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Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 517
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 05:52 pm: | 
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Farm Teams for Publishers?
At least one mainstream publisher is so attracted by the recent success of people publishing themselves that the company is partnering with a self-publishing outfit.
WEB EXCLUSIVE
By Tony Dokoupil
Newsweek
Updated: 6:40 p.m. ET Sept 20, 2007
Sept. 20, 2007 - The unturned pages said it all. Not only had another major publisher turned down E. Lynn Harris's manuscript, the editor hadn't even bothered to read it through. It was 1991, and the then-36-year-old African-American author had failed for the 20th time to sell his novel "Invisible Life" to a traditional literary house. "I was told that there's no market for black fiction," Harris says of his story about a Manhattan lawyer wrestling with his sexuality. Now a creative-writing instructor at the University of Arkansas, Harris took matters into his own hands. He self-published his book at a cost of $15,000, a fortune for someone failing to make payments on the Toyota Corolla he planned to use as a rolling bookstore. But by personally peddling the book to a mainly black readership at beauty salons, sorority houses and Southern book clubs, he quickly sold 5,000 copies (too late for the Corolla, which was repossessed soon afterward). Numbers talk, and less than six months later Doubleday, a venerable mainstream publishing house, signed a publishing contract with Harris, who has since written eight best sellers (that’s in addition to "Invisible Life," which has sold more than a half-million copies).
For decades, in a risk-averse book industry looking for surefire hits, authors like Harris have gone it alone in the grueling parallel universe of vanity presses, local bookstores, and specialty conferences, where writers double as one-person publicity departments. Now help may be at hand. In October, San Francisco-based Chronicle Books plans to unveil what it says is a pioneering "mutual referral" deal with the Silicon Valley self-publisher Blurb, known for its print-on-demand online bookstore and glossy photography books. Chronicle will refer unwanted authors to Blurb, who will return an undisclosed cut of the earnings generated from the new accounts. Blurb says that while it's not uncommon for self-publishers to sell promising manuscripts up the chain to larger publishers, this is the first deal to send submissions in the other direction: from the discard pile of a traditional publishing house to an online bookstore where authors pay to have their books printed and sent off into the real world.
It looks to be a win-win arrangement: Chronicle gets a "talent lab" where it can watch for new work bubbling up in popularity, Blurb gains early access to a market of spurned wordsmiths, and authors achieve a place on the radar of a hip midsize publishing company with the resources to turn a Web sensation into a national best seller. "We'd love to be the Sundance Film Festival of the book world," says Blurb CEO Eileen Gittins, referring to the annual Utah film festival known for launching small-budget films into larger markets. All one needs to enter the festival fray is (alas) a rejection letter from Chronicle and money for Blurb, which offers free design software and charges clients for each book printed at rates ranging from $12.95 for a 40-page trade paperback to $159.95 for a 360-page coffee-table hardcover.
Among the writers and artists most likely to benefit from this new arrangement are people exactly like Harris: African-Americans, first-time authors and those who write books deemed too narrowly focused to woo a large audience. In essence, people the industry is hesitant to take on without an existing sales record, says Calvin Reid, news editor at Publisher's Weekly. "Self-publishing has allowed African-American authors to demonstrate sales that over time expand the range of [major imprint] books on the black experience," he says. It's a formula that has worked at least once before with urban fiction, a genre that only hit the mainstream after succeeding on the streets. Originating as typewritten photocopies sold from the trunks of cars, the stories—typically a blend of erotica and crime, written in the blunt patois of popular rap—now appear as shiny paperbacks on the lists of major publishing houses and the shelves of national bookstores.
But not everyone is sanguine about the new deal, which they say will add one more mile of desert between authors and their first paychecks. "It's to Chronicle's benefit to … force authors to prove their sales before swooping in to sign them," says Tina Ansa, head of Down South Publishing, which she founded in 2004 to help black authors. "It's not enough that we write the books. Now we're being asked to shake our asses, too," she says. Chronicle points out that there's no guarantee that an author will come back to them, and says the agreement is primarily designed to help writers. "It's an opportunity for writers to test their product in a digital marketplace where success might bring them back to us," says Sarah Williams, Chronicle's executive director of business development. The question is, what kind of future would it be if every publisher copied Chronicle's new model? On the one hand, deals like this seem to create conflicts of interest. On the other, it may be the only way authors can finally move as Harris did: from an "Invisible Life" to a life most visible.
