September 9, 2008
No Matter What
So Ames got me wondering (scary thought I know). Do folks wanna sell no matter what the cost? Not pulling any one publisher e or otherwise out as an example, but there are some good ones out there and there are some disreputible ones. Both keep signing new authors and publishing more and more books.
I do think some authors, when they get that offer or contract, have that little squiggle in their tummy that says, “y’know maybe you oughtta wait a minute and think on this.” But all they can see is the author name, title and ISBN number. Alas, they are blinded and sign away often times they lose in the end, but they were not to be detered. They could only see the book and not the details that followed.
Then there are folks who self publish. I have know a few. There are verious reasons why they go this path, but it seems ever harder to me. A couple of these folks have sold enough books that it made it worth the time and effort, but with the infux of new books out in the market every year, not having that publsiher behind you for an extra little push it’s very difficult.
Patience is NOT my strong suit. I don’t know what I would have done had I not been lucky when I sold my first book(s) to Samhain (Whom I adore). And by lucky I mean that they ARE a publsiher I adore. I’d like to think I wouldn’t take “just” whomever would offer me a contract–at the same time, I suppose the authors are submitting, it’s not like these publsihers are seeking them out right? Any which route you go, it’s difficult.
I guess it comes down to: do your homework. Know who you’re submitting to.
(my brain hurts now . . . enough thinking for this week)
Once I exhaust all avenues in the real publishing world, with the myriad manuscripts I write and submit, I am going to self-publish every one of them. They don’t call it vanity press for nothing. It may not mean anything to the ‘Real Publishing Gods’, but hey, I’m not getting any younger. :) Good post, Dennie.
I’ll probably get egged for saying this, but I’d never self-publish. My ego wouldn’t let me. Probably more like my need to NOT quit, my drive, my unlimited persistance would keep me submitting until I break through Big NYs. Not saying I wouldn’t write anything else while I’m submitting my brains out, but I just think some books just have to wait for the market to turn in their favor. Those self-published books would be harder to sell than one that’s just been growing dust on my computer.
Another reason I’d never self-publish is that I’m just lazy. Pure and simple.
Though with that said, some books are just better going the self-published route. Like how-to books and general non-fiction. Its up to the author how much and how well they promote themselves.
Another reason I’d never self-publish is that I’m just lazy. Pure and simple.
Amen.
Actually, what I mean is I simply could not do the “salesman” thing for my self-pubbed book. It’s just not in my makeup. Hell, I remember how I hated trying to sell Girl Scout Cookies. SUCKED.
(my brain hurts now . . . enough thinking for this week)
Now, Dennie…you know I’ll try to come up with something to get those little wheels grinding again by Friday…
I agree with your reasoning, Melissa; and the bottom line, unless you’re into door to door sales, or pestering your family and friends to death, self-publishing is not a money maker. :)
I would say yes and no. I had been writing full-length books for a couple of years before I decided to epublish. I’d gone the ‘traditional route’ of looking for agents. To no avail. So, I read about a call for erotic shorts (this is an epub that has long since disappeared). I’d never tried that before (erotic), so I thought, ‘what the hell?’ It only had to be 10-12K. I could whip that out pretty quickly. And it wouldn’t be much skin off my nose.
That very first effort got me a contract with what was considered at the time a decent epub.
Now, of course I knew fame and fortune were not going to come my way with that sale. But you know what I *did* get out of it? Experience working with an editor, experience with marketing and self-promo. Stuff that has seriously helped me over the last 18 months to hone my craft. So now I have some books to my name that can be part of my ‘resume.’
I know some agents don’t give epub credits the time of day, but it shows at least a professionalism to the craft. And, depending on the epub, it could definitely give you the edge over another unknown.
Once I exhaust all avenues
The first self pubbed author I knew did that because at the time she was shopping her book around the inspirational books were not “in”. It turned out looking nice, and she had a couple of self-set up book signings, but it all seemed so much more work. I don’t know how sales went–but as far as I know she hasn’t tried to sell anything else. dunno….
Its up to the author how much and how well they promote themselves.
it’s hard plain and simple. Like Raine said w/ the cookies… I worked retail for years and I HATED IT by the time kiddo #1 was born. I get all jittery and whatnot thinking I have to promo myself … still scares me!
Gee thanks Raine… I’ll be waiting
working with an editor
Very good point! There are things that I learned with a critique group, but once I had gone through the editing process a couple of times, . . . there were things that never jumped out me ’til then. Now I watch for it when I write and hopefully it makes it stronger.
I won’t self publish and I won’t settle for a shoddy, fly by nighter either. That’s about it.
I’m with Raine & Melissa, I wouldn’t self publish. I think I’d rather give them away as free reads. :-P
Vanessa, someone mentioned to me recently that I should make the book I just wrote into a series. Not a two-three book thing, but release 4-6k at a time like a serial read. If nothing else it’ll get some attention to you. I just may do it with another piece of work I have.
Do folks wanna sell no matter what the cost?
Some do, yes. I remember chatting with an author a few years back. She got the contract from her epub, didn’t read it, signed it, and never thought twice about it. This was NOT her first deal with that epub, but the publisher had changed the contract and she didn’t even realize it (and didn’t seen terribly concerned either).
A few months later, the publisher (who was about three or four years old) went belly-up with fireworks and much fanfare.
When a publisher files for bankruptcy, it can tie up the work THEY OWN because YOU SOLD IT TO THEM for YEARS. GET A CLUE!!!!!!
Ames, that’s it exactly; you have to take charge of your books, your career and know what you’re getting yourself into.
Tanya that sums it up!
Vanessa, free reds is a great idea. (so says the gal who has none) I think It’s a great way to build readers and entice them into buying your other books
I’m not that desperate to see my name next to an isbn. When I got my agent, we set the goal of selling to one of the major houses. The last book didn’t sell and she offered to take it to smaller houses but didn’t recommend it. I may never see my books in print and I can live with that I guess.
I’m with Vanessa, I won’t self-publish. Unless, of course, I’m Bertrice Small. She self-published after seeing her older novels go for obscene amounts of money on ebay. She wanted other readers to have the opportunity to read her books without paying a fortune.