tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post3485370344343621932..comments2023-11-18T03:15:19.102-06:00Comments on Straight From Hel: Two Best-Selling AuthorsHelen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-54558372918352716322011-03-29T08:13:56.250-05:002011-03-29T08:13:56.250-05:00Elle, it's hard to predict. But I think things...Elle, it's hard to predict. But I think things will continue to change. New ideas, new avenues. I already feel like I'm behind.<br /><br />Amen, J.M.! You have to worry about yourself, not your competition.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-49276316329908072002011-03-28T22:50:00.537-05:002011-03-28T22:50:00.537-05:00Elle, with so many people walking away from the bi...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.Jacklyn Cornwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-56318889947410921552011-03-28T21:44:40.032-05:002011-03-28T21:44:40.032-05:00These are exciting times we live in, really. There...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. <br /><br />Either way it takes stamina, endurance, and self-belief. <br /><br />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?<br /><br />Elle<br />HearWriteNow & Blood-Red PencilEllehttp://hearwritenow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-6512194874625980732011-03-28T16:18:21.502-05:002011-03-28T16:18:21.502-05:00Maryann, he also seems to have a big backlist of b...Maryann, he also seems to have a big backlist of books.<br /><br />It 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...<br /><br />I'm envious of you, Connie. My husband offered to get me an iPad for Christmas, now I wish I'd said yes.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-28473308965932161862011-03-28T13:57:51.417-05:002011-03-28T13:57:51.417-05:00Thanks for sharing that. Times are definitely chan...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.Connie Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264510809220669622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-60668541521949684212011-03-28T13:44:39.333-05:002011-03-28T13:44:39.333-05:00I was MIA, when you posted this one Helen. I did r...I 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.<br /><br />The 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.<br /><br />I wrote something about it today in my "I'm late, but it's still Monday Musings.~Sia McKye~https://www.blogger.com/profile/08470562659597351033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-38475222008864404502011-03-28T11:34:25.191-05:002011-03-28T11:34:25.191-05:00I think it is amazing what some folks have accompl...I 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.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-55889864683065153452011-03-28T11:19:16.711-05:002011-03-28T11:19:16.711-05:00Getting a good cover and a well-formatted book may...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.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-44985144093314016322011-03-28T10:29:35.988-05:002011-03-28T10:29:35.988-05:00I just read their article earlier today (without k...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*.<br /><br />Looking 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!)<br /><br />(*Though I could've done without the monkey and frog! ;))Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-67523392508283656522011-03-28T09:14:15.755-05:002011-03-28T09:14:15.755-05:00Hart, you're not guaranteed a quality book eve...Hart, 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. <br /><br />Haven'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. <br /><br />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.Jacklyn Cornwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-49986305308197070612011-03-28T09:01:18.073-05:002011-03-28T09:01:18.073-05:00I read the first part of this, and I'd seen a ...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.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-30959396000562075422011-03-28T08:30:23.980-05:002011-03-28T08:30:23.980-05:00J.M., the bonus for new authors with a publisher u...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.<br /><br />Stacy, if you're self-pubbed, it's going to be up to you to vet the book.<br /><br />Thanks Lillie. I'll go over and read your post.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-66904470609060870552011-03-28T00:40:48.564-05:002011-03-28T00:40:48.564-05:00Helen,
I get behind in my blog reading and find o...Helen,<br /><br />I 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.Lillie Ammannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851121176224654240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-56112559690218719352011-03-27T23:09:31.822-05:002011-03-27T23:09:31.822-05:00I'm intrigued by all the buzz about this. On o...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.Stacy S. Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09646270238659432058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-69465042742519609032011-03-27T17:07:46.090-05:002011-03-27T17:07:46.090-05:00Nowadays, you still have to work your tail off to ...Nowadays, 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.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46125" rel="nofollow">Among Women</a>Jacklyn Cornwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-58433945652999403522011-03-27T16:35:55.880-05:002011-03-27T16:35:55.880-05:00That's been a difficult concept for some autho...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.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-14061875217183933562011-03-27T12:49:13.824-05:002011-03-27T12:49:13.824-05:00Ginger,
In lowering the price, it becomes an issu...Ginger,<br /><br />In 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. <br /><br />J M Cornwell<br /><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46125" rel="nofollow">Among Women</a>Jacklyn Cornwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-66314123673592995732011-03-27T10:19:48.109-05:002011-03-27T10:19:48.109-05:00Very true J.M. Things are changing and changing r...Very true J.M. Things are changing and changing rapidly. Thanks for all the links.<br /><br />Jean, 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.<br /><br />"Choice" is an accurate word. It's a scary time for writers, but it's also an amazing time!Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-67815933504758022582011-03-26T23:44:25.620-05:002011-03-26T23:44:25.620-05:00I keep thinking to myself, it's an exciting ti...I 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.Belle Wonghttp://msbookish.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-56703963254230565272011-03-26T21:31:18.600-05:002011-03-26T21:31:18.600-05:00Thanks, Helen. I'm sending this article to my ...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.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-86568396418276660012011-03-26T20:06:21.798-05:002011-03-26T20:06:21.798-05:00I had already read this and posted a link. The gam...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. <br /><br />You should read Kristine Kathryn Rusch's <a href="http://kriswrites.com/2010/11/04/the-business-rusch-challenges-for-big-publishing-changing-times-part-three/" rel="nofollow">series on publishing</a>. 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. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.briankeene.com" rel="nofollow">Brian Keene</a> 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. <br /><br />We live in interesting times and things just get more interesting by the day. Publishing still has something to offer authors, as <a href="http://amandahocking.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Amanda Hocking</a> 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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />J M Cornwell<br /><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46125" rel="nofollow">Among Women</a>Jacklyn Cornwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-23903900112649290612011-03-26T19:52:46.940-05:002011-03-26T19:52:46.940-05:00You're so right, Susan. It was a huge leap.
C...You're so right, Susan. It was a huge leap.<br /><br />Cozy in Texas, I think you mean L.J. Sellers, but there could have been someone else, too.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-23498240187787332052011-03-26T18:49:10.478-05:002011-03-26T18:49:10.478-05:00There was another author who followed Konrath with...There 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.<br />AnnAnn Summervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300190648788509096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-1039748458068952992011-03-26T17:12:00.158-05:002011-03-26T17:12:00.158-05:00I've been following this story. I still can...I'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.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-9497320500070401962011-03-26T16:14:30.640-05:002011-03-26T16:14:30.640-05:00G.P., I hope print books don't go away. I thin...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.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com