As I See It: Publishing Snobs and How to Ignore Them

My Monday rant is about publishing snobs, who are fairly common in this industry. They say things like if you self-publish it's shameful and your book is going to suck. Or that snagging an agent means you're smarter and more talented than those who don't. That going with a small press won't help you and might even hurt you.  

Publishing snobs. Those people who have rules over how it has to be done, and if you don't follow the rules, then what? You're a loser? You're not a real writer? Or a real publisher? That you'll never make it? Whatever it is.

This kind of publishing snobbery has been going on for centuries. Charles Dickens was looked down on because he went to the people with his stories and printed them in magazines. Stephen King was considered a hack for two decades, despite all his bestsellers. Now we have Joe Konrath  who followed the rules for years and struggled to make a name for himself and his work. Then he stopped listening to the publishing snobs, practically single-handedly started the ebook revolution and now everyone knows his name. He is a hot commodity. He still writes the same, but goes his own way and ignores the naysayers while making more money than ever before.

More stupid snobby rules--

If your book isn't reviewed in _____________it must not be good. 

If you write a certain kind of genre you're selling out. 

A press who prints on demand is the devil. 

A book has to be in Barnes and Noble or it doesn't count. 

If you self- publish on Smashwords or Kindle it's not a real book. 

The publishing and literary snobbery goes on and on. I'm sure you've all heard it.

Some dishonest people spend their time figuring out how to separate the gullible and desperate from their money. Writers can be as gullible and desperate as anyone, so we have to be smart and research things carefully. But once a friend makes a decision about his own personal writing career, it's time to be supportive not critical, and go buy his book.

If I choose to go through an agent for many good reasons (see this agent's post) that's awesome, but it isn't the only way, or the only right way. The more writers blog and network with each other, the stronger we get and the easier it becomes to turn our backs on the publishing snobs of the world.

If I write, I'm a writer. And I keep writing until I get published. Then I'm an author. If a company pays to edit, typeset, design and print books for sale, they are a publisher whether they're located in New York or Nebraska.

If they publish your book, then you're a published author. If you publish your own book, you are a published author. Now keep in mind, it goes without saying that if you self-publish a crap manuscript you will get a crap book and people won't read it. But there are literary works winning prizes that people don't read either, so you're in good company. The difference is in the prizes.

If your book or story or article is published, whether on print media or online, then you are a published author. So don't be shy. Call yourself a writer. You are a writer. Or an author. Your poem was accepted for publication? You're an author. Say it loud and clear. Don't be embarrassed. It counts. It all counts. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Writers are all over the internet blogging, supporting and encouraging each other. This is a whole new world. We have each other, we are everywhere, writing and finding an audience. There are many ways to find that audience, it's no longer just one set of rules. Go for it, and don't be intimidated by the publishing snobs. At least that's how I see it.