Well, folks, the evidence is mounting. I read on Daily Finance today that B&N reported a 'heavier quarterly loss than investors were expecting'.
What does this mean?
Well, duh, they didn’t make enough $$$$$$$$$$ to please their investors.
So the question that remains is why?
Hook your seatbelt, because times, they are a changin’!!!!!
E-books were a pipe dream a couple years ago. Few people believed they would amount to anything, let alone the mammoth sales they are now posting.
And let’s face it, anyone who expects to be pubbed at a huge house who doesn’t see a prior big sales following is simply holding out for a fantasy contract. The net might as well offer fantasy publishing right along with fantasy football. The chances are slim to none you’re going to kick the winning goal first time out.
Goooaaaaallllll!
With sales in a funk, we have to look at new venues to get our names out there. And if smaller houses take chances on us and we do well with them, why would we want to change to someone who didn’t want to give us a break in the first place? Just saying…
As writers are we willing to be realists as well?
Let’s think about working our way up just like folks do every day in every career. Get your foot in the proverbial door and push it open, one book at a time. Before you know it, you might be the one helping B&N get their tootsies back on solid ground.
Like I said before, one alone can’t change anything, but when we start being the agents for change throughout the industry, who knows where our writing might take us?
I have a friend whose debut novel (definately not suitable for a Christian house) has just been purchased by an imprint of a major New York publisher, and his agent even has a taker for the movie rights. He would say to hold out for the big prize.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree. There are exceptions, and Mike is one of them, but they are rare. So I'm not going to ignore the smaller houses and e-book publishers. They may just be the ones to give me a chance.
Changes are definately coming...and I think they will be for the better for those of use just getting started. It will be interesting to follow how things all shake out.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Linda. I couldn't agree more.
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I'm with both of you. I can count on one hand the stories of overnight success. And those often fizzle as quickly as they sparked. I heard the "Cinderella story" at one of Oakland U's conferences about 12 years ago. Went to the agent, jumped to a huge house and was pubbed. She did one more book--a fizzle. Overnight successes aren't always what they're cracked up to be as the author hasn't taken the time to build a fan base. Also, big houses don't do much to promote a new author. Same result. Of course, there will ALWAYS be that one who seems to get it all and keep the rest of us hungering for the same, but reality is a wise taskmaster. It keeps us on more solid ground. I couldn't agree more with you both.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, for a great post! It's a difficult era to get published, but I think there's value in the renewed interest in reading because of e-books. Maybe some of those readers will decide they need to get hard copies of some books. And then there are readers who love the feel of a book in hand--to turn pages and gaze at the cover.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can see, it's a changing time, but it will eventually work into something very, very good! (in my humble opinion!)
I just signed a publishing contract with a small company and I get more royalties for e-books than hard copy books. (10% for hard copies sold and 50% for ebooks.)
ReplyDeleteEbooks are less money, though. Still, I don't think there's a real problem. It's only the medium that's changed. People are still reading.
And people are still going to want hard copy books. They will be novelties, I'm sure, in the future. But like I just read in an article from England (can't quote it, sorry), the pilot asks you to turn off your e-book reader, but your friends with hard copies keep reading during take-off.
Just sayin'.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I'm still waiting for someone to publish my book, but I have to say I'd be tickled pink to get it out there any old way the publishing house wants to do it. I feel very fortunate that Terry is representing me; he's always on the lookout for the latest in publishing and posts like yours make me realize that (as you said), "times, they are a'changin'."
Frankly, I like the idea of being published by a company who's a little hungry, who needs good writers as much as we need good publishers. And the idea of being loyal to the people who believed in me just seems like the right thing to do.
Blessings,
Deb
What can I say? I just got done reading my Nook. Still, I love my home library. Great post. Makes us think in a more critical manner.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading the comments on this post because right now, I am so entrenched in just getting my book prepared to submit that I don't know for sure what I think.
ReplyDeleteI liked your positive spin on what most people are dooming and glooming about. Interesting to see what might happen.
ReplyDeleteEdge of Your Seat Romance
I agree, Raquel. I'm exicited to see where all this is headed. I have no problem with it. Time to keep up and not be left behind, I think. So I can't wait to see what comes next.
ReplyDeletegreat post Linda. I'm so new to all of this, so it's great to get some perspective.
ReplyDeleteSo, if you're really trying to get your name out there and get some buzz generated for yourself, I think e-books could be a great way to do it. Imagine taking one of your shorter books that has the potention to really get a hookinto readers and putting it out there for no cost. Some people like to sort their books by looking at free ones first. (for example, I choose mystery and then sort by price so the free ones pop up first) So many times it just takes word of mouth. If I like a book I read, I will tell friends to go download it from amazon while it's still free. Then, I'm very likely to search for that author in the future. If I really like someones writing, I will always keep a look out for new books by that author. Another example: I read one book by Lisa Gardner a few years ago that i REALLY got in to. Since then, I have bought every new one of hers that comes out because I know it will be a satisfying read!
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