Blogger: Mary Keeley
As the competition for publishing contracts at the large traditional publishers becomes increasingly stiff, small independent presses can be an attractive alternative for new writers as a quicker means to get published. There are pluses and minuses with no blanket right choice. Before you decide on the direction you want to pursue, weigh these advantages for both the large publisher and for the small publisher.
Advantages of a large traditional publisher over a smaller press:
- The advance. The size of advances generally are higher with a larger house, and the same is true for royalty rates. Smaller presses may not offer any advance.
- Distribution. This is of paramount importance because broad distribution channels impact sales potential, and great sales of your current book are your best chance of getting the next contract. As publishers are being acquired by larger publishers, the distribution reach becomes even stronger.
- Quality of cover design. Large publishers pour money into their design budgets because, as we all know, covers sell books. Smaller presses run on proportionately leaner budgets.
- Marketing and promotion. Marketing budgets are concentrated on the top revenue-producing authors regardless of the size of the publisher because that is the surest return on an investment. And it’s true that most of the marketing and promotion of a book is the author’s responsibility. Still, larger publishers have experienced, savvy marketing and promotions personnel who know how to best invest the dollars they have to spend on your book. Smaller presses have little to no money to spend and are generally less equipped to market your book.
- The large publisher’s logo on your book. This gives you and your book clout because you have made it to the major leagues in the industry. It can also positively affect sales of your book.
Advantages of a smaller press over a larger publisher:
- Don’t need an agent. Smaller presses welcome submissions directly from first-time writers. While they recognize that projects submitted through agents are well developed, their editors generally are willing to work with a writer by offering suggestions for improvement of the project and giving writers the opportunity to resubmit after changes are implemented.
- Free editing. Because the smaller presses publish only 10-30 books per year, editors have time to help writers polish their manuscripts, and they are willing to mentor writers in their craft through the process. Increasingly, larger publishers look for manuscripts that close to publication-ready. In these turbulent years in the industry, editorial staffing has become lean in these larger houses even as they continue to publish approximately 100-150 books per year.
- Potential steppingstone to a larger publisher. Smaller presses recognize you might be publishing with them only once as a means to garner interest from a larger publisher for your next book. Most are willing to accept that is a publishing reality. However, a word of caution. As with self-publishing, you will have to work extra hard to promote your book to achieve the sales that will entice a larger publisher.
- Opportunity for small-niche books. Smaller presses can publish your niche book that a larger publisher wouldn’t find sufficiently profitable. Some of these presses consider this part of their mission and purpose.
Have your thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of large vs. small publishers changed as you’ve sought being published?
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Carol McAdams Moore
Thanks for this post, Mary. There are so many things to consider as one navigates the publishing waters. Often, it seems like the goal is to publish a book – period. It is so much more complicated than that, especially when the true goal is a long-range writing career. I value your guidance and expertise!
lisa
I was just going to say something like this! I honestly never thought of this aspect. Thanks for you guidance.
Mary Keeley
You are so right, Carol. The writing career demands the use of the process, or business, side of your brain as much as the creative side. Most writers lean strongly to the creative side while an agent comes alongside to guide and give strategic support on the business side.
Kathryn Elliott
Great post, Mary. I don’t know that my view of small vs. large publishers has changed, but I’ve certainly shifted perspective on the “must do” steps to publication. I’ve read some terrific books from small presses, and some real stinkers from the big houses – and vice versa. There are so many avenues open to emerging authors these days, the trick is not getting lost in the advice of “experts” and listening to your inner voice. What do I really want – vs. – What are the bazillion blogs telling me to do? Very tricky at times.
Mary Keeley
Exactly, Kathryn. There is no cookie cutter approach for every writer. You are wise to recognize that. But you don’t have to navigate those tricky waters alone. One of the most important aspects of an agent’s role is to personalize a client’s publishing strategy.
Andrea Cox
Thanks, Mary! This post is wonderful. At this point in my writing life, I’d be thrilled with whichever size publishing house because that would mean my story would be printed! But, first comes an agent, then comes the publisher. Then comes the book in the baby carriage. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Andrea
Mary Keeley
Ha ha. Wise and well said, Andrea. Blessings to you too.
Lindsay Harrel
I always love your posts, Mary, especially if there’s a list involved! 🙂 I definitely have thought about large vs. small publishers but never in this detail. Thank you!
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Lindsay. Thanks for your kind words. I find lists helpful too.
