tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post2418000227415749800..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Guest Post by Ann Voss PetersonJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-24735885308311228382011-03-16T13:20:41.059-05:002011-03-16T13:20:41.059-05:00I wanted to say one more thing about paying someon...I wanted to say one more thing about paying someone else to set up your ebook -- go with the "day labor" type of pricing. By which I mean, pay the service provider for the work they did and nothing more.<br /><br />There are service providers out there -- lots of them very good people -- who will offer to do the work for you in exchange for a percentage of your royalties. RUN away from them, and the bookkeeping nightmare and lawsuit potential of that model. It will cost you far more than it is worth.<br /><br />Think about it -- giving someone a percentage of your earnings for an afternoon spent prepping your ebook is like giving your lawn guy a percentage of your house for trimming the grass. It just doesn't make sense. The only place where royalty-splits work are in the case of co-authoring (like Joe and Ann, here), or sometimes in the instance of working with a cover artist who has created original work for you (not a cover designer who used other people's work to design your cover); and even cover artists will often take a fixed, flat price for their work (like Getty does for the photos).<br /><br />Have a look at Dean Wesley Smith's current blog series: <a href="http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=3516" rel="nofollow">"Think Like a Publisher"</a>. In the second installment, he talks about some of the costs you're looking at when you venture into epublishing. It's worth checking out.<br /><br /> --Leigh<br /><a href="http://www.leighsaunders.com" rel="nofollow">www.leighsaunders.com</a>Leigh Saundershttp://www.leighsaunders.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48900161953603466092011-03-16T13:01:33.212-05:002011-03-16T13:01:33.212-05:00Ann/Joe -- looking forward to "Wild Nights&qu...Ann/Joe -- looking forward to "Wild Nights" and "Flee."<br /><br />To reply to this question:<br /><i>Could the people who have published the short (sometimes very short) stories tell us what they are doing here? Surely no one is paying thousands to have someone else set up a few thousand words, are they?</i><br /><br />I'm doing it myself. Public domain art (I've only bought one photo from Getty), and tools I already had on my computer (Photoshop & PowerPoint for covers, Word for the manuscript writing & formatting). I've looked at a LOT of book covers, and have a good feel for layout/design. I have a first reader or two go through and check the copy for errors (no editing expense). I write my own blurbs (they're harder than they look!), and post my own work through Kindle, PubIt, & Smashwords. (You can see samples on my website at <a href="http://www.leighsaunders.com" rel="nofollow">www.leighsaunders.com</a> -- click the link to the "Books" page.)<br /><br />Really, the only "expense" I incur for posting a short story is my time -- and after the learning curve of posting the first couple of stories, I've gotten pretty quick at the production side of things, which lets me spend more time writing the next story and keeping the inventory growing.<br /><br />I'm in the "first reader" stage for a full novel. If it passes their scrutiny, I'll prep it -- and then probably hand it off to someone else for the final proofreading (benefitting from the clarity of another pair of eyes on that final copy). I've already got the cover and blurb ready to go.<br /><br />Next learning curve? InDesign, for doing POD layout. Again, I've already got the software (it was part of the Adobe Creative Suite I bought when I needed to pick up some of the other tools for a different project a while back), so again, my primary outlay will be in the time I invest to learning how to use the tool.<br /><br />I will say this -- the DIY method IS NOT for everyone. For some, the technical learning curve is too daunting; for others, their time is better spent writing the next book (I already have a solid grasp of the techie side of things from my day job, so it was a non-issue for me). You may find it more time/cost-effective to pay someone else for the services -- if you do, I *strongly* recommend that you go with fixed-price costs for the services you're buying. <br /><br />Anyway, a long answer, but I hope it's helpful.<br /><br /> --Leigh<br /> <a href="http://www.leighsaunders.com" rel="nofollow">www.leighsaunders.com</a>Leigh Saundershttp://www.leighsaunders.