Writing, Self-Publishing, Book Marketing

Friedman Offers a Balanced Perspective on Author Solutions and Self-Publishing

March 11, 2010

Jane Friedman published a post on her Writer’s Digest blog , There Are No Rules, about her visit to Author Solutions Inc. headquarters in Bloomington, Ind.

I must admit that with the recent debate surrounding Author Solutions and the self-publishing industry, the title of Friedman’s post alone was enough to bring a tear to my eye: “Author Solutions Is Not Evil: 3 Things I Learned.” As I read through the post, I could hardly believe it: the post is actually a fair and honest outlook on ASI and self-publishing. 

You see, as an employee of Author Solutions, I know there is kinder, gentler side to ASI that what has been portrayed online in recent months . Now, I’m not trying to say that ASI is perfect. It’s a company made up of people … so imperfection is inevitable. But, I’m extremely pleased that a respected member of the writing and publishing community has shared a balanced view of ASI and self-publishing by taking the time to talk with our representatives —by giving us a chance.

Here are just a few points that that Jane described well in her post I’d like to call out, because they ring true to me:

On “True” Self-Publishing vs. Self-Publishing Companies:

…The industry is now experiencing a “true self-publishing” movement that argues a “real” self-published author is one who eschews the use of services like Author Solutions.

I find the distinction to be nonsensical and elitist. It’s like saying you should never hire an expert or contractor to do your taxes, fix your car, or repair your plumbing.

On the Self-Publishing Business Model:

In my mind, the people who are angry and indignant about publishing services should be working to provide free or inexpensive consultations to the hundreds of thousands of writers who wonder how to get their work in print—that is, if those people feel that writers can’t readily determine, after researching all options, what their best path forward is.

On ASI:

… That’s all AuthorSolutions talks about: what their authors want. It drives their business, their growth, what they hang on the walls—which makes sense, because it’s the authors who are writing their checks.

… If more people could see AuthorSolutions’ ideas about publishing’s future, I think there’d be a lot less criticism and a lot more idea sharing. If the authentic personalities inside the company could be seen by the public, we’d all have to finally admit: these people are not evil.

At the end of the day, ASI is still a business; you cannot avoid that. But, one of the top things Friedman noticed about our company, is what it’s truly about: authors. I encourage you to read Jane Friedman’s post, Author Solutions Is Not Evil: 3 Things I Learned on her Writer’s Digest blog , There Are No Rules.

—Angie Kelly Pheifer

Entry Filed under: In the News, Opinion, Self-Publishing. Tags: Author Solutions, Self-Publishing, ASI, Jane Friedman, Self-Publishing Debate.