Author: selfpublishingadvisor

Alternative Marketing Methods, Book Marketing, Kelly Speaks, Marketing Your Self-Published Book, Social Media Marketing, Uncategorized

Defining The Hybrid Publishing Experience

If you’ve spent much time on this blog or researching your publishing options, you probably have a fairly substantial definition in mind for the terms “self-publishing” and “traditional publishing,” but can you say the same for “hybrid publishing“?  We use the term rather often here on Self Publishing Advisor as a catch-all for every company and business model that doesn’t fit neatly into the aforementioned binary––but what does it mean, really?  It’s not enough to define a thing by what it is not … we need some basis for a positive, holistic understanding of what hybrid publishing has to offer the indie author.

What qualifies as “hybrid”?

Biologically speaking, a hybrid is “the offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties, such as a mule (a hybrid of a donkey and a horse).” Most of us are familiar with a different kind of hybrid, which is to say the mythological kind, where different species find themselves mashed up into one single creature on a physical but not cellular level.  A centaur is a mythological hybrid between man and horse, the Sphinx between a woman, lion, and raptor.  Is a hybrid publishing company, then, the offspring of two warring traditions (self- and traditional publishing)––or is it some oddball thing that adopts the best or most distinctive features of other publishing traditions to serve an entirely different narrative?

Says Jane Friedman of Publisher’s Weekly, it has become “nearly impossible to categorize certain publishers and services; some wish to avoid being labeled altogether. They consider themselves innovators, providing an important alternative for authors.”  These companies self-advertise as providing a third way altogether, not just cutting the difference between the two established publishing modes.  This reality would seem to indicate that hybrid publishing shares more with a centaur than it does with a mule, but perhaps we’re splitting hairs.

Perhaps, when it all shakes out, we can safely define hybrid publishing on its own terms.  Brook Warner of Huff Post Books suggests  four categories that fit the catchall term:

Traditional publishers who’ve been brokering hybrid deals for years. […]

Partnership publishing models. […]

Agent-assisted publishing models. [… and]

Other assisted publishing models.

All four of these categories acknowledge “assistance” as a defining feature, but here’s the problem: assuming that self-publishing and traditional publishing don’t  offer assistance as a part of their mechanism creates a false dichotomy that does nobody justice, and many companies that Warner might call “hybrid” do in fact distance themselves intentionally from the term because it implies too heavy a reliance on paid assistance––or authors “taking the easy way out,” so to speak.  This just in: elitism may be the bread and butter of gatekeeping traditional publishing, but it doesn’t have to be the same for self-publishing!

This still leaves us with a problem, however: How to define hybrid publishing?  Let me suggest a new definition:

Hybrid publishing is any publishing model that allows authors to enter into direct, flexible, contractual collaborations with industry professionals that in traditional publishing would be indirect (they would be paid by the publishing house, not the author) and are not traditionally available to self-publishing authors.  This includes companies like Outskirts Press, which offers a range of collaborative services, and excludes the so-called “hybrid author,” or someone who has moved from traditional publishing into self-publishing or vice versa.

Playing the field:

As Friedman goes on to point out, each of the companies that might fit into the hybrid category operates on a different business model, making it difficult to compare them against each other.  She advocates asking a series of questions, such as “How will your books be distributed?” and “What marketing and promotion support do their titles receive?” before committing to a certain choice.  But this doesn’t exactly help new authors decide whether hybrid publishing and a “third way” is for them––and with so many options now available, narrowing the field is an important part of the decision-making process. Ultimately, the choice of whom to choose may rest on individual features such as those Friedman suggests evaluating … or it may rest instead on the complicated matrix of human need.  Hybrid publishing companies, despite their extreme differences, do seem to collectively meet authors’ desires for a human-driven, relational publishing experience.

In conclusion … for now:

The world of hybrid publishing is perhaps a bit too complicated to break down in its entirety within the constraints of an initial foray such as this one, but it is a world we will be returning to again and again here on Self-Publishing Advisor.  As the world of publishing evolves and diversifies, so too must the companies who serve to send our stories out into that world.

