There has been a lot of chatter in the world of publishing over the course of the last year about ebooks, traditional publishing, non-traditional publishing and self-publishing. JA Konrath very loudly stuck his nose up at traditional publishing and went his own self-published way and he’s been very successful. I’ve seen him quoted as someone who will never go back to NY. Other successful authors who have struck out on their own are LJ Sellers and Kait Nolan.
When we first started WDWPUB there seemed to be two camps in publishing. NY is the only way to go. OR. Screw NY, its dead. What we’re seeing now is there are still two camps amongst authors, though its shifted some. One being eBooks are a reality and publishers need to get with the program. Brick and Mortar is struggling and the channels of distribution ARE changing. OR. NY is during a U-Turn. They will catch up and eBooks won’t be that big of the market share. That when you add it all up, print still rules and will always rule. Print is never going to die and readers are demanding books be in print because they don’t like eReaders. When all is said and done, the majority of books sold are print.
What amuses me is that Bob recently shared an email he got from a fan about a couple of his traditionally published books not being available in eBook format and how much that kind of sucked. How much the reader really wanted the entire series in eBook format.
Both camps are sort of right. Digital is a reality and more and more people are using reading devices. Publishers do need to make some major adjustments. Dorchester is proof of that. Traditional distribution doesn’t work. The traditional way of publishing is beyond flawed. AND NY is doing somewhat of a U-Turn. They are producing eBooks. They do acknowledge the need to embrace the digital age.
We started out at WDWPUB with this notion that we wanted to straddle both worlds. We can clearly see both sides of the coin. We understand each side and can relate to where each camp is coming from. However, we also have to face facts. These times they are a changing and like Kenny Rogers song, “you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away and know when to run.”
I posed two questions in the title of this blog post and I’m going to answer them honestly based on my experience as the person who pretty much got all the Who Dares Wins Publishing books out there in the world for our readers to enjoy.
Can any writer self-publish?
The answer is a big fat YES. Technology has made this a relatively simple process. I say relatively because there is a steep learning curve and even after you’ve “learned” the basics, if you want to do it right and maximize your efforts in order to increase your sales, you’re going to have to make this your full time job. It’s not a get rich quick scheme, but you can turn a pretty profit.
There are a lot of options out there for the author who wants to self-publish. You can use a vanity press (though you’ve already heard mine and Bob’s caveat on those and why we think they are bad news for the writer). You can go with something like Smashwords and let them be your publisher and distributor to various ebookstores. LuLu is another option for both ebooks and POD. You can just publish on Kindle. Or B&N. Both stores have made the process pretty painless. In future blog posts, I will discuss some of the things we’ve learned at WDWPUB about using these platforms.
Which brings me to the element of time again. Yes, anyone can self-publish. But in order to be successful, you have to invest a huge amount of time and energy into finding what will be the best option for you. It is not one-size fits all. What works for one, might not work for another. And, all I’ve discussed so far is getting your book ready for publication. And just the book. Not the cover, etc. But the bottom line is, anyone who puts their mind to it, can self-publish their book.
However, here is a question for the skeptics out there who are screaming. If you went with traditional publishing, the publisher would do all this for you, right? OK. They will format, make cover, print and upload books. But what else are they doing for you? Giving you an advance? Unless you are getting a really, really big advance, so what? You could possibly make just as much as the average advance for a mid-list author self-publishing. OK. Distribution in physical bookstores. For now that is still a good thing, but what happens when Borders closes its doors? What happens when B&N every month sells more via their on-line store and realizes they can make more money in the long-run if they put their energies there? They are already closing stores where they don’t own the property. What happens when digital becomes the standard form for books? I hear lots of yelling that print will never die. Who thought CD’s would die? Before we know it, cars won’t have CD players, just a jack to plug in your iPod. Just an aside, my 17 year-old son doesn’t give a crap that his beat up clunker doesn’t have a working radio, or a CD player. He just installed his iPod thingy.
I know, there are the other outlets. The Targets, Wal-Marts, Sam’s club, etc. But who gets racked in there? Lets face it, if you’re not the top 10 you’re not going to be in those stores anyway.
