Category: Choosing a Publisher

Book Promotion, Book Reviews, Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

The Book Market, Self-Publishing, and Amazon.com

I read a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle entitled something including the words “Publishers” and “R.I.P.” The article went on to lament the status of book sales and dwindling employment in the traditional book sector. It was the subtitle that caught me, which mentioned the current economic status making it tougher than ever to sell books.

It is true that book sales are down. In the traditional sector. But numbers show that book sales are weathering the economy quite well. Forbes magazine published an article a few months ago noting Amazon’s whopping 38% growth over the past year. It is simply that the economy in this case is shifting. Readers are finding books in new and non-traditional places like Amazon where reader reviews, Kindle editions, and discounted prices help engage readers in a real-time review dialogue along with various options to dig into good material. The cool thing is that self-publishing offers the flexibility, control, and support to meet that changing wave in the market.

Good news for self-publishing authors.

So let’s all keep writing.

– Karl Schroeder

Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing and Online Marketing

Leading traditional book publisher, HarperCollins, recently initiated an online social networking and self-publishing operation that is designed to flesh out new titles to pull into their traditional publishing program. This provides concrete evidence that self-publishing is the real deal, despite what detractors may purport.

Among the many advantages of self-publishing, as in part demonstrated by HarperCollins, is the ease of online social networking and media access, which provides outstanding viral marketing potential for authors. Outskirts Press is offering a free 30 second book teaser video for authors initiating the process this month. What a cool and effective marketing tool.

Traditional publishing is looking to the pool of self-published titles to bring to the market. The good news is that the market is already there for self-publishing authors. Make sure your publisher offers a variety and adapting base of marketing support and options following publication. The potential is huge.

Have fun and keep writing…

– Karl Schroder

Choosing a Publisher

self-publishers raking it in…

That was the subject line of a recent email sent to me by my good friend and author currently writing and teaching writing at the University of Massachusetts.

I had yet to see the New York Times article he was referencing. Despite our professional inclinations, email conversations between Mr. Anderson and I generally involve topics like beer, music, or YouTube videos.

I was interested in what brought Mr. Anderson’s attention away from his highbrow academia to the world of self-publishing. His email read only one line – something like ‘looks like you’re in for a raise…’ followed by the link to Wednesday’s Times article, “Self-Publisher’s Flourish as Writers Pay the Tab.”

Good news for self-publishing authors…

The Article opens stating that booksellers, hobbled by the current economic situation, are struggling to lure readers. And with traditional publishers and brick and mortar retailers exercising cutbacks and layoffs, readers are still finding their way books. And the fact that they are suggests that one aspect of the industry is, according to the Times, “…actually flourishing.”

Of course the article discusses some of those alleged downsides of self-publishing (there are some less attractive options out there), but concludes with a quote from Louise Barker, publisher of the traditional house, Pocket Books, “Self-Publishing is no longer a dirty word.”

Ms. Barker’s Pocket Books recently contracted Lisa Genova, an author profiled on this blog previously. Despite the suggestions from many industry professionals, including her agent, that self-publishing would destroy her chances at success, Genova’s book, Still Alice, saw considerable independent success prior to being picked up by Pocket Books on a 6 figure contract. 

Barker goes on to comment that publishers now trawl for new material by looking at reader’s comments online about self-published books.

Self-publishing is truly changing the way we write, read, and retail books. That is good news for authors.

Have fun. Keep writing.

– Karl Schroeder

Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing: The New Black

Last Friday I happened to run into a new friend at a coffee shop down the street from my home. She also works in the publishing industry as a consultant, but more on the traditional model side. We enjoy running in to each other and talking shop.

This last run-in she mentioned a new author for which she’s providing ghostwriting and consulting services. Amy was evidently reserved in progressing with the project and I pressed for a bit more information. As it turned out, this particular author Amy was working with has a timely book topic on the table with a pressing eagerness to see it published; and with business savvy, the author wanted to see an attractive return on investment.

“Okay, what concerns do you have?” I asked. Amy first responded that shopping for an agent to pick up the book would push the timeline way back, and then between the agent’s and then the publisher’s cut, what could she reasonably expect to provide as an incentive to her author.

I couldn’t help but smirk. With self-publishing, authors retain exclusive control and full royalties, while having their books published in full-service style – start to finish – in around 12 weeks. Amy’s look was one of almost disbelief. When I mentioned all of these things along with the advantage of unlimited on-demand, international distribution offered by the best full-service self-publishing options she was noticeably, informed.

If you are an author, or publishing professional, revisit this question: What are your publishing goals? For many authors, the most important goals are:
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1) Keeping 100% of your rights and creative control to your book
2) Keeping 100% of your author royalties
3) Setting your own retail price, profit, and author discount
4) Publishing a high-quality book that is available worldwide

I hope that helps. Keep writing…

– Karl Schroeder

Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

Consumer Product Safety Act and Self-Publishing Children’s Book Authors

What this means for you…

As a self-publishing Children’s book author, you may have seen news of a new lead testing requirement established in the Consumer Product Safety Information Act (CPSIA) on ALL children’s products, including Children’s books. The deadline for self-publishing authors and printers are looking at for acceptable lead levels is an approaching February 10 of this year.

Testing and certification takes place at the book printer level and full-service self-publishers of children’s books are working hard to make sure they meet requirements.  If you are in the process of publishing or currently looking for a self-publishing option don’t worry. There are those out there already covering their bases. Here is a statement from one printer/publisher posted earlier this week:

publisher and other book printing organizations are continuing their efforts to obtain a complete exemption by the CPSC by providing test results showing that the lead content level is either nonexistent or well below the standard set by the Act.

If it is determined that books are indeed covered by the Act, publisher will comply with the Act’s requirements by February 10, 2009, as the new limits on lead content begin to go into effect for products directed at children age 12 and under.

Make sure to check with your publisher when researching your options and establishing direction for your children’s book.

Have fun and keep writing.

– Karl Schroeder