The debate over self publishing e-books continues to rage across t'interwebs. It's fascinating, but perhaps too early doors to say how successful e-books will be (I think it's arguable that there's something of a bubble effect at the moment). It's exciting, though and offers great opportunities. For example:
- self e-publishing is a fantastic medium for mid-list authors who, for whatever reason, are dissatisfied with their publisher or who want to e-publish material their publisher isn't interested in or is out of print . JA Konrath is the obvious example of the former.
- certain genres do well in e-publishing generally--romance and erotica especially. The author Selena Kitt reckons she makes a good living from self e-publishing her work (see the comments section of the JA Konrath blog post I linked to above).
- big name authors can use e-publishing to "treat" their readers--Stephenie Meyer's Bree Tanner is a great example of this (though obv. this wasn't self e-publishing).
What I'm less sure of is whether self e-publishing is right for debut authors (except romance/erotica writers).
I can't see how it would be possible to sell more than a couple of hundred self published e-books without some sort of platform? How do writers find their audience?
What do my lovely blog readers think (if there's any of you left out there)? Are any of you considering self e-publishing?
Oh, and self e-publishing aside, what about the whole Wylie Agency kerfuffle?
6 witterings:
I've been wanting to post about this for awhile so was of course drawn to your blog. I follow a blogger Mary McDonald who fits in your category of debut self-published authors on ebooks. Her sales are very encouraging, not just for a debut self-published author but for any debut author, even one going out with a small press without a lot of hype. Another one in that category is Karen McQuestion who has done incredibly well. And apparently she didn't even do a lot of self-promotion. Mary has a blog, I'm not sure what else she does. Great post, and I think I'll do one similar tomorrow. I'll link to yours if you don't mind.
Oh what a minefield eh?! I think e-publhishing for debut authors is a very difficult enterprise to go into so any author willing to go that route should do their homework and be a million and one per cent committed!! Good luck to them!
The Wylie kerfuffle is very interesting. I'm hoping agents and publishing houses get to some kind of compromise as the whole publishing industry evolves. I think it's only to the authors and the clients best interest! Who is making the most money with the Wylie move I wonder?
Take care
x
Hi Karen - thanks for dropping by. Of course I don't mind if you link to this. I'll look forward to reading it, and finding out more about the authors you mention.
Old Kitty - I'd bet Mr Wylie will be making a good bit out of it all, but I think he may be shooting himself in the foot. On the other hand, publishers can't expect to get away with giving the same royalties on e-books as print.
If I was about to sign a contract with a publisher (in my dreams!), I'd carefully consider the electronic rights issue. I don't think anyone knows how e-books will take off in the long term...
A little bird tells me that congrats are in order - or am I mistaken. A YWO winner once again. Very well done.
B
Bob- thanks! Am very pleased.
I tend to think like you Justine. If an author is good enought they should eventually, with luck, get published conventionally.
epublishing, to me, seems to be favoured by those who are impatient or not good enough to get published otherwise...................with some exceptions of course.
There's no hard and fast rule and each must find their own routs.
Congratulations from me too.
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