The
Washington Post has an article comparing the changes in publishing to the changes that took place in the music industry. It’s an interesting comparison.
In music, DIY is a source of credibility for acts that take pride in circumventing the music machine and the compromises often required to release an album through a record company -- especially a major label.
With books, by contrast, do-it-yourselfers are usually regarded with skepticism, if not outright derision, when they pay to publish their own work through what is disdainfully referred to as a "vanity press."
The Post does say, though, that the stigma within publishing seems to be lessening, although not by much.
Books released through publishing houses also have a perceived measure of legitimacy that can help attract attention from reviewers, who tend to avoid self-published works.
Besides the sense of legitimacy they project as gatekeepers, publishing houses have a logistical advantage by taking care of distribution, which is crucial for an author who wants the widest possible readership.
The article cites a couple of examples of writers going it “alone” by self-publishing, but each one seems to also long for a publisher to legitimize their books and make the selling easier.
The Washington Post article is an interesting one but falls short of telling what self publishing actually entails. But it does point out the possibilities and drawbacks that novice writers face in this downtrodden economy. I admire anyone who takes the proverbial bull by the horns and does everything he/she can possibly do to promote a book, whether it's self published or not. The bottom line is that no matter what you do, the average book only sells 99 copies.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wealth of information, Jean. I did not know that the average book sells only 99 copies.
ReplyDeleteThat is one comparison that has always left me puzzled. Yes, the music industry changed and independent lables sprung up everywhere as musicians produced their own work. They can still get distribution and build up a fan base. Yet it's so different for authors. Yes, there is a difference between vanity authors and those who do it all themselves with formatting, getting ISBN# and all that. However, I see no difference between the author who starts his own publishing company and the band who starts their own lable.
ReplyDeleteL. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net
I've been in publishing for 41 years, Helen. You manage to pick up information along the way, like a rolling stone. :)
ReplyDeleteAhh, Jean, you're the Mick Jaggar of the publishing world. Only much, much, cuter.
ReplyDeleteDiane, maybe things will change. In fact, I think they already are. Big publishers seem to be going for the celebrity names or those with built-in platforms. Smaller, independent houses are putting out good books by authors who are working their tails off to promote. And there's still an outlet for those who need more work on their writing or who want to publish something for their families or friends. It sort of like being with a major record label, forming your own label or just creating a video of your garage band for YouTube. That's not to say those garage bands or vanity authors can't move to a small press or big house some day. I certainly think the chances are better than they used to be to do that. But I also think it's currently more difficult to sign on with a major publishing house and, in a way, with even a smaller independent since more authors are looking there.
ReplyDelete99? I read the avg was 50. That's actually ENCOURAGING! (not smiling)
ReplyDeleteIt probably isn't good news for the "small" books. Most likely, it means that a few at the stratosphere top have had huge sales.
ReplyDeleteThese days I don't see much help with marketing. Most authors have to do it themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe main difference is if you're with a big publisher, it can afford to get the books in the stores. That's a good thing, but you still need to get people to want to look at your books.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
That's true, Morgan. Whether you're with a big publisher or small, you have to do your own marketing. I'm more likely to see your book if it's in a store, but, on the other hand, more and more, I'm meeting authors via the Internet.
ReplyDeleteI think the sale of so many books on the internet will help the sale of the self-published. This can be quite a touchy topic when you have people on both sides of the table discussing it. I think many authors believe that first sale to a 'big' publisher is going to be the end of all that time consuming promotional work. Who could know it's only the beginning?
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a musician and I am a writer, and I can tell you that the d-i-y market in both is very competitive and unless you advertise like crazy it is so easy to get lost in the shuffle. On a really positive note for the world of self-publishing, a horror author named James Melzer recently published his novel as a free downloadable podcast on iTunes. Shortly after going live, he was offered a book deal.
ReplyDeleteThe whole notion of "legitimizing" through traditional publication may take years before it starts to fade, but as authors continue self-publishing more and more successes will shine.
So true about the promotion that has to be done for a book, whether it's published traditionally or self-published or via the Internet or in ebook form. It's really all in the marketing and promoting.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny. I think you're right. It is going to take years. This bad economy may even help the process since more author will be turning to alternate routes to publication.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for your input. You're seeing both sides of this books following musics' path.
I think you are right. The economy will spur creativity. Hardship always draws out those that refuse to lose. Loved reading the post and comments.
ReplyDeleteAngie
Very true Angela. And writers seem to rally behind each other and share advice and kudos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. You have several blogs, I noticed. Is one of them your main blog?