tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post5445103421978189441..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Same Tired ArgumentsJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger260125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-88154643468325208392011-10-07T14:28:03.478-05:002011-10-07T14:28:03.478-05:00The biggest problem I have with both sides is ofte...The biggest problem I have with both sides is often an 'either/or' sort of attitude. You are trying different things to see what works. You have that opportunity because you are in control. This has nothing to do with being a hypocrite. It's being wise and taking advantage of your ability to see what works because it is in your hands. Adaptation to change is one of humanities greatest abilities and we can see it even in this. None of us are 'hidebound' (so to speak) and must continue in one way when something new comes along.<br /><br />And for all we know, everything could change again next month.<br /><br />A few years ago, I was still in the 'no, don't self-publish' realm as well. Several of my published friends (Holly Lisle, C.J. Cherryh, Jane Fancher among others) finally brought me out of the dark ages. In the few months I've actually been part of the Indie revolution, I've sold more than I ever did in my few print publications -- and that without a huge amount of marketing because I'm still stumbling around on that part.<br /><br />I own Forward Motion for Writers; this year we have an Indie section. I publish Vision: A Resource for Writers and this year it has an Indi area as well. I have a small company of associated Indi authors which will soon have more than just my work out. (Mine to start with because I am prolific and we could experiment with some of my material.) We have our own editor.<br /><br />But that doesn't mean I won't send something to a traditional publisher if I think it's a good idea. Granted, I know to watch those contracts.<br /><br />No one is required to become an independent author. I have other friends who are very happy where they are in the traditionally published world and others whose dream is to see their book on a shelf in a store. (Let's hope the stores survive.) I love print and ebook. I read some of both almost every day. I will not give up my print books. But I won't give up my ebooks, either.<br /><br />Right now, at least, it's not an either/or world in any sense. Embrace it all. This is the most exciting time to be an author since the invention of the printing press.<br />.Zettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11040576021155249232011-08-21T16:06:13.376-05:002011-08-21T16:06:13.376-05:00Best post on the subject I've yet experienced....Best post on the subject I've yet experienced. I've analyzed the market as well and reached the same conclusions. I've also switched to an e-reading device and though I would never badmouth a paper book (I've spent untold pleasurable hours with them) e-ink pearl screens are easy on these tired eyeballs. Not to mention it weighs nothing, has a light for night reading, and holds more books than I can read in the next several years.veinarmorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747828528371889905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76757744267250907732011-08-20T19:40:54.482-05:002011-08-20T19:40:54.482-05:00Hmm, I might have missed the point of the article....Hmm, I might have missed the point of the article. I thought it was about e-publishing and the wave of the future, but in reading comments it has somehow harped on the Intelligent Design vs. Creationism part of the article. Please just disregard my comment as I obviously missed the point.<br /><br />Heather<br />Is your publishing blog perhaps hidden somewhere else?BURIED IN BOOKShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205451716054533728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-73561107054489766692011-08-20T19:31:09.000-05:002011-08-20T19:31:09.000-05:00While e-books may not hurt your eyes, they cause m...While e-books may not hurt your eyes, they cause me migraines just like working on the computer too long causes them. So maybe everyone else will embrace the new technology. As for me, I'll either have to print out e-books on my computer (not likely) or re read the books I have if print books are no longer made. Everyone is a lot of people like never is a long time.<br /><br />HeatherBURIED IN BOOKShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205451716054533728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52649601021138622452011-08-18T18:06:04.321-05:002011-08-18T18:06:04.321-05:00Great post, really makes going the self-pub route ...Great post, really makes going the self-pub route seem right. It feels right, especially if you're ready to fight for your work, which I think most successful writers always are. <br /><br />Keep up the good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-84057037406247953652011-08-17T13:41:02.086-05:002011-08-17T13:41:02.086-05:00I think my comment just went missing, never hit en...I think my comment just went missing, never hit enter before you're ready, right?<br /><br />What I wanted to say is that you made my day by making me laugh. You're a man after my own heart; tell it like it is. Love it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77643028483638146762011-08-17T13:39:06.922-05:002011-08-17T13:39:06.922-05:00Young man, you have made my day by making me laugh...Young man, you have made my day by making me laugh. Thank you!<br /><br />A man after my own heart; tell it like it is. Love it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-74951733222148287272011-08-17T05:31:51.428-05:002011-08-17T05:31:51.428-05:00Mr. Konrath -
