tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post1283545416513994785..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Konrath and Eisler vs. Richard Russo: The SequelJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26555432356937246692014-07-13T17:00:30.808-05:002014-07-13T17:00:30.808-05:00Blogger Gary Ponzo said...
If Amazon authors and H...<i>Blogger Gary Ponzo said...<br />If Amazon authors and Hachette authors continue with this acrimony then the terrorists win.<br /><br />8:12 AM</i><br /><br />And there's the problem in a nutshell. Self published authors are not "Amazon authors". And it's this thinking that has trad. published authors blinded. Amazon is a retailer which sells books and takes a retailers cut, a far cry from a publisher.<br /><br />Amazon authors are those published by 47 North etc., whose print books are under a very real boycott by B&N and most "indie" bookstores. I put "indie bookstores" in inverted commas as to me they aren't indie at all, they are beholden to their corporate masters, the publishers.Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11774949455424428002014-07-13T16:54:12.549-05:002014-07-13T16:54:12.549-05:00Meanwhile in Europe... German booksellers and publ...Meanwhile in Europe... German booksellers and publishers file an antitrust claim against Amazon. The case is interesting, because the case regards a dispute between Amazon and Bonnier (a publishing group like Hachette) over delays for deliveries of Bonnier physical books. <br /><br />Amazon is also negotiating with Bonnier to lower ebook prices, so this is a really similar case.<br /><br />The European Commission is “trying to understand the issues involved,” said Antoine Colombani, a spokesman for the commission, in an e-mailed statement.<br /><br />http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-11/amazon-s-e-books-antitrust-clash-in-germany-on-eu-radar.html<br /><br />I don't know if Amazon is really a monopoly as an online retailer in Germany, so I don't know if the complaint will have real consequences. Alan Spadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12265515535005420739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-25606209876714393882014-07-13T10:39:27.297-05:002014-07-13T10:39:27.297-05:00I will add that the article by Jeff Posey seems to...I will add that the article by Jeff Posey seems to suggest that all even moderately successful self-published authors who stick at it will be extremely wealthy in about 20 years. The net monthly income for the author in the example cited above rises to $77,533 per month if they keep producing books at the same rate for 20 more years.<br /><br />Maybe in 20 years we will all be living like Patterson and the like :)<br /><br />Or maybe the aticle's assumptions are off a bit. For example it assumes that every new book boosts your overall book sales by the same percentage. If only the real world had that kind of consistent compounding of sales.Nirmalahttp://endless-satsang.com/free-ebooks-free-spiritual-books61.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-85293141919107140922014-07-13T10:30:45.082-05:002014-07-13T10:30:45.082-05:00That is an easy one. The advance. No, seriously. T...<i>That is an easy one. The advance. No, seriously. That advance represents their estimate of your portion of the NPV of the income stream that your manuscript. </i><br /><br />This article seems very optimistic, but it would also suggest that most advances from a publisher are still way too low to account for the life plus 70 years terms.<br /><br />Here is an example from the article:<br /><i>You’ve published five books that earn, on average, $50 per title per month average across all sales venues for the past year, you are committed to writing and publishing two books per year, and you spend $2,500 per book on professional production services (editing, cover, print interior design, ebook programming, etc.). Each new book boosts your overall royalty earnings by what you consider a barely measurable 5 percent.<br /><br /> NPV: $55,618<br /><br />If it takes you 500 hours total, you’re earning $111 per hour in NPV.</i><br /><br />How many authors who can earn just $50 per title on their books (either through legacy publishing, or through self-publishing which makes that $50 a month easier to reach) are being offered over $50,000 in advance by traditional publishers?<br /><br />And the analysis in this article uses 40 years which is less than life plus 70, especially if you have heirs that could benefit from your book sales.Nirmalahttp://endless-satsang.com/free-ebooks-free-spiritual-books61.