Is there a writer who doesn’t know about J.A. Konrath? If you’ve stopped by here, you’ve heard me talk about him and his success at selling his e-books. Another big name has joined him. Barry Eisler recently turned down a $500,000 offer on two books. Yeah, half a million dollars. Instead, he is going to follow Konrath into the world of e-publishing.
On Konrath’s blog one week ago today, the two of them sat down and talked (or typed) about e-books, e-publishing, and Eisler’s big move.
It’s a loooonnngg post, but worth reading, if you haven’t already. Warning, it has some bawdy language in it. But it also is fascinating and has tons of valuable information.
Let me know what you think of their discussion. If you’ve already read the post, tell me now. Otherwise, come back after you’ve read it and give us your opinion.
11 months ago
I haven't read it all yet (and I skipped the frog video!) but it's quite telling of the future of publishing. Also, what Dorchester is doing to Brian Keene and others will further push authors to this choice.
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing is about embracing change.
ReplyDeleteThere are those who say we need it as long is it doesn't affect me (or mine0.
There are those who say we need change but I'll wait until the dust settles and take advantage of what others have done.
Then there are those who for whatever reason step up and take the lead.
Joe got tired being the romantic starving writer the media portrays and Eisler got tired being taken advantage of. They stepped out to lead, to offer a map for a new journey.
It's still up to each of us to choose a path.
I read the conversation and was intrigued. I think this may be a tipping point. One well-known agent at this conference (LCC) announced she's no longer taking fiction submissions. Agents are as worried as the major publishers that fiction authors are cutting them out.
ReplyDeleteIt says a lot for e-publishing when an author turns down $500,000. But Author Konrath is a wonderful example of what can happen with e-books.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
Wow $500,000! I'm going to go read this article.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything in the article. It's obvious print will become a niche market, and it doesn't make sense to give a publisher 52.5% for doing nothing. I can see editors jumping ship to work independently, and agents becoming directing authors to editors, graphic designers, distributors, and publicists. Agents won't be able to do this for 15% and it's possible writers will pay editing and design costs up front. It's exciting times for writers.
ReplyDeleteI'm a stodgy old curmudgeon when it comes to ebooks, probably will never own a Kindle reader cuz I love the feel of a "real" book, but ... you know what? You can NOT argue with that kind of success. I'm going to read the article with an open mind. Thanks for the tip, Helen. :-)
ReplyDeleteLaura, I hadn't read about Dean. Now I'll have to google him.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Mary. There's still the crowd that says, this only works this well for those who are established before they moved to e-books. Those folks should look to LJ Sellers as an example. Well! Speak of LJ, I went back up to read the next comment and there she is!
Thanks L.J. I hadn't heard that. It's as if they've acquiesced that e-books are dominating.
He is, Mason. When I told my husband about him, he started buying and reading his books on his iPad.
Hi Brooke. It's waaaay long, but very interesting.
It is exciting, Simon. It's also scary. Change usually is and this is major change.
Marvin, I rather think you're too forward-thinking to never try e-books. I predict you will.
I clicked over, and still, there's a part of me that says, yeah, but he's bringing a huuuge platform to self-pubbing. I can't really compare his stats to someone never, ever published. So that's always there, no matter what they say to defend or deny that. And we all know there are amazing success stories with e-publishing, but it would be really interesting to have fair statistics showing each and every self-pubbed author, to compare the numbers as to success vs no success.
ReplyDeleteSo it's all exciting and interesting, but I think what I'd like to see with the whole digital publishing thing is for more publishers to step up to the plate and get really innovative with how they'll approach it and use it with their authors, and embrace the change.
Hmph - well I guess if someone bought me a Kindle reader for my B-Day or Christmas I'd accept it, teehee ... ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd even though I prefer to read hard copy books, I DO make sure all my books are pub'd in both formats. You'd have to be an idiot these days not to.
Great article/dialog exchange ... loooooong, yes, but very enlightening.
This is the most thorough piece I've read to date that explains all the ramifications of the change in the publishing world. It's amazing, fascinating, and finally, I feel like I get it. Thanks for featuring the link Helen.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, it would be almost impossible to get the stats on every e-author. There are so many now! Some are making it; some are not. It really depends on the quality of the work and the marketing the author does.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm waiting on, too, Marvin. Mother's Day would be sooner, though.
Liza, I read through it, then copied it so I could print it out and highlight stuff.
I'm so excited about this independent e-pubbing. I'm deep in the process of getting my first novel out and, whether its a hit or a bomb, I actually don't care because at least I'll be moving forward in my writing journey wihout having agents and editors make decisions which affect my life. This new direction in publishing is putting the power back where it belongs: in the hands of the authors who create the stories. The authors like JA Konrath (a great guy!) and Barry who are leading the way are doing us all a huge favour. The next challenge for authors will be to keep our personal writing standards so high, we overcome the stigma still attached to self-publishing. Yay! Exciting times!
