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Gus' monthly feature "Writer's
Block," is geared for the
aspiring writer in all of us. He
also shares insights into his
novels, how they came about,
their research, location
selection, plus other tidbits of
information.
He doesn't claim to be a writing
guru, so he suggests clicking
on "links" if you need specific
help on other writing topics.
In the meantime, enjoy his
novels of mystery and
suspense.
Block," is geared for the
aspiring writer in all of us. He
also shares insights into his
novels, how they came about,
their research, location
selection, plus other tidbits of
information.
He doesn't claim to be a writing
guru, so he suggests clicking
on "links" if you need specific
help on other writing topics.
In the meantime, enjoy his
novels of mystery and
suspense.
| Favorites from the ARCHIVES |
| Copyright (C) 2012 by Gus Flores. All rights reserved. |
Two Roads to Publishing
by Gus Flores
I'm often asked if publishing through an independent publisher versus a "big name" publisher is
better. My response is it depends on what you want from a publisher and what direction you want your
writing to take. As in anything, there are pros and cons to either choice. Now, I could go on and on and
make a long list of these pros and cons, but I'm only going to mention the bare facts as I know them.
First of all, let's call the independent publisher "Indy," and the big name publisher "Biggie," neither
moniker meant in any way derogatory. From my understanding, Indy will let you be more in control of
your writing, book design, pricing, distribution, and royalties. Your book's content will be viewed, and if
possible, have an editor and a graphic artist offer suggestions and services. Plus, their distribution
network is more Internet based. These are the pros for Indy.
The pros for Biggie are: you may be offered a contract with an x amount of dollars as an advance
on your royalties, you have an editor and graphic artist to help with copy and design, your book will
have a run of copies, distribution will be targeted at famous bookstores and supermarkets, and your
chances of making sales are maximized.
And as every coin has two sides, let's mull over the cons. Indy will let you have control of your
writing, book design, pricing, distribution, and royalties. If you know very little about what it takes to
write a book, how to design it, how to price it competitively, where and how to distribute it, and demand
a higher royalty, the chances are that the book project will become overwhelming and possibly a bust.
The real drama is when you realize that you have put forth hours and hours and dollars and dollars
into the project and it has gone nowhere. Indy will do their part, but it is expected that you do yours.
On the other hand, Biggie writers may not be as lucky either. The advance they offered you is just
that, an advance, which is a glorified word for a loan on your yet-to-be-sold books. Spend the money;
don't make any sales---yikes! As for control of your writing, you may as well forget your "artistic" side as
the editor has the final say on how your story should go. In addition, Biggie will do what is called a first
run of ,say 10,000 copies. These copies will be distributed throughout their market area, but keep in
mind that the majority of books from new authors have to compete for shelf space. If sales are dismal
on the first run, more than likely the life of your book is kaput: the presses stop. Biggie may not want to
hear from you again unless it is time for you to make a payment on your "advance." And don't forget the
big name agent you hired to help you with the process in the beginning.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that these are the facts as I know them. There are plenty of
websites you can peruse and a plethora of books on publishing pros and cons. Before you choose a
publisher (more than likely it's Biggie who chooses you through query letters, but that's another topic),
do educate yourself on what genre each publisher specializes in and accepts before you make contact
with them. Until next time . . .
Keep on writing!
GF
by Gus Flores
I'm often asked if publishing through an independent publisher versus a "big name" publisher is
better. My response is it depends on what you want from a publisher and what direction you want your
writing to take. As in anything, there are pros and cons to either choice. Now, I could go on and on and
make a long list of these pros and cons, but I'm only going to mention the bare facts as I know them.
First of all, let's call the independent publisher "Indy," and the big name publisher "Biggie," neither
moniker meant in any way derogatory. From my understanding, Indy will let you be more in control of
your writing, book design, pricing, distribution, and royalties. Your book's content will be viewed, and if
possible, have an editor and a graphic artist offer suggestions and services. Plus, their distribution
network is more Internet based. These are the pros for Indy.
The pros for Biggie are: you may be offered a contract with an x amount of dollars as an advance
on your royalties, you have an editor and graphic artist to help with copy and design, your book will
have a run of copies, distribution will be targeted at famous bookstores and supermarkets, and your
chances of making sales are maximized.
And as every coin has two sides, let's mull over the cons. Indy will let you have control of your
writing, book design, pricing, distribution, and royalties. If you know very little about what it takes to
write a book, how to design it, how to price it competitively, where and how to distribute it, and demand
a higher royalty, the chances are that the book project will become overwhelming and possibly a bust.
The real drama is when you realize that you have put forth hours and hours and dollars and dollars
into the project and it has gone nowhere. Indy will do their part, but it is expected that you do yours.
On the other hand, Biggie writers may not be as lucky either. The advance they offered you is just
that, an advance, which is a glorified word for a loan on your yet-to-be-sold books. Spend the money;
don't make any sales---yikes! As for control of your writing, you may as well forget your "artistic" side as
the editor has the final say on how your story should go. In addition, Biggie will do what is called a first
run of ,say 10,000 copies. These copies will be distributed throughout their market area, but keep in
mind that the majority of books from new authors have to compete for shelf space. If sales are dismal
on the first run, more than likely the life of your book is kaput: the presses stop. Biggie may not want to
hear from you again unless it is time for you to make a payment on your "advance." And don't forget the
big name agent you hired to help you with the process in the beginning.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that these are the facts as I know them. There are plenty of
websites you can peruse and a plethora of books on publishing pros and cons. Before you choose a
publisher (more than likely it's Biggie who chooses you through query letters, but that's another topic),
do educate yourself on what genre each publisher specializes in and accepts before you make contact
with them. Until next time . . .
Keep on writing!
GF