It’s How I Write week here on the blog as we gear up for the release of JACOB WONDERBAR on May 12th. Monday: How I Write. Tuesday: How I Edit. Wednesday: My Query Letter and How I Found an Agent. Today: Why I Chose a Traditional Publisher. Friday: This Week in Books
Please stick around!
One of the more common questions I receive in interviews and the like is this one: You have a blog, you were in the business by virtue of being a former literary agent, why didn’t you self-publish? Why didn’t you do it on your own? Couldn’t you have made more money self-publishing?
I know there are lots of people out there asking themselves whether they should go through the potentially months- or years-long finding-an-agent-and-then-a-publisher process or just get right to it and self-publish. But I decided to go the traditional route with Penguin for a two book deal (JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW and JACOB WONDERBAR FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSE), and I’m very pleased to announce today that we finalized a third, tentatively titled JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE INTERSTELLAR TIME WARP!!
So why did I choose a traditional publisher? Many many reasons.
They are…
My Editor is Amazing
Having a professional editor in your corner is indispensable, and here’s the part where I give heap tons of well-deserved praise on my amazing editor, Kate Harrison, who understood and believed in WONDERBAR from the start. Kate has a ton of experience, I trust her instincts and editorial eye, and she is deeply committed to making every book as good as it can possibly be.
We went through pretty extensive revisions for COSMIC SPACE KAPOW, and I think they resulted in a much stronger book.
I Don’t Have Time to be a Self-Published Author
I have a very full-time job that I am deeply committed to and a blog that takes up a good chunk of my free time. I don’t have time to hire an editor, hire a copyeditor, hire an illustrator, hire a cover artist, buy ISBNs, make sure the formatting is right for all the various editions, choose trim size, write cover copy, and all of the other seven billion tasks that go into making a book.
I write, I do the bloggy things, I do the Twitter and the Facebook, and Penguin handles the making-of-the-book thing. Better still? Penguin does a fabulous job. I love my illustrator, I love my cover, the interior looks amazing. They did a way better job at all of that than I could have done on my own.
Print is Still Where It’s At, Especially for Children’s Books
Yes, this balance will continue to change as we move into the e-book world. But as I articulated in a post a few months back, this is still a print world. Even with the exponential rise of e-books we’re still somewhere between 65-80% print, and perhaps even a bit more for children’s books. Parents aren’t exactly rushing out to buy their 8-12 year-olds e-readers.
That may well change in the next five years. But for now? Print is still where it’s at. And if you want to get into bookstores you need a publisher.
I Appreciate Penguin’s Cachet
A few years back I honestly don’t know that the average consumer really knew the difference between a traditionally published and self-published book. If it was bound it was a book. Who cares what name was on the spine?
Now though, in the past year or two I feel like I’ve noticed a subtle change. People will hear I have a book coming out and I’ll see them squint, and they’ll say cautiously, “Oh, really? Who’s it with?” Then when I say Penguin the reaction is different.
This isn’t to take anything away from self-published authors, many of whom are really really great writers and who I know are very hard at work bucking that skepticism. It’s nothing personal at all, I just think being associated with an established brand helps.
An Advance
Yes, in the long run maybe I could have made more money self-publishing. Then again, maybe I couldn’t. Maybe I would have made ten bucks. Who knows.
But hey. When you get an advance you can literally take it to the bank.
And finally…
I Believe in the Traditional Publishing Process
Having worked in publishing I have a deep appreciation for the professionalism of publishers. They are in the book-making trenches. They know what works, they love words, they are eating, sleeping and breathing books.
Now, I don’t think the traditional publishing process is for everyone, and I don’t consider myself an advocate for either traditional or self-publishing. But for me? When my writing career is getting started? I really appreciate having a professional editor who is invested in the outcome of my book. I appreciate the expertise of the designers and the marketers and the sales team and all the people who help make the process work smoothly.
As I alluded to in some recent interviews, traditional publishing is a collaborative process. The author doesn’t have total control. I’m okay with that, in fact I appreciate it and I think it’s resulted in a better book than I could have produced on my own. Other authors may want more autonomy. It’s important to know who you are.
JACOB WONDERBAR is available for sale at:
Amazon!
Barnes & Noble!
Books-a-Million!
Borders!
Indiebound!
Powell’s!
Lucinda Bilya says
Again, Nathan, you wow us with your sharing and comments.
