Self-Publishing, the Best Option for Black Authors?
The headline for this blog post is the title of a recent NPR (“News and Notes” January 13, 2009) interview on the subject of the future of self-publishing for black authors. Interviewer Farai Chideya led a discussion featuring Haki Madhubuli, the founder of Third World Press, one of the oldest black publishing companies in the United States, Quincy Troupe, bestselling author of books such as “Miles and Me” and “The Pursuit of Happyness,” and Nakea Murray, the founder of The Literary Consulting Group. The seventeen minute interview is well worth listening to and can be found at NPR.com. I would recommend it, not only for African-American writers, but for all writers who are considering self-publishing their work.
Madhubuli founded his independent publishing company forty years ago when he said book publishing was an experience that was missing from the black community. At the time, major houses were very reluctant to take on manuscripts from black authors, and self-publishing was the only option open to black writers. Now in today’s constricted and competitive marketplace, where 80 percent of books are published by seven conglomerates, he advises authors who truly believe in their writing to explore self-publishing as an option. He says with 85,000 small and self-publishers, the alternative of self-publishing is definitely “not off the table.”Quincy Troupe notes that now he is in the enviable position of having publishers come to him with book offers and ideas, but that was not always the case. He self-published his first book. And while he now has eighteen titles in print, he knows how hard it is for young or unknown authors to find a traditional publisher to take a chance on them and advises his students to look hard and long at self-publishing. He warns, however, that to be successful, authors must be prepared; they must be knowledgeable about publishing(layout, design, marketing), and be ready to work hard to get visibility for their books.Nakea Murray is in the business of helping authors who wish to self-publish to get all their ducks in a row. In her consulting business, she offers help with editing, layout, design, book covers, marketing, etc.
For authors to be successful, the details have to be handled very carefully. Murray is in the business of selling those services.As I have said, I think writers would benefit from listening to this interview. When all is said and done, however, I think the company with which I have been associated for many years offers all the options and support these three experts recommend. At Dorrance Publishing, authors who wish to self-publish find a variety of programs to provide them with whatever level of services and support they believe is appropriate for them and for their books. They can find it all with one-stop shopping, as opposed to hiring an editor, and locating a print-on-demand company, and bringing in someone to help with marketing. The professional service and support is all there, but as with all self-publishing ventures, the author will always be his or her book’s best advocate and most motivated sales person. The purpose of this blog is to help writers to be as best prepared as they can be and as well informed as they can be when making decisions about publishing their works.
Madhubuli founded his independent publishing company forty years ago when he said book publishing was an experience that was missing from the black community. At the time, major houses were very reluctant to take on manuscripts from black authors, and self-publishing was the only option open to black writers. Now in today’s constricted and competitive marketplace, where 80 percent of books are published by seven conglomerates, he advises authors who truly believe in their writing to explore self-publishing as an option. He says with 85,000 small and self-publishers, the alternative of self-publishing is definitely “not off the table.”Quincy Troupe notes that now he is in the enviable position of having publishers come to him with book offers and ideas, but that was not always the case. He self-published his first book. And while he now has eighteen titles in print, he knows how hard it is for young or unknown authors to find a traditional publisher to take a chance on them and advises his students to look hard and long at self-publishing. He warns, however, that to be successful, authors must be prepared; they must be knowledgeable about publishing(layout, design, marketing), and be ready to work hard to get visibility for their books.Nakea Murray is in the business of helping authors who wish to self-publish to get all their ducks in a row. In her consulting business, she offers help with editing, layout, design, book covers, marketing, etc.
For authors to be successful, the details have to be handled very carefully. Murray is in the business of selling those services.As I have said, I think writers would benefit from listening to this interview. When all is said and done, however, I think the company with which I have been associated for many years offers all the options and support these three experts recommend. At Dorrance Publishing, authors who wish to self-publish find a variety of programs to provide them with whatever level of services and support they believe is appropriate for them and for their books. They can find it all with one-stop shopping, as opposed to hiring an editor, and locating a print-on-demand company, and bringing in someone to help with marketing. The professional service and support is all there, but as with all self-publishing ventures, the author will always be his or her book’s best advocate and most motivated sales person. The purpose of this blog is to help writers to be as best prepared as they can be and as well informed as they can be when making decisions about publishing their works.
Posted by Elizabeth House at 1/23/2009 7:30 PM 
Categories: Self-Publishing,Book Publishing Industry,Print-On-Demand,Book Promotion
Categories: Self-Publishing,Book Publishing Industry,Print-On-Demand,Book Promotion
The blog spelled out the truth concerning the road towards becoming a author. I 've writen four books during my search for that one publishing company who would dare to read them only to come up empty handed; even though I've thought about the world of self publishing I've yet to chance the funds needed for such a jounrney. 2009 will be my year of greatness and endless possiblities and although I'm still learning I have a great deal to say and it is my desire that one day that which I release will produce quality along with style in addition to being a good read.
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The article provides a good, well-researched argument to self-publish own work, especially for new writers who are not yet branded. It is also a viable option for writers in developing countries to get their work published and to gain access to the international marketplace by using the latest available technology like the web 2.0
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Excellent suggestions for new authors. It is good information to get into the self publishing business for an author like me. But online publishers who provide self publishing options are not very cooperative. At every step they sugegst you buy their different services and charge heavily. A writer cannot afford to pay those prices as his work is over with the research of his book. It is a publisher's responsibility to market the book and sell it.
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Thank you for your feedback. The trouble with some self-publishing companies is, as you say, the initial fee seems low, but all the add-ons significantly increase the final cost to the author. That is why the company with which I have been associated for so many years, Dorrance Publishing, offers services at selected price points. Dorrance offers full-service publishing under the Dorrance Publishing imprint, and the same company also offers self-publishing services under the RoseDog imprint and print-on-demand services under the Red Lead imprint. In this day and age, and especially if you choose a self-publishing company to work with as opposed to a traditional publishing firm, it is often the author's responsibility to work along side the publisher to market the book. That shift is part of the revolution in publishing that is now occurring. Fortunately the rise of the Internet and all the possibilities for authors to connect with readers through this technology make it more realistic for authors to get out the word and effectively promote their books. No one is as committed to or cares more about the success of a work than its author.
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I have just published my first book with a self publishing. But I will love for a traditinal publishing company to read my new book. The name of my book is MY LITTLE SECRETS author Belinda Davis.
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I am in the process of self publishing my first book with iUniverse. I have been getting a lot of negative feedback about self publishers. For one, the publishing company gets so much of your royalties and book stores don't acknowledge your work. Sales are low and your book will only probably be read by friends or family, not OPRAH. It seems like self publishing really hurts the author instead of helping him/her. But what other options do authors have with no money to invest?
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When you self-publish you keep a much larger percentage of book sales revenues than when you publish with a traditional publishing company. The stigma that once was associated with authors paying for the publication of their own work is diminishing, and book retailers now carry books from traditional publishers as well as from authors who self-publish. There are many misconceptions and a great deal of misinformation about self-publishing generated for a number of reasons including competition and ignorance. The best thing to do always is to investigate a company's history and thoroughly read their agreement; ask lots of questions so that you know what is promised and what is not.
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Unfortunately, I am working right now, so cannot listen to the interview. However, I do plan to listen to it as I think this is a very interesting and important topic. I haven't seen much writing done on self publishing being more effective for certain races before, so I am definitely very curious. Thanks for this post!
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That's great, I never thought about Self-Publishing, the Best Option for Black Authors like that before.
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