Authors and Self-Publishing

[MRBAA]

Yes. Although what's changed is that anyone with a platform -- ie. a way of being well known in the field -- could potentially self publish profitably, probably especially those with niche audiences. 2+2 is a great example of this.

[XxPenguinxX]

So, with certain limited exceptions, self-publishing is essentially a vehicle for people who have written a book but failed to get it picked up to havew something to show for their work?

I wonder what the percentage is of people who write poker books to those who end up having them published?

[Mason Malmuth]

Are you prepared to print many thousands of books and then prvide storage space? How about billing and book packing? What about handling returns? How about chasing after websites that illegally put your book up for free download? And what if your book fails to sell, are you prepared to take the loss?

I think publishers do a lot more than you realize.

MM

[MRBAA]

You are correct -- publishers do provide many valuable services. But virtually all of the logistical and legal services they provide can be replaced for a price. I still think the distribution network is the one thing that can't be bought unless you are a celebrity and have a viable platform from which to publicize your book. It seems to me that what happens in those cases is that publishers pay the author a higher advance and royalty rate, essentially recognizing that they are competing against the celebrities ability to self-publish or purchase certain parts of the services they provide ala carte.

[mrjetguy]

Here's why you should use 2+2: You will not see your self-published book in a bookstore. You are crazy to think that selling through the online community at any profit margin is better than using a publisher and having your book in bookstores nationwide.

[Vetgirig]

If I am not mistaken there is this old-timed pokerplayer who self-published his first book. Think it was a geat success and sold a lot of copies - so its doable. The number of poker books sold at that time was small compared to the number of poker books sold today so its a lot easier to find a publisher today.

He called it Supersystem, but then Doyle Brunson is a 2 time WSOP main event winner.

[*TT*]

[ QUOTE ]
If I am not mistaken there is this old-timed pokerplayer who self-published his first book. Think it was a geat success and sold a lot of copies - so its doable. The number of poker books sold at that time was small compared to the number of poker books sold today so its a lot easier to find a publisher today.

He called it Supersystem, but then Doyle Brunson is a 2 time WSOP main event winner.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are mistaken, its commonly known that it was unprofitable to publish SS until recently, it took him years to turn a profit.

[steamboatin]

[ QUOTE ]


Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I am not mistaken there is this old-timed pokerplayer who self-published his first book. Think it was a geat success and sold a lot of copies - so its doable. The number of poker books sold at that time was small compared to the number of poker books sold today so its a lot easier to find a publisher today.

He called it Supersystem, but then Doyle Brunson is a 2 time WSOP main event winner.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



You are mistaken, its commonly known that it was unprofitable to publish SS until recently, it took him years to turn a profit.

[/ QUOTE ]

TT is right. I can't remember where I saw it but Doyle started out with a publisher, the book failed, he took over and basically peddled them one at a time mail order from his home, I believe.

I wish I could remember where I read or saw the story.

[SGspecial]

[ QUOTE ]
TT is right. I can't remember where I saw it but Doyle started out with a publisher, the book failed, he took over and basically peddled them one at a time mail order from his home, I believe.

I wish I could remember where I read or saw the story.

[/ QUOTE ]
IIRC they were also selling for $50 apiece, which would be equivalent to what, $150 today? There was nothing else like it out there, and it wasn't meant for the guys playing 25c/50c limit on teh internets.

[jeffnc]

Why don't you guys go over to a "How To Dominate" thread and ask Sam O'Conor about it? I believe he self-published.