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51847266357918824382014-07-13T08:12:33.711-05:002014-07-13T08:12:33.711-05:00If Amazon authors and Hachette authors continue wi...If Amazon authors and Hachette authors continue with this acrimony then the terrorists win.Gary Ponzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13171541464149058048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45132901169889711222014-07-12T22:34:53.512-05:002014-07-12T22:34:53.512-05:00Russo says, "the Authors’ Licensing and Colle...Russo says, "the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society reports that authors’ incomes have fallen 29 percent since 2005, a decline they deem “shocking.” If a similar study were done in the U.S., the results would be, we believe, all too similar." <br /><br />And yet, publishers are still profiting. So, who really needs defending?Cherie Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70943026581584741732014-07-12T20:17:06.087-05:002014-07-12T20:17:06.087-05:00Ah, Joe, I was sort of leaving #8 as a given (and ...Ah, Joe, I was sort of leaving #8 as a given (and I'm thinking it should be #1 or at worst, #2). <br /><br />William: I'm guessing publishers don't distinguish between $5,000 advances and $500,000 advances? Angry_Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06858237359474121630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79387665079515692872014-07-12T19:17:59.030-05:002014-07-12T19:17:59.030-05:00What exactly does a publisher provide that makes t...<i>What exactly does a publisher provide that makes them feel like they should control the rights to an author's work for lifetime + 70 years?</i><br /><br />That is an easy one. The advance. No, seriously. That advance represents their estimate of your portion of the NPV of the income stream that your manuscript. William Ockhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13795149116565627671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40944428013923822842014-07-12T18:56:57.267-05:002014-07-12T18:56:57.267-05:008. Konrath has known all of this since late 2009, ...8. Konrath has known all of this since late 2009, and has been preaching it since then.<br /><br />Slowly but surely, writers are listening.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-83695694380312301142014-07-12T17:52:12.593-05:002014-07-12T17:52:12.593-05:005. Publishers believe that readers are loyal to a ...5. Publishers believe that readers are loyal to a publisher's 'brand' instead of an author's brand. Or maybe they believe their brand is equal or more important to an author's brand. Readers, other than a select few, have no clue nor do they care which publisher produces the book they're reading. Readers are loyal to authors. Hence why I and millions of others read Stephen King books no matter how many publishers/imprints distribute his books. <br /><br />6. Publishers cannot (or will not) admit when they are wrong. Instead, they double-down on every comment or talking point, providing zero actual data to back up their argument, choosing instead to use emotional responses to try and win/sway an argument. <br /><br />7. Apple and publishers were found guilty of collusion and price fixing. Publishers all settled out of court after realizing the overwhelming evidence against them, yet Apple chose to fight on only to ultimately lose. Not just lose, but Judge Cote wrote such an extensive, detailed brief as to WHY Apple lost, no appeals court to date has agreed to hear the case. <br /><br />7a. Publishers and Apple still believe they've done nothing wrong, despite overwhelming evidence against them (again, evidence so great that the publishers decided to settle). Distributors like Mark Coker, who has publicly admitted that he believes the publishers did nothing wrong AND Apple should win on appeal, have such blind hatred of one of their own distributors (Amazon) that they blindly wander around, shouting talking points at anyone who will listen. The only ones listening are some of their own authors. <br /><br />Hrmmm... did I miss anything? Angry_Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06858237359474121630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4293622713022631922014-07-12T17:51:56.540-05:002014-07-12T17:51:56.540-05:00This is what I've learned this week from Conno...This is what I've learned this week from Connolly, Shatzkin, Russo, and Steve Z:<br /><br />1. Since US Copyright law is lifetime + 70 years, publishers include it as a rights grab BECAUSE THEY CAN. Not a single publishing person has answered the question I've been asking:<br /><br />What exactly does a publisher provide that makes them feel like they should control the rights to an author's work for lifetime + 70 years?