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Self Published authors-An interesting blog post
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Thanks for the reference, Brenda. Kerry Letheby makes some good points.Self-publishing can only expand in this digital age which provides an alternative to the agents and mainstream publishers, who, under pressure to get the next print best-seller, are increasingly selective in who makes the cut.
Mod
Thanks, Brenda. Kerry's post was on point, for me, it was also a boost. My self published book is set to release soon. It's good to know that many people recognize the credibility of self published authors, and that they too have a lot to offer. I joined Kerry's blog and will be anxious to receive her posts.
An interesting post and oh so true, unfortunately. But there are some excellent indie books out there and if people could get past their stereotyping of self-published books, they'd be surprised what they can find.
I actually think the opposite, but that's me :) I have read plenty of really good self published books, a few are in pride of place on my bookshelf or eReader :)
Although, I do agree, editing is important. One mistake on an self published book is a sin and people cry foul as soon as one is spotted.
As a previously published and successful author (under a different pen name because I now write YA historical fiction) I am now self publishing; but I would NEVER consider putting anything out unless it had seen at least two unbiased beta readers eyes and a professional editor and proofreader. They are services all self published authors should pay for. The money is well worth it.
Clyde.
Although, I do agree, editing is important. One mistake on an self published book is a sin and people cry foul as soon as one is spotted.
As a previously published and successful author (under a different pen name because I now write YA historical fiction) I am now self publishing; but I would NEVER consider putting anything out unless it had seen at least two unbiased beta readers eyes and a professional editor and proofreader. They are services all self published authors should pay for. The money is well worth it.
Clyde.
Clyde wrote: "I would NEVER consider putting anything out unless it had seen at least two unbiased beta readers eyes and a professional editor and proofreader. They are services all self published authors should pay for. The money is well worth it ..."I agree with you Clyde, I have several books out there but my first publication I went with a 'professional editor, proofreader & publisher' a small concern and the book was a disaster with so many problems I can't begin to list them. The worst of which was two isbn numbers on the same book... a very obvious mistake. I pulled the plug and went Indie, I was fortunate in that I had that clause in my contract. You dont always get the service you pay for and bottom line it is your reputation. Your two unbiased readers is really good advice, particularly if they have an eye for errors.
Jan wrote: "Clyde wrote: "I would NEVER consider putting anything out unless it had seen at least two unbiased beta readers eyes and a professional editor and proofreader. They are services all self published ..."
A lot of the smaller publishing houses use dodgy editors and proofreaders and by having work with them (as they are known out there) can be worse than if you self pubbed.
And yep, you have to choose a reputable editor and be prepared to fork out the money.
A lot of the smaller publishing houses use dodgy editors and proofreaders and by having work with them (as they are known out there) can be worse than if you self pubbed.
And yep, you have to choose a reputable editor and be prepared to fork out the money.
is there a beta-reader thread anywhere here?
Mark wrote: "is there a beta-reader thread anywhere here?"
That would be a good idea, Mark. My latest is almost ready for some eyes and I would be willing to do a beta swap :)
That would be a good idea, Mark. My latest is almost ready for some eyes and I would be willing to do a beta swap :)
Sounds good. We know have a beta club of 2. Do we need a secret handshake?
M
M
Mark wrote: "Sounds good. We know have a beta club of 2. Do we need a secret handshake?
M"
Lol. Maybe. But good that there's at least someone interested in beta reading. Although you do know the genre I write in...
M"
Lol. Maybe. But good that there's at least someone interested in beta reading. Although you do know the genre I write in...
er... no. As long as it isn't extreme BDSM I should be all right. Is it Crystal Night? Or do you have another one?
Mark wrote: "er... no. As long as it isn't extreme BDSM I should be all right. Is it Crystal Night? Or do you have another one?"
God no! None of that. It's historical fiction. I think we'll need to message each other soon then; that's if you have a book ready to be read :) Mine will be soon; about a week or so.
God no! None of that. It's historical fiction. I think we'll need to message each other soon then; that's if you have a book ready to be read :) Mine will be soon; about a week or so.
