I Have an Agent So Why Am I Self-Publishing?

I have an agent and I'm really glad I do. Why? Because she's an advocate for my career. Even when  she couldn't sell something she felt deserved publishing. When I told her I was going to try independent publishing, she cheered me on, happy to see CLOCKWISE get out there, whatever the means.

And that's the great thing for writers now. We have options. We can pursue traditional publishing or small press publishing or independent publishing. Or all of the above. There's never been a greater time to be a writer when it comes to choice.

Though I'm independently publishing my chick-lit line, I'm still pursuing traditional publishing with my latest wip, currently in the hands of my agent. My hope is that she'll get back to me with encouraging notes and that I can revise it to the point that it's ready to go out on submissions soon.

But let's talk about what's happening with independent publishing. 

Many are saying it's the new publishing revolution.  With the sudden peak in popularity of e-reading devices, the ease of e-book shopping and the general lower price point of e-books, e-publishing is indeed taking the book world by storm.

Many authors who are traditionally published are jumping on board, especially mid-list authors, because they have discovered that not only can they  regain control of their creative work, they can and do make much more money doing it.  See Alexandra Sokoloff who is one of many who calls it the new revolution.  Other examples of authors who are already traditionally published but taking the e-pub plunge are Dean Wesley Smith,  and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

The slow death of the chain book store is just another sign of things to come (RIP Borders). The rapid change in publishing has editors and agents in a spin. Their lists are getting shorter and the number of authors vying for a spot on the list is growing.   

This phenomenon is creating a new kind of author. One with literary agent representation but despite persistent submission to editors by their agent, their book cannot find a home (like me.) See my interview with author, Anne Riley, who shares how her agent told her to self-publish.

Still others are skipping the traditional route on purpose, believing they could do better on their own. You've probably heard of John Locke, an independent author whose recent success (selling over one million e-books in less than six months and becoming a New York Times bestselling author) has got, not only the attention of the publishing industry— traditional and indie-- but also the Washington Journal Post. And now most recently, one of the Big Six is breaking precedent by offering him a print-only deal. That's right, he gets to keep 100% of his electronic rights (what is the publishing world coming to?)

All this to say that now's a good time to give independent publishing a shot. I'll let you know how it goes.

What are your thoughts on the Big Changes in Publishing? Any questions for me?