<br /><br />2. Going along with #1, we've learned that publishers will do/say ANYTHING to keep from answering the question. They claim they've never held the rights for a full term, and that they allow for authors to get their rights returned. <br /><br />UNLESS the book in question is selling very well, which Steve Z admitted that then they would most definitely keep the rights to that book for the full term. Even though if the book is selling very well, the services a publisher provides have more than been paid for (according to even the most expensive editing and cover services that we self-publishers use). <br /><br />Another suspicious answer is that publishers easily allow authors who aren't selling well to get their rights reverted. This is suspicious because of probably 50+ authors that have commented here, at TPV, and other blogs (and the Kboards forums) that have talked about what a legal nightmare it was to get their rights back, how it took at least six months, usually longer, and that publishers that don't want to revert rights will simply buy X-amount of copies to meet the terms of the contract to keep the rights to that book. <br /><br />3. Print authors and their traditional publishers are an exclusive club, one where the members can stand atop the castle walls and shout down insults in a haughty voice to those below who dare to self-publish. They try to round up the mob carrying torches and pitchforks and lead them against anyone who doesn't believe that publishers should be the sole decider of what is and is not quality literature, what readers can/should and cannot/should not read. If they cannot convince anyone to follow this line of thinking, they change tactics and start getting big name authors to cry loudly how Amazon and self-publishers are destroying not only literature itself, but also BOOKS. I've heard at least five times this week how Konrath and his cronies (of which I guess I'm one of?) are working hard to kill print books, going so far as to either get people to burn paper books, or we'll burn the books ourselves. I'm not really clear on how this last part is supposed to work, but that's what is being said. <br /><br />4. Publishers cannot adapt to technology quickly enough to save their industry. Uninformed (or ignorant) persons like Steve Z. are so clueless about technology, that they believe running their own sales website costs 10x or more than it costs any other business that I've ever helped set a site up for. Angry_Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06858237359474121630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80403147734882815452014-07-12T16:00:53.411-05:002014-07-12T16:00:53.411-05:00We believe (Amazon's) offer—the majority of wh...<b>We believe (Amazon's) offer—the majority of which Hachette would essentially fund—is highly disingenuous.</b><br /><br />Okay, now Russo just can't do math. Which is the majority in 50/50?? If he's trying to say it would be a greater financial burden on Hachette than Amazon, well let me just say: Boo f**king hoo!<br /><br />I mean, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this latest development. Amazon wants to, in partnership with Hachette, give authors 100% of book revenues until a contract settlement is reached ... and they are the devil? Seriously?? Can that really be the reaction that Russo and friends are having?<br /><br />Guess we can stop wondering why they won't break with their publishers to make 70% profits on ebooks. They won't even go for 100%, while STAYING WITH THEIR PUBLISHER!!<br /><br />Do they just hate money?<br /><br />I can't help but wonder what their reaction would be in the following scenarios:<br /><br /><i>Amazon now offers to pay authors 100% of book revenues, with Hachette having no obligation to pay anything.</i><br /><br />Predicted reaction: Amazon is Beelzebub!! They are trying to publicly humiliate Hachette in a childish attempt to demonstrate that big publishing houses can be easily bypassed, and are obsolete in the modern publishing ecosystem. This is petty and cruel and authors must unite against it. Let's get another petition going! Ecosystem!!<br /><br /><i>Amazon now offers to secretly pay authors 100% of book revenues, while publicly crediting Hachette for doing so, plus paying Hachette its usual fees per unit sold.</i><br /><br />Predicted reaction: Amazon is Natas! (That's Satan spelled backwards so it's extra evil.) Now they're just throwing money around to flaunt it! They're basically saying that we're all useless, poor scumbags. We have to stand up to this petulant, tyrannical behavior before Amazon uses Loki's staff to open a transdimensional portal and unleash Chitauri hordes upon us. Authors: Assemble! And mommy says I get to be Iron Man this time!Sam Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647492487586827972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62800825415037528592014-07-12T15:58:27.475-05:002014-07-12T15:58:27.475-05:00Follow the money. Connolly and the other big name...Follow the money. Connolly and the other big name authors are starting to lost money to the independents. We can sell with lower prices and get higher royalties. Sure, they are still wealthy, but when have people who became wealthy by shutting out the competition ever willing to share? They hate Amazon because of the opportunity it has given us--particularly the level playing field.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-55406416351055257472014-07-12T14:07:07.735-05:002014-07-12T14:07:07.735-05:00Fair enough, Joshua :)
