tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post684141269712127934..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Thoughts on the DBW Writer Survey with Author Lisa GraceJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75560718752298839402014-12-10T08:54:49.646-06:002014-12-10T08:54:49.646-06:00Last year, DBW sold the survey results for a whopp...<i>Last year, <b>DBW sold the survey results for a whopping $295.</b> Last year's results are now on sale for half that. I'm guessing they're going to sell this one as well.</i><br /><br />I did stats for a living. The customer was the one who paid, the one who asked the question I tried to answer. <br /><br />Working for the Air Force was great. They had two questions: 1) How well are we performing our mission? 2) How can we do better? <br /><br />Working for commercial customers ranged from good to annoying, but it always boiled down to the same question: How do we sell this turkey? <br /><br />What DBW did was collect data before they had a customer. Now they are trying to sell that data. <br /><br />Who would be interested in that data? <br /><br />The only customers I can think of for DBW's data are Author Solutions and their ilk. <br /><br />They tells me all I need to know about this survey and about DBW. <br />antareshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00928062661776005108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6280565026157601422014-12-08T02:13:25.187-06:002014-12-08T02:13:25.187-06:00Hmm, this survey must be for Kboards 'writers....Hmm, this survey must be for Kboards 'writers.'<br /><br />Thanks for the good chuckle this morning.<br /><a href="http://www.onlinegatha.com/onlinegatha-services" rel="nofollow">Free Ebook Publisher</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01506899445287478176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38480173591540573632014-12-07T14:57:41.746-06:002014-12-07T14:57:41.746-06:00Oops - that was meant to be compensation consultan...Oops - that was meant to be compensation consultant. Fingers and brain not yet connecting due to not enough coffee.<br /><br />@MP McDonald: WestBow press advertises itself as the self-publishing arm of Thomas Nelson, who are part of Harper Collins Christian Publishing (who also own Zondervan, and--via Harlequin--the Love Inspired lines). <br /><br />It's only written in the small print, but all WestBow services are provided by Author Solutions. I've read a couple of WestBow books, and they needed serious editing. <br /><br />WestBow make a big thing about how some books submitted to WB have been picked up by Thomas Nelson. True, but you still have to look a little further to find out the full truth. The first novel picked up (The Reason by William Sirls) was only noticed because the Thomas Nelson receptionist read it and recommended it to one of the editors, and the cynic in me wonders if it was a publicity stunt, at least in part. (In fairness, I've read The Reason, and enjoyed it.)<br /><br />IMO (and speaking as a Christian) too many Christians are too trusting when it comes to publishing. They think of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan as wonderful Christian publishers when they are actually publishers of Christian books. There is a difference. Harper Collins is owned by NewsCorp, and I don't think anyone's ever considered Murdoch to be a Christian. But, hey, if your friend is happy paying a small fortune for NewsCorp to publish her book because they are Christian, there's probably not a lot you can say to persuade her otherwise. Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79760850254285314302014-12-07T14:41:13.521-06:002014-12-07T14:41:13.521-06:00"Question: How satisfied are you with your pr..."Question: How satisfied are you with your pre-tax (gross) annual income from WRITING BOOKS?"<br /><br />I've spent twenty-something years as a compensation consulting, interviewing employees and advising employers on how to develop and implement a pay structure. You can count on the fingers of one hand how many people I've spoken to in my professional capacity who are "satisfied" with their income. Employee surveys always score low on pay satisfaction. It's tangible, which makes it easy to quantify and compare. <br /><br />It's a fact of life: almost everyone wants to earn more, not just writers.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-13584036657803464602014-12-06T19:23:47.594-06:002014-12-06T19:23:47.594-06:00Q: Why the snidity towards Kboards and its writers...Q: Why the snidity towards Kboards and its writers? I don't know anything about it other than that it popped up on Tapatalk, so I'm curious. Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10212867584433218887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18387917486226117182014-12-06T15:31:18.499-06:002014-12-06T15:31:18.499-06:00I have written 17 books and my sales are flat. I d...<i>I have written 17 books and my sales are flat. I don't know why.</i><br /><br />How much are you experimenting?<br /><br />When my sales are flat, I drop prices and update covers. Sometimes I change a book's title to a new one. If you're on multiple platforms, ditch them and try KDP Select. If you're in Select, ditch it and try multiple platforms.<br /> <br />No one knows why some books sell and others don't. But as indies, we have a great opportunity, because our fate isn't determined once we publish, unlike in the legacy world. You can keep changing things until you find something that works. It ain't easy, but that's the best advice I have.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80598780907917630482014-12-06T13:27:10.185-06:002014-12-06T13:27:10.185-06:00I apologize. I went a bit off topic, but here'...I apologize. I went a bit off topic, but here's my Rule #3: Don't do surveys. We get robocalls all the time regarding surveys. My standard answer: I don't do surveys.<br />If everyone involved in the writing business were forthcoming about his or her data (the Big Five are the worst offenders), we wouldn't need surveys. So here's my data: I have written 17 books and my sales are flat. I don't know why. I'm still writing, though.<br />r/SteveSteven M. Moorehttp://stevenmmoore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45823365988622831582014-12-06T08:07:43.424-06:002014-12-06T08:07:43.424-06:00Lisa and Joe,
