| Are self-publishing writers really cheating, or | | | | the possibility of public humiliation at the hands of |
| are they simply taking advantage of widespread | | | | Simon and company. |
| changes taking place throughout the | | | | |
| entertainment and business worlds. Check out... In | | | | Is this "cheating," per se, or has the do-it-yourself |
| spite of growing evidence that self-publishing is | | | | mentality simply removed unnecessary hurdles |
| poised to replace (or at least match) traditional | | | | that prevented talent from being discovered |
| publishing in the future, many conventionally | | | | faster? You see, talent is the one common |
| published authors (and those striving to become | | | | denominator and talent cannot be purchased. Cast |
| such) still view self-publishing with contempt. They | | | | members of Survivor have their fifteen minutes |
| feel self-publishing companies and those authors | | | | of fame and then disappear back into the abyss. |
| who choose to use them are "cheating" | | | | The try-outs for American Idol feature thousands |
| somehow. After all, getting a book published | | | | upon thousands of "hopefuls" standing in lines |
| traditionally has always been "hard work." Those | | | | around city blocks and yet the main competition is |
| who have done it (or long to) perhaps feel as if | | | | comprised of just a handful. Most had their |
| self-published authors are not paying their dues. | | | | opportunity to shine, and their audience rejected |
| | | | | them. But at least they received a shot. |
| But are self-publishing writers really "cheating," or | | | | |
| are they simply taking advantage of widespread | | | | How a Self-Publishing Company is Like American |
| changes taking place throughout the | | | | Idol for Writers |
| entertainment and business worlds? | | | | |
| | | | | As a recent New York Times article states, |
| Why Should the Book Publishing Industry Be Any | | | | self-publishing companies are thriving, and that is |
| Different Than The Music and Entertainment | | | | because self-publishing companies give writers |
| Worlds? | | | | their shot. Their fifteen minutes of fame. |
| | | | | |
| The same Do-it-Yourself (DIY) fever has swept | | | | Self-publishing companies are like American Idol |
| through the music industry. Musicians (talented and | | | | for writers. They make it easy to publish a book. |
| otherwise) are no longer waiting for acceptance | | | | If "publishing a book" is your dream, you're going |
| from the "establishment." Instead, they are | | | | to be happy with the result. And if your dream |
| distributing their music through iTunes. They are | | | | is to be successful, famous, rich, or a combination |
| finding their audiences through Myspace. And, | | | | of the three, you're going to receive your chance. |
| they're broadcasting their music videos via | | | | But just like everyone else who is successful, |
| YouTube. | | | | famous, or rich, you are going to need to bring |
| | | | | something special to the table. |
| It is safe to say the music industry has | | | | |
| irrevocably changed. Musicians no longer give | | | | Most reasonable people recognize this. Those who |
| 95% of their royalties to the "industry" and | | | | don't may become disillusioned, but listen — |
| customers no longer buy CDs from | | | | if it were easy to become a bestselling author, a |
| brick-and-mortar music stores. | | | | multi-platinum recording artist, a player for the |
| | | | | New York Knicks, or a highly-sought-after runway |
| Are these musicians cheating? | | | | model, then everyone would do it. |
| | | | | |
| No. | | | | How Self-Publishing Can Help You Make More |
| | | | | Money Fast |
| They are still paying their dues, but now the | | | | |
| invoice comes after their music has already | | | | See, self-publishing companies shine a light on |
| become available. They still must market | | | | writers. It is the writer's job to shine back. |
| aggressively to obtain listeners, but at least they | | | | Some authors do, like Gang Chen, who earned |
| have something to market. The audience | | | | more than $39,000.00 in royalties from Outskirts |
| determines which of those musicians succeed and | | | | Press in the 4th quarter of 2008, and nearly that |
| which of them fail. | | | | much again in one single month in January 2009. |
| | | | | |
| This is no different from the self-publishing book | | | | Did he sell a million copies of his book? No. Is he |
| industry. | | | | making a lot of money as a self-published author? |
| | | | | Yes. By any reasonable benchmark, Gang Chen is |
| How the D-I-Y Mentality Removes Unnecessary | | | | a successful self-published author who has given |
| Hurdles | | | | specific permission to have his successes shared. |
| | | | | |
| Can you imagine the uproar that would ensue if all | | | | Can you achieve this kind of success when you |
| that were required to start playing for the New | | | | self-publish your book? |
| York Knicks was writing a check for $1000 to | | | | |
| some Internet company? Can you imagine the | | | | Yes! But, you must understand that success is |
| fervor if all that were required to obtain a | | | | never guaranteed. All writers are different just |
| recording contract was standing in line at some | | | | like all contestants on American Idol are |
| reality show try-out? | | | | different. If you are going to self-publish your |
| | | | | book, you're better off publishing with a company |
| Wait a minute! | | | | where your chances for success increase. |
| | | | | Above all, you have to believe in yourself and you |
| That's already happening. Reality television has | | | | have to work hard. Success rarely comes easily |
| altered the search for "talent" and now, in rare | | | | for anyone, but now, thanks to self-publishing |
| instances, getting "discovered" is no harder than | | | | companies like Outskirts Press, everyone has an |
| filling out an application. Nowadays, instead of | | | | equal chance. They will shine the light on you. |
| submitting audition tapes to countless producers, | | | | What you do with that light is up to you. |
| lyricists stand in line for American Idol and face | | | | |