© 2007 Newsweek, Inc. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 361
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 08:58 pm: |
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Companies like Publish America are making a killing. Traditional publishers want to get in on some of that action. The referral service is just the beginning. Pretty soon, ALL traditional publishing companies will have non-traditional units. Millions of dollars are at stake. Imagine a Simon & Schuster On Demand or a St. Martin's "Discoveries."
The question is, why does a rejected author need a referral to a vanity press? Aren't there already millions of them out there authors know about? AuthorHouse, Infinity, IUniverse, Publish America, BookSurge, Xlibris, etc.
Too bad the presses are targeting black authors (as it would seem from this article). Black writers need to really educate themselves on the submission process to traditional publishers, the advantages of true self-publishing versus using a vanity press, and the realities of what to expect when you get published non-traditionally. E. Lynn Harris is the exception, not the rule.
Having been published by a subsidy press and having truly self-published, I speak and write about the pros and cons every chance I get. Check out some of the articles I wrote on Blogging in Black (http://blogginginblack.com/?s=emanuel+carpenter) and the following radio series on vanity and print on demand publishing: http://www.wbjbradio.com/series/pod.php . |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 518
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 10:26 pm: |
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Well said, Emanuel. This is one of the reasons I'm so upset at Tina McElroy Ansa, Founder and Publisher of DownSouth Press. Ansa was in a position to help up-and-coming Black writers. Instead, what did she do? She made DownSouth Press an elitist "agent-only" publisher. Meaning, a writer's work will only be considered if it's submitted via a literary agent.
While I perfectly understand that being an agent-only publisher greatly diminishes the workload, diminishes the slushpile, allows editors to have their pick at la creme de la creme of both literary and mainstream works, and allots a publisher, even a small startup publisher, instant highbrow status in the industry; as a Black author herself, Ansa knows from firsthand experience how difficult it is for Black writers to break into publishing. So, why would she establish a small press that contributes to this problem?
When I first learned that Ansa founded her small press, headquartered in GA, IIRC, I felt so proud of this sister. Shortly afterwards, I learned that DSP is an agent-only publisher. My pride quickly dissolved to disappointment.
And, there is a current tide in the industry where the vast majority of publishers: conglomerates, large houses, midsize and small presses, are moving toward an agent-only criteria for submissions. I project within the next decade, writers, particularly "writers of color" will move more and more into self-publishing and vanity publishing, moreso by force than by choice.
Now to see that Chronicle Books, a well-respected and good sized commercial publisher that currently still accepts unagented submissions, btw, referring their rejected authors to Blurb, one of the most expensive vanity publishing companies in the country and, for doing so, Chronicle receives a kickback, uh, excuse me, "an undisclosed cut of the earnings generated from the new accounts". Boy, I tell ya, it's sad day in the book world.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9964
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 11:17 pm: |
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There is something surreal about all of this. It certainly empowers agents. So, what if a person utilizes the editorial services of an agency like the one that advertised in another post on this board and submits a really bad manuscript to these people who, in turn, edit, revise, and rewrite the manuscript, and the finished product is then submitted to an agent who is impressed with the polished final result, and submits this "make-over" to a publisher who deems it worthy of being published. Theoretically, an unskilled writer could end up being a best-selling author. And, along with the illiteracy of street lit, we'd have mainstream incompetency, and self-published books could end up being the real deal. Not. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 362
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 11:45 pm: |
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Urban_scribe,
You know, I'm actually for Ansa's policy on accepting submissions because there is simply too much crap out there to sort through without a literary agent filtering through it first. What I don't agree with is when people say they've started a business to help authors when all they really do is help themselves to their money. (Lots of self-published authors with extra ISBN numbers to use are starting mini-subsidy presses which supposedly helps other authors.) Besides, there are still many traditional publishers who accept unagented submissions like Soho Press (which published "The Darkest Child" by Delores Phillips) and many more listed in the book "Writer's Market."
