Inspired by the #WW hashtag on Twitter, I am starting a weekly feature here where I answer writing-related questions each Wednesday and invite people to sit around the virtual coffee house and do writerly things. I will answer any questions as honestly as possible, based on my experience. Unless it's not in my best interest or I want to "look good." In which case I'll lie.
Obviously I've been on a long blog tour and have some publishing stuff coming up (like Cursed! with J.R. Rain releasing Nov. 20) but I want to share thoughts, ideas, triumphs, and gripes with you. And learn from you. Pour away, and watch those coffee stains. I've got enough drinking problems.
###
9 comments:
I know that promotion is one of those big questions related to the new digital/indie era, so my question is along that line. What has been the biggest challenge with the blog tour so far? Do feel it has been a good experiment to get your name "out there"?
Time management, by far, Neal. The one regret I have is I haven't been able to interact with posters at all the stops--I read all the comments but it's hard to respond individually and I don't want to miss a friendship!
What's the worst deal you'd accept from a major publisher for one of your novels?
Eric, "worst" is a little relative--because money is often not the most important factor. I see no advantage in signing a typical midlist or small press deal at this point if you lose electronic rights. That e-income should be well compensated for in the overall deal. I see it as weighing the income made from the paper distribution against the income lost by surrendering both control and bulk of income from the e-rights.
It's an individual decision for each writer. I would do a royalty-only deal, no advance, with any legitimate print publisher today. That's all bonus income. But now the e-rights are the meat and potatoes and print rights are the gravy. So I wouldn't want to put a dollar number on it, because it's not just a numbers game due to the future unknowns--length of the license is a critical component, as well as the options clause that might tie you to a publisher for too long. Loyalty is great until the partnership is bad, then it becomes bondage and both parties suffer needlessly.
Scott
Thanks, Scott. Got a book (Frame-Up) making the rounds in NY starting this week, so with luck I'll have to think carefully about these issues soon.
Nice to meet you. I found you at The Blood Red Pencil today. I am following the twitter, and I will comment as much as I can and also subscribe to the newsletter. I am very interested in e-publishing.
Nancy
gillael@aol.com
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Hi Nancy,welcome to Haunted McBlabber Place--what are your writing?
Eric, now you have a basis of comparison from your indie efforts so you can make a better decision. I've turned down one print deal that would have tied me down and didn't make any sense, though it was at small-press level.
Sorry for the OT post, I just stopped by to say you kicked me out of #2 place on the Kindle Romance bestseller list. Dang you. Congrats!
Well I am just keeping the bed warm until you come back, Bernadette!
Scott
Post a Comment