It can give you confidence
If there's one aspect of writing that can have a devastating effect on work its confidence. Or, more accurately, a lack of confidence. The world of self-publishing is a fantastic opportunity. In the digital age we live in, it's never been easier to produce and publish work that can be exposed to a wide, global audience. Finishing your work, from writing through to editing, and pressing the publish button is a liberating experience. And from there, the sky is the limit.
Morbid Relations
It gives you a writing profile
One of the best pieces of advice I've ever been told about writing is just to simply write. It might seem startlingly obvious but it's one that some aspiring scribes forget. Having the opportunity for self-publishing, there's a light at the end of the tunnel for people struggling to muster the motivation to get started. Knowing that you'll be able to punt, promote and publish is a powerful driving force and it's one that gives you a profile and portfolio that can be screened around the planet.
You have a target to aim for
There's always a degree of uncertainty about writing and that's enough to put even the most ardent of creative's off. What if your great, unpublished manuscript never sees the light of day? What if nobody likes it? What if you're not cut out for this writing lark? All good questions and ones that every serious writer should be asking themselves. By going down the self-publishing route, at least in the first instance, there's a guarantee that the work will be available for others to read, review and let you know about. Having that in your locker is hugely valuable.
It's an introduction to the creative processes involved
In my job as a journalist, I'm used to the editing process. It was something I took over into my self-published novel. Being able to scythe through great chunks of irrelevant material, chapters, paragraphs etc was both liberating and frightening. However, no matter how much I may have cried over losing parts and gaining others, I knew it had to be done. Therefore when my book was picked up by a publisher, the editing process was a much more pleasant and stomachable transition than it would have been without the self-publishing experience. Editors at publishers are a writer's best friend and deserve both respect and gratitude. By going through the process yourself, you'll become a much more appealing and workable writer with editors in the future.
It proves to both the rest of the world and yourself that you can do it
Writing is a lonely business. There are usually very few in the room when the nuts and bolts are being pulled together to make these masterpieces. Ultimately, what self-publishing comes down to, is forcing you to finish that story, write that book or novel or poem. You can't self-publish a blank word document, you have to do the hard work and process. And ultimately, once that hurdle is overcome, the psychological impact will be huge on any future writing you do.
You have a product
Much like the point above, you can't sell a blank page. Well… you probably can in some dark corner of the internet but that's for another time. By completing your book or novella etc, there is something tangible there to always cherish. Self publishing allows aspiring writers to have this opportunity and it's a special moment when you can see your work on display and sale for readers.
It breeds discipline and dedication
Being professional is important in every aspect of writing and sometimes it's an overlooked aspect of what it means to be a scribe. The image of the drunken, freethinking, chin scratching writer might be ingrained in the minds of society but in truth, that just simply isn't the case. If you have serious ambitions about being a professional writer, you have to be professional and a big part of that is discipline. Deadlines are very much a real part of the writing process, especially if you're contracted to a publisher. Getting into the habit of working to targets, setting goals and generally approaching the process with a clear, concise and well planned approach is a good habit to get into and one that self publishing offers as a starting point.
Doors can be opened within the literary world
There is a wealth of forums and communities online who are always on the hunt for self published authors and writing. If you've taken the plunge, it's well advised to join these communities and engage with others in the same boat. You never know who you might discover and where that encounter may lead for your writing.
You have creative control and freedom
Creativity is obviously a huge part of any writing process. Having the opportunity to write as much or as little, about what you want, when you want, is a gift and one that should be cherished. Freedom is a word that's often used in hyperbole but the world of self publishing is just that. It's a chance for writers to be who they want, write what they want and share it with a wider audience.
It's a step on the ladder
There's no exact science to becoming a full-time writer. That's probably one of the reasons so many try their hand at doing it. For me, it's been over a decade of honing my craft and always being open to learning. I'm extremely proud of my debut novel - Morbid Relations - and holding it in my hand for the first time was an experience I'll never forget. But I owe a great deal of that to exploring the self publishing avenue and the lessons that I learned from it. Like a bad Ronseal advert, self publishing really does what it says on the tin.
Jonathan Whitelaw's debut novel Morbid Relations is available in paperback and eBook formats. The story of Rob Argyll, a stand up comedian scraping an unsatisfactory living in London, he returns for the first time in years to Glasgow following his mother's death. There he bounces from one mistake to another while simultaneously trying to make amends for his long absence with his somewhat dysfunctional family.