Watershed Day

For months I have been wondering if running the self publishing wing of IFWG is worth it. Randy questioned it today and we agreed to cease it.

This is goodness of immense proportions.

As you may have read in earlier posts, and in other forums, we chose a ‘hybrid’ model of publishing that basically meant we published traditionally as well as self-publish-assisted, but on the proviso that the quality had to be of a certain standard, and we would provide strong support/assistance post publication. We still believe in it, but unfortunately this sent confusing signals to the writing public, and it can’t compete with self-publishing companies that simply publish any shit for a price.

For me, the dilemma was in the area of editing/proofing. If a book did make the grade, it nevertheless had to be edited and proofed, and the model basically said that the author had to pay for those two elements as well. This just doesn’t feature in the minds of writers – the result is stalemate with regard to publishing.

Our move to pure traditional publishing fixes this. Completely; and this is why it is goodness.

We have a long road ahead of us, but it is minus the dilemmas.