tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post2618252564171629230..comments2024-02-01T14:06:20.674-06:00Comments on Knitted by God's Plan: Traditional vs. Indie with JansinaKendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-20297386915693727342017-04-02T10:03:25.199-05:002017-04-02T10:03:25.199-05:00That's wonderful! If you have any questions al...That's wonderful! If you have any questions along the way, you're always welcome to email me: Info@rivershorebooks.com Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-77251409458143013402017-04-02T08:27:56.696-05:002017-04-02T08:27:56.696-05:00Okay, thank you! I'm working on a book, and wh...Okay, thank you! I'm working on a book, and when I'm done I'd really like to get it published. I've never done it before, but am excited to try!Laura D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14999985318791859446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-36672128877357473662017-03-28T10:44:18.110-05:002017-03-28T10:44:18.110-05:00Exactly what Kendra said. :) Unless you expect to ...Exactly what Kendra said. :) Unless you expect to sell several books directly (most of my paperback sales are through Amazon, so I never touch the actual books), I recommend using a print-on-demand printer like CreateSpace (or Lulu if you want hardcover). <br /><br />The only advantage to buying in bulk is a lower cost per book. Again, that's only helpful if you're certain those books will be sold. :) Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-45565726957528030502017-03-28T10:27:18.116-05:002017-03-28T10:27:18.116-05:00It depends on which printing company you use and h...It depends on which printing company you use and how many copies you want on hand to sell in person. A lot of us here use CreateSpace and LuLu, which are both print-on-demand, so, when I person buys the book online, just the copy asked for will be printed and sent. <br /><br />Our biggest upfront investments tend to be cover design, formatting, and editing, and even then, there are ways to cut down on those fees.Kendra E. Ardnekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-65209234700012713532017-03-28T09:05:15.770-05:002017-03-28T09:05:15.770-05:00I have a question... with self publishing, do you ...I have a question... with self publishing, do you have to invest a lot of money in first buying a bunch of your books to sell? Laura D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14999985318791859446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-53196973174696219022017-03-24T22:04:27.502-05:002017-03-24T22:04:27.502-05:00Well, gut instinct can be very helpful. :)
It wil...Well, gut instinct can be very helpful. :)<br /><br />It will definitely be published - though it may be years from now. I have the plot decided but only about five pages actually written. If you're interested in being a beta reader when I reach that point, let me know. Beta readers are always appreciated!Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-55843396904499709912017-03-24T21:18:38.658-05:002017-03-24T21:18:38.658-05:00I've weighed the pros and cons so many times t...I've weighed the pros and cons so many times that I think I'll just have to go with my gut when the time comes to make the decision :D. <br /><br />Really? That's so cool! If you publish that book, I might just have to pick it up ;). <br /><br />~ Savannah <br />scattered-scribblings.blogspot.comSavannah Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16668452024211579085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-45459852118376416192017-03-24T20:30:35.587-05:002017-03-24T20:30:35.587-05:00*blush* Thank you!*blush* Thank you!Rachel Rossanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12984724805729525522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-82208456237709736162017-03-24T20:09:05.685-05:002017-03-24T20:09:05.685-05:00Thank you, Abigayle! Congratulations on publishing...Thank you, Abigayle! Congratulations on publishing your first book, and that's wonderful you're continuing with more. I definitely see the appeal of traditional publishing, though I'm glad to know there are quality indie books helping to fight that reputation. :)Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-4438716760806022902017-03-24T20:05:28.698-05:002017-03-24T20:05:28.698-05:00Thanks, Savannah! I'm a big fan of the pros of...Thanks, Savannah! I'm a big fan of the pros of indie publishing, too, though I'm thrilled for any published author - no matter which way they're published. Traditional publishing has a lot of great points, too.<br /><br />By the way - one of my characters (in an as-yet-unpublished book) is named Savannah . . . I love that name!Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-4250122479435341772017-03-24T20:01:38.682-05:002017-03-24T20:01:38.682-05:00Thank you, Katy! Your insight as a hybrid author i...Thank you, Katy! Your insight as a hybrid author is valuable - thank you for the additional pro and con! Another pro I'd forgotten to add, which connects with yours, is that it's easier to get into physical bookstores if you've been traditionally published. That seems important to a lot of authors (though for myself I find it's not worth the effort, since the bookstore's cut would leave me with pennies).Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-39550261021863547232017-03-24T19:58:49.854-05:002017-03-24T19:58:49.854-05:00It sounds like you've thought this out well! I...It sounds like you've thought this out well! If you choose to publish indie, there's no need to feel like you're on your own. I listed that as a con because it CAN happen, but it definitely doesn't have to. There are experts all over who would love to be part of your team (me included, of course!). The major difference that I've seen is at which point you pay the experts (traditional = paid through royalties; indie = paid upfront). <br /><br />I'm sure whichever you route you choose will be excellent! You know better than anyone what's best for you and your book(s).Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-87210902181284885982017-03-24T19:51:54.684-05:002017-03-24T19:51:54.684-05:00That makes sense. Plus - the world may have missed...That makes sense. Plus - the world may have missed out on your amazing covers if you'd opted for traditional. ;) Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-20047878991036509612017-03-23T16:03:14.686-05:002017-03-23T16:03:14.686-05:00This is a fantastic brief list. I've self-publ...This is a fantastic brief list. I've self-published one novel and am looking at self-publishing more. I may give traditional a shot one day, though! There's a lot to consider. I'm really grateful that self-publishing is an option, even though it does have a bit of a reputation we indies have to overcome!! :DAbigayle Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182504899939054458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-48258036862584184262017-03-22T22:15:39.790-05:002017-03-22T22:15:39.790-05:00This was a great list, Jansina! I loved seeing som...This was a great list, Jansina! I loved seeing some of the pros and cons to the different sides of publishing - thank you for sharing this with us! I'm thinking of trying to go the traditional route, but that could very easily change, since I love the pros of indie publishing so much ;). <br /><br />~ Savannah <br />scattered-scribblings.blogspot.comSavannah Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16668452024211579085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-1161230776008135272017-03-22T20:52:27.056-05:002017-03-22T20:52:27.056-05:00Great lists, Jansina! As a "hybrid author&quo...Great lists, Jansina! As a "hybrid author" (that always makes me wonder if I'm a mule, but I am stubborn as one) I can add one more pro for trad publishing: The company can sell your books in established markets more easily than the author can on her own. But I can also add one more con for trad publishing: The author doesn't have the option of reducing the ebook price in order to market it like my indie books, yet I'm still asked to market the book. *sigh* I'm glad I went the trad route with that particular book, though, because I don't think I could sell it nearly as well if I'd self-published it (Christian historical fiction).Katy Huth Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17070461471031851970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-44487857491271567232017-03-22T20:48:07.921-05:002017-03-22T20:48:07.921-05:00Thanks for doing this summary, Jansina!
I'm a...Thanks for doing this summary, Jansina!<br /><br />I'm actually planning to try the traditional publishing route because I don't plan on making a lot of money from my books and I like the idea of having a team to fill in for my weaknesses. That said, I may try indie publishing in the end, if that seems to be the best option later on.Sarah Penningtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06377945004067760298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-56130537161708955742017-03-22T20:13:59.789-05:002017-03-22T20:13:59.789-05:00I did way back at the beginning, but I quickly rea...I did way back at the beginning, but I quickly realized that traditional publishing and I wouldn't fit well. Indie seems to be the best fit for my kind of writing. Though I am tempted at times to consider going traditional, I haven't found an opportunity to tempt me enough. :)Rachel Rossanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12984724805729525522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-77441996072831983772017-03-22T20:07:04.556-05:002017-03-22T20:07:04.556-05:00Thank you, Rachel! Did you ever consider tradition...Thank you, Rachel! Did you ever consider traditional publishing? Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-1983939464195005232017-03-22T19:59:27.522-05:002017-03-22T19:59:27.522-05:00This is a great summary, Jansina. Thank you!This is a great summary, Jansina. Thank you!Rachel Rossanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12984724805729525522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-58318833350534734922017-03-22T17:56:01.557-05:002017-03-22T17:56:01.557-05:00Good addition, Doug! One thing I love about indie ...Good addition, Doug! One thing I love about indie publishing is that the input I receive is from those in my target audience. While I'm sure there are excellent editors who understand the target audience, I love hearing directly from my potential readers.Europe 2020https://www.blogger.com/profile/17005390351407991926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-31768520470126823612017-03-22T16:59:48.258-05:002017-03-22T16:59:48.258-05:00One other Con of tradpub is that some publishers t...One other Con of tradpub is that some publishers teams have inherent biases that, if you are outside their group, will result in your not getting read or published. Indie goes strictly on market forces - you can publish, then see if the public wants what you've written. But it's then between you and your public; no middlemen.<br />This occurred recently in the SF&F genre, and one side had little public hearing to their position.<br />Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18227674086298894584noreply@blogger.com