Cynique,
What you said does already happen in the industry. Some people are good idea people who can think of good plots and interesting characters but don't have the chops to write well (technically and gramatically). (It's rumored that a certain best selling black pastor who writes novels fits this category.) Those folks pay editorial service companies (more and more who've edited bestselling authors are hanging out their shingles) and increase their chances of being picked up by a traditionally publisher or at least a literary agent. (I've exchanged e-mails with editors who've done work for Carl Webber and EJD. They cost a lot but I imagine the investment is worth it. The closer to perfection by the time the publisher gets it the better.) |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9965
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 12:30 am: |
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I guess in a way this is all a variation of ghost writing, Emanuel. I've heard that best selling author John Grisham really has to have his manuscripts shaped up. And I wouldn't be suprised if the black pastor you spoke of is T. D. Jakes. and I'm sure that James Patterson doesn't do any more than supply ideas for the best-sellers he collaborates with other authors on. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 519
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 12:57 am: |
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Emanuel wrote:
Besides, there are still many traditional publishers who accept unagented submissions like Soho Press...
Sadly, given the current growing trend of agent-only publishers, presses such as SP are becoming an endangered species.
I don't buy the argument that agent-only is the way to go to cut down on the slushpile. True, there is a lot of crap submitted. I read it everyday. But the current trend is creating a system in which literary agents are doing the thinking for editors. And, the industry is losing good editors. Many former editors are going into business as literary agents. Editors see the shift in the industry, and are crossing the street to get to greener grass.
Six degrees of separation is alive and well in the industry. It's becoming ever difficult for new writers/first-time writers to be published without A) having an agent B) being referred by an author currently on a particular imprint.
The publishing industry is being reduced to the "I know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows E. Annie Proulx, and she put in a good word for me," game.
Frankly, I'm sickened by it.
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A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1895
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 05:10 am: |
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I agree with you Emanuel,
The market is being flooded with self published authors who don't bother to edit their books themselves, much less hire a professional to edit for them. Contrary to popular belief, a good editor DOES NOT rewrite your story for you. You still have to figure out how to rewrite your story YOURSELF. They make suggestions, help correct grammar, and offer GUIDANCE.
Many self published authors sit down at the computer, type out a story and think that's all there is to writing a book. Everyone who finishes a book thinks that makes them an author in the traditional sense of the word. This is so not true.
So I agree with Ansa's policy as well. An agent
will have no problem telling a writer what works and what doesn't, if thier writing is good or needs improvement, etc. Self publishers, most of the time, circumvent these basic and extremely important steps, the critiquing, and the necessary rewriting which is part of the business, but do themselves and the industry great harm in doing so. New writers don't learn to hone and improve their writing skills, or how to shape their project into the best story possible.
Rejection isn't necessarily a bad thing, if you take the advice offered many times and rework your story, read a few books on grammar and its usage, even a few classes can help with the pronoun and adjective problems that A LOT of AA authors have.
Good agents and publishers are always looking for new talent. Otherwise, how could they stay in business? |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 520
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 10:54 am: |
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Sorry, but an agent's job is not to determine what's publishable and what isn't. That's an editor's job. An agent's job is to determine what is marketable.
So, a story CAN BE poorly written, poorly executed, but the storyline itself can be very commercial. An agent will taken on such a client. By the same token, a story can be magnificiently written, but not marketable. An agent will reject such a client.
Agents make money ONLY WHEN their clients make money. Therefore, if you've written a story, regardless to how well-written it is, an agent won't take you on as a client if there's little commercial appeal because the agent won't make any money. For this reason, the bulk of any agent's clientele consists of "fluff" writers with a few "serious" writers sprinkled in.
The editing and, ultimately, publishing dynamics work differently. Everyday, editors acquire well-written tomes with limited commercial appeal. This seems counterintuitive on the surface, but dig deeper. Look at the big picture.
To a lesser degree, editors, like agents, know what's "hot" at the moment, what genres readers are buying by the thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, etc. So editors acquire as many of those mss as possible for their revenue potential. This allows editors to acquire a few beautifully written mss with little to no commercial appeal because the "hot" genres that were acquired will sell-through more than enough to cover the nominal sales expected from a wonderful, yet unmarketable book. So in the end, it all balances out.
