tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post4138618308106171598..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: 99 CentsJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3484227986206958812012-08-01T11:34:23.301-05:002012-08-01T11:34:23.301-05:00Joe,
As a thank you for all the invaluable stuff...Joe,<br /> As a thank you for all the invaluable stuff you pass along in your blog, as well as the incredible books, I have mentioned you in the dedication for my first book on Amazon. Thank you. <br />Take a look. http://tinyurl.com/cw327cdBittermachttp://www.bittermac.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86992458938276107612012-07-20T17:19:03.860-05:002012-07-20T17:19:03.860-05:00Sounds like this may have promise.
I'll try i...Sounds like this may have promise.<br /><br />I'll try it with my own book and let you know i it works for someone who's freshly published on Kindle.Todd Ohlhttp://www.toddohl.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40701895754374543092012-07-18T02:00:41.777-05:002012-07-18T02:00:41.777-05:00What geek would start a flame war here? Are these ...What geek would start a flame war here? Are these operatives of the Big Six or what? The only thing an agent ever did for me was send me to Joe's blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50038349611683389132012-07-16T19:07:16.911-05:002012-07-16T19:07:16.911-05:00I thought that the description on Amazon for The P...<i>I thought that the description on Amazon for The Paradise Prophecy was kind of a bitter pill to swallow.</i><br /><br />The nice thing about indie publishing is that I can now write my own descriptions and don't have to ask for changes. And if something isn't working, I can easily tweak it.<br /><br />The Paradise Prophecy is one book I don't have the rights to and my publisher is handling the marketing and promo as they see fit.<br /><br />The people at Penguin are great, however, and they've worked their butts off trying to get the book attention.Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12785299355462748009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-83784286699878808712012-07-16T16:54:52.728-05:002012-07-16T16:54:52.728-05:00"I'm not competing with them. I'm com...<i>"I'm not competing with them. I'm competing with myself."</i><br /><br />I meant to mention, when I checked out your books I thought your covers were great. Obviously, when I'm talking about people who are putting in a "3" effort I wasn't talking about you. The amount of effort you put into your stuff is pretty close to "11".<br /><br />Great covers and I love the Pen Name of your self-publishing company. <br /><br />I thought that the description on Amazon for The Paradise Prophecy was kind of a bitter pill to swallow. You might want to ping your publisher and see if that description can be tightened up. It is confusing and lacks storyline punch.<br /><br />The 4th paragrah (with a few minor edits) is what should be the first paragraph. And you can't even see that 4th paragraph if you don't click on "Show More".<br /><br />Best of luck to you, Rob. I really enjoyed reading your posts.evilphiliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10100843889719733921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-55418899507668342692012-07-16T14:23:50.492-05:002012-07-16T14:23:50.492-05:00I don't need to sell to millions, just thousan...I don't need to sell to millions, just thousands to make a great living.<br /><br />If customer A only has money this month for her favorite Nora Roberts then she isn't my customer.<br /><br />If customer B has money to try 3 previously unknown to her authors, I'm hoping for her as a reader, then I might get her.<br /><br />That's what I'm working for, anyway.Jill Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754506629717417267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-30011935148231272422012-07-16T14:03:54.361-05:002012-07-16T14:03:54.361-05:00"To Anon #2, all I need is roughly 30 sales o...<i>"To Anon #2, all I need is roughly 30 sales of $2.99 a day to quit my low paying day job. I don't need to be a huge bestseller to support myself."</i><br /><br />Congrats, Wayne! That is the level I'm at right now. I haven't quit my day job, but I see it coming in the near future.evilphiliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10100843889719733921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77740888595991357052012-07-16T14:02:06.605-05:002012-07-16T14:02:06.605-05:00"So trying to scare us into thinking that ind...<i>"So trying to scare us into thinking that indie publishing is somehow a BAD idea, is completely ridiculous. For one thing, going indie REMOVES half of the fears we already have."</i><br /><br />I'm not scared. I was commenting on the earlier part of this thread where people were talking about the <i>quality</i> of indie books.<br /><br />Right now, I do see that as lacking. Too much crap from too many people who think that <i>Close Enough is Good Enough</i>.<br /><br />And I think that drags everyone doing indie stuff down.<br /><br />As for the "Big 6" going away. That isn't going to happen. Right now (IMHO) they still have the advantage of having the best books and the best authors. As we transition from print media to digital they are still in the position of having the best books from the best authors. In fact, everything I've been reading says that despite the closure of Borders and the slow loss of many Barnes & Noble physical stores that the big publishers are making more money and selling more books than ever before.<br /><br />It isn't doom and gloom with big publishers. I'm sure there are a lot of people in that industry who are scared -- change is always scary. <br /><br />But overall they are taking advantage of the digital revolution just as much as everyone else and enjoying making $9.99 or $12.99 off a product they didn't have to print, ship or take returns on.evilphiliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10100843889719733921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50347358133172833542012-07-16T12:26:53.427-05:002012-07-16T12:26:53.427-05:00To Anon #2, all I need is roughly 30 sales of $2.9...To Anon #2, all I need is roughly 30 sales of $2.99 a day to quit my low paying day job. I don't need to be a huge bestseller to support myself.<br /><br />That's only 10000 people who read only 1 book of mine per year and didn't go on to read others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37569771149269755582012-07-16T11:22:10.287-05:002012-07-16T11:22:10.287-05:00And right now, luck favors the self-published.
