I’ve made enough noise on my social media that I hope my friends and followers are aware that I’m close to having another book published. As I’m going through the process, readers I know are asking me questions that made me realize how much most of the general public don’t know about today’s publishing business.
“You have a publisher. Aren’t they taking care of the promotion?”
“ Where will you go on your book tour?”
What they’re thinking about is the writer who is with one of the big five: Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster. With some exceptions, these writers are celebrities (Obama) or established bestsellers (Grisham). Some new writers do make it through the system by landing an agent and then a book deal, or even by self-publishing and catching the attention of one of the big five with high sales.
The publishing revolution that took place a few years ago significantly changed the industry. Some companies folded or merged. Vanity, hybrid, and small presses proliferated. Self-publishing gained in popularity, and has gradually gained credibility by producing professional work. Each year approximately 2.3 million books are published by authors or small presses. Only between one and two percent of writers are published by the big five.
When I explain today’s system, most people are surprised that there are so many roads to being a published author. In the past, there was pretty much only one—land an agent, sign a contract, receive an advance, and then pray you earned out that advance, so you didn’t have to repay it.
Today, you can do-it-yourself: write the book, hire an editor, buy an ISBN, buy a cover design, pay for or do your own formatting, set up the distribution, and advertise. (this list isn’t necessarily complete or chronological)
Vanity presses are another option, and when you use them, you pay them to publish your book. They might do a good job with the details of publishing, but that’s not guaranteed, so after you pay the $4,000 or more, the book may not be a professional product. It’s up to the author to check everything very carefully. Usually, all the royalties are the author’s, and they retain their rights.
In 2018, IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association, 2018) set out criteria to help authors find a reputable hybrid press.
Some small presses take on the responsibility of putting the manuscript through the publishing pipeline without fees. The author won’t get an advance, but they will receive a percentage of the royalties. Good companies do some promotion, but the lion’s share is the author’s responsibility. Some rights go to the press. Others go to the author.
One of the biggest factors that has driven many authors away from traditional publishing is time. It can take years to find an agent--more years to sell a manuscript. And there are times a manuscript won't find a home even when agented. However, even after a sale and a contract have been negotiated, it can take additional years to see the book in print.
This is an exciting, challenging business to be a part of because it changes constantly, and the competition is fierce. Then when a book launches, it’s an adrenaline rush. No wonder there are so many people caught up in writing books and publishing them.
15 comments:
great post, Lee. You've laid it out in the simplest terms for anyone to understand. The industry has come a long way since the 90s. In some respects getting published has never been easier. Although if the writer isn't American, it can be a challenge. Which is why I took a sabbatical earlier this year. I wish you huge success, Lee. Congratulations on your newest book, Rattlesnake. I love the cover!
Good information about publishing traditionally vs self-publishing. Thanks for sharing. I have a friend who is an excellent writer. Her first book, traditionally published, did very well. So she is taking the traditional route of finding an agent, etc. She's having a difficult time. When I told her it may be 2 years before the book comes out after finding a publisher, she was shocked. I hope she is successful. Her story deserves to be published!
That is a lot of books...
Lots of options open for writers now.
It's true you can do most of it yourself now, but the promotion is really the most important aspect. Even most Big 5 authors aren't going to get a huge promotional push from the publisher; it's really up to the author to do it his/herself these days.
You've given great insight to the publishing world we live in now. I published my first book with Amazon. My ext book I'm pitching to agents. It's been my dream to go traditional.
Great post. I agree with you that the time and effort it takes to get traditionally published drives authors aways from that path or getting published at all. Even once you get published, the path can be long and hard. One good thing is all the other options authors have now.
There are so many paths and writers need to know the pros and cons of all of them so they can make a good decision.
thorough info for all of us who wish to be published... someday!
I love that there are so many avenues to publishing.
The whole process sounds quite familiar to those of us who have been indie musicians for several decades past. Book publishing is just catching up!
Hi Lee - congratulations for tomorrow ... I'm going to enjoy Rattlesnake. As some have said - lots of options ... while Diane with her publishing hat on - has said one must learn the best route for one's own path. Cheers Hilary
You really wrapped it all up into a great post. Having my small publisher close its doors drove me to self-publishing.
Yup! For better or worse, that's the way it is -
Thank you, Lee, for laying this out so clearly. I still remember receiving that query from a small publishing house that said IF I completed their 19-page single-spaced application, they MIGHT consider me. I would know IF they contacted me again. That pushed me some 10 years ago to jump into self-publishing, and it's been a wonderful journey. And, I too am looking forward to reading RATTLESNAKE which arrived on my ipad today. Congratulations!!!!
I'm so pleased that this post hit the mark. I've been at this business for a while now, and as frustrating as it has been, it has also been very rewarding. I've learned so much and met some amazing writers! I don't regret getting into this business or climbing the mountain. It's like hiking. You just have to put one foot in front of the other until you get to your destination. Thanks for weighing in with your own experience!
Post a Comment