Laughable article by Jodi Picoult on Indie Authors
Jodi Picoult advises authors not to self-publish
Posted by John Warner ⋅ April 10, 2012 ⋅ 1 Comment
Filed Under Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult has become the latest conventionally-published author to argue that authors should not choose the self-publishing route. Speaking to the Huffington Post, she argues that self-published authors miss out on the marketability afforded by a ‘real’ publisher, and that the self-published world is still too varied in terms of quality, with readers struggling to separate good books from bad.
Much of what Picoult has to say seems reasonable, but it’s also worth noting that many of her arguments can potentially be turned back against her. For example, she says that it’s hard for readers to sort the good from the bad when dealing with self-published authors. That’s true, but it’s also true for conventionally published books. We’re still learning how to sort the vast number of self-published books in a way that helps highlight the best titles, but just because we’re not at that point yet, should we give up on self-published books altogether?
Picoult also claims that self-published authors such as Amanda Hocking often go with a conventional deal once they’re successful. Picoult seems to be saying that most self-published authors long for a ‘real’ deal, but she neglects to note that writers such as Hocking would probably never have been in a position to get a conventional deal if they hadn’t self-published. It’s fine to say that people shouldn’t self-publish, but what’s the alternative?
Would love to do some comparison here from an Indie:
Jodi Mine
#78 ~ 3.5 star #2368 ~ 4.5 star
#3447 ~ 3.5 star #4178 ~ 5 star
#2207 ~ 4 star #4661 ~ 4.5 star
#1196 ~ 4 star #4632 ~ 5 star
#1644 ~ 4 star #2585 ~ 4 star
#9238 ~ 3.5 star #12706 ~ 4 star
#16233 ~ 3.5 star #23178 ~ 5 star
#10297 ~ 3.5 star #21278 ~ 4.5 star
#27137 ~ 3 star #26813 ~ 5 star
Amanda Hocking was able to up her original advance offer of 20,000 to 2 million because of what she had done in the self pub industry. Two more Indies were signed this month with the Big 6. Konrath is making a high 6 figure annual income in which he is not paying a portion to the Big 6.
I have turned down 2 publishers. I have recently hit my slow season which goes through September. Is it the market or the type of books I write I do not know, however if things follow trend from previous years I will be passing up Ms. Picoults rankings come October. On an ending note, Ms. Picoults newest release is being surpassed by 20 or more Indie Authors in the Amazon top 100 overall list. You may be published with the Big 6 but that does not make readers like your books.
Posted by John Warner ⋅ April 10, 2012 ⋅ 1 Comment
Filed Under Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult has become the latest conventionally-published author to argue that authors should not choose the self-publishing route. Speaking to the Huffington Post, she argues that self-published authors miss out on the marketability afforded by a ‘real’ publisher, and that the self-published world is still too varied in terms of quality, with readers struggling to separate good books from bad.
Much of what Picoult has to say seems reasonable, but it’s also worth noting that many of her arguments can potentially be turned back against her. For example, she says that it’s hard for readers to sort the good from the bad when dealing with self-published authors. That’s true, but it’s also true for conventionally published books. We’re still learning how to sort the vast number of self-published books in a way that helps highlight the best titles, but just because we’re not at that point yet, should we give up on self-published books altogether?
Picoult also claims that self-published authors such as Amanda Hocking often go with a conventional deal once they’re successful. Picoult seems to be saying that most self-published authors long for a ‘real’ deal, but she neglects to note that writers such as Hocking would probably never have been in a position to get a conventional deal if they hadn’t self-published. It’s fine to say that people shouldn’t self-publish, but what’s the alternative?
Would love to do some comparison here from an Indie:
Jodi Mine
#78 ~ 3.5 star #2368 ~ 4.5 star
#3447 ~ 3.5 star #4178 ~ 5 star
#2207 ~ 4 star #4661 ~ 4.5 star
#1196 ~ 4 star #4632 ~ 5 star
#1644 ~ 4 star #2585 ~ 4 star
#9238 ~ 3.5 star #12706 ~ 4 star
#16233 ~ 3.5 star #23178 ~ 5 star
#10297 ~ 3.5 star #21278 ~ 4.5 star
#27137 ~ 3 star #26813 ~ 5 star
Amanda Hocking was able to up her original advance offer of 20,000 to 2 million because of what she had done in the self pub industry. Two more Indies were signed this month with the Big 6. Konrath is making a high 6 figure annual income in which he is not paying a portion to the Big 6.
I have turned down 2 publishers. I have recently hit my slow season which goes through September. Is it the market or the type of books I write I do not know, however if things follow trend from previous years I will be passing up Ms. Picoults rankings come October. On an ending note, Ms. Picoults newest release is being surpassed by 20 or more Indie Authors in the Amazon top 100 overall list. You may be published with the Big 6 but that does not make readers like your books.
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In partial defense of the traditional publishing industry, it does bring a much needed (even if imperfect) basic standard to work being released, and can also provide much needed support so an author can actually make a living at it. It can be reasonably argued that any monkey with a typewriter can be self-published, with little to no quality control or knowledge of an applicable market. There is a reason it has been called "vanity" publishing.
Having said that, a core underlying issue of the traditional method is letting editors and publishers define quality. Publishers are in business to make money, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, people must remember that their products are developed to this end. Just because something is popular and makes a lot of money doesn't mean it is quality work. Think of the brilliant works that have been rejected by the priveledged few who had the opportunity to see them but tossed them aside.
Also, some who have benefited from the traditional method may forget that there are MANY different reasons to publish, and versatility is where self-publishing shines. Not everyone wants to make a living at it, or even get paid (much). Not everyone is in it to see their name on the shelf (much) or be distributed far and wide. Self-publishing has the ability to be the publishing method that favors the readers, not the publishing houses, and I believe we have an important role to play in working out the stuggles and making this opportunity all it can be. Learn from the big houses, and take it further, make it even better.