In every revolution there are quick wins and impossible
walls, and self-publishing is no exception. That wall stands
solidly on the line between the digital and physical realms, and, like any medieval construction, there are defenders and gatekeepers. I don’t know them by name,
yet, but I do know the job descriptions. Let me introduce you...
The Problem: Publishers
I self-published. There. I said it. Like most authors, I was
frustrated by the traditional method of publishing. It goes something like this:
1. You send in a
manuscript and wait months for someone to review it and get back to you. They
get angry if you send it to more than one company, but it could take 100
submissions to find a publisher. A little math: (100 divided by… carry the
one…) yeah, lucky to publish one book per lifetime.
2. “What’s your
platform?” That’s the first question a publisher asks. They don’t care if the
book is good, what it’s about, or if you wrote the manuscript on a toilet paper
roll in one sitting. They want to know how many people you, the author, can
bring to it. Reality check: if you had time to write a book, you probably aren’t
the most outgoing person. Long periods of fictional introspection trumps social
advancement on your calendar. Publishers want the impossible – a popular
writer, a contradiction if I ever heard one. (aka. "Why ghost writers exist")
3. Let’s say you convince them you are such a writer, and
they publish you.
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Ever wonder how to be a man? It isn't easy to find realistic advice these days. Glossy magazines push luxury products to dress us up, movies give us unrealistic impressions, our day jobs suck our manhood dry. In all that noise, it's a relief to find a site dedicated to real men, real issues, and real results. Check out my latest post on How to Be A Man on the great blog Fearless Men. 