A few words about e-books

[Kamaduck]

Who’s stopping anyone from independently publishing any e-books?

I thought this was the entire point: nobody is.

We currently have two routes for publishing- independantly publish and e-book and get lost in a sea of other new, un-advertised books. However, it’s out there.

Or, go the traditional route and submit your work to an actual publisher, get editing work done, and professional advertising. (I don’t really see many actual ads for books, but I guess some people don’t choose their books based on word of mouth and sometimes title/cover art.) If you go this route, your work will probably come out better for it. However, there’s a chance that no editor will pick up your story even if it’s amazing, due to personal bias or the decision that the work is unmarketable.

IMO, it looks like the different options just have different drawbacks. That said, I’m still not taking the e-book route too seriously. It sounds like it’d be harder but more effective to get accepted by a publisher.

 

[Baelor]

I’ll just close by saying I read multiple publishing trade publications, that I must provide tangible proof regarding trends and sales in print and e-book markets, and I’m on an industry only mailing list that provides all the inside information anyone in publishing could hope for, including names and advances for all the newcomers entering the field that are supported by the current system, including six figure, or more, advances. The current system has been around for a long time. The money to hire staff and talent does not come from nowhere.

None of that addresses the issue of publishing bias.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I’m not sure if you are referring to self-published books or electronic versions of books that also have a print version.

In the end, the same point applies for all self-published books. Bypasing editorial review and quality control means more sub-par books enter the marketplace, in print or as an e-book or both.

Ed

Let me try again. Are you referring to self-published books or e-books published by a major publishing house? After reading your posts I think you are referring to self-publishing only.

 

[edwest2]

The vast majority of self-published books that are not edited for quality are sub-par, whether it’s a print book or e-book.

The large publishers, by definition, have a reputation to uphold, and require books to be edited, whether it’s in paper or e-book format. It is not in their best interest to allow a sub-par book to be published in print or as an e-book, or both.

I’m not against independently published print books or e-books, but I know from experience that the temptation to avoid review by a competent editor is there for various reasons.

Ed

 

[Baelor]

The large publishers, by definition, have a reputation to uphold, and require books to be edited, whether it’s in paper or e-book format. It is not in their best interest to allow a sub-par book to be published in print or as an e-book, or both.

The publishers clearly allow low-quality books to be published, either because they are motivated by money or for other reasons. Twilight is not a quality book. Fifty Shades of Grey is not a quality book. Unless “sub-par” is defined as “sells many copies,” then I am confused about why you think publishing houses do not release sub-par books. Bad ones are published all the time.

 

[edwest2]

From at least one previous post, you don’t believe what I say is true. Oh well. Perhaps others can hear the rest of the story from the gentleman from my first post.

“The overwhelming majority [of self-published books] are terrible – unutterable rubbish,” said Franklin. “They don’t enhance anything in the world.”

Ed

 

[Baelor]

From at least one previous post, you don’t believe what I say is true. Oh well. Perhaps others can hear the rest of the story from the gentleman from my first post.

“The overwhelming majority [of self-published books] are terrible – unutterable rubbish,” said Franklin. “They don’t enhance anything in the world.”

I never disputed that most e-books are bad.

I simply stated that:

1. Publishing houses do put out bad books with non-negligible frequency;
2. Publishing houses are capitalist (which does not intrinsically promote good literature, and is easily seen through fads in popular literature);
3. Publishing houses are capable of abusing their power.

The fact that anything goes in self-publishing (/e-book publishing) does not mean that the alternative system discharges its task perfectly, or even that well.

 

[SalesianSDB]

An author I enjoy on occasion, Scott Sigler, took his first novel, EarthCore, to publishers, but couldn’t get it published. So he decided to make an audiobook recording and put it on the internet for free (he called it the “World’s first podcast only novel”). He got such good feedback from audiences that a publishing house eventually published it. He is now a New York Times best selling author and publishes with a large publisher.

This is just one example, but sometimes publishers can leave out great writers who audiences would love to read.

 

[edwest2]

An author I enjoy on occasion, Scott Sigler, took his first novel, EarthCore, to publishers, but couldn’t get it published. So he decided to make an audiobook recording and put it on the internet for free (he called it the “World’s first podcast only novel”). He got such good feedback from audiences that a publishing house eventually published it. He is now a New York Times best selling author and publishes with a large publisher.

This is just one example, but sometimes publishers can leave out great writers who audiences would love to read.

Speaking generally, some people - not you - have this false notion that self-publishing is pure and filled with gems, and stories like this tend to get highlighted and accepted by others as “I’m next.” The reality is, there is no good reason for my book publishing company to be around today. The fact that it is is the result of much hard work.

We only hear about the successes and I want to take away nothing from this example, but from people I know in Hollywood, in fiction publishing and even comic books, most manuscripts (over 90%) are bad. E-book growth has slowed considerably due to a number of factors. It’s definitely not the cost compared to print books, which will continue to be published. Wading through the mountainous haystack to find a gem will always be an issue, especially with e-books that reach the market with no professional (name removed by moderator)ut.

In his book, On Writing, Stephen King relates how a story about a manuscript he turned in while in college came back with all sorts of words crossed out. Being inexperienced, he asked his professor about it and was told, “I crossed out the unnecessary words.” I believe learning comes first, followed by access. And persistence helps.

Again, do what you want.

Ed