'Publisher Seeking Authors!' Danger, Will Robinson?
'Publisher Seeking Authors!' Danger, Will Robinson?
by Earl Merkel
October 16, 2009, 9:05 am
A writer e-mails me to ask about ad ("Publisher Looking for Authors!").
I reply-- but is your answer different? Respond, and I'll forward your comments.
--Earl Merkel
-----------------------
Original E-Mail to Earl Merkel:
Sent: Thu, Oct 15, 2009 10:17 am
Subject: FW: publisher looking for authors
Dear Earl: I received this through my writing group. The article talks about publishers – have you heard of the the publisher in question?
Steve
(Partial text of "request for authors" -release follows:)
We're Looking For Authors To Publish!
(Name of publishing company) is a small, independent publisher. They use print-on-demand technology. There is no need for warehouses and no inventory risk. That reduces costs over a traditional print run. As a result, they take more chances on unknown authors. They pay royalties differently. Authors receive a share of the book's gross profits-net receipts less printing fees-usually 35% to 46%. As more books sell directly to readers, profit margins increase and greater royalties go to the authors.
"All our titles are available wherever great books are sold."
---------------------
Reply from Earl Merkel:
Dear Steve:
I don't know anything about (name of "publisher" deleted on advice of my attorney), but I'll bet you'll end up doing your own editing if you work with them: whoever wrote this company solicitation can't make up his/her/their mind(s) whether to use the third-person "they" or the first-person "our." That is not, IMHO, a good sign.
But to get specific about your question-- again, no; I haven't heard about the company of which you write. That fact should not be surprising-- there are a growing multitude of "publishers" around these days who advertise for authors, often in the most prestigious of publications aimed at writers. I suppose the solicitation could be innocent, even a genuine opportunity for you.
But personally... well, to me, it feels not unlike the sensation I'd expect if I stepped on a big rock... and heard an ominous hissing beneath my feet.
Since in today's world there's such a chronic shortage of people who want to get their books published --okay, I admit I'm not all that expert at sarcasm-- a publisher who sends out a mass e-mail begging for submissions seems to me a big red flag; it makes me wonder whether perhaps this is an operation where the Prime Axiom of Author Economics --"money must flow to the author, not from her/him"-- is regularly violated with an unseemly capitalistic glee.
Such operations certainly exist-- and have, all too frequently, represented a step more perilous than even naked vanity publishing, where one simply ponies up the cash to have his or her own book printed up by somebody else. (No: I am definitely not going to debate whether "self-publishing" falls under this admittedly simplistic definition; some books do, some don't-- and I don't want my e-mailbox flamed by proponents of either persuasion.) But in either instance, no outside for-profit "publishing company" can continue to exist without wetting its own beak somewhere (and somehow) along the way. If (publisher) charges you for publishing your own book (and it certainly seems it does), beware: remember that the vanity of being able to say you're a "published author" is why the term "vanity press" was invented in the first place.
Even if one of these "pay-to-play" shops does offer a token advance --and it doesn't look like (publisher) is one of 'em-- look over the terms warily. You may be committing to a personal outlay that eats up the so-called "advance" they offer, through "reading fees," "promotional allowances," "editing charges," "photocopying costs," "layout-design/illustration levies" and other expenses. The camoflagued costs can be onerous.
But potentially worse, once you've placed a book with some of these publishers, you may be limited in what you can sell in the unlikely event it somehow proves successful; one POD house I know of has a clause that says they get a 50 percent share of any subsequent income if a "traditional" publishing house later picks up, let's say, mass-market paperback rights-- or, say, if a production house options movie rights. Publishin' folks don't stay in bid'ness because they're dumb: they cover any chance to hike their profit potential.
Hence, cost-wise you may be better off just setting yourself up as an "independent" publisher and producing your own book --especially if you do it as an "print-on-demand" arrangement; at least that keeps you from filling up your garage with cartons of inventory that, willy-nilly, you'll likely end up pushing on family and friends anyway. (And while that can make Thanksgiving dinner somewhat uncomfortable --for all concerned-- at worst you'll still have a place to park your car.)
The company you ask about apparently pays no advance up-front: it promises future royalty percentages "less printing costs." I vaguely recall hearing that a major publishing house has set up a new imprint that also follows this model (the no-advance policy, that is; please don't tell me we'll soon be reimbursing S&S or HarperCollins for printing costs!), and cites the same basis for doing so. I'm still having nightmares about cannibal-sautee'ing my children while awaiting the quarterly royalty checks.
But in the case of the publisher you cite, Steve, what it means is that you're still paying the middleman. If that's worth it to you-- if only to avoid the time & learning curve of editing/designing/producing your book yourself-- shop around the legions of such companies. Many are reputable and have fine references from satisfied customers. Find the best terms and most advantageous deal before you sign with anybody to do what is, in effect, the essence of what they offer: a decent printing-and-binding job. Some provide more: design and illustration, new-release catalogues, even distribution and fulfilment services... often, though, at additional cost. Do your research, and shop wisely.
