Being sucessful by publishing non-traditinally

[Wonky]

The biggest problem I had with POD books was getting bookstores to carry them! I think I was only able to get one or two stores to actually order the books from the publisher. The rest took about a half-dozen on consignment, I forget the percentage. And I had to pay around $10 each from the publisher for each copy of my book...so basically, if I wanted to break even, I'd have to price the books sold on consignment at over $20 just to break even--and these are trade paperbacks. I saw that no matter how many books I sold, I'd never be able to make any money off them selling them in bookstores. I could only make money selling them to random people I met...I had a website up at one point but I only sold a couple of books through that, too. Finally I just said "screw it" and am now trying to go the traditional route.

[Steven Labri]

Wonky -- I think at this point, traditional is the way to go.

[Wonky]

Yeah, I don't get why some people keep trumpeting POD. It seems like the more books you sell, the more in debt you get.

[Robert Brown]

Wonky, this is also true in traditional self-publishing, the kind where at author sets his own book, finds a printer and publishes. This route only brings new sets of problems to light: that of distribution, and the total real cost of publishing a book. Many who try this forget things like paying a cover artist, the cost of software, and labor involved in putting it all together. Then, even when it's done and the books are sitting in the basement or garage, the self-publisher forgets that no matter where you send books, you have to pay to transport them there. Amazon, for instance, is very generous in helping self-publishers distribute their books; however, they require first-class shipping to their distribution centers and have a bad habit of ordering one book at a time.

Then there's major problems in getting your book into major distribution channels. Distributors will not take them unless you can demonstrate to them that you are not some author trying to get an audience the easy way (which is exactly what most self-publishers are trying to do). Before most major distributors (or even most minor ones) will even consider distribution, you must have ten or more books published. This kind of kills any hope of getting your book into national bookstore chains, so you're stuck with the independent bookstores.

Than, as Wonky mentioned, there's discounts. Amazon charges 55% of the cover price to get into their distribution channel. If you can get distribution from a small distributor, they charge 65% and upwards for their services--plus some want you to pay for storage in their warehouse if your book sit there too long.

You think you've heard it all? Nope, there's more--returns. Bookstores (including Amazon) want a guaranteed 100% return policy on every book they receive. What does this mean? It means that if a book doesn't sell within a certain time period (months usually), they can return it to, you or your distributor (which ends up being charged back to you) for a refund of 100% of the cost of that book. This fact alone has bankrupt many fledgling publishers. And there's more. . .

So you still want to self-publish? Good luck!!

[nom de plume]

Robert, what do you think of the Kindle? If successful, it will generate similar devices at lower cost. What do you think it will do to the industry?

This question is somewhat of topic but since you're at this thread . . .

[nom de plume]

excuse me: off topic

[Steven Labri]

IMHO -- Kindle will assist in literary growth, somewhat. On the other hand, if you don't read now, you won't start just because of Kindle. It's a nice device, and if you are like me (reading more than one book at a time) having a portable device like this is darn cool.

It will never replace the smell and the touch of a book however. My library is full of classics, old, and new books and I will never part with them. I can't imagine. Actually, I peruse yard/garage/library sales, thrift stores and the like just to find literary treasures.

[Bill Schmidt]

I agree with Mr. Labri. We are in a new day and age. One thing is certain the book, publishing and agent scenario we deal with today is going to change drastically over the next ten years. Take a look at the music industry.

There are differences with music and reading. It is certainly easier to listen to music on the computer than it is to read a novel, but the industry is in for a big makeover.

Thinking outside of the box and looking for successes via non-traditional approaches may be the key to success for many as yet published writers.

Bill

[Robert Brown]

Nom, I can only relate that the AAR is looking very strongly at epublisher. Some are emerging strongly from the herd and those are the ones of interest.

Yes, I won't give up the smell of a fine book. I too have a huge library and I'm continually adding to it. As far as music, yes take a look. Where is music going? I sometimes wonder what the present generation will listen to when '80s music becomes passe? In a way, I pity the current generation. Will hip-hop ever make it to oldie but goodie status? I wonder.

As far as the Kindle goes, it's only one in a generation of readers that are in their infancy. As far as I'm concerned, you can't read it at the beach, so what good is it? LEDs screens don't work that well in direct sunlight.

In my opinion, if fiction is to go beyond it's present slump, writers will be the ones to take it there. Who has gone into schools lately and introduced the joy of reading to anyone? This is what it's going to take. Just as my father introduced me to Louis L'Amour, so do writers have to introduce kids to the joys of getting lost in a good book. It doesn't happen automatically. It has to be introduced into the spirit.

[Wonky]

Robert, those were some other issues I had. One store I sold on consignment to was a chain, and I had to mail the books to their warehouse. The good thing was that this store catered to my target market--but the bad thing was that even though the books sold quickly, I was still losing money with every sale!

Most stores, though, didn't sell many copies and I had to go pick up the books (aka returns!) after six months or so.

Ok and besides the way music is distributed, how has the music industry changed? Let's say you're in a band. You still have to get signed by a record company, get a manager, tour, etc. Sure, you can put up your songs on your web page but I doubt you'll get much of an audience or make much money.

Even if e-books become commonplace, you'll still need and agent, etc. It's not like the poorly written POD crap is going to replace traditionally published books, no matter the format.