tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post8061146721982354265..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Collective NarcissismJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20571908444322235762014-07-20T01:59:08.074-05:002014-07-20T01:59:08.074-05:00Hi Joe,
I've been reading your blog for a coup...Hi Joe,<br />I've been reading your blog for a couple of weeks and have learned a lot. Than you for all the information you've so graciously shared. I may have to go the indie path with my novel. However, I have a question for you. Why do you think printed novels will become so obsolete? So many people love the printed page vs. an e-reader. Even my 15 yo daughter would rather read a paper page. I realize Kindle and other e-readers are enormously popular, and their popularity will only continue to grow, but do you really think legacy publishing will vanish??Ericanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75123475416285732492014-07-18T20:37:59.778-05:002014-07-18T20:37:59.778-05:00I accidentally deleted my comment trying to explai...I accidentally deleted my comment trying to explain that I misread Joe's comment - I thought he was saying he was the first to self publish in 2009 as opposed to him saying that he first self published his own work in 2009. But just for the record Angry, I wrote one of the first books about how to self publish in 2001 - called - How to Publish and Promote Online in 2001 - first we self pubbed it and then ironically it was picked up by a NY house.MJRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01691203521957093189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43009129557660021882014-07-18T15:02:50.389-05:002014-07-18T15:02:50.389-05:00With all due respect, MJ, I don't see your blo...With all due respect, MJ, I don't see your blog from before Joe started self-publishing telling us exactly how the industry works and why we should all be self-publishing. <br /><br />He may not be the first to self-publish (that would belong to someone living a thousand or two years ago), but he's the first one to champion it publicly for the rest of us. Angry_Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06858237359474121630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45327807700864386932014-07-18T07:48:37.878-05:002014-07-18T07:48:37.878-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.MJRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01691203521957093189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33704379174016886622014-07-17T22:05:41.685-05:002014-07-17T22:05:41.685-05:00Joe, I'm another indie who wants to add my tha...Joe, I'm another indie who wants to add my thanks to the pile you've received so far.<br /><br />A year ago, I heard about self-publishing and somehow landed at your blog. I spent many hours reading your posts, then I found your compilation of posts book, and I want to thank you for that too.<br /><br />I'm nowhere near successful yet, but I'm on the path. I netted over $1200 this year, which is not a lot, but it's a start - and it all started with you. If I ever do make it to your level of success, it will be in large part because of what I learned from you, how you inspired me, and how you proved that it's possible. That there is an alternative to the ultra-depressing legacy publishing system - which I had long ago resolved to never even bother with.<br /><br />Now that it's been a year, I think I should re-read your book on publishing so I can get a refresher course with a whole new perspective - as an author. :)<br /><br />THANKS, Joe!<br />Ewolfe357https://www.blogger.com/profile/13231158280869354250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-65334620637499038252014-07-17T14:48:36.770-05:002014-07-17T14:48:36.770-05:00I've been reading your blog for a while and it...I've been reading your blog for a while and it occurred to me I've never said thank you.<br /><br />Shame on me.<br /><br />Thank you Joe (or as I like to think of you -Jakon) for all the advice, encourage, honesty, and data you have shared with authors. For not blowing smoke up our collective asses, and giving us sound resources to base our decisions.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45692438990218224632014-07-17T14:25:41.908-05:002014-07-17T14:25:41.908-05:00This just in from the very latest Author Earnings ...<br />This just in from the very latest Author Earnings Report:<br /><br />"Self-published authors are now earning nearly 40% of all ebook royalties on the Kindle store. The days of looking at self-publishing as a last option are long gone. A lot has changed in six months."<br /><br />What more needs to be said?Mark Edward Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09348437062900925019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-15421138999373151792014-07-17T09:59:16.595-05:002014-07-17T09:59:16.595-05:00Love your post today. Thank you. Whenever I feel t...Love your post today. Thank you. Whenever I feel the writer blues coming on I read your blog and you always lift my spirits. Keep fighting. I'm with you 100%. :-) <br /><br />Cher Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16262847237025321765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-8544296062447382202014-07-17T09:48:22.261-05:002014-07-17T09:48:22.261-05:00Anonymously, I have thanked you, Hugh and Barry be...Anonymously, I have thanked you, Hugh and Barry before. I now thank you publicly. What you all have done for self publishing authors is critical, inspirational, and brave.