Nice post, thanks for that. We are definitely in uncharted waters and it’s likely to get a good deal more chaotic before any calm arrives. So much of the decision whether to publish indie or try to get a contract from a traditional publisher relies on the individual author, as you point out, and his or her predilections. And there’s a big divide between fiction and nonfiction. Indie publishing has been a viable option for niche nonfiction authors for a very long time, and often a more profitable one. But the point you make about distribution is also valid: few indie publishers can really match the reach of traditional publishers.

The clients I’ve had who have done the best on the indie route are motivated marketers who take the time and trouble to assemble a professional team to create and launch their book, and who have access to a population of people who will support the publication. For them, it works well.

@ Annabel – Actually, I see the other side of the coin, truth is authors have always had to hustle audiences, but now technology has made it so much more affordable and accessible, we can take control with far greater ease. And, there are are already a bunch of super cheap or free ways to launch great looking websites and blogs if you know where to look and who to ask. I’m about to have a whole lot more to say and offer around that topic in the very near future, i.e., January 2010. So, stay tuned!

The other thing that makes me sad is that many small authors realise the need to set up a website and be involved in a web campaign but as they have lower funds they tend to end up with a crappy site that will actively turn most readers away.

I want to set up a specialised web design service for authors and guarantee them an effective website for a reasonable price. That’s fair and it sucks seeing people being ripped off because they don’t understand the web and apparently many web designers don’t either:)

I hope at some point we all use the term independently published because it is the most apt and correct terminology to apply for the present and the future. I know of several authors who have independently published through iUniverse.com and have both the brick and mortar and click and mortar distribution with that service. (And no, I”m not an affiliate of iUniverse.com!)

I’m sure that, once you have been published by a traditional author at least once, your statements are absolutely correct. Not sure this is the same situation for a first-time author like me who has never been published. In this case the speed factor may be a little more exaggerated.

Agree completely about the editing comments. Could be a great advantage!

It is true that a great platform can help get a book published. But it may also be true that a great book, independently published, can help form the base for a great platform. I also know of some authors who independently published their first book as a way to establish credibility with traditional publishers for subsequent works.

Thanks again.

I write insanely quickly and, whether you lean on your publisher’s editors or hire your own, the polish they add to your final product can be a tremendous advantage, but that editorial back and forth takes time. And, that time should be allowed for, because it’s so worth it (provided your editor rocks). So, let’s say you may be able to put out 2 books instead of one. There, we’re in agreement, depending on the author and their bigger business plan, there may be a decided advantage.

And, regardless of whether you go self-publishing or traditional, there’s still plenty of time to build your own platform IF THAT’S YOUR PRIORITY. Wooing publishers doesn’t take that much out of you. At least, it didn’t for me.

Last thing, yes, my thoughts on filters is that the power has the potential to shift strongly over to the author and a much bigger group of trusted online filters, again, if they make a concerted effort to make it happen.

In the end, I’m not arguing for traditional publishing, just exploring some of the claims and misconceptions out there about both worlds in an effort to help authors make the most informed decision possible.

Not sure I get your comment about filters. You seem to be saying that, in the future, influential authors will be the best filters. Is that correct? If so, the publishing power will then be distributed amongst a larger base of people who have the permission to speak about other author’s offerings. I guess that’s better than what we have today. If so, I think you and I should get acquainted!

Thanks for the great stuff.

tom