Should anyone self-publishing their book?
The answer to this question is a big fat DEPENDS. Why? When we first started with Who Dares Wins Publishing, we believed the most successful self-published authors came from two backgrounds. The first being previously published authors with backlist. We found this to be true as Bob’s Atlantis series is our number one selling eBook on all platforms. The second would be a non-fiction author with a platform. We found this to be true with four of our authors. Bob, along with Amy Shojai, Kristen Lamb, and Joy E. Held have strong platforms with quality non-fiction books that sell well.
However, we used to believe that if you don’t fit into those two categories you might as well pack up and go home. That isn’t necessarily the case anymore. The key is King, or content. Do you have quality content? Is your material, whether it be fiction or non-fiction well written, edited and is it something readers want? The other key is Queen, or promotion. If you plan on simply putting your stuff out there and think the readers are just going to flock to you, well good luck with that. You have to be willing to promote, and promote hard.
But again, to those of you screaming that traditionally publishing is the only way to go. How much promotion does your publisher do for you? I mean really do. Are they setting up book and blog tours? Are they contacting your readers? Tweeting tidbits about you and your book? Giving you money to make a website? Blogging for you? Funding you writer conferences? Getting you a media consultant so you can get on the radio, TV, or any other place to promote your book? So, they get you in the bookstore. You is actually selling your book to the reader? You are.
It’s a wonderful time to be an author because the author has a lot more control if he or she wants it and with that control comes a greater chance of success.
Write It Forward
Thanks for the mention!
It’s all those points you mentioned toward the end that really decided me on self publishing. Because unless you’re one of the lucky few authors getting 6 figure advances and full marketing teams behind you, then New York is gonna expect you to do all that stuff yourself. AND stick with their deadlines, have no say in cover art, and have to wait two flipping YEARS for your book to come out–not to mention the fact that they’re going to ludicrously overprice your ebook. Add to that the fact that all these agents and editors were telling their authors “don’t quit your day job” and I was really trying to figure out exactly WHY I needed New York at all. I’m a smart chick. I can (and have) learn how to do all of it myself and hire out for the stuff that I can’t (like cover art).
As it happens, I don’t need New York. I have built a nice little platform for myself, one that’s had modest success that will only grow exponentially if I do nothing more than continue on the trajectory I’ve set for myself–without any help from traditional means AT ALL. Instead, I’ve had helping hands from writers and readers all over the blogosphere and Twitterverse, and let me tell you–that is SO MUCH more gratifying. Because there’s a hopeful spirit among the indie movement and a positivity that you just seldom see in the old cycle of query/rejection on the traditional path. And it’s truly awesome.
Of course the shocking bonus of all of this entrepreneurial spirit is that it netted me a super awesome agent who’s willing to brave uncharted waters and try for a new kind of set up between agent and author that we both feel will be beneficial to us both. I’m not leaving the indie track for New York…I’m charting a new course somewhere in the middle ground that will hopefully prove to be the best of both worlds.
Self-publishing is absolutely coming on. A couple years ago I never considered it for whatever point I figured I would be going after a book. Now, I imagine that selfpub or some sort of indie press is the most likely spot I’ll end up. If I’m going to spend the time building platform to impress some agents or editors then I’ve already created something substantial! Nice post.
It goes back to the Three Ps mentioned in an earlier blog post here: Platform, Product, Promotion. Every author’s situation is different. for most, self-publishing is not a road for success unless they are strong on all three. However, for those who are willing to do the hard work in all areas, it’s an opportunity that didn’t exist before.
It’s hard to imagine a world without print books, but it could happen. Even libraries are working out ways to loan e-books. Bookstores are creating kiosks for their customers to buy e-books (and they get a percentage). If that begins to darken the horizon, publishers will focus more on that. It may be difficult to imagine, but not difficult to believe it could.
They still print books? Wow! I didn’t know that. How “retro”.
I know, there are the other outlets. The Targets, Wal-Marts, Sam’s club, etc. But who gets racked in there? Lets face it, if you’re not the top 10 you’re not going to be in those stores anyway.
