Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
While we’re looking at the state of the publishing industry, I’ve been encouraged by one of my clients to rant about e-books. When a client encourages an agent to vent, I think that agent ought to take advantage of the opportunity; so here goes.
As e-book publishing develops, I’m seeing several common mistakes that writers are making. Here’s a brief list of items to think about before you launch your sailboat onto the roiling waters of e-book publishing.
- Don’t panic.
I’ve found that many authors feel pressure to publish out-of-print titles, manuscripts tucked away in old files, blogging posts–really, anything at hand. Authors seem to believe that if they don’t get these works out there now, the authors are lagging behind, not keeping up with the times, and ultimately their inaction will lead to the demise of their careers.
Actually, the opposite could well be true. To publish e-books without creating a thoughtful plan as to what you’re publishing, when you’re publishing, and why you’re publishing it, is to lead to a potentially lost opportunity later on. E-publishing isn’t going to go away; as a writer, you want to launch into this venture purposefully rather than randomly. Panic is seldom a smart motivator.
- Don’t necessarily go with the first e-publisher you connect with.
New publishers are sprouting up every day. As in traditional publishing, each has its strengths and weaknesses. Some will exist long-term; others are fly-by-night.
- Don’t forget to read the contract.
I’ve seen several e-publishing contracts, and they’re all over the place. No templates exist. Some are draconian; others quite fair. You, of course, know what the royalties are, right, but do you also know how to get your rights back if this publisher doesn’t meet its commitments or if the publisher goes belly up? There are many factors to understand before signing.
I’ll add to the list tomorrow. Meanwhile, have you thought about these aspects of e-publishing? Are you considering venturing into this venue?
I’m not about to jump into e-publishing (or self-publishing) just yet – but I’d never thought about rights. Most people I’ve spoken with who have self-published have more or less just paid to have their book printed so have never mentioned rights. Interesting. Thanks for posting.
Janet,
Thanks for this fantastic advice. The lure of “being published,” especially for an unpublished author, seems to negate examining the hook with careful consideration.
Business adventures….even creative businesses, like writing…need to heed the admonition to plan and plot the what, when and why of publishing.
I must admit the seduction of being published, even as an e-book is tempting. But then I remember that unless I downloaded and printed my e-book, my dear mother (in her mid-80’s and not computer savvy) could not enjoy holding and reading my book.
Great rant!
I think now, more than ever before, authors need agents who can read the times. As a reader, I love having my Kindle. As someone wanting to just write, while I want to keep up with what’s happening (through blogs like this!) I don’t even begin to know where to start.
I think whenever something new comes along, everyone sort of goes into clucking mode, instead of looking up to see what’s entering the hen house.
Thanks for venting.
One question–are you seeing one type of book over another going to ebooks the most, or is it all over the ballpark? (What seems the most likely to be successful in ebook, I guess, is a follow up question?)
Ugh. That’s why I want an agent and am making that a priority at the Writing for the Soul conference. It scares me silly to have to go over the contracts by myself. I’m envisioning me in a chair surrounded by stacks of legal dictionaries.
Crystal, fiction is by far the best-selling genre for e-books, but most everything is being made available in e-book form. I remember last year our book club read To Kill a Mockingbird. I couldn’t find an e-book version and was stunned. It was the first book in a long time that I wanted to buy for my Kindle but couldn’t.
Nikole, I wish a mere dictionary were adequate to understand book contracts. It’s understanding the *implications* of a phrase that’s the real trick, and those implications are changing as fast as publishing itself. There’s nothing that compares to regularly negotiating contracts, which is why agents are invaluable.
“Meanwhile, have you thought about these aspects of e-publishing? Are you considering venturing into this venue?”
Yes and yes. I’ve put two items up on Kindle and Smashwords, with only 17 sales so far. Both items I felt would be difficult to place with a publisher. But as an e-self-publisher, it’s the terms of service I have to worry about, not a contract. And the “publisher”, while kind of hard to handle, doesn’t seem like a fly-by-nighter to me.
I’m actually considering e-publishing a compilation of short romance fiction. I plan to either give it away or price it very low. It’s not that I “can’t wait” to be published but I want an example of my work that I can market and then hopefully use to help me in my journey.
All the stories are either Woman’s World rejects or the rights have reverted to me. Many of them I’ve published on my blog already. I’m fairly sure I’m going to proceed.
What do you think?
Carrie, I’d never give the work away. What will you have garnered from that? Even selling them for 99 cents puts some value on them. And then you honestly can say you sold them. I mean, giving them away has little resonance in terms of showing a publisher you can write material that entices readers to buy it.
Interesting post and discussion everyone. I have definitely considered e-publishing, but only if I switch markets. I would love to write an inspirational romance novel or novella. My main motivation is that I’ve discovered an e-publisher who I have corresponded with at online writing conferences a couple of times. I like the work of their authors I am familiar with.
The appeal is to get a book to market faster, but, as you said, this form of publishing isn’t going anywhere, so perhaps slowing down is prudent.
Thanks for another great post.
Cheryl, it would be interesting to see if the e-publisher would let you talk to a couple of clients for recommendations. I’d ask for someone who wrote in the genre you’re interested in to talk to. Only those who had the greatest successes will be selected for a conversation, but you could find out just how much the person knows about traditional publishing and how their experience has been with the e-publisher. Of course, waiting isn’t a bad plan…
Good point about not giving it away. I was remembering an interview Michael Hyatt did with Seth Godin and he said absolutely give away your first book. It builds your audience. But I totally see your point. I’ll probably price it at just $2-3. Thanks!
I recently e-published my book “The Prayer Monologues” because I wanted it to reach the audience who are tech savvy and who prefer saving trees. However I am in love with print and prefer to read actual, physical books. I am thinking of publishing again using the Kindle Publishing and Smashwords.
Waiting on those sales now…
After interviewing a few successful self-published writers, it seems that self-publishing implies a lot of self-marketing as well.
Unless you are as lucky as Vicki Tyley and land a book review in a respectable magazine.
Once it’s starts rolling if and when the word to mouth process kicks in, life is beautiful, yet, starting that process is a lot of work.