BTW, re: the ad you received: The tagline "available wherever great books are sold" is also a touch misleading. You do get listed in (publisher's) catalog, and I'm sure that list is included in the digitized books-database used by B&N, Borders etc.; but I can just about guarantee that you won't be on the store shelves (so someone will have to be specifically looking/asking for your book to be able to order it), and probably won't have ARCs (advance reader copies) sent to reviewers (result: most individual readers outside of friends 'n family won't even know it exists, even if they might have wanted to order it). And as for the sometimes-lucrative library-sales market-- well, with today's economics, even the best libraries face pitifully low new-book budgets. In too many cases, that means most institutional purchases of new authors are usually limited to those with "starred" reviews in Library Journal or Publisher's Weekly-- and even there, mainly for hard-cover (seldom MMPB or even trade-paperback) releases.
I mention all this not to discourage, but to point out the fact that so-called "real" (i.e., "traditional") publishers tend to provide this valuable --nay! essential-- support, because they already have skin in the game (the advance-against-royalties they've paid an author). More to the point, they make their money through actual book sales, not through author-paid printing fees. I'm sure some of the new breed of non-traditional publishers are also profoundly committed to the books they produce, too... but always, always keep the aforementioned Prime Axiom Of Author Economics foremost in your thoughts (if not tattoo'd across your forehead).
So, as in most aspects of life, the questions is "what is your objective here?" If the ability to hold up a book and show that one is "published" is the goal --and, hey... for many authors that is the Holy Grail-- all the reservations I've described may not matter.
And probably won't.
--Earl Merkel
POSTSCRIPT:
A reader of this blog kindly e-mailed me to point out that there's an excellent website where information on scams (or possible scams) are discussed in great detail. The site is administered by the always-vigilant Victoria Strauss, it's sponsored by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, it contains a regularly updated list of proven scam publishers (and "agents" who aren't legitimate agents), and it's located on the Internet at http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/
I hadn't visited the site for a while, but a quick check just now shows it is still operating-- helping to protect writers of all genres and experience from the sadly thriving industry of scammers and crooks who prey on the hopes and dreams of writers. We all owe Victoria and the SFWA our gratitude for this (free) service.
--EM
by Earl Merkel
October 16, 2009, 9:05 am
A writer e-mails me to ask about ad ("Publisher Looking for Authors!").
I reply-- but is your answer different? Respond, and I'll forward your comments.
--Earl Merkel
-----------------------
Original E-Mail to Earl Merkel:
Sent: Thu, Oct 15, 2009 10:17 am
Subject: FW: publisher looking for authors
Dear Earl: I received this through my writing group. The article talks about publishers – have you heard of the the publisher in question?
Steve
(Partial text of "request for authors" -release follows:)
We're Looking For Authors To Publish!
(Name of publishing company) is a small, independent publisher. They use print-on-demand technology. There is no need for warehouses and no inventory risk. That reduces costs over a traditional print run. As a result, they take more chances on unknown authors. They pay royalties differently. Authors receive a share of the book's gross profits-net receipts less printing fees-usually 35% to 46%. As more books sell directly to readers, profit margins increase and greater royalties go to the authors.
"All our titles are available wherever great books are sold."
---------------------
Reply from Earl Merkel:
Dear Steve:
I don't know anything about (name of "publisher" deleted on advice of my attorney), but I'll bet you'll end up doing your own editing if you work with them: whoever wrote this company solicitation can't make up his/her/their mind(s) whether to use the third-person "they" or the first-person "our." That is not, IMHO, a good sign.
But to get specific about your question-- again, no; I haven't heard about the company of which you write. That fact should not be surprising-- there are a growing multitude of "publishers" around these days who advertise for authors, often in the most prestigious of publications aimed at writers. I suppose the solicitation could be innocent, even a genuine opportunity for you.
But personally... well, to me, it feels not unlike the sensation I'd expect if I stepped on a big rock... and heard an ominous hissing beneath my feet.
Since in today's world there's such a chronic shortage of people who want to get their books published --okay, I admit I'm not all that expert at sarcasm-- a publisher who sends out a mass e-mail begging for submissions seems to me a big red flag; it makes me wonder whether perhaps this is an operation where the Prime Axiom of Author Economics --"money must flow to the author, not from her/him"-- is regularly violated with an unseemly capitalistic glee.
