Unless a publisher can provide strong marketing and distribution, I cannot see where they have earned 75% of royalties from electronic book sales.
In the past, when books only came in hard/paperback, publishers could justify their actions in that they paid the bill on having copies of our books printed up.
Now with Amazon stating that Kindle sales of books out number those of hard/paperback 150:100 publisher must rethink the service they are providing authors.
Authors too, must become more business savvy.
We authors must also ask why do we still look for a publisher’s affirmation of our work when in the end they give us very little support, if any, but are ready to take such a large percentage of our royalties on a format that costs so little, if anything, to create.
The idea that you are not truly published unless a publisher has signed you on is a false belief that plagues many of us.
And then there are those of us writers who want to have nothing to do with the marketing and publicity of our work.
Every successful business person I know of achieved their success by placing themselves at the very center of what they were selling.
Writers must do the same.
Another way of looking at this is by wondering just what might have happened if 2 decades ago we authors had taken charge of marketing ourselves and distributing our work.
Two possibilities come to mind:
We’d be negotiating directly with Amazon,
OR
(in my wildest dreams) we would have created our own on-line company/store that sells books much like Amazon, i.e. there’d be no Amazon for books.
Our dependence on Amazon.com as the largest on-line distributor of books in a world where people are buying more electronic formats of books is tenuous at best.
Amazon’s focus has never centered on selling just books.
For this reason, and due to rising middle class economies in South Asia and China, authors need to consider and create serious plans for managing the electronic distribution of our work to not simply American consumers but those across the globe.
Publishers seem to have missed this boat and/or feel it is beneath them to address this issue.
Perhaps this is our time–that of authors taking charge of both the artistry and financial aspect of that into which we pour so much of our heart and soul.
Agree with you on every point. We must market our work, look at ourselves as a business in order to thrive. Interesting and promising road ahead as publishing evolves, hopefully putting more opportunity in the hands of writers. Tweeted your post on our page…Best to you, always~~:
http://twitter.com/?status=%4F%66%20%45%2D%62%6F%6F%6B%73%2C%20%52%6F%79%61%6C%74%69%65%73%20%61%6E%64%20%54%61%6B%69%6E%67%20%43%68%61%72%67%65%20%6F%66%20%46%69%6E%61%6E%63%65%73…%20%68%74%74%70%3A%2F%2F%6A%2E%6D%70%2F%65%6C%72%4E%48%70%20%76%69%61%20%40%41%64%64%54%6F%41%6E%79#!/JustCate1
I’m glad you found the post stimulating and interesting.
Thanks so much for stopping by, taking the time to comment and Tweeting it.
Have a wonderful and productive week.
Much peace and many, many blessings.
Hi Anjuelle,
I agree also. Hadn’t thought about the fact that Amazon sells more than books. But they do make money off of CreateSpace and the Kindle so I don’t see them kicking authors to the curb as yet.
Thanks for posting.
Excellent article, Anjuelle. Makes me wish I knew how to set up such a site.
Great article, I believe authors should look at Hollywood actors and the music industry as to what the future holds for them. Many singers and actors don’t make money on film, or music alone. They get endorsement deals and peddle products. Just in case of a dry spell. Writers as well need to open other sources of revenue, it’s only good business!
Rachel Rueben´s last blog post ..Trademarks and Copyrights
Great article with eye and mind opening points about how authors must realize they are engaging in a business and must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of publication. Further, we should be more pro-active in engaging in marketing and publishing of our business.
Linda´s last blog post ..“Let’s Get Started- Take the Time to Pray and Write Your Goals”- Part II
Karen:
The post really got you thinking.
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
Hope all is well with you and your writing.
Keep warm and safe up there.
Peace and Blessings.
Dellani:
Glad you liked it.
I’m sure if you, I and perhaps Fran put our heads together we could create that site.
Can you imagine Red River Writers and the site working together?
Gives me goosebumps.
I really appreciate you visiting and taking the time to comment.
Hope you’re having a wonderful and productive week.
Peace and Blessings.
Rachel:
Now this is an idea that makes me stop and think.
Wow!!!
We need to talk.
Thanks for visiting and for leaving such a thought provoking comment.
Much peace and many blessings.
Linda:
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Now if we could only get other authors thinking this way.
Perhaps we authors should enter into corporate prayer on this matter.
I appreciate your support. And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Peace and Blessings.