[Lori Devoti]

I thought this might interest some people here.
http://howtowriteshop.loridevoti.com/2011/07/new-york-authors-self-publishing/

 

[Victorine]

Thanks for the link! Very interesting.

Vicki

 

[MSTHRILLER]

Thanks. Interesting to see what the trad turned indie authors have to say.

 

[T.K.]

Yes, thank you. It is interesting.

 

[Cynthia Justlin]

Thanks, Lori! It's great to see different perspectives.

 

[shel]

Thanks for posting, Lori. 

 

[Ruth Harris]

Lori! I'm a NYT bestseller TradPubbed by Random House, Simon & Schuster and St Martin's Press. My bestselling fiction--published in 18 countries, chosen by the BOMC and Lit Guild with reviews you'd think I written myself--now on Kindle and you forgot me? Tsk...Tsk...

 

[Bob Mayer]

Good information in the blog-- recommended reading.
I’m back from Thrillerfest and one thing I’ve changed my tune on a little is going exclusively indie. I think being a hybrid author with a foot in both indie and trad publishing is the way to go. Publishers are changing and the ebook competition is going to heat up as they finally start dropping prices. We’re going to see ebooks from trad publishers under $5 soon, if they aren’t already out there. That’s going to diminish a big advantage for indie authors.

 

[Anne Victory]

Great blog post, Lori - thanks for putting it together

 

[scottnicholson]

I agree with Bob. Trad pub have not even begun to compete. When they do, the game changes. But it will be changing in other ways, too. But I would not just look at trad and/or indie, as they will be only two of the many options. Lots of new digital publishers have no tradition at all. You don't need any tradition to skip A-B-C and get to D where the world now is. Tradition is an anchor more than a sail at this point. But they will adapt fast once they quit worrying about paper books as much--and their overhead will drop dramatically.

What's funny is many of those in NY want out, while many who were never in still look at it as the destination. I've noticed that with the indies who sign trad deals, very rarely have they ever had a publisher before. Those who have are the ones you don't hear about, because they say "No." It's very exciting to see how all this will turn out.

 

[JeffMariotte]

I've published 44 novels (and some nonfiction books) with Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Tor, etc. And I'm still working that angle too--my agent is out right now with a novel. I've also worked in publishing, in both marketing and editorial roles, and I'm the co-owner of an independent bookstore. That said, I'm also diving into self-publishing e-books with both feet.

Like Scott said, the game is changing and nobody knows how and where it all ends up. The only way to stay on board is to be flexible, to adapt, and to try everything.

 

[Paul Clayton]

Nice piece.  And it confirms what I surmised on my own.  Anyone doing well in the ebook game will be reluctant to sign on to a trad contract, taking 12%, not being able to get their books back when they're abandoned by the publisher, etc.  And don't we all love the artistic control of going Indie, the monthly check, etc? 

Actually, I don't think I have to worry about having to decide to take a contract.  They haven't offered one and I doubt they ever will.  I'm probably on some kind of shit list for some of the things I've posted over the years.  But that's okay.  I call them like I see them.

And Bob Meyers has a great point, yeah, the competition gonna heat up.  The dinasaurs are in the game and playing with price.  And the 8,000 pound gorilla, well we don't know what he's gonna do.  So, put on your helmet, sharpen your elbows, and let's get in the mosh pit and do our best.

 

[PJJones]

This is all very interesting. Thanks for posting. My crit group wants me to hold out for NY for my next novel (a real book, not a parody) but I'm impatient and seriously want to get it out there ASAP. PJ

 

[Casper Parks]

Good information in the blog-- recommended reading.
I'm back from Thrillerfest and one thing I've changed my tune on a little is going exclusively indie. I think being a hybrid author with a foot in both indie and trad publishing is the way to go. Publishers are changing and the ebook competition is going to heat up as they finally start dropping prices. We're going to see ebooks from trad publishers under $5 soon, if they aren't already out there. That's going to diminish a big advantage for indie authors.

Bob,

I have friend in the same boat as you. He has over 50 novels out with over three million books in print, and I think several languages. Bestselling in genre and one of a few old school authors still alive in his genre. He now has rights back to his earlier books and doing the Indie thing. Newer books, still traditional publishing.

Traditional does something an Indie cannot, get into physical book stores and on store shelves. He does have that one major issue with traditional, they don't like their authors crossing genre. I think he has present day murder, cop thriller - mysteries not yet printed. They like to keep him in the historical genre.

 

[mikesmith1949]

I am pretty new to this, I recently published 3 novels through Kinder, but I'd really like to get some other authors to take a look and comment. How do I best do this here?
Thanks all

 

[yomamma]

NY's definitely paying attention. I've had a few discussions with my editor about my self-publishing on the side, and they're noticing an uptick in my traditionally published titles as well, and they're excited about what this means for both of us.

So NY doesn't really frown on self-publishing. They're looking to see how authors with hands in many baskets can help them as well.

 

[RobertMarda]

That was a very interesting read.

How did you get them all to participate?

 

[SuzanneTyrpak]

Thanks for the link, Lori. Good post.

 

[SuzanneTyrpak]

Ruth, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this topic.

I'm excited and nervous, because tomorrow I'm talking to a major agent. (3pm Eastern time...send good thoughts.) He approached me--which I find amazing, since I've spent years pursuing New York agents. I've had two agents, but they weren't high-powered, based in NYC/LA.

Perhaps I'm deluded, and still living in a pipe-dream, but the prospect of someone with power championing my next book excites me. Ultimately, I think it would be great to have a foot in each world: indie and trad publishing.

 

[Cheryl Bolen]

Thanks, Lori. That was very interesting. I'm thrilled to know Patricia Ryan's books are available on Kindle. She's one of the most skillful writers I've ever read in the romance genre. (I'm very new to all this indie stuff.)