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PaulJNewell

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Hi,

I'm new to the site. Hi to you all.

I read with interested the thread on POD 'publishers'. I decided to self-publish my own novel (but the 'proper' print-run way). I'm aware that I will sell about as many books as I have friends, but I kind of felt that I just wanted to hold the thing in my hand and know that I'd produced it (plus I have a lot of friends ;)). So, if that's the true goal then I recommend this route.

Anyway, my book is due to be printed in a couple of weeks and I'd like to give away a few copies to anyone who'd care to read it.

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Admin Edit: Self-promotion link removed
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Hope to talk to you soon,
Paul.
 
Dogmatix said:
What a great accomplishment to have published your first book. Best of luck!
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To be honest, it's not an accomplishment when you go down the self-publishing route.
 
Well, Stewart, maybe if you've written your own book, typeset it, proof read it, designed the cover, created three websites, managed a printer, registered for an ISBN, got it listed on Amazon and Google Books, appeared on local radio, and arranged a launch party at Starbucks, all on your own ... maybe it's more of an accomplishment. But thanks for your thoughts Stewart.

Thanks Dogmatix and Sofia.
 
PaulJNewell said:
Well, Stewart, maybe if you've written your own book, typeset it, proof read it, designed the cover, created three websites, managed a printer, registered for an ISBN, got it listed on Amazon and Google Books, appeared on local radio, and arranged a launch party at Starbucks, all on your own ...
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That's just it. If I had to do that, I wouldn't consider myself much of a writer. I would expect my publisher to handle most of that; otherwise I'd wonder where my vocation really lies.

I should say, though, that I appreciate your web design. It's much better than some of the dire attempts out there.


But thanks for your thoughts Stewart.
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You're welcome. :)
 
And, out of interest, why are you publishing a novel, supposedly written by the character in the novel above, in Autumn, 2006?

Is this just to flesh out the catalogue of books by Appian Publishing?
 
Just because I have other skills doesn't make me any less good at being a writer.

A wild concept here, but maybe you'd like to read the first chapter of my novel on my website before you comment on my skills as a writer.
 
Welcome to TBF, Paul!

I think you've justified yourself very well in self-publishing. Some people call it 'vanity publishing', but I think that there's a lot of merit in wanting to hold it in your hand and give something you've laboured long and hard over to friends. Plus, I think giving away a few free copies isn't a bad way to get exposure and get some feedback. If you're willing to ship to Australia, I'd like to read your book. I really enjoyed your first chapter on your site! There are a few constructive comments that I'd make regarding writing style, but that's what editors are for, really. The story is very intriguing, and I'd like to read more.

Stewart said:
If I had to do that, I wouldn't consider myself much of a writer.
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If people who write in their spare time and enjoy it can call themselves writers, then so can people who choose to package their book in a different format (through POD, for example). I don't see why one has to have a publisher's endorsement in order to call themself a 'writer'. I'm a writer, but I don't write novels. I write just for myself.
 
Welcome to Book and Reader, Paul. (Thanks, Stewart!)

You need to be aware however of the Membership Agreement, which prohibits (Rule 3.2) advertising your own products in the body of a post (doing it in your sig is OK), or (Rule 3.4) linking to your online store. So if your post gets edited by a moderator, you'll know why...
 
Kookamoor said:
If people who write in their spare time and enjoy it can call themselves writers, then so can people who choose to package their book in a different format (through POD, for example). I don't see why one has to have a publisher's endorsement in order to call themself a 'writer'. I'm a writer, but I don't write novels. I write just for myself.
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Kook, I have to disagree. I don't think people who write in their spare time for the fun of it can call themselves writers. What we understand by someone saying "I'm a writer" (as with "I'm a dentist") is that it's their profession. By definition that means they get paid for it, or make (at least part of) their living from it. Otherwise one might as well say that a boy who pulls the legs off spiders is a veterinary surgeon.
 
Thanks muchly for your comments Kookamoor. Just to clarify, vanity publishing should be avoided by everyone. This is where you hand over money to a 'publisher' to publish your book, and sign away most of your rights. I am effectively my own publisher and have paid no one (other than a printer of course).

I will certainly ship to Oz. Mail me your address.

OK, thanks for the pointers Shade. In which case, no body purchase my book please! I just really wanted to say that it's not difficult to self-publish without using POD or vanity publishers, and I'd recommend it. I must admit that I wouldn't call myself a writer.
 
PaulJNewell said:
In which case, no body purchase my book please!
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USER CP -> Edit Signature

Just stick the link in there and it will appear with every post.

Out of interest, how big was your print run?
 
Shade said:
Kook, I have to disagree. I don't think people who write in their spare time for the fun of it can call themselves writers. What we understand by someone saying "I'm a writer" (as with "I'm a dentist") is that it's their profession. By definition that means they get paid for it, or make (at least part of) their living from it. Otherwise one might as well say that a boy who pulls the legs off spiders is a veterinary surgeon.
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I take your point, Shade, and I know where you are coming from. I certainly do not want to devalue someone who trains for years to perfect their writing skills and is successful at earning money by doing it.

However I disagree with your definition. The one thing I liked about Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way', in between all the hodgepodge of IMHO misplaced religious subtext, was her comment about being "an artist". She said something to the effect of, 'When you ask a 3rd grade class who is an artist, most children will put up their hands. When you ask a group of adults the same question, only 1 or 2 will admit to it'.

I'd like to think we could all call ourselves 'artists' or 'writers', though I appreciate that talent and training create different categories within the word. There is a difference between 'the arts' and other professions, somehow. People don't do a bit of dentistry in their childhood, and then choose another career. There is something inate in pursuing art and writing. We start both in our earliest childhoods, and it grows with us. A dentist or a doctor is something that is a concious choice, but writing, or painting or dancing is something that we may never conciously choose, but is always something we do.

One may, of course, conciously choose to pursue writing professionally. Perhaps we need another word to describe those individuals who diligently train and seek to earn their living through writing; as gardeners are to landscapers, or sewers (as in people who sew) are to tailors/habadashers/miliners, and drawers are to graphic designers.

I think we should all be able to call ourselves writers.
 
Hi Paul.

Welcome to the site - I hope you enjoy your time here.

I've edited your post as we don't allow self-promotion in posts. Feel free to add a link to your site in your signature though.

We have a "Writers' Block" forum where you can discuss self-publishing and other aspects of writing.

Thanks.

Darren.
 
Greetings Paul!.
th_rock.gif
 
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