Harlequin can get me in those stores! I’m midlist (34 romances published) and I write for Love Inspired line. I agree with all you’ve written but you left out Harlequin’s romance lines which are regularly stocked in the majority of Walmarts, etc in the US.
A writer really has to study and make wise decisions before signing contracts these days. And you’re right, I’m doing the lion share of promotion. But again Harlequin offers me webinars on all aspects of the new social media.
So I’m building my brand, preparing an OOP series I did for another publisher for ebook distribution, posting an original very long ms on my blog and writing another proposal for Harlequin. I’m keeping all my irons in the fire(s). GRIN
http://bit.ly/gRCEBN
Lyn–You’re right about HQN. Many of their lines are even stacked in local Grocery stores. I also think they were forward thinking when they created their digital only Carina Press. I think HQN is doing some pretty great things when it comes to adapting. But if you don’t write Romance, or category, they are not an option. I do love how you say you’re keeping all your irons in the fire. That’s just good business sense.
Perhaps, HQN could merge with another publishing company. I don’t know if it’s part of the HQN plan (not part of their business model) but it would be a nice fantasy.
However, Carina Press accepts every genre so it could be.
My pithy comment about dead trees/paper aside, Lyn raises a great point! For her working with HQ is working, but it sounds like you maybe missing an “iron”, as it were. I would guess that with 34 romances published some of those may have gone out of print/reverted back to you. It would be interesting to see if you put those up on amazon/B&N/smashwords/etc/etc would you be making more money from them, or from your next HQ book?
I am a blogger/reviewer and a big supporter of Independents and small pub authors. This article is articulate and intelligent. I am definitely paying it foward. How can I not when it is chocked full of useful information, tips and, predictions? Thanks!
I believe HQ is the template for what other major publishers have to become. It always surprised when everyone talks about the “Big 6″ and they never add HQ in. People do walk into a bookstore and say give me the next X line from HQ. No one walks into a bookstore and says give me the next Random House. It’s also why RWA is the most professional writing organization around– there are so many published authors in their ranks. I tell every writer I meet to joint their local RWA chapter, regardless of what genre they write.
I think the most insightful part of this post is the recommendation to look and listen and learn and weigh your options before you decide that something new isn’t for you or that something old has to go. I, too, still hear a lot “you have to indie to be cutting edge” or “traditional publishing is dead.” Which is odd, since in just the comments to this one blog post alone, we see several authors enjoying the benefits of both.
I’m a bestselling category author for Harlequin and a have a contemporary fantasy coming out with Dorchester in May. I’m currently working on proposals for my next Harlequin contract (though I can tell you their reach and their sales numbers have both suffered in our lagging economy along with every other house). AND I’m soaking up all the information and plugging in to all the digital and social media outlets I can as I partner with Dorchester to bring the second book in my fantasy series to print simultaneously in digital and trade paperback print formats. Many authors fled Dorchester’s list when thy abruptly made this change to this new business model last year. My agent/business partner and I, for various reasons I’ve covered in my blog, decided to see this as an exciting opportunity to be on the cutting edge of what’s driving the future of our business.
Is trying to have the best of both worlds the right plan of attack? Only time will tell, but I’m amazed at what Dorchester’s been able to do for me and Secret Legacy so far, and I just received a French translation and a UK release of titles from my Harlequin backlist. I see value in both streams of income. I see a lot to learn still in both the traditional and the more cutting edge digital part of my business.
And I see great opportunities for authors to learn from each other, as we all figure this out. Blogs like Write It Forward and Kait Nolan’s are great resources. My “Publishing Isn’t for Sissies” blog thread, which will spotlight Dorchster’s new digital and trade promotion plans, at least for Secret Legacy, will be a great behind-the-scenes look–I’ll even have associates from Dorchester guest blogging and sharing inside details as my release date approaches. There are countless other great opportunities to soak up knowledge and chart your own path through our changing industry.
Learn as much as you can before making decisions about your own busines, then, as the blog says, Write It Forward!
You are on the cutting edge of self-publishing, and I am thrilled that you have been “a mushroom eater” according to Kristen Lamb’s latest blog post. You have given inspiration and opportunity to us writers for alternate methods of publishing.
