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I don't want to scare the devil out of anyone, but I've seen some disturbing trends in publishing lately, and they're something you need to be aware of. They may change the rules of the game forever. Here's what's happening.
First, publishers are taking fewer risks on new and untested writers. They're still willing to take a shot on a newbie if he has a remarkably rich platform behind him or a devoted Facebook following of 10,000 fans or something such as that. But otherwise, uh-uh. It's looking more and more as if it ain't gonna happen. Not in these tough economic times. |
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Second, publishers are buying fewer first novels (fiction) from untested writers and buying more nonfiction. BUT, even with the nonfiction, authors still need to possess a diverse and solid platform or an expert collaborating with them on the book. The expertise is the grease that makes this deal happen.
Third, publishers are offering all their authors, even their best ones, less money up front and more in the way of higher royalties on the back end. The philosophy here is obvious: less initial outlay, less initial risk. Lower advances mean authors have to work harder at selling their books once they come out, or harder at writing more in between their major book contracts.
Fourth, publishers are cutting their editorial staffs, cutting their production schedules, and cutting their costs. More of them are relying more heavily on a program of eBook releases first followed by POD (Print-On-Demand) print releases later. If they don't get many POD requests, they're not saddled with 30,000 copies of the book gathering dust in the warehouse. But eBook releases once again assume that the author is well connected socially and maintains a healthy following on Twitter, LinkedIn, et al.
Fifth, because of their diminished staffs, publishers are relying more than ever on literary agents to sift through the "chafe" and get to the "wheat" of their submissions. That means more publishers than ever are summarily rejecting un-agented submissions. It's common sense. There are only so many hours in the day. There are more writers than ever before seeking to get published. And there are fewer editors to minister to them. As they say in the funny papers, somethin's gotta give.
What this changing publishing climate means to writers is that we have to stay informed, have to work ahead of the curve, more today than ever before. We need to think seriously about writing nonfiction. We need to work hard at landing an agent. We need to build our platforms. We need to change right along with publishers.
Changing business models make it more difficult than ever for writers to get an idea for a book, sit down at the word processor, pound it out, and sell it. I know many good writers who have those first three parts pat but haven't yet caught on to how to achieve that selling thing.
So keep that in mind the next time you come up with a great idea for a new novel. It might be the greatest thing since sliced provolone, but that doesn't mean it's going to find a home in print. Not, at least, unless you do your share (and more) to educate yourself on how to help make it happen.
Questions? We're here to help. Just let us know what's on your mind.
Until then...
Smoke if you got 'em.
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