thank you Sam! I love this. Honestly I’ve placed little bets on myself all throughout 2025 so far (substack as an example) and they’ve all paid off in big and small ways. Cheers to your 3 novels and self-made success. Love to see it 🙏
I really feel that the stigma around self-publishing has been gone for a while, though. So many authors have made that choice without it being a default choice at all (they want to get more control, waste less time, and earn more). And some seem to make a nice chunk of money from it, too. I mean, trad pub is now looking to buy these books. It keeps happening.
These circles still looking down on self-published authors might want to get over themselves a bit because somewhere, one of the Big 5 publishers is scanning the KDP sales, and somewhere else, someone is buying their first house thanks to their self-published books. Not many, but also, how many traditionally published authors are making a great living nowadays? Anyway, good luck!
I completely agree that on the whole, this stigma has eroded, 100%. I can name dozens of self published books that were independently successful or titles that were ultimately acquired by one of the big 5. But least where I am, in NY, the stigma still definitely lingers / is still as strong. I think a lot of authors and aspiring authors here connect “success” with getting representation and then selling to a publisher. Everyone aspires to have their pub announcement in publishers marketplace and then throw it up on their IG to announce their book, blah blah. I think the Chelsea Fagan quote I mention captures it perfectly: there’s a welcome or naive trade off of prestige for cash. Many authors would rather have the prestige of formal publishing over the upside of self publishing, or, many don’t yet know that formal publishing can be financially disappointing and they think big 5 = big pay. I think overall, though, book self publishing has not yet received the “substack treatment.” That next level up. The biggest names in non fiction and fiction still work with the big 5, they don’t self publish. And i’m curious to see if in the next few years, we will see a migration toward self publishing like we’ve seen with big media players and substack. I really do hope so!
I am so excited to be following your publishing journey. And thank you for sharing the mind shifts you're going through. I went to grad school for book publishing and have complicated feelings about self-publishing that I'm trying to work through. Especially as I find myself developing book-publishing projects for my brand, Dispatched Divorcée, and wonder if that makes me a publisher or self publisher too?
Looking forward to how you launch this book. You have a ton of contacts and support. But happy to connect you to the Portland Oregon publishing pros if you need some more contacts.
I love this: In every instance, they went from - “I need your resources, expertise, network, and muscle to help me succeed” to “I don’t need you, actually. I know what I’m doing.”
For a long time I was waiting for a magazine or newspaper to publish my writing before I realized I could just do it on my own. It is kind of frustrating though and a little bizarre — you would think these publishers would wake up to the fact that they’re losing money by letting talented writers walk? I don’t get it. Either way, I totally support all kinds of self support and self publishing. Good for you.
So, so good. And true. Yes 🙌 I tried so hard for so long to get an agent and almost did only to be pushed out as a WSM when Trump came into power in 2016. I self-published 3 books now and I've enjoyed have creative control and artistic integrity. Thank you for your story.
Oh I’m so happy that podcast episode resonated!
it was PERFECT
I promised myself that if I turned 40 and hadn’t “made it” (i.e. been anointed by gatekeepers) I would self publish. Well, I turned 40.
8 years later I have 3 self-published novels out and a loyal readership. Betting on yourself pays off. Best wishes to you and your book!
thank you Sam! I love this. Honestly I’ve placed little bets on myself all throughout 2025 so far (substack as an example) and they’ve all paid off in big and small ways. Cheers to your 3 novels and self-made success. Love to see it 🙏
amen to this
✊✊✊
I really feel that the stigma around self-publishing has been gone for a while, though. So many authors have made that choice without it being a default choice at all (they want to get more control, waste less time, and earn more). And some seem to make a nice chunk of money from it, too. I mean, trad pub is now looking to buy these books. It keeps happening.
These circles still looking down on self-published authors might want to get over themselves a bit because somewhere, one of the Big 5 publishers is scanning the KDP sales, and somewhere else, someone is buying their first house thanks to their self-published books. Not many, but also, how many traditionally published authors are making a great living nowadays? Anyway, good luck!
I completely agree that on the whole, this stigma has eroded, 100%. I can name dozens of self published books that were independently successful or titles that were ultimately acquired by one of the big 5. But least where I am, in NY, the stigma still definitely lingers / is still as strong. I think a lot of authors and aspiring authors here connect “success” with getting representation and then selling to a publisher. Everyone aspires to have their pub announcement in publishers marketplace and then throw it up on their IG to announce their book, blah blah. I think the Chelsea Fagan quote I mention captures it perfectly: there’s a welcome or naive trade off of prestige for cash. Many authors would rather have the prestige of formal publishing over the upside of self publishing, or, many don’t yet know that formal publishing can be financially disappointing and they think big 5 = big pay. I think overall, though, book self publishing has not yet received the “substack treatment.” That next level up. The biggest names in non fiction and fiction still work with the big 5, they don’t self publish. And i’m curious to see if in the next few years, we will see a migration toward self publishing like we’ve seen with big media players and substack. I really do hope so!
Good for you! Those publishers will eat your dust :)
my goal is to get it out there and do everything i can to make it successful! we shall see how the chips fall 🫡
I am so excited to be following your publishing journey. And thank you for sharing the mind shifts you're going through. I went to grad school for book publishing and have complicated feelings about self-publishing that I'm trying to work through. Especially as I find myself developing book-publishing projects for my brand, Dispatched Divorcée, and wonder if that makes me a publisher or self publisher too?
Looking forward to how you launch this book. You have a ton of contacts and support. But happy to connect you to the Portland Oregon publishing pros if you need some more contacts.
Yes to all of this!! That’s why I’m self publishing my mental health memoir!!
I love this: In every instance, they went from - “I need your resources, expertise, network, and muscle to help me succeed” to “I don’t need you, actually. I know what I’m doing.”
For a long time I was waiting for a magazine or newspaper to publish my writing before I realized I could just do it on my own. It is kind of frustrating though and a little bizarre — you would think these publishers would wake up to the fact that they’re losing money by letting talented writers walk? I don’t get it. Either way, I totally support all kinds of self support and self publishing. Good for you.
So when can I buy it!
So, so good. And true. Yes 🙌 I tried so hard for so long to get an agent and almost did only to be pushed out as a WSM when Trump came into power in 2016. I self-published 3 books now and I've enjoyed have creative control and artistic integrity. Thank you for your story.