Ri...<i>And right now, luck favors the self-published.</i><br /><br />Right now, maybe, but I would say over time luck favors those with the opportunity to diversify.<br /><br />I have one title from a small press, a multi-book contract with Thomas and Mercer, and a couple of self-published novellas under a pen name (which are <a href="http://tiny.cc/blpbgw" rel="nofollow">free</a> now through Friday). I'm thinking about self-publishing more in the future, but right now I'm keeping busy with the T&M titles. And, if the right Big 6 offer came along, I might consider that as well.<br /><br />The publishing climate might be altogether different a year or two from now, so it would probably behoove those in it for the long haul to keep an open mind and avoid burning bridges.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10394230025748590192012-07-16T10:28:56.820-05:002012-07-16T10:28:56.820-05:00After that, it's in the hands of Fate in terms...<i>After that, it's in the hands of Fate in terms of whether large numbers of readers will like our work.</i><br /><br />I really like David, and he's right. But after writing a good book, writers do have a choice on how to reach those readers. I don't believe in fate. But I do believe in luck, and odds. And right now, luck favors the self-published.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77128887562935335562012-07-16T10:26:12.493-05:002012-07-16T10:26:12.493-05:00When you make statements and I ask you questions a...<i>When you make statements and I ask you questions about them, that doesn't make me confrontational. I'm not trying to confront you, I'm merely asking you a question.</i><br /><br />I like Rob, but if he was being a jerk, I'd ban him. He's not being a jerk. In fact, he's being incredibly polite and gracious.<br /><br />His motives are obvious and transparent, because he posts under his name. Asking you your motives isn't the least bit offensive. In fact, it would add to the discussion if you explained who you are. Names aren't needed. But if you are an editor, a newbie, a reader, or a bestselling author, it would help.<br /><br />For example, when I'm arguing with a newbie who has never worked int he legacy system, they don't truly know how writers are treated by the Big 6. When arguing with a legacy bestseller, they tend to be protective of the status quo and feel entitlement. It makes the debate smoother, and more direct.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23173706784231326452012-07-16T10:23:50.857-05:002012-07-16T10:23:50.857-05:00This kind of unfairly casting doubt on my motives ...<i>This kind of unfairly casting doubt on my motives is what I consider an AD HOMINEN.<br /><br />And therefore I will no longer debate you, for that reason and also I find you CONFRONTATIONAL.</i><br /><br />I find it ironic that someone who posts anonymously about what the future might hold, while offering nothing but speculation to back up their claims, finds ME confrontational.<br /><br />Yes. Please ignore me. We'll both be much happier.Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12785299355462748009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-87946032015832341682012-07-16T10:21:17.913-05:002012-07-16T10:21:17.913-05:00You have stated multiple times that your blog gets...<i>You have stated multiple times that your blog gets millions of hits per year. I think you also said that at best your blog gets about 30,000 unique hits a day.<br /><br />And somehow people still manage to find you on Amazon.</i><br /><br />I dealt with this meme too often to do it again. See my resoponse and rebuttles here:<br /><br /><a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2012/01/reality-check.html" rel="nofollow">http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2012/01/reality-check.html</a><br /><br /><i>All that can be explained by the following:<br /><br />"What have you done for me lately?" said the reader to the author.</i><br /><br />Actually, no. There are new Mickey Spillane and Sidney Sheldon books being written, but they aren't getting the same distribution as they were years ago with the whole paperback/rack jobber revolution. Thus, ebook sales aren't being spurred.<br /><br />What made them big was distribution. That particular distribution--rack jobbing--collapsed. Just like bookstores will collapse. When that happens, so long Nora Roberts dominating the ebook market.<br /><br /><i>Should current indie authors try to hasten the collapse of traditional publishers? NO THEY SHOULD NOT.