Before we begin, I want to say thank you to Gillian for once again inviting me back to participate in this year’s #GBWritesWithOthers.
When I started writing this blog post, I thought I knew exactly what I was going to write about. Granted, the last few years had a little more of a theme, but for this year, I had had carte blanche– anything goes. And I was in the middle of my post when… a lot of things in the publishing industry happened. Some personally involved me. Some involved similar situations to my own. And some were so far beyond me that though I wasn’t personally affected, I was just so angry at the people involved. So what did I learn in all of my findings?
The publishing industry sucks.
Is this me saying everything in the publishing industry is horrible and we should all just stop trying?
Absolutely not…
Though, not that I’m going to lie to you, but I would love to see what would happen if we did.
It is also ironic that I say this being co-owner of my own independent publishing house.
But my fellow authors…
I am tired.
First, let’s address the revelation that those infamous Big Four in all actuality have no idea what they are doing with their authors’ books, and that is absolutely terrifying. Too many authors strive for that goal of being picked up by an agent who will sell them to the highest bidder, but with the news about what these conglomerates know– or in many instances, do not know– I hope they are reconsidering what they consider their endgame.
As an author, marketing is one of the most important efforts you need to put forward and there remain many who think that once you’re picked up by an agent or a publisher, your work is done. And this is furthest from the truth. In fact, when I was a baby debut author, I wish someone had held my hand and given me this heads up because I was not ready for half of the things I was going to need to be responsible for if I wanted my book to get in front of any potential readers.
And here are these Big Four or whatever, who have the money to help their authors with marketing needed to succeed and they’re funneling it to all the wrong places, especially places that don’t need their support in the first place.
Second, how many authors have dreams of walking into a store like Barnes & Noble and seeing their books on the shelves? I can definitely say that this was my personal endgame– walking into my local B&N and seeing a book of mine on the shelf and taking it over to the nearest clerk and asking to sign it because it was mine.
Goals.
Too bad the chances of this actually happening as slim to none, especially now in 2022.
Not after Barnes & Noble has come out claiming to be changing their market plans, where books from popular authors will be the only ones to be carried, and not even every book of their series, and don’t even think about it if you’re an indie or debut author who isn’t getting the marketing push from the clueless Big Four.
Am I angry?
You best believe I am.
And this is all before the collapse of a handful of small presses makes things more difficult for the rest of us who are actually trying to do right by our authors.
When my best friend and I opened our press over two years ago ( and no, I’m not going to use this as a marketing campaign so I’m not going to refer to it by name, but if you know me you know anyway, so…), we had both been burned by our own experiences with independent publishing, both as authors and behind the scenes, and we knew that we wanted to take care of our authors first and foremost. We knew it wasn’t going to be about numbers and money, we knew we wanted it to be quality over quantity, and we knew we wanted to be fair.
When there are small publishers who not only are offering acquisitions to authors without a contract to review, and then blasting them on social media because they questioned their methods, only to then go and close their doors, abandoning all of the authors who were depending on them to achieve their dreams? What’s another publishing house to do but open their doors to these authors looking to give a new small press another chance?
But there have been so many times I have heard of authors turning up their noses at submitting to a small press because of the bad rep they’ve received because there are so many indie publishers who just don’t think about everything that is required when it comes to publishing someone else’s work. They want the glory without doing the work.
It’s painfully unfortunate for all involved.
This is why our press has tried our best over these last two years to be as honest and transparent to our authors and our staff throughout every step of our process. That more small, independent presses don’t that this stance if beyond frustrating to watch, especially when such practices are straining and already taut industry.
So to the new authors whole are getting whiplash from all of the recent publishing news and updates, all I can say to you is to do as much research as you can– do your own due diligence for the sake of your own career. Ask questions, read contracts, and never settle. And always remember that even when you think you have made the best decision, even the best can fall on hard times, and you can find yourself in a situation no research could have ever prepared you for.
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