So much being written about companies not stocking books that are on/published by Amazon. What's an author to do? It feels like old boy's clubs are being erected - if we deign to publish you, or you're published by people we like, we'll give you entrance... I can understand the fury that Amazon is taking away everything, but really, it is up to people to choose, not the publishers, especially when there are so many books they refuse to publish, good books.
As a reader, I want choice, not the same old same old publishers keep publishing. As a writer, I want to be published. And I'll go, unfortunately perhaps, but I'll go with who will publish me, retain my rights, and hopefully, be read.
Showing posts with label Book printing and publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book printing and publishing. Show all posts
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Publishing
A discussion following the London Book Fair about how to get to writers before they take the self publishing route:
The final comment is that traditional publishing is dying and has been since the early 1990s.
The only way for writers is Print on Demand and then use a good marketing, publishing, new media company to get the book on phones and reading devices. Not the traditional book format. You will need to pay for this service.
All traditional advertising is to point people to your website.
And will you make a living? Another discussion.
A writer who went the self publishing route with a children's picture book took advice from schools and libraries and other resources. Kodak displayed the book at the London Book Fair. A follow up comment from a children's publisher invited this author to send him the book. As did another.
There are suggestions that many agents and publishers are rude and difficult to reach. There are some that are not. A few. One well known publisher usually rejects and tells you to buy her book on publishing. Briefly.
Contacts? Who you know? Become a 'celebrity' and publishers will ask you to write a work of fiction. A review of Dawn French's novel said it was good but went on to say that if it had been written by an unknown, it would not have been published.
That's the world - it's not merely moved onto electronic publishing.
It's not only that traditional publishing is dead because of its format, it's dead because for many it's a story that's written by someone whose picture they recognise.
And what drives this? Success. Success breeds success. And then the question, what is your definition of success?
One makes me want to throw up.The other fills me with joy.
The final comment is that traditional publishing is dying and has been since the early 1990s.
The only way for writers is Print on Demand and then use a good marketing, publishing, new media company to get the book on phones and reading devices. Not the traditional book format. You will need to pay for this service.
All traditional advertising is to point people to your website.
And will you make a living? Another discussion.
A writer who went the self publishing route with a children's picture book took advice from schools and libraries and other resources. Kodak displayed the book at the London Book Fair. A follow up comment from a children's publisher invited this author to send him the book. As did another.
There are suggestions that many agents and publishers are rude and difficult to reach. There are some that are not. A few. One well known publisher usually rejects and tells you to buy her book on publishing. Briefly.
Contacts? Who you know? Become a 'celebrity' and publishers will ask you to write a work of fiction. A review of Dawn French's novel said it was good but went on to say that if it had been written by an unknown, it would not have been published.
That's the world - it's not merely moved onto electronic publishing.
It's not only that traditional publishing is dead because of its format, it's dead because for many it's a story that's written by someone whose picture they recognise.
And what drives this? Success. Success breeds success. And then the question, what is your definition of success?
One makes me want to throw up.The other fills me with joy.
Friday, 24 April 2009
The Espresso Book Machine
I listened to You and Yours on Radio 4 today after a tip off that The Espresso Book Machine was being discussed. I mentioned briefly that I'd seen it in action at The London Book Fair. What came across on the Radio 4 programme, when they tested the machine about acquiring the same book on the internet, that they were looking at speed and cost. Actually I think that the purpose of having these book printing machines in book shops is that you can purchase a book that day in the place you are standing. It is a pristine paperback. You might not be bothered about it being pristine, either. The point is, you can buy a book that isn't on the shelf in front of you, that may be out of print, that you cannot find (though probably can on the internet) but you, making your choice, can ask for a book and it is printed up as you wait. Five, ten minutes, twenty at most, does that really matter? It is the fact that you can have the book.
And you can order as many copies as you want!
www.ondemandbooks.com Have a look. The test store is at Blackwells in Charing Cross, London. Come on guys - try it out in the regions - that's my only quibble. Oh and price. It seemed expensive at £17 something for a paperback, but it may have been because of the specific book. If that is the cost of any paperback to be published via this method, then it might not be as successful as they hope. Worth looking into.
And now it is the weekend. And I need ink for my printer. That's a pain, but has to be done. The digital age is great in many ways, but it still needs to be fed.
The debate on machines like the Espresso Book Machine will be interesting.
And you can order as many copies as you want!
www.ondemandbooks.com Have a look. The test store is at Blackwells in Charing Cross, London. Come on guys - try it out in the regions - that's my only quibble. Oh and price. It seemed expensive at £17 something for a paperback, but it may have been because of the specific book. If that is the cost of any paperback to be published via this method, then it might not be as successful as they hope. Worth looking into.
And now it is the weekend. And I need ink for my printer. That's a pain, but has to be done. The digital age is great in many ways, but it still needs to be fed.
The debate on machines like the Espresso Book Machine will be interesting.
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