http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/what-is-your-experience-with-self-publishing Travel Writers Exchange Forum Home » Topic: What is your experience with self-publishing? en-US Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:39:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/search.php http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/what-is-your-experience-with-self-publishing#post-1436 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:46:48 +0000 Dutchie 1436@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>At first I tried to get my book published via the normal channels and sent my manuscripts to loads of publishers, never to be accepted by any of them. </p> <p>Determined to get my book in bookshops, I then decided to self-publish and realised I had to look for ways to finance the printing. </p> <p>I don't want to put you off investors, but I tried to find investors and never got very far. I sent loads of letters to prospective investors adding sample chapters and plans for distribution etc. I never heard back from any of them.<br /> My books were for the local market, so I applied for local grants. Also never heard back.<br /> I thought of have ads in the back of the book, but for some reason that idea never materialised. </p> <p>After almost two years of rejection my parents and a friend felt sorry for me and lent me the money, which was a huge gamble. If the book didn't take off and wouldn't sell, I would never be able to pay them back.<br /> But I took the risk and had 3000 books printed. Luckily the book sold well and I was soon able to pay the friend back.<br /> My parents told me not to pay them back as yet, but save the money up to publish the second book. 1000 copies were printed of the second book. </p> <p>My first book has been in the shops now for just over 2 years and my second book one year and 5 months. I now have paid my parents back for over half of what they lent me.<br /> When all the books are sold I will have paid them back and will have earned a little bit of pocket money on the side. (Pocket money being the important word here. Don't expect to get rich.)</p> <p>I think you need a certain amount of luck for self-publishing. I hope you will get that luck, because the whole process of publishing your own book is lots of fun. </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/what-is-your-experience-with-self-publishing#post-1434 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:47:19 +0000 Angela 1434@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Good point on financing. I forgot about that part &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif&quot; title=&quot;:)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; I'll look into it and see if I can raise the money. Perhaps I can find a couple of investors to back me! </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/what-is-your-experience-with-self-publishing#post-1430 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:52:41 +0000 Dutchie 1430@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>I have self-published my first two books (one in 2007 and one in 2008) and have really enjoyed the experience.<br /> My books are local history books, so once they were printed I did the distribution to the shops myself. It was fun to have the personal contact with the shop owners, but at first also a bit scary to go around the shops and get them to stock your book.<br /> Obviously it was easier to pitch my second book, because by then the owners knew me and had no second thoughts about ordering the new book. </p> <p>The biggest problem self-publishing gave me, was the financing of it all. If you don't have independent funds or sponsors, you need to borrow the money for the printing, which can be a bit of a gamble.<br /> Also finding the space for 3000, as yet, unsold books can be a bit of a challenge.</p> <p>Even so, it was a very good experience and I would do it again if I had a book for a local market. Self-publishing for a national or international market would be too complicated, I think. </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/what-is-your-experience-with-self-publishing#post-1382 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:54:34 +0000 Angela 1382@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Thanks for the information. Perhaps I'll give self-publishing a try in 2010! </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/what-is-your-experience-with-self-publishing#post-1380 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:49:19 +0000 Cheryl Probst 1380@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>My experiences with self-publishing have been positive. I self-published my first Beijing travel guide in 1996, and have now gone on to bigger and better self-publishing projects. I really like the freedom involved to do what I want, and that I maintain control over what I do. That is very important to me. It is a lot of work, but I think worth it. If you have specific questions, please feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:cherylschina@yahoo.com">cherylschina@yahoo.com</a>. </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/what-is-your-experience-with-self-publishing#post-1379 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:30:09 +0000 Angela 1379@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>I read articles on self-publishing, but would like to know how difficult it is to self-publish. I understand you're responsible for everything, but it can be done. What was your experience with self-publishing? </p>