Now that you’ve all linked over and read the long discussion between J.A. Konrath and Barry Eisler about moving from a big publisher to e-publishing themselves, I now have an almost as long discussion between authors J.A. Konrath, Barry Eisler and Dean Wesley Smith, who is also making the move.
Dean Wesley Smith agrees in the future of e-publishing for authors, but is in disagreement about exactly how authors should do it. A lot of figures and numbers are tossed back and forth, as well as the benefits, or lack thereof, of agents. If you’re not good at numbers, it may make your brain spin. Having said that, numbers and money are important to authors! So if you have the time, click over and give it a read.
Thank you to Lillie Ammann for alerting me to this continuing discussion.
11 months ago
Thanks for the link. I'll have another cup of coffee before I subject my brain to spin cycle. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting us know about this. I find it all very interesting to see where the E-book industry we take us.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting. And, for me, a bit mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteWow. Mind boggling is right. What stuck out to me is paying someone a flat fee vs a percentage for cover art, for example. When they said with a percentage, you can pay over $4,000 (in their example) for a $500 flat fee job, it really makes you think.
ReplyDeleteSometimes all this feels like a huge Pandora's Box has opened, doesn't it?
Being self-pubbed, you already know I agree with Dean. Great article!
ReplyDeleteDean makes a good point on the need to learn how to do it yourself. I have to admit, his covers look good and fit with he existing market.
ReplyDeleteIf I were going to go this route, I'd definitely hire professionals to do cover art and editing and not just editing for line edits, etc but a savvy editor to make check content and be sure it's well written and readable. I have to admit, that's my biggest gripe with self pubs today. Not enough editing and dorky clunky covers with no awareness of the market.
But I'd also be looking at books in my genre in so far as artwork and learn to do it myself. I'd want the e-covers to catch the eye and the trade paperback would need to do the same.
One thing I'm seeing here in his trend. These authors are experienced and successful, both in writing a good story and in the business itself. They built up their market--a solid reader base.
There are going to be many a writer that thinks they will do the same with equal success. They won't in the beginning and that's true whether they self-publish or go traditional. It takes time to build a reader base. Time to become a name/brand that is recognized.
I've run my own business and realize all the extra work that comes with it. Not as easy as it sounds and as Joe mentions in that article, "...entirely different skill set than it takes to be a writer (and once you self-publish, you are the president of a small business.) They simply aren’t cut out for it."
I'm not arguing against it, by any means, just think long and hard about it. Do your homework and give yourself time to get where you want to be.
Thanks for the heads-up, off too read now!
ReplyDeleteJudy Croome, South Africa
It does, Joanne. And every day more crazy stuff flies out of the box.
ReplyDeleteI do, Laura. You're a trail blazer.
Excellent advice, Sia. The whole process seems overwhelming to me, yet I know authors do it and do it well. I also have come across authors who did not do it well.
Hope you find it interesting, Judy.
It's interesting to follow the development of the e-publishing. I haven't started to e-read myself yet. So far I stick to printed books and audio books. But at some point I have to try e-books, I presume >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
I hadn't heard of Barry Eisler before Konrath's post, but I'd love to be in the position he's in. :)
ReplyDeleteSo would I, Tracy!
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven, I sort of feel like it's inevitable. Each day I get more enthused about having an eReader (note I said "having" one, not paying for one).
KK will do - and thanks again for the heads-up and handy dandy link. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're in a chipper mood, Marvin. 'Course, you always seem to be.
ReplyDeleteThis is all very informative, and I agree that the quality of the books and covers have to be high for this to work. Also, for someone without a following already, the climb to high numbers is slow. We can make ourselves crazy counting and comparing numbers, but it all boils down to the bottom line when royalties are sent. I think having a realistic approach to what a relative unknown writer can accomplish is key.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read this one yet but I'll click over. The industry is changing at the speed of light.
ReplyDeleteMaryann, I'd still love to be with a big house, but I'm not sure how much marketing they would do for me. But it'd be nice for someone else to do the creation of the book and, while there are still stores, getting the book into those stores.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. I'll check it out.
ReplyDelete