You're not Taylor Swift.
(But if you are, will you hire me for your next book?)
TL;DR Version:
Just because Taylor Swift is self-publishing doesn’t mean everyone should.
Your publishing route should be aligned with your goals and needs.
Traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing are all viable routes.
This sentence is here so I will have a third thing in the list.
Regular Version:
Newsflash: You're not Taylor Swift.
(Okay, probably not that much of a newsflash.)
A couple weeks ago, when the Almighty T-Swift announced she would be self-publishing her Eras Tour book, everyone lost their mind. Many of my colleagues in the publishing space celebrated her decision with cries of:
"T-Swift just changed the game!"
"Traditional publishing is dead."
"See, you can do it too!"
Stop.
Let's recognize:
-T-Swift's decision is right for her, not everyone.
-T-Swift has her own machine to make self-pub work.
-T-Swift already has status and doesn't need the Big Five for more.
So just 'cause Taylor Swift is self-publishing doesn't mean you should.
Caveats:
This isn't a knock on self-pub.
(I literally just self-pubbed by book Start With Story. Paperback $17.99 on Amazon. Shameless plug. )
This isn't a knock on T-Swift
(White flag, Swifties. I'm a low-core fan. 1989 is a masterpiece and I’m pretty fond of folklore too.)
But your publishing route has to be yours.
Aligned to your goals.
Want the elite status of traditional? (And have the patience?)
Go for it.
Want the all-encompassing control of self-pub?
Go for it.
Have the robust $$$ for a (legit) hybrid press?
Go for it.
Your call.
And if you're not sure, hop on a call with me.
(If you’re a paid subscriber, I’ll do the call for free. Just reach out.)
(Caveat, limited time offer to end of year on that. If you’re reading this in 3045, I’m probably not doing those calls anymore.)
But in one hour, we'll figure out the right route for you and the first steps you need to take. And if writing a book is one of your goals for 2025, then book a free 20-minute Q&A and let me hear about it.
Until next time, keep telling your story. (Clearly, of course.)
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