While my early attempts to play by t...Lisa and Joe,<br />While my early attempts to play by the rules of traditional publishing resulted in an embarrassing number of rejections and critiques by agents and "established authors" offering the litany that my writing was crap, I can't say that the indie route is the yellow-brick road to success either. Why? It's mentioned in this thread. On the indie side there are just as many unscrupulous people ready to take your money by "guaranteeing success." I hate to say it, but Golden Rule #1 is: "Trust no one." The corollary? "Read the fine print." Rule #2: "There are no silver bullets--it's a lottery." Your investment might not put you in the poor house like an unscrupulous lawyer or mortgage company, but the integrated effect can be financially onerous, not to mention damaging to your writing career.<br />r/SteveSteven M. Moorehttp://stevenmmoore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48519649757329309572014-12-06T05:45:49.948-06:002014-12-06T05:45:49.948-06:00I tend not to pay much attention to such survey re...I tend not to pay much attention to such survey results and instead go with what I think will work best for me and my book. Every situation is slightly different, isn't it?Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62351610145132633992014-12-05T17:16:48.717-06:002014-12-05T17:16:48.717-06:00There is also my title that might be relevant in t...There is also my title that might be relevant in this context: "How to NOT Write a Book and Say You Did". However, I have not actually written the book. I just tell everyone that I did.Nirmalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14620667876235314509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54971408215805142222014-12-05T13:12:04.407-06:002014-12-05T13:12:04.407-06:00I'm going to write a writing advice book about...<i>I'm going to write a writing advice book about how to write writing advice books.</i><br /><br />If you do, you should buy my book, "How To Write A Writing Advice Book About How To Write A Writing Advice Book".JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-85338345280679797182014-12-05T13:10:44.293-06:002014-12-05T13:10:44.293-06:00I am 110% sold on self-publishing.
Spoken by a t...<i>I am 110% sold on self-publishing. </i><br /><br />Spoken by a true researcher.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-73358497175003263462014-12-05T11:44:00.550-06:002014-12-05T11:44:00.550-06:00"So far, 47% of respondents haven't compl..."So far, 47% of respondents haven't complete a book, yet they can still take part of the survey. Who would be interested in that data? Companies that market products and services to wanna-be authors."<br /><br />Wow, the pyramid scheme raises its ugly head again.<br /><br />I think, to get ahead of the game, I'm going to write a writing advice book about how to write writing advice books.J. Nelson Leithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447435354556646276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76136661258274323012014-12-05T09:08:05.379-06:002014-12-05T09:08:05.379-06:003:38 am Anonymous - There is no way you are a legi...3:38 am Anonymous - There is no way you are a legitimate reviewer, or statistician if you thought the survey had any merit. <br />This survey is an epic fail and violates so many rules on how to put together a survey, it's not even funny.<br />It also shows a total misunderstanding of self publishing and how self publishers make their money.<br />In trad it seems to be all about the advance.<br />In self, it's all about the platforms, number of content pieces available for sale across the various platforms, and the long tail.<br />If you'd actually read the analysis you would be too embarrassed to leave a comment defending the survey.<br />DBW should get their money back, offer an apology, and put out one written by someone who understands the two industries.<br />Lisa Gracehttp://www.lisagracebooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79124418507853741382014-12-05T03:38:27.787-06:002014-12-05T03:38:27.787-06:00Guys, give it a rest. I am 110% sold on self-publi...Guys, give it a rest. I am 110% sold on self-publishing. But your arguments regarding this survey are not very convincing. Actually, they are all invalid! Yes, you read that right.<br />I am a researcher so I just have to say this. Every survey of this kind is designed keeping in mind specific research questions. You cannot just ask anything and everything. There are serious limitations to what you can ask in a survey. Yes, a good researcher will think about every possible kind of answer. But he/she will not ask every possible kind of question. All of it has to do with the specific question the researcher is trying to answer. And not everyone is interested in everything. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41000753837881642572014-12-04T11:14:21.970-06:002014-12-04T11:14:21.970-06:00I took the survey after stumbling across it a coup...I took the survey after stumbling across it a couple weeks ago. It was a great opportunity to reflect on how I perceive my writing career but that was about the only value in it.Krileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14077299876012365866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2293250667257065192014-12-04T10:03:19.769-06:002014-12-04T10:03:19.769-06:00"...and have vigorous sex for seven hours eac..."