Mark wrote: "er... no. As long as it isn't extreme BDSM I should be all right. Is it Crystal Night? Or do you have another one?"
Yes, The Crystal Night is the one :)
Yes, The Crystal Night is the one :)
Maybe set up another thread for beta readers of crystal. I think we have trespassed enough on this one.
Clyde wrote: "Jan wrote: "Clyde wrote: "I would NEVER consider putting anything out unless it had seen at least two unbiased beta readers eyes and a professional editor and proofreader. They are services all sel..."I totally agree Jan. I have four novels published by an e-press publisher and my last two weren't edited properly. My first and second one was reasonable.
I'm about to self publish a novel and it is currently been professionally edited, although it almost reached pubication with a Traditonal Publisher in Australia, it fell between two genres. They didn't know whether to market it as Suspense or Romance. I had excellent feedback, and didn't want to cut out the romance.
So I'm doing this one as INDIE, although I haven't stopped or will stop approaching Traditional Publishers or smaller press with other manuscripts.
Mod
Hi Brenda,Yes, there is. It's when the romance is equal, and runs in conjunction with the suspense. My novel is more suspense than romance. :)
Mod
My historical novel Ice King, was, as I thought, in the adventure genre, yet it managed to make # 1 on Amazon UK & US for ‘romance slavery’, although slavery is only the back cloth. Many female readers have commented that it is a ‘romance’, yet males have said ‘adventure’. It has now been picked up by a UK publisher (and edited again, after I had already paid for it to be assessed, and edited) and will be re-released under a new title & new cover, which pushes the adventure aspect, so I’ll be interested to see how it ends up. I’m surprised that Suzanne's Australian publisher couldn't make a decision as to where they wished to ‘slot’ her books. After all they, hopefully, will have far more experience at marketing than Suzanne, so if they can’t allocate a position for her books perhaps she is well out of their influence & the indi route is the best for her.
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Hope Ice King goes well when it's re-released Geoff...make sure you let us know in here, won't you:)
Brenda wrote: "Yes, it's strange that they couldn't use a cross over genre...their loss!Hope Ice King goes well when it's re-released Geoff...make sure you let us know in here, won't you:)"
Will do Brenda, and thanks for your good wishes - check my profile page for the old a new covers. Let me know what you think of each cover.
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That's strange, as the new cover is under Ice King - did you see a Sri Lanka flag ? Try this link. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
If it doesn't show see below for the new cover
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I like both covers Geoff:) Shouldn't they be combined if they are the same book?
Brenda wrote: "Well I'd love to read it Suzanne!! I think the genre 'picking' is not so necessary nowadays, as genres seem to blur...I for one, enjoy reading lots of different genres, which has only occurred sinc..."Thank you Brenda. I have a release date. I'm not sure if I can put in here. lol.. a learner you see. ")
Geoff (Scouse) wrote: "My historical novel Ice King, was, as I thought, in the adventure genre, yet it managed to make # 1 on Amazon UK & US for ‘romance slavery’, although slavery is only the back cloth. Many female re..."Your journey sounds amazing, Geoff, as does your novel.
Geoff (Scouse) wrote: "My historical novel Ice King, was, as I thought, in the adventure genre, yet it managed to make # 1 on Amazon UK & US for ‘romance slavery’, although slavery is only the back cloth. Many female re..."Hi Geoff, I'm on the INDIE route. As for genres, romance only sells if it's rural in Australia. The top 4 Traditonal publishers accept stories with a touch of romance, or attraction, etc. It's difficult to get a cross genre published within Au, as most writers would say.
I'm marketing 'Outback Fear' as a Suspense with romantic elements.
I see many authors works being called different genres in reviews etc. One recently, with many great reveiws said it's a Romantic Suspense, another a Romantic Thriller, and then the Suspense with Romantic Elements.
I have hope :) Oh, I must mention the senior editor from that particular publishing company was just as dissappointed as I was.
