Thread: Self publish a book then move to a traditional publisher?

I was thinking about self publishing a book, and only printing a certain amount of copies, and attempting to sell them. Could this be a possible transition into getting a book traditionally published? so say if i sell a certain amount and show a publisher that my book has potential would they be more likely to pick it up? i feel like this could be a better idea since i have no previous writing credentials, any thoughts on this?

yes it is a good idea, in fact,many well known authors couldn't get their first book published, they went to self publishing route and later, traditional one

@Yuk : Can you name any? How long ago did they take that route? And how well known were they in their local community at the time? Finally what they needed to do to sell their self published book?

How Darcie Chan become the best selling author, just read and you will understand. Important: READ the comments too.

How Darcie Chan Became a Best-Selling Author - WSJ.com

The book would have to be outstanding for a commercial publisher to pick it up after it's already been published. After all, first rights are gone. Also, from what I've seen/read, they tend to expect the author to continue writing books that will sell at least that well - and through the commercial publisher. So, no, I wouldn't count on that to open any doors.

And no disrespect for Ms Chan, but it's once again a story of the exception, not the rule.

It seems to be possible, what percentage it happens for I don't know. Most self published authors sell about 200 copies, then they run out of friends and family My guess would be if you could demonstrate you could sell substantially more than that a publisher would at least show interest. Shadowmancer was an example.

Can I ask, have you tried submitting to the main houses? What's your rejection rate? (Out of the partial (3 chapter, synopsis etc) submissions, how many have asked to see the full manuscript?)

If it's a good story, presented professionally, they'll review it without you having credentials (so long as they accept unsolicited material).

This is what I think about self publishing: it is a tool for talented writers who can't get accept by any agent to push their works out there. I never think about it as a way to publish a crappy book in hope that someone may buy it. I knew some very crappy self publish books out there. Self publish should be use only when you have talent to write a very very good story and believe in yourself that people will love your work as much as you.

But I still think, if a book is good, even after piles of rejection letters, someone will finally see your talent and want to represent you.

J.K Rowling was rejected 7 times before some one showed interest, now look where she is!

Being rejected could just mean the publisher/agent you sent it to wasn't paying attention that day

There are innumerable reasons why a book isn't picked up right away (if ever). True, some just aren't written well, but the list includes: no open slots at that time (something I just heard about ), they've just signed a book that's similar, the ms was sent to an inappropriate agent for genre or subject, the book just doesn't catch their interest (subjective decision), that type of book doesn't have a large enough audience... For just about each of these reasons, there's an alternative solution - try again. Different time of year, different agent, editing, revamping - and of course, always working on the next project which might be timed right, sent to the right agent, and written better. There are good reasons for self-publishing - you just have to make sure yours is one of them.

Check out various agent's blogs - many of them have given their reasons for not taking on an author. Also check out some of the less bellicose self-publisher's blogs - I've seen many that tell you when (and when not) to go that route.

Originally Posted by Potty

J.K Rowling was rejected 7 times before some one showed interest, now look where she is!

Being rejected could just mean the publisher/agent you sent it to wasn't paying attention that day

lol. bet those agents are kicking theirselves in the ass over that one.

Thanks you for all of the info everyone, as far as where i'm at, i am currently in the writing stage. But i'm one of those people who loves to plan things out/know details ahead of time. for example i have mini outlines for every chapter of my book already ^_^. thanks again.

Originally Posted by Daesu

for example i have mini outlines for every chapter of my book already ^_^. thanks again.

Only way to write a book in my opinion. I do the same, without it I would be lost and forget what point I was supposed to be getting to next.

I even have mini outlines for each scene!

I'm no expert, but everything I've read tells me that in order to self publish your book successfully (meaning publish it AND sell enough copies to make a profit), you have to be prepared to go crazy with the marketing aspect. Since your book won't be on the shelves of a bookstore, you have to find creative ways to sell your copies (after every friend and family member has one). So for me, before I even think of getting a publisher to accept my soon-to-be self published novel, I need to create a marketing plan. (That's where I'm at right now, I've just finished my book and I'm going through the editing process). Remember, a publisher won't take a risk on a new author, if there's no reason for them to. If they could see that there was a huge interest and you were selling books like crazy, then maybe. So I'd focus on the marketing of your book first. Good luck!

Originally Posted by wavegirl36

before I even think of getting a publisher to accept my soon-to-be self published novel, I need to create a marketing plan.

Again, why would a publisher want a book that's already been published? And why would you spend all that time and money to self-publish if you really want a commercial publishing contract? If a commercial contract is your ultimate goal, why not spend that time (and no money) actually working that route?

I see too many people thinking that self-publishing is some kind of short-cut to a commercial contract. Too many people looking at the exceptions as if they were the rule. People really need a reality check.