What is Free E-Day, you ask? In the words of Dan Holloway, author and event organizer extraordinaire:Free-e-day 2009 is the biggest ever cultural electronic giveaway & celebration of the independent creative spirit.
Click on the logo for his complete introductory post on the official web site. Basically, it's an electronic carnival for artists of all mediums to give their work away to the world for free in the spirit of sharing our talents with others. This is not just a day for writers, but for musicians, filmmakers, graphic artists, and whoever else has something they want to share with the world.
I'll be the first to admit - I often consider self-publishing my books, not as any rebellious "statement" against the traditional publishing industry, but because it would be something I did myself, independent of outside influences. For me, it's much the same as making tangible crafts and selling them at shows - I had a huge sense of pride whenever someone would compliment my dishcloths or homemade soaps. I could see myself standing at a craft show behind a table of my books, flattered beyond belief whenever someone purchased one for a nominal fee. Even just posting my serial novels, or flash fiction for free makes the work feel more like "art" than a job. I love that feeling, and I'm convinced that no matter what happens to me in the traditional publishing industry, I'll always self-publish some of my work as well. It makes me happy, and fulfills me in a way that the business side of writing probably never will.
While there's that part of me that wants to make writing more about the art of storytelling than the money, I also freely admit that someday I want to turn what I love into a living wage. I want to be published by a traditional house, vetted by editors and deemed "worthy" enough for someone else to spend time and money and paper on. I want to see my books on the shelves of a big box store, available for anyone strolling by to pick up, read the back cover and add to their grocery or movie rental pile. For a lot of people, this desire can't coexist with the more independent spirit, but I've made peace with the fact that both of these methods of getting my work out there are simply two faucets of my nature, and that I *can* in fact, indulge in them both.
As a matter of fact, I think it would be healthier if more people embraced both methods of sharing their work (whatever it is), rather than limiting themselves to one or the other. Balance is key for most things in life.
In order to be successful in traditional publishing (in the US, at least), one has to pay attention not only to quality, but quantity. Getting and keeping one's name out there is the key to making any money at all as an author, and sticking to deadlines and working well in a collaboration with editors is of utmost importance to continued contracts. It's a job...and while creativity is an important part, an author who expects to make a living at it needs to focus on the business aspects as well. I'm very close to flinging myself full-tilt into this business, and trying to make a go of it. This doesn't mean I don't still love the process of creating a story to submit, but I do feel compelled to restrict my writing to stories with the potential to make money, since the ultimate goal is to be able to make a living writing full-time.
That's where things like Free E-Day come in for me. The stories I create for free don't need to conform to any standards aside from my own. I'm not limited in genre or scope, and rather than focusing on how many people will pay for my work (and how much), I can simply make it available and if people like it, they are free to enjoy it. The very act of creating it fulfills my own desires for it. I need nothing more from it, though if others get enjoyment from it, that only enhances the value to me. Once the pressure to create a salable product is off, writing becomes just a hobby again, an enjoyable past time that reminds me why I want to make a living at it, if that makes any sense.
Free E-Day is December 1st, 2009. I hope you'll join me, if not in giving something to the world, then in the enjoyment of what's being offered. I'll be posting a collection of flash stories for free entitled "Holiday Lights" that I hope you'll all enjoy.
Do you give any of your work away for free? Would you? Would you ever consider self-publishing, or are you strictly on the traditional path? If you were never able to sell your work, would you still write?
6 comments:
'You have a heart so big...'Thanks for sharing.
All the very best.
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
And you finish with some interesting questions! Would you ever consider self-publishing? Yes, I would. In fact, I'm thinking of putting together a chapbook of my poetry next year that will be self-published.
If you were never able to sell your work, would you still write? Again, the answer is yes. If I was to let a little thing like not being published stop me, I'd have stopped writing a long time ago. :-)
I really enjoyed this post, because it made me think about what I feel. I admire your ideas, truly. But I will personally go for the opposite direction.
I will NEVER go for self-publishing. Ok never say never, because I might have a personality change, but sticking to now, I would never do it. There are several reasons for it:
1. With Internet, every man and his dog is free to post whatever they like. Not all of it is worth the time or the effort. So I like the idea of being considered "worthy" as you put it by agents/publishers/readers. It proves to me and to others that I am good enough.
2. I don't like e-books. Regardless of quality, I just hate the whole idea, because I love books, proper hold-in-your-hands, smell-the-paper books. So I also never pay for e-books, even if it's just a penny. It's not about the money. I would rather pay more money for the same book in paperback. For self-publishing, to make it non-expensive, e-book would be the most sensible option.
3. Also, I suppose I have a thing about only sharing my work when I think it's good. Unfortunately, I don't think I can judge that for myself, so I need the publisher's approval stamp before I show my writing to other people. (except for odd blog chains I take part in)
And now to other question, I would always continue to write because I would live in eternal hope that one day I would get my work published.
You know I don't think I would self-publish, but I have no problem with someone else doing it. I'm okay with trying to get an agent/publishing co.
It's funny- musicians give away stuff for free too- The Foo Fighters, just had an online concert last night for almost 3 hours! I don't see why some stuff can be shared :)
I don't think there's much that will keep me from writing at this point. I enjoy it too much! You do have a big heart :)
I always find it interesting that there are such a wide range of opinions on the subject. Fascinating.
I've often thought that when I do self-publish, I'd publish in both ebook and paper formats (print-on demand). But perhaps it doesn't matter - do people who would never self-publish ever buy self-published books?
Hmm...
Jamie, thank you for the write-up. You are a genuine star and a wonderful and talented human being :)
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