Traditional publishing can be a great publishing model for genre fiction.

If your goal as a fiction writer is to see your stories in the hands of readers around the world, in print and digital form, in multiple languages, then traditional publishers can be the way to go.

First. Editorial. You get to work with professional editors who help you to create the best version of your story to meet their publishing line. There is no doubt that working with professional and highly experienced editors makes you a better writer.

Second. Distribution. My romance fiction is currently in print in 23 languages and sold in at least 28 countries that I am aware of.

I didn’t have anything to do with the translations, selling the publishing rights, cover design or promotion and shipping print books around the world. That was all done by HarperCollins.

Although I do receive author copies, sometimes the first time I know that one of my books has been sold, in for example, digital downloads for smartphones in Japan, is when I receive my royalty report. This is paid in my currency direct to my bank. And I receive a cash advance on royalties when I deliver a book.

This is all done for me, giving me time to write and promote my work.

There are some limitations.

With Harlequin, I don’t have any input into the title of my books, the cover design or publication schedule.

And yes, all the traditional publishers now expect authors to drive the marketing and book launch plan.

 

Why traditional publishing may not be the best publishing model for short romance and other genre fiction.

Bottom line. Publishing houses are businesses.

Books are ‘products’.

Authors create the products which publishers have to edit, design, curate, print/publish worldwide and then sell to a dwindling number of bookstores and libraries etc.

Their job is to make a return on this significant investment in time and money so that the business can remain profitable.

This is one of the reasons they prefer to take submissions from literary agents who have “pre-vetted” the manuscripts.

I am sorry if that offends those of an artistic temperament, but publishers don’t owe authors a living.

They are loyal to their authors and do their best in difficult market conditions, but if your first and second books do not sell, then an editor can find it hard to persuade the marketing team to commit to taking more. This is a market driven business.

No profit, no business. Same the world over.

The challenge is that they have to make a profit with books at a price point which is commercially viable.

 Consider it this way.

If you were pitching your work to a venture capitalist like a literary agent or submission editor, how would you do it? What would you say?

“I am going to work for months and invest hundreds of pounds/dollars to create a series of books which you will then have to sell online for 99 cents to compete with other books in the market.”

You would expect them to ask sensible questions such as:

• How many copies are you going sell in a short time?
• What it your marketing plan?
• What is your current social media following and reach under this author brand? How do you plan to reach your readers?

In other words – how can I get a return on my investment in your work.

What would your answer be?

 

Self-Publishing is not for everyone

I prefer the term Writer-Publisher.

If you want to do this professionally you have to learn how to become a publisher. That means studying every aspect of the publishing process. From manuscript editing through to cover design, book interior formatting, sales and marketing.

This takes serious amounts of time, money and energy.

 

Digital Imprint Publishers

There is another option – a middle way which is becoming increasingly popular.

Many traditional publishers have created digital publishing units which produce eBooks and sometimes print on demand books, but not always.

They offer you the professional publishing services – but usually do not offer an advance on royalties in exchange for a large digital royalty rate.

Examples include:

Random House Digital Imprints

Alibi specializes in mysteries and thrillers [currently not open to submissions but this could change.]

Loveswept wants “passionate, heartfelt romances spanning all genres, from historical to contemporary.”

Hydra focuses on science fiction, fantasy, and horror -currently not open to submissions but this could change.

 St. Martin’s Digital-First Imprint

St. Martin’s Press is owned by Big Five publisher Macmillan. Swerve, St. Martin’s digital-first division, is interested in all subgenres of romance. Both agented and un-agented authors are welcome to submit unpublished manuscripts.

Read more about Swerve’s submission guidelines.

 Harper Collins.

http://corporate.harpercollins.co.uk/imprints.  Includes Carina and HarperImpulse

Bookouture from Hachette do include a print-on-demand format.

In addition, there are numerous romance specific digital first publishers such as Tule http://tulepublishing.com/submissions/

So, you don’t have to learn how to become a publisher. But you have to submit the best possible version of your work, agree to deadlines and accept that company’s pricing and publication regime. And that will probably not include a print book.

We are incredibly lucky to have this range of opportunities available to us.

All we have to do is evaluate the options and decide which one works best for a specific book.

 

If you are looking for additional training – here is a superb PAID resource.

Last month I was invited to add two of my books to a huge bundle of information in the writing/Self-Publishing space.

Now, this is not your average, every day “Bundle” that you’re used to seeing. Their website is called Info|Stack.io and I was amazed at the amount of cutting edge information they can offer.

The reason I like Info|Stack.io so much is the number of high quality contributors they’ve managed to attract.

The bundle is called the WRITE-PUBLISH-PROFIT SUPER STACK.

Check it out here: WRITE-PUBLISH-PROFIT BUNDLE

[Please note – this is an affiliate link since two of my books are included in the bundle.]

There’s 30 + highly successful coaches, trainers and thought leaders that have contributed their full-length e-courses and e-books to the bundle. Plus, there’s some super helpful writing and editing software as well other resources included.

I think you’re really going to find this bundle incredibly helpful to your self-publishing business.

 

Have a great day! Regards, Nina