Book Publishing is Changing
By Jerry D. Simmons | July 28th, 2009 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
Forced by the economic downturn and declining unit sales over the past decade and a half major publishers are scrambling to reinvent themselves. Finding their dire situation mirrors that of General Motors but without the possibility of a large bailiout, these guys are not too big to fail. Lagging sales, increased cover prices, and the unwillingness to publish more first time authors or take chances on new sub-genres, the majors are destined to find themselves trailing the quality self-published titles that are emerging.
The fact that quality writers willing to self-publish now have access to major booksellers means their opportunities have never been greater. Taking the production standards of the large traditional publishers and combining that with the rights, ownership and control of a self-published author, this change in book publishing is a major step towards respectability for the self-published book.
For the first time there were more self-published titles in 2008 than the traditionally published ones. Certainly there are still large quantities of these books that will never find their way onto bookstore shelves because they are poorly written and lack an editor’s hand. There is a publisher that provides a comprehensive editorial screening and publishing philosophy that allows for the finest written manuscripts to be self-published in a manner that provides direct sales and national distribution, just like the traditional New York publishers.
For years the self-publishing industry has profited by creating a volume approach to publishing which welcomed any and all titles. This model is sufficient for most authors with a desire for a published book but is not adequate for those quality writers looking for a new approach. A publisher has emerged that will combine production standards with editorial review to create an imprint acceptable to major booksellers while still allowing authors ownership of their work.
Book publishing is changing and for the self-published author, it’s for the better.
The New Publishing Model
By Jerry D. Simmons | July 22nd, 2009 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Finally, writers have another choice when it comes to publishing their writing. The newest model combines the quality production, marketing, sales and distribution capabilites of a New York publisher, with the ownership, rights and control of a self-published author. The result is the INDI Publishing Group. This new hybrid publishing model will provide the very best self-published writers with access to major booksellers who up to this point have refused placement on store shelves.
The INDI Publishing model will only accept and publish the finest written manuscripts available. Each of our books will be good enough to occupy a spot on the mid-list of any New York published book. We will not publish and distribute anything, our focus is quality writing. Each accepted author will receive my personal one-on-one guidance through the entire publishing, sales and distribution process. I will utilize my 30 plus years of experience to assist you in producing, selling and distributing the finest independently published book on the market. This is a new opportunity for all self-published writers and will finally open doors that up to this point have been closed for the writer wishing to retain ownership, rights and control over their writing.
The new INDI Publishing Group is not for everyone, the investment is slightly higher than a typical self-published title but the opportunites far surpass anything the large POD companies have ever or will ever offer their authors. If you want an opportunity to compete with all titles on store shelves, submit your manuscript today. Click the contact link at the top of the page and forward a copy of your completed manuscript.
Take Some Control Away From Your Publisher
By Jerry D. Simmons | July 21st, 2009 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
It astonishes me that publishers refuse to release sales information to their writers. When I worked in New York, there was never a hesitation to release information to those authors and agents who made such a request. Of course we always tried to make it as confusing as possible, but if questioned, we were willing to explain. Problem is, we were never questioned.
Nothing would please me more than to see authors take away the outrageous control that publishers have over the information they share with authors. It’s your book, your product; yes they control the rights but not the information. What would it take to regain the upper hand on these publishers? A unified front from published authors at all levels, demaning a consistent reporting structure from publishers.
I have no experience as an organizer of this type but if anyone has the background and desire to start such a campaign to spread the word among all writers, please let me know. What we want is for publishers to provide their authors with a strict reporting structure following the guidelines we establish, of information about the sale and distribution of their book(s). This is the only way authors are going to be able to hold their publishers accountable for treatment detrimental to their careers.
I’m tired of hearing about publishers who refuse to give their authors basic information. This is unacceptable to me and should be to everyone reading this blog. Authors need to stop allowing this to happen and quit accepting treatment that is designed to keep you in the dark. Start making some demands of your own. We could make some big changes in the publishing industry if we could organize the efforts of all authors. Remember, they need you a lot more than you need them because they need product!
