Comments on: Big Changes in the Publishing World? (And Are They Good for Authors?) http://www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com/big-changes-in-the-publishing-world-and-are-they-good-for-authors/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:39:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: diane http://www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com/big-changes-in-the-publishing-world-and-are-they-good-for-authors/#comment-18367 diane Sat, 10 May 2008 02:48:17 +0000 http://www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com/big-changes-in-the-publishing-world-and-are-they-good-for-authors/#comment-18367 Thanks for your helpful comments, David! POD is a double-edged sword, as far as traditional publishers using them, at least from an author's perspective. This is because with POD, a book can remain "in print" forever. If the publisher isn't doing anything with the book, the author often can't get the rights back. That can hamper an author from doing more with the book or related products, if the contract forbids it. I have clients in this predicament and it's frustrating. Thanks too for bringing up about the wholesale supplier issue. Yes, that's a huge problem. I doubt wholesalers will change their policies. It's too "efficient" this way (though perhaps not effective). Sigh. Thanks for your helpful comments, David!

POD is a double-edged sword, as far as traditional publishers using them, at least from an author’s perspective. This is because with POD, a book can remain “in print” forever. If the publisher isn’t doing anything with the book, the author often can’t get the rights back. That can hamper an author from doing more with the book or related products, if the contract forbids it. I have clients in this predicament and it’s frustrating.

Thanks too for bringing up about the wholesale supplier issue. Yes, that’s a huge problem. I doubt wholesalers will change their policies. It’s too “efficient” this way (though perhaps not effective). Sigh.

]]> By: Dr. David Frisbie http://www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com/big-changes-in-the-publishing-world-and-are-they-good-for-authors/#comment-18234 Dr. David Frisbie Wed, 07 May 2008 23:26:08 +0000 http://www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com/big-changes-in-the-publishing-world-and-are-they-good-for-authors/#comment-18234 We've worked positively with four major publishers; we've been treated fairly although all authors (including us) whine about the lack of support in marketing our books, especially to church booksellers and independents. Traditional publishers may be wise to explore POD technology, whereby they don't produce huge warehouse runs of titles they don't plan to back with marketing dollars and high-energy campaigns. By waiting to print until the order has been placed (POD) much expense can be avoided. The question of book returns is a separate matter. Given the fact that so many books end up spine-out, invisible on the bottom shelf, it's no wonder that returns happen. The published authors we speak with (at writers conferences and publishing events) are strongly considering either a move to self-publishing, or else a cooperative-type venture in which authors band together for marketing clout, visibility in the marketplace, and thus higher unit sales. The 900-pound gorilla(s) in the room involves the wholesale supplier(s). Often bookstores have their inventory essentially dictated by suppliers; individual owners can't tailor their stock to their region, local authors, or the perceived needs of their own market areas. This issue may be the most perplexing of all. Will wholesalers change their practices and allow more customization and individual tailoring of store orders? We’ve worked positively with four major publishers; we’ve been treated fairly although all authors (including us) whine about the lack of support in marketing our books, especially to church booksellers and independents.

Traditional publishers may be wise to explore POD technology, whereby they don’t produce huge warehouse runs of titles they don’t plan to back with marketing dollars and high-energy campaigns. By waiting to print until the order has been placed (POD) much expense can be avoided.

The question of book returns is a separate matter. Given the fact that so many books end up spine-out, invisible on the bottom shelf, it’s no wonder that returns happen. The published authors we speak with (at writers conferences and publishing events) are strongly considering either a move to self-publishing, or else a cooperative-type venture in which authors band together for marketing clout, visibility in the marketplace, and thus higher unit sales.

The 900-pound gorilla(s) in the room involves the wholesale supplier(s). Often bookstores have their inventory essentially dictated by suppliers; individual owners can’t tailor their stock to their region, local authors, or the perceived needs of their own market areas. This issue may be the most perplexing of all. Will wholesalers change their practices and allow more customization and individual tailoring of store orders?

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