PW Squashing the Self-publishing Bug?

A couple of years ago, Publisher’s Weekly decided that for the low, low price of $149, self-publishers could buy the right to MAYBE get reviewed by them.

One blogger, a self-published writer herself, says that she feels PW is so entrenched in the “traditional” publishing model that they are deliberately trashing self-pubbed novels in their reviews.  She gives statistics that of 99 novels submitted one quarter, only 25 merited a review and of those 25 only 4 were at all complimentary.  In fact, she calls the other 21 reviews “scathing.”

I do not see any proof of her implication that PW is deliberately trashing these books in order to squash traditional publishers competition.  I’ve always heard that 99% of queries received by publishers are rejected.  By those numbers, giving 4 good reviews out of a total of 99 books sounds like a win.

What do you think?  Is big publishing and their cohorts trashing indie books unfairly, or no?

I know there’s a lot of bad writing out there (I’m not defending it!) and that self-publishing was, and a lot of the times still is, a venue for vanity. But it’s becoming more and more mainstream, the way to go, and I find it hard to believe that of the nearly one hundred novels submitted, PW couldn’t have found a few more things to like. You can practically sense the glee emanating from the reviewers as they rip apart these books. …read more

via Publishers Weekly seems to relish scathing reviews of self-published books | A City Mom.

SFWA Not Forward Thinking Enough

My publisher, New Libri Press.  has some concerns that the Science Fiction Writers Association is too commercially focused.  What do you think?

First, let’s examine the continued prejudice against self-publishing. You might think that as an editor at a small press, I would be for this sort of prejudice, as it steers some authors toward a publisher, rather than toward self-publishing. I am not, for a variety of reasons.

via Small Press Dances with Elephants: Irony: Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America stuck in the 20th Century..

This was too good to post on just one blog.

Debra R. Borys

Technically, this post should go on my Writers Resources blog where I post tidbits about writing and publishing that I find while I am researching ways to succeed at freelancing with lots of really trying.

But Chuck Wendig writes such a damn good post, I just had to share with everyone.  Read his hysterical take on the publishing apocalypse and while you’re there, click around a bit and see what else the man has to say.  You won’t be sorry.  I promise.

Stories aren’t going anywhere. Books still exist, both inside Kindles and on meatspace shelves. If a major publisher goes down in flames, a smaller publisher will wink, shake its hips, and step up to the plate. If a major bookstore chain shits the bed, indies will fill the gap, or another chain will rise. If libraries suck the pipe — well, that’s bad for a community and not…

View original post 47 more words

A glitch in Amazon’s plan to take over the world?

Or overtake the publishing world anyway? Barnes & Noble has made a bold move with their statement quoted in this article and by deciding not sell Amazon’s print books in their stores. But will it make any difference to Amazon? Or could it possibly bite B&N in the behind?

B&N issued a statement saying it had decided not to carry Amazon books. B&N said its decision “is based on Amazon’s continued push for exclusivity with publishers, agents and the authors they represent.”

via B&N Will Not Stock Titles Published By Amazon.

Panic enSUES in the Publishing World

Lawsuits are a growing  byproduct of the not so subtle panic the publishing world seems to be engaged in.  The basket has been upended, people, and everyone is scrambling to recover the contents.

Some may call this an era of evolution in book publishing, but it also could be called the Era of Major Lawsuits taking on golliaths, such as Google … and now Apple and five major publishers: HarperCollins Publishers, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group Inc. and Simon & Schuster Inc.

The issue at the center of the lawsuit against Apple and the five publishers is one that has plagued virtually every crevice of the industry: e-book pricing.

via Does Agency Pricing Lawsuit Against Apple and Book Publishers Have Merit? : Book Business.

Even the Big Dogs Do It

U.K. publishing house Pan Macmillan announced plans to launch Macmillan Compass, a new digital only publishing imprint. While the new imprint will release e-books for all formats and distribution will be through Pan Macmillan’s established channels, it has not been determined as yet if the e-titles will be available for sale in the U.S.

via Pan Macmillan to Launch Digital-Only Imprint, Macmillan Compass.

News like the article above increases my confidence that the small press releasing my book this fall is on the right track.  New Libri puts a big emphasis on eBook publication, and in some cases, may even choose not to print hard copies if concentrating on eBook sales makes the most sense.