Thank you for reading!  If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or contributions, please use the comment field below or drop us a line at selfpublishingadvice@gmail.com.  And remember to check back each Wednesday for your weekly dose of marketing musings from one indie, hybrid, and self-published author to another. ♠

KellyABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog, kellyschuknecht.com.
Advocacy in Self-Publishing, from the archives, Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “Avoid these 5 mistakes when choosing your publisher”

Welcome back to our Tuesday segment, where we’ll be revisiting some of our most popular posts from the last few years.  What’s stayed the same?  And what’s changed?  We’ll be updating you on the facts, and taking a new (and hopefully refreshing) angle on a few timeless classics of Self Publishing Advisor.

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[ Originally posted: April 23rd, 2010 ]

1) DO NOT CHOOSE SPEED OVER QUALITY
Avoid publishers that claim to publish in 24 hours. After the time it took to write your book, do you want it published right, or overnight? Avoid overnight publishers no matter what they charge because the only one looking at your book will be a computer. It should take between 6-15 weeks.

2) DO NOT BE FOOLED BY HIGH ROYALTY CLAIMS
A royalty is simply a percentage of another number. The actual dollars and cents you earn depends upon that second number. The truest royalty is a royalty based upon the retail price of your book. Many publishers use “net royalty” which is a royalty based upon their profit. To be sure, always confirm your profit in dollars and cents.

3) DO NOT SIGN YOUR RIGHTS AWAY
The main advantage to self-publishing alternatively with a on-demand publisher is that you keep all the rights to your work. The rights are valuable. Read the contract. Your rights should clearly stay with you.

4) DO NOT BE CONFUSED BY BULK DISCOUNTS
If a publisher normally offers discounts to an author who buys their own book in bulk, that tells you two things. 1) It tells you they are more concerned with selling to you than to other readers. 2) It tells you they are charging you too much for lower quantities. Do you really want to be forced to buy 100 books at a time just to get a fair price? “Bulk” discounts simply trick the author into buying more books than they need, which defeats the whole advantage of on-demand printing.

5) DO NOT BE TRICKED BY AUTHOR DISCOUNTS
As an author, your per-book price should be based upon the production cost of the book, not the retail price. No wonder publishers inflate their retail pricing. You should always receive a below-wholesale price, regardless of how many you buy. You will never make money if you have to buy your own book at wholesale from the publisher.

When push comes to shove, all five of these points boil down to the same core idea:

You ought always to look for a self-publishing company that puts you––the author––first.  A company that shares your ethics and vision for rendering stories accessible to readers.  A company that knows how to treat people right and does so consistently, day in and day out.

A company that works solely to satisfy its bottom line and invested parties is a company that has forgotten the human element … and the whole point of self-publishing, to be perfectly frank.  Responsibility to shareholders and investors is one thing, but the deliberate choice to inflate profits at the expense of quality products, customer satisfaction, and author empowerment is unconscionable and inexcusable.  I sometimes wonder how much of the corporate soullessness we see in certain corners of the world today has its roots in people not loving the work they do––not finding value and meaning in enriching the lives of others in addition to their own, and not seeing the significance of their daily tasks or the opportunities to craft a career that is as much art as it is science.  But here I’m rambling!

Looking back nearly six years to this original post, I now see the five mistakes noted above to be more a list of symptoms than a list of “to-not-dos” … because each and every single one points to a company that prioritizes itself over its product and clients:

  • If a company maximizes profits by creating artificially high prices that only seem reasonable when reduced to a bulk or “author-only” rate, it is clearly a company that cares very little about balancing the need for profit and survival in a competitive market with the reality that self-publishing is a market and industry that demands transparency, accessibility, and progressive thinking.  It is a company that looks to trap its customers into a long-term, toxic, parasitic relationship.
  • If a company prioritizes speed over a quality product or quality customer service, then it’s a company that sells itself using gimmicks … and gimmicks, as we are all well aware, are the desperate empty gestures of a company lacking imagination.  Innovation and creativity do not produce inferior versions of a thing; they find new and fresh ways to look at problems and to improve upon that thing.

constraints in self publishing

In short, no, nothing really has changed in the six years since this post first hit the Self Publishing Advisor front page.  There were ungenerous self-publishing companies in existence then, and there are ungenerous self-publishing companies in existence now.  We haven’t changed that fact in half a decade, and we’re not particularly likely to change it in the next.  What we can change, however, is our own degree of discernment.  We can spot the warning signs––the symptoms above––and steer well away from companies that manifest them.  We can choose not to sell ourselves short, and to choose instead a publishing option that respects us as authors and empowers us to better ends than a bottom line.

