Crabbit's Tips for Writers - 4: Publishing Yourself

Here is the fourth in my series of Crabbit's Tips for Writers. See the sidebar for links to the others. You can either read it in the post below or you can go here and download the complete document and print it out. Enjoy!



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My position I have had many (around 90) books published by mainstream publishers of

TO SELF-PUBLISH OR NOT TO SELF-PUBLISH?

A blog reader, Magnus, emailed me, saying:
"After reading your posts on why self/vanity publishing can be a bad idea, I would love to read your thoughts about when s-p can be the right thing to do. Back in 2009 you blogged very briefly about suitable styles of book for s-p (and also what the s-p author should pay for) but it would be interesting to hear a little more detail, particularly if the

IN WHICH SOMEONE ELSE SAYS WHAT I THINK ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING

This blog is not about self-publishing but it's right that you know what my position is on that. Happily for me, my views match those expressed here by Mary at Kidlit.

What she says is clear and coherent. Many of you may disagree with her and me. In fact, some people did disagree with her, using the usual arguments, but Mary deals efficiently and truthfully with them in this subsequent post here

QUALITY STREET

Now here is someone speaking sense. It's allied to the post I did recently on the dangers of being "published badly".

It's a tough message but in these days of easy self-publishing, it's really important for serious writers to look after their work properly.

Here's what I take from Joe Konrath's post and what I'd like you to copy out and place under your pillow, literally if necessary:
1. Just

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

An awesome post over on Editorial Ass the other day had me cheering in my seat, somewhat inappropriately as I was on a train at the time. She (I always assume Ed Ass is a she) makes some essential points about the panic and stress that sets in while authors are submitting their work, warning that this panic and stress can cause poor decisions and end in inferior publication.

EA says:
"It's

BY HER SHOES SHALL THEY KNOW HER

Thank you to so many of you for good wishes yesterday. Here's my impression of the evening.Normally, I find a "learning" for any picture or anecdote, but I confess that today's link is a bit tenuous. It is that I wish Vanity publishers would be as up front about their vanity as I am about mine. I keep hearing stories of people being sucked in and not having a clue what's going on.Remember Golden