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I'm getting a little weary of the hype that seems to suggest authors must either choose traditional or self-publishing, and that in no way could the two ever come together.
I also don't like the polemic that has set authors against each other depending on how they choose to publish. I know this is an emotional topic and people have many different experiences of publishing in its myriad forms, but I wanted to put my thoughts out there and also see what you are thinking on the topic.
The choice of how to publish must be made per book.
I believe in the empowerment of the author to choose what is right for their book, and their business.
I also believe in the empowerment of the publisher to choose what is right for their business.
Some books are commercial enough that a publisher will pick it up because they believe it can make money for them. Some publishers may publish books because of love, not money but the bills still have to be paid.
Of course there are lots of great books that didn't get picked up by the industry and many authors who feel disempowered by this rejection. Some authors have had bad experiences and have a justified grudge. But some books are just not right for traditional publishers at the time they were queried. The brilliant thing these days is that those books can be independently published by the author and do fantastically well. The author is empowered to publish.
But that doesn't mean people should stop querying or aiming for a traditional deal if they want to.
I was on a panel on Radio Litopia the other night, discussing the London Book Fair and the launch of the Alliance of Independent Authors. In the chat room, it was suggested that all successful indies just wanted a book deal, and if they took it, they were somehow crossing a line. That they were betraying the indie ideal and proving that the establishment is all anybody wants.
But this clearly isn't true either. There are successful indies accepting book deals, but they are plenty of authors leaving traditional to go indie, but who are not getting reported on.
So I think authors need to be empowered to consider their choices per book.
Is this book something a traditional publisher might be interested in?
Is this book something I want to relinquish control of?
Is this a project I prefer to have creative direction on?
Because most authors write more than one book.
Let's face it. There's so much creativity in all of us, and we have years of creation and publication ahead.
I am currently writing my 3rd novel in the ARKANE series, Exodus, and I have ideas for several stand-alone as well as more in this series. My current fiction is probably commercial enough for the traditional market, so I may decide to query it, although I am very happy with my indie sales so far.
I am also working on a re-release of my non-fiction book, How To Love Your Job…Or Get A New One (out in May). There is no way I would query that. Firstly because it is from my heart and the book I needed to write four years ago to change my life. The rewrite contains everything I have learned since then. Also, it's not commercial enough for them and so wouldn't be worth it. I believe in the book but I definitely want it to be published on my terms.
Lots of books written means lots of choice.
There are authors already managing the hybrid model.
Joe Konrath is always talked about as an example. He has books with Amazon's Thomas & Mercer as well as his own indie books. Barry Eisler is another famous example, but I'd like to call out several other great authors who are rocking the hybrid model.
CJ Lyons has 16 novels and over the years has been with four different publishers for various books but after looking at her options, she decided to publish some books independently including some from her back-list that she had the rights back for. In September 2011 she hit the New York Times bestseller list with an indie book, Blind Faith, which was then sold to Minotaur. However, she continues to publish indie books, including recent success Bloodstained, currently rocking the Kindle charts at #60 overall as I write. [If you want to learn from CJ, check out these courses.]
Michael Wallace signed with Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint in a 5 book deal for his awesome suspense thrillers set in a polygamist enclave. But he also has 8 more books that he has independently published. Michael writes about the importance of persistence in this article.
Recent news has Boyd Morrison dropped by his publisher in the US, but who still has traditional deals in other markets. So he will be in perhaps the unique position of publishing his next book independently in the US, but traditionally everywhere else. Now that is really the hybrid model!
As I was about to post this, uber-author Jackie Collins wrote a blog post about her decision to self-publish. Clearly she has a a lot of books with traditional publishing but in this case she says “you've always got to be thinking two steps ahead of the game.” There are a lot of great nuggets for authors in that post. Definitely go read it.
This is actually the model I would like to have. Some books with traditional publishers and others indie published. Isn't that the best of both worlds?
I am more aware of thriller authors, since this is the genre I read and write in, but perhaps you have other examples of hybrid authors – or perhaps you are one. I'd love to know your thoughts on this, so please do leave a comment.
Top image: Flickr Creative Commons navonod
Alastair Humphreys says
OK, so I’m not quite Jackie Collins (yet) but I too am going for the ‘hybrid’ approach at the moment.
Neither option is better than the other. There are pros and cons to both. But I think it is naive to sneer at self-publishers these days, and premature to label traditional publishing as dead and buried…
Alastair Humphreys says
OK, so I’m not quite Jackie Collins (yet) but I too am going for the ‘hybrid’ approach at the moment.
Neither option is better than the other. There are pros and cons to both. But I think it is naive to sneer at self-publishers these days, and premature to label traditional publishing as dead and buried…
One thing will never change though: an author will not get anything published if he spends his late nights reading blogs when he should be writing!
😉
Barbara says
Well said! Your blogs are always very wise.
KC Klein says
Great article. I think authors have a hard enough time without pitting ourselves against each other in two different groups. I like the point that the choice to indie publish or traditional should really come from the book. As a author, isn’t that our true responsibility to do what is best for our book?
Kindle How To Publish says
Well, true! There may be a lot of perks in self publishing, for the set backs: all formatting, editing, proofing, designing etc. must be done by the author or farmed out for others to do. Plus, ALL promotion is done by the author. ISBN #’s must be purchased in order to sell your book in bookstores and they can be costly. It is indeed your choice if you think self publishing outweighs the benefits of traditional publishing.
Patricia Murphy says
I would like to find a traditional publisher to publishe my books I have had enough of self publishing thank you PA Murphy
Adam Danielski says
This is a great article, but to be honest, book publishers are really only looking for celebrity authors these days or someone who has a few books out there that are already published. Gone are the days of publishers taking chances on new writers. In this light, self publishing a book is really the only way to go until you get noticed. I don’t think it is impossible to get published by a big name, but it is unlikely. That is why Kickstarter is so popular. It removes the big companies and allows the small folk to reach a goal without wading through the book publishers BS.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/grin/grin-the-unauthorized-biography-of-a-cheshire-cat
Patricia Murphy says
I want a traditional publisher beacause I am sick of paying the big bucks and getting no where
With self publishing all they do is ask for more and more money and you get nothing .
I have two books out there but no one will ever see them here in Australia or any where else.
The books stores here wont touch them because they are not put out by a well knowen distributor.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Patricia, it sounds as if you have been taken in by a vanity publisher who will ask you for money. That’s not what we mean by independent publishing, or self-publishing anymore. You can use many free tools to get your work out there globally, and use partners to help you. That’s not only the realm of trad pub anymore. Please check out this page for your options in terms of print on demand and ebook publishing
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/publishing/
and all the best with your books.
chrissy says
Hi Patricia – I am an Australian & I have self published 3 children’s books about music. I have found the Australian scene hard to work with & have been looking overseas to market my books.
Dina Santorelli says
Totally agree, Joanna. My decision to self-publish my debut novel BABY GRAND was a decision made for that book at this time. Authors have to think about what they want and choose the path that’s best for them — it’s an amazing time to be an author! So many options and opportunities!
Laurie says
Here’s a question: can you self-publish a book and then subsequently get that book traditionally published, or is there sticky legal stuff around that?
Joanna Penn says
Yes absolutely – check out Amanda Hocking, EL James (50 Shades) and oh, so many more these days 🙂 or here’s an article from a publishing pro
http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/
Laurie Holman says
Thanks, Joanna – that’s encouraging!
rhonda says
Great article. As a publisher of book reviewa (nyjb.net) it’s difficult to review selfpublished as we then get inundated and truthfully onl6 a few are newsworthy. Thoughts/