Sprints or Marathons?

First things first. This Wednesday is IWSG posting for October. And it's the day to post your offering for IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond. In my duties as human spell checker and minor editing details, I've read some terrific posts that are going to make this book very special. It's a great way to get your name out there in the nonfiction market too. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for being the creative genius behind the idea and the leader in bringing it all together.

I was very busy last week editing a book for my romance publisher, New Concepts Publishing. It was that final read through to search out any misspelled words or misplaced commas. I always take my time with that because it's so easy for one's eyes to skip over those when you're reading a book for the fifteenth or so time. Every time I go through the editing process I appreciate my small publishers more. When it comes time to submit your book to a publisher you have to decide whether to go the small press route or submit to one of the big traditional publishers. Many, probably most, of the published authors I know are published by small publishers. Working with a small publisher puts your career on the marathon path more than the quick sprint to glory path.

Many small publishers offer either no or very small advances. If you're looking for dollars in the bank as a measure of success, you might not get that immediately with a small publisher. The income may be spread out over years and slowly build up to equal the advance you might have received from a traditional publisher. Earnings come strictly from royalties. If you receive an advance from a publisher, they will keep a reserve of earnings toward paying back that upfront money. Unless your book sells well, the advance may be the only money you ever see from the book.

Small publishers are likely to pay your a greater percentage on sales than a big publisher. Most will pay 25-40% on digital books. A small publisher usually lets an author have more say on cover design. A big criticism of traditional publishers is the length of time between contract and the actual publication date of the book. Small publishers having a much shorter turnaround time. I usually expect six months or less from my romance publisher.

Often small publishers are started by a writer who loves books and authors. When working for such a company the author can develop a very personal relationship with the owner, the editors and the other people working in the small company.

One of the dangers of a small publisher is that they can go belly up. I went through that a number or years ago. That bankruptcy clause in your contract will not prevent your books from getting tangled in the legal process. It can take years to get your rights back. It's important to investigate a small publisher before trusting them with your hard work. Also with a small publisher you're less likely to see your book on the shelves at the local B&N but most bookstores will arrange booksignings if you want to do them. When it comes to promotion, both small and big publishers expect most of the work to be done by the author.

So I'm involved in a marathon of a writing career. No big advance checks but I'm slowly developing a small steady income from the three small publishers I work with. Looking for a small publisher? Here's a list of 700 book publishers. Here's another list of the top 101 Independent book publishers. You might find something you like.

Are the other advantages you can think of for authors pubbed by smaller companies? What do you think is a reasonable percentage for authors to earn on their published books? Have you prepared your post for Wednesday's IWSG?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: I

Rolling along with the A to Z Blogging Challenge and still lots of stops to make and new friends to meet. Check out the list and you'll be sure to find a blog you want to follow.

I: Independents. The world of publishing is undergoing rapid change. I think one of the best things that has happened for writers in the number of small publishers, staffed by professionals, that are willing to look at our work. Often the small independent publishers will take a chance on a new author that the bigger houses wouldn't consider. They'll work with new writers and help them develop their careers.

I'm fortunate to work with a number of different small publishers. My romance publisher, New Concepts Publishing has been in a business for a long time and was one of the first successful ebook publishers. I can't say enough things about them. They did an excellent job on my most recent release on the cover. Like many small pubs, they have a quick turnaround from signing that contract to getting the edits done and then publishing the book. And they pay on time, every time. They're always open for submission.

Crescent Moon Press is my newest independent publisher that I'm working with on edits. I can't wait to see my cover for my upcoming epic fantasy.

As an author contracted by independent publishers, I also believe in supporting them by purchasing lots of books produced by different small houses. And I'll be doing more of it when I retire and have more time to read.

Do you buy books published by small presses? Have you ever submitted to an independent publisher?

Time Line

I can't believe we're almost halfway through October. Where has 2012 gone? Hopefully everything doesn't end in December because I have plans for 2013.

I read a short article in a writer magazine written by an author who had left the big six publishing company she wrote for to take the self-publishing route. She had many reasons for changing the course of her career and with a lot of hard work, she made pretty good money. I'm not sure I could ever spend 10 hours per day promoting online, but it was inspiring. One of her reasons for abandoning the 'big boys' publishing game struck a cord with me.

It's not unusual with a large publisher for the actual date of putting your book on the market to be two years in the future from the time you sign their contract. Two years. That's a long time from getting an advance check until you start to earn any royalties. In that time, most authors will write two or more additional books without every know how that first book will be received.

