Download - 21st Century Writer
21st Century Writer
By David Keener
Evolution in the Publishing Industry
Web Site: www.davidkeener.org Email: [email protected]
Overview
• The Jurassic Era - When Gatekeepers Ruled the Earth
• Asteroid Impact - The End of the Big Publishers
• The Modern Era - The Rise of Nimble Self-Publishers
• Questions• Homework
Part 1: The Jurassic Era(1980 – 2007)
Pop Quiz
How much money will the author make from selling a single copy of this book?
(Note: Paperback Priced at $8.99)
Answer
60 cents
When Gatekeepers Ruled…
• Lots of money being made…. - By Publishers, Retailers and Agents
• But hardly any going to the writers - Even worse than the music industry
There is no other profession besides writing in which an experienced practitioner, such as a mid-list writer, cannot make a livable wage.
The Agent: The 1st Gatekeeper
• Gets 15% of each deal for life
• Negotiates contracts w/o legal training• No accountability to writers - For performance or accounting• Supposed to serve writers - Often biased towards publishers
The Publisher: The 2nd Gatekeeper
• Accounting practices from Dark Ages • One-sided “standard” contracts• No accountability to writers• “Hold-backs” against returns• Caters to corporate buyers, not readers• Won’t publish writers without a “platform”• Increased emphasis on “blockbusters”
The Retailer: The 3rd Gatekeeper
• Not a level playing field for writers • Publishers pay for “placement”• Books sell in 6 weeks, then they’re dead• Automated ordering systems prevent authors from gradually growing their “base”• No insight into readers
Part 2: Asteroid Impact
Pop Quiz
What happened in 2007 that totally changed Publishing?
A Marketplace
Amazon created a new business model…
• They built a “marketplace” for books - A level playing field - READERS determine if writers succeed • Writers get 70% of list price on ebook sales *• Real-time sales data; prompt payments
* For books priced $2.99 - $9.99
The New E-Sellers
• Amazon.com - Worldwide • Barnes & Noble – Mostly US• Smashwords – Worldwide• Kobo – Mostly international
At least 25% of the market is now ebooks
The End of the Big Publishers
• Writers don’t need publishers • Writers don’t need agents• Writers have negotiating power• Writers have choices• Writers can make REAL money
Part 3: The Modern Era
Case Study: Hugh Howey
David Keener Hugh Howey
Hugh’s Road to “Glory”
• Self-published novellas and YA books - Gains experience; polishes craft
• Wrote “Wool” – a short story - So successful, writes 4 more novelettes
• Publishes “Wool Omnibus” - Becomes major bestseller
• Signs Simon & Schuster “Wool” contract - Keeps ebook rights
Has sold over a million books…
Rise of the Nimble Author
• NOW is the time to be a writer• The Gatekeepers have been removed• Formatting an ebook isn’t rocket science• You’re the source of the magic
If you’ve got something worth saying, there’s an Audience for you!
Questions? ~ A Presentation From ~
David Keener
David Keener is a writer, Internet expert,and speaker based in Northern Virginia.He speaks regularly at conferences andother events.
Copyright @ 2013 David Keener.All rights reserved.
Homework
Homework (1)
• The Passive Voice (from David P. Vandagriff) - Daily Publishing Industry Survey - He’s a Lawyer, his wife is a Writer - www.thepassivevoice.com• Kristine Kathryn Rusch - Award-winner – F & SF, Mystery, Romance - Loads of experience as writer, editor, publisher - Blogs on e-publishing subjects - www.kriswrites.com
Homework (2)
• Dean Wesley Smith - Blogs on “Killing the Sacred Cows of Publishing” - Husband of Kristine Kathryn Rusch - www.deanwesleysmith.com• J. A. Konrath - A top indie writer and self-publishing advocate - Blogs on “A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing” - Publishes real sales/dollar amounts - jakonrath.blogspot.com
Homework (3)• David Gaughran - 2 top books on self-publishing - davidgaughran.wordpress.com• David Keener - Blogs on diverse writing & publishing topics - www.davidkeener.org - /2013/03/my-indie-publishing- strategy-5-key-strategies