Change Isn't a Nickel
Like it or not, the publishing industry is not what it was just five years ago. Like most other industries, the Internet brought about massive alterations in the way reading material is produced and delivered to the consumer. The rate of transformation seems to increase exponentially.Recently a friend sent me an article about four industries that will feel the impact of technological advancement. (Read article) There’s only one problem with the author’s ideas. He’s already behind the times when it comes to publishing.
Jason Hiner states, “In the new Internet world, there are going to be a lot more books published (as e-books) and lot more titles to sort through, but it’s also going to become a much more democratic process and there will be room for more people to make a living as niche authors. The traditional publishers will morph into promotional agents for the really big titles.”
This will not happen; it already has happened. It’s done. More than half a million titles are published annually, thanks to e-publishing. The big six publishers are already agents and, like Hollywood, seek only the blockbuster. Many writers no longer writer; they have turned into producers. James Patterson is a conglomerate that licenses his name because the name sells books, not his writing. And he isn’t the only big name doing this.
So what does this mean for the average writer? It means finding a market for your work on your own. In addition to writing, authors must now distribute and market. It also means that your work had better be the best you can make it or you won’t get repeat sales.That’s a lot for writers to take on. It’s hard enough to write a good book. Lawrence Block said he takes 12-18 months for a reason. Add the business side and the burden of doing it all can bring many writers to their knees.
Before you decide to author books, be sure you know what you’re getting into. That’s why I wrote Dollars and Sense for Writers. Not to scare you off but to prepare you for what’s ahead.
Jason Hiner states, “In the new Internet world, there are going to be a lot more books published (as e-books) and lot more titles to sort through, but it’s also going to become a much more democratic process and there will be room for more people to make a living as niche authors. The traditional publishers will morph into promotional agents for the really big titles.”
This will not happen; it already has happened. It’s done. More than half a million titles are published annually, thanks to e-publishing. The big six publishers are already agents and, like Hollywood, seek only the blockbuster. Many writers no longer writer; they have turned into producers. James Patterson is a conglomerate that licenses his name because the name sells books, not his writing. And he isn’t the only big name doing this.
So what does this mean for the average writer? It means finding a market for your work on your own. In addition to writing, authors must now distribute and market. It also means that your work had better be the best you can make it or you won’t get repeat sales.That’s a lot for writers to take on. It’s hard enough to write a good book. Lawrence Block said he takes 12-18 months for a reason. Add the business side and the burden of doing it all can bring many writers to their knees.
Before you decide to author books, be sure you know what you’re getting into. That’s why I wrote Dollars and Sense for Writers. Not to scare you off but to prepare you for what’s ahead.
Posted by Linda Mickey at 9/17/2011 8:32 AM 
Categories: Publishing Issues
Tags: zdnet.com jason hiner changes in publishing publishing industry publishers become agents e-publishing james patterson Dollars and Sense for Writers Larwrence Block business side of writing
Categories: Publishing Issues
Tags: zdnet.com jason hiner changes in publishing publishing industry publishers become agents e-publishing james patterson Dollars and Sense for Writers Larwrence Block business side of writing
Comments