Self-publishing vs. being discovered.
Go.
It’s a tough one for me. I have a romantic notion that if you work really hard at improving your skills and write your ass off, you will eventually be discovered. But, in a society that is now all about go-getting and taking your destiny (or whatever) into your own hands, is it the best decision to fill the portrait of a solitary character at a keyboard, writing and writing and writing?
The biggest question for me: Does it take away your credibility as a talented writer if you have taken it upon yourself to make your writing official?
To self-publish, nobody has to think you’re talented except yourself. Not even your mother.
On the other hand, the starving artist lifestyle goes stale pretty quickly. I don’t need to be tortured to write a good story. If somebody is going to discover me, now would be ideal.
Thoughts? Opinions? …Thoughts?
A
You know where I stand!
“Discovery” is an urban legend. You gotta be out there to be discovered. So, as I have, put the stuff out there — make sure it’s good, checked and read by reliable, trustworthy folks in the business — and then the ‘odds’ of discovery are 1 in a million instead of 0 in a million.
Hi,
I believe there are so many talented artist out there but like many other things in life you might be the best or even great but go unnoticed. The world is moving forward fast, I say use that and get your work out there, as long as you are doing it for the love of it. We have so many platforms as writers that we can now use to get our work out there. I have just written my first book and I am self publishing. This means I am taking all financial risk along side the investors that believe in me and my message. Then again you can also be part of both worlds, send your manuscripts out and at the same time publish other work yourself.
I think the point you’ve made about writing for the love of it is one to consider. If I’m going to be anything, I have to make sure I love it. Writing is that career that I love. So, regardless of how it’s published, I should be most happy that I’m doing it at all. The other half of your answer, about getting your writing out there as much as you can, is where my thoughts are leaning towards. Great point!
Thanks!
A
Thanks for sharing! I certainly see your side of the coin. Have you received any criticism, not about the writing, but about the fact that you’ve self-published?
Not yet, but that doesn’t mean anything. I used myself as a guinea-pig — part of the learning process. To this point, reviews have been very good, and acceptance of the book as a physical item also positive:
http://pigeonbike.blogspot.com/p/sonofabitch-poems-all-about-em.html
I have not received any criticism yet. Even if i did, it would not deter me of doing what I love.