tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post4761326472163092997..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Shaken by JA Konrath Press ReleaseJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-71386024583917983172012-05-23T10:21:19.210-05:002012-05-23T10:21:19.210-05:00You have been a tremendous inspiration to so many ...You have been a tremendous inspiration to so many authors, including me. I am now #24 in Thrillers & Mysteries on the best selling Indie list, http://ereadercorral.com/uncategorized/mid-may-top-indie-author-list/<br />in part because of what I learned reading your book. And following your blog. Thanks, JoanJoan Hall Hoveyhttp://www.joanhallhovey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11306760368680667922010-06-06T11:54:16.824-05:002010-06-06T11:54:16.824-05:00Joe, I'm so glad to see others doing this! I, ...Joe, I'm so glad to see others doing this! I, too, broke with my traditional publisher last year. With rights reverted to me on my eleven Charlie Parker backlist titles, books that were languishing are now reaching a whole new audience. Best move I ever made! <br /><br />We all have to keep in mind that readers come first. It used to break my heart to answer their question about when my next book would be coming out with "I don't know" simply because my publisher wouldn't commit to a new one. I decided that if the old publisher-distributor-bookstore model wasn't reaching my readers anymore, I could find a better way.<br /><br />Congratulations, and thanks for blazing the way!!Connie Sheltonhttp://connieshelton.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-71003836641774020482010-05-26T22:02:33.004-05:002010-05-26T22:02:33.004-05:00I believe it! I think I'm worried about where...I believe it! I think I'm worried about where that leaves everyone else--booksellers, etc. But I don't know that I SHOULD worry about all of them....it's more the small booksellers and such. I'm just torn and don't know what to think yet about all this change. That makes me sound waaaay older than 32. But really, congrats to you and I will be eagerly watching to see how this ripples down through the industry.Kirsten Oliphanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00496242688262871608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35140780676059986262010-05-26T06:09:57.932-05:002010-05-26T06:09:57.932-05:00Kiki, I'll probably make more on $2.99 than I&...Kiki, I'll probably make more on $2.99 than I've made on any of the other Jack Daniels books. Artists can earn more money on a low priced ebook than a high priced ebook controlled by one of the Big 6 publishers.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-47469081999829968912010-05-26T00:23:48.053-05:002010-05-26T00:23:48.053-05:00I'm so torn here...on the one hand, I think it...I'm so torn here...on the one hand, I think it's great that there is now the option for an author to secure a good deal on a book that publishers passed on. You obviously have a readership and a fan base of people eagerly awaiting this novel. I think that if the system isn't working, reform is good. Reform here might be too small a word--total re-envisioning, perhaps?<br /><br />But I got really stuck on the $2.99 price. I'm the biggest bargain shopper ever, so this is a great price. I'd buy about anything for that price. I know that there has been much discussion about the low pricing of ebooks and how this affects the paper trade and also what it goes to say about the value of books, and the value of authors. I love a cheap price, but it scares me that this could have a very negative backlash as well for the bookselling industry. There's not always a great margin of profit in selling books, and they are priced way above $2.99. and what about smaller booksellers, like alicia masters(who commented above)? They've already had a hard time competing with super stores that can slash prices. How will this affect them?<br /><br />So, I'm feeling happy for you, excited to see how things are changing, but also nervous about what this could mean.Kirsten Oliphanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00496242688262871608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35088409223083153942010-05-21T13:33:28.289-05:002010-05-21T13:33:28.289-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Casey Moretonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600174380649628026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76146780155656338772010-05-21T02:43:29.955-05:002010-05-21T02:43:29.955-05:00Can't wait to read the kindle edition! Thanks ...Can't wait to read the kindle edition! Thanks for sharing!Bookwhirlhttp://hubpages.com/profile/BookWhirlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49668269217249698092010-05-20T16:40:46.880-05:002010-05-20T16:40:46.880-05:00Amazon is 70%, of course
I thought that was afte...Amazon is 70%, of course<br /><br /><br />I thought that was after July 1? I didn't think Amazon was paying 70% now. What did I miss?Lynda Hilburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00431107222172666743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-55957666076729387292010-05-20T14:42:09.781-05:002010-05-20T14:42:09.781-05:00To address some points made above:
