I'm choosing self-pub because I'm writing a trilogy and I want to see all the books come out -- I've been around long enough to observe that unless the first one sells well (or you've been given a whopping advance) the second or certainly the third may never see the light of day. I want to have nice covers, not routine ones. I want to do the books three in a row, one a month, and I can do that next spring if I work hard. And the last reason amuses me: in one of the many many "should you self-pub?" articles that are around at the moment, the writer mentioned the length of time to find the right agent and a publisher, and concluded, "If you're 55 or over, might as well self-pub immediately." Well, I saw 55 some years ago, so like all the other doddering, cranky old women, I'm doing it myself.

I completely agree with you, Andrew - we need to go to where the readers are. Traditional publishers are also putting out electronic versions of the same books going into the bookstores. There are so many opportunities for authors these days and all are great options.

My point wasn't that one is better than another, only that my vision for the starting point of my writing career is to follow the "traditional' path - agent first then a publishing contract. Agents are fully aware of the "new day" and how to help their clients. I was at a conference recently and quite a few agents spoke about working with their clients to ensure career longevity and broader reach.

Perfectly said, Yvette! 🙂

So if we want to touch readers, is it fair to say that if everyone is out at Amazon downloading books onto their Kindle that it's where we as writers should be too? Well, maybe not the only way to look at it, but fair, yes.

I agree with you on wanting to touch readers, but I would argue - respectfully - that if we are to touch readers, we have to go to those places where they are. They're just not in bookstores anymore. They're on the Internet. That's the reality, neither good nor bad. It just is. It's a new day.

Yeah, after a few minutes I decided I'd wait with something other than bated breath, so I'm waiting with Craig Johnson's first Longmire book, "The Cold Dish." It's good company. Even better than the fantastic show.

LOL. Breathe, Joel...breathe!!!!

Thanks, Marilyn!
This is perfect - "striving to know *yourself* above all" ... and not just "know yourself" but I'd add "trust yourself." There are so many ways to do something, so many people who will give you advice, so many people who will tell you how you should do it. After rejections pile up it's so easy for aspiring authors to listen to everyone but their inner voice.