tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post4345414137993020996..comments2023-09-25T02:24:22.087-07:00Comments on Anne R. Allen's Blog: Indie, Big Six, or Small Press Publishing: Why Not Try All Three?Anne R. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-27547536396537048972011-08-22T11:15:52.042-07:002011-08-22T11:15:52.042-07:00I just found out that my writing guide Your Path t...I just found out that my writing guide Your Path to Publication is available for preorder at Press 53. http://www.press53.com/BioKimWright.html It gets into a lot of these topics in more detail - including the basics about getting an agent, contracts, networking, working with editors, marketing your book, the pros and cons of self-publishing etc. The intro is available for a free download at the Press 53 site. Would love your feedback!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04453870542853254276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-53502133940993037642011-07-25T00:19:58.070-07:002011-07-25T00:19:58.070-07:00Thoughtful and helpful...grazie! Its even more d...Thoughtful and helpful...grazie! Its even more difficult to publish in English in Italy. The stigma of self publishing is slowly fading and happily I have two non-fiction books (travel and history)published this year. Promoting oneself is essential; website, blog, FB, twitter.mary jane cryanhttp://www.elegantetruria.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-48336298277351635912011-07-23T19:04:42.936-07:002011-07-23T19:04:42.936-07:00East Coaster--Glad to hear the three-path way is w...East Coaster--Glad to hear the three-path way is working for you. For those in a genre that agents are looking for, it's great to be able to pursue all three.<br /><br />Kim--Thanks so much for such an inspiring post! You really helped a lot of people feel more hopeful.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-74146795837296923322011-07-23T09:11:28.189-07:002011-07-23T09:11:28.189-07:00Ditto, ditto, cosign! I'm on this three path ...Ditto, ditto, cosign! I'm on this three path journey myself (and documenting all the pitfalls along the way).<br /><br />For me, it was an issue of genre. There are some things that just need an agent. Others do fine enough on their own. Like you mentioned, I don't see why this has become an either/or debate.The East Coasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00079925217846916286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-41062628295411708692011-07-22T10:49:02.597-07:002011-07-22T10:49:02.597-07:00Talli--You're right. I think there's never...Talli--You're right. I think there's never been a better time to be a writer.<br /><br />J.L--Interesting that you prefer to indie route. There sure is more money when you get to keep it all yourself. And small presses vary widely.<br /><br />Lynda--Choices. That's what is so awesome. We get to choose our own path.<br /><br />Katherine--Very interesting. I'm hearing from more and more refugees from corporate publishing who shared your "not happy" experience. And now that you make so much less money when you're under the corporate wing--the only reason to go that route is to be able to say you've been there. And I guess it's kind of like buying a lottery ticket to compete in the big-time sweepstakes for NYT bestsellerdom.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-69227401849656012992011-07-22T09:21:35.188-07:002011-07-22T09:21:35.188-07:00Interesting post. Thank you.
I am doing two of th...Interesting post. Thank you.<br /><br />I am doing two of these at the moment (smallish publishers and indie). Did the third (Big 6) ten years ago with a 7-book series, but the experience was not a happy one and the rights have just reverted to me. I will soon be reissuing those seven books as e-books direct with amazon, and I think it's going to be quite interesting to compare sales!<br /><br />You can find other professional authors trying the indie route at http://www.kindleauthors.co.ukKatherine Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17196712319655603442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-49645514220339126812011-07-22T01:43:19.022-07:002011-07-22T01:43:19.022-07:00It's good to see all the recent changes in pub...It's good to see all the recent changes in publishing and how it has become so much more accessible with so many more choices for the writer. Fantastic post.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-24243487381789762272011-07-21T16:07:28.474-07:002011-07-21T16:07:28.474-07:00It was good to read though Kim's experience. I...It was good to read though Kim's experience. I've been published with a small publisher and have decided to go the self-pubbing route. I figure the marketing end can't be much harder that what I've already been doing.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-9591588198364910332011-07-21T09:39:34.221-07:002011-07-21T09:39:34.221-07:00Very interesting! There are so many options and op...Very interesting! There are so many options and opportunities open to writers today. It's an exciting time!Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-3599398916883922812011-07-20T12:19:35.512-07:002011-07-20T12:19:35.512-07:00Regarding Anne's comments - yes, I agree, the ...Regarding Anne's comments - yes, I agree, the main advantage to what's going on out there is that you can make your decision based on what's the best fit for a certain project. Genre series do well on line, so it might make sense to try the indie route first. If you've got something artsy, go small press and something blockbuster-esque, take a shot at a large press. What disheartens me is when writers quarrel among themselves or spend all their time trying to convince their commrades (and probably themselves) that whatever decision they've made is the right one. Like big press authors who sneer at indies or small press authors who accuse big press authors of selling out. It's not like there's one right way that works for every person or every project so we need to be a bit broader and more inclusive in our thinking.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04453870542853254276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-51773843369373728392011-07-20T12:01:11.377-07:002011-07-20T12:01:11.377-07:00Donna--What I like about Kim's approach is tha...Donna--What I like about Kim's approach is that you don't have to make decisions. You can keep querying agents with the romance or YA books, send mysteries and literary to small presses and self-pub chick lit, horror, short stories, westerns, thrillers, and family sagas. <br /><br />Thanks Nina! Great interview on your blog this week!<br /><br />Ellis & Sue--You do have to shop around with the small presses. Experiences vary widely, it seems.<br /><br />Robin--that's good to hear. VERY important advice re: non-compete clauses. Another big reason to have a lawyer check those contracts.<br /><br />Michelle--You've successfully done self-and small press. Maybe you'll get a chance to go corporate, too.<br /><br />Misha--You're wise. No point in rushing into any of it. Get the book as perfect as you can first. Then write another one.