By
Linda Lovely
Like it or not,
technology has changed publishing forever. There are three tech enablers: digital
books/readers, print-on-demand (POD), and social media. This isn’t news—at
least to fellow authors. Anyone who wants to publish a book can do so. The
gates have come crashing down.
The latest statistics indicate 800 new books are launched EVERY DAY!
The latest statistics indicate 800 new books are launched EVERY DAY!
From an author’s
perspective, this is both good and bad news. Removal of the gates has provided
new opportunities. It has also posed tough challenges. How can anyone find your
new book when 799 others debut the same day?
A number of
those 800 books are still published by “traditional” for-profit publishers that
pay authors advances (sometimes) and royalties (always), and handle production
details including editing, formatting, cover design, printing, distribution,
sales and help with varying degrees of promotion. Having worked with
traditional publishers, I must say they can make an author’s life much easier
and allow you to concentrate on what you love—writing. However, unless you’re a
star, the responsibility for promotion still falls squarely on your shoulders.
At the other end
of the spectrum, independent authors—indies—publish their own books and personally
handle (or hire out) production, sales, distribution, and even promotion
chores. This means authors must spend hours tackling non-writing chores they
may not enjoy, or spend money contracting for services without any
assurance their sales will be sufficient to repay the investment. The upside is total control. Authors know they'll like their covers, because they're the only ones who approve them. They can tell stories and create heroes and heroines that don't fit comfortably in any traditional publishing niche.
These are but a few of the pros and cons of traditional and indie publishing. Perhaps that’s
why many authors now take a hybrid approach: traditionally publishing some
titles, independently publishing others.
Recently, a
third publishing option—the author cooperative—has arisen. It offers advantages of both traditional and independent publishing. That’s why I
just joined nineteen other authors as a member of the author coop, Windtree
Press, the publisher of my latest novel, LIES: SECRETS CAN KILL. As soon as I
have my digital rights back to two books in my Smart Women, Dumb Luck romantic thriller series, Windtree
will publish those books as well.
What does a coop
offer its authors? I can’t speak for all coops since I’m sure philosophies and
services vary. However, here’s why I joined Windtree Press:
- Brand recognition. Our shared website www.windtreepress.com sells all of our books. Since I know and take pride in the quality of my fellow members' books, I'm thrilled to have Windtree Press play a role in my brand.
- My fellow authors have unique talents and knowledge and are willing to share. For example, one member handles podcasts, another managed the website, another takes charge of our newsletter. That helps each of us achieve our goals.
- We can cross promote our books on social media to gain new readers/fans.
- We can share the cost of resources such as access to new distribution channels or the savings from joint buying power, such as purchasing one hundred ISBN numbers at a time.
- While we’re committed to publishing at least one book each year with the coop, we retain our options to indie or traditionally publish titles when those options make sense. We lose no control.
I’ve just begun
this venture, but I have high hopes. Let me know what you think of the concept.
800 books a day??? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteVery informative blog.
You stated all the reasons I'm with Windtree Press. We are excited about having you as a member. Good post! I'd heard it was 1000 books a day. I like your number better! ;)
ReplyDeleteI saw some stats that says Amazon uploads 4500 new books a day.
ReplyDeleteBanding together has tremendous advantages, and your venture sounds great. I do have a couple of questions. As a primarily indie author, I hire out my editing and cover art. Most publishers handle this. Does your publishing venture handle this as well, or is it more of a 'marketing' co-op?
At this time, Windtree Press is predominately a marketing, sales and distribution coop. Most members already have their favorite editors and cover artists and use them. However, one member does head a company that provides editing and formatting services--optional for coop members. I know of at least one other author coop that includes editing and cover art services for members.
DeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLoved this, Linda. What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I'd love to know about your venture as well. Thanks for sharing, Linda.
ReplyDeleteWill keep you posted.
DeleteVery interesting concept, Linda. I look forward to hearing how this works for you. To be discussed more thoroughly at lunch. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe are ecstatic to have Linda as a member of Windtree Press. I did want to respond to the comment about editing, cover design, etc. Some publishing co-ops do take on this function. They do it in one of two ways: 1) paid staff who work with members. In order to this it means that the co-op must take some percentage of all proceeds; 2) Members serve in those functions on a voluntary basis. So, I might choose to edit a fellow members novel if she in turn uses her cover design skills on my novel.
ReplyDeleteWindtree Press decided early on we would not offer those services because they are so time consuming and, invariably, some members need more help in those areas than others. Then you also have the problem of how much time to you spend in trade with other members versus working on your next novel. If you are a small co-op with many skilled members then I can see how this works. I believe that is the way Triskele works. Or if you take a percentage, like Book Cafe does, then I can also see how it might work.
Instead, we require all members to do this part on their own. We do provide a list of vetted resources.
Thank you so much Linda, this was a really good post with lots of information to consider. Thanks again for sharing it with all of us.
ReplyDeleteKay Wilson