How to Publish?

What is up with publishing these days, fellow writers? It’s changing about as fast as Writer Abroad’s mind.

There are a lot of big dilemmas for writers today because writers have more options than ever. They don’t have to wait around for agents or publishers. Or they can. They can hire editors. Book designers. They can go digital only. They can publish print on demand. They can publish like it’s 1999. Or like it’s 2013. Oh what is a writer to do?

Writer Abroad thought she had decided the fate of one of her projects, but now she finds herself still debating. On one hand she loves to have total control of everything—except for that little pesky thing call print distribution. That she could really do without.

But here’s the issue. Because her particular book is about life in Switzerland, she really wants her book in all the Swiss bookstores. Switzerland is still a very print-focused country (only 1% of Swiss use e-readers). And that’s where traditional publishers have the advantage.

Sigh.

So Writer Abroad has decided she may try—for a limited time—to look for an agent or traditional publisher for her book. But the good news is, even if she debates traditional publishing or not to death—the book itself won’t die because for once, the writer has the freedom to resurrect it.

Happy 4th of July, fellow American writers. Let's enjoy our new found publishing freedoms.