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5984566101579547852011-03-13T11:10:50.236-05:002011-03-13T11:10:50.236-05:00Hi, Donnell! Great to see you here. The cover for...Hi, Donnell! Great to see you here. The cover for both WILD NIGHT IS CALLING and FLEE were done by Carl Graves. See the side bar of this blog for more info. Carl is amazing.Ann Voss Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141783064748972033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42350558195013052212011-03-13T08:11:19.062-05:002011-03-13T08:11:19.062-05:00Ann and Joe - this sounds like my kind of reading...Ann and Joe - this sounds like my kind of reading and writing, so I will be looking forward to it. Keep us advised on how it goes!Phyllishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02842013659811431774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-85887347616052174422011-03-12T13:24:36.044-06:002011-03-12T13:24:36.044-06:00Bravo Ann and Joe, the book sounds fantatsic as we...Bravo Ann and Joe, the book sounds fantatsic as well does your log line. So many comments -- who did your cover. It's great!Donnell Ann Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07943037206984648849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51704598283283210592011-03-11T11:38:32.906-06:002011-03-11T11:38:32.906-06:00Joe: No, that means they are the dominant market o...Joe: <i>No, that means they are the dominant market on Amazon. I believe they are on BN.com as well.<br /><br />But they aren't overall.There are still a lot of print books being sold in other outlets.</i><br /><br />May I also add that there are several untapped markets in the Caribbean that can be exploited. My relatives and friends in Barbados are unfamiliar with eBooks nor am I likely to convert them from paperback and hardcover anytime soon.<br /><br />Russell Brooks<br />Author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pandoras-Succession-ebook/dp/B00486U6O2" rel="nofollow">Pandora's Succession</a>Russell Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13877653195121083326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38835836988684732042011-03-11T10:09:14.900-06:002011-03-11T10:09:14.900-06:00meaning eBooks are now the dominant market
No, th...<i>meaning eBooks are now the dominant market</i><br /><br />No, that means they are the dominant market on Amazon. I believe they are on BN.com as well.<br /><br />But they aren't overall.There are still a lot of print books being sold in other outlets.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-83145864858984646342011-03-11T10:01:05.495-06:002011-03-11T10:01:05.495-06:00I was away from my computer yesterday (it does occ...I was away from my computer yesterday (it does occasionally happen), so I'm just catching up.<br /><br />Hey Lori, back attcha! I'm a huge Lori Handeland fan, too (of course)!<br /><br />Barb-- You'll have to read the book. ;)<br /><br />Thanks Joan and Sean!<br /><br />Thank you everyone for all the great comments.Ann Voss Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141783064748972033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-28472988505085237602011-03-11T03:59:38.066-06:002011-03-11T03:59:38.066-06:00I love the construction paper books a child though...I love the construction paper books a child thought to make. Sometimes, some children show their callings early. Are you thinking of leaving Legacy publishing and going all self pub?ecommerce developershttp://www.ecommerce-web-developers.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-63643580615675720992011-03-11T03:25:10.410-06:002011-03-11T03:25:10.410-06:00TJD said...
It really feels like we're on the...<i>TJD said...<br /><br />It really feels like we're on the edge of a historical change in the way the written word is created and distributed.</i><br /><br />The evidence says the historic change is behind us. For the 4th quarter of last 2010, Amazon reported profits of $416 million on sales of $12.95 billion. More to your point, <b>Amazon reported "moving 115 Kindle books for every 100 paperbacks sold"</b>, meaning eBooks are now the dominant market. Link: <a href="URL" rel="nofollow">http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/amazon-celebrates-its-first-10-billion-quarter-in-sales-find/</a> <br /><br />We are on the backside of the curve that plots the profits of TradPubs; that is, hardcover and paperback. In other words, hardcover and paperback profits are declining. We are on the rising slope of the curve that plots eBook profits, and there is no indication that it is going to flatten out soon.antareshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00928062661776005108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46570478225428968062011-03-11T03:16:17.078-06:002011-03-11T03:16:17.078-06:00When I visit the Amazon link, the price shows as &...When I visit the Amazon link, the price shows as "$3.44 includes VAT & free international wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet" :( I'm in Europe, but VAT isn't 244% here... Does anyone know why the price is so much higher for me?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15387346716348174695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46288152626220722262011-03-11T00:27:39.645-06:002011-03-11T00:27:39.645-06:00Read it. Loved it. Wanted more.
Free flee! Can&#...Read it. Loved it. Wanted more. <br /><br />Free flee! Can't wait....Selena Kitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17783685215421352626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41870287481897558312011-03-10T23:19:11.077-06:002011-03-10T23:19:11.077-06:00What a deal! Buy Wild Nights and get Flee free!