The more I read here and at all the “affiliates” the more encouraged I get.
Thanks for all the feedback and great dialogue. One thing we keep coming back to, as many of you pointed out, is the that there is no right way to be successful in today’s publishing environment. There are success stories in every facet of publishing. I believe the key is to keep yourself educated and open to the possibilities and opportunities as they present themselves. Learn from those who have done it, then do what works for you and be willing to take a few risks along the way. There is no easy way to success. It takes a lot of hard work, determination and often it takes on the form of very scary decisions. However, for every door that closes, one opens.
The last year and a half has been the most exciting time in my career as a writer.
Jenni said: “The last year and a half has been the most exciting time in my career as a writer.”
I feel the same. Once I realized some writers were making a living selling e-books, I knew I could too. I had enthusiastic readers, experience in publishing and promoting, and the determination/tenacity to make it happen. Going indie has been liberating and profitable.
I don’t think print books will die, but their market share will continue to shrink. I make my books available in print as a convenience to readers, but the sales are insignificant. I also just signed a contract with Books in Motion to produce my series as audio books. I’m trying to reach every reader that I can.
Thanks for mentioning me!
So self publishing is def the way to go.
I’m a member of Georgia Romance Writers and RWA. I talk to people in these organizations all the time about this subject. Me and my critique partners weigh the pros and cons all the time too.
I’m published with Liquid Silver Books, an all e-pub erotic romance site, and I love it. I’ve done very well so far, my publisher, editor, cover artist, everyone staffed at LSB that I’ve worked with and been in contact have been incredibly helpful, set up reviews for me, answered questions immediately…it’s just been an all around great experience. So, I’m all for e-publishing.
It’s funny though, a few years ago I would have turned my nose up at it. I had been trained basically to believe that an epublished author isn’t really an accomplished author. Now a days there seems to be a much different way of thinking. More and more people in the writing world, authors that I’ve spoken to are pro e.
But, and this is a pretty big but, at least in my book, non writers, readers that I’ve spoken to about my book, given business cards to and so on make a tiny face when I say my book is only available on line. Not everyone mind you. There are quite a few people that are thrilled when they find out they can read my book on their IPad or Kindle. But it seems that more readers than not are a tad disappointed.
It makes me kind of sad. One older woman even had the nerve to say an e-book isn’t a real book. Grrrrr…um, yes it f@$%*;@ is!! I came up with the concept, plotted it out, wrote 57,000 words, submitted it to an editor, waited for an acceptance, had it edited, had a cover made, and got a pay check for it after it was offered and sold in a variety of places and way! It so is a book!
But I digress…like I said, I’ve heard the pros and cons on both sides of the coin, and I myself, am FOR all sides involved, whether E, Indie, or NY publishing. At this point I don’t think anyone can predict exactly what will happen in publishing. But if we work hard, market like champs, and keep writing great content, it won’t really matter. What it comes down to at the end of the day is the quality of your work. If your book sucks you won’t do well whether you earned a big NY contract or not. It’s really not the method of publishing that matters. it’s the authors story, their voice, their characters and world they inhabit that does.
Thanks so much for the post.
A great subject!
have a nice evening,
Tamara
Hi All – I follow this topic with great interest, despite not being a writer, and working for a publisher. Why, you might ask. Because we believe that there is an answer that falls somewhere in the middle, and we are trying to create it. I don’t want this comment to turn into a plug for my company (OK maybe I do), so I will just say, if you think there are merits on both sides of this coin, please consider checking us out. We don’t charge authors for anything – we do print, (on demand), ebooks, and online versions. We are new so would welcome new talent! And no, you don’t need an agent.
*note that our name is changing on Monday to Booktrope, so don’t be confused if you go to Libertary and are re-directed. http://www.libertary.com
Pingback: Can any writer self-publish? Should any writer self-publish? | Write Your Own E-book
Pingback: Marketing and the Writer | Bob Mayer's Blog
Pingback: Introduction to Self-Publishing Options | Bob Mayer's Blog