tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post7855873752829693158..comments2023-06-12T17:08:36.320+01:00Comments on How Publishing <i>Really</i> Works: A New Model for Publishing?Jane Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-32352703154602490602009-04-20T08:18:00.000+01:002009-04-20T08:18:00.000+01:00I posted an article on my blog today about how I s...I posted an article on my blog today about how I see the model of publishing emerging from the recession.<br /><br />I don't disagree with any of what you say. I do think the way publishing works will change. I don't know whether it will be for better or worse - the reason I am taking the route I have chosen is more that I want to see what the opportunities arte, and to do that I want to be at the front and not the back of the new landscape.<br /><br />That route, by the way, is more akin to what musicians than writers are doing. My previous book, Songs from the Other Side of the Wall, I am self-publishing, and marketing through a writers' collective - which is hardly new, but I hope we will do it with more research, focus, and efficiency than many previous attempts.<br /><br />My current book, The man Who Painted agnieszka's Shoes, I am writing "live" on Facebook this summer, and giving away (I know the copyright issues and I'm happy with them before anyone says anything) - I'm structuring it like a mix of a DVD - there's a virtual environment in which the book exists (also rather like academic books do); a game - there's the chance for readers to develop the story themselves; and a music tour - there are real and virtual events, and the whole thing will, I hope, develop a festival atmosphere. <br /><br />If (and I may decide not to - getting a following is reward enough) I decide to try and earn something from the current book, it won't be from the book - eberyoen gets that for free. It will be from the equivalent of a souvenir brochure (and maybe T-shirts, bags, caps - the novel is about online celebrity and marketing as well as being an exiostential thriller). And because this is merchandising rather than a novel, those people who buy it will a) do so willingly, and knowing what they are getting - it's an aspirational product and b) pay a price that affords a higher royalty, as it's a value-added product.<br /><br />I don't know what I'll do in the futur - but I do know that what started as a business idea has actually had a profound (and positive) effect on my writing - both tehnically and in terms of the enjoyment I derive from it.<br /><br />I know this is NOT for everyone, and I wouldn't claim it is. I do think, though, that we writers should remember that culture isn't so divided up as we think - The man Who Painted Agnieszka's Shoes is a mix of literature, art (it's effectively an installation), and music (not only in business, but the project has a house band, who are real, and whose music features in the story). I think we should think long and hard about what it means to be a "writer", and if we decide it means we are contributing to a long cultural heritage, then we might want to open our eyes, and see a wide range of not only not only creative but also commercial opportunities.Dan Hollowayhttp://agnieszkasshoes.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-52070431984332912542009-04-18T11:29:00.000+01:002009-04-18T11:29:00.000+01:00Just because something is difficult, doesn't mean ...Just because something is difficult, doesn't mean it isn't working. <I>If it ain't broke - don't fix it.</I>Self & vanity publishing prey on the desires of the impatient. I can completely understand this, but it's not a route I want to go down, because <B>nothing</B> is going to take away from me that moment I learn I am going to be a published author. I am prepared to wait, work and learn whilst keeping my money firmly in my pocket - (unless I spot some really gorgeous shoes obviously!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-5400906670013866542009-04-17T21:06:00.000+01:002009-04-17T21:06:00.000+01:00But making the excuse that you don't read the book...But making the excuse that you don't read the books you "publish" will get you nowhere in a libel suit. So I guess the "old model" of civil law is holding up okay.nonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415222406280230021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-33595091853787222672009-04-17T20:42:00.000+01:002009-04-17T20:42:00.000+01:00Be very wary of new models of publishing. The old ...<B>Be very wary of new models of publishing. The old one works just fine.</B>And this is why you're my new best friend.Well, that and you beta read my book - for which I'll always be in your debt!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-10248273982470185702009-04-17T11:46:00.000+01:002009-04-17T11:46:00.000+01:00I think there are any number of aspects of the pub...I think there are any number of aspects of the publishing model that need to change, but the basic 'every writer should find his own readers' self-publishing model seems to be just as flawed - if not more - than the traditional one. <br /><br />As a reader, my time is limited, so I need a) someone to ensure a certain basic quality, and b) to find a good selection of potential books in easily accessible places. (Currently called 'bookstores.') I don't want to browse fifteen or twenty websites, or rely on hearing from each potential author individually, because my day is too short.<br /><br />Equally, it sounds like a major undertaking trying to market to the target audience, and it seems silly that every author should duplicate that effort when you could have publishers do it for you.green_knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16499896006012152260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-70193011904468374632009-04-17T11:01:00.000+01:002009-04-17T11:01:00.000+01:00Yes, Dan, this is the post that disappeared, and t...Yes, Dan, this is the post that disappeared, and thanks to you alerting me to its absence I've found a few others which have done the same. I've reinstated the missing link now, and don't worry: if this tries to slink off back into that draft list again, I'll just slap it back up again.Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-73893476675869489022009-04-17T10:48:00.000+01:002009-04-17T10:48:00.000+01:00Jane, you're an angel. I'm guessing this is the pi...Jane, you're an angel. I'm guessing this is the piece you'd intended to link to. Thank you so much for putting it up. I'm going to copy and paste it to a Word doc to read if that's OK, just in case it turns out the tech has a personal vendetta against this particular piceceDan Hollowayhttp://agnieszkasshoes.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com