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| Which Publishing Path Should I Take? |
Publishing has indeed been changing --- BUT, it has always been changing --- since the beginning of parchment and quill (you get my drift; by the way the history of paper is interesting as well as writing instruments).
We have just been caught up in (experiencing) a link of time in the long chain of publishing change. Call it the digital link, if you will.
So, in this particular publishing link (change-cycle) we call digital publishing alternate publishing. Simply because it's new.
The new, faster and cheaper paths to publishing has caused confusion among writers.
What should a writer do? How should s/he publish? Traditional, digital, self-publish or otherwise?
Well, it depends on who your audience is and what purpose your writing serves.
You see, publishing has grown more hands and legs to shake hands with or dance with :)
This interesting insight is from Sharon Short and David Braughler writing in the Dayton Daily News :
Alternate publishing: What should a writer do?
Many writers wonder about the various paths to publication. Is pursuing a traditional publisher the best route for their work, or should they consider the alternate paths that have become seemingly more accessible with the digital age?
Those alternate paths include publishing e-books (electronic books) or self-publishing print books with a company like Amazon.com or with a more traditional printer. I’ve received numerous e-mails about this subject and thought it was time to pursue the answer on behalf of interested Literary Life readers.
Well, the answer depends … on the work, the writer, the writer’s goals and interests, say two alternate publishing experts. They spoke at Books & Co. on Nov. 18 as part of the Antioch Writers’ Workshop’s (www.antiochwritersworkshop.com) on-going free mini-workshop series.
“The most important questions we ask writers are ‘why do you write’ and ‘who did you write this for,’ ” says David Braughler, publishing advisor for Greyden Press (www.greydenpress.com) in Dayton. “Truly thinking about honestly answering those questions helps writers focus on their goals.”
For example, a writer who has a specific target audience, or a specific goal, such as capturing expertise in a book that would be made available at speaking engagements, might do well with self-publishing. “Not every solution is right for every writer,” Braughler says.
His company helps authors with their work, from editing to cover design to printing; the cost to the author varies by project. Although Greyden also helps authors find distribution through online vendors such as Amazon.com, and finds “grassroots” opportunities for promotion such as signing booths for authors at local festivals, the bulk of marketing and distribution rests with the writers. That’s why, Braughler says, it’s so important to embark on this path with clear answer to those two all-important questions.
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2 comments:
I think the people quoted missed the most important question a writer should ask.
It's the question every writer should ask ANY service provider they consider employing. And today, that includes editors, artists, agents, and traditional publishers alike. They all provide services where are now *optional* for one reason or another.
That question is: "What can you do for me that I cannot do for myself, or do for me that will cost me less or produce better results than if I did it myself?"
Using an editor rather than trusting a few free beta readers, for example, might produce a significantly higher quality book, resulting in better reviews and more sales. If it's an investment that pays dividends (i.e. makes back everything you spent on it and more by increasing sales), then it's worthwhile.
Same goes for publishers. Will you make more money with the publisher? If a small press is paying you $1.20 per $15 trade paperback, and you know you can make $5 per trade paperback via Createspace, then they need to sell more than four times as many copies as you would sell alone to be worth your while.
That's simply impossible, for most small presses. (The few which can, however, are worth their weight in gold.)
If a publisher wants you to sign a deal for 25% net on ebook sales and 60 cents a copy on the 5000 mass market paperbacks they will print, you have to gauge the sales you'll make in print (industry average says half of your MMP print run will be dumped in the recycling bin unsold, so $1500) vs the 75% of profits you are losing on ebook sales for however long the contract remains in force (which could be duration of copyright, given the language in most major publishing contracts today).
A lot of indie writers are walking away from five, six, and in some cases even seven figure deals from major publishers this year - because they represent too great a loss of income.
So yes, know your market. But when thinking about working with anyone providing services, also think long and hard about the bottom line. Are the services they are providing worth what they are charging?
Kevin,
Thanks for your insightful comment. Your "questions writers should ask" are right on. At least for people that are knowledgeable enough to DIY :)
BTW, Kevin, how are the medieval tourneys coming? Slayed any dragons lately?
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