</i><br /><br />I see my peers being exploited, abused, treated unfairly, and making far less money than they could. I see depression and unhappiness and crushed hopes and dreams.<br /><br />Sure, I could leave that alone and let it be.<br /><br />But I won't.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81395020593359104682012-07-16T10:15:31.512-05:002012-07-16T10:15:31.512-05:00I will not repeat myself about this point, because...<i>I will not repeat myself about this point, because I find you CONFRONTATIONAL, I'm here to hold a civil discussion, not cast doubt about other poster's motives as I think my own motives have been questioned unfairly.</i><br /><br />When you make statements and I ask you questions about them, that doesn't make me confrontational. I'm not trying to confront you, I'm merely asking you a question.<br /><br />And, I'm sorry, but if you post ANONYMOUSLY, expect to have your movies questioned.Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12785299355462748009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44042383613861869242012-07-16T10:11:42.958-05:002012-07-16T10:11:42.958-05:00But some players have a better starting position (...<i>But some players have a better starting position (meaning already famous), not to mention better game playing skills (meaning better writing talent).</i><br /><br />Agreed. I've said for ten years that becoming successful is like get hit by lightning. It's luck. But you can improve your chances at getting hit by lightning. Writing good books, building a fanbase, marketing well, these can all help.<br /><br /><i>I wonder if there is going to be enough spare change left over to buy ebooks from:</i><br /><br />Yep. Just like there's enough room for 300 cable TV channels, and four billion videos on Youtube.<br /><br />Sure, some YouTube videos won't be watched, just like some ebooks won't be read. But quality does seem to eventually find an audience. Maybe not to smashing success, but authors don't need smashing success. They need 100 sales a day.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52540828217195899262012-07-16T10:07:37.956-05:002012-07-16T10:07:37.956-05:00If distribution was all that mattered then, every ...<i>If distribution was all that mattered then, every mediocre title that the Big 6 got behind would have been huge bestsellers.</i><br /><br />Luck still plays a part. I'd contend that a lot of mediocre titles have become bestsellers, and a quick check of Amazon ratings will confirm this. Look how many bestselling books have under a 3 star, or even 2 star average.<br /><br />No, quality isn't the reason for bestsellers. Omnipresence is. But we won't know for sure until publishers are gone.<br /><br /><i>THen is stands to reason that with MORE COMPETITION--INDIE AUTHORS WILL NEED MORE LUCK.</i><br /><br />Actually, if there are three billion ebook readers out there, I have a much better chance at getting lucky. I only need to sell a few hundred ebooks a day to be rich. And I'll have a better chance at that when ebooks are global.<br /><br />Let's say there are currently 100 million ebook readers, and 1 million ebook titles on Amazon. In ten years, there will be billions of ebook readers (following the path of mp3s). But there won't be a corresponding 100 million ebook titles available--there aren't that many people writing ebooks, and never will be.<br /><br />So luck favors me.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72744515052093026002012-07-16T10:01:10.787-05:002012-07-16T10:01:10.787-05:00Haven't been reading this entire blog much hav...<i>Haven't been reading this entire blog much have you?</i><br /><br />Have you? Quote me where I say I can't wait to see the Big 6 go under. They will go under, but show me where I delight in it in a schadenfreude way. <br /><br />As Eisler says, "When someone is sick, we want them to get better." If the Big 6 figured it out and started treating authors well, they'd pose some competition for Amazon, and competition is good.<br /><br /><i>When it concerns money--it is always a zero sum game because money isn't INFINITE.</i><br /><br />We don't need infinity. We need a growing marketplace which a single author could never saturate. And that already exists right now.<br /><br /><i>Even for the consumers wealthy enough to be able to hoard books, there comes a time when too much is just tooooooo much--a saturation level.