ReplyDeleteJudy (South Africa)
Amen to that last comment Judy. But I have a feeling that those who don't maintain high standards of writing will get left behind. Like the old saying, the cream rises to the top.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating post - I'll have to make some time to read it. Thanks for the link :)
ReplyDeleteI love that authors are getting more control over their work and have more opportunities to shine in the eBook world. We are truly surrounded by opportunity. However, I am fearful of the impact this shift will have on local bookstores if they do not adapt quickly. There is nothing I love more than a good bookstore. Someone smarter than me needs to come up with a way that bookstores can survive this transition else we will suffer a huge cultural loss.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen ... both names I know - now they've been getting a bit of 'publicity' .. so the post should be really interesting .. and full of informative thoughts ..
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks Hilary
G.P., I hope print books don't go away. I think bookstores will have to make themselves a destination - for book signings and reading club meetings and other things that readers can buy. I also think bookstores should invest in Espresso Machines so any book they don't have in stock can be printed out in minutes. That'd be a start anyway.
ReplyDeleteI've been following this story. I still can't quite believe it. I believe the self-publishing route is the future but I doubt I could have taken the risk Barry has taken. I wish him the best.
ReplyDeleteThere was another author who followed Konrath with good results. I can't remember her name but her article was interesting. I took her advice and dropped my e-reader books to $2.99 and have had very good response. I'll hop on over to the link and take a look.
ReplyDeleteAnn
You're so right, Susan. It was a huge leap.
ReplyDeleteCozy in Texas, I think you mean L.J. Sellers, but there could have been someone else, too.
I had already read this and posted a link. The game is changing and there will be more published authors jumping ship, especially if they can earn more money selling their own ebooks instead of waiting for their percentage from publishers and agents. Several authors have commented on agents keeping more than their 15%, and that is possible when the agents get the checks before the authors do and then pass on the checks.
ReplyDeleteYou should read Kristine Kathryn Rusch's series on publishing. She talks about how the business of publishing works and why they are in trouble, as well as what it will take to move to a new publishing model.
Brian Keene is having trouble with Dorchester and has begun a boycott that includes some pretty big and powerful names. What Dorchester is doing is wrong, but they won't stop until someone forces them to step up to the plate and do the right thing. Right now, they're stealing authors' books and rights and trying to make as much money as possible, and the news in the wind is that there is a class action suit brewing.
We live in interesting times and things just get more interesting by the day. Publishing still has something to offer authors, as Amanda Hocking says in her blog. She's decided to go with a $2 million dollar three-book deal. He reasoning is sound, as are her reasons. She will continue self-publishing, but she wants a break from all the work and the wider distribution channel offered by the publishing industry. She chose St. Martin's for her three books, but she says she's ready to end the contract if things don't happen as she envisions it. She's keeping her options open.
There's plenty brewing in the industry right now and it's anybody's guess who will come out on top. Probably the same ones who always come out on top.
J M Cornwell
Among Women
Thanks, Helen. I'm sending this article to my publishers, who, all but one, are pricing my ebooks too high. I hope they take time to read it.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking to myself, it's an exciting time to be a reader, and it's an exciting time to be a writer! As a reader, I have far more choice now as to what to read (and I love that more and more midlist authors are indie publishing their backlist titles), and as a writer, I have far more choice now as to how to publish.
ReplyDeleteVery true J.M. Things are changing and changing rapidly. Thanks for all the links.
ReplyDeleteJean, would you have thought when you first became published that you would be wanting your publisher to lower the price of your book? Probably not.
"Choice" is an accurate word. It's a scary time for writers, but it's also an amazing time!
Ginger,
ReplyDeleteIn lowering the price, it becomes an issue of selling one book for $1000 or selling 1000 books for $1. Publishers have an interesting in keeping the cost high because it makes them more profit. It also makes the author more profit, but pricing ebooks at nearly the cost of hardback is counter productive. The cost of producing an ebook is much less than the cost of a hardback, and yet publishers still continue to think that it's a matter of perceived value. In other words, if the cost is high then it must be worth it. That's wrong thinking. Price it out of the reader's budget and you won't sell many ebooks, which I think is the point, since publishers have a vested interest in selling hardbacks first, paperbacks second and then ebooks -- if at all.
J M Cornwell
Among Women
That's been a difficult concept for some authors to get their heads around. Without a publisher and with lower prices, they can make more money. But it also means they have to work their tail off to do it.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, you still have to work your tail off to market your book. Unless you're a big name with a big series, you get bupkus for marketing.
ReplyDeleteAmong Women
I'm intrigued by all the buzz about this. On one forum, my favorite post lamented that people spend more for magazines than a book! And, I've been wondering. When you self-pub, how do you vet it for legal issues? I've seen the self-pubbed authors talk about editors, but does someone look at it also for legal issues. I'm writing nonfiction, so maybe that's just a personal concern.