Many like to diss urban fiction, erotica, chick lit, for example, but the fact of the publishing industry is that by publishing these genres publishers can afford to publish "serious" literature.
Look at it this way: average sales for "serious" literature typically stands at the 5,000 unit mark.
Averages sales for "fluff" typically stands at the 15,000 unit mark.
So when a publisher, regardless to its size, accepts agent-only submissions, their reason for doing so is NOT to filter out the "riff raff" and publish "quality" literature. Rather, their reason for doing so is to generate revenue because, again, an agent determines what is marketable and makes money only when his client makes money. So an agent-only criteria will actually result in more commercial "fluff" being published.
The common goal of a publisher, editor, and agent is to make money. After all, publishing is an industry, a business. It's their approach that differentiates how this money is made. Therefore, having an agent simply means, in the vast majority of cases, that the work of a particular author has mass appeal. It does not mean, in the vast majority of cases, that the author writes well.
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5318
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 11:07 am: |
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The publishing industry is being reduced to the "I know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows E. Annie Proulx, and she put in a good word for me," game.
Frankly, I'm sickened by it.
(but there's nothing you can do)
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Well said, Emanuel. This is one of the reasons I'm so upset at Tina McElroy Ansa, Founder and Publisher of DownSouth Press. Ansa was in a position to help up-and-coming Black writers. Instead, what did she do? She made DownSouth Press an elitist "agent-only" publisher. Meaning, a writer's work will only be considered if it's submitted via a literary agent.
(Are you or is somebody else willing to work for her for free slogging through slush pile submissions.
She gotta do what she gotta do. This is a business, not a charity.
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Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 521
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 11:30 am: |
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Chrishayden wrote:
(but there's nothing you can do)
Well, the solution is to launch my own imprint. Hmmm...
(Are you or is somebody else willing to work for her for free slogging through slush pile submissions.
She gotta do what she gotta do. This is a business, not a charity.
That's just it. As a publisher, Ansa's role is to PAY editors to slog through the slushpile.
Via an agent-only submission criteria, the AUTHOR pays the agent a cut of the author's advance and royalties to slog through ANSA's slushpile. It's a win-win for Ansa and DSP, and a very author-unfriendly practice.
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A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1896
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 12:29 pm: |
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The common goal of a publisher, editor, and agent is to make money. After all, publishing is an industry, a business. It's their approach that differentiates how this money is made. Urban Said:Therefore, having an agent simply means, in the vast majority of cases, that the work of a particular author has mass appeal. It does not mean, in the vast majority of cases, that the author writes well.
I only partly agree. A writer can have commercial appeal and be a terrible writer and get rejected based on that fact. No one wants to rewrite a story for a poor writer. Therefore BOTH elements must be present. And yes an agent does want someone who is marketable, a writer WANTS to be marketable, else why not just write the book and put in on a shelf? And that is one of the elements that makes this a VERY SUBJECTIVE business.
Sure, you work in the idustry US, but don't try to be the voice of ALL AGENTS, ALL EDITORS, and ALL PUBLISHERS, because you're not. You can't speak for everyone. Writing is a business, but it is run based upon the subjective whims of a few people in a house. There are human beings behind the business making the decisions on what ultimately is bought and sold by a house. Humans whose thought processes, tastes, ideas, etc., are different and diverse. So the criteria set by the the house you work for, may make cause you to make decisions that another house won't. There may be some basic guidelines for each house, but each editor who pitches a book to the ulitimate decisionm makers has no idea if a book they love will be accepted or not. It's also one importmant reasons that an author may be turned down 50 times by 50 different editors before they finally find one who is crazy about their story and willing to go to bat for them.
