Writer, Agilist, Elder Geek
It’s no secret a lot of recent Salon articles have been negative towards self publishing. Hugh Howey takes a broader view on why it’s great. He notes it may not be perfect, but it’s one where you hone your craft as you earn and that the old model had it’s problems
– Steve
In some ways I feel a bit of a fraud offering up advice to would be self or small press publishers. After all I haven’t been in the game very long, it was only January that the Rollicking Tales wagon really began to roll. But then, when I come to think about all the things I have found out it has actually been a very steep learning curve. And if I can impart even one pearl of wisdom to a prospective publisher and help get more stories out there, then it will be worthwhile.
As a bit of background I am a farmer with, up until recently, no experience of the publishing world. I’ve been dabbling in writing for a few years but had never actually finished a story, let alone looked at publishing my own or other people’s work.
Then, in the autumn of 2011 I came to the conclusion that it was time I pulled my finger out. However many ideas I had for stories they were never going to see the light of day unless I sat down and actually wrote. A whole story. Right to the end.
I've been spending the last few columns on the Production Revolution, the changes in technology that let any of us produce media. Specifically I've been bringing up the factors that limit people from taking advantage of the tools and technologies available to them and making successful media careers or side businesses. I've discussed the limiting factors of lack of time, the lack of technical skill, and the lack of marketing skill.
I'm not finished discussing the traumatic truths of the Production Revolution limits yet – I've got one more reason why the new tools and tech out there aren't going to turn everyone into a potential artist, musician, or popular author.
Money.