Learning to wr...To address some points made above:<br /><br />Learning to write well takes practice, lots of it. Why not self-pub your practice works and get feedback (and maybe beer money -- or tuition) from real users? Sure, once you have an idea of what you're doing you can learn from McKee and Maass and Block and the rest, but it's just book learnin' without practice.<br /><br />And in a business where it's routine to write under multiple pen names, ruin <i>which</i> reputation?<br /><br />(That said, the smarter you are about this business, the better you'll do -- as with just about everything else.)Alastair Mayerhttp://www.alastairmayer.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-84860756842140866342010-05-20T14:02:52.395-05:002010-05-20T14:02:52.395-05:00I should've said, the current rate that you ge...I should've said, the current rate that you get when going through Smashwords to BN is 42%. PubIt will almost certainly be higher.Moses Siregar IIIhttp://sciencefictionfantasybooks.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3582355694985997662010-05-20T13:13:22.125-05:002010-05-20T13:13:22.125-05:00The royalties with PubIt will probably be better t...The royalties with PubIt will probably be better than you would get if you go through Smashwords to get onto the Nook. PubIt says that their royalties will be competitive with other major services. So, it's probably in the 60-70% territory, or close to it. Amazon is 70%, of course, and iBookstore is 60% when going through Smashwords.Moses Siregar IIIhttp://sciencefictionfantasybooks.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59166228183270034232010-05-20T12:44:57.899-05:002010-05-20T12:44:57.899-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Casey Moretonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600174380649628026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-29708273102646286612010-05-20T12:43:11.484-05:002010-05-20T12:43:11.484-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Casey Moretonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600174380649628026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40295939308852698622010-05-20T12:15:24.077-05:002010-05-20T12:15:24.077-05:00Casey,
You can *already* get on the Nook for *fre...Casey,<br /><br />You can *already* get on the Nook for *free* using Smashwords. They can also put you on the iPad and the Kindle, too.<br /><br />LeeLee Goldberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13442268370192897461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54886533801133571042010-05-20T12:04:41.670-05:002010-05-20T12:04:41.670-05:00Anonymous, one of the things I love best about my ...Anonymous, one of the things I love best about my Kindle is the large print. I need bifocals (quite badly now) and still haven't gotten them. I read books with a huge font on Kindle. Even my ninety-three-year-old father, who's suffering from macular degeneration, can see the largest font with no problem.<br /><br />Based on what I've seen around the Amazon boards, it seems to me that a lot of Kindle readers are in fact in the demographic you mention, but I could certainly be wrong. In any event, it's a moot point, since as Joe pointed out, his book is coming out in paperback, too... although the print will be too small for me, I imagine:-).Ellen Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14631100471564370572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72197691442640154642010-05-20T10:52:38.981-05:002010-05-20T10:52:38.981-05:00You are losing a whole demographic.
My book is co...<i>You are losing a whole demographic.</i><br /><br />My book is coming out in print in February.<br /><br />Also, ereaders have big screens with no eyestrain, and the font is adjustable. So no more Large Print editions--ereaders can do it better.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-68144460761248977912010-05-20T07:49:27.369-05:002010-05-20T07:49:27.369-05:00Congratulations Joe! but I am going to miss you!! ...Congratulations Joe! but I am going to miss you!! You are losing a whole demographic. There are many of us who just aren't going to buy the readers; the expense, the small screens (for old eyes), not technically savy. Who buys more books, the 25yo or the 55yo? I work for a very small library and we still check out 2000 books a day. Books are still a viable commodity. Sigh!!You were the best!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66313866649761472832010-05-20T07:04:01.839-05:002010-05-20T07:04:01.839-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Casey Moretonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600174380649628026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86465287866952747912010-05-20T04:42:05.596-05:002010-05-20T04:42:05.596-05:00Jack, your initial grandma response was epic. 5 st...Jack, your initial grandma response was epic. 5 stars, and much respect.<br /><br />Joe, you might need to create a handy page with answers to the same frequent objections that pop up in every blog post now. Like ...<br /><br />Your initial Kindle success came from your prior name recognition, how will anyone find books in the future, reading ebooks means you'll never get laid again, etc.Moses Siregar IIIhttp://sciencefictionfantasybooks.