tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post4291596941603927018..comments2023-09-25T02:24:22.087-07:00Comments on Anne R. Allen's Blog: What Defines "Traditional" Publishing? What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You.Anne R. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-17734004853738625222015-01-27T09:30:32.564-08:002015-01-27T09:30:32.564-08:00Thanks Michael! Glad to hear you find it useful!Thanks Michael! Glad to hear you find it useful!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-77680846612862070512015-01-27T00:35:14.761-08:002015-01-27T00:35:14.761-08:00This is one informative post. Thank you for this!This is one informative post. Thank you for this!Michael Spellinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08810826499067989479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-36332963632022473862014-07-20T20:01:32.956-07:002014-07-20T20:01:32.956-07:00Ernie--Congrats on getting high enough on the Amaz...Ernie--Congrats on getting high enough on the Amazon lists in 2009 to be approached by Wiley and/or Trident. They were trolling the bestseller lists and offering draconian contracts to indie bestsellers who didn't know any better back in those days. <br /><br />Luckily, those days are long gone. Five years ago is the Jurassic era in publishing. But that's a good thing. Now most indies know they can do better on their own or with a small press than with a predatory agency. <br /><br />Nonfiction authors especially do better as indies. I've had agents ask me to guarantee 10,000 pre-ordered sales before they'd even look at a nonfic book. They only want politicians with SuperPacs. The nonfic market is seriously corrupt in the Big Five, I fear.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-41058774255282843572014-07-20T18:11:24.656-07:002014-07-20T18:11:24.656-07:00Overall, a great article and very informative for ...Overall, a great article and very informative for anyone who is not that familiar with the publishing industry or self-publishing.<br /><br />I would like to add to this comment, however.<br /><br />"Self-publishing is a good path to a writing career, but it's not the best road to publication with the Big Five, unless you're the one-in-a-million breakout superstar like Hugh Howey."<br /><br />Actually, I am no superstar and I started self-publishing in 1989, yet I know that I can use self-publishing to get published by one of the Big Five. In fact, my self-published "How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free" was coveted by Random House, who asked to take it over in 2009. An editor at Wiley also contacted me two years ago wanting to take over publication of the book. I told both publishers to take a hike since I make 3 times as much money by self-publishing. What's more, I am much better at marketing and selling foreign rights than any major publishers are.<br /><br />The point is, I know that I can self-publish at least another two of my books and have major publishers wanting to take over the books within three of four years of my publishing the books. If a publisher sees that a book is selling 5,000 to 10,000 copies a year for several years, the publisher will gladly take over publication of the book. <br /><br />Ultimately, however, most authors will make much more money by self-publishing than having a traditional publisher publish the book. This does require a great book and great marketing.<br /><br />Incidentally, my role model who inspired me to self-publish my first three books was Robert J. Ringer. He is the only person to the best of my knowledge <br />to write, self-publish, and market three #1 "New York Times" bestsellers. Not so long ago two of Ringer's books were listed by "The New York Times" among <br />the 15 best-selling motivational books of all time. Interestingly, Robert Ringer has since then had several books published by traditional publishers. Interestingly, his latest books published by traditional publishers have not come close to having the success that his first three self-published books had.<br /><br />Here is one piece of advice from Robert J. Ringer's "Looking Out for Number 1" that has served me well over the years, whether the book is self-published or published by a traditional publisher:<br /><br />“It’s better to do a sub-par job working on the right project than a great job working on the wrong project.”<br /><br />Ernie J. Zelinski<br />The Prosperity Guy<br />"Helping Adventurous Souls Live Prosperous and Free"<br />Author of the Bestseller "How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free"<br />(Over 200,000 copies sold and published in 9 languages)<br />and the International Bestseller "The Joy of Not Working'<br />(Over 250,000 copies sold and published in 17 languages)<br /> Ernie J. Zelinskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271565900719821395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-47156306041951327292014-07-20T09:16:32.783-07:002014-07-20T09:16:32.783-07:00Tyrean--I'm glad it helps!Tyrean--I'm glad it helps! Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-6516680738821886172014-07-20T08:27:57.590-07:002014-07-20T08:27:57.590-07:00Wow! Thanks for this incredibly informative post! ...Wow! Thanks for this incredibly informative post! Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-14296891646936230672014-07-17T16:53:57.485-07:002014-07-17T16:53:57.485-07:00Linda--I agree! I've been very happy with sma...Linda--I agree! I've been very happy with small publishers, and many authors I know feel the same way.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-61066814215341491772014-07-17T16:11:43.212-07:002014-07-17T16:11:43.212-07:00Small and mid-size publishers are great alternativ...Small and mid-size publishers are great alternatives for writers. Thanks for this informative post!Linda Covellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09554221527859919706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-68649124961316479802014-07-16T21:54:13.601-07:002014-07-16T21:54:13.601-07:00A long time ago a small press wanted to publish me...A long time ago a small press wanted to publish me if I paid $600 for them to edit the book. I knew it was a red flag and I declined. There's so much to know and posts like this really make things better for new writers. I know that's a very broad statement, but it all helps. ryan fieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13361694356025572544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-47458302391050437562014-07-16T12:29:10.330-07:002014-07-16T12:29:10.330-07:00Leanne--You might want to clarify your goal still ...Leanne--You might want to