Thursday 13 - On publishing
(Thursday 13's were revived by Janet and?Megan?)
Ok, I'm on a little bit of a rant. So please forgive me, but I think people need to know about the changes in publishing. So many authors hold on to their fiction, hoping and praying for to win the lotto and a big publishing house will deem them valuable.?
It's a new time. New times require different and new methods of publishing.
So here's my list of thirteen thoughts on publishing:
1. Publishing standards were created when books were set one character at a time.
2. Most 'great works of fiction' were written long hand with fountain tip pens.
3. There's never been a time when so many people not only could read but had the capacity (internet, libraries, Amazon) to read.
4. eBooks are the only growing segment of the publishing market.
5. Large publishers have consistently lost money while small publishers have flourished.
6. Large publishing houses no longer support their authors with editing, copyediting or marketing assistance.?
7. More and more, authors are on their own to care for their books including all marketing, copyediting and content editing.
8. ?On average, a new book sells fifty copies. Most assume that's the number of friends and relatives recruited to purchase the book. (This number is from 'How to write a bestseller by Mueller.)
9. The large publishing houses have stopped or dramatically slowed their purchases. I've heard that they are simply 'not buying'.
10. At the same time, traditional distribution channels (i.e., book stores) are locked down by publishers. In other words, you must be a publisher to get your book into most bookstores.
11. ?If you're interested in publishing, and books, you should read these articles.?
- Giving it away by Corey Doctorow
- Books, Going Forward by Mark Tavani
- Read it and weep by Jason Boog
- Blog books open doors by Jason Davis
12. Many publishers are hiring writers to churn out the same books over and over again so that they can fill their list. These authors work for the publishers writing exactly what the publishers want them to write. Period.
13. The number one reason publishers fail is over stock. Publishers must pre-print books. They sell them to book stores who buy them on credit. Book stores have months to attempt to sell the book. If they are unable to sell them, they return the books to the publisher. Ever been to a 50% off store? That's all the back stock that didn't sell and was returned from bookstores.
Share with me - what do you know about publishing today that you'd like to share? Leave it in the comments and I'll link to you here.
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