I believe you've helped many au...Mr. Konrath -<br /><br />I believe you've helped many authors and would be authors, thank you. I am convinced self-publishing will out earn the previously conventional path for writers, with the exception of an agent reeling in the adaptation of your work into box office success with subsequent multi-media, gaming and marketing of toys, games, comics, etc. The only way to fly in the end.<br /><br />But I do have a question regarding your "period" stance on creationism.<br /><br />What if God simply created an ape that evolves? I'm sure time isn't HIS concern.<br /><br />Better yet, what if HE just wrote the "program" and when HE said "let there be light" that was metaphorically the same as typing "run" and hitting "enter"?<br /><br />I believe Darwinism and Genesis may not be mutually exclusive.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks so much. Sincerely.<br /><br />E from Denver.snahkaboohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09719670756773057177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76485484724526823252011-08-17T02:43:58.722-05:002011-08-17T02:43:58.722-05:00i keep looking at the blog and keep getting this s...i keep looking at the blog and keep getting this same tried old thread. When's a new post forthcoming?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-47836551902302130052011-08-16T19:03:23.846-05:002011-08-16T19:03:23.846-05:00Amen brother!Amen brother!Hunter Sheahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14712208559208766626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3497681096025803202011-08-16T02:38:22.952-05:002011-08-16T02:38:22.952-05:00Can't see if anyone has mentioned this yet but...Can't see if anyone has mentioned this yet but Amazon now have a dedicated Kindle Indie page:<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=3059252011<br /><br /><br />Some of the authors advertised there I have done interviews with like Ruth Harris.<br /><br />http://indieebooks.blogspot.com/Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05485999244479254363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66780506752605942252011-08-15T15:25:39.872-05:002011-08-15T15:25:39.872-05:00As I have said before, if the "big 6" pl...As I have said before, if the "big 6" plan to have a future in publishing they may want to consider taking on the role of a pod service as I think that many authors are going to want to keep the rights to their ebook. But I also think that the "big 6" could help the community by printing the paperbackbook as a specialty item as pod services do.Free Book Reviewshttp://freebookreviews.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53696868331192008652011-08-15T03:30:05.846-05:002011-08-15T03:30:05.846-05:00Perhaps people think we'll be taking their pap...Perhaps people think we'll be taking their paperbacks away? <br /><br />They're little Stewie from Family Guy shouting from the second floor 'I don't like change!'<br /><br />It will be similar to what happened in the music industry. The places you buy from will be different, the places that produce them will be different . . . the good stuff will get known and sell well (word of mouth is powerful), and the crap will sit there stinking up the place and we'll ignore it.<br /><br />You can still buy things on CD or vinyl if you want, or buy digitally - the same way you'll still be able to buy paper books if you want them, or download digital books.<br /><br /> I read a heap of ebooks and paperbacks and what I love most . . . is a really good story.<br /><br />(ps, if you suddenly get a whole lot of comments and followers from Australia, blame Bob Mayer who gave good workshop at the RWA conference in Melbourne and mentioned you).Ebony McKenna.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02724727996270658767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81816452947185142992011-08-15T03:21:25.003-05:002011-08-15T03:21:25.003-05:00Thanks, Joe, as always, you're spot on! And it...Thanks, Joe, as always, you're spot on! And it's so refreshing to read you, and uplifting!<br /><br />As a writer, I've been turned off by the whole legacy publisher scene because my book is cross-genre and therefore doesn't really fit anywhere!<br /><br />As a reader, I've been turned off by so many of the titles put out and touted by legacy publishers - including their sustained one-track publication of "big names" instead of looking at what these "big names" actually produce. Crap. Yes, sorry for saying that, but it's often the case, isn't it? <br /><br />I won't name names, but I was sorely disappointed by John Le Carré's latest novel, and there are so many like him out there, disappointing us book after book...all because legacy publishers have reduced themselves to selling names rather than books!Claude Nougathttp://claudenougat.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48130437101589110162011-08-14T17:16:40.093-05:002011-08-14T17:16:40.093-05:00I think a lot of it is just that people are a bit ...I think a lot of it is just that people are a bit scared that the ground is changing in the book industry and changing fast. Things are different today then they were even a year ago, and five years ago? No comparison. <br />If you come up with reasons why it won't work, then you don't have to keep up. Sadly, that's never really been a useful strategy. <br />Very nice and informative blog!Caliwatcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05671483538712298437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82321412158860281522011-08-12T17:01:43.741-05:002011-08-12T17:01:43.741-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jean Bauhaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16383317716820065046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26139141890315314042011-08-12T14:54:01.966-05:002011-08-12T14:54:01.966-05:00Technology changes the way people engage each othe...Technology changes the way people engage each other and information. The masses find something that provides a service, or makes life easier, and that can turn into an industry trend. You don't need me to explain the convenience of a kindle. I poured through four books on flights last week, in the middle seat, without carrying an extra bag, or worrying about fitting them into my travel plans.<br /><br />I just finished Jim Butcher's "Blood Rites" (one of the Dresden Files) and at the end, Amazon made it simple for me to pick up the next book in the series and continue to enjoy the character I love to read about.<br /><br />I appreciate Joe's information as a writer who has never had to go through this battle, but also as a musician who has gone through the "we're signed to a label" treadmill a few times. <br /><br />Thanks for continuing to digest new information and to share your opinion with us, Joe!<br /><br />nKNick Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16697999644321537365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81735200921155052682011-08-11T20:05:54.626-05:002011-08-11T20:05:54.626-05:00Having a vision no one else sees can be frustratin...Having a vision no one else sees can be frustrating, but it can also make you rich. I feel better every time I cash a royalty check.Walter Knighthttp://www.waltknight.yolasite.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4594260511574806012011-08-11T19:55:23.650-05:002011-08-11T19:55:23.650-05:00Self-pubbed books aren't edited.
