It’s the start of the work week again. Blah.
At the beginning of September I usually reset my goals for the next year and I post them to remind myself where I want to go. This year my mind has wandered from being published to who am I being published by.
It can be a touchy subject and I may get smacked for bringing this up. That’s okay, smack me, I’ll even bend over if you say, “Please.”
Let’s start at the beginning, when I was a reader only. Never dreamed of writing a book and read books like my life depended on it. I never cared who published my favorite authors’ books as long as I could buy them easily.
I am open about my career. I have no secrets to keep, at least writing wise. When I started to submit my books to publishers, I did as most authors do and started at what is considered the top of e-pubs and worked my way down the list. This resulted in my having three publishers: a well known one, another who is middle of the road but growing, and a brand spanking new one. I wish I could say I did this on purpose so I could see the differences but I didn’t.
We know that the new accessibility to e-readers and e-books has changed the publishing industry. Print publishers, including NY trades, have started to acknowledge the industry’s growth and have started selling their own e-books. What I want to address is how in the last year it has affected the e-publishers. Most of the founding e-pubs are from the time when e-books were mostly available from their website and not third party venues. Now with Kindles and Nooks everywhere people are buying it from their preferred sites and like me, before being a writer, don’t care who publishes the books. They just want good stories.
I think this has shuffled sales around in the e-pub industry and as writers we don’t know it yet. I wanted to strive this year with a new goal to have a MS accepted by one of the bigger names of e-publishing but now I’m wondering, “Am I doing the right thing for my career?” Do I want prestige or do I want a decent royalty check? They don’t always go hand-in-hand. You’d think they would.
What do you think?
12 comments:
I am hoping that the resurgance of ereaders leads to more sales. It is difficult to get people to try downloads. Hopefully, downloading to a portable reader that has become more affordable and attractive will he a mega-help.
Hmm, my reply vanished into thin air followed by a service error--lol! Does that mean something I wonder. Anyway...you're right, they don't always go hand-in-hand, sales have shuffled around quite a bit. Great post, Annie!!
Its a good question and not one I have an answer to! Great post Annie!
What do writer's get for being with a bigger epub house?
I know with trade it's better window space or shelf space.
Anyone?
Interesting question. Will the dropping prices of e-readers make more people get this this holiday season, and thus sell more eBooks? I guess we'll see. I think the bigger publishers are scared of the in-flux nature of their business right now, so they may be even MORE fearful of taking on new writers.
I have a funny, nagging thought that in the long run it won't really matter which publisher you're with eventually, but totally whether your book is available with the right vendors.
My current thoughts are that I'd like to see my work available through about three or four high-quality small presses (electronic and PoD) while I keep aiming for that elusive pie in the sky of a contract offered by a bigger house.
That whole thing of not having all my eggs in one basket, y'know.
I agree with Nerine. In a couple years, none of it will matter. It'll be all about the vendors and the cost of getting a book to POD. Do we all, as authors, want a wider reader base to showcase our work in? Of course and sometimes you can't get that with small presses, although what you get with small presses is a better quality product.
In the end, does it matter where you are? Nope. Let your work speak for itself. Eventually, the readers will find you as the devices start permeating every level of the buying public.
Hmm...great question!! I agree with what everyone is saying. My thoughts, spread your wings and fly. Lots of epubs out there who have tons of readers that buy their books. I still feel word of mouth is the best promo ever. People want a book that captivates them and leaves them needing more. Provide that and they'll be a fan forever.
Reaching out to different epubs--especially the big ones--is a great way to gain exposure to more readers who follow them :)
See, that's one of my points though, Stacey. As writers we're told this but who follows a publisher?
Well, I saw a little post about EC's sales last year--they are pretty outstanding. So I think they has to be some truth to it.
But also, it's all about the story. If it doesn't appeal to readers it just won't sell--no matter where you put it.
If it's a great story, of course, it will reach readers--word of mouth spreads quick--but having a larger epub that sells books like EC can't ever hurt.
That's only my take :)
Well Annie, when I was considering who to sub to, I had to ask "what will the publisher do for me?". I think publishing houses that really promote alongside their writers are very important in this digital age and with the massive influx of new eNovels everyday, the competition for sales is going to get stiffer. Bottom line, I want to be where the spotlight shines. I want to be with the publisher that grabs the readers attention and makes my novel available in as many places as they can.
My latest release will be available in both print and eNovel. It was also a consideration when choosing who to send my novels to.
As far as where publishing is going...
It's anybody's guess, but it's going to be a wild ride.
Annie, great question, and I don't know the answer.
I do think the editor can make or break your book and no matter what publisher you go with you want a first rate editor.
I would like to go with a NY publisher, but I'm not sure that's right for me at this time.
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