Forum / Margaret Atwood's Nose (on self-publishing)

  • Mosaic_man_marcus.thumb
    Marcus Speh
    Jan 02, 12:02pm

    All I'm saying is that this article made me want to try self-publishing.

    http://monsterhunternation.com/2016/12/30/fisking-the-huffpos-snooty-rant-about-self-publishing/

    The concept of "fisking" and this author were unknown to me before but gosh did this tickle me & made me feel guilty, too, because I shared some of that "bizarre condescension" highlighted in the author's comment on the original HuffPost article. Also, it kind of goes to the heart of what Fictionaut is all about. Let's not bloviate.

  • Mosaic_man_marcus.thumb
    Marcus Speh
    Jan 02, 12:48pm

    What I need now to be fully convinced is a self-published book that I actually like. Perhaps I have a "target problem" as the author calls it? Any self-published book out there that I SHOULD read?

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    Nonnie Augustine
    Jan 04, 06:48pm

    I have family visiting and had to put off reading the article until now. I enjoyed it and wonder if Laurie has read it. I imagine so because she probably Googles herself at least every now and then. I agree with MHN and appreciate the link, Marcus. The book I'm thinking about self-publishing is mostly poetry, with a few flash pieces and essays. I have gotten excellent advise here at Fictionaut, think I'll hold off until spring, and if no one has accepted it, I'll self-publish through CreateSpace. I know a couple of people at Zoetrope who have had some success with self-pubbed fiction. Tom Saunder's most recent book of short stories, which I've read and think is marvelous, has been picked up by several bookstores in England. He's happy. So there's one, anyway.

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    David Ackley
    Jan 05, 08:43pm

    "Leaves of Grass"...?

  • Panama_hat.thumb
    Nonnie Augustine
    Jan 05, 10:53pm

    Yes. Leaves of Grass. Yes!

  • Mugshotme_(3).thumb
    Mathew Paust
    Jan 12, 07:10pm

    For something more recent, "Beyond Redemption," by Gary Powell. http://mdpaust.blogspot.com/2016/02/beyond-redemption-gary-v-powell.html

  • Mugshotme_(3).thumb
    Mathew Paust
    Jan 13, 11:30pm

    I just realized, Gary didn't self-pub this, but it's still a good read.

  • Frankie Saxx
    Mar 02, 11:26am

    I enjoyed The Martian. Okay, yes, it's just genre fiction. Sci-fi. But I was engrossed in the story. Same with Hugh Howey's WOOL trilogy. And I've heard some great things about The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, which I didn't realize was self published until I added it to my Goodreads to-read list.

    I also have an unholy appreciation for Chuck Tingle's dinosaur porn. So my critical taste may be subject to debate.

  • Wince_cover2.thumb
    Barry Basden
    Mar 05, 12:56am

    You never know.

    I created Camroc Press to publish Crack and Thump in 2007 because I didn't think Charlie would live to see it in print if I lolly-gagged.

    A producer for WWII in HD saw it on Amazon and I sold them the TV rights. Charlie had a ball with it, talked about it on local shows, got invited to NYC to present at the UN and would never take a dime of royalties. Sales continue and total mid-5 figures.

    I used about $15K of the sales paying writers who submitted to Camroc Press Review, which ran for 7 years.

    So, yes, you never know. I've had a ball with it, probably the most gratifying thing I've ever done...

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