When NOT to self publish

(The following is a message that I previously posted on www.sffchronicles.co.uk)

Whilst this topic is still on the board, and people are still reading it, I thought I'd just pop in a little opinion which might be useful (or could end up making me look a little arrogant).

I self published my novel because 1) After two years I'd had no luck with agents or publishers, and 2) For me, the book is an itch that needs scratching. And right now it's a hobby and I'm doing it for fun.

I have, however, seen others doing things that make me rather concerned.

The other day I stumbled across a fantasy book that someone had written and self published. However, the reasons for him doing so were... well, troubling.

The author had planned and was in the process of writing a sprawling fantasy epic; somewhere around 5 or 6 books, each in the region of 150,000 - 200,000 words. On his website he told of his dismay that he could only send agents and publishers the first three chapters of his novel. How could they possibly understand and gain an insight into his world and what he planned from only three chapters? He wanted to sit down with someone over a cup of coffee and show them all the maps he had drawn, his marketting plan, and discuss the history and culture of the world he had created.

On top of this, it saddened him that he would have to wait 2 or 3 months for a response. He suspected he would have many sleepless nights before him as he waited to know whether or not his book would be accepted. And even if it were, he would need to wait 2 or 3 years to see it in print.

This, it seemed, he couldn't live with. He wanted his book out now! And so, he has completely side-stepped the traditional route (as far as I can tell he never showed his work to even one agency) and went through a vanity press instead. He cited examples such as H G Wells for self publishing and becoming a big success. He believes this so much that he also intends to give up his day job and focus on his writing full time.

I was stunned.

Now, this is only my opinion, but I would really really REALLY say to everyone on these boards and those who are reading this to never ever do that! This has to be the stupidest idea ever and I hope, for his sake, that the author doesn't do this.

He seems largely unaware that even people such as Joe Abercrombie (THE BLADE ITSELF) and Stephen Hunt (COURT OF THE AIR) still have day jobs, despite the critical acclaim of their books and the successes they have become. The former still edits films for a living and the latter retains his job at an investment bank.

I hope this post doesn't make me sound like some sort of prig. I write it only in the hope that others who are considering such action will stop and think very, very carefully about what they are about to do.

There is nothing wrong with self publishing. In the age we live in, the whole DIY culture the internet has brought about, it is becoming more acceptable. But, if you self publish you need to be realistic about your expectations and for many it would be better to go via the traditional route of contacting agents, editors, etc.

(I suspect I may have contradicted myself somewhere in there. Someone will tell me...)