12 Comments

I have a lot to say about small presses (not vanity) that are run by crooks. I'll wait for your follow up post to comment on that. Keep it up, man!

Expand full comment

I'm an ex-journalist and write hard-boiled crime thrillers that I publish myself. I spend my money on producing the most professional looking books I can, hiring editors, formatters and graphic designers. And marketing, book conferences and events where I can hawk books. Want me to write for you? Gonna cost you, chief.

Expand full comment

Thanks for your incisive post Gabino and not to belabor the particulars, but vanity and hybrid presses are quite different. I had a friend who paid a hybrid and was fairly satisfied. He turned to this model after being overwhelmed by the self-publishing process, the editing, book cover, etc. etc. He justified going hybrid by comparing it to building a garage. Of course you can do it yourself for less. Or you can just have a builder do it and get on with your life : )

Expand full comment

Also Gabino how do you feel about submission fees?

Expand full comment

"Exposure isn’t that great" I disagree. All lit mags publish your bio. A link to you and further work, like a KDP book, is well worth accepting no payment.

Expand full comment

You can disagree as much as you want to. You can also do whatever you want with your work. I'm not here to fight with you. That said, when the bills come, I have to pay them with money.

Expand full comment

I would add you have to start somewhere. All pro golfers started as amateurs in amateur tournaments. Also I'm not fighting, just adding my opinion. What good is my opinion? I have probably submitted and published in more of these venues than anyone you ever met : )

Expand full comment

Like many others, I could fill an article about small presses in the indie world...

For now, I'll just say this article was spot on, and none of us should be flashing the cashier at Trader Joe's. (They're only fake flirting, guys. Keep your shirt on.)

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing the knowledge! What is the difference between a vanity press and an indie press?

Expand full comment

An indie press is a real press. They might give you and advance or offer 50% royalties. They will edit your book, get you a cover and an ISBN number. If they’re good, they’ll help with galleys, marketing, and distribution. A vanity press charges you thousands of dollars to publish your book and, in many cases, makes you buy a bunch of copies.

Expand full comment

Wow. Ok, thank you so much for clarifying. I have heard the term before but have never been quite sure what it meant. I will definitely steer clear of anything like that.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
May 9
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Yup! Definitely the way to do it.

Expand full comment