tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post5969556581500770057..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Scott Turow And The Politics of Cowardice by Barry EislerJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-78527242672308475812013-05-23T02:49:43.586-05:002013-05-23T02:49:43.586-05:00I read that when the article first came out, and m...I read that when the article first came out, and my first thought was that it's either extremely poor writing or intentionally misleading. He makes it sound as though traditional hardcover royalties are 50% of net receipts, which we all know isn't true. gw2 goldhttp://www.gw2.us/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-19296645174490170362013-04-25T08:48:43.687-05:002013-04-25T08:48:43.687-05:00Fist pump; I posted on the same thing this morning...Fist pump; I posted on the same thing this morningStephen M Holakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11542374026809277157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11813495981860768812013-04-18T08:08:42.064-05:002013-04-18T08:08:42.064-05:00Turow = Lear ranting futilely and impotently again...Turow = Lear ranting futilely and impotently against the [liberating] facts of the new agile publishing paradigm.Curious Taxpayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18119789890732463393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-27638719896964151932013-04-15T15:24:39.927-05:002013-04-15T15:24:39.927-05:00But he touched on many points of interest and impo...<i>But he touched on many points of interest and importance</i><br /><br />Many? I saw one: publishers offering 17.5% ebook royalties.<br /><br />But I haven't seen him do anything in his capacity as AG prez to change that. OTOH, he's certainly vocal in his disapproval of Amazon, piracy, etc.<br /><br /><i>it didn't seem to me that you did more than vent.</i><br /><br />I explained to Turow what he needs to know. This isn't venting. It is teaching.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77459922103464773222013-04-14T19:20:45.342-05:002013-04-14T19:20:45.342-05:00The playing field is leveling rapidly much to the ...The playing field is leveling rapidly much to the consternation of "traditionalists". The 'bottom up' change to individual exercise of freedom of expression (and publishing) is a threat to the "traditional". Good thing. Recommended reading from a great thinker..Butler Shaffer at Lewrockwell.com I add the poem found in his writings as it's descriptive of what's happening.<br /><br /> "Perhaps in one of my favorite poems — one I often recite and which serves as the title of this E-Book — can be found the fate of a political system that the members of CNN's self-styled "best political team" will never fathom. It is Shelley's poem, Ozymandias:<br /><br /> I met a traveler from an antique land<br /> Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone<br /> Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,<br /> Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,<br /> And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,<br /> Tell that its sculptor well those passions read<br /> Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,<br /> The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;<br /> And on the pedestal these words appear:<br /> My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:<br /> Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!<br /> Nothing beside remains. Round the decay<br /> Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare<br /> The lone and level sands stretch far away."<br /><br />regards,<br />Nils<br /> Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07397205799747225762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32394192125583694412013-04-14T17:15:46.580-05:002013-04-14T17:15:46.580-05:00Joe,
I had some problem working out where you wer...Joe,<br /><br />I had some problem working out where you were, yourself, going. Turow's piece was messy, and I'd not defend him or his organisation. But he touched on many points of interest and importance as well as the focus of your attack.<br /><br />Legacy publishing itself may or may not be defensible - the worst of it obviously isn't. But the whole publishing industry is varied, complex and wide-spread. I tend to doubt anyone who suggests any one form is *the* future.<br /><br />I note you example yourself as part of the response. But you are already very successful; many writers remain struggling and what you claim for yourself is not true for them.<br /><br />Underpinning these discussions is the issue of copyright; without it there is no industry. Praising piracy might suit you, but other authors *do* suffer badly from it. Piracy itself does undermine copyright. As does multiple distribution copying.<br /><br />Attacking Turow in itself doesn't particularly interest me. But as I said, I found your own article confused, with a plethora of examples which submerged your points. And, however much legacy publishing may concern you, it didn't seem to me that you did more than vent.<br /><br />I often come across your name highly praised; I hope your normal style is tighter and better argued.<br /><br />jcr (Joseph)Harris in the UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-28170998083650506232013-04-13T23:58:18.028-05:002013-04-13T23:58:18.028-05:00I spare myself a lot of false panic by checking th...I spare myself a lot of false panic by checking this blog first before I let someone convince me the sky is falling.<br />NOW, I'll go read the other pieces.<br />Thanks, Joe!L.L. Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05479212854384361721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51396396864596293212013-04-13T17:41:21.721-05:002013-04-13T17:41:21.721-05:00Kindlel is the only reason I'm allowed to be a...Kindlel is the only reason I'm allowed to be a money making author. I'm not rich, but I got a lot farther than anyone thought I would.Walter Knighthttp://www.waltknight.yolasite.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-12331463434439410162013-04-12T21:38:43.915-05:002013-04-12T21:38:43.915-05:00As a newbie to this game, I appreciate the fervor ...As a newbie to this game, I appreciate the fervor running through the original post and the comments (in particular those that stay on point). Truth might be found more to one side than another in any debate, but without considering all available points of view it's difficult for any sensible person to reach a well-considered conclusion. <br /><br />That said, there's validity to the argument that a man unwilling to engage in unfiltered dialogue on a topic does so because he realizes either his basic argument is flawed or he lacks the support of his peers.Mark Feggelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13378318592424889688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56363723018682358292013-04-12T18:56:17.687-05:002013-04-12T18:56:17.687-05:00Well said, Mr. Eisler, and as always, Joe!Well said, Mr. Eisler, and as always, Joe!Tracy Sharp - Author of the Leah Ryan Serieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12239533451929739327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4964981821148377932013-04-12T17:52:09.353-05:002013-04-12T17:52:09.353-05:00They gotta make room for the hot new up-and-comers...<i>They gotta make room for the hot new up-and-comers that pop up.</i><br /><br />And guess where they're popping up.<br /><br />Self-publishing. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298343190864662091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37408723537580751552013-04-12T16:58:22.148-05:002013-04-12T16:58:22.148-05:00Jacob Chastain said...
"but it appears as if ...<br />Jacob Chastain said...<br />"but it appears as if the “divide” between what is the reality of publishing is caused by something else other than a difference in views. But what?"<br /><br /><br />It's all about money.<br /><br />If you can't make decent money with the trad publisher's, then you might (and I emphasize might) have a chance to make decent money by being an indie author.<br /><br />Midlist authors don't last forever with the trad publishers. They gotta make room for the hot new up-and-comers that pop up. So some of the older midlisters gotta be let go like a bad habit. It sucks, but that's life--survival of the fittest.<br /><br />Frankly, if I was getting million dollar advances from the trad publishers, I wouldn't leave either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40331108463873202272013-04-12T15:24:26.833-05:002013-04-12T15:24:26.833-05:00However, for every argument Barry and Joe have, th...<i>However, for every argument Barry and Joe have, there are hundreds of agents and authors saying the model is still alive and well.</i><br /><br />That's like saying that the American bison is alive and well. They're around, but the numbers will never be what they once were.<br /><br />For a hundred or so bestselling fiction authors, traditional publishing is still the best choice. They get big advances, their hardcovers and paperbacks sell well in brick and mortar stores, and their ebooks sell well in all formats.<br /><br />But there's really no midlist to speak of anymore. So if you're not one of those lucky hundred, or if your first couple of titles don't strike gold, traditional publishing is a dead end. You either make it big, or you’re sent home with an F.<br /><br />With self-publishing, you can keep experimenting until you find something that works. Plus, you get to keep your rights, and you get to make four times the royalties on ebooks. All while maintaining complete control over the entire process.<br /><br />So it seems pretty clear to me that in 2013 (and in the foreseeable future) self-publishing is the best choice for the vast majority of authors. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298343190864662091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26400464185173466572013-04-12T12:03:13.455-05:002013-04-12T12:03:13.455-05:00As a person who researches widely, I’ve been back ...As a person who researches widely, I’ve been back and forth on the issue of if Self-Publishing is truly the best option, or if a hybrid model (with the big five or Amazon) is better… I’ve read every post on this blog and their comments. I’ve read all the blog posts from Dean Wesley, Ruche, Hugh Howey, Lindsay Brouker, and listened to every episode of the self-publishing podcast…But I have also read the opposing views laid out clearly by Chuck Wendig, Andrew Shaffer, Tiffany Resiz, and tons of lit agents. <br /><br />And yet, there really is no answer. Rarely, I find, are things as dramatic as they seem. Joe hates legacy publishing because they didn’t know how to manage his books better than he could and they seem to screw authors…Ok. Fine. However, for every argument Barry and Joe have, there are hundreds of agents and authors saying the model is still alive and well. Every day I see passionate agents selling and acquiring new books and NOT ignoring truths about self-publishing.<br /><br />So I wonder, who are the ones who are wrong? If anyone? Have you, Joe, just simply created an echo chamber based on your own opinions and evidence, while the rest of the world is still just rolling on? Or is it the other way around?