The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing

Being self-published has become a bit of a taboo recently. Anyone can do it. Literally. But not everyone's a[n organized] writer. Still there are a good many people who truly have something to say and don't seem to understand their work won't survive because they didn't have an editor. Time and time again I read things (mostly on GoolePlay Books) and there's such a good plot line there...but it just hasn't been thoroughly executed because there's a sudden tense change in every other paragraph; missing punctuation, or over use of punctuation or somewhere in between (yes I've discovered there's 'a between'). I've also seen authors forget/omit labeled character exchanges. "Do you have the crystal ball. "Yes, I managed to whisk it away from the wizard's desk." (A fake written exchange I made up but unfortunately I have seen writing like this.) Sure there's a lot to be said for these jarring mistakes, but when there's a really good character they've managed to focus on, a witty comment that engages you suddenly because it's context was thoughtfully enacted, or there's scenery vastly described filled with creatures never explored elsewhere (at least that you've encountered)—suddenly it's depressing they didn't consult anyone beforehand. I just wish I could email them and say "I can offer you help with that!" I would certainly offer them more justice than that. Bad execution aside, the other problems in "Self Publishing Cons: No free professional editing, formatting, or cover art. Fewer sales. Less than 10% of current book market. Greater potential to publish crappy books" (Klem, "The Pros and Cons of Self Publishing (& Traditional Publishing")

Despite the cons, I still wanted to go the self-publishing route for my first time around. Why? First: the horror stories. I have heard so many horror stories and done research turning into horror stories about authors signing on with a big house publisher, pouring their hard work, souls, and money into these companies only to have them go under and leave the author in sudden [often crushing] debt. Second: It's...well...rather easy. There's no rejection letters (although there probably should be - esp. in some cases), and there's no dealing with the hassles of negotiations, arguments over cover design, and let's face the other cons:

"Traditional Publishing Cons: Take six to eighteen months before publication. Price ebooks waaaaaay too high. They have power over cover art and title. Don’t use the marketing power they wield effectively. Pay royalties twice a year. Don’t involve you in many of the decisions regarding your book. Difficult to implement changes. Lousy royalty rates, between 6% and 25%. Very hard to break into" (Klems, "The Pros and Cons...")

Like Klems mentioned, unfortunately one of the cons in regards to getting self published is that it's damn near impossible to find an editor. A good editor. One who isn't a scam, or has the actual background/education, one who isn't $100/page (or sometimes even per word). It's really sucky. So I trained myself. I was going to be my own editor, everyone around me *who was willing* would contribute by being my pre-readers to give feedback very much workshop style. Yes, I was part of those too. And then when I felt like it was really ready I'd find someone, bite the bullet, and send  them an editing request. After all, one of my greatest fears is that my work will turn into one of 'those books' that I mentioned at the beginning. If my book tanks, I want it to be because of my content, not because of my bad writing. Or lack of editing.