May 7, 2010

A question from a blog reader asked, “Would you consider using a newly formed publishing company? What questions should a writer ask a new publisher to ensure they are getting appropriate care for their book?”

I’ve had one experience with a newly formed publisher–which I’ll write about below–but first let me mention a blog post on this subject on Writer Beware! The post is two years old, and due to the economy, it is even MORE true today than it was when posted. I hope you’ll read the entire post, but this is the bottom line summary:

“So unless you are absolutely, 100% positive that the publisher is staffed by people with substantial publishing experience–and maybe even then–it’s a good idea to wait until a new publisher has been in business for at least a year, and has published a number of books, before submitting. Not only does this assure you that the publisher can take books all the way through the production process, it lets you evaluate important things like physical and editorial quality, how the books are distributed, and how they are marketed. It also allows time for complaints, if there are any, to accumulate.

Tempting as it may be to join the rush to get in on the ground floor when a new publisher opens its doors, watching and waiting is a much better strategy.”

My Own Experience

My first mystery series fifteen years ago was my only experience with a brand new publisher. The man who started it had great credentials, and we met when speaking on a panel at a writer’s conference. It was professional from beginning to end, although his advance was a lot smaller than I was used to.

The first two books came out on time, but the sales were pretty low. (Thankfully I had had several mysteries published by that time because the “editor” I got knew nothing about mysteries and was an unpublished aspiring writer.) The third mystery ran into one snag after another, but since that happens sometimes, I wasn’t worried. I knew he was working on other books too and accepted the explanations for delays.

One Eye-Opening Day

I had several school visits approaching and needed copies of the third book, so when I had to be in his city for something else, I decided to just stop by the publishing house and pick up the books, as he’d said they were finished and boxed up.

When I finally located the address, I felt surely it must be wrong. It wasn’t in the business area of town–it was a residence. His home. No one answered the door, so I walked around the back and peeked in the window of the basement.

There were stacks of books and piles of papers everywhere. Evidently this was the publishing “house.” Literally! And it turned out that this man was the entire “staff” and he was out of money. Any books sold would be up to me. (This was prior Internet marketing, so I was stuck with the books and no way other than school visits to sell them.)

Needless to say, I wished I had asked a lot more questions early in the process. The books weren’t reviewed and fell through the cracks.

(Reminder: do read the full article on Writer Beware!) And please become a regular reader of their blog. It will save you years of headaches and heartaches!

Questions to Ask

If you are still considering submitting to a newly formed company, ask them:

1. How many titles are you publishing this year?
2. If there are published titles already, buy one or two and read them. (Look for quality of editing, typos, quality of art work, etc.)
3. Contact other authors who have published with them. Ask about editing, sales, art work, whether the publisher answers their emails, etc. Thanks to the Internet and Facebook and Twitter, you can find almost anyone online.
4. What constitutes your staff? (You may find that the publisher is also the editor, layout designer, promoter, sales rep, publicist, and delivery man.) If these jobs are “hired out,” who does these jobs? Are they qualified?

Google the new company too and check for complaints in blogs and message boards.

Forewarned

I know several writers who have signed with new publishers over the last few years. Every time, it’s been a dismal, frustrating experience–and resulting in so few sales.

If you don’t ask these questions before you query, at least get answers you’re happy with before you sign ANYTHING. As the blog title says, writer beware!

February 8, 2009

I sat down last night to finally go through a stack of writers’ magazines and other periodicals that had accumulated. I looked forward to browsing, flipping leisurely through the pages, stopping when a title caught my eye.

So why was I fuming within thirty seconds? All that infernal marketing done with post card-type inserts stuck into the center spine. I hate them! I ripped out NINE such inserts in one magazine alone. The stack of worthless garbage litters the floor as I fume.

Viral Marketing?

All those annoying ads make it impossible to leaf through your magazine. Instead of the pages fluttering nicely, they jerk by in clumps unless you take the time first to go through and yank the ads out. They’re tucked in everywhere! Am I the only one who gets annoyed by those inserts? It makes me want to boycott their products–not buy them.

Hawking wares–telling people about your product repeatedly–never works on me. I only find it annoying. I’m affected the same way by ads that pop up constantly for the same product when I’m Googling for information, or email campaigns even from my friends. I know that when a new book comes out, you’re supposed to blitz people with “see my new book!” and “watch my new trailer!” and “join me for a free teleseminar!” and “view my podcast!” and “meet the author!” and “read my guest blog tour!” Maybe it works for other people, but I just end up feeling nagged and put off.

Where’s the Balance?

I know you need to advertise. It’s important to be willing to help with marketing your books in this publishing day and age. And yet you don’t want to cross over from intriguing a buyer into annoying him. How do you decide where to draw the line?

April 21, 2008

Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary has some great marketing wisdom that he shared in two guest articles recently. I’d suggest printing them out if you keep a marketing notebook. There’s a a lot of great stuff here. Chip is a savvy literary agent, but he’s also a writer, and a former editor and publisher, so he can see book marketing from every angle. Here, then, are some great marketing insights from an industry insider, courtesy of the We Can! market out books blog.

“Words of Wisdom” gives you the first five steps with explanations.
“Words of Wisdom” Part 2 gives you steps six through ten.