Michael
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
This question comes from Kim, posted in my Riyria Group. "how long after the publication of the books do do you decide whether or not you'll also publish on audio? Tim Gerard Reynolds does a fantastic job! I'd love to find them released simultaneously on audio and in traditional format."
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Kim, thanks for asking. There is a difference between "then" and "now." Let's start with "then."
When I signed my first contract the publisher bought the the rights to the print, ebook, and audio. I wanted to "keep" the audio rights...primarily because I thought there was a real possibility of the publisher "sitting" on them, because producing audio can be expensive. Once those rights are signed over there is no "decisions" regarding them from my part. The publisher decides if, when, and with whom the rights are exercised.
Recorded Books approached Orbit not long after the books came out, and they bought the rights. They chose Tim Gerard Reynolds (thank goodness), and they put them out as soon as they could.
For the second contract...again Orbit bought the rights. They were planning on moving the audio from Recorded Books to their own in-house company. Again, I wasn't able to "hold back" the rights...but I did get the concession that they wouldn't take over the production - that it would once more be sold to Recorded Books and Tim would do the recording. That actually cost me money...as I would receive a straight royalty from the in-house production, but because it was sold as a subsidiary right (again), I had to split any money earned 50/50 with the publisher.
Since I hadn't been able to "shake loose" the audio rights on the first two contracts, I did something a bit unusual for my my "next works." For The First Empire series, I sold the rights directly to Recorded Books...even before they were written. This way the rights would "already be sold" by the time the publisher for the print/ebooks was decided so they would be "off the table" to start with. I actually had three different companies vying for these rights. I told each one that "having Tim" do the recording was a requirement right from the get go - and they all agreed.
I ended up going with Recorded Books for three reasons. (1) They had always treated me well and I liked them as a company and (2) They have a huge library presence, but only a few books get into that program. They committed to me The First Empire books would be in that program and that would mean a lot more exposure (and more money). (3) They generously offered to give Tim a bonus equal to his regular pay, so he would earn twice as much as he normally would. It was this last point, more than anything else that pushed me over the top...in general, the "narrators" get the smallest piece of the overall pie so increasing his by twice as much was much appreciated by me, and proved that Recorded Books was the right company to go with. As far as timing....Recorded Books will get the final manuscript at the same time the books go to print, so barring some disaster, they will come out simultaneously with the print/ebook.
For the next book in the Riyria Chronicles...again I had several publishers vying...and again having Tim do the narration was a requirement. I actually decided to go with Audible.com. I did this for a few reasons. (1) For diversity sake it was good not to have all my eggs in Recorded Books basket (even though I love them) (2) they offered me an AMAZING advance for a single book (3) They do A LOT of marketing for authors they do the publishing for, and I felt that having a book with them would raise the sales for all the other books. Like The First Empire series, that audio will come out simultaneously - or even before, the print/ebook. They have a really cool "audio first" program where they will provide additional marketing when the book is exclusive with them. We'll see how that plays out once I get the book written.
When I signed my first contract the publisher bought the the rights to the print, ebook, and audio. I wanted to "keep" the audio rights...primarily because I thought there was a real possibility of the publisher "sitting" on them, because producing audio can be expensive. Once those rights are signed over there is no "decisions" regarding them from my part. The publisher decides if, when, and with whom the rights are exercised.
Recorded Books approached Orbit not long after the books came out, and they bought the rights. They chose Tim Gerard Reynolds (thank goodness), and they put them out as soon as they could.
For the second contract...again Orbit bought the rights. They were planning on moving the audio from Recorded Books to their own in-house company. Again, I wasn't able to "hold back" the rights...but I did get the concession that they wouldn't take over the production - that it would once more be sold to Recorded Books and Tim would do the recording. That actually cost me money...as I would receive a straight royalty from the in-house production, but because it was sold as a subsidiary right (again), I had to split any money earned 50/50 with the publisher.
Since I hadn't been able to "shake loose" the audio rights on the first two contracts, I did something a bit unusual for my my "next works." For The First Empire series, I sold the rights directly to Recorded Books...even before they were written. This way the rights would "already be sold" by the time the publisher for the print/ebooks was decided so they would be "off the table" to start with. I actually had three different companies vying for these rights. I told each one that "having Tim" do the recording was a requirement right from the get go - and they all agreed.
I ended up going with Recorded Books for three reasons. (1) They had always treated me well and I liked them as a company and (2) They have a huge library presence, but only a few books get into that program. They committed to me The First Empire books would be in that program and that would mean a lot more exposure (and more money). (3) They generously offered to give Tim a bonus equal to his regular pay, so he would earn twice as much as he normally would. It was this last point, more than anything else that pushed me over the top...in general, the "narrators" get the smallest piece of the overall pie so increasing his by twice as much was much appreciated by me, and proved that Recorded Books was the right company to go with. As far as timing....Recorded Books will get the final manuscript at the same time the books go to print, so barring some disaster, they will come out simultaneously with the print/ebook.
For the next book in the Riyria Chronicles...again I had several publishers vying...and again having Tim do the narration was a requirement. I actually decided to go with Audible.com. I did this for a few reasons. (1) For diversity sake it was good not to have all my eggs in Recorded Books basket (even though I love them) (2) they offered me an AMAZING advance for a single book (3) They do A LOT of marketing for authors they do the publishing for, and I felt that having a book with them would raise the sales for all the other books. Like The First Empire series, that audio will come out simultaneously - or even before, the print/ebook. They have a really cool "audio first" program where they will provide additional marketing when the book is exclusive with them. We'll see how that plays out once I get the book written.
More Answered Questions
Joyce
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Michael, I loved book three, so how long must I wait for book four?!
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more