<br /><br />Thank you. <br /><br />Keep up the good fight.<br /><br />HN WakeHN Wakehttp://www.hnwake.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62272720934874598742014-07-17T06:16:24.294-05:002014-07-17T06:16:24.294-05:00I've watched you since I read your article in ...I've watched you since I read your article in Writer's Digest on how you got published. I've watched you go Indie. <br /> You are my hero.Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45600331266140756782014-07-16T22:16:31.728-05:002014-07-16T22:16:31.728-05:00Valerie,
Thanks for your NPR interview. My wife ...Valerie, <br /><br />Thanks for your NPR interview. My wife and I are, of course, NPR nerds, and every time I've heard a story lately about the Hachette (HASHAY!) vs Amazon negotiations, I nearly scream with rage that the story only seems to come from one side.<br /><br />The only thing I didn't enjoy about your interview was that it seemed like you barely got half the time Turow did, and you didn't get a chance to really explain what we (self-pubs) are really up to / thinking. <br /><br />But at least they let someone that wasn't from legacy get a word in finally. Maybe my very angry emails to a few of the shows got them to realize they maybe should do some equal-time reporting. <br /><br />However, they still haven't asked Joe for an interview (which is kind of the first or second thing I put in those emails). Maybe they're afraid he'll be like the talking heads on cable news and start shouting Alex Jones slogans haha. <br /><br />"WE ARE NOT YOUR SLAVES!" Angry_Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06858237359474121630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-29651191469607389492014-07-16T20:24:08.288-05:002014-07-16T20:24:08.288-05:00Oyster is another monthly fee service for readers....Oyster is another monthly fee service for readers. As an author, I go through Smashwords to get to Oyster. They pay royalties of 60% of the list price once a reader reads past 10% of the book. The royalties started coming in and I was surprised at the extra stream of revenue. It will be interesting to see what Amazon's royalty terms will be.<br /><br />And Joe, as a writer of absolutely filthy erotica, I'm hoping your new project will allow us to publish erotica without having to use secret code words in our descriptions. Selena Kitt had something in the works but it hasn't panned out yet... But maybe you're secretly partnering up?! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10401235243918864035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60483867189439957872014-07-16T19:38:18.930-05:002014-07-16T19:38:18.930-05:00Kindle are now testing their Kindle Unlimited serv...<i>Kindle are now testing their Kindle Unlimited service. Don't buy a book, rent it. </i><br /><br />Amazon isn't the only one doing this. Scrib'd is doing it also, I believe, and there's another service that the Big 5 have already signed on for.<br /><br />I look at this as a positive step. Yet another revenue stream. We've had music subscription services for years, but people still buy tons of music off iTunes...Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12785299355462748009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34929929396763073522014-07-16T19:35:44.106-05:002014-07-16T19:35:44.106-05:00Alan said: Writing is perceived as "easy"...Alan said: <i>Writing is perceived as "easy" by the general populace. </i><br /><br />Good point. I remember a famous Hollywood quote, which I think was from Sam Goldwyn to Billy Wilder and IAL Diamond after a pitch session. He said, "Just go home and word it in."<br /><br />Because, you know, it's that easy.Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12785299355462748009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79532222932212329532014-07-16T19:35:38.163-05:002014-07-16T19:35:38.163-05:00"There are also plenty of legacy authors who ..."There are also plenty of legacy authors who plug the work of indie authors, and vice-versa."<br /><br />Yeah, Piers Anthony blurbed my first book for me and even reviewed it in his newsletter. It's really not fair to paint everyone with the same brush just because they made a different decision to get their stories out there than you did.Charlie Wardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11355596010069971522014-07-16T18:47:28.877-05:002014-07-16T18:47:28.877-05:00I did two interviews lately on the Hachette/Amazon...<i>I did two interviews lately on the Hachette/Amazon thing</i><br /><br />Nicely done, Valerie.