Hello lovelies! I'm back with a new topic! My truth on being an Author, especially as an Autistic one, and what it means to be one, whether it's the traditional process or the new, self-published way of publishing. Either process of publishing is neither bad or good, right, or wrong. Both processes take a long time, especially when trying to be an established Author in the first place. Now, without further ado, here's my truth on being an author.
When I was first trying to become an author, I didn't know much about the writing process or how to publish a book entirely. All I knew was I had an idea, some writing experience, and that I needed a computer, or a notebook, pen, or a writing software like Google Docs, or Microsoft Word. However, the more I delved into writing, and how to do it more effectively, I learned so much, like what it takes to improve my writing. The first one I found about is Traditional publishing and its long process to accomplish publishing by going down this route.
What is Traditional publishing?
Traditional publishing is publishing through the long, tedious process of publishing a book; a process many authors have gone through to get their book published. Which many know is after a person writes their book, they put their story out there through many medias to get discovered by a publishing agent. Who, afterwards, has the person sign a contract, and their book gets printed, marked, and sold in both many booksellers and retail shops. However, like many things, there are pros and cons. For example, a pro would be that you wouldn't have to worry about marketing and everything in that realm (Lauber 2021). As for a con, a person may lose their rights to your book, meaning you cannot sell your book anywhere else (Lauber 2021).
When writing my first book and afterwards, I uploaded my book to Wattpad to get my book out there, in hopes of getting noticed. I even wrote some other originals and fanfictions as well. However, as in patient as I was, and the offers I got were all scams. With this, I decided to go off of the traditional route and begin the other route, Self-publishing.
What is Self-publishing?
Self-publishing is publishing through a publishing company like Kindle Direct Publishing, a program through Amazon, or Ingram Spark, an award-winning publishing company for self-publishing. This means after a writer finishes their book, again edited thoroughly, but instead of going through many trials, error, and rejection like the Traditional publishing, you upload it to a publishing website. Now, there are also pros and cons for self-publishing as well. For instance, a pro would be the author has entire control over the creative process (O'Neill 2023). As for a con, would be paying for everything upfront, and marketing all by yourself (O'Neill 2023).
As mentioned before, this is the route I began after trying to get published the traditional way. I did this after hearing about Amazon's self-publishing program by mother, I believe. And so, one thing after another, after much editing and everything. I became a published author on October 2nd, 2021. Though, after a while of making sure to take care of few things, my book was now ready to shine as a debut.
What is my preference?
Well, I think I prefer Self-publishing, due to the control and freedom over my creative process, plus I also want the rights to my story as well.
What is the key to good writing?
From what I hear and, in my opinion, as well, reading books and practicing writing, even brushing up on certain departments in a person's writing or writing style, like character developing characters, finding their style, etc.
Is it hard to be an author?
Yes, no matter if they are published traditionally or self-published, it is hard being anything author. Considering how much rejection an author goes through over and over, whether by their audience or publishing agents. Along with lots of editing and hard work that is put into each book, especially for traditionally published authors since they have less reign over their creative process. Even self-published authors have a hard time with marketing their book, sales when they started out, and an unfair stigma hanging over our heads, both from snobby traditional-published authors or people, who have a negative view about self-publishing itself as well. Plus, the hottest genres always change too. Which is why it's important to be in the writing business for the right reasons, passion, which as an Autistic Author, who wrote her way out of grief, I am all about!
How can one know which path of publishing is right for them?
There is no way anyone can know without research about both publishing processes. I would advise any aspiring or writer, who wants to be published, to make sure to look at the pros and cons of both processes and sees what's right for them. I believe that there are also quizzes that help authors see what path may be right for them as well. The important thing is to evaluate and research everything about the two processes, then choose from there.
What advice do I have for aspiring, small, or other types of authors?
My unsolicited advice is this, do what is right for you. If you want to self-publish, go ahead, the same for traditional-published authors. Keep writing by practicing, whether that's writing blogs, fanfiction (like I still do on Wattpad), or whatever method you prefer. Just keep moving forward and keep going, trying reading books you want to write too. Whatever helps your writing career move forward. Also, make sure to take breaks for mental health when needed, because that's important as well.
And that's it! Follow, Comment, and share for more! See you lovelies next time, bye!
P.S, here are my resources down below:
- Lauber, R.(2021) 17 Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing. Writer's Digest. https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/17-pros-and-cons-of-traditional-publishing-vs-self-publishing
- O'Neill, M.(2023) 17 Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing Your Book. Become A Writer Today. https://becomeawritertoday.com/pros-and-cons-of-self-publishing/
- www.google.com/images(for pictures)
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