Alliance Command

Firstly, accept there is a difference between a “Self-Published” novel and one that is “Independently Published”. The definition of Self-Published is: Published independently by the author. The definition of Independently Published should read: Published independently by a professional team. The latter cannot be accomplished alone—or else it falls into the category of Self-Published.

No matter how good you are, assuming the role of every professional in a traditional publishing house is impossible. NFL quarterbacks are great athletes, but they do not play every position. Producing an Independently Published novel requires a team effort. You must assemble and coordinate this team.

Ok, so what, anybody can label himself or herself as Independently Published, but how can this professional tailored effort be proven and thus a novel developed as such receive the respect it deserves? Answer = Standardized Verification.

Sports collectibles have a system called Professional Sports Authentication or PSA. The worth of a card is based on a recognized PSA rating or grade. Collectors know the value of their collectibles by their PSA rating. An equivalent for novels would be the existence of a Professional Publishing Authentication or PPA.

Independently Published authors should be able to attain a PPA rank or grade to separate the level of professional production their works include. This standardized system could set apart Self-Published hobbyists from Independently Published authors and simplify the emerging framework for understanding the kind of work a consumer, literary agent, or publisher is reviewing or purchasing. It would bring order to the evolving independent publishing world by establishing industry standards of acceptance that everyone can use and recognize.

Without an established new understanding in the world of publishing, the emerging world of creating both independent fiction and non-fiction will never expand to its full potential. Confusion and chaos will reign for those attempting to decipher the level of professionalism incorporated into such products. It’s like not having the FDA to verify a developed drug from black-market potions—people obviously feel uncomfortable taking a chance on unverified pills. The same is true for buying in an unverified book.

The Contra Alliance Trilogy would benefit greatly from the existence of this system. The only question left, which organization or group can oversee its creation so that it becomes the recognized standard?

File Under:   Contra Alliance · Publishing