Are you an indie forever?

[pgjones]

Do you have aspirations to traditionally publish, or are you an indie through-and-through?

[EllenFisher]

I would never say never. Things may change. Sales may tank, retailers may stop selling indie books, or some very clever publisher may offer me a million dollars. Any of these things, and a million others, might change my eventual career path.

That being said, right now I'm no longer pursuing traditional publishing. I'm rather happy to be off the submission-go-round, honestly.  And I do enjoy indie publishing-- it's a lot simpler and more straightforward.  Also, I'm making more money at it than I was with small presses. So right now it's a win-win. If at some point it ceases to be a winning situation, I can always reevaluate then.

[JRTomlin]

Many of us have been traditionally published or published with small publishing houses.

I'll do it again if they offer me a really good deal. The difference now is that I don't chase it.

[pgjones]

I'm currently querying agents regarding my new manuscript, but I'm torn.  I love the idea of retaining control over my book, but sales for my last one aren't so great.  I feel like I need more support. 

[Terrence OBrien]

Forever? I have no reason to limit myself when I don't even know what potential opportunities I am eliminating.

[smreine]

Agreed with all of the above. Seems silly to tie up a completed manuscript with the submission process when it could be out making money as soon as it's ready to go. I'm interested in working with publishers in the future for some books, since I think diversification will be important for a lasting career, but right now I'm satisfied with the pace, control, and profit with self-publishing.

[ChristinePope]

I would never say never. Things may change. Sales may tank, retailers may stop selling indie books, or some very clever publisher may offer me a million dollars. Any of these things, and a million others, might change my eventual career path.

That being said, right now I'm no longer pursuing traditional publishing. I'm rather happy to be off the submission-go-round, honestly.  And I do enjoy indie publishing-- it's a lot simpler and more straightforward.  Also, I'm making more money at it than I was with small presses. So right now it's a win-win. If at some point it ceases to be a winning situation, I can always reevaluate then.

Everything she said.

[pgjones]

It's great to know that no matter what, I can get my words out there.  It's a great time to be a writer.

[tamaraheiner]

I'm not Indie published, though I plan to in the near future. I'm also querying agents for other projects. I think different projects need different routes of publication.

[brianrowe]

I'm currently querying agents on my new novel, but also planning on releasing it indie style in mid to late March. When I started two years ago, I figured if you couldn't get an agent, there was no hope for your book. Now I know that was wrong. I love the indie publishing possibilities, but I'm also not against the traditional way.

[Kevis 'The Berserker' Hendrickson]

As long as someone's willing to cut me a check, I actually don't care how I'm published.

[Rykymus]

Am I the only one?     I have absolutely no interest in being traditionally published.  I like the power that I have discovered through digital publishing. I get to do it MY way.  Now, if someone offered a REALLY big check to publish traditionally?   (And when I say big, I mean "I can retire on it" big!)  But if doing so meant taking it off the digital market? No way. Period. Besides, I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. There are so many exciting possibilities yet to come through this medium. And I can't wait to explore them.

[Krista D. Ball]

I am traditionally published. I will continue to be traditionally published. I will continue to DIY stuff that works best in that form of publishing. If I thought I could make money off having my flash fiction on shower curtains and sold on ThinkGeek, I'd do that, too.

[Krista D. Ball]

Am I the only one?     I have absolutely no interest in being traditionally published.  I like the power that I have discovered through digital publishing. I get to do it MY way.  Now, if someone offered a REALLY big check to publish traditionally?   (And when I say big, I mean "I can retire on it" big!)  But if doing so meant taking it off the digital market? No way. Period. Besides, I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. There are so many exciting possibilities yet to come through this medium. And I can't wait to explore them.

Traditionally publishing does not mean your work won't be available in digital formats. It's cool that you have no interest in trad publishing, but at least base the decision on facts

[Rykymus]

Krista: Agreed. That's why I said "if".

[Kevis 'The Berserker' Hendrickson]

Am I the only one?     I have absolutely no interest in being traditionally published.

Since this is primarily an indie-author forum, you're far from the only one who doesn't care about being traditionally published. But the whole traditional publishing is bad rant is getting old now. What really interests me is to see how many of the authors dissing traditional publishing will be around a couple years from now when the self-publishing gold rush is over.

[Benjamin A.]

I'll be honest, as I chose the indie route for my first work, I thought I'd be indie through and through. Like many others have pointed out, it's a limit that should be removed. Traditional publishing is not something I plan to actively work toward at this time, but I've opened myself to the idea. I do hate the thought of giving up some creative control, but there are benefits as well. Learning from those further ahead of me has shown it's all about the terms, rather than the publishing method.

You have to have the strength to walk away from the table if it's no good, but also have the strength to sign the contract if it's worth it. Both avenues are viable, and do not require exclusivity. It's all about what any publishing route can do for you as a whole package. That's how I see the decision anyways.

[Krista D. Ball]

Krista: Agreed. That's why I said "if".

The "if" isn't even a discussion. They'll want the digital rights and print rights. Or, they just want the print rights and you keep the digital ones. Or, they'll take the digital rights and let you keep the print ones. Generally, people don't ask for both those rights unless they plan to use them both.

[jillmyles]

I'm keeping my foot in both doors mainly because right now, that feels wisest to me. There are so many crazy things going on in the publishing industry that it feels like the entire thing changes every two months. And because of that, I'm all about keeping my options open.

[pgjones]

So many great replies- I love this board!  Indie authors are the best.

[Christopher Bunn]

Maybe it's kind of like that old saying. You can take the boy out of the hood, but you can't take the hood out of the boy.

[Peter Salisbury]

I did consult an agent once and was given some sound advice. However, that was long before digital publishing. Now I'm doing pretty much the same as I always have - doing it my way.

No longer am I a young man. I'm retired and I write because I enjoy it. Through writing I've met both readers and other writers, and made good friends. Everyone is different but for me indie is the way.

[Feenix]

As long as someone's willing to cut me a check, I actually don't care how I'm published.

I guess this is where I stand on the topic...

Dave King

[Rykymus]

Krista: I just said "if" because as a newb, I know nothing about the traditional publishing industry other than what I've heard here.  In all honesty, despite how much fun I'm having self-pubbing, I'm sure "if" I was offered a deal, I'd probably take it if the terms were right. I'm not that stupid. 

[Dara England]

I'm a writer forever and not married to any one format. Instead, I try to consider what makes sense for individual projects. When I write something I think might be a good fit for a New York publisher I don't hesitate to send it out on the query-go-round, because despite the odds against succeeding in that arena, I'm still very impressed with what large publishers have to offer. If I find myself growing frustrated by the process, I simply step back and give myself a little breather, focusing for awhile on the creative aspect and on my small press and self-published work. That's why it's good to have lots going on.

On the other hand, there are some projects it wouldn't make sense to aim at large publishers and for those I have a choice between small presses and self-publishing. My experience with small presses has been mostly positive but I've moved away from them these days because I've found self-publishing more lucrative. But not all small presses are created equal and I'm not writing off the ones that are established enough to have a loyal customer base.  

As for my single forray into publishing with a midsized publisher (anthology), it wasn't my most financially successful effort but I'd do it again in a minute, solely for the pleasure of seeing my book in stores and my name in the table of contents alongside NYT bestsellers. Cases like that remind me that "success" is a subjective thing and what satisfies one writer may not be at all what the next one wants.