tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post7195904098456769993..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: A Response to Richard CurtisJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2214064518739430502012-11-23T10:10:06.461-06:002012-11-23T10:10:06.461-06:00oh, also thanks for all the references to other gr...oh, also thanks for all the references to other great sites which are now neatly bookmarked and soon to be read.Milahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08750713418660755373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66519257397580181602012-11-23T10:08:52.305-06:002012-11-23T10:08:52.305-06:00I've just discovered your blog and I'm lov...I've just discovered your blog and I'm loving it! I moved here to Chile 6 years ago--ditching a lucrative career--in the hopes of writing "The Great American Novel." As I started looking into agents/publishers and the like, I lost faith in myself and my ability to produce something that would get anyone's notice.<br /><br />These past few days, 6 years later and the burning desire to spin my yarns intact, I began to see little ads for Kindle self-publishing all over the place. I stumbled onto your site and have decided that this is the route I will take.<br /><br />Thank you so much for this blog and for encouraging so many of us to pursue our dreams.<br /><br />Look for me soon... <br />D. Mila BulicMilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08750713418660755373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-28349551066509611222011-09-21T11:10:30.635-05:002011-09-21T11:10:30.635-05:00I have been writing for many years now, and have h...I have been writing for many years now, and have had several of my works published. However the hardest part I always come to when I am writing, is getting it published. Most would say writers block, but I have had the hardest time getting my work published until I started <a href="http://www.instantpublisher.com/self-publishing/index.asp" rel="nofollow">self publishing</a> my own work through a great resource I found. I found that their unique transfer software allows just about any body submit their books from any manuscript layout software they use. Soon enough they will then publish a book in trade quality from as many copies as you desire. It even takes only a week to get the published copies. Instantpublisher has saved me so many different troubles when it comes to writing.caligirl88https://www.blogger.com/profile/00488844517143793685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62547393503583192772011-08-10T09:56:00.101-05:002011-08-10T09:56:00.101-05:00The ebook industry is fantastic because it gives b...The ebook industry is fantastic because it gives both the authors and readers a greater choice. The authors can write what they want, without having to worry about crossing genres, or sticking to a particular genre. And the readers can choose what they want to read for a cheaper price.LK Wattshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09366991733427612418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86327718077812873162011-06-17T17:22:33.831-05:002011-06-17T17:22:33.831-05:00Right on, Mr Konrath! I love your blog! Read it re...Right on, Mr Konrath! I love your blog! Read it regularly.<br /><br />Timhorror suspensehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07656549245753110699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-88987595841089335312011-03-22T14:37:21.521-05:002011-03-22T14:37:21.521-05:00jtplayer said:
Secondly, 4 books a years is a lot...<i>jtplayer said:<br /><br />Secondly, 4 books a years is a lot of writing, and calls for a fairly prolific muse. Unless of course an author is simply rewriting the same story over and over again, or turning out mediocre crap, or just going through the motions because he can and his audience excuses it.<br /><br />But for me, I'll take quality over quantity any day, and at any price. Sure, there's times I read throwaway stuff, like the old pulps and dime novels I enjoy so much. But more often I want a well written, well plotted, engaging story to read. </i><br /><br />The counterexamples that I would suggest you think about are Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein. All three were very prolific authors from the 1930s until their deaths in respectively, 1992, 2008, and 1988. Quoting from Wikipedia:<br /><br />"Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 9,000 letters and postcards."<br /><br />The bibliography page for Clarke lists 33 novels, 31 non-fiction books, and 13 short story collections.<br /><br />"Heinlein published 32 novels, 59 short stories, and 16 collections during his life. Four films, two TV series, several episodes of a radio series, and a board game have been derived more or less directly from his work. He wrote a screenplay for one of the films. Heinlein edited an anthology of other writers' SF short stories."<br /><br />All three of these authors were masters of their craft. They basically set expectations for an entire genre. Asimov also wrote at least one chemistry textbook that I'm aware of, a history of Europe, mysteries, and a ton of humor. He wrote well over 200 books.<br /><br />(Side note: Among other things, Clarke wrote a proposal describing geostationary satellites in 1945.)<br /><br />Asimov clearly demonstrated that it _is_ possible to write four books a year. Keep in mind that for virtually all of his career, he was doing it by banging on a manual typewriter. Then there was wading through the painful editing process with manual markup with all the exchanges by courier instead of email. How much faster can people be with the tools available today, especially if they aren't hung up in the slow turnaround times typical of traditional publishing?sgtrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17049769407828372946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49836684630540240362011-03-21T20:29:16.783-05:002011-03-21T20:29:16.783-05:00I just added my sales for the month. Between Kindl...I just added my sales for the month. Between Kindle and B&N, I've sold 942. I should make 1000 by the end of the week. Yes!