</i><br /><br />Name ten people you know who have stopped consuming because they are saturated, and never plan to consume media again. I don't know any. But even if you do, the people I know keep reading and buying booking, no matter how big their TBR pile is.<br /><br />Ebooks are going to reach BILLIONS of people within a decade. My guess is more people are buying ereaders than are publishing ebooks. The demand is outpacing the supply of new material. The market is getting bigger, not smaller. <br /><br />I may be wrong, but I don't think I am. Who has numbers showing ebook growth vs. self-pub growth?<br /><br /><i>ALL THE CHEAP NEW OFFEREINGS AND CHEAP BACKLISTS OF ALL THE OTHER FAMOUS BIG NAME AUTHORS--and not look twice at the no name stagnating indie or the newbie indie.</i><br /><br />That's a guess with zero evidence behind it.<br /><br />I have proof that self-pubbed authors can sell lots of ebooks. There is zero proof they will stop selling lots of ebooks if X happens. I'll go with proof over a guess.<br /><br />But so far you're making a reasonable argument, so good for you. It's nice to see anonymous posts without abuse in them.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86822840834151889312012-07-16T09:56:49.489-05:002012-07-16T09:56:49.489-05:00Jude Hardin said...
"After I get settled fro...Jude Hardin said... <br />"After I get settled from having returned from ThrillerFest (a lot of writing to catch up on), I'm going to post a blog on my website about the following topic. It's my general impression that many people go to writers conferences because they want to find an easy formula to become a bestselling author. My own view is that if someone's goal is merely to make money as a bestselling author, then that person is chasing the market and already behind the curve. The only goal should be to write the best, most exciting, most moving, most meaningful book we can. After that, it's in the hands of Fate in terms of whether large numbers of readers will like our work.<br />--David Morrell, NYT bestselling creator of Rambo. Posted on Facebook this morning (7/16/2012)."<br /><br />THANK YOU Jude Hardin.<br />Your response is productive and does not contain confrontation or straw man arguments.<br /><br />Good luck with your writing.<br /><br />Anon #2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86417016447688230062012-07-16T09:53:57.018-05:002012-07-16T09:53:57.018-05:00Michael McClung said...
"Yes, I know what gr...Michael McClung said... <br />"Yes, I know what gravy train means, thank you, though your urban dictionary definition leaves something to be desired. Personally I'd go with wikepedia on this one:<br /><br />(idiomatic) An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk. <br /><br />Considerable income. Little effort. Little risk. This is how you see indie publishing? Seriously? And you think trad pub authors will take that away from you if the publishing houses collapse?"<br /><br />That is a STRAW MAN ARGUMENT because I did NOT USE YOUR WIKIPEDIA DEFINITION.<br /><br />Michael McClung said... <br />"Just what kind of things do you write, how much do you make, and how much effort do you put into it, anonymous?"<br /><br />My arguments stand on logic, your inquiries will not change the logic of my arguments.<br /><br />I will no longer debate you because I do not like to answer STRAW MAN ARGUMENTS as well as inquiries that bear no weight on the current argument.<br /><br />Future posts directed at me will be ignored.<br /><br />Anon #2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60578904686876189052012-07-16T09:49:47.566-05:002012-07-16T09:49:47.566-05:00Rob Gregory Browne said...
"Time and again I ...Rob Gregory Browne said...<br />"Time and again I see people come here and elsewhere (never using their names, of course) and try to use scare tactics to make a point. "If you don't watch out, the world will come crashing down around you!<br /><br />To my mind, such tactics speak more about you than about the authors you're targeting."<br /><br /><br />This kind of unfairly casting doubt on my motives is what I consider an AD HOMINEN.<br /><br />And therefore I will no longer debate you, for that reason and also I find you CONFRONTATIONAL.<br /><br />Logical people can decide for themselves who made the better argument.<br /><br />All future posts directed at me will be ignored.<br /><br />Anon #2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48556702592656646992012-07-16T09:45:07.989-05:002012-07-16T09:45:07.989-05:00Rob Gregory Browne said...
