tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post8469127536019204392..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: The End is NighJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26603695090204592882011-09-01T13:42:31.594-05:002011-09-01T13:42:31.594-05:00Thanks for the info. I want to stay informed about...Thanks for the info. I want to stay informed about these things and this is a big help.Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-71818231195858517872011-08-31T14:11:17.405-05:002011-08-31T14:11:17.405-05:00I agree this deal is big and I'm so glad to se...I agree this deal is big and I'm so glad to see it happen as it it great for writers. But I don't think that it will spell the end as we know it. Sure if you sell 1,000,000 copies you have some clout on what you can ask for but a mid-list author? I don't think they'll be able to get a similar deal. I'd like to think that this is the start of things to come - but I think it will be isoloated for only the "top performers" so for the majority of writers it won't really be an issue.<br /><br />Robin Sullivan | <a href="http://bit.ly/ivMp8P" rel="nofollow">Write2Publish</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/kgyKuE" rel="nofollow">Ridan Publishing</a>Robin Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00613910688999698522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-15358997923534292902011-08-27T05:14:03.064-05:002011-08-27T05:14:03.064-05:00The end is near and our job is to bring it sooner ...The end is near and our job is to bring it sooner faster and better. The big six can always find work in the car wash industry.Raymond Embrackhttp://raymondembrack.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-548020664537184752011-08-27T01:51:26.475-05:002011-08-27T01:51:26.475-05:00"They're trying to sell a few more drinks..."They're trying to sell a few more drinks before the Titanic sinks."<br /><br />Wonderful, powerful image, Joe.<br /><br />And it rhymes!<br /><br />JJAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04122270279975818113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43705712934964991942011-08-26T19:54:59.918-05:002011-08-26T19:54:59.918-05:00Are all you guys self-published authors ?
Mac, I...Are all you guys self-published authors ? <br /><br />Mac, I did 16 traditionally published novels before jumping into the indie pool!bettye griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04457387770524295498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81120860427243335392011-08-26T15:08:13.886-05:002011-08-26T15:08:13.886-05:00Are all you guys self-published authors ? Looks li...Are all you guys self-published authors ? Looks like I really need to get my butt into gear and write a book, now I don't have to worry about slush piles, rejections slips, book signings, rubber chickens etc... just got to find out if I can write.Mac1http://www.ebookstore.conoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75893071261105649412011-08-26T14:59:25.416-05:002011-08-26T14:59:25.416-05:00Wow, I'm hoping more authors can get terms sim...Wow, I'm hoping more authors can get terms similar to Locke's! <br /><br />Best wishes to you Kiana-- I already enjoyed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/HOUSE-SKIN-PRIZE-WINNING-STORIES-ebook/dp/B004EHZWJE" rel="nofollow">House of Skin</a> ... now buying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CANNIBAL-NIGHTS-Pacific-Stories-ebook/dp/B005DZZNSQ" rel="nofollow">Cannibal Nights.</a>Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775300000004502564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5033511279284613262011-08-26T14:07:17.518-05:002011-08-26T14:07:17.518-05:00@Archangel...I'm going to email you and compar...@Archangel...I'm going to email you and compare notes.<br /><br />@ Bettye Griffin...pls. try my blogsite again. <br />http://www.kianadavenportdialogues.blogspot.com<br />or website http://www.kianadavenport.com. there's a contact number there. I don't want to take up more space on Joe's blogsite. You are dead-right about the editor. They saw you were self-pubbed and freaked.Kiana Davenporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006822100662057905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34758908931306514992011-08-26T13:38:43.787-05:002011-08-26T13:38:43.787-05:00Well said. The gatekeepers were so busy watching t...Well said. The gatekeepers were so busy watching the front door, they forgot about the back and side entrances. Good writer got in. lol.Wodke Hawkinsonhttp://findagoodbooktoread.com/books-by-wodke-hawkinson.phpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43805389571288528862011-08-26T11:13:45.040-05:002011-08-26T11:13:45.040-05:00Will be waiting with baited breath. Great post, ni...Will be waiting with baited breath. Great post, nicely done.Tammy Bleckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03038604734007567458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18031972366434994452011-08-26T10:12:29.058-05:002011-08-26T10:12:29.058-05:00I think Selena will vouch for me...