They will have different ISBNs & different publishers. When all the ts are crossed etc I'll have to stop selling 'Ice King' - I still have a few paperback copies left at home, but the main sales have been via Amazon US & UK as e-books, with support from Smashwords for the Sony, Apple are etc. I used Lightning Source for POD and distribution of paperbacks, although these are getting less and less as the e-books rise. The planned paperback selling price of Triangle Trade is £7.99 (about $12.00) I can just match that price, to a face to face sale in Sydney. To post around Oz is expensive & would require $7 P&P. It is cheaper to buy from Book Dep in the UK than from me! I've learned a lot since going down the indi road. :-o)BTW the cover of Ice King and the print ready files were produced in the US, as was my web site.
Mod
OK that's fair enough Geoff. But I also think something should be put on the blurb of the new one, so people don't think there are two different books. I got caught once, bought a new book from an author I liked, only to discover it was the very same book I'd read already, just a new title and cover. I was not impressed!!!
What I would do is edit the book, and add that it was first published as Ice King in 2010...I can do that for you if you'd like me to...
I think they are adding a codicil stating that it was previously published as Ice King, plus the blurb on the cover is 80% of my original.
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Geoff (Scouse) wrote: "They will have different ISBNs & different publishers. When all the ts are crossed etc I'll have to stop selling 'Ice King' - I still have a few paperback copies left at home, but the main sales ha..."As you say, Geoff, posting here in Australia is expensive. I would like to make available some freebies of the paperback edition of Nanyang to Oz readers but by the time I've paid Createspace freight from the US plus Australia Post or courier it becomes a costly exercise. Of course, it is a 700-page book. :-)
We need Amazon to put a pod operation here as it has in UK.
Hi Ian,Still enjoying Nanyang, just over half way - I keep three of four books on the best side table so depending on my mood for pre-sleep reads depends on the book I pick up :-o)
As to Oz distribution - I gave this some thought and came up with the idea of central control of indie paperbacks. As a group we buy from a courier company (I used to be in the industry) at a bulk rate and use one to send nine satchels to a group member who then uses the nine when selling their own book. Not a refined idea, but it should save Oz post costs and the courier envelope replaces the 'packing' cost. I didn't go much further with this as the e-book sales started to grow.
I had 100 copies of Ice King produce in Sydney (by a book printer) for give aways and cash sales. Cash sales were small profits, but the postage forced up the price that it became cheaper to buy from Book Dep UK. Ice King weighs just over 500 grams so I had to 'cheat' Oz post of 20 grams to keep under the 500 break point, which saves a further $4 or $5 cost.
Ian - I forgot to mention that I use Lightning Source in the UK & US and they now have a facility in Melbourne - the same problem arises as it is still cheaper to use BD UK than LS Melbourne due to distribution costs.
Thanks for the info, Geoff. Did you choose Lightning Source over Createspace or do you use both?
I chose LS because they had production sites in the UK, US (which covers Canada)& France for Europe. This was in 2010 and Createspace I think was only in the US, so distribution costs outside the US would be high. Not sure if at that time Amazon UK was also Createspace
I can understand your choice in that case. Amazon (Createspace) only began POD operations in the UK (covering Europe) last year. It made a great difference to the cost (and time) of getting books to people in the UK. I found I could send the paperback to people in and around London delivered free, or virtually free, in a couple of days or so. Unfortunately, the author rate does not apply when ordering through Amazon UK.
The cost of getting an off the press copy of my book through LS UK was expensive. With hindsight I should have used Book Dep, because then I would have been due a small commission making it cheaper than LS! :-o)
I forgot to mention that I use Lightning Source in the UK & US and they now have a facility in Melbourne - the same problem arises as it is still cheaper to use BD UK than LS Melbourne due to distribution costs.
I've really enjoyed reading the comments on this post. I'm self-published as well, and I'm currently looking for ways to sell the print versions of my books beyond CreateSpace. The BD/LS discussion has been very helpful. Thank you!
Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Triangle Trade (other topics)Ice King (other topics)
Ice King (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Helene Young (other topics)Bronwyn Parry (other topics)
http://minetoavenge.blogspot.com.au/2...