The step from being a "publishing victim" to being a "published author" was, for me a simple and logical process once I understood the logistics of the publishing game and more importantly, learned how improbable are the realities of being a productive writer in an over crowded market. My learning process included watching lots of writers crank out little magazine articles and contest pieces or teaching gigs just to eke out a dribble of income and to be counted among the published author crowd. It's not unlike what we visual artists do with our paintings. We show our work in galleries anywhere we can, participate in art fairs, trade work for stuff, donate work in the name of participation - and give lessons to fussy art dilettantes all to be part of the "art scene" in whatever place we live. I've done that. Kind of pathetic, really.
My learning also included reading the many rejection notes that show up at my door which clearly state the because of the glut of material being submitted, my book proposal was neither read or considered.
Somehow, by joining the ranks of hopeful writers hovering around the mail box waiting for an offer to publish by some big deal publishing company just seemed counter productive. Additionally, the haunting pall of being a self published author lingers - even though time is proving that the publishing industry and the public perception is beginning to shift toward acceptance.
As I crawled through the many internet pages of publishing information, it occurred to me that publishing a book is no magic thing. The smoke and mirrors about being a published author that we writers have created and allowed the publishing industry to employ is simply a marketing tool for the promotion of some writers and their agents and publishers. It's a money pit. When one cruises the book store shelves, it's remarkable how much pure writing shit gets published and sold to the public. What to do.
Well, what the heck, said I. I'll just create a publishing company. Using models that I discovered on the web, I designed and built a small boutique book publishing outfit called Teawater Press. It was fun and easy and cost me nothing but a Yahoo small business website fee. I can now electronically publish not only my own writing under the Teawater Press name, but I can also publish the writing of others. For this service, I charge a fee, although I have no expectations of making any money because most writers are under-financed and still waiting for Penguin Press or Planet Hollywood to discover them. That's okay by me. In the mean time, I continue to write my books, send out manuscripts (just in case) and build a collection of finished products. I occasionally do readings and signings and sales - here and there, and am registered to attend an actual book fair where I will have a table in a row of other authors and will meet the public and hopefully sell some books.
Wait a minute! This sounds like an art fair - which I refuse to participate in. Hmmm. No, for me, there is a subtle difference. A painting is an original and one of a kind piece of art, and I've never bought the concept of making that sort of thing available to the public in the same way you make a hamburger or chicken wing available. Burgers and chicken wings are simple consumable products while art is not. Books too - once the art part (the actual writing part) has been accomplished and now lies between nice shiny covers in a multitude of copies, is also a consumable product. I like it!
I'll report on the outcome of this little test market after the event. By the way, The fellow pictured on the home page of my publishing website (teawaterpress.com) is my brother, who continues to be supportive of my often outrageous creative efforts. Thanks Douglas.
As always, your remarks, suggestions, discussion are welcome.
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