The Publishing Problem: "Don't Try"

The question of how to go about publishing a book comes down to one thing – legitimacy. Or at least the perception of it.

Having your work in a tangible form with the stamp of a professional publisher gives the reader – and potential buyer – the impression that your book, at the very least, isn’t apocalyptically awful. Hey, for it to be published someone must have thought it was okay. Even if it was only your aunt Angelica at “We Publish Books Publishing House.”

Furthermore, books released with the backing of a good publisher also receive proper distribution and promotion – essential support for anyone who is serious about making a little coin from their passionate prose. Today's guest speaker at Red River College, Julie Wilson, says as much on her blog.

(abrupt about-face)

But for those who aren’t serious, why go through the trouble? That’s right, in the wise, whiskey-fuelled words of Charles Bukowski, “Don’t Try.” The emotional and psychological repercussions of writing a novel for two years only to have the publisher “put a bullet in it,” as Matt Duggan related, isn’t worth it.

Image via synthesis.net

 So, sing your short stories from the bathroom window, tattoo your poetry to your forehead, recite your historical epic to the animals in a pet store – if you want to be published, just do it. Hell, if you’re feeling particularly wild, even upload it to Amazon.

In short, if you’re in it for the fast cars and class A drugs, find a publisher. If you’re just looking for a pair of lonely eyes to flutter on your words, find a more creative means of publication. And who’s to say Bukowski was right? Guy was a bloody drunk anyways. Albeit a published drunk.