BrianTubbs said:
A lot of writers out there produce quality work, but because they lack head-turning credentials or a demonstrable platform, they can't get a reputable agent or publisher to give them a shot. And....they can't afford to shell out $2,000 or more to self-publish (and even more to promote). Hence, the appeal of PA.
So, what other options exist for an author lacking a platform?
I want to go back to this part. Unless your publishing non-fiction, you don't need either head-turning credentials OR a platform. All you need is... a good book. A well written, gotta read it to the end manuscript. And you'll get a publisher. The 'publishers don't want unknown author/ no one publishes new authors' line that PA feeds is utter nonsense. New and unknown authors get published every day.
They have polished, well-written, gotta read it to the end manuscripts.
I, for example hadn't published a thing - not a short story, not a poem, not instructions on the back of a pack of toilet paper - when my publisher offered me a contract for my first book. Small press, sure, but legitimate and they work hard for me. Lots of people have their first books (read: first publishable books!) picked up by large publishers too. Nobody knows them from Adam prior to reading that book. Once Upon A Time, a young man named Stephen King was nobody too. I'll also point to our own Liam Jackson who had his first book picked up by St. Martin's Press. Not a small name in the business. Maestrowork's first book was published last year. I can go on, but I think by now you've gotten the point.
So, you have to ask yourself - if the quality of all these writers is so good, why aren't they being picked up by publishers? It's a hard thing to admit your work isn't ready. Doesn't mean it won't ever be, just may not be NOW.
I hope this doesn't sound elitist or snobby - it's not meant to be, but rather a little bit of the reality of the publishing business.
And, I will admit, that sometimes even good books get rejected b/c the publisher doesn't think they will make any money on them. That happens too. But then you should persevere until you find one that does think they can make money on it.