If even well established traditional houses like Macmillan is promoting a digital emphasis, can success for New Libri (and by default–me, too!) be far behind?

Seattle the New New York?

While cities such as LA and Chicago are known for their publishing ventures, they are small in comparison to New York’s scene. With Amazon’s new publishing imprints already attracting big names such as Connie Brockway and Barry Eisler, and the potential of higher royalties for its authors, it will be fascinating to see what ripple effects this could have on Seattle.

via Is Amazon shaping Seattle to become a publishing center?.

I wonder if Amazon needs admin support for their new publishing venture.  I’ve always wanted to work in the publishing industry.  With all the exciting changes happening in the publishing world, I think it would be fascinating to be an entry-level fly on the wall as this new venture takes off.

Maybe I should spruce up my resume and knock on their door.  I know where they live, after all.

Twitter Branding

This is a little trick I learned from my friends here at the Indie Book Collective. #whoImetonTwitter

Find the three words that represent what you want people to know about your work. Then make those words sing for you in each tweet.

via Twitter Branding « Indie Book Collective.

Kimberly Kinrade started out as a Twitter novice like me but now seems to know her stuff.  If she can do it, I can, too.  Right?

I like her idea quoted above.  So what are the three words I would use to brand myself and my work?

1. Suspense – My novel Painted Black is a suspense novel, as is the series it kicks off.  Even the short stories I have had published have a suspenseful  element.  All good fiction has some conflict that causes tension (aka suspense).
2. Homelessness – The novel and many of my stories highlight the homeless condition.  My history of volunteering with organizations that serve the streets has given me an appreciation for the people who live there and those who work to better their condition.
3. Chicago  – Moving to Chicago made a big difference in my life.  It opened my eyes to a wider world.  When I set a story or book in Chicago, I feel like that city is more than just the setting.  It is a living, breathing character as well.

These three words are not as bright and cheerful as those that Kimberly chose (magic, love and chocolate) but this is what I write about, what I enjoy reading.  I’m betting there are others out there who feel the same.

Best of Both Publishing Worlds?

I’ve said many times that “publishing is a business for me, not an ideology” and that the right deal could certainly lure me back to the legacy world. That remains true. What’s more important, though, is the nature of what could conceivably lure me back. And what could lure me back is precisely what I’ve never been able to get from any legacy publisher–not the two who have published me; none that I’ve negotiated with, either. Specifically:

1) A much more equitable digital royalty split.

2) Full creative control (packaging, pricing, timing).

3) Immediate digital release, followed by paper release when the paper is ready (no more slaving the digital release to the paper release).

via A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing.

I posted earlier about Amazon getting into the publishing business as an actual publisher, not just a place that sells books or allows authors to self-publish.  They have already started several imprints and are gearing up staff.

This article is one of many found online talking  about/to Barry Eisler,  an established author who had earlier vowed to leave traditional publishing in favor of self publishing.  Well now he has decided on a path somewhere between the two by signing with Amazon’s mystery/thriller imprint.  He makes some good points in this conversation about how this might offer the best of both worlds.

The Future Of Books?

Big, slow, ponderous old publishing houses have zero chance of moving as quickly as individual authors who saw an opportunity to sell directly to the readers those bastard publishers had been denying them for so many years. That’s why, if you browse any of the bestseller lists on Amazon’s Kindle store, or Barnes & Noble’s Nook store, among the inevitable James Patterson and Twilight megasellers, and the reams of free, out of copyright classics, you’ll see an amazing number of supercheap titles by writers you’ve never seen in print.

via The Future Of Books Will Be Divided Between Electronic And Print.

When I get discouraged about other authors selling multiple copies of their 99 cent short stories/novels while my two just sit there, I soothe myself with the same sentiments shared in the article above.  99 cents is pretty cheap.  I’d be willing to take a chance that a book I buy for 99 cents might turn out to be badly written, or not follow through on the promise I sample before buying.

Multiple sales of 99 cent ebooks does not necessarily mean that book is a success.  In my opinion, a successful book is one the reader finishes and actually enjoys.  Another person might have a different opinion.  After all, whether the reader finishes the book, whether he enjoys it or not, the writer did get paid for the book, right?

What is success?  Getting paid for something, or doing it well?  You decide.