| In spite of growing evidence that self-publishing is | | | | see, talent is the one common denominator and |
| poised to replace (or at least match) traditional | | | | talent cannot be purchased. Cast members of |
| publishing in the future, many conventionally published | | | | Survivor have their fifteen minutes of fame and then |
| authors (and those striving to become such) still view | | | | disappear back into the abyss. The try-outs for |
| self-publishing with contempt. They feel self-publishing | | | | American Idol feature thousands upon thousands of |
| companies and those authors who choose to use | | | | "hopefuls" standing in lines around city blocks and yet |
| them are "cheating" somehow. After all, getting a | | | | the main competition is comprised of just a handful. |
| book published traditionally has always been "hard | | | | Most had their opportunity to shine, and their |
| work." Those who have done it (or long to) perhaps | | | | audience rejected them. But at least they received a |
| feel as if self-published authors are not paying their | | | | shot. |
| dues. | | | | How a Self-Publishing Company is Like American Idol |
| But are self-publishing writers really "cheating," or are | | | | for Writers |
| they simply taking advantage of widespread changes | | | | As a recent New York Times article states, |
| taking place throughout the entertainment and | | | | self-publishing companies are thriving, and that is |
| business worlds? | | | | because self-publishing companies give writers their |
| Why Should the Book Publishing Industry Be Any | | | | shot. Their fifteen minutes of fame. |
| Different Than The Music and Entertainment Worlds? | | | | Self-publishing companies are like American Idol for |
| The same Do-it-Yourself (DIY) fever has swept | | | | writers. They make it easy to publish a book. If |
| through the music industry. Musicians (talented and | | | | "publishing a book" is your dream, you're going to be |
| otherwise) are no longer waiting for acceptance from | | | | happy with the result. And if your dream is to be |
| the "establishment." Instead, they are distributing their | | | | successful, famous, rich, or a combination of the |
| music through iTunes. They are finding their | | | | three, you're going to receive your chance. But just |
| audiences through Myspace. And, they're | | | | like everyone else who is successful, famous, or rich, |
| broadcasting their music videos via YouTube. | | | | you are going to need to bring something special to |
| It is safe to say the music industry has irrevocably | | | | the table. |
| changed. Musicians no longer give 95% of their | | | | Most reasonable people recognize this. Those who |
| royalties to the "industry" and customers no longer | | | | don't may become disillusioned, but listen – if it |
| buy CDs from brick-and-mortar music stores. | | | | were easy to become a bestselling author, a |
| Are these musicians cheating? | | | | multi-platinum recording artist, a player for the New |
| No. | | | | York Knicks, or a highly-sought-after runway model, |
| They are still paying their dues, but now the invoice | | | | then everyone would do it. |
| comes after their music has already become available. | | | | How Self-Publishing Can Help You Make More Money |
| They still must market aggressively to obtain | | | | Fast |
| listeners, but at least they have something to | | | | See, self-publishing companies shine a light on writers. |
| market. The audience determines which of those | | | | It is the writer's job to shine back. Some authors do, |
| musicians succeed and which of them fail. | | | | like Gang Chen, who earned more than $39,000.00 in |
| This is no different from the self-publishing book | | | | royalties from Outskirts Press in the 4th quarter of |
| industry. | | | | 2008, and nearly that much again in one single month |
| How the D-I-Y Mentality Removes Unnecessary | | | | in January 2009. |
| Hurdles | | | | Did he sell a million copies of his book? No. Is he |
| Can you imagine the uproar that would ensue if all | | | | making a lot of money as a self-published author? |
| that were required to start playing for the New York | | | | Yes. By any reasonable benchmark, Gang Chen is a |
| Knicks was writing a check for $1000 to some | | | | successful self-published author who has given |
| Internet company? Can you imagine the fervor if all | | | | specific permission to have his successes shared. |
| that were required to obtain a recording contract | | | | Can you achieve this kind of success when you |
| was standing in line at some reality show try-out? | | | | self-publish your book? |
| Wait a minute! | | | | Yes! But, you must understand that success is never |
| That's already happening. Reality television has altered | | | | guaranteed. All writers are different just like all |
| the search for "talent" and now, in rare instances, | | | | contestants on American Idol are different. If you |
| getting "discovered" is no harder than filling out an | | | | are going to self-publish your book, you're better off |
| application. Nowadays, instead of submitting audition | | | | publishing with a company where your chances for |
| tapes to countless producers, lyricists stand in line for | | | | success increase. Above all, you have to believe in |
| American Idol and face the possibility of public | | | | yourself and you have to work hard. Success rarely |
| humiliation at the hands of Simon and company. | | | | comes easily for anyone, but now, thanks to |
| Is this "cheating," per se, or has the do-it-yourself | | | | self-publishing companies like Outskirts Press, |
| mentality simply removed unnecessary hurdles that | | | | everyone has an equal chance. They will shine the |
| prevented talent from being discovered faster? You | | | | light on you. What you do with that light is up to you. |