ReplyDeleteHelen,
ReplyDeleteI get behind in my blog reading and find out you've already posted what I have scheduled to post on Monday. I also included Dean Wesley Smith's continuation of the conversation.
J.M., the bonus for new authors with a publisher used to be the ability to get the book into bookstores. That's not such a bonus anymore.
ReplyDeleteStacy, if you're self-pubbed, it's going to be up to you to vet the book.
Thanks Lillie. I'll go over and read your post.
I read the first part of this, and I'd seen a separate part not too long ago. I feel myself being pulled and swayed--there is so much more control... I think though, these guys are ignoring some of the set costs to getting a book ready--the rounds of editing, in particular, that I think a LOT of self-published books just aren't getting... those are up front costs and are LOSSES if a person doesn't sell past them. I also want SO BADLY to have a system overlaid that is a quality control measure. I don't trust Amazon ratings at ALL--someone gets their relatives and friends to give them stars and a lousy book looks like it's not... I just want SOME WAY to make sure the books I am buying (even at $3 a pop) aren't poorly done.
ReplyDeleteHart, you're not guaranteed a quality book even with traditional publishers. I know. I'm a reviewer and I see them at all stages (Uncorrected proofs, ARCs, finished book) and they're not much better. Typos, wrong words, wonky typesetting, and even major errors like pages missing and put in upside down. There are a lot of quality self-published books, but you have to look for them, and not all Amazon reviews are written by family and friends, as Anne Rice would tell you.
ReplyDeleteHaven't you ever bought a book put out by a big publisher that was utterly awful? I know I have, and from some big names, too.
Yes, there are self-published books that are not quality, but there are a lot of self-published books where the authors took a lot of time making sure it was right, had a good editor and worked hard to give you the best product possible, sometimes surpassing what the big publishers are doing nowadays. It's all a matter of looking and finding writers that do provide quality books.
I just read their article earlier today (without knowledge of this post, so it was neat finding you talking about it, too!) and found it full of interesting observations and ideas. There's a lot to digest, so maybe reacting to the post immediately isn't the best thing, but I'm certainly grateful they've posted the discussion - it's given me a lot to think about and consider*.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the way things are headed based on what's happening today, I'd say their stance is pretty solid. Though, of course, things can change. The big publishers may indeed embrace the digital age of books while providing something writers and readers are happy with, too. (Here's hoping!)
(*Though I could've done without the monkey and frog! ;))
Getting a good cover and a well-formatted book may mean you have to put out some money to hire a professional to do it. But your book will have more of a chance of success if the cover and formatting look professional.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing what some folks have accomplished going directly to e-books via Kindle or some other avenue. For Eisler, this is going to be a real winner as he already has such a huge following. For the rest of us, we have to keep working to get even close to the kind of results he will have.
ReplyDeleteI was MIA, when you posted this one Helen. I did read it and Connie Brockways interview on the same subject--she's self pubbing e-books.
ReplyDeleteThe Konrath and Eisler *chat* was a fasinating read and you're right; there's lots of good info in there. I thought about what I read for some time.
I wrote something about it today in my "I'm late, but it's still Monday Musings.
Thanks for sharing that. Times are definitely changing for books. That was quite a bold move that Barry made but may pay off well for him. There's something to be said for being well known first for ebooks to be highly successful. I never thought I'd be interested in ebooks but have an ereader now and two of my books are available as ebooks.
ReplyDeleteMaryann, he also seems to have a big backlist of books.
ReplyDeleteIt does make you think, doesn't it Sia? Years ago I co-wrote a book with a writer friend. We never did anything with it. Now I'm thinking, I wonder...
I'm envious of you, Connie. My husband offered to get me an iPad for Christmas, now I wish I'd said yes.
These are exciting times we live in, really. There we all were doing the long hard slog up the mountain towards the publishing peak, when all of a sudden the mountain turned into quicksand and we all found ourselves treading water in a brand new ocean. Those of us who kick off our climbing gear and start swimming will get to the shore first.
ReplyDeleteEither way it takes stamina, endurance, and self-belief.
I wonder, though, what will happen to those who choose to hang onto their climbing gear. Will they drown, or will they have the upper hand when we're all standing on the shore looking up at another mountain?
Elle
HearWriteNow & Blood-Red Pencil
Elle, with so many people walking away from the big publishers, it's going to get crowded in the water. The trick is being able to set yourself apart from the pack by making sure your book is as error-free as possible and that you tell a compelling story with memorable characters. At least, we'll have a better chance of being noticed in the water.
ReplyDeleteElle, it's hard to predict. But I think things will continue to change. New ideas, new avenues. I already feel like I'm behind.
ReplyDeleteAmen, J.M.! You have to worry about yourself, not your competition.