The Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times", is raining all over publishing. These are interesting times as technology shifts markets and methods of distribution. Some think ebooks are the salvation of publishing, others think ebooks are publishing’s doom. What does the e really mean to you and me?
There is certainly opportunity. New ways to reach readers. New ways to connect with other writers and publishing professionals. New ways to publish and distribute content, from writing stories for cell phones to self-publishing ebooks. Amazon’s Kindle makes self-publication with distribution easy and profitable. Epublishers who provide top-notch editing, cover art and distribution can provide the opportunity for earnings equal to New York.
With blogging, Twitter, Facebook and email newsletters, authors have multiple ways to reach potential readers with the click of a mouse and no postage and printing costs. PDF making software allows us to create ebooks of sample chapters and ordering information for upcoming titles, which any bookseller can download. Self-publishing a promotional ebook might be the number one way to win new readers to a series.
So what’s the downside? Many. The epublishing model means the author signs a contract for rights to a work with an uncertain dollar return. You might make thousands on an ebook; you might make a couple hundred. Epiracy is at an all-time high. If you self-publish for promotional purposes, to give back to readers, or to release a work for profit on your own, the sheer volume of voices and choices online can drown out your e-offering. Between NY titles releases as ebooks, self-published ebooks, and epublishers which seem to multiply overnight, the flood of content available online makes it simultaneously easier than ever to reach markets and harder than ever for those markets to notice.
Then there’s the question of reversion of rights. Traditionally, reversion of rights and the ability to resell a work has meant a source of income to writers. As epublishing and POD allows a book to remain in print and available forever, the push is on for publishers to retain backlist rights, but it remains to be seen if this will be good or bad for authors in the long run. Likewise the question of advances; traditional publishing is already experimenting with the royalty-only, no-advance model epublishers operate on. If books are visible, well-distributed, and easy to purchase, royalty income and backlist earnings can more than compensate for advances and resale of rights. But note the "if" and "can" in there.
Now more than ever, nothing is certain except that change is here, it can’t be stopped, and further changes are inevitable. The ostrich in the sand approach won’t help anybody, and neither will messianic proclamations that the e will set us free. Writers can’t expect professional organizations, publishers or even agents to look to their interests in these changing times. It’s up to each individual to study the markets, understand the technology, read every contract carefully, and negotiate to put themselves in the best possible position. Particularly the current contract issue of royalty rates for ebooks from NY publishers. The authors who scoff at those sales now and think it doesn’t matter may live to regret accepting traditional print book royalty rates when that percentage grows.
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You know Charli, I wasn’t really all that nervous about the changes happening in publishing, but just in the past two days I’ve started to shake in my slippers.
I am nervous. I just realized that.
Vivi, the good news is that self-publishing is more viable than ever. *g* Also, you can buy really cheap real estate in Detroit. I think authors should be moving to Michigan in droves. If you can buy a house for a grand, you can buy yourself a lot of room to maneuver in the changing marketplace.
Since I write ebooks, I am excited about increased popularity in digital media. I do agree with you about the downsides to epublishing, however there many advantages including low production and deliverability costs.
I made my first ebook sale in 2004. The advantages are many, but the disadvantages warrant caution. No matter what the method, authors need to look to their interests when it comes to publishing.
I’m just setting out on my journey, with my first paranormal romance novel out subbing and an urban fantasy WIP on the way to completion, and I’m excited about the opporunities offered by epublishing. But thanks for the note of caution. Seriously, we need to hear this.
David, there is a best of times/worst of times aspect to all this. Epublishing has been very good to me, but I’ve also seen plenty of people earning very, very little on an ebook, so I like to sound the note of caution. The earning potential is there; it’s by no means guaranteed. That said, there are plenty of reasons to publish beyond selling to the highest bidder. If you find the right home for your work at an epublisher, one who’ll give you the chance to grow in your craft and gain confidence in your voice, it’s worth a great deal. The creative freedom in epublishing and the monthly paychecks are two enormous advantages over NY’s model. Good luck with your work!
Thank you, Charli!
Please consider me one of your newest fans. 🙂
Wow, that’s a lot of food for thought!
Margay
Margay, there are complex issues for us to wade through, but nobody else cares more about our careers and our futures than us. So it’s up to us to put on the waders. *g*
It is not meaningful.
What words…
It is possible to speak infinitely on this question.