In the 1980s disc jockeys played the music of bands signed to indie record labels instead of major record labels.
I liken this to self-publishing a book circa 2015 today. Major publishers aren’t willing to take a chance on a great work of literature so they routinely turn down books they think won’t make millions of dollars for the house. James Patterson and other writers of so-called formula fiction do get book contracts with Random House and other publishers.
I say: take a chance on the last of the independents. Be not afraid to read a self-published book that is well-written not cobbled together with poor grammar and dangling sentences or run-on streams of paragraphs.
My other two books are self-help books I hope to publish within five years. I have a fourth non-fiction book I’d like to bring out too.
Today: mainstream publishers aren’t willing to take a chance on first-time authors. I urge readers of books to take this chance on first-time authors.
I’m most taken by Kim Gordon’s traditionally published memoir, Girl in a Band, because she limned the downtown New York City music scene that paralleled my own stint as a disc jockey on the FM radio.
It comes down to making beautiful music on your own. Self-publishing a book is like producing an album with an indie record label.
Most people would rather read a book Nicole Richie or Kim Kardashian wrote.
I say: give your hard-earned money to ordinary writers not celebrities who make millions just by rolling out of bed.
The whole indie do-it-yourself ethic is alive and well and thriving.
Why not join in?
Left of the Dial 