If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them.  Drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll respond as quickly as I can.  ♠

KellyABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog, kellyschuknecht.com.
Kelly Speaks, news from the self publishing world, self publishing news

Self-Publishing News: 2.28.2016

This week in the world of self-publishing:

In this February 28th article for Khaosod English (“a Bangkok-based news website providing coverage of Thai politics, economics, and culture to an English-language audience”), Chayanit Itthipongmaetee recounts the history of zines, particularly in eastern Asia, and the positive impact that they have had on Thailand’s literary scene.  Says Itthipongmaetee, the zine has its origins in a thoroughly Western context: they “started in Western countries […] with topics considered outsider, aggressive or antisocial such as hardcore punk or metal,” and “exploded in popularity when reproduction technology such as photocopying machines made it cheap and easy for anyone to create their own.”

The story of the zine is, in this context, the story of every narrative that breaks the mold and leaks out around the edges of “standard practice” and “standard interest” in traditional publishing.  But zines didn’t stay a Western concept.  As Itthipongmaetee recounts, “Whereas zines in the West vanished as soon as anyone could roll a Geocities site, they endured until internet access became widespread in Thailand in 2004 or so. Most Thais turned to blogs, boards or services such as Exteen, Pantip and Thaimail.”  This has made zines a more enduring expression of creative freedom in Thailand than they have been in the United States––and, since most zines are self-published, they have become a focal point around which the east Asian indie movement rotates.

For the rest of Itthipongmaetee’s excellent article, including her conclusions on where zines in Asia are headed in the near future, check out the original article here.

“Publishing is not really a business at all, it is a verb, the act of putting something into the wild, usually with a consequence,” writes Philip Jones in this February 26th article for The Bookseller: “They are creationists—in a good way. They need to believe. Yet there is a flip side. Publishers occupy positions of power: what they project into the world has an influence precisely because it has been ‘published.'”  This means that self-publishing, rather than just an exercise in ego and self-benefit, is truly a radical act that challenges the established information hierarchy of many nations and cultures.  It has the potential to effect real change in redressing many great wrongs that have been handed out to aspiring authors by the traditional publishing industry.

As Jones goes on to point out, “publishing may now be starting to listen (and act).”  He’s speaking, of course, about Penguin Random House’s decision earlier this year to sell its self-publishing business (Author Solutions): “acknowledging, one might hope, that investing in authors with one hand, while taking their money with the other, always looked at best uncomfortable and, at worst, an existential disaster.”  In a brilliant move that I highly recommend following up on, Jones then points his readers to  Penguin Random House’s (UK division) decision to roll out a comprehensive “Creative Responsibility strategy,” with CEO Tom Weldon remarking that a “publisher of our size really could be a force for good in society above and beyond the books we publish.”  The fact that Weldon and Penguin Random House recognize the fact that a healthy self-publishing sector boosts their traditional publishing sector––with everyone benefiting from increased value and increased sales––is a hopeful sign, indeed.  For the rest of Jones’ article, click here, and for a look at Penguin Random House’s creative responsibility strategy, click here instead.

In a February 25th press release for PRNewswire that was reposted to Crowdsourcing.org, the makers and runners of BookFuel––”a company that provides professional self-publishing services to aspiring authors”––announced the launch of FundMyBook.com, a website dedicated to helping authors “publish with the help of sponsorships and other support by friends and family. FundMyBook.comprovides a viable option to any writer who may have been intimidated by the effort required by other crowdsourcing sites or the expense of self-publishing.”  And we’re all very well aware of just how expensive it is to be an author, both in respect to the actual production of a book, and in the marketing campaign that follows.  FundMyBook.com is designed to serve as a book-specific analogue to Kickstarter and GoFundMe, two popular project-funding platforms that allow people to raise money from like-minded individuals.  There are several key differencees between FundMyBook.com and these other crowdfunding services, however.  As the press release points out, it is “difficult for writing projects to stand out” among all of the competition for the average person’s attention.  “These other crowdfundingsources also don’t provide the social media exposure or the help planning for the costs of the reward fulfillment that FundMyBook.com does for aspiring authors,” the press release states.