...and have vigorous sex for seven hours each day."<br /><br />Is this what your wife calls Joe's Special Personal Time?? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07504475401820135087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42476906881024738192014-12-04T08:51:23.000-06:002014-12-04T08:51:23.000-06:00There is a second problem with regarding this surv...There is a second problem with regarding this survey as a representation of truth. Not only is the sample self-selecting, they are also self-reporting.<br />When you ask people about their behaviors rather than measuring them, your results can best be described as true to the degree that the respondents believe they are true, rather than objectively true. In consumer products research we see this difference in asking people what they eat vs analyzing what they purchase - people generally think they eat much healthier than they do. <br />Self reported data is useful when creating messages, exploring opportunities, or when used with a non-self selecting sample. This type of survey, with a self selected sample is a very dubious representation of reality.Schwebshttp://www.mostlyjustwords.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-25628051433374070672014-12-03T22:35:25.385-06:002014-12-03T22:35:25.385-06:00@Terrence: In some respects it is the authors unde...@Terrence: In some respects it is the authors under contract that are really paying for this...that's not so fun to think about. :-( Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09866329313708655247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39229567772876345622014-12-03T22:33:06.029-06:002014-12-03T22:33:06.029-06:00Lol Joe. This is one of my favorites. I used to do...Lol Joe. This is one of my favorites. I used to do social work and am now in law. The description of the tricks we pull in the court room to prove our side is SPOT ON. And terrible.<br /><br />But the tricks I pulled as a social worker to fudge numbers so we could keep receiving our grant money was far worse and far more creative than anything I've done as an attorney. Hell we could 'prove' that all of our programs were wildly successful. I helped homeless drug addicts with criminal records find long term employment. I was very successful. <br /><br />As an attorney I have an ethical code to follow. Yes, I'm saying that in social work I did dirtier things than I have as an attorney. Chew on that for a second.<br /><br />I also wanted to point out one of the most frustrating falsehoods for me is that traditional publishing is a choice. Sure, it's a choice, it's just not your choice. Lol.<br /><br />I make the joke: I tried to legacy publish but I couldn't find the button on Amazon.<br /><br />HA!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09866329313708655247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11394272728280992142014-12-03T19:18:16.151-06:002014-12-03T19:18:16.151-06:00Greg Strandberg said...
Hmm, this survey must be f...Greg Strandberg said...<br />Hmm, this survey must be for Kboards 'writers.'<br /><br />Thanks for the good chuckle this morning.<br />----------------<br />The bitterness is strong with this one.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-84355621836539412332014-12-03T18:05:30.530-06:002014-12-03T18:05:30.530-06:00This survey looks like it was designed in-house. B...This survey looks like it was designed in-house. Because, ya know, you can't do your own books if you're not a pro, but you CAN design your own scientific surveys.<br /><br />I think there's a lot more to learn about the biases of the people who wrote the survey than there is from respondents.Jim Selfhttp://www.jaself.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3665254192437973292014-12-03T15:56:48.390-06:002014-12-03T15:56:48.390-06:00Joe, I'm glad you began to told us about your ...Joe, I'm glad you began to told us about your decrease of revenue with KU. I think that by now, maybe you have enough data to blog about Kindle Unlimited? <br /><br />Would you have, for example, something to add to the Authorearnings.com conclusions about KU?<br /><br />I look forward to the next report of Author earnings (in January 2015, I think). It will probably be (for me at least) one of the most interesting to date.Alan Spadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12265515535005420739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-71254175480284763672014-12-03T15:55:01.420-06:002014-12-03T15:55:01.420-06:00It's actually kind of fun to think of publishe...It's actually kind of fun to think of publishers paying for this stuff.Terrence OBrienhttp://www.obrienterrence.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76952297200225251732014-12-03T15:00:48.327-06:002014-12-03T15:00:48.327-06:00Greg said - Hmm, this survey must be for Kboards &...Greg said - <i>Hmm, this survey must be for Kboards 'writers.'<br /><br />Thanks for the good chuckle this morning.</i> <br /><br />Just because of KB lingo in the post? ;)<br /><br />Bridget - Yeah, I know they sell the survey results, so I was feeling sorry for anyone who buys the results; but then, I was even sorrier for the people they would use it on to convince them to buy what they were selling.<br /><br />Anonymous - Now Stephen King's "On Writing" says... ;)<br /><br />MP McDonald - I get very upset when "Christian" companies use that as an excuse to rip people off. There is a wonderful professional organization called ACFW that offers everything for free (editing tracks, critique groups, forums, etc.) after a minor dues fee, and then on the indie side there is www.ChristianIndieAuthors.com.Lisa Gracehttp://www.lisagracebooks.comnoreply@blogger.com