| Author |
Message |
    
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 413
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 06:52 pm: | 
|
I've noticed a handful of newfound subsidy-published books (IUniverse and AuthorHouse) appearing on the Essence Bestseller list this year. Although traditional publishers, old-school writers, and most media usually see all non-traditionally published books in the same negative light (They say you should never pay to be published.), you have to wonder if subsidy is coming of age. Has there ever been a subsidy-published book on the New York Times bestseller list? What makes an author turn to subsidy publishing versus true self publishing where they can earn more profits? Less financial risk? Should subsidy-published authors worry that bookstores will misjudge them when they flip over their books and read the subsidy publisher's name? |
Zane
Regular Poster
Username: Zane
Post Number: 65
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 09:30 pm: |
|
Emanuel,
Subsidy publishers are likened to lawyers who specialize in traffic offenses. What I mean by that is, just like law offices that send everyone letters the second they get a ticket for something that would require court, subsidy publishers send everyone publishing offers once they copyright a manuscript with the library of congress. Most people do not take the time to research before they publish, get excited, and think that the subsidy publisher has actually read--and chosen--their work for a reason other than financial gain.
I honestly have not kept up with the Essence list too much this year. Just been busy. My sister had to tell my mother, who in turn told me, that I currently have both fiction and non-fiction titles on the list. However, that is great if POD books have made the list. POD is different than subsidy though. So this begs the question if POD is becoming a viable option for aspiring authors.
Blessings,
Zane |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 17
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 12:04 am: |
|
My book was one of thos iUniverse books that made the ESSENCE list in Hardcover - Rooftop Diva. I choose iUniverse to do the book because I like their program. It has choices on editorial review etc. and I got feedback that I used to make a few changes. They are not very expensive and take some of the tedious things out of my hands that would consume a lot of time since I don't write full time.
I used them really as a packaging service to get the books completed. They don't know anything about submissions as they state up front how their program works and you select what you want to do. There is no you're accepted letter as you are selecting a service.
Bookstores know the difference between companies and really only care about return status and quality of the book. Having iUniverse on the cover really only matters to industry people, readers buy on the story inside of the book.
My book is POD in paperback and hardcover, but that didn't matter in making the list because the process of ordering etc. is transparent to a customer.
I may truly self-publish through the same printer that does most POD books, including all of my current books, but it will mean I can't call anyone but myself when issues arise.
When I was traveling to Louisiana I had books delivered to my hotel in Baton Rouge. One box was missing, I called iUniverse and they tracked it down and have it forwarded to New Orleans where I had traveled to next.
There are pros and cons to true self-publishing and/or using a publishing services company like iUniverse.
Two weeks from now I have signings at Hastings and Barnes and Noble. There will be some stores that balk, but most don't have a problem if the book is good. That's why I always get reviews. I sent out 5 copies of my new book to reviewers last week that had reviewed my prior book. Good reviews and a good media kit works wonders.
Now my self-published book is contracted for audio with an advance and traditional setup where I don't own those rights anymore. That means the iUniverse label had no bearing on the desire for the audio publisher to buy those rights. The only thing that mattered was they were getting enough calls for my book from libraries wanting to purchase the audio version.
The thing with the ESSENCE list is getting enough unit sales in reporting stores.
www.DTPollard.com |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 414
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 06:58 pm: |
|
DT,
Have you considered approaching a traditional publisher or a literary agent with the success you're having? Seems like it would be more of a lucrative deal for you. What are the contracts like with IUniverse? Do you own your publishing rights once you publish with them? What if a traditional publisher wanted to buy the print rights?
Zane,
Thanks for the input. |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 19
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 12:28 am: |
|
A traditional publisher can buy the rights anytime because I still control them. I can also take the book back and do it as a true self-published book.
There was an iUniverse book that just went traditional called Hollywood Car Wash. It was done through a division that does books that have been published before and are out-of-print. Illegal Affairs by Shelia Dansby-Harvey also started as an iUniverse book.
I hope to go mainstream at some point, but want to do a few more things on my own first.
www.DTPollard.com
|
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 415
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 09:21 am: |
|
You would think the IUniverse would promote you authors who have appeared on bestsellers list more on their website. It's gotta be win/win for both of you. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 941
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 03:54 pm: |
|
Quickly;
1 - Readers want good books
2 - Sellers need to generate profit
ANYTHING that addresses these issues favorably for the BOTH the reader and the seller is an optimal and sustainable practice, technique, or activity over the long term.
Readers don't not care if the book was published by Randomhouse or "Joe Neck-Bone's Publishers" by way of an I-Universe.
The problem with this method of publishing is distribution, returns, difficulty of getting a review, and all of the other obstacles that the self published author has to deal with. The hampers the ability to profit and therefore make this method of publishing less attractive.
Note this is not a reflection on the iUniverses of the world but the method of publishing chosing by those typically least prepared for publishing.
The more knowledgeable you are about publishing the better your odds are at profitting from the benefits offered going the iUniverse route.
If you know nothing about publishing and have written a bad book. iUniiverse will still take your money, but your odds of profiting are zilch.
|
Wfcooper
Newbie Poster
Username: Wfcooper
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 04:42 pm: |
|
Self publishing has come a very long way when I was with First Books Library (Now Author House)back in 2001. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10980
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 05:59 pm: |
|
Gee, I'm glad to find out that Author House used to be First Books. I had some dealings with First Books back in the 1990s and I just recently discovered that Authorhouse was listing an old, out-of-print novella of mine on Amazon.com without my permission. I couldn't figure this out and was miffed about this because it was a little thing I put together as an e-book, a work I later decided that I didn't want made avaiable "for public consumption".  |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 459
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 12:59 am: |
|
Cynique,
I just did the same thing, giving my novel an out of print status (told LSI not to print any more) in order to re-write it, add to it, and hopefully find a larger audience for it and my new manuscript. Amazon now lists it as available to ship within 3-6 weeks and BN.com says it's unavailable for purchase. I assume a few wholesale distributors have a few copies left for Amazon to sell. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10989
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 01:09 pm: |
|
Some nerve. Wonder if anybody had ordered this book would I have gotten any money??? |
Email This Page