I'm posting anonymousl...Fair enough, Joshua :)<br /><br />I'm posting anonymously right now because my comment was about a few particular books I'm illegally pirating, and why.<br /><br />On each of my books on Amazon, I observe a linear relationship between the number of lifetime sales and how many reviews that book gets -- roughly one review for each 125-150 sales on average. I've also compared notes with other authors (bestsellers and midlisters--trad, hybrid, and indie) who've shared their Amazon sales figures with me. All of their books show the same rough slightly-less-than-1% ratio between total reviews and total lifetime sales.<br /><br />That's what I mean by "review counts times 125x-150x" will give you an estimate of a book's lifetime sales.<br /><br />Connolly's most-reviewed book on Amazon is <i>The Book of Lost Things</i>, which shows a publish date of 2008. It has 295 reviews -- indicating fewer than 40,000 lifetime Kindle sales. Most of his other books have fewer than 100 reviews -- indicative less than 15,000 lifetime Kindle sales.<br /><br />Connolly's salesranks indicate that his books are selling single-digits each per day on Amazon.<br /><br />That's why I say that, despite all Connolly's talent, his publisher's policies are still fucking him in the world's biggest sales channel just so they can preserve dying paper sales.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89193537733417817842014-07-12T13:27:38.217-05:002014-07-12T13:27:38.217-05:00"Wait a sec... I shouldn't bring my measu..."Wait a sec... I shouldn't bring my measuring tape into public restrooms?<br /><br />NOW someones tells me!"<br /><br />LOL!<br /><br />"I said "review counts" not "amazon rankings" -- review counts times 125x-150x are a decent proxy for lifetime sales."<br /><br />Well, that's fine, Anon, but since you refuse to tell us who you are, I can't compare your review counts or sales rankings to Connolly's to be sure you're on the level. And please clarify what you mean by "review counts times 125x-150x"...not trying to be obtuse, just looking for clarification. Joshua Simcoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46359998905276364242014-07-12T12:39:03.536-05:002014-07-12T12:39:03.536-05:00Try reading and comprehending before reacting, Jos...Try reading and comprehending before reacting, Joshua.<br /><br />I said "review counts" not "amazon rankings" -- review counts times 125x-150x are a decent proxy for <b>lifetime</b> sales.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-13882345346112579762014-07-12T12:33:23.282-05:002014-07-12T12:33:23.282-05:00like a couple of guys at a urinal with measuring t...<i>like a couple of guys at a urinal with measuring tape...well, that's not a healthy thing.</i><br /><br />Wait a sec... I shouldn't bring my measuring tape into public restrooms?<br /><br />NOW someones tells me!JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-69650409230273906282014-07-12T12:27:55.446-05:002014-07-12T12:27:55.446-05:00"But as far as getting discovered by new read..."But as far as getting discovered by new readers is concerned, due to his publisher's ineptitude, I *am* "totally a bigger deal than John Connolly."<br /><br />I earn more on my $3.99 ebooks than Connolly earns on his $11.99 ones (most of which Amazon is discounting to $5.98 - $6.83 right now.)"<br /><br />Well, since we're playing that game...<br /><br />For a time, my collab with Joe was outselling a handful of novels by some top tier thriller writers, including a few of my favorites--guys like Connolly and Gregg Hurwitz.<br /><br />But am I even in the same UNIVERSE as Connolly and Hurwitz in terms of acclaim and success? Absolutely NOT. Those numbers, you see, didn't tell the whole story. <br /><br />I'm glad for anyone selling books, indie or otherwise. But when we start comparing sales rankings like a couple of guys at a urinal with measuring tape...well, that's not a healthy thing.<br /><br />Again, there's more to the story than what Amazon's sales rankings reveal.Joshua Simcoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23534212869427559932014-07-12T12:07:06.415-05:002014-07-12T12:07:06.415-05:00Last year I sold more than a hundred thousand book...