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The Awful (or Freeing?) Truth of Publishing
I read a book the other day. A good book. A NYT bestselling book, and I enjoyed reading it, despite a few inconsistencies in character development and oh, a wrong word choice as it was a book that takes place in the UK but might have mistaken itself for partially American.
The book was interesting, the storyline original. Romantic comedy. But there was something off about it. Something rushed or amateur. I looked up the author, and it turns out they have written loads of books and look like a really nice person with a bright and energetic smile and they’ve landed a great deal with an agent and a big name publishing house and have books on shelves all over the world.
But this book could’ve been better. I know I’m sounding nitpicky, and I’m not ever trying to trash another writer. Writing is hard work, and publishing is a long and tenuous journey, and most writers make pennies, so we have to stick together in a sorority of sorts.
Of course, writing is subjective so what I love you might hate and what you love I might not be able to get past page two.
Still, in my haste to understand how this particular writer landed a big-name publisher and other very talented writers do not, I was reminded of the awful and freeing truth about publishing.
Which is…There is no one right way to publish. And just because you land a publishing deal doesn’t mean your writing is better or you’re more talented than someone who takes a different path.
My first novel comes out in a few weeks. And while I’ve had eight books published by independent publishers, this feels like the very first one. Like I’m proving myself all over again. Like THIS publishing path is the one everyone will judge and scrutinize.
Except I also know that it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. And there are many valid paths to published.
Join me for a fun virtual launch! (Sept. 26th at 11 a.m. ET)
This Is Why I’m a Rebel Author
When an entrepreneur starts a business from scratch, people applaud. When a writer launches their own press or publishes their own book, people scrunch their noses and wonder why they couldn’t find a legit way to put their book in the world.
Nan Shepherd, arguably the best nature writer of all time, self-published in her 80s. Her book, The Living Mountain, is now considered to be one of the classic nature writing tomes.
Ari Weinzweig, the brilliant co-founder of Zingerman’s, is the only author that Zingerman’s Press publishes. They make no apologies about it. That’s their raison d’être.
Plenty of filmmakers bootstrap passion projects which win awards and launch careers. I have numerous friends who launched their own presses to put their books in the world the way they want to.
There is no one right way to share your words with the world.
I wrote a book. I’m marketing the heck out of it. I’m proud of the words I put on the page. The characters I created. The settings and plot points, all of it. I’m working on the next book because I love writing and I want to share great stories with people who want to read them.
I am publishing my novels through Scotia Road Books because I don’t want to wait years for the world to have these stories and I don’t want to jump through other people’s hoops to be chosen for publication.
The other day, a magazine editor declined to review Woman of Valor, saying, “We don’t review self-published books.”
Jewish Book World already promoted it. YourTango.com published an essay about this book. I have 8 Goodreads reviews, and it hasn’t even come out!
I respect all manners and methods of publishing. It’s all about being happy and confident with your decisions. Believing in your voice and your words and your mission.
Not seeking approval from nameless, faceless others.
Book Launch Subscription Discount
In honor of my book launch this month, I’m offering a special discount to readers who become paid subscribers!! You’ll qualify for monthly book giveaways and bimonthly Writing Coaching calls, plus 10% discounts on any of my classes or retreats. Plus, you’ll be supporting my writing. Thank you in advance!
August Book Giveaway Winners
Congratulations to Ken Bernard, who won Bernard Cornwell’s The Empty Throne, and Lila Feldman, who won e. lockhart’s we were liars!! Thank you for being paid subscribers and supporting my Substack!
In September, a lucky winner among my paid subscribers will receive Louise Penny’s Bury Your Dead.
Thank you, as always, for reading the Rebel Author Newsletter! Happy everything to you this week and all month long.
Love, Lynne
Glad you are here to speak out. I struggle with the very issues you mention and no matter how much I try to convince myself that there are a myriad of ways to publish, I can't talk myself out of my deep seated beliefs in the traditional ways to publish. Articles such as yours with clear examples help with release from old school thinking. Thank you.