To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish?

Advice, direct from the trenches:

I was lucky to have discovered, though not without pain, that my Time Traveler Tours interactive StoryApp itineraries were never meant for print. As they are to be used on the go, carried about through bustling cities, they are perfect for mobile environments, such iPhone, iPod Touch and eventually Android. So although the publishing industry stands with trepidation at a historical crossroads, I think authors are fortunate to have so many publishing options available. Writing need no longer be confined to the page, but can go audio, enhanced eBook, app and mobile. First and foremost, therefore, be certain your project lends itself to the format.

If your chosen format is digital, take your time to unearth the programmer that’s right for you. The ugly little secret, in iOS development anyway, is that there are a lot of programmers but not a lot of good ones. I fired two before I finally undertook a hiring process that included identifying the right networks, sending out an RFP (request for proposals) and interviewing multiple candidates. Even then, I got estimates ranging from “we’ll give you the world for nothing” to “we’ll bleed you dry and then take your first born”.

If you do set out to self-publish, no matter the format, be ready to be more than a writer. In producing an app I have become an entrepreneur, creative director, techno-geek (well, relative to where I was a year ago, anyway), manager and marketer, all with an enhanced appreciation of copyright law. Believe me when I say this was no small feat for someone used to spending hours alone with her thoughts and characters and favorite caffeinated beverage. And I continue to be faced with the need to learn a new skill on a near-weekly bases. No kidding!

Finally, and this is true for all writers these days, be prepared to be your own marketer. The Internet is a noisy place. It’s not enough to have great content. You have to make that content known to others. Fortunately, this can be done, and inexpensively, thanks to social networking. But it costs a lot in time to get your ideas to go viral. So if you’re not into blogging and tweeting and facebooking and potentially developing a transmedia campaign to promote your project, you may be better off extending your search for the perfect agent and publisher who will do these things for you.   

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I wish you all good luck, but most of all, I wish you a very good time!

Beware Madame la Guillotine title screen by Beth Lower © Time Traveler Tours, 2010-11.