An interesting interview with Joe Konrath was just published (see link below). Here he further expounds on his results as a self-published author. He cites significantly better earnings by self-publishing books for a low price while at the same time devoting less time to marketing than he had for this traditionally published novel. He states that publishers take over 52% of the cover price while authors receive only a bit more than 17%.

The article is definitely worth reading. One caveat though is that nowhere in the article does Joe mention his release with Amazon’s new imprint Encore. This leaves me wondering, if self-publishing is so fantastic, why sign a deal with what is ostensibly another publisher? Sure Amazon isn’t a traditional publisher per se, yet it aspires to be one. That is one question I’m sure many writers would be interested in hearing the answer to.

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/j-a-konrath-responds-our-interview-with-jamie-raab_b46413

http://elitzr.com/is-amazons-konrath-concession-a-sign-of-things-to-come/

In the continuing competitive battle between Amazon and Barnes and Noble, B&N has stated that it will not carry paper books published by Amazon in its bricks and morter stores. However, you will still be able to find Amazon digital titles in B&N’s online store.

While Amazon has now entered publisher’s territory by publishing its own fiction books in several genres, B&N has not done so. It is sticking to its distributor role.

This will further widen the gap between the traditional publisher/distributor companies and Amazon. The challenge competitors will have is that Amazon’s business is significantly more diversified and provides it with funds to develop the book division.

As readers and authors, we’ll just have to hope that the competition provides more opportunities.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/50444-it-s-official-b-n-will-not-stock-titles-published-by-amazon-.html

It’s a dream come true…for all fiction junkies, the Harvard Business Review now says that research proves that reading fiction can help you earn more money. How? Because people who read fiction learn superior emotional intelligence skills by absorbing their favorite character’s responses to the trials and tribulations their authors put them through. Emotional intelligence or the ability to appropriately read and respond to other’s emotions is key to gaining promotions and earning higher salaries.

So next time you feel guilty for settling into the couch with a blanket, a cup of coffee and a good book, don’t. The dishes can go in the dishwasher. The dust isn’t hurting anyone. So get to work on that promotion and get reading!

Here’s the full story:

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/the_business_case_for_reading.html

I’m well into the pre-Holiday crunch time. But just wanted to take a minute to point out an interesting (but rather long) post on author payments. In this post, the author argues that traditional publishers can afford to and should pay authors more for their work. This would then better compensate authors and discourage them from defecting to Amazon where pay is better. Will anyone take his advice? Time will tell…

http://www.idealog.com/blog/paying-authors-more-might-be-the-best-economics

The publishing community has responded with mixed feelings to Amazon’s latest move in buying up a line of children’s books from Marshall Cavendish. Amazon’s rationale is that the new Kindle Fire is an excellent tool for viewing color books as many children’s books are. (Lucky for my book, “Small Business Rocket Fuel”, I had already incorporated color photos and color flourishes throughout the book!)

While some were pleased that Amazon would offer good distribution of the books. Others felt it was further pushing publishing toward a monopoly. Independent book stores pointed out that there is no way Amazon can replace the personal touch and insightful comments they offer customers. A final comment was that Amazon’s dominance ends up devaluing books and training buyers of them to have a lowest-cost commodity mind-set.

So many tough issues here. While the broadest distribution possible is best for sellers/authors, a monopoly will reduce author power in their negotiations for the best payment for their work.

Here is a link to a useful article:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/49771-booksellers-unhappy-with-amazon–s-latest-moves.html

1. Give yourself time to daydream. I find great ideas come when I’m doing something physical that requires little thought like running, working out on an exercise machine at the gym, gardening, etc. So unplug the iPod and let the thoughts swirl about in your brain.

2. Go someplace new. While going to the same vacation spot every year is comfortable and creates warm memories, going somewhere new can get new ideas pinging about.

3. Talk to people. Listen to people. I have come up with some great ideas during lectures, presentations or even just meeting and talking with someone new at a conference. Often just one word or phrase from someone else will spark a cascade of ideas related to some problem I’d been mulling for days.

I just love coming up with new ideas. I find myself delving into whole new areas and becoming quite passionate about them. The hard work comes when implementing the ideas. That’s when you have to roll up your sleeves and get to it. This is when the good ideas are sifted out from the less good. But it is also a stumbling point for many. Not only does it take effort to start something new (like a book, project or business), it also takes courage. Many new efforts fail. Even if yours fails, you deserve praise for having tried. And learned. If starting something new were easy, then more people would do it instead of opting out before they start. So don’t look down into the darkness of failure. Be Courageous! Be Passionate! Just Start!