They are if ...<i>Self-pubbed books aren't edited.</i><br /><br /><i>They are if you hire an editor.</i><br /><br />All right, just LOL'd with a mouthful of coffee. Thanks.<br /><br />The question of whether or not to hire an editor comes up quite a lot. My two cents: Do it. It's an expense, yes, but more an investment. Your name is your brand, and your work should be as compelling and polished as possible. A good editor is indispensable. Just do a search on Kindle Boards for recommended ones. Also, David Gaughran offers very sound advice on hiring an editor in his book, <i>Let's Get Digital</i>.B. Magnarellanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44301141517167842502011-08-11T19:52:39.343-05:002011-08-11T19:52:39.343-05:00E-book readers do seem to be sort of catching on, ...E-book readers do seem to be sort of catching on, even for people who are not early adapters.<br /><br />This can give you a feel for readers who are on the borderline:<br /><br />http://davidfweisman.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-cant-read-whole-library.htmlDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00819223137850041043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-68305528616690932692011-08-11T15:39:08.000-05:002011-08-11T15:39:08.000-05:00I just got my first check from Kindle. Thank you,...I just got my first check from Kindle. Thank you, Joe Konrath!I.J.Parkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-31310855142409046972011-08-11T10:56:56.155-05:002011-08-11T10:56:56.155-05:00She says that her publisher might not want her to ...<i>She says that her publisher might not want her to do it because then the book they put out wouldn't be her debut book, so she's just going to put the other book on her blog since she doesn't think it would sell.</i><br /><br />@Anonymous 8:56 - Question for you. Is the book she was going to put on Kindle in the same universe as the trad pubbed book? If it is, I would think the trad publisher wants to get stuff out there first. Your friend could then wait until after the trad pubbed book comes out to publish on Kindle.<br /><br />If it's <b>not</b> in the same universe as the trad pubbed book, color me as confused...I don't see what the difference is. However, your friend should first check the contract language. You never know what restrictions lawyers may put into contracts - can't give you examples because I've never been trad pubbed nor am I a lawyer (and I don't play one on TV, either ;-)).<br /><br />Hope it all works out.Nancy Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06214579721075450777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49233471778291533072011-08-11T10:54:14.252-05:002011-08-11T10:54:14.252-05:00I know several people that are right on the edge o...I know several people that are right on the edge of going digital. Many of these are people that currently make use of book sharing websites or purchasing very cheap used books through half.com.<br /><br />After a point, they will realize that digital books are just as cheap when you factor in time and gas and postage. And you can sample!KL Mutternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82813115353484831402011-08-11T09:20:10.071-05:002011-08-11T09:20:10.071-05:00@E.C. Belikov
Agreed.
And even if they are not k...@E.C. Belikov<br /><br />Agreed.<br /><br />And even if they are not keen to switch to e-books right now, once they become an Amazon customer rather than a Borders customer, they will be continually confronted with Kindle ads and the price differences between print and digital will become stark.<br /><br />It might even be the first time they become exposed to indie books too, many of which are digital only.<br /><br />In fact, we will see a lot more digital-first books from publishers too. That will sway some.David Gaughranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236692339928690142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72433320014602337322011-08-11T09:12:02.223-05:002011-08-11T09:12:02.223-05:00"I think there will be a natural progression ..."I think there will be a natural progression towards ebooks, but I don't think it'll be be driven by book store closures."<br /><br />Certainly there are other factors in play too but I disagree with that statement, I think that will be one of several driving reasons.<br /><br />I know 2 people who have ordered Kindles due to Borders closing. In their town there was Borders and a smaller bookstore, that I'm told, has a very limited selection.<br /><br />True that there were other options available to them, like ordering paperbacks and such online, or driving to a not-so-nearby Barnes and Noble, but they didn't.Ender Chadwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236697139446178129noreply@blogger.com