<br /><br />The most sales are for my 99-cent book, Dead People, but I'm still happy. I'm making more than I was last month, and next month I expect to make even more. <br /><br />I'm for sure making more than a year ago when I was querying agents and editors. Thank God I don't have to do that any more.Edie Ramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084144940233965447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39017077541254464822011-03-02T13:42:06.763-06:002011-03-02T13:42:06.763-06:00I'll just add my voice to the chorus of indie ...I'll just add my voice to the chorus of indie authors who tried the traditional agent/publisher route for years to no avail and couldn't bear to see a decent book locked in the closet. Smashwords gave my book a chance at life. Though I'm not burning up the bestseller lists, I have done pretty well in the Thriller category; so much so that I went ahead and offered a POD paperback version on Amazon and B&N. Now local book clubs are reading my book and local stores are arranging signings. Livin' the dream. Having some readers is better than no readers, any day.J. Alexander Greenwoodhttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-57185928245404434762011-02-08T08:26:15.160-06:002011-02-08T08:26:15.160-06:00I don't know if anyone will see me squeaking d...I don't know if anyone will see me squeaking down at the bottom here, but I just have to agree with you - epublishing, particularly Kindle, is creating a brave new world that authors badly need. <br /><br />1 - While self-pubbed print books may sometimes look amateurish, the Kindle is the Kindle. All books look the same. So no off-putting typsetting, squished leading, unreadable measures and so on. <br /><br />2 - Readers can browse the first few pages, so every book has its chance to make a great impression if it is good.<br /><br />3 - The price of a Kindle book is much more attractive, so a reader is willing to give an unfamiliar book a chance as an impulse buy. Except for those from mainstream publishers, because their marketing people demand they keep pace with the print books. Authors don't have to charge nearly as much for a Kindle book to earn decently from them.<br /><br />Mainstream publishers have held back innovation in the book industry with their punitive contracts and greedy pricing. <br /><br />They have also held back the artform by insisting on books being a certain length, regardless of whether the content is being artificially padded or condensed to the point of suffocation. Now books can be as long or as short as they need to be. They have stultified literary innovation by turning down perfectly good books because booksellers wouldn't know where to shelves them.<br /><br />Ereaders have put power back in the hands of readers. And that means writers can once again write for readers, not booksellers.Roz Morris aka @Roz_Morris . Blog: Nail Your Novelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10088813423467048081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-91937951834545747472011-02-01T09:20:11.694-06:002011-02-01T09:20:11.694-06:00Very inspirational, I am so glad I found this blog...Very inspirational, I am so glad I found this blog.<br /><br />I'm in the process of co-authoring my first book. It's non-fiction and I already have some access to and credibility in the market, though I feel the potential for this book is huge and didn't want it being limited by deal with a small press.<br /><br />I was already think about self publishing, but hearing this all from you, Joe, has really solidified my plan.<br /><br />What I take away most here is pricing my book at 2.99 on Kindle. I never would have thought to do that, especially with the notions of perceived value and whatnot, but now it makes sense to me.<br /><br />Thanks again Joe, I'll send you a free copy in a few months when it's done.JShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08904172083572643142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70869539907661271192011-01-16T23:06:51.289-06:002011-01-16T23:06:51.289-06:00I am impressed with the content of the article. I ...I am impressed with the content of the article. I have been trying this method and I have seen some real improvements. This method is very useful.Chicago cleaning servicehttp://www.1chicagocleaning.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79307367368451570902011-01-16T19:31:14.177-06:002011-01-16T19:31:14.177-06:00Fantastic article! I started a company that does e...Fantastic article! I started a company that does eBook conversion for authors: Check it out at www.BeaconHillApps.comJesse Waiteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11315845698975746925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18365201711278350562011-01-16T12:38:39.468-06:002011-01-16T12:38:39.468-06:00The industry is in trouble. It's a shame that ...The industry is in trouble. It's a shame that they have their eyes closed or their fingers in their ears pretending they don't know what's happening.Susie McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11672732605360996946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52801098860755497122011-01-11T14:37:53.719-06:002011-01-11T14:37:53.719-06:00Not all writers will find their vision of success....Not all writers will find their vision of success. <br /><br />Congratulations to all those reaping the benefit of hard work!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13922434004092399756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34253186846915008662011-01-09T03:58:08.127-06:002011-01-09T03:58:08.127-06:00Joe's books are around 70,000 words, so seven ...Joe's books are around 70,000 words, so seven a year comes out to 490,000 words.<br /><br />If writes 2,000 words a day, five days a week, fifty weeks a year (i.e. a regular working year for most people) he'll have 10,000 words to spare.<br /><br />2,000 words a day is not a particularly grueling pace, especially when you're not working another job.