As a young man enlisted in his Uncle’s service, I learned there were three ways to do everything. There was the right way, the wrong way and Uncle Sam’s way—which is to say, the way passed down from on high. You could do things any way you chose, but guess which way was the only acceptable way. This was never truer than when things went south.
On the surface, writers seem immune from all that. Alone in their writing sanctuary, they call upon their muse, speak in their voice, and tell their stories all while humming My Way. The allure of that freedom is a flickering flame drawing the uninitiated in by the busload. Then, the bus arrives at its destination and a new world opens up.
The nephews and nieces who have served Uncle Sam know what I’m talking about. For the rest of you, I’ll try and explain. When the doors open, reality, in human form, storms into your world in ways you never imagined. That person doesn’t want to know you, doesn’t care what you think, nor is that person impressed by your ability to have navigated the journey thus far. He wants only one thing, instant obedience to Uncle Sam’s way.
Writers meet with a little more compassion, but not much. The literary world does not know your genius, nor is it impressed by the years you’ve spent writing your book. Agents all wear Smokey Bear hats and look at you like you’re something they just stepped in. Publishers don’t want to know you unless you are introduced by a higher form of life.
Those people want one thing—your work, their way. When you sign on the dotted line, they have it. In fact, they own it. They didn’t pounce on you and take it by force. They didn’t jump out of a dark alley and steal it at gunpoint. You went to them and sold them your baby. Then, you went and told the world what you had done.
Thereafter, there is only one way things that are done. Can you guess whose way that is?
When you type “The End”, there are three ways to proceed. You can self-publish (vanity press is to self-publish), traditionally publish, or not publish at all. Which you choose deserves serious thought and research. Whatever you choose to do, leave your crying, thin skin, and feelings of entitlement on the bus. You volunteered for this.
The Marines are looking for a few good men. The Navy wants to start you on a journey. The Army wants you to be all you can be, and the Air Force wants you to aim high. They all have their own way of doing things and demand you follow it. They also share a desire for you to succeed. You can say the same of publishers.
My military and nursing experience prepared me for a traditional approach. I can live with people looking over my shoulder and correcting me along the way. I tried self-publishing. The best thing about self-publishing is that the author has total control. The worst thing about self-publishing is also that the author has total control.
Jack LaFountain

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