I...What a deal! Buy Wild Nights and get Flee free!<br /><br />I already emailed you, Joe.<br /><br />Ann, love you as an Intrigue author, and now love you as a thriller author. Wild Nights was very cool!<br /><br />Really looking forward to Flee.Joan Reeveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17622809465767116747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-91611199730435732112011-03-10T21:40:37.422-06:002011-03-10T21:40:37.422-06:00Just read "Wild Night" and the excerpt f...Just read "Wild Night" and the excerpt for Flee. Great job. Looking forward to the whole Flee novel.<br /><br />Sean McCartney<br />The Treasure Hunters Club<br />Secrets of the Magical MedallionsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34760890185261533212011-03-10T20:03:02.226-06:002011-03-10T20:03:02.226-06:00I'm so glad authors can do that nowadays and n...<i> I'm so glad authors can do that nowadays and not worry about who will publish it.<br /><br />Who would commit to episodic sci-fi novellas with a slow-building romance? Doesn't matter anymore. I'm worrying about covers and editing instead.</i><br /><br />This is what really has me excited about e-publishing. Control. The control and artistry are back in the hands of the artist. The new era is wonderful. Not just for writers but for all artists really. Create! <br /><br />It really feels like we're on the edge of a historical change in the way the written word is created and distributed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49177429306735279172011-03-10T19:42:03.375-06:002011-03-10T19:42:03.375-06:00Just bought Wild Night after reading the sample. I...Just bought Wild Night after reading the sample. I was intrigued by the cover. At first it reminded me of Amityville Horror. I look forward to reading it tonight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60909183507934883232011-03-10T18:48:42.057-06:002011-03-10T18:48:42.057-06:00Bravo Ann! It's hard to do well in publishing...Bravo Ann! It's hard to do well in publishing, but now with E-Books the future is a tad bit brighter. Still takes a lot of hard work, but I'm glad to see things are working out for you.<br /><br />And Joe, you know you rock...nice to see another book to buy. :-)<br /><br />Best,<br /><br /><a href="http://nicholaslasalla.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Nick</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-More-Day-ebook/dp/B004P1IZY8" rel="nofollow"><i>One More Day: A Modern Ghost Story</i></a>Nicholas La Sallahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00672628766188470171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-78730706246324007982011-03-10T17:53:27.989-06:002011-03-10T17:53:27.989-06:00jude said:
> In a previous post, Joe said:
&...jude said:<br />> In a previous post, Joe said: <br />> "It's best to ignore bowerbird. <br />> He's in love with <br />> the sound of his own voice."<br />> I think that <br />> sums it up perfectly.<br /><br />nonetheless, i told you so. :+)<br /><br />nyaa, nyaa, nyaa, nyaa, nyaa!<br /><br />and joe wants people to<br />"ignore" me so they won't<br />realize he just repeats what<br />i say, except i said it earlier.<br /><br />but hey, that's ok with me,<br />as long as people _listen_,<br />i don't care who gets "credit".<br /><br />indeed, i started _saving_<br />all the comments i write<br />-- because some bloggers<br />would delete them, really! --<br />and i'm gonna release them,<br />probably as a kindle-book,<br />and joe has gifted me with<br />the _perfect_ title for that:<br />"in love with the sound of<br />my own voice". thanks, joe!<br /><br />oh, and jude, i really did<br />mean what i said about<br />me being glad that you<br />are smarter now. i'm not<br />happy that you had to<br />learn things the hard way,<br />but i'm glad you did learn.<br /><br />now maybe your comments<br />will reflect that smarter,<br />more experienced person.<br /><br />and that'd be a good thing.<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34202352771320443002011-03-10T17:04:33.628-06:002011-03-10T17:04:33.628-06:00In a previous post, Joe said: It's best to ign...In a previous post, Joe said: <i>It's best to ignore bowerbird. He's in love with the sound of his own voice. Which he wouldn't be, if he listened to it.</i><br /><br />I think that sums it up perfectly.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76238311517934790082011-03-10T16:59:37.251-06:002011-03-10T16:59:37.251-06:00I TOLD YOU SO! NYAA NYAA NYAA!!!!
LOL!<i>I TOLD YOU SO! NYAA NYAA NYAA!!!!</i><br /><br />LOL!Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52916126416078292102011-03-10T16:49:50.072-06:002011-03-10T16:49:50.072-06:00@ Jude - I TOLD YOU SO! NYAA NYAA NYAA!!!!@ Jude - I TOLD YOU SO! NYAA NYAA NYAA!!!!JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-12175313262766112282011-03-10T16:42:15.888-06:002011-03-10T16:42:15.888-06:00Thanks, Selena. I'll take that hug. :)Thanks, Selena. I'll take that hug. :)Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77395651342477418682011-03-10T16:34:10.798-06:002011-03-10T16:34:10.798-06:00Aw Jude. I just wanna give you a great big HUG.
...Aw Jude. I just wanna give you a great big HUG. <br /><br />And it's just a testament to Joe and Blake and the other authors here who have been where you've been not to be meanly saying, "I told you so," but to be offering you advice through the landmine that is legacy publishing...kudos gentlemen.<br /><br />And another HUG for you Jude. You deserve a bigger e-audience than your publisher is gonna allow, I'm afraid. :(Selena Kitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17783685215421352626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-9813921379544567652011-03-10T15:31:20.940-06:002011-03-10T15:31:20.940-06:00Ann Voss Peterson said...
I do want to write a th...Ann Voss Peterson said...<br /><br /><i>I do want to write a thriller series with a slower developing romance as a subplot. I would love to let a romance develop over several books.</i><br /><br />I'm so glad authors can do that nowadays and not worry about who will publish it. <br /><br />Who would commit to episodic sci-fi novellas with a slow-building romance? Doesn't matter anymore. I'm worrying about covers and editing instead. <br /><br />Ain't the new model great?Ava Glasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735977036103714893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64446057117171248022011-03-10T15:19:10.557-06:002011-03-10T15:19:10.557-06:00I'm definitely going to get FLEE when it comes...I'm definitely going to get FLEE when it comes out! I love fast paced romantic suspense.<br /><br />Joe, I just saw that The List is up to #17, first page of Kindle Bestsellers! <br /><br />Way to go.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11727060933062642642noreply@blogger.com