Your Very Own Publishing Company
How to start a literary journal without going broke.
I must be nuts.
The world of publishing is the Wild West these days—self-publishing, hybrid publishing, traditional publishing, online publishing, paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks.
Lions and tigers and bears!
There are more chances today to get your work out to the world than ever before. Publishing has been, in so many ways, democratized. There are fewer gatekeepers. I would agree with many who say traditional publishing is still the most legit way to do it. But “traditional” comes in many shapes and sizes —e-publishers, online journals, standard physical book publishing. However, many traditional publishers want only certain genres, styles, even a particular formula to the writing that doesn’t permit much truly original or untethered work. And many of the big publishers are no longer taking many risks. They want sure things. I’ve said it before—writers like Kerouac and Ginsberg and many others might never have been traditionally published in today’s world.
But no matter the state of things, I love words. And so do you. And we all want to see more of them. So, why not do it yourself? Why not start your own publishing company? It can be done, and easily. That doesn’t mean without care or conducted in an unprofessional manner. Not at all. Why not create a place where writers can offer short prose (often overlooked) and deliver to readers it in a modern way. Think simple. Think digital.
Consider an e-journal, published once a year, maybe twice. Keep it simple. Don’t bite off too much. Try a Kindle version on Amazon so it can easily be accessed on any phone, any tablet, any computer. Ask writers to submit work for review, pieces that are critically edited, and consider a nominal payment. Just a few bucks for accepted work. Writers should be paid. Give the e-journal a good name. Something you would like. Something you would read if you saw it.
How do you execute the idea? Try these steps:
CREATE A WEBSITE. Wordpress is easy. Or try Wix.
SET PARAMETERS. What kind of work are you looking for? State this on your website as clearly as possible. Fiction, fantasy, memoir, poetry?
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS. Be exact about how you want the submissions delivered, what the word count should be, and also what you won’t accept. (Children’s stories, erotica, as examples.)
PROMOTE. Get your idea out to writers’ groups, post on Facebook pages for writers, on Instagram and Twitter. Buy an advertisement at Poets and Writers. Push it. It will take time. Be persistent.
CURATE. Be serious about this. Don’t settle. Ask other writers to read the works submitted. Maybe create a team of “editors” you trust to be honest about the work. Don’t publish until you fall in love with every story you believe is worthy of publishing. Edit critically. Pay for accepted work. A nominal fee is better than nothing. Writers should get paid.
DIGITIZE. Do it yourself, if you have the chops, or hire someone to create a Kindle edition. It’s inexpensive. Many designers will create simple text work and a cover (Something you can design yourself online at various websites. CANVA is a good one. Relatively easy.) for as little as $49.
UPLOAD TO KINDLE. Easy. Look it up on Amazon. It’s rather seamless.
SELL IT. Make it inexpensive. Research shows ebook buyers are looking for deals. The lower the price, the more readers.
PROMOTE THE WORK. Tell everyone you know about it. Post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and any social media platforms linked to Kindle readers. There are many.
DO IT AGAIN. But not too soon. Take your time. It is work to get it right, really right, and you don’t want anything less than wonderful out in the world. Learn from the hiccups that come along and make it better and better each time.
The idea is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Far from it. Think of it as a labor of love, a contribution to the world of writers and readers, and enjoy the ride. For me, this project is an extension of my belief that we need more voices out there, voices that don’t always get heard because they don’t fit in some box that a traditional publisher might want to put them in. The writing has to be good; that goes without saying. The stories must leave lasting impressions and that can be a high bar to meet. But as a publisher and editor, do not compromise. This is what will bring you joy. This is what will bring you readers.
Try it. I will. And I’ll promise to keep you posted here at MEDIUM.