It looks like FundMyBook.com might be of legitimate use as authors look for new ways to reach untapped markets.  For the entire press release, follow the rabbit hole all the way down the link!

And last but not least in our lineup for this morning, I give you Jonathan Kile of the Tampa Bay’s Creative Loafing fame on the fundamentals of self-publishing.  In his February 24th article for CL, Kile begins with a subtle flourish of dark humor: “So, let’s get this out of the way. Amazon apparently works their people really hard, practices predatory pricing to establish dominance in whatever it is they choose to sell, and also has a special machine that crushes kittens.” But Amazon, Kile argues, is so omnipresent that resistance, in the classical sense and especially as pertaining to authors aspiring to break out into the self-publishing method and market, truly is futile.  The “why?” as Kile explains, is nowhere near as important as the “what next?”  And as Kile so simply puts it, this step consists of getting “into bed” with the Big Bad corporate world via Amazon.  It may not be the ideal situation, he writes, but it’s the one that we must face in any case.  “It takes a lot of work to write and publish,” says Kile, “and just as much work to get noticed.”  And while he states that this is simply the first salvo in an ongoing series about digital content and Amazon, Kile’s article captures a fascinating cross-section of opinion as regards the current state of indie publishing and how it intersects with the wonderful world of Amazon.  For the whole thing, follow the link.

spa-news

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry.This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Monday to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

KellyABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog, kellyschuknecht.com.

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Saturday Book Review: “The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba: A New Life Begins!”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of Conny Withay:

"The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba" by Roe De Pinto

The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba: A New Life Begins!

by Roe De Pinto

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 978-1478763673

Synopsis:

A very special welcome to a beautiful, baby girl…bright-eyed, little seal pup, that is! When adorable, little Zealy is born, Whubba couldn’t be more excited! The latest in his line of powerful orcas, he’s the protector around here―and now, he’s also going to keep Zealy safe in her new marine environment, and doing so with tender, loving care! With its bright and cheery illustrations, The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba, “a New Life Begins”, the first in a series, is appropriate for infants through age five. As Zealy grows up under Whubba’s watchful gaze, the two adventurous babies teach readers that growing with love, caring and sharing are the most important parts of family life, as they melt your heart with their precious innocence. Roe De Pinto is a graduate of a three-year program in children’s literature from the Institute of Children’s Literature. Though she started working on the Zealy and Whubba series as a legacy for her children and grandchildren, sharing the characters’ infectious smiles with children all around the world is her ultimate goal! Experience the fun and educate your children through their little escapades!

Critique:

~ What ~
The first book in the series, this unnumbered twenty-four-page paperback targets children ages three to seven years old. With no profanity or scary scenes, it is a story about finding a friend. Due to some two- and three-syllable words, it would be best read out loud to beginner readers. Full-color, full-page illustrations are usually on one side of the page with black writing against white backgrounds on blue are on the opposite side.

After a dedication, this short tale is about a white seal pup that is born in 2010 named Zealy. Every morning she opens her big eyes and sees her loving mother and father. One morning when she wakes up, she sees a big baby orca in the water, and her father tells her not to be afraid. The orca is named Whubba and splashes a lot since she is so happy to see Zealy. The two become fast friends as Whubba watches over Zealy day and night.

~ Why ~
This is an innocuous read for children as it shows how friendship develops through care and consideration of others. Although dark in some scenes, the drawings do not have much detail but are colorful. I like the depictions of the animals having big, bright eyes.

~ Why Not ~
If you do not like pretend stories about sea animals, this may not be a book for you or your child. With the complicated wording, it may frustrate beginner readers due to containing some hard-to-understand words such as excited, wonderful, and fabulous. Since it is the first in the series, the story is somewhat vague, so the reader has to wait for the sequel to see what happens next.

~ Who ~
Mother and grandmother, De Pinto spent three years studying children’s literature. This is her first book in the series. Since it is not stated, it is assumed she is the illustrator also.

~ Wish ~
It would be helpful for beginner readers if the book contained shorter words and sentences so it could be used as a teaching tool for young readers.

~ Want ~
If you are looking for a series about friendship between a seal and orca, this one may be a good beginning story.