Norma Horton
Marvelous info, Mary. Especially the bit about cover design. Thinking…thinking…
Mary Keeley
Norma, I can hear the wheels turning.
Norma Horton
“Grinding,” dear Mary. Grinding.
Normandie Fischer
I couldn’t let this go–especially not the bit about cover design. I have two small publishers bringing out my books, and each has an absolutely gorgeous cover. (Check them out on my Facebook page or my website–normandiefischer.com) They’ll match up with anything out there from the big guys. I confess that I only let my agent submit my work to these two houses because they have great designers. The designers worked with me and didn’t quit until I was happy. A huge, huge perk. I can’t answer about sales yet, as the books release this summer. Get back to me later.
I had a soft spot in my heart for small houses because I used to edit for one (we didn’t publish our own work, so it’s not involved in this discussion). The royalty rates from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas are excellent, which makes up for the advance issue. I have found that these two publishers, both LPC and WhiteFire, resemble the Little Engine That Could–they try harder to produce quality books and help their authors. Eddie Jones of LPC (my first release in July) puts his all into the marketing campaigns for his author’s, which really impresses me.
Sarah Forgrave
Thanks for laying out these comparisons, Mary. In this crazy publishing world, it’s good to see that there are positives to each path. Ultimately it’s about writing the best book we can and trusting that God will lead us exactly where we’re supposed to be.
Meghan Carver
Yes, Sarah, always trusting. Good point.
Mary Keeley
So true, Sarah. On either path, the best writing and best marketing/promotional efforts are the author’s responsibility. And as you said, God is in charge of the outcomes.
Meghan Carver
I love lists, Mary, and I’ve done this mentally but never written. So thank you for your efforts here. I have thought of pursuing both with different manuscripts, both submitting unagented to a smaller publisher and also querying agents with the goal of a contract with a larger publisher. A sort of throw-it-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach. 🙂 Of course, two manuscripts take time, and I don’t want to submit or query anything that isn’t ready. What are your thoughts on this?
Jenni Brummett
I’m so glad you asked this question Meghan.
Mary Keeley
Meghan, here are my thoughts:
1. Most publishers, large or small, require a complete manuscript if you are an unpublished author.
2. Submitting two manuscripts simultaneously has been done, but it’s tricky. The key, especially for an unpublished author, is that they both must be complete. Should both books be contracted, the challenge is that you will be promoting two books at once while trying to write the next book.
3. Be aware that if the manuscript for the small press is published first, you’ll have to work extra hard promoting the book to get sales to the point that will attract a larger publisher’s interest in your other manuscript.
Meghan Carver
Thank you, Mary.
Camille Eide
Thank you for the timely info. I’ve been discussing this with other authors. There’s a lot to think about and it can be hard to weigh it all out. I will definitely pass it along. Thanks!!
Mary Keeley
Camille, I’m glad it was timely and helpful.
Cheryl Malandrinos
Excellent post, Mary. That’s why I love checking in here–because I always learn something or get a chance to think things through.
I don’t feel my view has changed any, but having been published by two different small presses, I see the advantages and challenges more clearly. I’ve truly enjoyed the flexibility and level of input I can have with a small press. It makes me feel like a more meaningful partner. While the publishers have final say, it’s great that they look for my input.
Not having an agent, when I received that first book contract, I wasn’t sure it was a good one. It seemed good to me, but I hadn’t seen any others. Thankfully, I’ve been blessed by signing on with them.
While my books are available online, it’s been hard to get them into bookstores or libraries, so most of my marketing time has been focused online, which means I haven’t made as many local contacts as I would like.
Since both publishers are small, they depend on their authors to promote not only their own books, but to help get the publishing house noticed, too. When I’m talking about one book, I feel like I’m not paying enough attention to or helping promote the second publishing house fully. But there is only so much time I have to give.
Overall, I feel it was a good starting point, but I also wouldn’t mind graduating to a larger publisher eventually.
Meghan Carver
Thanks, Cheryl, for sharing your experience!
Mary Keeley
Cheryl, thanks for sharing your personal experience at smaller presses, where authors get increased personal attention. Authors often benefit from mentoring and growth in their relationship with the editor. The concern is that the author has to work extra hard at marketing and promotion to bring sales up to the level that will interest a large publisher in the future. Look into Library Insider as a means of getting your books into libraries. Authors can tailor their selection to fit their budget.
