"He wishes for the cloths of heaven" by W.B. Yeats describes how the plaintiff desiring to gift the glories and splendour of the skies has nothing to offer but dreams, and laying them out asks for care lest they be trampled under foot.
Yeats' writes of love, but how does it feels as a writer; clutching the completed manuscript, edited and proofed, and searching for the agent or publisher who will lift it and send it soaring into the wider world?
Dreams indeed and for some the trampled shards remain. This month, Indies Unlimited are featuring those who who have a story to share about the pitfalls of publishing. The first post by Lynn Cantwell "Fouled Part1: Taking on Scammy Publishers" reveals how the focus came about, an email from a writer revealed a hole in the coverage and offered the invitation to anyone with a story to tell. Guest posts by David Gaughran, well known for his work in revealing the predatory world of vanity publishing and his ongoing exploration of Author Solutions in particular - a Hydra of classical proportions if ever there was one- and its nefarious alliances. He offers a useful list in "How To Avoid Publishing Predators" joining the traditional with the vanities; comprehensive and illuminating in the connections he highlights.
Offerings by TD McKinnon recall "Surviving The Scammer Minefield" among the smaller "independent" presses and the consequences of partnership publishing and Sophie Jonas Hill reveals ten ways to prevent being scammed, and speaks from her own experience.
One of the valuable assets of the self-publishing community is the willingness, the enthusiasm to share the knowledge we have gained on our own journeys. Why, why retread old ground. it's old ground to us, but those who follow are stepping into unknown territory and our insights and knowledge are their map.
If you have a story to tell, check back on Indies Unlimited and see how the month unfolds or share your own story via their contact form.
I've often found the posts on Indies Unlimited useful, entertaining and friendly. Click the links, use them as signposts on your journey, and good luck.
Thank you for the lovely write-up, Martyn! We appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteOnly too glad to; so many authors are still falling for the professional patter and the slick salesmanship, each one we can tip off about the perils ahead makes it worthwhile.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this info. There's more to come.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to what is on the way, the more information we can share, the stronger our voice becomes.
DeleteThanks for spreading the word, Martyn. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy to help; shared advice from writer's like yourself has helped me avoid some of the pitfalls. I am thankful for that, sharing the word is a way of saying thanks.
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