When you get your work out there and noticed,
you do garner interest from areas that you (once) dreamed of. But when you
break down a potential publishing contract… it’s not pretty. Yes, changing over to become a “traditionally”
published author seems like the BIG dream. But you want to read the fine print.
As flattering as it is to have someone contact you—
you do garner interest from areas that you (once) dreamed of. But when you
break down a potential publishing contract… it’s not pretty. Yes, changing over to become a “traditionally”
published author seems like the BIG dream. But you want to read the fine print.
As flattering as it is to have someone contact you—
“We would love to work with you!”
—it feels majorly anticlimactic when you sit
down and nut out the true meaning of the fancy-dancy contract you’ve been sent.
Actually, it’s kind of heartbreaking. I will point out right now, that hundreds
of thousands of books are traditionally published. Every.Single. Year. Being
traditionally published effectively gives you these pros and cons.
down and nut out the true meaning of the fancy-dancy contract you’ve been sent.
Actually, it’s kind of heartbreaking. I will point out right now, that hundreds
of thousands of books are traditionally published. Every.Single. Year. Being
traditionally published effectively gives you these pros and cons.
Pros
You have people who will do the technical stuff
for you: formatting, editing, cover creating.
for you: formatting, editing, cover creating.
You may have more success, being part of a
company that markets books for a job.
company that markets books for a job.
You get to do the smug face and say you are
‘traditionally published’
‘traditionally published’
Cons
The prices of your books increases and the
royalties you receive plummets.
royalties you receive plummets.
Any advance you receive is all the cash you
will see from them until the advance ‘pays out’ – ie you pay them back. So if
you got a $15,000 advance but only sell $1000 a year, that’s 15 years before
you see any cash from your contract!
will see from them until the advance ‘pays out’ – ie you pay them back. So if
you got a $15,000 advance but only sell $1000 a year, that’s 15 years before
you see any cash from your contract!
They don’t have to (some do, some don’t) pay
the advance all at once. Often they’ll pay a third to begin with, a third part
way through and a third at the end. Unless you’ve been given a phenomenal
advance, you’ll need to keep your day job.
the advance all at once. Often they’ll pay a third to begin with, a third part
way through and a third at the end. Unless you’ve been given a phenomenal
advance, you’ll need to keep your day job.
The books are no longer your books and you no
longer can do with them what you wish.
longer can do with them what you wish.
They can and will ask you to change major
aspects even if those parts are already adored by readers.
aspects even if those parts are already adored by readers.
They can sell the rights to anyone they want to
and you can’t make a peep. If they want to give the rights to someone to turn
it into a hideous film version that they like to call ‘their interpretation of
your story’ they can! You just get stuck with the results.
and you can’t make a peep. If they want to give the rights to someone to turn
it into a hideous film version that they like to call ‘their interpretation of
your story’ they can! You just get stuck with the results.
You get little say in the covers.
They can charge you for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g,
including the editing of your book, the creation of the cover, internal
formatting and just about anything else they want. Their fees come straight out
of your royalties, so unless you are amongst the top selling authors, chances
are you will make pittance.
including the editing of your book, the creation of the cover, internal
formatting and just about anything else they want. Their fees come straight out
of your royalties, so unless you are amongst the top selling authors, chances
are you will make pittance.
I know I have to put in a stack-load of work
being an indie author, but at least at the end of the day I still own all my
work and I can still reach those dizzying heights that some traditionally
published authors reach. It may take more work and time (and then too, it might
happen in the blink of an eye) but it will happen! I’ll damn well make sure of
it *grin*
being an indie author, but at least at the end of the day I still own all my
work and I can still reach those dizzying heights that some traditionally
published authors reach. It may take more work and time (and then too, it might
happen in the blink of an eye) but it will happen! I’ll damn well make sure of
it *grin*
Little say in the cover process was one of the big turn offs for me when it came to deciding if I wanted to go traditional or publish myself. I love covers and am big on having the final say for the cover of my book.
"They can sell the rights…" This is why an agent is so important. An agent will fight to retain rights to other territories, as well as film rights.