<i>Last year I sold more than a hundred thousand books as an independent author, yet that would not be good enough, under your guidelines, to qualify me for membership. </i><br /><br />Indeed that was my reference, Rocky. I mentioned it in a post from a few days ago.<br /><br />http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-07-08T16:35:00-05:00&max-results=10<br /><br />Also, way to kick ass, Mark!<br /><br /><i>HWA have a good relationship with Amazon</i><br /><br />Never said you did. As Mark mentioned, I was referring to your guidlines.<br /><br /><i>'beef' we have with Amazon is about fake and inappropriate review</i><br /><br />And when people complain about fake reviews, Amazon winds up removing real reviews, which is a beef I have with Amazon.<br /><br />How many real reviews should we allow to be taken down for every fake one that is taken down?<br /><br />That's sort of like asking how many innocent men should die on death row just so we can execute the guilty ones.<br /><br />Readers cans sniff out fake reviews. I've seen very few that did harm. And those that do get taken down when enough people report them using Amazon's self-policing system.<br /><br />But when Amazon removed thousands of legit reviews, I feel that indeed did hurt a lot of authors.<br /><br />BTW, I quit the HWA back when I saw the crazy nepotism with the Stoker nominations. Authors nominating friends, sending free books to voting members, silly popularity contests, and so on. Hopefully that system has been reformed since I left.<br /><br />JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37761675176587237022014-07-12T11:25:42.754-05:002014-07-12T11:25:42.754-05:00@Rocky Wood
Joe said: “Amazon is making somethin...<br />@Rocky Wood<br /><br /><br />Joe said: “Amazon is making something that was once an exclusive club into something that is no longer special. That's a beef the Authors Guild has but won't admit. It's a beef also held by the MWA, HWA, SFWA, and other writing organizations.”<br /><br />Rocky, I believe Joe was speaking about the exclusion of “writers” from organizations such as the HWA with his above comment. I realize that writers, no matter how they are published can be considered for a Bram Stoker Award. The problem is, you do not allow self published writers to become active members of your organization unless they have sold a work to a “legacy” publisher. Your membership guidelines specifically exclude self-published writers. I have copied and pasted those guidelines below this comment directly from the HWA website.<br /><br />I have been eligible for an active membership in the HWA for quite some time now based on short stories I’ve sold to magazines such as Dark Discoveries and Book of Dark Wisdom to name a few. My refusal to apply for membership in the HWA thus far is, for me, a personal boycott of sorts based solely on your exclusionary clause for active membership.<br /><br />Last year I sold more than a hundred thousand books as an independent author, yet that would not be good enough, under your guidelines, to qualify me for membership. <br /><br />There is something wrong with that.<br /><br />Rocky, I have the utmost respect for you as a human being and as a writer, and from what I can tell you did a fine job of heading up the HWA for the years you were at its helm. I want you to know that this is not personal.<br /><br />But like so many other so-called writers organizations, the HWA’s very existence is tied directly to legacy publishing. These organizations seem to favor the publisher over the writer. It’s a brave new world now where writers no longer need the approval of gatekeepers. The question is, will the HWA change with the times or will it stay tied to a system that just might make it irrelevant? <br /><br />HWA Active Membership Guidelines:<br /><br />Professional writers of Horror and Dark Fantasy. There are a number of ways to qualify as an Active member. (Only works of Horror or Dark Fantasy can be used as qualifying materials.)<br />Sell three or more short stories, articles, or reviews totalling 7,500 words or more, for payment of at least 5¢ per word.<br /><br />Sell one book-length manuscript for a minimum advance and/or royalties of $2,000.<br />Sell a 90-minute TV movie, or two 30-minute teleplays for at least WGA minimum rates.<br />Sell one theatrical film script for at least $5,000.<br /><br />Sell three full-length comic book scripts at professional rates and/or with professional print-run and distribution levels.<br />Sell three 10,000 word Role-playing Game project or one 40,000 word project for a payment of at least 5 ¢ per word.<br /><br />Sell a script for a computer game or a single work of interactive fiction intended for electronic media for at least $2,000.