Read the publishing news these days and there’s so much doom and gloom and anxiety about e-books and print books and booksellers and publishers in trouble and authors getting squeezed and the midlist dropped and it’s enough to make you want to hide under the bed lest a stray Kindle impale you in the forehead. You’d think an infectious disease is sweeping the land, an e-virus that is going to pollute the land with readily available books and increased author entrepreneurship. Run for your liiiiiiiives!
But hey. You can either be scared of the future or excited. I’m pretty excited.
Look, the last few hundred years have been great and everything. Some of my favorite books were written then. We had bound books, novels, bookstores, the smell of the binding, and librarians shushing everything above a whisper. Publishers filtered everything for us, then agents filtered most things for the publishers, and all that resulted in a choice of a few thousand titles in a bookstore. Which sounds like a lot, until you happen to be looking for the Definitive History of the Drunken Monkeys of the Caribbean (in which case, thank goodness for YouTube).
And guess what: that era isn’t going away, at least in the near term. All of those things will still exist, and thank goodness. Those things are really great.
But as I outlined in a past post, in order for a book to become a bestseller in the current era, so many different publishing people have to agree about it before it reaches readers in big numbers. And if anybody in that chain is wrong, poof, that bestseller may not happen.
In the e-book era, everyone will have a shot. And I refuse to believe that’s a bad thing.
Yes, there’s going to be a lot of dreck out there that we’ll have to find a way to sort through. Yes, publishers will be challenged by lower price points and will have to change and adapt to the digital era. Yes, my job will probably change some too, even if I don’t believe agents will go away, especially as they fight so that authors get their fair share of e-book revenue. And yes, this new era will require more of authors than just writing a book in a cabin in the woods and shipping it out for someone else to do the rest. It will require an entrepreneurial spirit and a whole lot of virtual elbow grease.
But what better time to be an author?! All any writer wants is the chance to reach an audience and see what happens from there. Just a chance. And it’s looking like everyone’s going to get that chance.
To be sure, the vast majority of books will only be read by a few people. Riches and celebrity are not in everyone’s future, I don’t care how many drunken monkey books there are. Established authors and the traditional publishing industry will still have enormous advantages. Eyeballs will be key, and those eyeballs will have a whole lot of shiny objects attempting to distract them.
But soon everyone will have their shot. Books will catch on out of nowhere through word of mouth, probably even books that publishers may not have taken a chance on in the past. Readers will decide what they want to read rather than having those choices constrained in advance. Authors will have more control over their own future than ever before.
And I think that’s pretty great.
Finally, a positive note!
Well, you've gotten me very excited! It is a great time to be an author! Thanks!
Thanks for the positive post! It's a refreshing change.
A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past; he is one who is prematurely disappointed in the future.”
Sydney J. Harri
Agreed! I, for one, love my Kindle and the Star Trek way it makes me feel. 🙂
May you live in interesting times.
Is it a great time to write query letters? 'Cause I'm having a whole lotta no fun revising mine right now.
thermocline-
It's not a sunshine era for query letters at the moment, I'm afraid. It's tough to get through right now.
Thank you, Nathan. You're the first (I've read) on your side of the industry saying, "Hey, guess what? There are no sides to the industry. There's one industry that supplies written work to readers."
For writers, the more avenues to success, the better.
That makes me feel a lot better!
Besides, I like the idea that this is an era where maybe writers can't seclude themselves in a cabin all day long, but they do have control of their 'destiny'–they can use virtual marketing to their advantage. And that's pretty neat.
Nathan, I agree 100%. It won't be long before a class of "unpublished" writers will emerge from the clutter, home-built fan base in tow, making a living from e-book sales and proving the established model isn't the only way to carve a niche.
Of course it always comes back to the quality of storytelling.
matt-
Exactly. And I have to say, I'm really looking forward to an era where I don't have to just man the queries, but can find writers who have achieved a certain level of success on their own but need someone to translate that success into a better deal, more $$, and more opportunities. That's where agents come in.
THANK YOU for this!!!!! I am so sick of hearing that ebooks are evil!! And that this form of technology is worse than a flu epidemic!! I think it's all very exciting….and I'm proud to be a digitally published author (well..not yet…my book won't be available till summer!). Change is inevitable…either you adapt or move out of the way.And I think agents will be just as essential in the future of digital publishing as they are now.