<br /><br />I understand I am new to publishing, and that works against my own analysis of the data, but it appears as if the “divide” between what is the reality of publishing is caused by something else other than a difference in views. But what?<br />Jacob Chastainhttp://endlessmeditation.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43680684733922991212013-04-12T07:26:05.941-05:002013-04-12T07:26:05.941-05:00Fun fact: Today is Scott Turow's birthday.Fun fact: Today is Scott Turow's birthday.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15131749504693357132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-30555336215732173942013-04-11T23:14:11.543-05:002013-04-11T23:14:11.543-05:00If we can name his sidekick Testescules, I'm i...<i>If we can name his sidekick Testescules, I'm in.</i><br /><br />Perfect!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298343190864662091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37211137049281511672013-04-11T22:49:53.456-05:002013-04-11T22:49:53.456-05:00Joshua: "Because you've been such a class...Joshua: "Because you've been such a classy sparring partner, I'm going to buy something of yours and give it a read."<br /><br />Back at you, Joshua, and thank you again. And hope you enjoy that read. :)<br /><br />Jude: "I've decided to write a historical novel, a fictional account of the battles fought by the Roman emperor Pusillanimous. I'm looking for a collaborator if anyone's interested."<br /><br />If we can name his sidekick Testescules, I'm in.Barry Eislerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785333622697500192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42716947158904595442013-04-11T21:05:47.911-05:002013-04-11T21:05:47.911-05:00I've decided to write a historical novel, a fi...I've decided to write a historical novel, a fictional account of the battles fought by the Roman emperor Pusillanimous. I'm looking for a collaborator if anyone's interested. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298343190864662091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33149293888567395412013-04-11T20:32:34.248-05:002013-04-11T20:32:34.248-05:00I've enjoyed the spirited debate, guys. Thank...I've enjoyed the spirited debate, guys. Thanks for arguing your points respectfully and intelligently.<br /><br />Barry, because you've been such a classy sparring partner, I'm going to buy something of yours and give it a read.Joshua Simcoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-61456296046100051412013-04-11T19:45:02.002-05:002013-04-11T19:45:02.002-05:00"...25 percent of net receipts. That is rough..."...25 percent of net receipts. That is roughly half of a traditional hardcover royalty."<br /><br />Yeah, that's being discussed in more places than any of his other comments it seems. No one can figure out what he's talking about. We'll never find out, cuz there no response from him anywhere, but with so much fail in one article it's hard to imagine it matters much. David L. Shutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357694121376734716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-13564365311826008282013-04-11T19:38:29.033-05:002013-04-11T19:38:29.033-05:00So is he saying authors usually get 50 percent roy...<i>So is he saying authors usually get 50 percent royalty rates on hardcovers? Obviously they don't, but I'm trying to understand what he's saying here.</i><br /><br />I think he's saying that the crappy $1.25 that traditionally-published authors earn per $12.99 ebook is half of the crappy $2.50 they earn on a $25.00 hardcover.<br /><br />It's worded very poorly, as I noted before.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298343190864662091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-47625870575600806332013-04-11T18:23:52.542-05:002013-04-11T18:23:52.542-05:00I was wondering is someone could clear up this par...I was wondering is someone could clear up this part of Turow's statement:<br /><br />"But instead of using the savings to be more generous to authors, the six major publishing houses — five of which were sued last year by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division for fixing e-book prices — all rigidly insist on clauses limiting e-book royalties to 25 percent of net receipts. That is roughly half of a traditional hardcover royalty. "<br /><br />So is he saying authors usually get 50 percent royalty rates on hardcovers? Obviously they don't, but I'm trying to understand what he's saying here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-91201751597163802912013-04-11T15:41:51.198-05:002013-04-11T15:41:51.198-05:00Intelligent discourse, panty-imploding adjectives ...Intelligent discourse, panty-imploding adjectives and bananas. My particular flavor of kink.<br /><br />I'll be in my bunk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-85768222746374318002013-04-11T12:01:03.829-05:002013-04-11T12:01:03.829-05:00John, I thought you were joking, but then I looked...John, I thought you were joking, but then I looked it up. The universe is awesome.Dan DeWitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670824200284467170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-61834442290332346212013-04-11T11:00:18.404-05:002013-04-11T11:00:18.404-05:00Turow's novels are set in the fictional Kindle...<i>Turow's novels are set in the fictional Kindle County.</i><br /><br />Talk about irony!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298343190864662091noreply@blogger.com