Summary: Authors Gordon Highland (Major Inversions), Brandon Tietz (Out of Touch), and Caleb J Ross (Stranger Will) have a spirited conversation about self- and vanity-publishing, debating its legitimacy, logistics, and financial aspects, as well as insights from their own experiences in this oft-scorned segment of the industry. Episode Panelists: Gordon/Flash (Moderator) Brandon/brandon.tietz Caleb/thirstygerbil Episode Topic: Vanity in Publishing 00:01:54 Distinguishing between traditional, vanity, and self-publishing distribution, printing, consumer fake it til you make it, selection, risk, Yog’s Law examples: Author Solutions POD explained 00:09:42 How much does vanity publishing cost? contacts, volume, editing, charges “marketing,” time 00:13:06 How much money can you make? word of mouth, reviews, reinvestment, advances, royalties Amazon’s and Kindle’s industry influence 00:19:55 Success stories vs. typical results Chicken Soup, Amy Fisher average sales numbers, author copies, Lulu’s philosophy what if a famous author self-published? 00:25:46 Ideal vanity publishing customer-authors short run, niche, nonfiction 00:28:23 The stigma of self-publishing no marketing, simplicity, credibility, exclusivity hypocrisy compared to other mediums, prestige 00:32:40 Otherworld Publications and Brandon’s experience 00:34:47 The vanity business model and process 00:36:33 Signed copies and personalization 00:39:00 Is there a legit place for vanity publishing? entry level, why not just POD? increasing author responsibility 00:42:00 Advice for new authors considering self-publication pitch, MFA, agents shorts, community, platform 00:44:26 Author self promotion Goodreads, follow-ups, advocacy readings, events 00:48:35 How to gauge your success milestones, commercial skepticism 00:52:46 What are you reading now? 00:55:13 The Lastlies Stranger Will, I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin – Caleb J Ross Out of Touch, Vanity – Brandon Tietz Major Inversions – Gordon Highland
