I get that traditional publishers bring know-how and talent to the table. But you can buy pretty much the same know-how and talent from people that can be found on Reedsy.
I think we may have the whole prestige thing upside down. 😊
I had a not-great experience with Reedsy. The editor I got was fantastically talented, as evident in her sample edit, but phoned it in throughout the middle of the book. It wouldn't surprise me if she subcontracted the edit. The work was not in a publishable state.
That said, it was a valuable lesson in self-reliance.
One of the issues is that, when you hire a freelancer who also has TP clients, you're probably going to be at a lower priority level. If she screws up a TP book, she loses you. If she screws up a TP book, she loses the house.
The editor you want is someone who is good enough to work for TP, but doesn't have any TP clients at the time.
Otherwise, I agree with everything you're saying. Traditional publishing is venture capital. The difficulty of getting it makes the prestige, but the median results don't justify the aura.
Love the analogy of the spiritual journey. Because for more/many, that is what it is really about. Transformation, growth, reaching beyond what was once known or assumed.
Thanks, Brooke. Great article. I always tell writers I work with, enjoy the writing process. The journey is the best part. Traditional publishing is a difficult destination. If traditional is what you want, then go for it. You always have other options if it doesn't work out. Having seen brilliant writers and amazing books get rejected, it's comforting to know the road doesn't have to end there.
Traditional publishing may seem like a dream come true, but sometimes it's a choppy journey I published three nonfiction books with one of the big five, and in each case, the original editor left midstream and someone new took over. The new people were all talented and helpful, but the process was unsettling. I really value the experience of working with a smaller publishung house. And A-plus on the headline, BTW!.
Love this parallel you draw between publishing and spiritual journeys, having witnessed so many authors refuse the call to alternative paths, stubbornly suffering in a literary purgatory, unwilling to further investigate or invest funds to move their present project forward. (Not that I know how that feels myself, LOL!) Thank you!
Great advice throughout this post--thanks, Brooke. Love the term "agnostic publishing." I got there myself a few years ago. Life's too short to agonize over things. I do what I can, using my level of enjoyment of the process as my barometer, to get my books into kids' hands and hearts. If it isn't fun, I don't do it. I might not get rich, but I maintain happiness.
Spiritual journey is an appropriate metaphor, Brooke. My memoir purpose is social justice oriented (not expecting financial gain). As a memoirist, I have never considered traditional publishing (due to not being a high visibility public persona). I realized my realistic choices were hybrid or self-publishing. I really wanted to publish via a hybrid organization. Sadly I found in that arena, small numbers of books are selected each year, and fiction books seemed to be favored. And, also as an older woman, I need to publish sooner vs. later. So, I'm grateful for the range of self-publishing partners.
Lovely way to frame this journey. As someone who had that break out success early on and has done every kind of publishing from Big 5 to hybrid to self I agree 100% nothing is fixed. I hate it when I see friends so fixated on one way to do it -- which is just like thinking there is only one way to walk the spiritual path!
Publishing a quality book costs thousands of dollars. Traditional publishing, which is supposedly most prestigious, is a way for authors to take less financial risk. It’s odd…an entrepreneur who is willing to take a risk on themselves (quality hybrid or quality self-published authors) is less prestigious than an arrangement where the author provides a service (“here’s my book!”) to a business (the traditional publisher) for the privilege of losing less if the book doesn’t sell well and making less if it does.
I get that traditional publishers bring know-how and talent to the table. But you can buy pretty much the same know-how and talent from people that can be found on Reedsy.
I think we may have the whole prestige thing upside down. 😊
Hear, hear! You're speaking my language. :)
I had a not-great experience with Reedsy. The editor I got was fantastically talented, as evident in her sample edit, but phoned it in throughout the middle of the book. It wouldn't surprise me if she subcontracted the edit. The work was not in a publishable state.
That said, it was a valuable lesson in self-reliance.
One of the issues is that, when you hire a freelancer who also has TP clients, you're probably going to be at a lower priority level. If she screws up a TP book, she loses you. If she screws up a TP book, she loses the house.
The editor you want is someone who is good enough to work for TP, but doesn't have any TP clients at the time.
Otherwise, I agree with everything you're saying. Traditional publishing is venture capital. The difficulty of getting it makes the prestige, but the median results don't justify the aura.
Love the analogy of the spiritual journey. Because for more/many, that is what it is really about. Transformation, growth, reaching beyond what was once known or assumed.
yes, and perhaps the realization that we are not always in control😉 this is the case for myself at least. The dance of Will and Surrender❤️🙏🕊️
Yes..."Letting the Path come to you..." -- my next Substack!!!
Oh gosh, what a lovely tune title,
“The Dance of Will & Surrender”.
Thanks for the inspiration.
you're welcome❤️🙏🕊️
You are one of my trusted guides Brooke. I really appreciate your transparency here. Thank you!
True, very trusted guide
Thanks, Brooke. Great article. I always tell writers I work with, enjoy the writing process. The journey is the best part. Traditional publishing is a difficult destination. If traditional is what you want, then go for it. You always have other options if it doesn't work out. Having seen brilliant writers and amazing books get rejected, it's comforting to know the road doesn't have to end there.
❤️
Traditional publishing may seem like a dream come true, but sometimes it's a choppy journey I published three nonfiction books with one of the big five, and in each case, the original editor left midstream and someone new took over. The new people were all talented and helpful, but the process was unsettling. I really value the experience of working with a smaller publishung house. And A-plus on the headline, BTW!.
Love this parallel you draw between publishing and spiritual journeys, having witnessed so many authors refuse the call to alternative paths, stubbornly suffering in a literary purgatory, unwilling to further investigate or invest funds to move their present project forward. (Not that I know how that feels myself, LOL!) Thank you!
❤️ Thanks—and yes—Carla.
I super love this.
This is such a great article, Brooke. Thank you for being the wonderful publisher and human you are.
Thank you so much for this!
Good morning Brooke! Thank you for your gentle reminder and nudge to keep going despite it all. The journey is far better than the outcome anyway!
Great advice throughout this post--thanks, Brooke. Love the term "agnostic publishing." I got there myself a few years ago. Life's too short to agonize over things. I do what I can, using my level of enjoyment of the process as my barometer, to get my books into kids' hands and hearts. If it isn't fun, I don't do it. I might not get rich, but I maintain happiness.
Spiritual journey is an appropriate metaphor, Brooke. My memoir purpose is social justice oriented (not expecting financial gain). As a memoirist, I have never considered traditional publishing (due to not being a high visibility public persona). I realized my realistic choices were hybrid or self-publishing. I really wanted to publish via a hybrid organization. Sadly I found in that arena, small numbers of books are selected each year, and fiction books seemed to be favored. And, also as an older woman, I need to publish sooner vs. later. So, I'm grateful for the range of self-publishing partners.
This says it all. Thank you!
Lovely way to frame this journey. As someone who had that break out success early on and has done every kind of publishing from Big 5 to hybrid to self I agree 100% nothing is fixed. I hate it when I see friends so fixated on one way to do it -- which is just like thinking there is only one way to walk the spiritual path!
Love that you dig deep and make us think.
This resonates with me and it feels hopeful for me. 😊