Nathan, I think your reply to Matt is interesting, and important for agents and the industry to hear. People are afraid of change, and for awhile now authors have been hearing that self-publishing is bad. But once ebooks are in more people's hands, authors will hold the power themselves. If they can get the word out about their books, viral marketing of great books can take off, then agents and publishers can attach themselves to writers who already have a fan base. It's not total doom-and-gloom, but people hate change. If you're prepared for it, it's not so bad, though.
Yay for some optimistic realism. I LIVE in one of those cabins in the woods, and, thanks to the Internet, I can STILL help build word of mouth. Things are changing, but–you know–not all change is bad! Thanks for the post.
Thank you for writing this, Nathan. After Monday and Tuesday's posts, I found that I had to stop and take a deep breath. (Not your fault! It just made me think about the whole thing. Ad nauseum.)
I pretty much came to the same conclusion, but with an added thought: If I go the e-book route (after at least trying the traditional route), how do I, as an unpublished hopeful, manage to put out quality writing and *not* dreck?
The only conclusion I could come to was that I would invest in professional editing services. And make heavy use of good beta readers (and strong bribes to keep said the betas' services). The act of formulating a game plan was enough to calm me down. Now I'm back to actually writing, and feeling very relieved about it.
It definitely IS nice to hear a positive note. So question: In this brave new world we're entering where things like Kindle will give us the option to put things out as authors without the middlemen so to speak, would you as an agent think it relevant to hear sales numbers (if they indicated a following) for self epubbed titles in a pitch? Or would it still be considered taboo to mention since it's not traditional publishing?
Thank you for this post.
It is one of my great thrills these days to share my WIP chapters with my writing group and watching their response.
My little readership who also helps to slice and dice and reshape the story into better shape.
The idea of publishing or sending my (when they are polished) stories out further into the world is like saying I exist, I existed,and placing my stories in the stream.
One day, maybe. But for today, thanks for giving us hope.
Sweet mother of wheat germ, thank you. I've been trying to express this at forums, but am often heckled as supporting self-publishing (the rebel faction that has broken away from the Republic), and I say 'why not?' No, I'm not going to self-publish any time soon, but there are plenty of people with a story to tell, and just because only 3% of the consumer market would be interested in such a thing… well, I might be that 3%. As a consumer, it opens my options and gives me a chance to read some ideas that might be really out there, and that excites me.
I appreciate the positive outlook. It is an exciting time to be an author, and yet, scary too. There's only so much "reality" I can take (aka, bad news) before I want to stick my head in the sand. But that makes it rather hard to type… Keep the encouragement coming!
Write a good book. Yes, your friends will read it. Maybe. Or they'll read the beginning and the end and never tell you they skipped the middle. What they won't tell you is that they are not really passing it on.
But write a really outstanding book, digital or not, self published or not, and it will slowly and but surely garner attention. 99% of the books I read come from word of mouth from friends, blogs, my librarian, my kids…etc.
Bless you for posting this: all the negativity was starting to get to me. 🙂
I agree with you. This is a great time to be an author. Remember film cameras? Oh my I can't go back. It's digital all the way. It will be the same with books. Bring. It. On.
That future doesn't sound so bad to me, with everyone getting a shot at the golden ring. Humans are very adaptable when needed.
I'm not sure I like the idea of mass choice selection. The reading temperature of the public-at-large doesn't always equate with good literature or good writing.
This is something to think about in depth, as I continue revising the WIP.
You darn optimist, you.
I kinda like the idea, like you. But I'm new at this and I'm standing here with my manuscript in hand trying to jump on this train, not knowing where to jump. Not being accustomed to the old way means I'm even more free to take the new way. Does that mean I should jump into authonomy.com and weedle my way up to publishability? Is my query letter mill obsolete?
D. G.: But it also makes available books that appeal to niche audiences. Yes, they won't sell a bunch of copies, nor will they support the author in a full-time job, but the books will be out there.
Nate: I'm glad these changes will make your job more enjoyable. I can't imagine it's much fun to tell a lot of people no, but trolling the web for hidden jewels…it makes me want to become an agent. Well, maybe not, but I'm at least going to look for these treasures and write them up on my blog.
Oh, and I have a question for you, Nate: I had a YA novel published last year by a now-defunct small press; the book has gone on to get uniformly nice reviews and just won an award. I guess it makes sense to go the traditional route for the companion/sequel that I'm about to send out, even if it takes years. What do you think?
I think that's pretty great, too!