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72445467157855077822010-05-19T23:06:43.535-05:002010-05-19T23:06:43.535-05:00Great discussions, but as a Jack Daniels fan, I...Great discussions, but as a Jack Daniels fan, I'm just glad we get a new novel.<br /><br />Congratulations Joe.PokerBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01861605814143830904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72374204956714198632010-05-19T21:23:42.474-05:002010-05-19T21:23:42.474-05:00Let's remember to play nice.Let's remember to play nice.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64466828617380047532010-05-19T19:25:15.927-05:002010-05-19T19:25:15.927-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jack H. H. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15495812906987846109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-9710801161440104842010-05-19T19:20:05.983-05:002010-05-19T19:20:05.983-05:00@Lee: “Self-publishing is not a substitute for act...@Lee: “Self-publishing is not a substitute for actually learning how to write. And self-publishing can hurt you.”<br /><br />I dunno, Lee. What’s it matter? I mean, who is gonna find your crap work anyway?<br /><br />I say let everyone have a crack. Those who impose self-restraint and learn some craft before self-publishing will obviously be more successful than others. But by and large, it shouldn’t hurt their chances of success at a later date. Hell, Joe’s selling stuff he wrote before his craft was ‘worthy’ of publication. It doesn’t seem to be ruining his income levels.<br /><br />As for learning the craft: again, I dunno. I’ve sat in on a few story meetings and wondered what the hell we were going to do with that ep’s guest actor, his crap story arc, the constraints of too many interiors, etc etc. You know how it plays?<br /><br />Those experiences are probably as effective a tool for learning craft as digesting a hundred books and penning a dozen self-pubbed novels in free-form conversational Na’vi.<br /><br />Ditto the worth of writing workshops. <br /><br />How many punters rock up to McKee and leave with not a clue on how to successfully imbed that info into their work? Same goes for Donald Maas advice.<br /><br />You can teach people a ton of writing craft and still they fail to create an interesting tale.<br /><br />Anyway, I’m not saying you’re wrong … actually I don’t know what I’m saying, probably talking in Na’vi.<br /><br />Maybe: Aspiring authors, go write and publish. You’ll learn something somewhere. Well, one hopes you will! <br /><br />No drama if you don’t.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5870300066659886562010-05-19T18:20:56.362-05:002010-05-19T18:20:56.362-05:00Jack wrote: "For young authors, self-publishi...Jack wrote: "For young authors, self-publishing is a genuine learning experience. New York doesn't give them notes. Classes and writing groups are almost always useless. And "self releasing" on Kindle hurts no one. It can even buy pizza. Every writer starts Bad."<br /><br />Oh. My. God. That is all so wrong-headed and ignorant I almost don't know where to begin...or how to do so politely. <br /><br />What you are saying is, essentially, "you don't need no schoolin' to learn nuthin', just do whatever you want to do and figure it out along the way." It's equating ignorance with intelligence. <br /><br />Classes and writing groups are vitally important to learning the skills required to be a writing and for honing your craft. <br /><br />Every writer does not start out bad...unskilled maybe, but some show remarkable talent very early on, they only need to learn how to harness it. <br /><br />Self-publishing is not a substitute for actually learning how to write. And self-publishing can hurt you. Joe has built a reputation based on his work, and that is what has led to his success. If the work you put out there is unreadable slop, that's what you will be known for. The readers won't come back and sample you when you've finally written something good.<br /><br />LeeLee Goldberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13442268370192897461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45123839259774490072010-05-19T17:56:53.026-05:002010-05-19T17:56:53.026-05:00Lee,
You took that quote out of context. My plan ...Lee,<br /><br />You took that quote out of context. My plan has two parts.<br /><br />(1) Write 100 Badass Novels.<br /><br />(2) Every Day, Focus On Craft.<br /><br />I began as a playwright in college. My writer / director / actor peers produced indie theater for friends and strangers. We sold $5 tickets. We evolved our craft In The Arena. Because a paying customer is the best teacher in the world.<br /><br />For young authors, self-publishing is a genuine learning experience. New York doesn't give them notes. Classes and writing groups are almost always useless. And "self releasing" on Kindle hurts no one. It can even buy pizza. Every writer starts Bad. What the newbie needs most is encouragement and practice, not insults and predictions of doom.<br /><br />For professional authors, Kindle is Free Money.<br /><br />For readers, Kindle is bliss.<br /><br />It's win-win-win.<br /><br />- JackJack H. H. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15495812906987846109noreply@blogger.com