Also another reason that a new writer should get a GOOD agent is to interpret the publishing contract and negotiate the deal. So what if you have to pay an agent a measly 10-15 percent of your earnings. 85-90 percent of a sale is better than 100 percent of a no sale.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9969
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 12:42 pm: |
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I would tend to agree that the book writing business needs to weed itself out. It's as if writing a book was a recessive impulse imprinted on the human brain, one that has now evolved into a dominant urge, ranking right up their with the 3 primary drives of hunger, thirst, and sex. The gene involved in being a talented writer, however, is a little more selective. When it comes to the publishing business, altruism is an admirable trait. But obviously being innovative is more lucrative, and who is to say that when it comes to success, it's about the survival of the fittest? And so it goes. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 522
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 12:58 pm: |
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Well, A_womon, I don't presume to speak for the entire publishing industry, and it's quite unfair of you to charge me with taking such a position. Where have I ever stated that I, urban scribe, speak for the ENTIRE publishing industry?
My goal is to present factual insider information of WHAT REALLY GOES DOWN IN PUBLISHING based on firsthand experience and expertise, with the hope of debunking the plethora of publishing myths and misinformation that I frequently come across on writers' forums. My goal is to be helpful and to "pull coats" and open eyes to how the publishing game is really played. This is the reason I use an anonymous moniker. I can't put my real name out there. Nevertheless, I don't get paid for this, so if my information is not welcomed, information that no one of my level of experience will give out freely and publicly to the Black writing community, then I'll gladly shut up; and allow you and other aspiring Black writers to continue to believe publishing myths and circulate publishing misinformation to the Black writing community.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9970
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 01:19 pm: |
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Me, I always appreciate getting the inside dope from you, Urban Scribe. Since these days, I'm just a spectator in the writing game, I don't have a problem with having the cruel hard facts deflate long-held illusions. |
A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1897
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 01:22 pm: |
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I'm not trying to be unfair, or to cause you not to share, US. That is definitely not my intention at all. By the same token, I don't think you should say that I am circulating misinformation--I'm not. I am putting forth my experiences, as I assume you are. But I have read and researched a lot and know that other editors, and writers, do not espouse the same opinions on the publishing industry as you.
I have already said that you are knowledgeable, but some of the things you say, I don't agree with. So are you saying that I and everyone who reads your information shouldn't disagree? I've read books written by other industry professionals that I haven't agreed with, that I've found not to be my experience. So if I've had experiences different than those you put forth, I'm sure there are others who have too. Just as there are others whose experienc will be different than mine.
But the problem that I have with this post is you're speaking for Ms Ansa and making statements about why she is running her company a certain way. How can you speak for her? You can't possibly know that the reason for her taking agented submissions is only to make money. Or that agents do not make decisions on what may be publishable.
A new writer searching for information may stop with the information in this very post, so I want them to know that there are others in the industry who may have a different experience and opinion than yours. I'm not dismissing your information, just not entirely agreeing with it. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9972
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 01:30 pm: |
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Obviously one of you is speaking from the inside, and the other is speaking from the outside. And it's not about opinions, it's about facts. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 523
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 01:56 pm: |
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A_womon, I used Ansa because she's quoted in the article I posted. I further went on to say that her press, DSP, is part of a current trend in the industry of being agent-only publishers. I further went on to explain the multitude of reasons why ANY publisher would make the decision to be an agent-only publisher. So I'm not speaking for or second-guessing Ansa, per se. Rather, stating the motivations why ANY publisher would designate itself as an agent-only publisher, and all that entails. Those are facts. I'm sickened by this author-unfriendly practice - that's an opinion. Others, obviously, think it's a terrific idea. That, too, is an opinion to which they are entitled. So, of course, you, or anyone, can disagree with my opinions - that makes for great conversation.  However, it's quite foolheartedly and detrimental to disagree with facts, simply because you (in the general sense) don't like them and they're hard to swallow.
As for agents making decisions of what may be publishable, that falls low on the list of an agent's job description. An agent decides what can SELL. As stated, many agents are former editors. Given that fact, I'm sure in the case of editor-turned-agent, they can't help but "go back home" and read submissions with an editor's eye. But at the end of the day, the ultimate determining factor in whether or not an AGENT takes on a new client is whether or not s/he can SELL that writer's ms; not whether or not the writer's ms is publishable. Whereas an EDITOR, at the end of the day, acquires an ms because the editor feels that ms is publishable.
