Book Publishing: It’s Not a Fad … It’s a Trend
A distinct trend has surfaced with book shepherding clients I’ve worked with this past year. These successful, traditionally published authors are choosing to bypass New York. Yes, if they offered their ideas, their manuscripts to the traditional publishing community via their agents, the odds were extremely high that they would receive a hefty offer to publish the new book. Yet, these authors chose not to. Why?
For years, I’ve been talking about the four primary reasons I left traditional publishing: control, quality, timing, and money. Their reasons matched mine. What publishers do in support of authors has declined to a minor fraction of just 10 years ago; in fact, most have turned into quasi printing houses that include cover design and minor editing only. Marketing has been pushed to the author with the expectation that if an advance had been paid, it would be used to promote the book. Publishing corners have been cut from the quality of paper and covers to the amount of glue in the spines. And authors have awakened to the fact that publishers are leaving a lot of money out of their pockets.
Just as kids grow up, express their independence, and get their drivers licenses, authors now want the keys to the publishing car. And it’s long overdue.
That’s where Author U comes in. You have the keys—with your hands on the wheel, you can go anywhere. The “anywhere” will be based on your platform, your vision, and your commitment. Along the way, Author U will introduce you to pit stops that will fuel your journey. You just have to keep refueling in the process. That’s where the Author U community comes into play along with the variety of programs that are available—some in person, others via computer.
Throughout the summer, the Tech Tool Box, Monday Evening Salons, and Webinars R Us have been active—book creation and book marketing don’t take vacations. Participating in them gives our members the up-front and personal attention by the presenters to dig down, learn the concept or tool, and implement them. Webinars have plenty of seats; Salons and Tech Tool Boxes are limited, with each being sold out. Make sure you check the dates and topics for each within The Resource newsletter and on the Author U website and sign up early.
The rest of the Author U year has been planned. Dinner and a Program will return on September 15th with presenter Jon Tandler focusing on all things legal in the publishing world—come with your list of questions. October 22nd will be a Saturday BootCamp that reveals a variety of “how-tos” in creating an Internet Book Launch, identifying the right partners, and the creating of gifts and prizes and special websites to funnel it all through. On November 17th, Steve Stone will deliver a Multi-Media Internet program with wonderful goodies to add to your website.
Author U starts a new tradition and will be going to the Holiday Mart sponsored by Denver’s Junior League in October. Participating members will have the opportunity to sell their books to thousands of pre-Holiday shoppers that are attracted to the event every year.
There’s lots on the Author U Highway … choose which pit stops will supply the fuel that you and your book needs.