I do not understand this

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As a writer I realize that there are many many ways to be published. There are a lot of hoops to dance through if you want a trad pub deal, and that whole journey is just difficult. Many posts are devoted to that road if one wishes to travel it. There are a lot of posts about self-publishing too. But what I do not understand is the “pay-for-pub” deals.

Now I am not knocking anyone else’s journey or path to publication. I really am not. But I don’t understand why in today’s DIY world anyone would pay for publication. In fact, there are a ton of posts devoted to steering the author unaware away from such activities.

To me, it is a no-brainer. If you are a writer and you want to get published, either go the trad pub route and try to be all that you can be, or, self-pub and promote the heck out of yourself. But I do not understand this paying for publishing. Why would someone invest hard-earned money for their work to be published when the return is so low?

I do not understand this !

I mean, it takes a LOT of sales to get your money back, or hit that “breakeven” point.

It is okay, however, to pay OTHERS to HELP you PUBLISH. I mean, DO hire a cover artist, a formatter, an editor (or two!) and DO use your money wisely to promo your book. But those vanity places? Um…no.

Just my two centavos.

About master

Kim Smith is the author of the Shannon Wallace Mysteries, and the Mt. Moriah Series- plus, YA fantasy, and Bizarro fiction. All available on Amazon.

Page with Comments

  1. Good thinking. I totally agree with you. In fact, at Silver Pen we are discussing that very issue. If you haven’t join us yet, do so. We’d love to have your input and help with any questions you might have, such as this one.

  2. I think there are 2 types that pay… those that don’t really know any better and those who are lazy. And really, even those that don’t know any better are being lazy as they clearly didn’t do their research.

    1. I just really don’t understand it when there are SO many opportunities out there for doing it without paying or paying minimal amounts. I guess some people would rather put out a ton of money than research. LOL, yes, you are right Daniel. They are lazy

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