Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler

 

“Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight. Indecision is a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind.” Jan McKeithen

 

Life is filled with decisions. Shall I stay? Shall I go? What do I keep? What do I let go?

Now that I have reached this milestone of a memoir manuscript in its final editing stages, I am faced with another decision. . .

 

Which route to publication shall I take?

 

How many times have we all heard: “This is the best time to be a writer”?

We all have so many options.  But which one is the best for my memoir?

 

Believe me, I am exploring all of them:

*  Small publisher

*  Self-publishing

*  Traditional publishing with an agent

 

There are pros and cons to each one and plenty of opinions and anecdotals out there on which is the best route.

Probably the best visual of these options is this infographic from Jane Friedman: “Four Key Book Publishing Paths, Version 2”

 

{Click to enlarge}

As I write this, new predictions are coming out every day. Check out these 2014 predictions  by Smashwords CEO Mark Coker. My favorite one is #14:

 

” Production takes on increased importance in 2014. Organize your time to spend more time writing and less time on everything else.” 

 

At some point soon, I will have to make a decision.

My final decision will be based upon what is right for my story.

 

How do I best get my story into the hands of the readers who need it the most; the ones who will care about my story as much as I do?

 

It reminds me of the pains I took to check out the right day care for my children when I was a single parent and had no choice but to place them in that setting. I knew I needed to find a place where they would be well-cared for and I would have some peace of mind.  As it turned out, some were fine and others…let’s just say I had to learn the hard way that things don’t always work out as planned.

 

There’s always a risk involved in any decision.

 

Like fine wine that should not be sold before it’s ready, I can’t rush my story.

 

On the other hand, if I wait until all is perfect, nothing will get done.

 

Somewhere between close enough to perfect and taking a risk, I will find the right path to get my story out there.

 

In the meantime, I’m in decision-making mode,

All dressed up for the party with so many places to go. . .

 

 

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

 *   If I don’t believe in my story, no one else will. Connecting with my purpose for writing my story is my guide.

*   Knowing my story well enough to discern which path to my readers is right for me will keep me focused on my readers.

*   Finding the balance between knowing what still needs work and knowing when further editing will dilute my intent is both a challenge and an opportunity.

*    Remaining open to ways to improve my story, a commitment to excellence, no matter which route to publication I decide upon, while also remaining clear on what is not negotiable will help me get my best work out there.

*    Writing up a book proposal based on specific guidelines has been a valuable experience in helping me hone in on my intent, my message and my marketing plan. Even if I don’t end up using it.

*   Remembering that , as a reader, I care more about the story than how it was published will also help me stay focused on my reader.

 

 ***

There are many resources available about each publishing option. This is by no means an all-inclusive list but here are a few select ones I found helpful:

Books:

You Really Should Write a Book: How to Write, Sell and Market Your Memoir by Regina Brooks and Brenda Lane Richardson

How Do I Decide? Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing by Rachelle Gardner

How to Sell Your Memoir: 12 Steps to a Perfect Book Proposal by Brooke Warner

Smashwords Book Marketing Guide: How to Market Your Book by Mark Coker (Kindle version is free)

APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur- How to Publish Your Book  by Guy Kawasaki ad Shawn Welch

Blog Posts:

“Top 10 Reasons to Self-Publish Your Book” on Every Writer blog.

“Start Here- How Do You Get Your Book Published?” on Jane Friedman’s blog.

“Six Ways Micro-Publishing Strengthens Your Career” by Christina Katz on Jane Friedman’s blog:

“A Year of Opinions About Self-Publishing”  from The Alliance of Independent Authors

“The Self-Published Book Marketing Plan” on Nick Thacker’s LifeHacked blog.

“The Questions to Ask BEFORE You Ask-How Do I Sell More Books?” on Dan Blank’s We Grow Media blog.

***

I’ll leave you with a quote from Chuck Wendig on Porter Anderson’s Writing on the Ether column, January 2, 2014:

 

“You will succeed by how you write, not by which route to publication you choose.”

 

 

How about you? For those who are already published, what made you decide the best route for your story? For those seeking publication, what has gone into your decision-making process?

 

 

I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below~

 

 

Announcement: Congratulations, Sandra Smith! Your name was selected in a random drawing of commenters to receive Maureen Murdock’s  Kindle short, The Emergence of Bipolar Disorder: A Mother’s  Perspective.

 

 

Next week, Monday, 1/20/14: UK Author Bridget Whelan will discuss “Back to Creative Writing School: Traveling with a Pen.” Her eBook, Back to Creative Writing School” is now on Amazon.