Recent weeks have seen a growing debate regarding the best route to publication, and perhaps more importantly, the role of self publishing. Matthew Watkinson’s story is one of a vet-turned-writer who wrote a book that secured representation from an agent, only to give it all up to self publish his own book.

This interview will not only tell you why Matthew turned his back on the traditional publishing world but offers timely advice and guidance to any writer looking to get published.

Tell us a bit about On The Destiny of Species…

On the Destiny of Species is a full frontal attack on the sentimental corruption of natural selection that has led to all sorts of unnecessary suffering in the domestic species and to the complete destruction of objective, Charles Darwin style natural history. Based on my experiences as a veterinary surgeon, it’s a brutally honest assessment of the relationship between superficial appearance (i.e. fashion) and compassion.

Why did you decide to write the book?

To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I did decide to write it. I just kind of started writing. Perhaps there was some sort of subconscious cathartic motivation but, when I look back, all I really remember is a complete inability to not write it (if that makes sense?). I just had to find an outlet and this book is the result.

How did you find the writing process?

Having left the veterinary profession for good I started writing full time. Like a demented robot I remortgaged the house to fund a totally unnecessary search for the truth. I wasn’t even pursuing a dream of becoming a successful writer. I just wanted to get to the bottom of everything and work out why I disagreed so vehemently with orthodox cultural belief. The clearer it became, the more I worked. Day and night sometimes. Sometimes my brain would wake me up at three in the morning and force me to carry on. I have never been poorer but, also, I have never been happier.

Tell us more about the ideas behind the book?

The idea for the book emerged while reading On the Origin of Species in November 2008 and the rather naïve plan was to write it in a few months, get an agent and then get it published on the 24th November 2009 (the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species). I really thought a year was more than enough time to write it, get it edited (absolutely critical), write it again, get it edited again (absolutely critical) etc. etc. and then find a publisher. The system works at a snail’s pace and Bubblecow’s 10 day guarantee is very definitely the exception, not the rule. Each reply from the agent I was working with was taking a month and I was getting more and more frustrated (patience has never been my strongest point). Indeed, he was working with a publication date in 2011 which, given that one of the most important goals was to publish it on the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s original, was clearly not going to work. I even gave up on the goal to stay with the traditional route at one point, but then, after another month long wait for an email reply, I served notice on my contract with the agent and decided to go it alone. Publishing this book on that date has always been a very important part of my plan and, for better or for worse, that meant self-publishing.

Most people dream of finding an agent willing to work with them, was it difficult to sack your agent once you realised you both had different goals?

By the time I started thinking about sacking him, the decision was already made. All that was left then was to work out how to do it without being rude (or blacklisted). The really hard decision was the one I made when I accepted his offer of representation in the first place. That cost me five months and was almost entirely based on the fact that representation is such a difficult thing to secure.

So what happened next? I know you went down the self publishing route but what did that entail?

Another critical edit (edit, edit, edit!) and then it was all about finding a quality self-publishing company. I have to admit, I haven’t really worked out the difference between a vanity press and a self-publishing company, but I have always thought that I would have to do all the publicity myself so I was never going to trust a publishers marketing promises either way. Of much more importance to me was the quality of the final book and that’s where Bubblecow helped out (again). They were able to recommend a high-quality self-publisher (matador) who focused on production standards rather than wild sales promises and the rest is history. All I have to do now is sell some books.

So what advice would you give to a writer considering self publishing?

Not sure really. I only did it because I needed control of the publication date and because I knew that someone in the publishing industry thought the book would sell. That doesn’t guarantee that it will sell of course, but it was an independent opinion (beyond family and friends) that confirmed that my belief in the project wasn’t just hopeful optimism and that gave me the confidence to go it alone. I guess each case is different. Perhaps the real advice is don’t rule it out. Self-publishing is a legitimate option and, if you can ensure the book won’t be poorly produced, it’s an option that definitely should be considered.

Do you have a marketing plan? Where can people get your book?

I always knew the veterinary controversy would be of interest to the press. It is my ace in the pack and so I have managed to convince the Daily Mail to run a double page spread on it in the next couple of weeks. That should generate a bit of publicity and inspire people to find out more by buying the book (available through amazon.co.uk or destinyofspecies.com). Other than that I have just sent sixty copies to key opinion leaders in the field of natural history in the optimistic hope that one of them will read it and comment publicly. I suspect that most will dismiss it without a second thought, but all it takes is one. Indeed, Sir David Attenborough has replied to say that he is looking forward to reading it. Whether he will or not is a different matter, but if he did there would at least be a possibility that he would comment publicly and generate some more publicity. If nobody comments and the Daily Mail article doesn’t work I will just have to keep plugging away. As an unknown author the task will be enormous, but I know that the case is strong and I know that I mustn’t give up, however many times I get ignored.

The full (and unedited) interview will appear in BubbleCow’s newsletter and you can read it by subscribing below before the end of November 2009…

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