Digital Book World was this week in New York. I’m sure a number of you attended, and likely even more of you caught wind of everything that was going on via Twitter – which was exploding.
One hot topic that really caught my attention, and everyone else’s it seems, was self-publishing. And that fact that a lot of people “in the know” are now expecting a boom.
Naturally I’m hesitant to jump on board, mainly, as you can imagine, because we’re up to our eyeballs every single day in requests and pitches from authors and representatives.
But there are literally millions of writers out there, and I’ll be the first to admit we just don’t have the time (and the suits don’t see the dollar signs) for most of them.
And throwing an even bigger wrench in the mix, people like Guy Kawasaki, bestselling author and venture capitalist, are self-publishing. WTF.
According to a piece on Digital Book World’s site, “a third of traditionally published authors are interested in self-publishing their next book.” And according to a survey they conducted with Writer’s Digest, “authors had relatively negative opinions about publishing companies — that they keep too much money, don’t “get” digital and, generally, don’t add much to their publishing process.”
This is not a shock to me. I haven’t been shy about the fact that those who call the shots in traditional publishing are still making decisions with archaic egos. Even if you get picked up by a traditional publisher these days, it doesn’t mean you’re one of the chosen, yes, you get to “borrow” the name, but more often than not your title will just be another cog in the machine.
But the name – no one can deny – is BIG. Technology still hasn’t done away with the fact that it’s still “who you know”.
So I just sat there nodding my head reading this next part – “when offered the opportunity to publish traditionally, nearly three-quarters of hybrid authors (authors who have both self-published and traditionally published) are interested…about two-thirds of self-published authors are interested…92% of traditionally published authors are interested.”
It’s the dream. To say, “I’m with Random House,” is something (almost) every author dreamed about when they first started writing. And dreams are hard to shake. I know from experience.
And I know I’m not the only one who can’t wait to see how 2013 plays out.
What’s in a name?
I agree that many authors are questioning the value of the trad pub versus self-pub models, even the most well-known of the the lot. Colleen Hoover, (an author I have worked with) for example, started with a self-published book, was picked up by one of the big six for her next two, and now is back to publishing her own work.
But there is more to the equation than math, as you say. The value of being associated with “the name,” for example.
In the end, it is the math that makes the publishing world go round. Following the money is the path of least resistance, the one most often taken, by agents, publishers, and authors alike.
But I would imagine that having to give up artistic control over your work, simply to be published, is a very strong motivator to stay on the self-pub side of the fence, especially for those like Colleen who can afford to choose either.
The “indie” writer is not the enemy of the publishing house, in fact the opposite is true. What is needed is a new hybrid publishing model that fosters the best aspects of both perspectives. The trad houses that implement “indie-friendly” policies and contracts will see their stock rising. Those that don’t, will continue to pine after the glory days of old.
Whatever happens in 2013, it’s gonna be a heckuva ride.
Hold on, everybody.