110% without ...<i>I think Selena will vouch for me...</i><br /><br />110% without question.<br /><br />Definitely get in touch, Kiana. Lots of help in that direction!<br /><br />And much luck and good karma to you, sweetness. Holding space for the absolute best for you!Selena Kitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17783685215421352626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3359414564118588242011-08-26T09:58:05.296-05:002011-08-26T09:58:05.296-05:00@Joe Konrath: I don't delete comments without ...@Joe Konrath: <i>I don't delete comments without warning. Blogger just sucks.</i><br /><br />Use Wordpress. Set up is easy and can easily import every post, comment and pic from bloggerWernerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13177999875649895318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32290072607596947052011-08-26T09:38:50.425-05:002011-08-26T09:38:50.425-05:00This is a great topic and a lively debate. I think...This is a great topic and a lively debate. I think both sides have great points, but there are a couple of things that we're forgetting. Even if self-pubbed authors do get signed by one of the Big 6 and get a ginormous advance, they don't really get to keep all that money until the publisher makes back the amount that it put into the book/campaign. Which means if the book flops, guess who doesn't get to keep his/her advance?<br /><br />Also, we may be heading in the direction of Wikipedia, but that doesn't mean there's no call for professionals. Editing, fact checking, and overall professionalism is almost MORE important with indie authors than with traditional ones because it's on you, the author, to make sure you create a professional product. Translation: if your book isn't up to industry standards or hasn't been edited in any way, your book reviews (and ultimately sales) are going to show it. No matter which track you go with--indie or traditional--there is something to be said for professionalism.Melissa D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10931472259751278749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51869269902433725032011-08-26T08:43:54.604-05:002011-08-26T08:43:54.604-05:00Joe, not that I disagree about the blog, but you o...Joe, not that I disagree about the blog, but you often say e is outselling print, although that's only on Amazon, I believe?<br /><br />Pedantry, I know.Jussi Keinonennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62144710279742323052011-08-26T08:00:32.719-05:002011-08-26T08:00:32.719-05:00I'm so proud of you, Kiana. CANNIBAL NIGHTS is...I'm so proud of you, Kiana. CANNIBAL NIGHTS is another wonderful book by an extremely talented author.<br />Your publisher is a fool. They just let a big one get away.Mark Edward Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09348437062900925019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51164270180869190482011-08-26T02:46:11.623-05:002011-08-26T02:46:11.623-05:00Kiana,
I went to your blog and tried to post. Aft...Kiana,<br />I went to your blog and tried to post. After 3 tries I recognized it was hopeless. I didn't notice any other responses, so you might want to do something to make it easier for folks to post.<br /><br />Anyway, your publisher is being terribly unfair, vindictive, and just plain mean. I hope you make a mint with your independent projects! And good luck. I don't see how they can enforce anything that wasn't in the contract.<br /><br />I've wondered if the editor who so quickly responded to my query and then did not respond to either my or my agent's repeated requests for an update was instructed not to because I had published some projects on my own...I thought <i>that</i> was childish and inexcusably unprofessional behavior...and I made sure to keep a copy of the letter I sent to her withdrawing the project after six months of silence from her. That soured me on traditional publishing forever.bettye griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04457387770524295498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72182290322522212212011-08-26T02:19:30.234-05:002011-08-26T02:19:30.234-05:00dear Kiana, write to me if I can help. I just drag...dear Kiana, write to me if I can help. I just dragged back one of my books erights from a big 6 who NEVER had the erights but insisted it was "implied" in contract and that they would do x y and z to me if I tried to upload my own ebook they had already pub'd in ink. Also have one book still held hostage by another big 6 for advance payback, but have good plans for rescue... So, learning the really really hard way, and no longer so naive and trusting, I have some have insights and some things that definitely work re agents, lawyers and publishers. I'd be happy to help you if I can. I can be reached here. I think Selena will vouch for me: lacorona@aol.comArchangelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358062143743621676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18174048689071125272011-08-26T02:16:41.713-05:002011-08-26T02:16:41.713-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Archangelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358062143743621676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1439461835825734662011-08-25T23:06:51.479-05:002011-08-25T23:06:51.479-05:00I used to believe that major publishers were "...I used to believe that major publishers were "gatekeepers" or that they separated the good writers from the bad. Then came Snooki and Bristol Palin and Theresa Guidice. The whole generation of reality TV that made even reputable agents begin salivating over -- then demanding -- "proven platform" from real writers who then scrambled to build up blogs, Twitter followers and Facebook fan pages in order to try to catch up.