<br /><br />Meghan--I think different routes for different genres may become the norm.<br /><br />Elizabeth--Yes, actually the news is all good.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-20422192838316924882011-07-20T10:02:59.990-07:002011-07-20T10:02:59.990-07:00What an encouraging way to look at publishing. Th...What an encouraging way to look at publishing. Thanks for such a good analysis of the possibilities.Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-662671182708356702011-07-20T09:44:13.581-07:002011-07-20T09:44:13.581-07:00Anne and Kim - Thank you both so much for such a w...Anne and Kim - Thank you both so much for such a wonderful and informative post. It's so great to hear the pros and cons of each route from the same author. I've thought about trying both (or maybe all three!) myself. I think it would be a great experiment.Meghan Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12773598501857799104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-75065738901885972122011-07-20T02:54:21.713-07:002011-07-20T02:54:21.713-07:00I think it's clever to hedge your bets. Right ...I think it's clever to hedge your bets. Right now I'm only working on one book, but I'm hoping that when it's done, the market will have settled and that I'll know what to do. <br /><br />:-)Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-65678452574927827292011-07-19T15:11:49.015-07:002011-07-19T15:11:49.015-07:00I love that we have so many options these days! I ...I love that we have so many options these days! I also love that I can start small and go bigger. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-10977403630635797762011-07-19T13:06:20.407-07:002011-07-19T13:06:20.407-07:00Very well said. I too am in all three camps. I'...Very well said. I too am in all three camps. I'm the "business manager" of my husband's fantasy books The Riyria Revelations. We started with a small press, then self-published, I started up my own indie press, and then sold his books to Hachette's fantasy imprint, Orbit for six-figures. You are right in that there are advantages and disadvantages to each - just make sure your non-compete clauses in your non-self contracts don't limit you and you should be fine with dipping your toes in each one.<br /><br />Robin Sullivan | <a href="http://bit.ly/ivMp8P" rel="nofollow">Write2Publish</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/kgyKuE" rel="nofollow">Ridan Publishing</a>Robin Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00613910688999698522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-54716741118093221812011-07-19T09:30:33.905-07:002011-07-19T09:30:33.905-07:00Kim nailed it re my experience with small presses,...Kim nailed it re my experience with small presses, good and bad. But I still love that route for the relationships it builds.Sue McGintyhttp://www,suemcginty.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-1662075987221951532011-07-19T05:17:18.366-07:002011-07-19T05:17:18.366-07:00How fascinating to hear from someone who has accom...How fascinating to hear from someone who has accomplished all three. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-4749602738362056092011-07-19T01:33:37.010-07:002011-07-19T01:33:37.010-07:00Nice, Anne. I've tried a fairly small press an...Nice, Anne. I've tried a fairly small press and publishing myself. Now I'm back with another small press, but after having complete control, I find it's hard to give it up.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-25176442796890803492011-07-19T01:07:55.443-07:002011-07-19T01:07:55.443-07:00Lot of tough decisions to be made. Good food for ...Lot of tough decisions to be made. Good food for thought Anne.<br /><br />.........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-76854003433505514112011-07-18T10:35:52.226-07:002011-07-18T10:35:52.226-07:00Thanks everybody! And many thanks to Kim for givin...Thanks everybody! And many thanks to Kim for giving us such positive information about stuff that can look pretty scary from the outside. <br /><br />I'm also glad to hear her agent is so supportive of all aspects of her career and that he allows her to write in many genres. I think the agents who will thrive in the new paradigm are the forward-looking ones like hers--agents who will help guide careers in all paths to publication--not just squash us into pigeonholes in order to make the big corporate deals.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-33381039029085611972011-07-18T07:31:52.662-07:002011-07-18T07:31:52.662-07:00Thanks so much for the comments, guys.
Rick, I ...Thanks so much for the comments, guys. <br /><br />Rick, I agree with you that the bottom line is the strength of the work - but we all also know of cases where good books went unnoticed while something silly like a biography of Snooki was reviewed around the world. So, just as you say, even with a great book, someone somewhere has to market it and - in this publishing environment the truth seems to be that no matter which of the three routes you go, that person is usually the author.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04453870542853254276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-37486830466936108862011-07-18T06:30:14.085-07:002011-07-18T06:30:14.085-07:00I think that those going for self-publication need...I think that those going for self-publication need to approach the venture as a start-up, and have the business accumen to follow through on a marketing plan. Don't do it as a cop-out...you can make it work if you put in the effort and the forethought.<br /><br />For any of the three paths-all of which are valid-I believe the strength of the work itself is what will propel sales. A few years ago, it the marketing power of a major publisher was required to get sufficient word out to translate to sales. These days a simple free YouTube can go viral overnight and reach tens of millions of people.<br /><br />A good book will find its way into readers' hands.Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-732875711240403952011-07-18T05:02:45.447-07:002011-07-18T05:02:45.447-07:00Terrific post - too many posts discussing paths to...Terrific post - too many posts discussing paths to publication are skewed towards one approach. I like the clear-headed logic you are using. Good luck with your projects!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07521953491880916840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-5745201125716451622011-07-17T21:35:44.862-07:002011-07-17T21:35:44.862-07:00Anne, this is a great post. And Kim, thanks so muc...Anne, this is a great post. And Kim, thanks so much for sharing your writing journey.<br /><br />Like a seasoned traveler, you have taken different paths to each destination. This makes your journey more interesting and your career more diverse.<br /><br />I love that people are considering the many ways to take their piece of the pie. <br /><br />Love that the times are turning in our favor.fOIS In The Cityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347958777030988677noreply@blogger.com