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  • My World - blog
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    • Training Log
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Overheard at... home

4/23/2012

14 Comments

 
“My mom mostly shops at Kohls.”

So… now you, as well as my daughter’s friend, know where I buy most of my designer dudds. Easy in and out, easy returns, easy selection… it all adds up to an experience that fits my life (I know… it sounds like an ad). 
  
Sometimes, though, I am willing to spend a little more time and take the risk on a small, independent clothing store, like Ipnosi, in Portland. I am sure if I invested more time in discovering stores like this I would be able to find unique
clothes that better match my style and price tag than the big department stores. Better yet, if I only knew how to sew, I could completely customize my look and not worry about shopping at all.

So how do I decide which way to go? Interestingly, I have been having a similar internal debate about how to publish my work. Do I continue to look for an agent who can get my work seen by a huge mega-publisher? Do I target small,
independent publishers who might give me more attention and support? Or do I continue to sew it myself, so to speak, and self-publish?

I recently spoke withApril Eberhardt, a well known literary agent who is also very in touch with the changes happening in the publishing industry. Here’s what she had to say…

If you feel you've had success with self-publishing your first novel, and you've been satisfied with the process, that may be the best way to go with your second novel. It's the future of publishing, and authors like you who are willing to jump in now and develop experience in self-publishing will be the winners longer-term. 

As for smaller publishers, some are good and some aren't. Going with a weak (or worse) publisher can be damaging, and will delay your getting your book out on your own, in a way that you're proud of. Going with a great one, on the other hand, small or large, may help establish you in ways that are harder to do on your own. 

It's worth evaluating any publishers interested in your work by critiquing them carefully, and asking a few questions. 
- To begin with, if their covers and websites aren't good, those are reasons not to go with them, even if they're interested.
- To evaluate fit and value to you, ask for the edits they suggest and consider them vis-a-vis your manuscript--do their edits improve the manuscript in your view? If not, then this could be another reason not to work with them. 
- What will they offer you in terms of marketing and distribution? Contact a couple of their authors and verify that they have indeed done what was promised. Ask what went right and what didn't. Any publisher unwilling to allow you to talk to some of their authors has something to hide. 

Finally, after they pass the above hurdles, if you're interested in considering any publisher, small or large, ask for their author contract and have a publishing contract attorney review it for you. It's well worth the expense to ensure that the terms are fair to you, and that you're not getting locked into anything that will prevent your going the self-pub route eventually if things don't work out the way you envisioned. 

April’s advice has given me a solid platform for making this tough decision. Unlike shopping at Kohls, not everyone can have their novel printed by a large commercial publisher… and I am still looking for the publishing version of
Ipnosi. Until then self-publishing is a great way to continue to learn about all of the changes happening in this industry. 

And, it’s not saying much, but at least I know how to self-publish better than I know how to sew.

*********
Special day – April has agreed to be online with us during the day today to respond to your comments…. So don’t hold back. Are you thinking of self-publishing? Small house publishing? Going the agent route? Check in with April to get her read on current author best practices today, April 23rd.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
********
14 Comments
deanne link
4/23/2012 01:15:10 am

The 'phones' are open, so to speak, and we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the choices in publishing.

Reply
Nancy Brophy link
4/23/2012 01:55:20 am

April -
Your thoughts are so in-line with my own. Not everybody was designed to self-publish or to publish through a major house and while there are lots of options in-between one needs to be very careful what they choose.

I loved the idea of having a lawyer read a contract up-front. Saves so much time and hassle. But, of course, anything that saves time costs money. And if your writing isn't paying, some times that's not possible.

Thanks for your insight. Very informative.

Reply
April Eberhardt link
4/23/2012 04:26:19 am

Nancy, I understand your reticence to spend $$ if no income from your writing. I like to suggest to authors that, if possible, you save up a bit to spend on publishing essentials, like contract review. An investment here can save you lots later. Research arts organizations and writers' foundations to find low-cost and reliable contract attorneys. Good luck!

Reply
Laurel N
4/23/2012 02:01:17 am

While I am intrigued by the self-publishing model I seriously don't feel like I have the time and energy to go that route. If I have to learn and do all of the publishing on my own when will I have time to write?
When the time comes (ever the optimist) where do I find a good publishing contract attorney? Online? Local?
Thank you for your time.

It was lovely meeting you at RCRW. We all enjoyed the sharing of information and the opportunity to learn more about the industry as well as each other.
L

Reply
deanne link
4/23/2012 02:52:44 am

Interesting that the discussion of lawyer is resonating so strongly. This goes to the idea of a self-pub co-op that I've heard floated. I'm going to see if I get any responses to a tweet about affordable legal soultions for writers. I'll let you all know.

Reply
April Eberhardt link
4/23/2012 04:32:49 am

Thanks, Laurel! It was wonderful meeting all of you as well. What an accomplished, high-energy and enthusiastic group you are.