"So, in other wor...Rob Gregory Browne said... <br />"So, in other words, we'd have the same chance of getting noticed that we do in the traditional publishing world?"<br /><br />No that is a misrepresentation of my argument which was--it's harder to compete on price against famous big name authors.<br />I won't argue this point anymore either, logical people can decide for themselves who made the better argument.<br /><br />Rob Gregory Browne said...<br />"What's the point of your argument?"<br /><br />I told everyone my point on the Anonymous post at 6:22 AM<br /><br />I will not repeat myself about this point, because I find you CONFRONTATIONAL, I'm here to hold a civil discussion, not cast doubt about other poster's motives as I think my own motives have been questioned unfairly.<br /><br />Anon #2<br /><br />Anon #2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5244249528415699352012-07-16T09:37:50.238-05:002012-07-16T09:37:50.238-05:00Rob Gregory Browne said...
"My sales will be ...Rob Gregory Browne said...<br />"My sales will be what they are. People don't buy just ONE book."<br /><br /><br />Whatever...<br /><br />My example tried to show what would happen if there was a monopoly situation (one author in one genre with no competition) , and what would happen in a situation where an average writer went head to head against top quality writers.<br /><br />I'm not going to argue this point ANYMORE. Logical people can decide for themselves who made the better argument.<br /><br />Anon #2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34840175096405579552012-07-16T09:35:42.369-05:002012-07-16T09:35:42.369-05:00There is an interesting interview on the BBC Books...There is an interesting interview on the BBC Books and Authors podcast available via iTunes and also via the BBC Radio websites.<br /><br />It concerns ebook sales figures and why Amazon does not release its figures other than the occasional news pieces about a million book seller.<br /><br />Amazon has 85 to 95% of the UK ebook market. They were invited to contribute to the discussion but did not.<br /><br />The guess is that Amazon want to keep their figures secret so as not to identify the price sweet spot to their competitors.<br /><br />Also did you realise that not only do Amazon know which book you bought, they also know whether you read it or not.<br /><br />This is incredible data to have that in the future will strengthen Amazon's position as a publisher because they will know exactly which books and authors are bought and read and which to recommission or do deals with.<br /><br />Fifty Shades of Grey is said to have sold as many ebooks as print books. "J K Rowling territory," according to the expert interviewed.<br /><br />All fascinating stuff.<br /><br />Anonymously OptimisticAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-83204294054145232712012-07-16T09:12:57.221-05:002012-07-16T09:12:57.221-05:00No, of course not. These avid readers would gorge ...<i>No, of course not. These avid readers would gorge themselves on ALL THE CHEAP NEW OFFEREINGS AND CHEAP BACKLISTS OF ALL THE OTHER FAMOUS BIG NAME AUTHORS--and not look twice at the no name stagnating indie or the newbie indie.</i><br /><br />So, in other words, we'd have the same chance of getting noticed that we do in the traditional publishing world?<br /><br />What's the point of your argument? Despite all the big names out there, new writers get noticed all the time. New bestsellers are born. Lesser known authors manage to make a living, as I have.<br /><br />It won't be any different if the playing field is ebooks only, at low prices for everyone.<br /><br />Time and again I see people come here and elsewhere (never using their names, of course) and try to use scare tactics to make a point. "If you don't watch out, the world will come crashing down around you!"<br /><br />To my mind, such tactics speak more about you than about the authors you're targeting. <br /><br />But there's something you have to understand: authors, by nature, are scared all the time. Every single day of our careers we've had to wonder if are sales are any good, if we'll get another contract, if the powers that be will continue to buy our books, if they'll bother to promote us properly, if the cover they have designed will be any good, if they'll make us change the parts of the book we love, if the success we're having today will still be here tomorrow. Hell, we worry that the book we're currently working on is a big piece of shit.<br /><br />So trying to scare us into thinking that indie publishing is somehow a BAD idea, is completely ridiculous. For one thing, going indie REMOVES half of the fears we already have.<br /><br />And if I'm in control of EVERYTHING but the buying proclivities of the average reader, then I figure I'm in pretty good shape.<br /><br />So, anonymous, if you're an agent or a publishing exec who thinks you can scare us into staying in your world, why not try another tactic?<br /><br />Give us more control over our books and pay us a balanced, fair royalty for, you know, giving you a job. That tactic might actually work.Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12785299355462748009noreply@blogger.com