<br /><br />It's not about the talent anymore and it certainly isn't about the quality. Simon & Schuster will pay Snooki a $250K advance, see her book flop, and then offer her another deal, while choking real authors with tiny advances and 4% royalties. <br /><br />If publishing dies, it's by their own ethics.Jane Devinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891815167329936841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70966870715710863522011-08-25T22:46:44.370-05:002011-08-25T22:46:44.370-05:00Kiana; I'm so sorry about your situation. Seri...Kiana; I'm so sorry about your situation. Seriously, how can someone so talented have so much fucked-up luck? <br /><br />But you're a visionary. I mean that. Your writing is so good that it makes my stomach clench. It's kept me awake, and made me cry. <br /><br />Just keep writing-- your fans will lift you up. They did for me, and I'm basically faking my way through everything with a beer and a coconut bra. <br /><br />But then... maybe we should all give thanks for your publisher's betrayal. Claw back your book, Kiana. <br /><br />Claw it back, take back all your sweat and tears. Those words belong to you, they aren't on loan to any vultures. Just bought Cannibal Nights. I'll be sure to leave a review. <br /><br />You're going to make it. There are just too many diamonds in your dirt.Marie Simashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255293343641053930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-173135101455894252011-08-25T22:09:40.679-05:002011-08-25T22:09:40.679-05:00Ms. Davenport:
You are a tough and gutsy woman. W...Ms. Davenport:<br /><br />You are a tough and gutsy woman. What you did makes complete sense, but many writers would not have the guts to hold firm if it meant losing a contract with a prestigious publisher.<br /><br />As Norman Mailer said, the character of the novelist is imprinted on everything he or she writes. And so, based on this little glimpse into your character, I will go seek out your work because it must be good.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />- ZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1701813342806699022011-08-25T21:53:51.247-05:002011-08-25T21:53:51.247-05:00Hey, JD, above: That's hilarious. I'm a ...Hey, JD, above: That's hilarious. I'm a lawyer (recovering) and I'll have to add that to my faux Latin collection. Along with "illegitimi non carborundum" and "sempre ubi sub ubi." <br /><br />Joe, you really know how to get the conversation going. Thanks for your blog and thanks for your eye-opening prognostication. <br /><br />I'm a brand new eBook author, and I'm planning to have a new short or novel out each month for the next year (not all mine; some I am publishing for friends who are happy to give me a cut in return for editing, covers, formatting, and just doing all that for them). So even if I don't have any huge sellers, eventually I will make money. <br /><br />My concern is that Amazon will pull the rug out from under us once they get all the power. What's to keep them from changing the formula? They don't have the only platform, but they definitely have the dominant one. Will Jeff Bezos wake up one morning and say... hey... 70% is WAY too much... and the brilliant dawn of indie publishing will give way to storm clouds?Patricehttp://efitzgeraldpublishingdotcom.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2051350379087952582011-08-25T21:49:53.219-05:002011-08-25T21:49:53.219-05:00@Kiana:"Here's what that print publisher ...@Kiana:<i>"Here's what that print publisher demanded."</i><br /><br />Wow. Just wow. Going through that is not worth $20k. I wish you luck. Stand your ground. But since you didn't violate contract, can they cancel? I realize the copywrite is in limbo unless you pay them back...<br /><br />I hope you have a good lawyer.<br />I wish you luck,<br />Neilwannabuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04297458705683991405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59142010727333244452011-08-25T21:43:09.788-05:002011-08-25T21:43:09.788-05:00@David Gaughan:"Readers can't get enough ...@David Gaughan:"<i>Readers can't get enough of their favorite writers. Writers can't write quickly enough to keep up with the demand. That's why readers are always seeking out new writers. </i>"<br /><br />There are millions of free books on Amazon. No reader must buy a single book. Yet more and more authors earn a living on Amazon. :) Fans want their authors doing ok so that they have the time to write.<br /><br />Neilwannabuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04297458705683991405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21030403758861154182011-08-25T21:13:51.953-05:002011-08-25T21:13:51.953-05:00My agent said this is going to change the way cont...<i>My agent said this is going to change the way contracts are written.</i><br /><br />Well, the key is the way THIS contract is written. If it doesn't say you can't do it, then invoke the ancient legal principle of <i>futue te ipsum</i>, i.e., tell them to go fuck themselves.JD Rhoadeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07123361739160525998noreply@blogger.com