<br /><br />The bigger issue is whether you have the ideas to do that much, and how much you feel the need to rewrite and edit.Justin Jordanhttp://hyperpulp5000.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33742164001549672602011-01-08T12:30:13.812-06:002011-01-08T12:30:13.812-06:00The bottom line is always going to be whether or n...The bottom line is always going to be whether or not the writing is any good.<br /><br />I believe that every voice is important and every story is worth being heard, but not everybody is a good writer.<br /><br />Regarding e-books, this format has opened the doors for many folks who have long held the dream of becoming a published author.<br /><br />I know with my own work, many of the fans of my Pug At The Beach books have appreciated having access to otherwise unpublished material that traditional publishers might consider not successful (poems about drinking with Hemingway or short, short stories in the manner of Guy de Maupassant.)<br /><br />Here's what I mean:<br />http://amzn.to/JacksonDunesJackson Dunes, Pug At The Beachhttp://amzn.to/JacksonDunesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79037990959715985062011-01-08T12:22:03.106-06:002011-01-08T12:22:03.106-06:00Regardless of the format in which a body of writin...Regardless of the format in which a body of writing is presented, the bottom line is always going to be the skill of a writer. <br /><br />My belief is that every voice is important and every story is worth being told, but not everyone is a good writer.<br /><br />Self publishing opens to door to a dream come true for folks who have held the dream of becoming an author but might not have been able to do so otherwise.<br /><br />Regarding e-books, after hearing about Mr. Konrath (via Karen McQuestion on NPR's The Story) I added to my existing Amazon/Kindle collection a few of my books that were waiting for the right opportunity. <br /><br />My fans have appreciated having access to these books which may have gone unpublished because they might not fit into a traditional publisher's idea of successful such as poems about drinking with Hemingway or short, short stories in the manner of Guy de Maupassant. <br /><br />http://amzn.to/JacksonDunesJackson Dunes, Pug At The Beachhttp://amzn.to/JacksonDunesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52283998249127551092011-01-08T08:35:52.105-06:002011-01-08T08:35:52.105-06:00Literary agents must feel terribly threatened by t...Literary agents must feel terribly threatened by the tremors of continental shift shaking their crumbling world.<br /><br />Mr. Curtis is a very talented agent who apparently feels compelled to share his perceptions, ex cathedra, with the rest of us. Many authors swear by him, others about him. Ten years ago he passed on a new book of mine while in his next sentence soliciting my reverted backlist for his ebook stable. (Be interesting to know what became of that stable.) <br /><br />He opined that those of us culled in the midlist purges of the 80's weren't up to writing for "today's finicky publishers." He also shared a few salient insights into my proposal--sparking a rewrite :) -- and graciously wished me well. As agents go, Curtis is one of the good guys. <br /><br />The more nimble-witted of agents will surely create niches for themselves as publishing's new topography becomes clearer.<br /><br />There'll be much more outraged, wounded bellowing before this is over: dinosaurs and absolute monarchs never go quietly. <br /><br />So what was all this nonsense about Americans not liking to read, thus lowering book sales? Perhaps it was merely that they couldn't afford to read? Now that they can, they're reading more.<br /><br />The ebook revolution is the greatest change in mass communication since Gutenburg in 1439 invented movable type, sparking the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution.<br /><br />Thank you, Joe, for leading us out of the darkness.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Steve <br /><br />http://www.stephenamesberry.com/Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12777006339312361462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6874212919563854212011-01-08T08:32:18.412-06:002011-01-08T08:32:18.412-06:00@MBee: "I stumbled on her stuff and gave it ...@MBee: <b>"I stumbled on her stuff and gave it a read. It's enjoyable, but it could be SO.MUCH.BETTER. It needs editing and tightening, etc. I don't know if she's gotten herself an editor now or not, but I worry that people who self publish are putting out Good stuff, but not necessarily great because they don't have the support and knowledge background of an agent & publisher."</b><br /><br />She has an agent for some rights-- Steve Axelrod-- has a very good reputation as a literary agent. You should probably check out her blog where she writes about her history of trying to get published traditionally. From 18 to 25 apparently. <br /><br />I've read a couple of her books and even though I'm not the target market-- am I ever not the target market!-- I enjoyed them and I'm recommending them. Plus I would like to see her succeed. She sounds very-- oh god, I'm going to say "unspoiled". Sorry, Ms Hocking.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10489686882998063586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10778293678231356642011-01-08T06:04:25.087-06:002011-01-08T06:04:25.087-06:00I think this is a huge opportunity for agents. I h...I think this is a huge opportunity for agents. I have no publishing history, and I plan to self publish when I'm ready. <br /><br />If a competent agent would take on the task of promoting me, both online and otherwise (or at least helping me to be effective at it) then I'd pay them a percentage of the ebook sale price. Looking at the performance of successful ebook publishers an agent could make a good income this way while offering a fundamentally useful service. <br /><br />However - it wouldn't interest me if they wanted a set fee or up-front money. A percentage of sales is all I get as an author and it's all I can offer to an agent. <br /><br />Great article. Thank you.Tony Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06798586432645889182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32579248505674141622011-01-08T01:29:08.521-06:002011-01-08T01:29:08.521-06:00Actually, McBee - I understand Amanda Hocking does...Actually, McBee - I understand Amanda Hocking does use a professional editor. (I'm assuming copy editor, not line editor.)