[ reviewed by Conny Withay  ]

Here’s what some other reviewers are saying:

A sweet story with lovely illustrations to delight the very young. The story is short enough to keep the attention span of toddlers, who will thoroughly love the friendly artwork while listening to the words of the story. The story is about a baby seal being born and waking up to fresh new surroundings. This book is perfect for bonding with babies and introducing them to new shapes and fantastic colors.

– Amazon Reviewer Lisa’s Kids’ Book Reviews

Whenever a baby mammal is born, it’s mother instinctively watches over him. Parents share their love and affection for the baby and it is common for babies to enjoy the company of other babies. This is no different with Zealy and Whubba in The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba: A New Life Begins by Roe De Pinto.

Zealy is the new seal pup born one winter to loving parents. Zealy is carefully watched over by her parents. One day a young orca whale, Whubba, splashes by and quickly becomes friends with Zealy and immediately finds himself protecting the pup from whatever might harm her.

Typically, a seal pup is on the food chain for several creatures. There is no indication of the dangers that are present for Zealy. But with Whubba, Zealy is safe.

Adorable and loved book that my son and I read together. I especially love the images of Zealy and Whubba. Zealy’s parents are a bit on the dark side, but their soft eyes make them live able, too. A New Life Begins is a brief story that can be enjoyed by many young children. My son wished it continued on as he’s been reading longer stories lately and gets disappointed with shorter stories, especially when he enjoys the characters.

– Amazon Reviewer theodene

Book Trailer:

saturday self-published book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space every Saturday!

Self Publishing Advisor

selfpubicon1

Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations: 2/26/2016

IMPASSIONED VISION TIMES TWO—Plus

Collaborative, creative development of one book and/or series is an exciting adventure that can benefit both authors and the readers who follow their work. If you are a Science Fiction/Fantasy reader/writer, you will remember The Halfblood Chronicles by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey and The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub. If you’re a detective/mystery buff, you may know that the Ellery Queen mysteries were written by cousins Daniel Nathan and Manford Lepofsky. On today’s recently released shelves, you’ll find the true story/journey of Patricia and Alana Raybon (mother & daughter) titled: Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace.

Whatever the genre, whatever topic, the old adage that “two heads are better than one” is also quite accurate when writing the best possible work of fiction or non-fiction. When you start working with a writing-partner, you’ll discover that one person’s idea spawns connecting thoughts in the other person and the book becomes better in the process. Much like film-making, where writer and director join forces, collaborating authors bring their own unique histories to the project. Here are three criteria for finding—and enjoying—that perfect partnership:

  • Vision: When you (the author) have formulated your core statement about your book—what it is, what it brings to the Reader—your co-author must share that vision. Both you and your teammate should see that picture and be passionate about developing it.
  • Adaptability: Some authors think they want a “helper” who will enhance their book by following the concepts “exactly” as the author has written it. If that is your position, you’re actually looking for an Editor who will correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure; without creative input.
    • However, the author who wants to actually explore enhancing their manuscript will be as adaptable and flexible in listening to ideas offered by their co-author. Their life experiences will improve plot, character, and setting. This is especially true for authors in the Inspirational genre: fiction and non-fiction.
  • Passion: Both authors must be passionate about their topic and share that impassioned vision that literally drives them to complete the manuscript. Every book on every bookshelf was written to “tell something important.” If the level of commitment is weak, so will be the finished product.

making connections

These three criteria also hold true after you’ve written the words: THE END. Then the search begins for the right publisher. Notice I’ve used the word right. There are several quality self-publishers out there (and some not so great). The self-publishing staff will become your book-making-crew—the cameraman, format editor, printer, marketing director.

  • Search their bookstore for two or three books in your genre, then ask for referral/contact information for those authors.
  • LOOK at the books they’ve printed—at your local bookstore and on the Internet.
  • Compare their publishing packages. This is a competitive business, so don’t be swayed by the first dollar-difference you see between companies.
  • LISTEN to the Author Representatives. It won’t take you long to discern whether they have a true passion for their work (helping authors like you)—or not.

Bottom line:  As the author and co-author, you are creating an alliance of experts that starts with you and ends when you hold your finished book in your hands. “Two are better than one” and a team that brings all their talents and skills together to produce your book is best. ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.  

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.