Saturday, May 26, 2012

If It Ain't Broke...But What If It Is?

Stay With the Old or Go With the New?
I've been doing some research on other ways books can be published without going through the long drawn-out process of trying to find an agent...which those of us going through this know is not easy in today's market. 

Big publishing houses, and many small presses, are really taking some hits with the new e-books. So they've become very picky about what they represent and what they spend their money on. Which trickles down to the agents who are picky about what they can represent and make money on. And guess who's next in that trickling-down scenario.
Yep! You guessed it.
Those of us trying to get a book published, those of us that want to become published authors! So being at the bottom of the pecking order leaves many of us no choice but to try somewhere else.

But I have to be honest.  I didn't know the difference between e-publishing, indie publishing, self-publishing, vanity press and so on.  And I'm sure there are many of you out there that are thinking..."where's she been hiding?  In a cave?"  No, I'm just old-er and not comfortable with all the new techie stuff.  But honestly, I've spent so much time trying to find an agent for the traditional method of publishing, that I've kind of overlooked all the other ways of getting my book published. 

So I did some research.

What I found was that I don't want to have to pay someone to publish my book so that I can try to sell it myself.  And that discovery took care of vanity presses and self-publishing and indie publishing.  It just isn't for me. 

But I do like what I've read about e-publishing. 

As much as I hate to admit it, (being one who doesn't welcome change), e-books are the new wave. 

I love reading the traditional way.  I prefer turning the pages while immersing myself in someone else's life.  But my daughter, Michelle, who owns so many books she could start her own library, has joined the ranks of e-reading.  Now she can take her e-reader with her where ever she goes without the bulk of a book.  My sister, Kathy, has also gone the way of e-reading.  And they both love it. 

So maybe this is the way to go...I suppose I could give it a try, research it some more, see if I think I can fit in.  I read on Joe Konrath's blog (A Newbie's Guide To Publishing) about companies that can format your manuscript to fit with most e-readers.  He recommended Rob Siders at http://www.52novels.com/.  He also recommended Carl Graves at cgdouble2@sbcglobal.net. for cover designs.  I got a lot of useful information from his post "How To Make Money on Ebooks."

 I still want to see my name on the cover of a book that's sitting on a bookstore shelf or on a rack at Walmart or even in a turnstile at Kroger's.  I don't care where they put it, as long as its out there and people want to buy it and read it.  Any maybe my next novel will find it's way to one of those venues, but until then, I'm looking at other ways. 

So traditional or e-publishing?  What do you think?

Quotes of the Day:
 If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do things worth writing. ~ Benjamin Franklin

What's cheaper than a gallon of gas? An ebook. Save a dollar, stay home and read! ~ Shandy L. Kurth

5 comments:

Robin said...

You know I love the book. I haven't gone to e-reading yet but if you can get it published that way so that you can get the story in more people's hands, I think go for it.

Karen said...

Thanks Robin. You've been a great supporter. And I always appreciate your opinions. I'll let you know what I decide to do. Lots of research first. :)

Raymond Alexander Kukkee said...

Karen, I published "Morgidoo's Christmas Carol" as an eBook and I like the concept of ebooks. The traditional publishers have become too expensive, vanity presses you have to pay, then sell the book yourself, and you do all of the work either way. POD or 'print on demand' is another way you can go, where 'you do the work' and get a POD printer to print however many copies you have sold, or print as they are sold. Obviously self-promo is required there too. I think eBooks are the way to go--if they are successful, you can always go to soft-cover or hardcover later. Good luck!

Karen said...

Thanks Raymond. You have a lot of info here and I appreciate it. I think you're right. eBooks seem to be the better way to go now.

Karen said...

And Raymond...congrats on "Morgidoo's Christmas Carol"!!