I read an article in Newsweek the other day about Chronicle Books referring rejected authors to a self-publisher called Blurb. I nearly burst into laughter thinking it was a joke. It wasn’t.

Chronicle will “refer unwanted authors to Blurb” and if the author signs up with Blurb, Chronicle will receive “an undisclosed cut of the earnings.”

What happened to the good old days when a publisher sent a form rejection that ended “Better luck elsewhere” or “Better luck finding another publisher?” Instead for talented rejects this publisher wants to send a letter that, in essence, states, “Sorry to reject your work and since we don’t think anyone else will want it don’t waste your time sending it elsewhere just give up all hope and publish it yourself.”

Okay, let’s look at this another way.

Imagine going on a date and the person you’re with doesn’t think you’re The One. As the date ends they tell you, “I think you’re really great, but not right for me. Why don’t you try celibacy? I’ve heard it has done wonders for a lot of people. It will be perfect for you since I don’t want you, I’m sure no else will.”

The problem? Your date would be missing the point. If you’d wanted to be celibate you wouldn’t be dating. If these authors wanted to spend their time and energy paying to get published they would have headed in that direction already. No one needs a publisher to give them a push in that direction.

And hopefully as a result of their own research an author will discover 1) there are other companies that offer self-publishing services with a great reputation that are cheaper and 2) they can self-publish without a mainstream publisher getting payment.

I’m not against self-publishing. I have my own company because I like the freedom of it. However, I don’t like the fact that a reputable company is going to profit by waylaying people’s dreams. Everyone is not made for self-publishing, just like every chef can’t run a restaurant. Imagine a company telling a dancer, “Sorry, we can’t use you. Why don’t you start your own company?”

It takes a different mindset to be an entrepreneur. Writing is an art. Publishing is a business.

I believe that it’s a gross disservice to push new authors (or any author) into self-publishing because most people have absolutely no idea what publishing is about. Many people equate getting a book printed with being the end of the publishing journey. Print it and they will come.

Au contraire, my naïve little friend. Publishing is about marketing and distribution. You wouldn’t have heard of E. Lynn Harris if he hadn’t sold over 5000 copies. Lots of people have books printed. Nobody cares. Especially publishing people. Books in boxes aren’t a career. Even books on the shelves won’t make a career. It’s nice to see them there, but if someone doesn’t take them home with them (after paying of course) you don’t have a career as a writer.

You need your book to sell to actually readers.

Again, I’m not against being a pioneer. I’m a big proponent for being an advocate for your work. I love the story of writers who suffered many rejections and decided to self publish and then become a success and had the big publishers crawling on their knees. And yes a lot of African American authors had to go this route until the big companies realized they could make money off their products (let’s face reality people, it all comes down to money).

But these aren’t Cinderella stories. These authors didn’t have fairy godmothers that did all the work for them then just turn up at the ball. They didn’t have princesses who kissed them and turned them from a toad into a prince. They did the work themselves. Hard work.

Publishers already make money off authors. I’m ashamed that a publisher feels the need to make more money off them. But hopefully authors will know that just because one publisher doesn’t like their work doesn’t mean another won’t. And if you do decide to self publish make sure it’s your decision.