Self-Publishing or Independent Publishing, Volume of Plays

[Glenn Laszlo Weiss]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best avenue to take in these areas?

[Brent Robison]

Hi Glenn-- Welcome! As you know, I gained some good experience publishing Prima Materia, plus I have now self-published a collection of my short stories. I do know the ropes (most of them) and can offer some advice, but the first decision is whether self-publishing is right for you. I chose it because literary short stories are not a commercial format, so are unlikely to be gambled on by an already struggling traditional publishing industry. I don't feel the need to make money from this book. Plus, I'm too impatient for the endless game of submissions/rejections (I tried it for a year -- enough).

I don't know if plays might face the same challenges, but I suspect it's likely. To self-publish with even the slightest hope of financial success takes a LOT of promotional effort, so that's the biggest drawback. There are numerous decisions to make: create your own publishing company or use a paid service, use Print On Demand or do print runs, self-distribute or try to get a distributor. I use Lulu.com to provide POD and distribution services, under my own publishing company name. Check them out as well as Amazon's own such service CreateSpace. And there are numerous sites full of great advice... maybe start with Publetariat.

Let me know if you want to chat more on the subject--

Brent

[Glenn Laszlo Weiss]

Thanks, Brent for your feedback. I'm knee-deep in all the self-publishing sites but no answer yet for me, just confused. Saw a former collaborator's books of plays through Authorhouse at the Drama Bookshop, best theater bookstore in NYC and want to do the same. Will devote Winter to doing a volume of three of my plays once I decide best way to go about it. Would love to chat more.

Glenn

[Brent Robison]

A lot depends on your budget. There's no need to spend the money Authorhouse charges, only to end up with their name on your book as "publisher.". I suspect your colleague's book was in the Drama Bookshop as a result of his/her own sales efforts (or personal connections), possibly even on consignment rather than wholesaled, since the Authorhouse distribution program doesn't target independent booksellers. If you want to continue this discussion by private e-mail: [e-mail].

Brent

[Nicole Quinn]

have you submitted them to http://www.playscripts.com?