According to a Reuters article, book publishers are discussing the coming changes and are determined not to make the mistakes the music business made years back. They seem to all agree on this:
… the big change will come when there is a standard format across which all e-books can be published and shared.I am all for that!
David Shanks, chief executive of leading publisher Penguin Group USA, said:
"Our fondest wish is that all the devices become agnostic so that there isn't proprietary formats and you can read wherever you want to read," Shanks told Reuters. "First we have to get a standard that everybody embraces."According to the article, the cost of printing a book is a minor cost. The big bucks are spent on developing an author’s work and marketing it. Eileen Gittins of Blurb, which helps authors and companies self-publish, said:
"The book publishing industry is becoming more blockbuster focused.”To me, that sounds like it will be harder for new authors to get published, unless they have a blockbuster book, a huge platform and a marketing plan in place.
Change is coming.
Midlist writers have been endangered for a while, I think. But we keep slogging on!
ReplyDeleteYES...I want non-DRM, open format! Definitely. We might be dreaming, though.
As an avid reader, I am sitting back watching all this change in shock and unhappiness. I have not and do not intend to get an e-reader. My sister-in-law absolutely loves her and still I'm not convinced.
ReplyDeleteIf only blockbusters will be published, just means self-publishing and marketing will become more prevalent. We are really in the midst of watching the tide change.
One of the sad parts of the paper-publishers interested mostly in blockbuster books is that so much talent goes to waste. So many wonderful books never "make" it.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with self-publishing is that there often is a quality issue. Anybody, writer or not, can do it and readers are not always able to determine if it's a well-written story they're buying.
I didn't pay much attention when the industry shift happened with music. When I was ready, I simply started using an IPod. I'm paying much more attention to the publishing industry...and yes, a uniform platform would be lovely...
ReplyDeletebut mostly, I'm just wondering when I will know I am ready for an E-reader.
My husband has an iPad. He doesn't search for new unknown writers. He has about 4 or 5 authors that he follows and he downloads those. In order to find new authors, I think, you have to be on the Internet, visiting blogs. He's not. He may be like a lot of people who have eReaders.
ReplyDeletePlatform is so important to get an agent for nonfiction. I think you either have to have a huge platform before you even think about writing or be a polished writer.
ReplyDeleteIt seems daunting but there's so much opportunity out there. As writers we can take control and educate ourselves about the publishing industry. Change is good and this is the time for writers and editors to produce marketable material. Power to us in this confusion.
IMHO some of the A List writers have been slipping for a while now but if I read this correctly they will continue on.
ReplyDeleteEvery reader has their favorites (like your husband) but I've always tried to try the new guy. I do it more now that I've discovered blogs. I'm actually trying to read at least one book by every authors who's blog I subscribe to.
Don't yet have a reader but know I will be getting one. I'm really waiting for the open format. (I won't hold my breath.)
Maribeth
Giggles and Guns
If you're an A-list author, you're pushed to put out books faster than you would have taken as a new author. The quality can be hurt because you want that next book out before your fans forget you and move on.
ReplyDeleteYes, change is indeed a'coming. The one format fits all is a good idea, but yes I agree with you that overall the change seems to be heading in an ominous direction for new to little known authors, sigh. Need that best-seller book to hit like NOW!
ReplyDeleteI don't have an e-reader yet, but it would certainly help in choosing one if I knew there was some consistency between them. I like the idea of keeping ebooks uniform that way.
ReplyDeleteYou quoted the article as saying that most of the cost of business for the major publisher is developing the author's work and marketing. I think that could be clarified that most of the money goes to that A list of authors for promoting, and I don't even remember when publishers used to help develop and author. Maybe for Hemingway. LOL
ReplyDeleteI just bought an eReader. I'm blogging about it tomorrow. I still love the real deal, though. Since I'm a writer, I tend to support a wide variety of YA writers . . . new or old. And it doesn't matter if they're blockbusters or not.
ReplyDeleteI like the eReader on the iPad - it also has apps for the Nook and Kindle, too.
ReplyDeleteThe same e-Book format would be good news - publishing only blockbusters is very bad news.
ReplyDeletethat's very true. Anway, real writers aren't concerned with getting published right? :( haha
ReplyDeleteinsightful post, thanks for sharing
Isn't it already really difficult for new authors to get published by the bigger houses?
ReplyDeleteMaryann, publishers will say they like to find a great new author and develop them into A-list authors, but we all know the money goes to those authors already making big sales. They are what we might call the cash cows.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult, Diane. Just like the rest of us, publishers are hunkering down in this economy.
I can't wait for a non-proprietary e-book format!
ReplyDeleteI agree totally, Jenn! As it is, I hesitate to buy an eReader. I do, however, love the ease and look of my husband's iPad.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have an iPad for lots of reasons but there isn't one in my near future. The statement about producing paper books is a small part of the cost doesn't ring true with me at all. I think it's a way for publishers to still give authors only a small percentage of their profits even though their overhead is much less for ebooks than it is for print. It's an ongoing battle intended to give the author as little as possible.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason why authors need to inform themselves and not depend on others.
ReplyDeleteOpen format; no DRM. Otherwise I won't buy it. I bought one metal album at iTunes Store. The DRM made me nuts. Not sure if they still use DRM, haven't bother to go back and check >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
I probably won't buy an ereader until they're cheaper and easier to use from different sources.
ReplyDeleteOver the long run, my husband's iPad will pay for itself. He reads when he travels and he can download easily now and without having to buy hardbacks in airports, which he seemed to do a lot because he'd finish a book mid-trip.
ReplyDeleteI'm not negative about the whole thing at all. Helen, there are always people who are like your hubby, focus on a few authors. But there are often some others who give new authors a try.
ReplyDeleteSteamy Darcy
Yea, I read those things too, and pretty much came to the same conclusions you did. A focus on blockbusters is not good news for aspiring authors, at least if they want to be published by one of the major publishing houses. Still, there will be lots of new opportunities out there with smaller presses and new outlets. I'm just not sure you can make any money in those.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of ebooks/ereaders/ereading, have you had a chance to play around with an iPod yet? I recently did and it about knocked my socks off. Can't wait for some competition to show up in that device market.
~jon
Teach me to not read all the comments. I see your husband has an iPad. I'm jealous.
ReplyDelete~jon
I'm glad to read that publishers are (perhaps) facing and embracing the electronic world. I have a friend coming to visit and can't wait to see her e-reader!
ReplyDeleteAnd see what's she's reading.