Comments on: 5 Reasons You Should Still Pursue a Traditional Book Contract

By: Hazel Edwards

Hazel Edwards — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 20:43:06 +0000

‘Hybrid’ author is becoming respectable. What is means is a combination of traditional and self-author publishing. The reality is that some experienced authors may choose both routes simultaneously for different kinds of work. Self-publishing may be appropriate for niche or topical subjects where the distribution may be via talks or workshops. Traditional is preferred for the reasons mentioned of ‘vetting’ the editing and better distribution and on-going publicity. Plus contracts, advances and royalties.
The common factors are the need for quality in content and format. ‘Vanity’ publishing is a different matter, where there are big profits for the unscrupulous and frustration for the naive. Self-publishing requires much time , investment and energy on the part of the author and while that might be possible for one title, it is difficult to sustain for more. Publishers are experts in their own fields too. It’s difficult for one person to fulfil all roles well (author, publicist, editor, publisher ) and have a life.

By: Tina

Tina — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 13:28:48 +0000

In reply to Linda Strader. Congratulations, Linda! I am so happy for you. I know it feels good when it finally happens.

By: Tina

Tina — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 13:26:33 +0000

In reply to Fiona Faith Ross. Hi, Fiona. I understand! It doesn’t work for everyone. Having an agent can definitely get you down the road much faster. I am currently working without an agent, but I feel as if I wouldn’t have published my first novel without one.

By: Linda Strader

Linda Strader — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 20:09:20 +0000

I made a decision that I would publish my memoir traditionally or not at all. And my dream is coming true. Yes, it was a long road. Yes, it took years. But along the way my book got better and better. The vetting process is crucial. The way I see it, anyone can self-publish. Not everyone can publish traditionally. I was willing to wait.

By: Fiona Faith Ross

Fiona Faith Ross — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:49:06 +0000

If you could open a door for me to an agent, I would give you a great big virtual hug. Traditional has not worked for me. *mega sad face*

By: Lynn Bryant

Lynn Bryant — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 20:39:26 +0000

I agree. And it makes me feel like a failure because I did try. My first serious attempt to get published traditionally happened when my children were babies and they are now 18 and 15.

Now I have four books published on Amazon and I’m writing more. I’m not famous and I’m never going to be but I don’t write for that reason. I love what I do and I’m not sorry that after years of writing for myself and revising and struggling and being upset, I took a deep breath and a big chance and decided to try publishing for myself.

I wish it could have gone differently but it didn’t and since I can’t stop writing I will treasure the sales I get and the ratings and the reviews and keep going. I think fourteen years of being told I was a good writer but my books weren’t marketable was long enough for me but everybody is different. And for me, some people reading them is better than none.

By: Tina Forkner

Tina Forkner — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:27:44 +0000

In reply to Mike. You are right. The process of writing and submitting IS hard, Mike. I'm glad you didn't give up. Hard work pays off. Perhaps it comes in different ways than we set out for, but pursuing traditional publication is not a waste of time. Congrats on your stories and novella.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 15:51:09 +0000

This is good advice, though it won’t be welcomed by many. We’re in an age of instant gratification. And heck, the process of writing and submitting is hard. The temptation to upload your unappreciated ms to Amazon is alluring.

I wrote two novels I could not sell. That was not the way things were supposed to go, but I wasn’t about to give up. I got serious about learning the craft from folks who knew what they were talking about. A dozen or so short stories and a successful novella later, with a second novella in the wings, I’m glad I stuck it out.

By: Tina Ann Forkner

Tina Ann Forkner — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 21:04:16 +0000

In reply to J A Sutherland. There are many business implications involved and to touch on them they need their own post. There are many good posts on the topic out there already, but perhaps you should write one and give it a new spin, JA. I bet it would be well-received.

By: J A Sutherland

J A Sutherland — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 17:12:15 +0000

An article like this really should address the business decisions involved and the financial implications.