Since its introduction, the internet has made life much simpler. However, it has also caused drastic changes in some ventures. Publishing a book is no different.
Prior to the internet, bookstores and libraries were the main resources for any type of information. People either bought or rented their reading materials. If you were looking for any type of reading materials you got in your car and were destination oriented.
The downside of the internet gaining popularity is retail outlets for books and informational material have been forced to change the way they do business.
They no longer can carry all of the titles available. With the cost of brick and mortar, along with employees and standard expenses, the bookstores must be far more selective in the titles they carry. Therefore, publishers must be more on the lookout for that sell-out titles. They no longer can afford to take many chances on unknown authors or chancy materials.
There still are those "Wow" moments (rarely) when an unsolicted manuscript hits the desk of an Editor and is bought up immediately. It will then make it to a national bookstore chain and hit the shelves. How long it will stay there depends on consumers. If the book doesn't sell, and sell quickly, it will be packed up and shipped back to the publsiher for a full refund. In general, bookstores ultimately only pay for what they sell.
Retailers have total control of what is on their shelves. They only make money when books sell. Therefore, they are looking for the titles that actually sell. It may be much less of a loss if they return unsold copies but that doesn't make up for the lost revenue that the title caused by taking up shelf space and not producing revenue.
So, what is an Author to do? You may be that one in a gazillion that is picked up at a big publishing house, given advances and a fantastic contract. But, it is unlikely.
Times have changed and so must authors. Nowadays, there are publishing companies that are truly looking for manuscripts but it is much more of a joint venture.
Authors are now being encouraged to purchase large volumes of their own books. And, they are expected to personaly promote their book. Publishers have turned the table and somehow have forced authors into being entrepreneurs. Some authors excel in this arena and others won't even venture into the circle.
Although the internet had much to do with these rather unpleasant changes, it is also a solution. Many authors are now opting to self-publish.
Why not? Authors are writing, editing, purchasing and promoting their own books. The only part they haven't done was print them. And, with the internet, printing is simply one option. You can print the book and begin your own marketing campaign, or you can publish it on the internet as an ebook. Either way, there is not much difference between that and working directly with a publisher.
Some will call this "Vanity" publishing. So be it. Taking control of your writing and its destination may be the path of least resistance and the road to success.
Chris Lowrey
www.authoreval.com
Chris is an editor and author. She works for a publisher that is currently seeking to change the rules in the publishing world. For more information on writing or publishing your book, visit: www.authoreval.com
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