Do you see the distinction? For an agent, an ms must first and foremost be marketable. For an editor, an ms must first and foremost be publishable.
As such, by being an agent-only publisher, the focus of that house shifts to generating revenue, rather than publishing quality literature. You see what I'm getting at?
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A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1898
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 02:14 pm: |
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The debate about literary vs revenue generating is not new and I know that this is an issue that exists. I agree that there is a distinction to be made.
I enjoy your posts and find them very interesting and informative, but facts are relative aren't they? After all, as I've said before the facts as you state them have sometimes been different than the facts as other professionals have seen them. (this isn't exactly a good example for the sake of this debate, but two opposing attorneys in a criminal trial, take opposing views of factual evidence, no? The facts don't change but the interpretation of those facts does, right?)
I have to run out now, but I'll check the board later.
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 5818
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 02:43 pm: |
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U.S. - You SHOULD launch your own imprint!!!
Cyn - I heard or read somewhere that EVERYBODY wants to write a book someday. I was at a social function a couple of years ago and a friend of mine said she wanted to quit working and write a book, and I told her that everybody wants to write a book and she disagreed so I asked all the other people sitting at our table and they all said yes. But as we know, writing a book and producing something that others want to read are two different things.
A-Woman - When Urban gets her imprint she's not gonna publish your doorstop book.
LOLs
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Sisg
Regular Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 288
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 07:17 pm: |
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Well, from both sides of the fence, and yet not at the "traditional" publishing stage, i see the advantages, and "the hard row to tow", for both authors and publishers. Though i have only been in the publishing biz, (small press) for little over a year, believe me it's no cakewalk, especially when you are trying to launch new titles, and debut authors. Sadly, i'm not seeing the big dollars spoke about, or stealing from the authors, i have nothing to steal, since i paid for the books, paid quite a bit for marketing, mailing etc....and the authors get paid first, i guess for this first year, everythings in the negative. What i do get from this, you might ask. I get the satisfaction that the authors i've helped are 1) living their dream 2) getting their name and works out and 3) HOPEFULLy building a reputation for my publishing house. As an author, i have to say that U-Scribe is right, "Its about whats selling, what's hot...and yes who you know..." this is something i've learned along the way as an author, and been told by authors currently with agents and traditional publishing houses. People, it's just how it is. There is also a level of "crabs in the basket" syndrome that takes place amongst AA authors. Why are we so afraid to reach out and help another, introduce another to an agent, perhaps an editor...take the time to maybe look over a chapter or two? Believe me, everyone of them now bestselling authors, everyone of of them are where they are at because somebody reached back and gave them a hand. I think Emanuel is an excellent writer, and i believe his book was well within the realms of commercial, sellable fiction, but maybe came at a time that STREET fiction, or CHRISTIAN, or EROTICA was the taste of the day.
Case in point, i submitted queries for a couple of stories, one being a mystery/suspense and another an urban drama (my take on street fiction, but not quite)...Most agents were interested in the Urban drama, despite the storyline, the quality of the story, etc....the genres they are hot for are the urban, street, chick-lit and various types of romance. It's selling and they want something that sales. I used to think that all i needed was an agent to get my foot in the door of some major publishing company, but now i have a different train of thought and some may see it as farfetched, but if I don't believe, I won't achieve...I no longer just want to be the author, i want to be Simon and Shulster, Penguin, Kensington and more. |
A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1899
Registered: 05-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 08:49 pm: |
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I am an author and I landed an NY agent and he got me a contract with a traditional publisher AND I DIDN'T KNOW ANYONE in the business previously, nor did I self publish and sell 5000 copies first.
I did the things that I was told to do by very successful authors who took the time to answer my questions by email. I followed thier advice, but they didn't bring me on board or introduce me to their editors and publishers. My book is not street fiction. The successful authors who gave me advice are not street fiction writers.
Sisg's post just serves to illustrate the fact that to me there are no absolutes in this industry. SOMETIMES it's just timing and getting your story into the right hands.
I have told several people off the board who I submitted to, how I did it, and who ultimately is publishing my book, so I believe in sharing any and everything I learn and helping the next person out. And as I mentioned other authors have freely given me advice and tips on a lot of things including marketing my books.