Most indie publishers get your contracted book to market much quicker, three to twelve months at most. And of course, if you self publish, your book is for sale as quick as you can do the preparation. The time line you make is your own.

I think more writers are getting impatient with the slow machine of the traditional publishing houses. Authors are more determined than ever to take control of their careers and the products of their hard work.

Is your career following your timeline? Have you felt 2012 flew by? Plans for 2013?

Sharing the Hope

I recently cleaned out some emails I've been letting pile up in my inbox. When I first started submitting my writing to agents and editors, I would save all those rejection letters. At that time, nearly all submissions were by snail mail. Each day, mail delivery was a time of dread and anticipation. 

I kept a special folder for book, keeping those letters organized. Eventually my first book was picked up by a small publisher, but I'm still collecting rejections. Only now, since almost all submissions are electronic, my rejections letters are sitting in my inbox.

I haven't decided whether to print copies to put in those fat file folders or not. But either way, I'm not discouraged. Not completely. There are lots of wonderful, indie publishers out there and I'm happy to be an indie author. Every writers collect rejections.

Cate Masters, a successful indie author, and one of the hardest working writers I know, is someone I'd like to mention today. Cate is very prolific and does tons of promotion. She is super supportive of other writers and has even started a blog, TBR, to help writers showcase their work. She really helped me when I decided to reclaim my rights to my fantasy series and published them myself. Please stop over and visit her. She has a new book, Death is a Bitch, will be coming out on August 3rd.

Do you save your rejection notices? Are all your queries electronic now?

The Month of Indie

March has been declared Small and Indie Press Month. By whom? Don't know and don't care. It's an excuse to celebrate those wonderful, hardworking, lacking in fame, small presses. Many times these publishers are run by a few dedicated people who love books and spend most hours of the day editing, promoting, designing covers, updating blogs, websites, twitter and facebook to help their authors succeed in this often heartbreaking business.

The thing easiest to love about small presses for an author is the relationship between writer and publisher. Those wonderful people actually listen to their authors. They respond quickly to emails. They're thrilled to help with promotion even though their budgets for such as very limited. Often they're entirely welcoming of an author's request for cover art.

They love hearing about your newest book. Most of them offer your books at reasonable prices so they can compete in the sprawling market of the ebook trade.

The editors I've worked with at New Concepts Publishing have been wonderful and thorough. I've learned so much from them and become a better writer because of their excellent work.

Another great thing about small presses is the great variety of them out there. Write romance? You have lots of choices. Write mystery or suspense? They're waiting for you. Write SF or fantasy? You can find a home for it. How about YA? They'll love you. So do your research if you're looking for a small or independent press for your newest book. And if you're looking to add to your TBR pile, support an independent press by sampling a book from one of their talented authors.

Do you buy books published by small and independent presses? Do you know what entity decides to set aside certain days, weeks or months for celebrations? Who has that power over the calendar or can a simple commoner like me do that?

Another Ebook +

I'm currently working on the third book in my fantasy series, The Futhark Chronicles, but I have other things going on at the same time. I continue to promote my romance novels under my pen name of Susan Kelley though it will be a few months before I'm back to work on a new novel for my publisher.

Another big project I'm working on is my second epic fantasy series. Though I'm feeling more comfortable and at ease with self-publishing, I'm still looking around for a reputable independent press to handle this series. The thing about this is, there are lots of those small presses popping up here and there. How am I to know if they'll do a good job with my book? Will they design a great cover? Are their editors professionals? Will they see my book is sent out for reviews? Will they make it available at all the major retailers?

These questions are important and sometimes I know an author who has worked with a particular publisher and I can learn some insider secrets relating to the competency of the company. But another good way to rate a press is by reading some of their products. And because of the reasonable pricing of ebooks by most independent presses, I can afford to sample their wares before submitting my own golden prose to them.

I currently have a list of nine small presses I'm considering for submitting my newest book. Over the next few weeks, I'll be shopping for samples of fantasy books published by these possible targets for a round of query letters. By spending a few dollars I'll get insight into the quality of books and know if a particular publisher is for me and me for him. If you have a romance book looking for a home, check out the independent press that is home for my books, New Concepts Publishing. They have a wide selection of books at low prices.

How did you find a publisher or how are you going about finding one? Have you ever read a book mainly to learn what quality of book is being published by a press?