clarify your goal still further by saying "a traditional publisher who doesn't charge any money up front". The vanity presses claim to be "traditional" but when they start talking about YOU paying THEM is when you know the tradition they're talking about isn't the one you want. :-)Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-40542382266910653802014-07-16T11:37:18.291-07:002014-07-16T11:37:18.291-07:00Thank you for clarifying this matter, Anne. I once...Thank you for clarifying this matter, Anne. I once wrote my goal as--to be published by a traditional publisher. After being entangled in this 'indie'-'traditional' debate I now write my goal as--to work with a publishing house to release my novels and short story collections. Wordy. Awkward. But clear.Author Leanne Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12886667518427660865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-40393679521938780602014-07-16T10:21:08.062-07:002014-07-16T10:21:08.062-07:00Sheryl--What a great thing to know! And a very wis...Sheryl--What a great thing to know! And a very wise reminder. Yes. I think the people making the most money off the "Kindle Gold Rush" have been the suppliers--both legit and non-legit--while only a handful of authors make the big bucks. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-68854447936363026732014-07-16T10:11:32.459-07:002014-07-16T10:11:32.459-07:00Excellent article - it might be good to remember t...Excellent article - it might be good to remember that in the Great Gold Rush the richest people by far were the ones selling the shovels, tents and equipment to the miners - not necessarily the miners themselves!<br /><br />;)Sheryl Nantushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01157927306226252817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-12237333040784719702014-07-16T09:34:39.748-07:002014-07-16T09:34:39.748-07:00Jamie--Welcome. I hope you'll stop by again. I...Jamie--Welcome. I hope you'll stop by again. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Authors Anonymous as much as I did. It's definitely "writer humor". Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-17175283729839307152014-07-16T06:32:32.253-07:002014-07-16T06:32:32.253-07:00Thank you for this insightful post . . . saw Alex ...Thank you for this insightful post . . . saw Alex give it a shout out & so thought I'd visit :-) I just recently watched that Authors Anonymous after I saw it in Redbox--hilarious! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-31104829194454245892014-07-15T16:28:34.831-07:002014-07-15T16:28:34.831-07:00Jess--Welcome! I'm glad I'm helping new wr...Jess--Welcome! I'm glad I'm helping new writers to make sense of all this. It can be awfully confusing--especially when some people are actually making money off the confusion. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-29784179467641213502014-07-15T15:44:06.127-07:002014-07-15T15:44:06.127-07:00This is such a helpful post and you did an excelle...This is such a helpful post and you did an excellent job explaining everything very clearly. I am glad I learned about your post on Alex's blog. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-52106761996231231562014-07-15T08:51:09.109-07:002014-07-15T08:51:09.109-07:00Empty Nest--I'm glad it helps. There are a lar...Empty Nest--I'm glad it helps. There are a large array of options and choices. Unfortunately scammers use that to their advantage: "We know it's all too hard, so we'll take care of everything for you." At 10 times the price, of course. Alex is the best! Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-69683756682505322122014-07-15T01:17:37.862-07:002014-07-15T01:17:37.862-07:00Thanks for the thorough breakdown of publishing op...Thanks for the thorough breakdown of publishing options. There is so much to think about, and these guidelines help make it less overwhelming. It was also nice of you to include the additional links. I'm glad that Alex sent me over!<br /><br />JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-17996576229763974992014-07-14T15:07:44.566-07:002014-07-14T15:07:44.566-07:00fornow--Back before ebooks and KDP, vanity presses...fornow--Back before ebooks and KDP, vanity presses were the ONLY way to self-publish, and Trafford had a good reputation. The problem is the vanity presses got left behind with the Kindle revolution, and they got all bought up and run by sharks. <br /><br />I think you're right that it's a spectrum. Boutique publisher usually use the sales techniques of self-publishers, so on a spectrum, they are "indie" too. That's why I feel I can call myself "indie." <br /><br />Good reminder about Preditors and Editors. They are a great watchdog group and a must-check before signing any contract--with agents, publishers, or anybody in the business. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-47066269884496664112014-07-14T13:56:53.310-07:002014-07-14T13:56:53.310-07:00Rosalyn--Just click on the link above to the Poets...Rosalyn--Just click on the link above to the Poets and Writers Guide to Small Presses. It's a free database. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-63264929083673659962014-07-14T13:47:24.556-07:002014-07-14T13:47:24.556-07:00Very thought provoking--thank you! Do you know off...Very thought provoking--thank you! Do you know off-hand of good guides to small presses? Rosalynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13533288555696717340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-18993095975827555562014-07-14T13:43:11.737-07:002014-07-14T13:43:11.737-07:00Tara--Welcome! And thanks for the enthusiasm. Tara--Welcome! And thanks for the enthusiasm. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-66424578523907624012014-07-14T13:29:10.061-07:002014-07-14T13:29:10.061-07:00so much awesomeness!!!
really appreciate the thor...so much awesomeness!!! <br />really appreciate the thorough pub breakdown!<br />and bonuses at the end!<br />thank you!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-39757680086181191312014-07-14T12:23:41.865-07:002014-07-14T12:23:41.865-07:00Sasha--Thanks for taking the time to comment even ...Sasha--Thanks for taking the time to comment even though Blogger is being rude. Congrats on the Booktrack project. I think Booktrack looks like a lot of fun. I'm allowing the promo because you found out about the Hugh Howey fanfic opportunity in the "opportunity alerts" here on the blog. I want to encourage people to try the new avenues I list here. It sounds like a fun, creative way to get noticed. I wish you lots of luck.<br /><br />Enjoy your Russian vacation!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.com