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Authors Gordon Highland (Major Inversions), Brandon Tietz (Out of Touch), and Caleb J Ross (Stranger Will) have a spirited conversation about self- and vanity-publishing, debating its legitimacy, logistics, and financial aspects, as well as insights from their own experiences in this oft-scorned segment of the industry.

Episode Panelists:

  • Gordon/Flash (Moderator)
  • Brandon/brandon.tietz
  • Caleb/thirstygerbil

Episode Topic: Vanity in Publishing

00:01:54 Distinguishing between traditional, vanity, and self-publishing

  • distribution, printing, consumer
  • fake it til you make it, selection, risk, Yog’s Law
  • examples: Author Solutions
  • POD explained
00:09:42 How much does vanity publishing cost?

  • contacts, volume, editing, charges
  • “marketing,” time
00:13:06 How much money can you make?

  • word of mouth, reviews, reinvestment, advances, royalties
  • Amazon’s and Kindle’s industry influence
00:19:55 Success stories vs. typical results

  • Chicken Soup, Amy Fisher
  • average sales numbers, author copies, Lulu’s philosophy
  • what if a famous author self-published?
00:25:46 Ideal vanity publishing customer-authors

  • short run, niche, nonfiction
00:28:23 The stigma of self-publishing

  • no marketing, simplicity, credibility, exclusivity
  • hypocrisy compared to other mediums, prestige
00:32:40 Otherworld Publications and Brandon’s experience
00:34:47 The vanity business model and process
00:36:33 Signed copies and personalization
00:39:00 Is there a legit place for vanity publishing?

  • entry level, why not just POD?
  • increasing author responsibility
00:42:00 Advice for new authors considering self-publication

  • pitch, MFA, agents
  • shorts, community, platform
00:44:26 Author self promotion

  • Goodreads, follow-ups, advocacy
  • readings, events
00:48:35 How to gauge your success

  • milestones, commercial skepticism
00:52:46 What are you reading now?
00:55:13

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