This past weekend I attended the LDS Storymakers Conference. I posted about that a few days ago, and also about rethinking my e-Pub plan. Here's some of my thoughts.
1. Listen to those with experience, especially if they have more than you! Literary agents Becca Stumpf and Sara Crowe, as well as New York Times best-selling authors Brandon Sanderson and Dave Wolverton/Farland, as well as Kirk Shaw, editor for Covenant, all suggested that the timing wasn't right for middle grade fantasy.
Here's the catch: how many kids ages 10-12 do you know who have Kindles, Nooks, or iPads of their own? Thus, how large is the real e-Pub market for my middle grade fantasy as a debut author? Probably not that great.
2. The e-Pub model works, but the timing is just not yet there for my books. In fact, Dave Wolverton told me he'd really like me to give the national market a few more years before I switch over. And this is from the man with 30 years of experience who is also actively taking the e-Pub platform by the horns. He's creating some incredible new user experience content I'd really love to replicate. But he's working with Sci-Fi and Fantasy for adults. It works there.
So my model, I truly believe, is sound. I just don't think the MG market can sustain it. If you can make it work for YA or adults, I think you stand the chance to make good, good money.
3. Cover Costs made it impractical, if not really feasible. To make a cover really stand out you need to be strong in both the 1 inch by .5 inch thumbnail, the larger Amazon image, as well as a book cover. That's tricky to do, but even trickier if you have to compete with national brands with full illustrations that run $2,500 a book. Ick.
But over and over I heard this: You must have a solid, professional looking cover. People will judge the book by what they see. Make them see gold.
What do you think, readers? When's the timing going to be right for the various markets in e-Pubbing?
9 comments:
One more thought: every day I meet someone who has great information to offer. Today I was given a great contact on a cheaper alternative to produce excellent graphic design covers. And I have personal contacts who are extremely talented. And I know some people who are dying to find more high quality books in this genre as e-books.
So I'm still working both routes--just being a little more cautious and careful about my approach.
I wish I'd had time to go to the Storymakers class on E-books. This is something that really interests me. Caleb Warnock has a lot to say about E-books on his blog calebwarnock.blogspot.com. He is a prof. at UVU.
People love my book covers. One cost me $250.00 the other was free. My daughter has started a business formatting e-books which starts a $50.00 for novel length and less for short stories. She can also add illustrations. My short story, a children's book, has been downloaded more than 90 times on smashwords. The biggest facter, is putting out enough books. The more you have out, the more visible you are. Once a reader finds you, if they like you, they will buy more. So, I disagree with the professionals that you spoke with.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
Thanks, Nancy, for your input. There are a lot of things to think about for this venture. I don't have 9 products to launch just yet, so I think that may be another reason to continue writing and researching over the next few months before I make that last decision, and seeing what happens with my national efforts. But I'm still a big fan of the idea.
Good call, Joshua. It pays to be cautious.
Thanks, David. It does.
I'm excited about your progress, too. Where do your submission plans stand?
That's an excellent point Dave made about kids not having Nooks and Kindles of their own. There are those of them out there, but I don't know many.
But doesn't it feel as though everything is changing SO fast, that what is true today may not be true even by year-end? I have a secret deadline by which, if a publisher hasn't picked up my book, I will go my own way. I would want hard and soft cover, but e-books too. And even if there is a publisher offering, I really need to know what the deal is - if I am going to have to promote it primarily myself, then I might as well do it myself...I definitely see the point about MG books, but that's today and I thimk things will change fast. In any case, it will be interesting!!
I think this is exactly the right perspective Joshua. I just don't feel that the MG market is there. Recently. David Wolverton sent out an email blast where he talks about how in 3-4 years, this will change because of hos eReaders are being incorporated into schools. Children's books are a bit different, especially on the color Nook, because they look great, can have audio, and a parent can use it for bed time stories. That just isn't the case for MG. So a multifaceted approach is still the best, with a heavier emphasis on print versus digital.
Sorry for the lateness of the post. Since I only started blogging in May, I am using Google Reader to go through the last 30 days of blogs I have followed. FInding some great posts such as this one that make me think!
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