Along with cleaning out the physical clutter, it’s time to clean out the mental clutter. I admit, I have plenty of clutter to get rid of- thoughts that bog down and doom some of my best intentions. I bet many writers can relate to my resolutions…

Here are the top 5 bits of mental lint that I plan to sweep away for 2009:

1) Lint: Famous writer Jo Author writes 500 page outlines and sketches scenes worthy of hanging in the Louvre. I am unable to stick to the 2 page outlines I make and, yes, those sort-of circleish blobs on my drawings are in fact heads. Resolution: When I have this thought, I will take a deep breath and accept that my fiction writing is ORGANIC (no- I’m not a panster!). I will ignore the laughter of friends and family who know that I obsessively make lists for everything else I do in life.

2) Lint: The only way to move one’s publishing career forward is to attend every available writer’s conference and workshop. Resolution: I will slowly move my hand away from the mouse. I will not click on the “Yes, I’d love to attend!” button. I will not raid my retirement fund to go to Maui.

3) Lint: The only way to get an agent is to send your pitch to every person who says they’ve met an editor. Resolution: I will not mass mail every listing in Writer’s Market. Wait- does anyone know Millie’s agent? (I have a dog in my book. That would be targeted wouldn’t it?)

4) Lint: The only way to get better is to keep writing (and writing and writing). Resolution: OK, I buy the practice makes perfect but when I find myself typing more underscores (for word goes here) than words, it’s definitely time to go to sleep.

5) Lint: The entire publishing industry is doomed. No one is buying any books. Resolution: Recognize that journalists write stories that sell (sound familiar?) Conflict sells. Step back from the cliff and look around. People will buy entertainment. The only other option is reading the news and look where that got us. Go back to point one- write entertaining conflict that makes people turn pages (or hit page down button) and it will sell.

Wishing everyone a successful New Year for 2009!

Imagine sipping hot cider, swirling around a frozen lake on skates and mingling with ladies in stunning gowns. When I arrived at Brenda Novak’s Christmas Party on Second Life last night snowflakes drifted down around me. I hopped into a bumper car made of ice and took a spin past giant snowmen tossing snowballs. I hopped out of the car and walked into a sleek glass room to check out posters of Brenda’s book covers.

From a lady in a to-die for ball gown, I learned that Second Life is a happening place for publishers and authors. Authors can even set up booths for their books. At least one publisher has a store. The murmur of nearby conversations drifted around me.

I teleported to another room to find a merry-go-round with ice horses. I took a spin around, thinking how beautiful the flying manes of blue ice were. I turned my head to watch a lady with elegant angel’s wings and rotating attire wander by.

I feasted my eyes on the exquisite decor of the party rooms- the trees with twinkling lights, the crisply wrapped gifts. Every detail of the party seemed to go off like clock work and Brenda’s assistants made it so easy for newbies to join in. I managed to figure out how to get my ice skates on. I didn’t fall on my face even once due to all the helpful signs and IM suggestions!

I gazed intently at the raffle announcement board and clutched my ticket anxiously but alas, I didn’t win anything in the raffle. Then again, I never do!

With a final look around at the sleighs and swirling gowns, I had to leave the winter wonderland. The time was growing late and I was worn out by attending both a live and a virtual Christmas party all in one night. So, I snuggled down in my bed with visions of literary glitter in my head, content that the industry will shine through the gloom.

Hats off to Brenda for a lovely evening!

Over the past few months I’ve been pondering innovative marketing strategies in publishing. Why? Basically just because I love publishing and would love to see the industry jolted out it’s doldrums.

In September the UK Harper Collin’s announced a website “Authonomy” that functions like a pre-publication Amazon web site. Writers post 10,000 word chunks of their books and visitors review and rate the copy. The highest rated copy is then read by Harper Collin’s editors. Any one in any country can post their work.

I have no idea if Authonomy is proving profitable for Harper Collin’s. It’s still in beta testing. What do I think of it? I’m of two minds on the idea. On the one hand, anything that stimulates interest in writing or reading gets an A plus! But does this site really get a writer out of the slush pile as the site implies? I’m not sure about that. It seems to me the slush pile is simply moved online and gains enthusiastic, free (though untrained) reviewers. The theory is that these reviewers are the same people who might buy the book if sold so in effect, they receive an early preview and the author receives helpful comments.

The bottom line is I think Authonomy is a great marketing tool. But it is likely of dubious utility for career-oriented writers who have to essentially publish copyrighted material for free and hope they receive useful feedback.

A second innovative marketing tool in Europe is the new Faber Academy where published authors teach new authors. This is also a great marketing tool for the publishing company. It gives them publicity and makes money. Writers attending the workshops will receive the benefit of learning from well-known authors. If only they offered a class in the United States!

In my next post I’ll explore why European publishing is pushing the envelope on innovative marketing.