Weston Kincade
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
In my experience a good small to midsize publisher can be quite helpful, but I've wondered if, or when, authors should branch out? When in an author's career would it be a good idea to query the big 5 or an agent with a new book (as in, when are they likely to really consider your work since they take so few authors early in their careers)? Or would you advise going that route at all?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Weston,
Let me give you my opinion on small presses first then we'll circle back to your question. Small presses generally fall into one of a few categories.
1. Those that take your manuscript, add a cover, do the layout and put your books in various venues. If they provide print books it is done through print-on-demand. (POD)
2. Those that do all of #1 but also provide editing of your manuscript
3. Those that do #1 and #2 and do a press-run and stock books in a warehouse.
To me, if the small press you are considering is of type #1, then you'd be better off doing it yourself. The small amount it takes to do what they do isn't worth giving up such a high % of the income. #2 has some value, again I would probably hire a freelancer because it would be cheaper in the long run...but the advantage is it's no money out of your pocket. #3 has some nice value add - as self generally can't get you into bookstores and #3 can. Ideally you want a print-only deal with this type of publisher (although those are hard to come by). So if they want both print and ebook (which they will) you have to weigh the loss of total profit to the advantages the publisher brings.
Whenever evaluating a small press, check out the Amazon ranks of their bestselling titles. If the ebooks are all are 50,000 and above...that publisher isn't moving any substantial number of books. Use http://www.salesrankexpress.com/ and type in the publishers name to see what rankings their books are getting.
If they have a good number of books in the 25,000 - 50,000 range they are selling some books, although not that much. If they have books in the 2,000 - 10,000 range they are doing rather well. And if they have titles sub 2,000 - and below 1,000 then they are moving a really good number. A publisher that is small and doing really well is Open Road Media, use salesrankexpress to look at their numbers.
Okay...now that that is over let's discuss what you wanted to know. I think if you are going to traditionally publish you should always be looking at the big-five. They raise an author's profile in a way that no small press can.
As far as "when" to do this. It can be done at any stage...before being published, after a few minor successes, after a big run of high sales (probably the best). But in general it's going to be the book that matters the most. If you have a really strong title to submit, and they are looking for that particular type of book then your chances are high regardless of what your past sales history has been. Having "any" sales and "any" audience is better than none so don't be concerned that you have to have a huge platform to be considered. In traditional publishing it's the book that counts the most, and any platform or prior sales is icing on the cake. Most publishers will pass on a really crappy book from an author with a decent sized audience. But a really good book from an author with a small audience is something they will be more interested in. At least that's what it seems like from my experience.
Let me give you my opinion on small presses first then we'll circle back to your question. Small presses generally fall into one of a few categories.
1. Those that take your manuscript, add a cover, do the layout and put your books in various venues. If they provide print books it is done through print-on-demand. (POD)
2. Those that do all of #1 but also provide editing of your manuscript
3. Those that do #1 and #2 and do a press-run and stock books in a warehouse.
To me, if the small press you are considering is of type #1, then you'd be better off doing it yourself. The small amount it takes to do what they do isn't worth giving up such a high % of the income. #2 has some value, again I would probably hire a freelancer because it would be cheaper in the long run...but the advantage is it's no money out of your pocket. #3 has some nice value add - as self generally can't get you into bookstores and #3 can. Ideally you want a print-only deal with this type of publisher (although those are hard to come by). So if they want both print and ebook (which they will) you have to weigh the loss of total profit to the advantages the publisher brings.
Whenever evaluating a small press, check out the Amazon ranks of their bestselling titles. If the ebooks are all are 50,000 and above...that publisher isn't moving any substantial number of books. Use http://www.salesrankexpress.com/ and type in the publishers name to see what rankings their books are getting.
If they have a good number of books in the 25,000 - 50,000 range they are selling some books, although not that much. If they have books in the 2,000 - 10,000 range they are doing rather well. And if they have titles sub 2,000 - and below 1,000 then they are moving a really good number. A publisher that is small and doing really well is Open Road Media, use salesrankexpress to look at their numbers.
Okay...now that that is over let's discuss what you wanted to know. I think if you are going to traditionally publish you should always be looking at the big-five. They raise an author's profile in a way that no small press can.
As far as "when" to do this. It can be done at any stage...before being published, after a few minor successes, after a big run of high sales (probably the best). But in general it's going to be the book that matters the most. If you have a really strong title to submit, and they are looking for that particular type of book then your chances are high regardless of what your past sales history has been. Having "any" sales and "any" audience is better than none so don't be concerned that you have to have a huge platform to be considered. In traditional publishing it's the book that counts the most, and any platform or prior sales is icing on the cake. Most publishers will pass on a really crappy book from an author with a decent sized audience. But a really good book from an author with a small audience is something they will be more interested in. At least that's what it seems like from my experience.
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