Comment by lhnz | Hacker News Reader

Comment by lhnz | Hacker News Reader

Yes, "the rebellion" against traditional publishing might actually work. But whose rebellion are you actually talking about? Most people that are turning to self-publishing are doing this simply because it is a cheaper way of getting their books out, not as a rebellion at traditional publishers... On the other hand, you've clearly got no choice: few are going to want to publish your work now, so how can what you're doing be considered a rebellion? It appears to be your only option.

Aside from this, I'm pretty sure what I'm looking at is an extremely weird/negative way of marketing your book. However, this might actually work. I'm honestly feeling pretty curious in what you've written...

That said, I'd like to point out:

1. Why are you attempting to market your book using your private business drama? The whole sale depends on me trusting in your personality, acumen and ethic. You're not coming across as a strategic thinker. You're coming across as a hothead. Pause and think about that.

2. Why are you picking a fight with a far stronger animal than yourself? Be realistic: settle the score and do something of value. Don't start fights that you're not resourced to fight. Don't.

1. Honestly, I don't think this article is about presenting an audacious new method of bookselling. It's just a clever-if-it-wasn't-so-obvious way of selling his new book. Which is fine, I suppose, but it doesn't make this article especially informative or interesting. Bit of a shame, really.

2. Good point, It's worth noting that many companies that changed how products were bought and sold (e.g. iTunes, Netflix, Steam) did so by offering a product that was better than what the competition offered, not sticking two fingers up at The Man for its own sake.

> 2. Why are you picking a fight with a far stronger animal than yourself? Be realistic: settle the score and do something of value.

You're talking about rational self-interest, I'm talking about forcing an industry that's crucial and operating badly to step their game up.

It's not rational self-interested, that's for damn sure. It's a principled stand.

(Also, this is just a hobby, I have multiple day jobs.)

tldr;

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists"

> I'm talking about forcing an industry that's crucial and operating badly to step their game up.

No you're not. They're not banging on your door to work with you. They don't care about your business and they certainly won't want to hear your advice. Self-publishing your book is not some big, noble game-changing stand that is going to topple the publishing industry. A disinterested observer might call all of this a tantrum...

It's simply not that easy to get people to "step their game up". It generally requires higher status: a powerful negotiating position, sense of shared purpose or dictatorial leadership over them. You have neither. What you do have is your own time and your own life. Use this wisely: don't waste any of your effort reacting to people in this way. If you truly wish to get them to "step their game up" then create a startup and directly compete with them. Self-publishing will take a while to scale but a startup could act as a catalyst...

Distilled, here's my advice:

When you're angry at people but lack an actionable plan on how to deal with them ignore them. Instead: find what you can control and use it to create value.

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