Comments on: Taking the Vanity Out of Vanity Publishing http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/ Jackie Kessler's blog, and the demon Jezebel's talk-radio show Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:21:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Eric http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-27379 Eric Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:56:00 +0000 http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/#comment-27379 If a film director makes his own movie, it's considered a bold artistic move, but when an author does it...it's "vanity"...wtf? If a film director makes his own movie, it’s considered a bold artistic move, but when an author does it…it’s “vanity”…wtf?

]]> By: S.L. Armstrong http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-26014 S.L. Armstrong Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:34:18 +0000 http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/#comment-26014 Though I disagree with a lot of what you say about self-publishing, I do agree about most of your assertions about the assisted-publishing model. You should also be aware the lulu.com charges you an additional $75 in order to use your own ISBN. It's a hidden cost you have to wade through their FAQ to find. Though I disagree with a lot of what you say about self-publishing, I do agree about most of your assertions about the assisted-publishing model.

You should also be aware the lulu.com charges you an additional $75 in order to use your own ISBN. It’s a hidden cost you have to wade through their FAQ to find.

]]> By: Derek http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-25962 Derek Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:14:44 +0000 http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/#comment-25962 Another distinction that occurs to me: If you have a profitable business, then it's self-publishing. If you lose money on it, then it's vanity publishing. Another distinction that occurs to me: If you have a profitable business, then it’s self-publishing. If you lose money on it, then it’s vanity publishing.

]]> By: Grinny http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-25959 Grinny Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:52:35 +0000 http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/#comment-25959 It's pretty interesting reading all this from a comic-creator perspective. I always thought "self-publishing" was synonymous "vanity publishing" and yet it's very widely accepted in the indy comic circuit. So I always had mixed feelings between "hey it's fun to print my webcomic and offer copies at conventions along with other stuff" vs "this really means my comic is too crap to be properly published" vs "but this is a hobby and I don't WANT to be a mainstream comic maker!!!" XD Well anyway (non comic) books seem a little different because maybe the author wants cover art and can't make it themselves (vs with comics, if you can make the comic you probably made the cover first)... I guess the other major difference lies in what people think they are getting. Do they think they are getting some merch to sell off their website and at cons (which is fine), or do they think they are improving their chance at landing a professional publishing gig (which is not fine because that's just not how it works) It’s pretty interesting reading all this from a comic-creator perspective. I always thought “self-publishing” was synonymous “vanity publishing” and yet it’s very widely accepted in the indy comic circuit. So I always had mixed feelings between “hey it’s fun to print my webcomic and offer copies at conventions along with other stuff” vs “this really means my comic is too crap to be properly published” vs “but this is a hobby and I don’t WANT to be a mainstream comic maker!!!” XD
Well anyway (non comic) books seem a little different because maybe the author wants cover art and can’t make it themselves (vs with comics, if you can make the comic you probably made the cover first)…
I guess the other major difference lies in what people think they are getting. Do they think they are getting some merch to sell off their website and at cons (which is fine), or do they think they are improving their chance at landing a professional publishing gig (which is not fine because that’s just not how it works)

]]> By: Derek http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-25931 Derek Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:28:23 +0000 http://www.jackiekessler.com/blog/2009/11/24/taking-the-vanity-out-of-vanity-publishing/#comment-25931 A self-publisher owns not only the ISBN, but also the Quark or InDesign files. A self-publisher owns not only the ISBN, but also the Quark or InDesign files.

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