tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post1720331598601085828..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Konrath's Publishing Predictions 2014JA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80747015184083539782014-11-10T16:03:17.801-06:002014-11-10T16:03:17.801-06:00Interesting stuff. B&N are still with us, but ...Interesting stuff. B&N are still with us, but you were dead on about Legacy publishing going for the throat when it felt threatened. Any word on those start-ups?Clint Hollingsworthhttp://wanderingones.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56125145841425105182014-03-05T20:11:41.418-06:002014-03-05T20:11:41.418-06:00I publish the bi-monthly Writers' Tricks of th...I publish the bi-monthly Writers' Tricks of the Trade eZine as well as being a hybrid author (traditionally and self-published). This was such a great article I have used and commented on two of the predictions for the March-April issue which will publish on the 15th of the month, encouraged readers to follow this blog and to start by reading the entire post about predictions. Thanks Joe Konrath for your steady stream of candid and valid information for indie writers.writerstricksofthetrade.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083070198778528841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40199939388008565142014-02-11T15:44:23.392-06:002014-02-11T15:44:23.392-06:00It's really interesting to see how many author...It's really interesting to see how many authors there are that are working to get their work published. It must be really hard to get started here on the internet and build a fan base big enough to merit a printing contract.<br /><br />Luke | <a href="http://www.albertaprinting.com/servicecenter/" rel="nofollow"> http://www.albertaprinting.com/servicecenter/</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08379554924562387621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56943701623694634992014-02-08T19:16:28.643-06:002014-02-08T19:16:28.643-06:00I've only recently found your blog and am devo...I've only recently found your blog and am devouring your "backlist" of posts. I wonder how much of this will come true and who will be the smart group of people who will capitalize on the wide open spaces of opportunity out there.<br /><br />There really does need to be a sort of "Angie's List" for services that indies use. I think a lot of good books get delayed or looked over because new authors get lost in the search for a decent cover artist, an editor or what have you. <br /><br />Also, I really do think that one of the smaller houses, perhaps one that is struggling, could clean up if they changed their house entirely to embrace the hybrid model entirely.<br /><br />Like a publisher recently told me: Print drives ebook sales, not the other way around nowadays. That is a profound admission. People might browse in a store, but they will look up the price on Amazon or BN on their phone and either order it if it is cheaper or download the much, much cheaper ebook right away. It's happening more and more. <br /><br />So, having a book in the bookstore might make a few more people click to buy the ebook than actually buy the book in print. <br /><br />That same publisher told me that this was the reason he wouldn't go for a print only deal. They are losers for the publisher in most cases. <br /><br />So, a publisher that recognized this and then structured themselves with contracts such that in exchange for good editing, great covers, publicity and print rights they get 10% of ebook sales and whatever is agreed for the print. Throw audio in if it's good.<br /><br />And rather than feel tied down, they give much more artist control and the contracts are written such that the house can pick up or not based on their reading of the book, but they have 30 days to do it. At which point, the writer publishes it indie and starts writing the next one, which starts the process over again. A nice 2 to 3 year term would serve them both. <br /><br />What's really needed in this new hybrid era is a house that is a cross between and agent, a publicist and a publisher...but less intense in all three areas.<br /><br />Pipe dream? Not viable? Maybe. But something has to come out of this that will be of use in some form or another.<br /><br />I'm a total newbie. I've been doing this six months and sold around books in the low 5 figures in number. Not much compared to most of you. But all I did was have a story I wanted to tell and I really didn't care about all the other stuff. Trad came after me not the other way around. But it just looks so...confining. I'd like to see something different come to be.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11111612317795472200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37935355254903835132014-02-06T23:48:02.993-06:002014-02-06T23:48:02.993-06:00Thank you for a well thought out post.
My frust...Thank you for a well thought out post. <br /><br /> My frustration with 4 ebook s thus far is the title wave of ebook s from absolutely anyone with any content given away for free are clearly the most downloads. <br /><br />The best advertising is being a new release, after the circuit removes you from ‘newly released’. It’s a catatonic anarchy yet I produce and distribute many ebook channels which need full throttle advertising and social media. Then do it over and over. Our names eventually will hold true for some of us, but most again get lost in the shuffle. I do miss paperback, yet use POD as a backing. My sales are greater in POD yet free sample download samples with ebook s is ridiculous high in numbers.<br /><br />My [and this just me] experience when i speak with people [for real] don’t want ebook s as they are being available now, then on the internet people can’t stop raving about an ebook.<br /><br />We have all become so very detached from each other depending solely on our computers and phones now. For me with the intimate creative access to be attached and let my imagination fly, is far more rewarding.<br /><br />Just sad what communications on all levels are not becoming but have already become=detached<br /><br />thank youAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427002058246232195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76401396167090341592014-01-22T20:45:16.386-06:002014-01-22T20:45:16.386-06:00Late 2013 I decided self publishing was probably t...Late 2013 I decided self publishing was probably the way to go. I've never looked back. <br /><br />More than once I've wondered how it would all go down as paper becomes niche. Each time I speculate, I come to the same inevitabilities you've stated here. I'm excited to see it.<br /> <br />You have yourself another follower. Anyone not reading your blog is late to the party.<br /><br /><br />David - <a href="http://davidlistsilexare.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Regarding Silexare</a>David T Listhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926089396786215115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56949365828953010102014-01-14T14:54:59.092-06:002014-01-14T14:54:59.092-06:00Can't wait to hear more about the companies yo...Can't wait to hear more about the companies you're starting! Happy New Year and good luck with all that's to come.kathiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17174630750897810529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70959331078435820552014-01-11T06:09:59.454-06:002014-01-11T06:09:59.454-06:00Hi Joe and all selfpubbed writers!
