I've been looking into the viability of bypassing agents and publishers altogether and am now wondering why the publishing industry is so worried. If your self-published work becomes successful, you either have to sprout three extra pairs of hands and develop several hind brains or delegate to professionals. It is not remotely possible to run a successful publishing company for your book and continue writing, so you would have to cease to be an author and become those you have striven to avoid.
What might be coming to an end is the discovery of talent by agents. I fear they are about to become the ambulance chasers of the literary world, chasing every new thing in self-publishing to strike it lucky saleswise. That would mean they no longer asked themselves if it was well-written and simply asked if they felt they could continue the sales momentum. That's an horrendous thought and I find myself actually wanting to support the agents and publishers' right to select the very best work instead of what just sells, even though I have the connections to easily self-publish real books and my own book lends itself quite nicely to self-publishing. (When I say that, I'm referring to the content. I don't mean that it's total s**t that couldn't possibly hook a publisher!)
The only possible advantage is that as a new writer I might secure a better deal if I were able to rack up my own sales first. I'm not usually the sort of person to think about what is financially better, but the odds are against so the question must be asked: Is self-publishing the more lucrative option for new authors, both in terms of an initial return and with the possible offer from a later agent and/or publisher, and if it is is it the right thing to do, or in our quest for a reasonable return are we creating the monster agents and publishers fear - an industry driven entirely by sales with no consideration of talent?
Take your time - it's a knotty one!
Also, I will add, if your books are not good, reviewers do not hold back in saying so. So the books out there there that dont meet certain standards, dont get given the time of day and disappear in to the background. Readers do go alot by other peoples opinions, so if a writer has a few 1 star reviews, its not going to get bought. This filters out the worry a little of the consideration of talent.
Though, personally, I would prefer things to go through proper publishers/agents because they are so valuable, they filter out the books least likely to succeed so what we find on the shelves is pure great talent, instead of flicking through pages and pages of terrible writing and books to find ones with great reviews. People have seen an opportunity and seized it, and those who are good at it have done really well for themselves.....
sorry, long question, long answer..............hope helped :)
OK, this is involved lol and as always I may not reply right. I have been in talks with established self published authors for a few weeks now and yes, you are very correct that marketing your book does become a full time job, to the point where there is not as much time for writing. This had me worried so I spoke to a man who has self published and succeeded in created 2 best selling novels.
It would seem those who are suceeding prefer to stay the self published route, though some do it for exposure to attract an agent and publisher (if they manage this then they have my full respect as its something I am hoping to do!) It also seems that, if you are successful its possible to hire someone to take over the marketing side...or in my care my finace has just become extremely useful to me as he will...IF i every become successful......take over the marketing. Also the man I spoke to about it taking over the writing side, sed that you plan for writing...you set aside a couple of hours of your day to write. If you want to make it work...you will! There is always time for everything.
If you have a family member who is happy to help, with a few side rewards of a bit of money or something then things are easier. You are you own boss...you have to delegate yourself! in this case i would hope I am able to juggle the marketing and the writing to make them both fit so I do not have to lose out on what I love. I WILL make time to write, and if I find myself without the time I will Implore family members/loved ones/friends...with a few fringe benefits ;)
If my man wants attention from me...he has to help :p
Not sure how I answered this question, but this is the info I have found along the way since I have decided to self-publish and gotten myself a few good reviews on amazon and Goodreads. So...lets hope I dont swamp myself :)