i think it's important to consider your publisher when looking at the numbers of books you sold. it's very hard to know if you're making comparatively good money at a publisher or not when they don't tell you info on what to expect.
Very good point I wanted to draw attention to. This is when sites like "Show Me the Money" are a good reference. The problem I see with it is that not many e-presses are listed. Even with the top 5 Big E-Presses racking in the $$$, e-presses are still new (and in some places still not respected).
But the first question I want to put to you today is:
What do you consider a reputable and established publisher? Both for NYs and E-presses.
Sales can even be broken down to what the publisher is known for selling well. So, the second question:
What publisher sells a certain genre really, really well?
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Depends on what you write, I think.
I have a contemporary not erotic series at Cobblestone Press. I didn't do very well there, but BDSM and Shifters do awesome there.
The Wild Rose Press doesn't get tons of traffic...yet. I think if WRP continues to work at it, they may be the place for Contemporary romance.
Liquid Silver Books is awesome. Their Shifters, M/M and BDSM do very well and the numbers are much higher than at WRP and Cobblestone (at least for me).
Whiskey Creek Press does very well with Shifters, paranormal, and erotic sci fi do well. My romantic suspense doesn't do all that well there, but I had two things against me. One, my two romantic suspense books aren't dirty, dirty, dirty. Second, they're suspense. But I know other books there kick ass.
I have an author friend say it's all timing and luck. I don't think anyone can predict what will do well.
BUT I think some types of books will do better at some publishers.
For epress sales figures (averages) I recommend EREC, Emily Veinglory runs it and keeps a sales graph that lists first moth, first year and total to date sales for verious pubs. Not every pub is listed, because she obviously has to have figures volunteered by authors and requires a certain number of figures before she can work out an average, but most of the main pubs are listed there. Google EREC for the addy, I don't have it handy lol.
That said, for epublishing there is, and most will agree, a select few that rank as the top 5 or so. Samhain, EC, Loose ID, Liquid Silver and...I forget who else, Amber Quill I believe rounds out the top 5. Based on sales numbers available, cover art, editing, and factors like longevity and professionalism.
It's my opinion, and only mine mind you, that an author ought to aim for the top and work their way down. I see too many who, for whatever, do the opposite.
I have an author friend say it's all timing and luck. I don't think anyone can predict what will do well.
It does and it doesn't. Some authors will naturally sell more than others. This also goes with e-presses and NYs. There was a time when they didn't have the clout they might have now. My question would be, what did they do to get their current recognition? Because what it all comes down to is selling.
BUT I think some types of books will do better at some publishers.
So very true. That's why I think Wild Rose will do better once they focus on what they want to sell, what they want their name to be associated with. I'm starting to think it's best for a publisher to carve out a niche and then broaden their horizons. It's the working theory of taking on too much and not knowing how to effectively deal with it.
It's my opinion, and only mine mind you, that an author ought to aim for the top and work their way down. I see too many who, for whatever, do the opposite.
See this is where I have the problem. Knowing where to look for this information is key. When it comes to publishers looking before you leap is vital for your career. The issue is that most writers (not all) don't think of writing as a career and they get themselves into these situations before they really know what they need to make a viable career. Most times writing and publishing is a trial by error career path.
And even then, since there is no blueprint to success, you still might fail.
Knowing where to look for this information is key. When it comes to publishers looking before you leap is vital for your career. The issue is that most writers (not all) don't think of writing as a career and they get themselves into these situations before they really know what they need to make a viable career
That's why, whenever I'm asked by someone just starting out, my very first rule to give them is that you spend all this time working on your manuscript, spend at least that much time learning about the business and finding the right home for it.
I fell into the trap myself a couple times at first, got caught up in a downward spiraling epub that nearly cost me a manuscript. Luckily I did get rights back and it's found a good home at EC.
But yeah, too many writers are so eager to "be published" that they forget that it's a business, it's a job and they should treat it as such. Google is a writer's best friend when it comes to finding out about pubs that are circling the drain, so to speak.
I tend to send all new writers to Absolute Write. Their Bewares and Background Checks forum is priceless for information on pubs, agents etc and who's legit, who's not and who's best for what type of book. Also Preditors and Editors and Writer beware. All excellent resources for all types of writing.
...you spend all this time working on your manuscript, spend at least that much time learning about the business and finding the right home for it.
Very sound advice. I can't remember the quote, but it's along the lines of a writer spends countless hours writing their book, revising it and only two minutes to submit it.
Unfortunately, you learn from your mistakes once it bites you firmly in your butt. But my only hope is that newbies take something from this blog.
I'm of the firm opinion that you can be a part of a smaller REPUTABLE epub and begin slower.....an opinion that will make one Loribelle Hunt's teeth grind.
But I learned SO MUCH from the smaller publishers. I made invaluable contacts and discovered my own limits and techniques. Yes, you can start with the "bigger" pubs and "work your way down", but there's nothing wrong with starting small.
The MOST important thing I've had throughout this entire process contact and honesty with other authors.
And when things go wrong, other authors can really help with the "What do I do now" stage.
Research is great, but other authors can help glean the wheat from the chaf.
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