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May 27, 2010

What Do You Love About Self-Publishing? [Discussion]

By:KuzeytacWhat a great discussion we had yesterday about self-publishing “haters!” You all had some very interesting and insightful comments, both on the blog and on Twitter. We’ll be posting a follow-up soon.

In the meantime, however, we thought something a bit more positive was in store for today — and we want to hear from you!

If you’ve been through the self-publishing process, we want to know:

  • Why do you love your self-published book?
  • How did it feel to hold your book in your hands for the first time?
  • What was it like to see your book for sale on Amazon/online?
  • How did you react when you sold your first copy?

If you haven’t been through the process:

  • What appeals to you about self-publishing?
  • Which is the biggest factor that would drive you to self-publish?
  • What would you say to others who react negatively to self-publishing?

We know everyone may not be so “in love” with the self-publishing process or their book, but we are looking for the positive today — surely there’s something good you can share with others!

Share your experience in the comments or @duolit!

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  • There was a great deal of Squee. And a really strong compulsion to write thank you notes to those who purchased those first copies.

    It’s just so exciting to know that I can bring stories to my readers that much faster by doing things myself. Instead of a 1-2 year lag between acceptance and publication, it’s just as long as it take me to get it vetted by my team, polished, and formatted. So more like 2-3 months. Which makes me feel really good about building a grassroots following.

    • Toni

      Great comment, Kait! I really think that personal touch you have with readers while self-publishing is something special. Perhaps it helps as motivation to write more, too?

  • Judith K

    I agree with Kait. Thanks so much for including my comment on the other topic of reasons why self-publishing seems to be hated! I am rom_patteran on Twitter.

    • Toni

      Hi Judith, you’re quite welcome and thanks for letting me know — my brain didn’t make the connection :-)

  • The thing I love most about the book that I put out is that it’s a literary journal (I’m currently working on getting submissions for the third issue) -which means that every time I’m self-publishing it, I’m publishing the work of a whole group of people. Leaves & Flowers isn’t huge or well known, but the people who get involved like it and stick around.

    It’s a cool feeling for me to know that all the work I put into producing the journal is helping other writers build up their portfolios -I’ve been the first location of publishing for quite a few people, and that’s a really great boost for me and for the writer.

    Someday, I will write a novel that I actually want to publish. At that point, I’ll have learned enough about self-publishing to make it as successful as it can be. For now, at least, Leaves & Flowers is my focus.