I am italian au...Hi Joe and all selfpubbed writers!<br />I am italian author who decided to selfpublish two years ago, thanks also to you and your blog. I'am following you since the terrific Be the monkey, not the frog (I still have nightmares about that video ;D)article and it has been an eye opener. I think that going indie was one of the best decision I've made in my life. So thank you Joe.<br />Italy is a tiny market, and we are like one year later so reading your blog is like seeing what will happen in the future. And it's happening!<br /><br />Have a great 2014!<br />BarbaraAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03896039300682770056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82369042181940562852014-01-08T00:09:38.236-06:002014-01-08T00:09:38.236-06:00Thanks for shearing information about Life Predict...Thanks for shearing information about <a href="http://www.subhashthapar.com/life_prediction.html" rel="nofollow">Life Prediction services NY</a>. Really astrology is very helpful for your life.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12274205817389537563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-24931881538412955272014-01-07T13:04:58.872-06:002014-01-07T13:04:58.872-06:00You said:
a) An independent journal that reviews a...You said:<br />a) An independent journal that reviews and recommends self-pubbed titles to readers and libraries. One that doesn't charge authors anything.<br /><br />How would that begin? If you have any suggestions on how to germinate that, I'm all ears! <br />Anne Buzzinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16995755424070299509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5430209688816125002014-01-06T10:12:56.498-06:002014-01-06T10:12:56.498-06:00As a librarian who specializes in Collection Devel...As a librarian who specializes in Collection Development (purchasing for libraries) I have to agree, particularly with number 6. One of the main reasons Librarians tend to ignore independent publications is because even smaller libraries might order a thousand titles a month or more, often with one person doing the review and ordering, and we just don't have time to hunt down individual reviews, or purchase from individual outlets. Consolidation of both reviews and retail would dramatically increase library sales for independent authors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-90031407388229475232014-01-03T22:37:20.337-06:002014-01-03T22:37:20.337-06:00Every author's answer to getting more sales is...Every author's answer to getting more sales is this: <br /><br />Reach out. Reach out, Reach Out. <br /><br />Go where your people are. Learn what you need to do to turn them on. Help the people you can help the most. Undersell and over-deliver. Do what you do best and do your best at all times. Create a menu of options with prices and charge reasonably for lots of small deliverables in units of time, service and product. Create and deliver candy that makes people want more of what you have available. Create recipes for abundance, happiness and success that are truly worthy of being shared. Give as much as you can and encourage people to share what you offer. <br /><br />Read more in my Magic in a Message slide show:<br />http://www.slideshare.net/PaulKrupin1/magic-in-a-message-120613-pdf<br /><br />Paul Krupin<br />www.DirectContactPR.com <br /><br />Paul J. Krupinhttp://www.directcontactpr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59260656693467757852014-01-03T20:25:20.161-06:002014-01-03T20:25:20.161-06:00You wrote: "c) New third party ways to make s...You wrote: "c) New third party ways to make self-pubbed titles visible. There are methods to find eyeballs that no one has thought of yet. Someone is going to figure out a new way of introducing ebooks to readers, and that person will make a fortune in the process."<br /><br />I've been thinking about getting into the 'movie trailer' for books side of things. If you have a book you'd like to see done in this way, I'll do it for free just to get my name and work out there, assuming you like it.Joel Lovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11327523450299427936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66828625848973116482014-01-03T20:11:14.165-06:002014-01-03T20:11:14.165-06:00Isn't anyone else worried about what James the...Isn't anyone else worried about what James the library director guy said in the comments thread above? Basically he said if the price advantage is rendered moot (as in a library loan) then self-pubbed fiction has no appeal to customers. Which is a BF problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10780653967805504712014-01-03T14:32:30.547-06:002014-01-03T14:32:30.547-06:00Congratulations on hitting the s-p bestseller list...Congratulations on hitting the s-p bestseller list. No one deserves it more.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18545902688906807572014-01-02T13:21:14.527-06:002014-01-02T13:21:14.527-06:00I agree especially about the need to optimize meth...I agree especially about the need to optimize methods of exposure to new readers. I believe that despite the tech explosion, the means of widening our exposure must rely still upon organic recognition and interest threading. Readers are people. Each have many interests, and few still respond automatically to the hard-edged marketing perfected twenty years ago. New marketing will have to be flexible and very content and genre based in order to pinpoint the targets writers will need. For those of us who will continue to write organically as well -- not strictly to market in specific genres -- the new marketing techniques will mean we'll have to keep on our toes even more. Good luck to us all!Richard Suttonhttp://www.sailletales.