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37536004345200598882014-07-16T18:30:44.567-05:002014-07-16T18:30:44.567-05:00As Joe says in his blog post change is upon us. Ki...As Joe says in his blog post change is upon us. Kindle are now testing their Kindle Unlimited service. Don't buy a book, rent it. <br /><br />http://gigaom.com/2014/07/16/amazon-is-testing-kindle-unlimited-an-ebook-subscription-service-for-9-99month/<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60086855082345478552014-07-16T16:51:27.927-05:002014-07-16T16:51:27.927-05:00Please don't chill out. There are still many w...Please don't chill out. There are still many writers out there who only have vague or out dated ideas about self-publishing. I was at a writing group with at least three just last night. I'm not hugely successful, but I showed my author category ranks last night and they were impressed. Maybe that will get them thinking that if I can do it, they can also be successful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267066733031149882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-57606002327089704582014-07-16T14:57:51.509-05:002014-07-16T14:57:51.509-05:00I did two interviews lately on the Hachette/Amazon...I did two interviews lately on the Hachette/Amazon thing - both interviews based on my comment on the Change.org petition. One was from Bloomberg - they wanted an us vs. them - and one from NPR - that was in response to Scott Turow. I did the interviews because I wanted both sides to talk to each other - and largely because the media was trying to paint a black hat solely on Amazon.<br />I also did them to help Indie authors get their voices heard, not because my 'group' is better. We're all authors, and there's room at the table for all of us if we try.Valerie Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290746965893799388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-29836629093322273612014-07-16T14:54:26.598-05:002014-07-16T14:54:26.598-05:00I agree. It's hard to be an author. Just look ...I agree. It's hard to be an author. Just look at J.K. Rowlings struggles getting into the business, and now she's one of the most famous authors. Something needs to change, and it needs to happen soon. <a href="http://www.peanutbutterpublishing.com/services.html" rel="nofollow"> http://www.peanutbutterpublishing.com/services.html</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01511855752218553752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72291581759919380472014-07-16T12:52:00.865-05:002014-07-16T12:52:00.865-05:00You have to view "Stockholm Syndrome" fr...You have to view "Stockholm Syndrome" from the outside, which I feel is why so many legacy published authors deny it exists for them. Another great post from Konrath.Jill Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754506629717417267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-87905859519485147912014-07-16T11:00:41.032-05:002014-07-16T11:00:41.032-05:00Joe said, "Shh!
Let me get the sites out of ...Joe said, "Shh!<br /><br />Let me get the sites out of beta at least. :)"<br /><br />I've been wondering what you were cooking up in that active little brain of yours, Joe. Can't wait to hear about it.Mark Edward Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09348437062900925019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21240123809215023102014-07-16T10:46:42.581-05:002014-07-16T10:46:42.581-05:00"Let me get the sites out of beta at least. :..."Let me get the sites out of beta at least. :)"<br /><br />Can't wait to see what you are cooking up!<br /><br />And after reading some today about Google's new Express service, it crossed my mind that independent bookstores could join together and create a "local bookstore" website, where they sell directly to customers and the book is delivered by whatever bookstore you select or whichever one is closest to you. They may not be able to compete on price and speed, but at least they could offer the same conveniences as Amazon of shopping on your computer, and a much wider selection (if they include all books available as special orders...even print on demand books!) The site could incorporate the partnership with Kobo and so offer both paperbooks and ebooks.<br /><br />Like the Google Express service, this could combine "local" and "online" shopping to give the best of both worlds. A customer could also use the online service to special order any book, and then stop by to pick it up if they preferred not to pay for shipping. <br /><br />I really like the Google Express concept of using my computer to shop locally...too bad it is not available where I live.Nirmalahttp://endless-satsang.com/free-ebooks-free-spiritual-books61.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-28599171399957292972014-07-16T10:29:58.582-05:002014-07-16T10:29:58.582-05:00Hey, Joe, you can make it ten thousand and one tim...Hey, Joe, you can make it ten thousand and one times that you've been thanked by an indie author. My friend told me about you, and what indie authors were doing, over two years ago. I wished I'd listened then; I am listening now. <br /><br />Thank you, Joe!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12536053189313834083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-14736317408608383832014-07-16T10:11:13.187-05:002014-07-16T10:11:13.187-05:00"Exclusivity and clubs that don't let eve..."Exclusivity and clubs that don't let everyone in."<br /><br />I can't help picturing Studio 54 here. And you know what happened to them! :)Tracy Sharp - Author of the Leah Ryan Serieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12239533451929739327noreply@blogger.com