<br />Sell a computer game for a minimum payment of $2,000, regardless of length or memory usage, or create a piece of shareware or other work produced without payment in advance, with a paid circulation exceeding 1,000 copies.<br /><br />Sell 10 poems at 25 ¢ per line or $5 each, or sell a poetry collection for an honorarium of at least $50.<br /><br />Please note that sales may only be used to qualify for membership if payment has been received. Also, self-published works may not be used to qualify, with the exception of self-published comic books that meet special criteria.<br /><br />Mark Edward Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09348437062900925019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4234310496387495752014-07-12T11:03:31.293-05:002014-07-12T11:03:31.293-05:00This is the classic case of the lapdogs touting th...<i>This is the classic case of the lapdogs touting the agenda of their masters, nothing more. These authors are beholden to the Hachette's of the world for their livelihood, and so ignore any data that doesn't conform to their masters' agenda.</i><br /><br />I know.<br /><br />You could probably guess that a lot of indie populists who blog, me included, keep wondering why we continue to bother. We're not going to change the minds of anyone within the establishment, and those not in the establishment have more than enough data available about indie and legacy to make informed choices.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44208096949748557872014-07-12T10:32:00.700-05:002014-07-12T10:32:00.700-05:00This is the classic case of the lapdogs touting th...This is the classic case of the lapdogs touting the agenda of their masters, nothing more. These authors are beholden to the Hachette's of the world for their livelihood, and so ignore any data that doesn't conform to their masters' agenda.<br /><br />As an author who's built a seven figure income exploiting the price inefficiency of trad pub offerings, I pray every night as I drift off to sleep that Hachette prevails in this battle and trad pub books stay pricey forever. Completely selfish of me, I know, but that's how I am. <br /><br />Alas, Amazon seems unlikely to roll over.<br /><br />Screw the author's guild. They're a case of an advocacy group being wholly captured by the pecuniary interests that benefit from the work of authors. Arguing with them is like arguing with any other disingenuous group: a complete waste of time.Russell Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03001000271305209429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2384903714801943992014-07-12T09:26:47.643-05:002014-07-12T09:26:47.643-05:00Joshua SImcox said:
"And, sadly, this is the...Joshua SImcox said:<br /><br />"And, sadly, this is the game we're playing now: "My $2.99 ebook is outselling Connolly's $11.99 ebook! Dude, I'm totally a bigger deal than John Connolly!""<br /><br />John Connolly's talents as a writer far exceed mine. And he's been at this a hell of lot longer, and you point out, has won lots of awards and spent decades building his career.<br /><br />But as far as getting discovered by new readers is concerned, due to his publisher's ineptitude, I <b>*am*</b> "totally a bigger deal than John Connolly."<br /><br />I earn more on my $3.99 ebooks than Connolly earns on his $11.99 ones (most of which Amazon is discounting to $5.98 - $6.83 right now.)<br /><br />And his publisher's inept ebook windowing and pricing decisions are pissing off long-time fans like me enough to pirate his work.<br /><br />So... yeah. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-15959484564388674422014-07-12T09:09:55.278-05:002014-07-12T09:09:55.278-05:00Does anyone know the annual fees for membership in...<i>Does anyone know the annual fees for membership in the Authors Guild.</i><br /><br />Last I checked it was $90. Oh, and your eternal soul.<br /><br />Ha! Kidding! I think it's more than $90.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44629027319896581912014-07-12T09:08:07.321-05:002014-07-12T09:08:07.321-05:00And I know they take people like me less seriously...<i>And I know they take people like me less seriously because I don't have a publisher?</i><br /><br />No one took me serious either, Shah. I was an outlier. I was a freak success. I was only poplar because my legacy publishers made me popular.<br /><br />But since 2009, tens of thousands of authors have tried self-pubbing, and some have outsold me.<br /><br />Never worry about what others think of you, unless they are close friends and family. And if they become poisonous, cut them loose.<br /><br />One of the greatest journeys in life is overcoming insecurity and learning to truly not give a shit.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.com