Laura Jackson
Thanks for the list. I just signed with a small publisher, and I’ve been pleased so far.
For new projects, I may try sending them to agents for the reasons you listed about bigger publishers.
Mary Keeley
Congratulations on your contract, Laura. I hope you have great success with this book, which will put you in a good place to interest an agent and a larger publisher.
Gabrielle Meyer
There are so many options out there, and not necessarily a right or wrong one–but it has to be the right one for you. As I walk along this journey, I’m watching for signs to point me in the right direction. I have a general map, but I don’t want to miss a scenic detour because I’ve got my eyes on the final destination. I’m so thankful I have a wonderful agent to help guide me and interpret the signs. 🙂
Mary Keeley
Scenic detours…I like that, Gabrielle. Those detours can indeed offer opportunities that might be missed when viewing with tunnel vision.
Karen Barnett
I’m curious, Mary, which publishers are considered large and which are considered small? Could you give us some examples of each?
Mary Keeley
I’ve been waiting for this question, Karen. I don’t want to get myself into trouble by neglecting to mention every publisher, so stress that the following are merely EXAMPLES of the larger publishers in the CBA market:
Baker Publishing Group
FaithWords
Harvest House
Howard Books
Thomas Nelson
Tyndale House Publishers
WaterbrookMultnomah
Zondervan
Most of these are owned by larger general market publishers.
A few EXAMPLES of small presses:
Harpstring
JourneyForth
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Marcher Lord Press
Morgan James Publishing
Wesleyan Publishing House
Karen Barnett
Thanks, Mary!
Bonnie Doran
Thanks for the post. I especially appreciate your giving an approximate size of large versus small press by number of books published. Now I get it.
Mary Keeley
Bonnie, I’m glad that detail helped to clarify for you.
Robin Patchen
Great post, and I agree with just about everything. I do have to say, though, that my publisher, Pelican Book Group, puts out some beautiful covers. I loved the cover for my story, One Christmas Eve, and I’ve been impressed with all of their covers. Also, my friend Normandie Fischer’s two books are with two different small publishers, WhiteFire and Lighthouse of the Carolinas, and her covers are wonderful.
Normandie Fischer
Waving at you, Robin. Thanks for the mention.
Mary Keeley
Great to hear that, Robin. Did you have input on the cover design?
Robin Patchen
I gave them some ideas of what I wanted it to look like–and what I didn’t–and Nicola designed it. She honored my wishes, took my crude ideas, and came up with something beautiful.
Taylor
That’s one thing I always want control of. The cover can be really important in terms of readers’ opinions of the book.
donnie and doodle
. . .and there are advantages to large and small families as well.
Mary Keeley
Indeed there are, donnie and doodle.
Jenni Brummett
Mary, where do majority of the proposals you send find a home? With small presses or large publishers?
Some of the advantages you mentioned about working with a small press hadn’t crossed my mind before now. Thanks!
Mary Keeley
With large publishers, Jenni. This is reasonable because the smaller presses don’t require authors to have an agent, and generally they love working with new writers. But as I mentioned earlier, the challenge is that the new author will have to work extra hard to market and promote the book in hopes of getting great sales.
Jean Wise
I wondered at Write to Publish when the book editors presented if there were an increase in small publishers since the recession. There were names of houses I never heard of ten years ago.
Cheryl Malandrinos
We’re working on put together a panel on small presses at our local writers conference this fall. I’m excited about it.
Nikole Hahn
Some of the small publishers require references from established authors, someone to endorse a book or novel; those are harder to get into. Or maybe I just don’t like bothering my networks. :o) Who knows…still.
Sharyn Kopf
Several years ago, an editor at a major publishing house critiqued a book proposal I submitted as part of a conference perk. Though she said it was excellent and ready for submission, she felt it was too niche for them and recommended I try smaller publishing houses.
I took her advice and that book, along with a corresponding novel, will be published by Write Integrity Press this fall. And I’m fortunate in that my sister is a very talented artist and photographer and she’s agreed to design my covers.
Big publisher or small, it all comes down to doing the work, then trusting God to get your book into the hands He wants it to get into.
Thanks for the post, Mary!
Bonnie Leon
Thank you, Mary. Great article – informative and interesting. I’ve never published with a small press, but it does have some inviting aspects.
Taylor
I am trying to find a good way to publish my book and this information was very helpful. Thank you.