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Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 364
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 11:15 pm: |
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Thanks for dropping the knowledge everyone. I'm definitely an outsider who doesn't know what he doesn't know.
Cynique, yes mostly every American wants to write a book. Have you heard about Authorgeddon? Check out the article here: http://www.lulu.com/static/pr/6_01_05.php. NanoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) was created with the idea that everyone has a novel (not necessarily a good novel) in them and should take a month to bang out a rough draft.
Sisg, thanks for compliment on my writing. I wish you could read the novel I'm working on now. It's 100 times better than my first novel due to some smart techniques I picked up over the past year on character development and outlining.
Everyone,
There are some great bestselling authors I've spoken with or e-mailed who have given me great advice on the industry. Among them are Zane, Karen Quinones Miller, and Victoria Christopher Murray. Even folks on this board have referred me to literary agents.
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Sisg
Regular Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 289
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 11:35 pm: |
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So true A_woman, timing is sometimes the great divider, and i am quite accepting of that fact. I don't claim to know everything about the business, and you are absolutely right "there are no absolutes". Congratulations to you again on getting your agent and contract, and i do look forward to reading your book in the future.
Eman - you are welcome, and just let me know when it's done and published and i will gladly be a supporter.
BTW to all, i'm not saying that there are not some authors who won't or don't help, there are, but then again there are some that don't. It's neither here or there. The connections i have made, the networking has been wonderful, and it's because of it, that i am where i am today...not afraid, or ashamed to be a "self-published, or small press author", if it was all about money for me, i would have been out the game a long time ago...but i know it's about more, so my struggle continues. I have no doubt that i will one day reach the masses, it may not be this book, or the next, but it will happen, because i am dedicated to writing the great book, or great books. I may not be the Michael Jackson of writing, but if i can be the Frankie Beverly, i will be just as satisfied. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9973
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:22 am: |
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Good luck to all of you. When I was your age, it was hard for black fiction writers to hold on to their dreams. Now with the passage of time, I see dreams becoming a reality for many black authors. And I especially commend those of you who want to encourage and assist other writers. |
A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1901
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 03:44 am: |
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Thank you Sisg! I have NO DOUBT that you will achieve all of your goals. The road is not an easy one and landing an agent and publisher is great, but it's not the end of the journey by any means! First time authors still must prove that you can sell books!
I agree that Emanuel is good and you are an excellent writer as well, Sisg!I love your lead character in Devil In The Midst, though I must admit, I haven't had a chance to read the whole book yet. I haven't read many books for leisure lately but yours is DEFINITELY on my list. I look forward to meeting you at the book club convention next summer.
By the way, Sisg. Though I have gotten a lot of good advice from successful authors, I have encountered a crab or two along the journey, too! So it's true they do exist.
If there is ANYTHING I can do to help you please let me know. If I am able, just know I'm more than happy to oblige.
Cynique, thanks for the best wishes. |
Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 911
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 02:47 pm: |
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Urban I LOVE your always informative posts and I hope that you will always drop it like its hot..
LiLi |
Zane
Newbie Poster
Username: Zane
Post Number: 50
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 12:37 am: |
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The prices for the books are outrageous. Why pay almost 13 dollars for a 40 page book when you can self-publish and get a 300 page book printed for less than 4 dollars? This makes zero sense but unfortunately, many people will ante up and go for it.
Zane |
Sisg
Regular Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 291
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 09:42 pm: |
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A_woman, thank you!
Cynique - since you were one of the first to purchase my book and review it...you know i am so appreciating of your kindness and frankness...girl i'm trying to get that suspense/thriller down, bc this where i want to build on my career...so your rating of my book made me feel good, especially after reading your rating of a well known author's book, and we both received the same rating....girl i was dancing...see it don't take much to make me happy,not really, but a happy, satisfied reader will do it all the time. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10011
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 12:39 am: |
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Anytime, Sisgal. As I recall, your book had a strong plot and an appealing male protagonist and that goes a long way with me. Hang in there. You'll find your niche because things are evolving in the field of black publishing and you're in the vangard! Godspeed, girlfriend. |
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