I agree with you. There are so many opportunities for writers to get published and find readers today, it’s mind-boggling. With my own books available for practically all e-reader devices, I’ve thought about starting up the book promotion campaigns that led to lots of paperback sales for me back when POD was the brand new thing and distribution was readily available for small press books. It was fun to receive emails from people and libraries all across the country that had purchased my books, and to hear that kids were doing school book reports on my middle grade novels. I hesitate to put too much money into a lot of book promotion at this point in time, though, because I know what it’s like to lose access to the distribution channels. Right now, with all the publishing wars over eBook prices and distribution channels, I’m waiting to see how it all shakes out before spending money on more promotion. Instead, I’m spending time editing my latest adult science fiction novel with plans to query literary agents when it’s done.
Despite the many ways to get published today, or maybe because of the many new authors resulting from all those ways to get published, many best-selling authors don’t actually make that much money. Recently, a few YA authors whose books made the New York Times Best Seller List posted discussions of how much money they had actually made on each of their books. They made less money than a lot of low-paying jobs. And best-selling author Cherie Priest – who also has a day job – recently blogged about how she can’t afford too much dental work because she doesn’t have enough health insurance. All of this made me realize that being a best-selling writer today is NOT the same as it used to be even a few short years ago. I think today a writer needs to be much more interested in writing itself than in making money from their writing, in order to have the best chance of ever succeeding at a writing career.
Personally, for all it's worth, I think these next five to ten years will prove to be the best era for authors in the history of publishing.
Those who write what people want to read will have the world at their feet. Stories that resonate with an audience will be unstoppable.
Of course, it helps to have one of those stories. Which kinda leaves writers like me living with the usual unproven writer's fear! 🙂
Nick wishes he could be so optimistic. But on a good day, Nick doubts that a changed landscape could land him anywhere near what his brain deems to be "any degree of success". And as of late, I've just lost it. I want to write, but the moment I contemplate doing so, the drive's just gone. Oh well. Suppose my mood'll shift eventually. Hopefully soon, for the sake of my book.
Couldn't agree with you more. I blogged about this from a writer and editor's perspective at https://www.sarahcypher.com/2010/02/04/i-think-so-too/ — thanks for your hopefulness.
I agree. It *is* a great time to be an author.
🙂
G.
You know, I never really thought about it being super positive, but now I do. I have the desire to put my stuff out there. I want it to be for the right reasons, like the writing really snared an agent and/or publisher who loved it, but I know that's a subjective deal if the craft is decent. And I've read my fair share of published print dreck and wondered why not me when it is not always dreck (okay, the first book I wrote DESERVED the rejection but not all of them)? So maybe if I look at this the way you stated, I can see a way to achieving my dream albeit in a different way than I had envisioned. I also know readers are frustrated, too. This might be the way for all of us to find an audience and for readers to get their paws onto new books that they're excited by as well.
Thanks for this post. I needed it.
Yay!
Also an optimistic note tonight from Canongate publishers interviewed on TV. Old style books are great, new style books are great – all books are great.
AliB
I've recently noticed through Internet discussions that at least one literary agency – The Knight Agency – has started building a relationship with very small indie publishing houses. Having many books on the New York Times Best Seller List, The Knight Agency now also has quite a few books, including some new novels written by Deidre Knight, published by Samhain Publishing. This is the first example I’ve seen of a literary agency throwing a huge amount of support behind a very small publishing house formerly known mostly for eBook publication.
JUST what I needed to hear. Over the last year I began to wonder if I made the right decision about becoming a writer (even though there's really nothing else I want to be doing). From reading all the agent/publisher blogs you'd think the age of the author was over. That's so not the truth. Yes, the business is changing and e-books are gaining speed, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost for us writers. It's actually quite an exciting time.
Thanks for this positive post!
Thanks. I loved this post.
I just want the E pubbers and e readers to get crackin' on providing high quality illustrations for their publications/devices!
Look to your right, see the little guy in the boat reading? Why can't an e reader/pubber produce that… Hell, I'll take it in black and white!
Haste yee back 😉
I'm going to be the miserable negative bastard and say… what I can see ahead are some gems getting a deserved audience, along with a tidal wave of crap rolling towards unsuspecting readers. Readers who don't care anything about a publishing imprint or even know what it is, are going to care a whole lot more as soon as they've got stung by downloading a poorly edited book. For authors, it's going to mean the risk being shifted from the publishing house to the writer, so writers will *have* to have a self publishing success before they can win a contract. All joy to the extroverts who love nothing more than marketing their work. For thoughtful introverts, who may have huge talents, this new era is going to be much less promising.
michael-
I agree that's the downside. It presents an opportunities to publishers, who can offer readers trusted brands, but it's going to be a challenging landscape for readers to negotiate, especially in the beginning. I'm guessing, though, that word of mouth and go-to sites will arise to propel the cream to success (even if the author of one of those books happens to be an introvert).
