tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post1514955692491648263..comments2024-01-06T06:04:33.867-05:00Comments on JASON JACK MILLER: 5 Rules for Indie PublishingJason Jack Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13095882670283762866noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post-80682777290665410812011-03-15T13:30:38.745-04:002011-03-15T13:30:38.745-04:00Yeah, not to dis the New York crowd and the way th...Yeah, not to dis the New York crowd and the way they do things, but I think their model is broken. That's why Kindles have taken off--more freedom for readers and writers. Everything available 24/7. It's easy for me to say this because I don't have a deal, but like I said above, I'm not using this as a last resort for a rejected novel. This is my first choice, and I get less envious of authors with big book deals all the time.Jason Jack Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13095882670283762866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post-7299463243563232032011-03-15T08:35:38.885-04:002011-03-15T08:35:38.885-04:00I'm so glad to hear what you and Heidi are doi...I'm so glad to hear what you and Heidi are doing, since I'm in a similar boat - waiting and waiting, knowing my writing is good, but wondering why that call hasn't come. BEST WISHES to two talented peeps! By May or June, we'll all have stories to share. :-)Meg Mimshttp://lighthousemysteries.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post-56434532898582924302011-01-28T14:38:56.052-05:002011-01-28T14:38:56.052-05:00Valerie, good luck with the pitching and querying....Valerie, good luck with the pitching and querying. If it was easy...<br /><br />Chris, we're obviously 100% with you on #1. The idea is to see what's at stake and what's gained by doing it yourself. I sent my last query letter out in June. Didn't know what I'd do until the kindle thing really started taking off. (Heidi and I actually came up with these rules back in September, so it's not like I came to my conclusion on a whim.) Now I'm certain I'd never query again. <br /><br />Dave, sorry to hear about your luck with you latest novel. I think your observations on the industry are much more astute than mine, so I won't say anything else about that. But your idea about forming a support group is an excellent one--an idea that a few Seton Hill grads have been kicking around for a while. I'll send you an email to discuss. <br /><br />Thanks all for posting.Jason Jack Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13095882670283762866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post-35533955616915507202011-01-27T15:39:35.404-05:002011-01-27T15:39:35.404-05:00Thanks for the different perspective, Jack.
I'...Thanks for the different perspective, Jack.<br /><br />I've heard even ePublishers say, "Try for traditional houses FIRST and then if you can't get in, go self-publishing."<br /><br />My husband thinks I should self-publish my memoir.<br /><br />The agents I've pitched to are all excited to get the proposal and like the writing, but .... I've got no platform. So the answer is 'no.'Valerie Willmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05219261050115171913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post-1162267264205972122011-01-26T16:52:18.794-05:002011-01-26T16:52:18.794-05:00Another awesome post!
I live near Philly, so I...Another awesome post!<br /><br />I live near Philly, so I'm pretty fond of "said bird," and now seems like a good time to make use of it :-)<br /><br />When you factor in the generally poor treatment of writers, the way the Big 6 seem to have missed the mark on pricing e-books, and the fact that everyone is sick of the Snooki's of the world landing huge book deals, is it any wonder there is a revolution going on? <br /><br />Your first point - "Know why you're publishing independently" - is one that I think is way too often overlooked. Frustration is great for that initial spark, but publishing on your own simply to flip that bird is a good way to guarantee failure. Uploading a book is th easiest part. Crafting a quality book, and then getting behind it all the way, are what will have the biggest impact on success.Chris Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02565064688656710354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post-91245383199304991622011-01-26T14:07:15.203-05:002011-01-26T14:07:15.203-05:00All great points, Jack.
I was having this same di...All great points, Jack.<br /><br />I was having this same discussion with an author friend of mine just yesterday (he's been published by WOTC and Five Star) who's getting nowhere with a book. He's ready to give up on submitting novels entirely and just self publish.<br /><br />The main thing I get from all this is that we are ALL Indie authors now. I have a New York agent who won't send out my latest novel, a book that I LOVE, so I'm left to submit it to editors myself or publish independently. So why have an agent at all?<br /><br />Publishers are running scared and agents are working themselves out of a job by trying to act as (unpaid) editors for the publishers. The problem with that is they are killing the source of their potential income.<br /><br />What publishers are doing now is in fact just the opposite of what they should be doing. With the explosion of Kindle sales and ebooks in general they should be signing every author with a decent book they can find, put out their books in ebook format, give them decent covers and titles, promote the books via their media platforms, and split the profits 50-50 with the authors. Then take the top performers from that list and publish them in traditional paper formats.<br /><br />I myself think that Independent authors need to form promotional networks based on their genre'. Group blogs, cross-promotion, facebook ads and the like. In fact, I'd like to propose we do just that. I know more than a few authors who are ready to move on that idea. If you and Heidi have interest, I would like to explore those options further. <br /><br />Drop me an email: david.bara@yahoo.com.<br /><br />dbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684268458725484615.post-35266942787904828092011-01-25T13:19:55.238-05:002011-01-25T13:19:55.238-05:00You're right, I'm not exactly fond of '...You're right, I'm not exactly fond of 'said bird,' but I'm with you on everything else!Heidi Ruby Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02190166838730021237noreply@blogger.com