34 Comments
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Kathy Slack's avatar

It's so inspiring to hear your publishing story, thank you. That you've cracked the distribution issue without a 'traditional' publisher gives the rest of us hope. Good luck and thank you!

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Maria Perrier's avatar

So many ideas in just one post! Thank you!

I had the crazy thought to self-publish my novel yesterday, to the point I started designing my book´s ideal journey and... I ended up thinking about creating my own publisher...

New rules for my art, made by me.

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Michele DeLima's avatar

Thank you for sharing your wonderful news and your thought process, Emma. As a writer w my first M/S complete, I’m at the very threshold of deciding whether to chase the traditional route or self-publish. This first book is so dear to me, a good bit of my soul turned inside out. It feels cruel to sell it (if it sells!) for peanuts. So your Sunday Scroll came at the exact right time to confirm my concerns and help me decide: yup, self publishing. And yesterday, I began the work to make it happen. Thank you! Wishing you all the wonders on your journey! 💕

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Alexandra Tennant's avatar

Thank you for being so brave about your journey and experiences. As an unpublished (new-ish) writer, getting that publishing deal does sound big and fancy and shiny and important. This really put things in perspective. It feels nice to know you can really take control of your own path and that the way things are done are always evolving. Looking forward to your post-self-publishing reflections!

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Liz Callaway's avatar

I’m so excited for you that you are self-publishing your book, Emma and I looking forward to learning more about your experience. I’m a singer/actress and discovered my entrepreneurial side at age 54– since then I have self-produced my last four albums. It was a huge learning curve and its lot of work, but incredibly rewarding and empowering. Hope to see you in NYC next month.

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Anna Brones's avatar

I love that you keep coming to the celebration advice! And CONGRATULATIONS! Such a big deal and shift.

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Lauren Powell's avatar

Without wanting to sound overtly cringe, Emma I really "felt" this intro and your literal decompressing on the beach at the thought of there being another way. So excited to see what this next chapter brings for you, in all the ways! 🎉📚

Also 10/10 on the links this week - my phone is now full of open tabs! I had no idea there was a Papier advent calendar, but now thats high on my festive wish list! ✨

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Thank you Lauren! I appreciate you <3

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Avni Trivedi's avatar

Thanks for sharing so much about your publishing history and switch of direction. It's good to hear about the reality of traditional publishing. I consider books to be holy and have really shot myself in the foot when it comes to trying hard to write one of my own. I'm bringing it back to the simplicity of articulating my ideas, and reaching more people and trying to let go of the notion of how it should look beyond that. Congrats on your innovation and for finding more ease with the process.

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Karen Sommerville's avatar

Your post is such great timing, Emma. All my books are self-pub’d, but I’ve been toying with the idea of querying my current WIP. Perhaps because I’ve never had the professional creds you talk about. But from a purely financial standpoint, it really doesn’t make sense to go the trad route. Thanks for this!

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AM Costanzo's avatar

So excited for you and the creativity that will come forth!! The finding of peace can be such a soothing balm 💕

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Thank you - excited to share more with you all as it unfolds <3

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Jade's avatar

7-15% of profits is shocking! I had no idea but wow…

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Yes, it's crazy once you take the blinkers off and realise how strange the ancient set-up is!

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Jo Thompson's avatar

That is VERY interesting about the year-on-year growth....

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Emma Gannon's avatar

isn't it just!!

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Claire V.'s avatar

I find the world of publishing fascinating so I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences trying something new and innovative. Good luck to you !!

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Thank you Claire! Looking forward to sharing more as it unfolds :)

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

I’m so happy for you Emma! ✨ I can’t wait to get a copy and so glad you’ve found peace on this new part of your journey. As you know, I’m a huge advocate for self-publishing and can’t wait see what the future holds for you 💌

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Thank you lovely

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Anna Wharton's avatar

I think this is a fascinating new way for authors to work, Emma and I applaud you for it. I wonder sometimes what traditional publishing has to offer us these days, it used to be a lot more both financially and in terms of their expertise. It IS a business but it can feel very personal and so we accept so much less than we should for the prestige of being published, but this model only serves the very few. I know from my agent that in America big name writers with lots of clout are foregoing their big advance in exchange for a greater share of their royalties, or perhaps the larger share of their royalties. But then they can afford to do that. I also think that when you have a committed following of readers you know better what their reading appetite is than publishers do potentially, and so you can serve them better. Most books don’t sell many copies and the publishers are happy with that because they are just part of their portfolio. Perhaps with these titles (which are the majority) there should be some more flexibility with regards to the contract. The only problem with hybrid publishing is that it is unaffordable for most writers of course, and I wonder if you’ve decided yet how open you’re going to be with the costs and the returns. I hope you will be as it’s a fascinating area and one I would definitely explore if I could afford to. I’m wishing you all the very best with it. X

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Yes to all of this! I want to share as much as I can - probably in the new year when the book is on sale and all the final figures come in <3

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Michele DeLima's avatar

That would be awesome, Emma! Thank you! 😊

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Anna Wharton's avatar

Fascinating!

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Michelle Marie McGrath✨🌿's avatar

Very exciting Emma! And thought provoking about the publishing industry…hmmm. Here’s to more options and opportunities for authors.

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Thanks Michelle <3 appreciate you reading!

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