But I agree it's not going to be an easy time for the "just an authors," and I hope the average reader will still trust that there are gems among the muck. And try to find them.
@Michael:
I will buy the occasional book based on marketing. But usually it's more a trusted word-of-mouth network that entices me to fork out some cash.
If you write a good story and people tell me it's a good story – I'll seek you out. I couldn't give a rat's arse if you can do great accents at a book store reading or leave a crowd at a literary festival in stitches. First and foremost I'm seeking a good book.
It is great! And let's keep in mind that a book doesn't have to be a bestseller to be a success.
Almost every day I get an email from a reader who reports having a laugh or being inspired by Bastard Husband: A Love Story. My self-published book is the impetus behind my upcoming one-woman show—how’s that for an opportunity of a lifetime?
A bestseller? Not yet. A success? Definitely. It's an amazing time to be an author!
Nathan,
I think one thing that keeps getting over-looked in all this is the assumption that everyone (or almost everyone) is going to have an e-reader. Really? Even if the price-point drops to $100 or a bit lower, that's still pretty steep. And then there are the individual investments per title that will have to make on top of that. It adds up quick.
A LOT of people still buy books used, or wait for the cheaper mass market paperback, or go to the library because those are what are in their budget. The belief that, somehow, e-readers are going to dominate the reading landscape is a bit idealistic. Maybe if/when they get to the point that you can pick them up as cheaply (and use them nearly as universally) as a cell phone it will hold a bit more water, but guess what? There are lots of people (here and around the world) who still can't afford cell service, either, and phones are a bit more critical than books for a lot of folks.
Fact of the matter is you are still going to be seeing old-fashioned codexes dominating the landscape for a looong time. Yes, the more affluent may prefer to go with e-readers, but the technology will be out of reach for many for a long time to come, I think.
As for authors getting their work more-or-less directly to readers via e-readers: no thanks. As both an author and a reader, I *like* that there are gate keepers who both police for editorial as well as artistic quality. Yes, some good (maybe even great) work falls through the gaps, but a lot more dross is filtered out by agents and publishers. You yourself have shown that with your break downs of what you request vs. what you are sent. The ratio is daunting. I don't want to have to become a part-time slush/review reader simply so I can find a decent novel to read — with everything else in my life, I don't have time for it.
I appreciate the optimistic take on things, but given your well-documented love for e-books & readers already, I think your glasses still have a little too much rose tinting in them. (But that's not to say that mine don't have an over-abundance of cloudy gray in them, either. 🙂
I'd second that, but it looks like many others beat me to it. So I 44th it.
Amen and man, I love your glass half full attitude. So refreshing.
douglas-
I don't believe that e-readers are always going to be so expensive that they're out of reach. Every new technology starts as a luxury item until costs come down to an affordable place, at which time they become ubiquitous. I think you'll see kids getting them at school instead of texbooks and smart phones will have a much higher penetration than they do now.
Technology gets cheaper, and I think this transition is going to happen sooner rather than later. Books won't disappear, but I wouldn't assume things will always be as they are now.
Cell phones used to be a luxury – now, according to Wikipedia, 97% of everyone in the developed world has one.
That post is like a breath of fresh, reassuring air – much needed air. Thanks!
Douglas Hulick –
I picture e-reading devices of the future being something like the floppy electronic readers in the TV show, ANDROMEDA – they look like plastic sheets the size of a sheet of paper, and look cheap enough to be thrown away. I also think there could eventually be "hologram" books, devices through which tiny holograms pop up and read the story to you, way beyond audio books.
Well said, there are an awful lot of opportunities for writers and the internet has leveled the playing field quite nicely. Still, the great American novel is not an everyday event, but for those, who are just freelancing and making a living, there is a lot going on. Things could be worse. You could be an autoworker.
I knew there was a reason I liked you.
Right you are, it is a great time, in spite of the roar of gnashing teeth.
Also: the kids (even in elementary school) are already using on-line textbooks. Translating that to e-readers is inevitable and could easily pump some $$ into the system to keep it off life support.
And I'm intrigued by the idea that "other" options will open up to readers to help them sort through the supposed "dreck". I can imagine websites, bloggers, but what else could it be? On-line bookstores that acts as imprints by filtering?