Comments on WriteSmart Blog: Would you consider self-publishing?

Thanks very much for the insights in your post. I ...

2011-10-30T02:00:48.592+11:00

Thanks very much for the insights in your post. I hope to use some of this advice.

Hi Dominique, Sorry for the tardy reply. I have b...

2010-09-27T17:20:00.556+10:00

Hi Dominique,

Sorry for the tardy reply. I have been o/s for the past month.

Regarding copyright, the Australian Copyright Council says: “Works of writing – such as novels, poems and newspaper articles – are automatically protected by copyright as soon as they are written or otherwise recorded in some way (eg computer disk)."

So, as long as you can show your original files, I would assume that would be proof enough. If you want more information on this, Australian Copyright Council is your best port of call.

I too have done self-publishing since 2006. I feel...

2010-09-23T12:04:14.417+10:00

I too have done self-publishing since 2006. I feel good about your list on the benefits of self-publishing. I've experienced that they are true. Is it also your practice to register the copyright of your books? I notice in Australia that there is no process for copyright registration. I wonder how does the copyright holder (in places like Australia) prove their ownership.

Thanks Mamunur. I am glad you enjoyed it.

2010-06-24T10:42:40.055+10:00

Thanks Mamunur.
I am glad you enjoyed it.

Hi, This is such a great resource that you are pr...

2010-06-23T20:11:37.511+10:00

Hi,
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post.
Thanks!
Mamunur Rasid
Outsourcing Provider.
OwnCoder

Thanks for your comments, Patricia. What are some ...

2010-02-11T09:25:55.827+11:00

Thanks for your comments, Patricia. What are some of those 'valid' reasons you mention.

Studying the industry sounds like a big task. Any hints on how potential authors can go about doing this?

Good blog post. I established my publishing compan...

2010-02-11T00:51:59.013+11:00

Good blog post. I established my publishing company in 1983, before it was fashionable and have produced 25 books (plus 4 through traditional publishers and one through a co-publisher). And I've counseled dozens of hopeful authors. One thing I always suggest to anyone who wants to become published is to consider his/her book's purpose and their reason for wanting to publish it.

The purpose and reason should be valid and not frivolous. This is the first step to successful authorship.

The second major step is to study the publishing industry so you know and understand your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author.

Patricia Fry, Executive Director
SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) www.spawn.org.

www.matilijapress.com
visit my blog often: www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog.

Monique, What a great idea. Good on you for doing...

2010-02-10T20:13:01.134+11:00

Monique,

What a great idea. Good on you for doing this for charity.

You say you have made $6000 for the charity, but can I ask what the overall costs were? Also, did you commission an editor to read the work before sending it out?

Also, may I ask why wouldn't self-publish your own fiction?

Our writing group self-published an anthology Bett...

2010-02-10T17:18:35.722+11:00

Our writing group self-published an anthology Better Than Chocolate in Sept 2008. we had 13 people so we could divide the risk and the work-load.

We determined all our profits (after costs)would go to a charity Room to Read.

We launched the book and got into book stores and gift shops across Sydney (eg Shearers, Berkelouw, Lindfield Books). We marketed it ourselves and go some media coverage and have done signings and library talks as well.

Two of our members have book deals with traditional publishers as well (Murdoch and Penguin, though interestingly both are memoir), three have placed in the Women's Weekly short-story prize among other writing awards and many have been published in literary journals etc so there is talent in the group.

So far we have made over $6,000 for chairy in just over 12 months. I would say that is a pretty good success story.

That said I probably wouldn't publish my own fiction alone.