Such operations certainly exist-- and have, all too frequently, represented a step more perilous than even naked vanity publishing, where one simply ponies up the cash to have his or her own book printed up by somebody else. (No: I am definitely not going to debate whether "self-publishing" falls under this admittedly simplistic definition; some books do, some don't-- and I don't want my e-mailbox flamed by proponents of either persuasion.) But in either instance, no outside for-profit "publishing company" can continue to exist without wetting its own beak somewhere (and somehow) along the way. If (publisher) charges you for publishing your own book (and it certainly seems it does), beware: remember that the vanity of being able to say you're a "published author" is why the term "vanity press" was invented in the first place.
Even if one of these "pay-to-play" shops does offer a token advance --and it doesn't look like (publisher) is one of 'em-- look over the terms warily. You may be committing to a personal outlay that eats up the so-called "advance" they offer, through "reading fees," "promotional allowances," "editing charges," "photocopying costs," "layout-design/illustration levies" and other expenses. The camoflagued costs can be onerous.
But potentially worse, once you've placed a book with some of these publishers, you may be limited in what you can sell in the unlikely event it somehow proves successful; one POD house I know of has a clause that says they get a 50 percent share of any subsequent income if a "traditional" publishing house later picks up, let's say, mass-market paperback rights-- or, say, if a production house options movie rights. Publishin' folks don't stay in bid'ness because they're dumb: they cover any chance to hike their profit potential.
Hence, cost-wise you may be better off just setting yourself up as an "independent" publisher and producing your own book --especially if you do it as an "print-on-demand" arrangement; at least that keeps you from filling up your garage with cartons of inventory that, willy-nilly, you'll likely end up pushing on family and friends anyway. (And while that can make Thanksgiving dinner somewhat uncomfortable --for all concerned-- at worst you'll still have a place to park your car.)
The company you ask about apparently pays no advance up-front: it promises future royalty percentages "less printing costs." I vaguely recall hearing that a major publishing house has set up a new imprint that also follows this model (the no-advance policy, that is; please don't tell me we'll soon be reimbursing S&S or HarperCollins for printing costs!), and cites the same basis for doing so. I'm still having nightmares about cannibal-sautee'ing my children while awaiting the quarterly royalty checks.
But in the case of the publisher you cite, Steve, what it means is that you're still paying the middleman. If that's worth it to you-- if only to avoid the time & learning curve of editing/designing/producing your book yourself-- shop around the legions of such companies. Many are reputable and have fine references from satisfied customers. Find the best terms and most advantageous deal before you sign with anybody to do what is, in effect, the essence of what they offer: a decent printing-and-binding job. Some provide more: design and illustration, new-release catalogues, even distribution and fulfilment services... often, though, at additional cost. Do your research, and shop wisely.
BTW, re: the ad you received: The tagline "available wherever great books are sold" is also a touch misleading. You do get listed in (publisher's) catalog, and I'm sure that list is included in the digitized books-database used by B&N, Borders etc.; but I can just about guarantee that you won't be on the store shelves (so someone will have to be specifically looking/asking for your book to be able to order it), and probably won't have ARCs (advance reader copies) sent to reviewers (result: most individual readers outside of friends 'n family won't even know it exists, even if they might have wanted to order it). And as for the sometimes-lucrative library-sales market-- well, with today's economics, even the best libraries face pitifully low new-book budgets. In too many cases, that means most institutional purchases of new authors are usually limited to those with "starred" reviews in Library Journal or Publisher's Weekly-- and even there, mainly for hard-cover (seldom MMPB or even trade-paperback) releases.
I mention all this not to discourage, but to point out the fact that so-called "real" (i.e., "traditional") publishers tend to provide this valuable --nay! essential-- support, because they already have skin in the game (the advance-against-royalties they've paid an author). More to the point, they make their money through actual book sales, not through author-paid printing fees. I'm sure some of the new breed of non-traditional publishers are also profoundly committed to the books they produce, too... but always, always keep the aforementioned Prime Axiom Of Author Economics foremost in your thoughts (if not tattoo'd across your forehead).
So, as in most aspects of life, the questions is "what is your objective here?" If the ability to hold up a book and show that one is "published" is the goal --and, hey... for many authors that is the Holy Grail-- all the reservations I've described may not matter.
And probably won't.
--Earl Merkel
POSTSCRIPT:
A reader of this blog kindly e-mailed me to point out that there's an excellent website where information on scams (or possible scams) are discussed in great detail. The site is administered by the always-vigilant Victoria Strauss, it's sponsored by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, it contains a regularly updated list of proven scam publishers (and "agents" who aren't legitimate agents), and it's located on the Internet at http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/
I hadn't visited the site for a while, but a quick check just now shows it is still operating-- helping to protect writers of all genres and experience from the sadly thriving industry of scammers and crooks who prey on the hopes and dreams of writers. We all owe Victoria and the SFWA our gratitude for this (free) service.
--EM
Views: 15
Comment
-
Comment by Pepper Smith on October 19, 2009 at 7:36am
-
Writer Beware also has a blog, http://accrispin.blogspot.com Victoria posts there about once a week.
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