Looks like Deanne is on the hunt for affordable contract attorneys. I'll out out feelers as well. With respect to self-pub, I think you'll find it gets easier as more author-friendly models evolve, and as self-pub becomes the norm vs the exception. Meanwhile, are there other RCRW members you might collaborate with to get started? Things are often easier and faster (and more fun!) when approached as a group.

Reply
Judith Ashley link
4/23/2012 03:50:20 am

Hi April, Thank you for your time today and the informative presentation at our Rose City Romance Writer's Chapter Meeting. I agree totally that if I decide to go the self-pub route, I'll need support in various forms. I think the Contract Attorney would be fairly easy as I can contact the State Bar Association. Help in getting my book distributed would be the major sticking point. Other than having a self-published book listed on Amazon, B&N, Kobo, and Smashwords are their other methods of distribution (especially if print books are another option I want to add) for a self-published author?

Reply
April Eberhardt link
4/23/2012 04:49:43 am

A good question, Judith--"Discoverability" is the major challenge for most self-published (and, for that matter, traditionally-published) authors. It's good to make your e-book available on all the sites you mention above. Then you'll need to steer readers to it. In addition to having a strong website of your own, you should plan to use email and social media to let people know what your book is about and where to find it; create and maintain a blog relating to your subject matter; participate on others' blogs; try to guest-blog on any targeted to your reading audience; participate on goodreads and other sites where your readers will be looking; and enter contests. No need to do it all--choose the few you're most comfortable with to get started. For print books, you might try asking local independent bookstores if they will carry a few copies on consignment. Maybe they'll agree to your doing a reading, especially if they support local authors. Some organizations are now hosting self-published book fairs. If no one in your area is doing so, how about starting one with friends?

Reply
Sarah Raplee link
4/23/2012 04:30:54 am

Thank you for sharing your expertise.

What do you see as the pros and cons of a career plan that calls for pursuing publication (over time) with a traditional publisher and a small press and doing some self-publishing as well?

Reply
April Eberhardt link
4/23/2012 04:54:13 am

Thanks for your good question, Sarah. I'm a big proponent of trying several avenues simultaneously. No reason not to try the traditional publishers and small presses. At the same time, self-publishing your work is a way for you to market-test it and develop a following. Mainstream publishers are increasingly considering self-published work that has been successful--so by all means give them all a try!

Reply
deanne link
4/23/2012 11:54:43 am

Thank you to all who participated in our publishing conversation. I wanted to follow-up with some interesting information I received from some twitter friends. when asked the question of affordable legal counsel I was provided these names - please note, one is right here in Portland.
Kohel Haver in Portland, OR [email protected] -- his firm is Swider,Medeiros Haver -- 503-226-8122 main line, 503-295-2787 direct line to him.

John D. Mason in Stevenson, MD [email protected] (site is artlaws.com) -- the firm is The Intellectual Property Group - 410-205-7560.

Also, April left me a final note with informaiton about the CA lawyers for the arts organization. I plan to find more info about a sister org here in oregon... and if not through them, perhaps through Oregon Humanities.

Most importantly, we each have something important to say. I hope you let your voice be heard, no matter which route you take to get there.
cheers,
deanne

Reply
Maggie Jaimeson link
4/24/2012 04:29:15 am

I'm late to the party, as usual, but hoping April may still check in again. I have watched your sales from Reece Halsey and then at Kimberly Cameron Associates. I didn't know you went out on your own. Congrats! In watching sales, I'm noticing a couple of trends I'd love to understand.

One is that it seems most agents are selling World Rights these days instead of North American Rights and then looking at separate Foreign Rights. Is that the big six are requiring now? In the past, the advice was not to do that unless the advance and publisher support was substantial.

My second question relates to small press novels that have reverted rights back to the author (think Wild Rose Press, Samhain). Have you seen any interest from larger publishers in taking on those novels? Are there particular sales numbers they want to see to even take a chance?

I hope I hear from you, but if not thanks for being here on Deanne's blog.

Reply
deanne
4/24/2012 05:48:22 am

Hi Maggie...
thanks for the comments. I love to see such thoughtful questions and I think April will enjoy responding. I also know she is super swamped for the rest of the week... so it may take a few days to get back to you. Check back here next week... and I will also try to tweet when she has replied.
Thanks again for visiting and adding to the conversation.... I like to think it is ongoing!
deanne

Reply
Kelly
4/24/2012 06:12:52 am

Great article!

Reply



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    About Me...

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    Deanne Wilsted

    Link here to Betting Jessica on Amazon.com

    Background - Overheard While Writing
    It's hard to explain, but 12 years ago, when I started to write seriously, the only place where I could get my work done was at Starbucks. 

    Since then, 4 manuscripts and 4 favored Starbucks later, I sill find myself drawn to a cozy corner and a half-decaf Americano.... not to mention the many friendly faces that greet me when I arrive.

    And, while I try to stay focused, there are some times when the conversations or interactions that surround me draw my attention away from my own characters, and into the world of life's own characters. 

    This BLOG captures some of those funny, sincere, inspiring moments. Maybe they will give you a reason to write as well.

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