<br /><br />There are levels of editing that are in the eye of the beholder. She's obviously doing well for her audience, since she got where she is by word of mouth.<br /><br />I don't read paranormal stuff, so I haven't tried hers. But I can tell you this: I don't argue with success. It comes off sounding too much like sour grapes.The Daring Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676188266569869059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43744890102015761262011-01-08T01:09:09.744-06:002011-01-08T01:09:09.744-06:00I know what I produce is good. I worked hard to b...I know what I produce is good. I worked hard to be 99.8% mistake free. I’m fast paced,<br />entertaining. I got reads from agents, only to be told I’m not marketable due to present trends.<br />Twenty years of this crap, always just this short of a contract. Almost isn’t good enough. Despite<br />my slow start I’m doing everything myself. Cover art, formatting, whatever, and doing it on a<br />zero budget. I’m happy now. I’m thrilled. I feel good about the future I chose for myself, and my<br />eight finished novels. Marketing myself, I proved to myself that’s a must. I’m just getting started.<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Post-apocalyptic-Story-Love-ebook/dp/B003XNTCZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1281243446&sr=1-1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-22225011750803055382011-01-07T22:18:19.536-06:002011-01-07T22:18:19.536-06:00The only author in that group that stands out to m...The only author in that group that stands out to me is Amanda Hocking. I stumbled on her stuff and gave it a read. It's enjoyable, but it could be SO.MUCH.BETTER. It needs editing and tightening, etc. I don't know if she's gotten herself an editor now or not, but I worry that people who self publish are putting out Good stuff, but not necessarily great because they don't have the support and knowledge background of an agent & publisher. I'm not saying it's the case for everyone, but since I've gotten my Kindle I've read quite a few self published authors and it seems to be the case.<br /><br />/and I admit I haven't read the 300+ comments so I could have missed something or someone could have mentioned this alreadyMBeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17325522661963443320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52490311948097719272011-01-07T16:09:32.924-06:002011-01-07T16:09:32.924-06:00I wanted to say this was a very interesting post t...I wanted to say this was a very interesting post to read from Joe, and the additional comments were also great...I am not entirely familiar with the nitty-gritty of publishing etc, however I wanted to say this - I live in Australia and the availablity of books is nowhere near to that in the US (in term of DTB versions). IF not for my purchase of a Kindle late last year I would have NEVER found Joe, who is closely become one of my favourite authors. I am in full support of self publishing - anyone who attempts to argue that publishing houses DON'T restrict what we read has blinders on - it is no different to the film industry where production companies and studios dictate what we see, how we see it and when. Sure there may be a wide selection of genres you can select from, however if the pub company decides you don't fit their vision ($$$) then adios and the readers miss out on a wonderful new writer who may add something new to a genre that already exists (as I have most certainly found with Joe).<br /><br />And at the end of the day, irrespective of there being a wide selection out there, I would much rather have the opportunity to decide myself what it worth the $$$ rather than have a pub company decide for me - anyone who wants to argue this only needs to walk into a DTB store and try and find some of the self-published authors to the extent they are available online.Carmen A McCormacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66910556271157463052011-01-07T15:35:06.764-06:002011-01-07T15:35:06.764-06:00Different books require different paces... but I g...Different books require different paces... but I gotta say this:<br /><br />It's absolute bull that a full time writer could not produce seven excellent books in a year.<br /><br />It is easy to produce 1000 or 2000 good words in a day - it's the pace of the background development that can take time. But you know, you can write other books while a book 'develops.'<br /><br />Literary writers tend to be academics, and tend to write a lot of short fiction as well. These are things that take a lot of the same kind of energy as writing a novel. So the slow production of a literary writer is not really a good measure of what he or she can do. (Plus, frankly, a lot of the less stellar literary writers are not very good specifically because they lack the experience that high output gives you.)<br /><br />But back to overlapping development -- writers usually have a LOT more ideas than they have time to produce. Those ideas sit on the shelf and often develop. Once a writer has been working long enough, it's easy to put out more books because you have so much material in your head.<br /><br />And aside from that... Fred Astaire did not become Fred Astaire by just <i>thinking</i> about dancing. Magic Johnson did not get his magic by standing around the basketball court thinking about what move would be best. My great grandmother did not become so great at making pie by fussing over her first crust.<br /><br />I think I'll blog about this tonight: You get to Carnegie Hall by PRACTICING!The Daring Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676188266569869059noreply@blogger.com