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-36278540116477813102014-01-02T10:01:48.738-06:002014-01-02T10:01:48.738-06:00Totally agree with all points. The shift is unstop...Totally agree with all points. The shift is unstoppable and I, for one welcome it. I hope Amazon do keep indie authors on their side as I'm sure we've all noticed how they sometimes favour the big boys.<br /><br />Even so it's going to be an interesting couple of years.<br /><br />Intrigued to hear more about your new ventures too.<br /><br />Happy New Year!jerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10885203475611605094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44785701536880131362014-01-01T23:26:41.292-06:002014-01-01T23:26:41.292-06:00The independent journal thing sounds like paradise...The independent journal thing sounds like paradise. I have friends and family who won't buy my books because they don't consider Amazon reviews reliable -- while Amazon readers who aren't my friends and family are probably convinced they were written by friends and family. However, how does an independent journal that doesn't charge a reading fee to authors find the good books? Do they help up and comers? Do they go with books that have already sold a minimum number of copies? Does this indie review include all genres? Readers in some genres have created their own organic communities including blogs that review and seem able to get the word out to other like-minded readers, but so far that still leaves those of us not writing in certain sub-genres of romance out. I'm more and more convinced though that ultimately readers will become the gatekeepers not journals.Marion Steinhttp://www.marionstein.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86133400010786714852014-01-01T22:02:36.607-06:002014-01-01T22:02:36.607-06:00Hello. I found your blog listed in the Writers Yea...Hello. I found your blog listed in the Writers Yearbook 2014 and I am thrilled. I am also terrified. I am completing my first novel. I did my research about self pub vs traditional. I chose traditional and now I'm thinking...opps. Your post taught me more in the view minutes it took to read than the all the scattered research I di in 2013. Should've have started with you first. I'll be back as I appreciate the extensive research you've obviously done.Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75506658035609005172014-01-01T15:57:54.211-06:002014-01-01T15:57:54.211-06:00What an interesting and exciting time to be a writ...What an interesting and exciting time to be a writer! I started writing romance fiction in 2011, when things were really starting to change. After studying the query letter process, I was very happy to look into self-publishing. <br /><br />Thanks for all the great info on this blog. I've been going back and reading the archives.Laurie Evanshttp://www.handymancraftywoman.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52606989476825917252014-01-01T13:07:59.482-06:002014-01-01T13:07:59.482-06:00Well thought out, well stated, and 100% correct as...Well thought out, well stated, and 100% correct as far as the industry is concerned. Congrats.L. J. Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04506184514602317769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-31349760229161192952014-01-01T08:29:35.308-06:002014-01-01T08:29:35.308-06:00@Selena - I've read about authors finding lots...@Selena - I've read about authors finding lots of success with All Romance Ebooks/Omnilit. How has that worked out for you? Or do you deal with them at all? One Kindle Boards member mentioned making thousands of dollars there, which I admit, surprised me. Scott Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11276077650234517880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5453481721264817802013-12-31T14:21:02.593-06:002013-12-31T14:21:02.593-06:00Maybe the bookstores need to start stocking older ...Maybe the bookstores need to start stocking older stuff. I don't know about you, but I'd rather read Saraband of Lost Time; Tower of Dreams; The City, Not Long After; or Swastika Night, not the latest claptrap by Amanda S. Green, Cyn Bagley, or Vox Day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-16373470846580856342013-12-31T11:51:14.304-06:002013-12-31T11:51:14.304-06:00HAPPY NEW YEAR JOE! -
AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS W...HAPPY NEW YEAR JOE! - <br />AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS WONDERFUL KONRATH COMMUNITY.<br /><br />A great blog as usual from THE MAN.<br />I totally agree with your predictions, Joe. I was told in April 2012 that Barnes & Noble were planning to separate their paper and ebook divisions, so that if one went down, the other would remain standing.<br />Nevertheless, I would be sad to see them fall. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17770281857128121625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82618891547785794552013-12-31T08:35:46.729-06:002013-12-31T08:35:46.729-06:00@ James English.
Thanks for your insights. Would ...@ James English.<br /><br />Thanks for your insights. Would you be up for a phone call? If so, email me and we can set something up.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.com