Although the "self" publishing is on the rise (almost seems in a race with the e-books), I am not tempted.
By jumping through those fiery hoops to get traditionally published, we learn a lot on how to perfect the craft.
I pinned your blog link to both my blog and my website.
leadlinedalias says
An honest and well reasoned defense of traditional publishing without deriding the self-publishing route Thank you Nathan.
Anonymous says
Great post! For the exact reasons you listed is why I choose to go tradtional.I have nothing against self pub but I don't have what it takes to make it work.
Mr. D says
Self-published? Not for me either. But kudos to the people who made it work for them.
Dorota says
Great post and many great points, but I wonder, would you have still chosen the traditional route if you went through years of rejection letters from traditional publishers and agents? I ask this presuming that, having been a literary agent, you were that much closer to the publishing world, and had that many more contacts to help get you to the right person that could offer you the right deal.
Domino says
I agree with you on all fronts, and I think the point about e-readers not being significant in the middle grade market is especially apt.
When I was a middle school teacher (up until last year) I never saw one in the hands of my hundreds of students. Not one. I know they're on the rise, and there may be some parents who give their old kindles to their kids when they upgrade to Ipads, but I don't see this as having a large penetration any time soon.
Then again, if your book becomes the next The Lightning Thief, I imagine you will get e-book sales to older readers. But they're not likely to be your initial readers.
Anonymous says
This all makes perfect sense, and I agree about print and kids' books…except my eight year old has coopted my kindle, and my 10 year old regularly reads on my iPad (the library looks hilarious, as do my Amazon, "we thought you'd be interested in [blank]" emails.
For awhile the 10 year old said she liked the feel of a book, but what she meant was she didn't like the kindle–she loves the iPad and how a page looks like a page.
But the real reason they love the e-readers? They're super fast readers and they go through books like crazy and they like being in bed, finishing a book and being able to get the next one right away. (Also, perhaps their parents say yes more quickly than when they have the psychological experience of handing over money or a credit card in person!)
So I think this will shift, sooner, as the prices come down on the readers.
So…can my 8 year old get your book on "his" kindle?? 🙂
Aaron Pogue says
Those are a lot of good reasons. I feel like people personally connected to the traditional publishing industry have a lot of reasons to stay with it.
Since I didn't have that relationship, most of your reasons didn't apply in my situation. The only one I was really concerned about was the time investment of self-publishing that you mentioned. And it was some real work on my first book out the gate.
The good news, though, is that it's all reusable information. High initial cost, but with each new book you release it takes less and less of a (time) investment. That exchange has really worked out for me.
anon 7:28 says
Domino, it's almost like my email was a response to yours, even though I was typing as you posted!
Yes, I handed off the kindle when I got the ipad. But my kids all have their hands on the iPad, too. I would never let her take it to school, so maybe kids are reading on it at home and teachers don't see it?
Anonymous says
Insiders may want to know who published the book. The general public could care less.
Chris Phillips says
I like your point about print for children's books. Another thing to consider in addition to parents not wanting to buy ebooks (most will eventually) is that school libraries will be the slowest to convert, because school districts are cheaper than parents will ever be.
WriterzLife says
Yes, sir. It is indeed still a print world. even wonder how whenever someone says "paperless" you have to fill out 10 forms to get it?
Nathan Bransford says
anon@7:38-
I disagree, average people know Penguin. That's why I say Penguin and not Dial, which is the imprint at Penguin. Insiders know Dial, outsiders know Penguin.
Barbara Watson says
Thank you for your insight. From someone who knows the business like you do, this background is more than helpful.
Nathan Bransford says
anon@7:28
Yep, it will be available on the Kindle!
Munk says
I agree with your decision on the strength of having an editor alone. Having a trusted partner with similar goals and a unique perspective is paramount.
Stephanie McGee says
Congratulations on the new deal!
And pretty much everything you said here is why I'm willing to endure that agent search as long as it takes.
Felicity says
I really appreciate this series, Nathan. This kind of inside info is so helpful. Thanks!
Britt* says
A well written and informative account of your decision. You make some vaild points without making self publishing seem negative. Kudos!
Brittany Lavin says
A well written and informative account of your decision. You make some vaild points without making self publishing seem negative. Kudos!
Barbara Kloss says
Everything you listed is why I'm trying the traditional route. The team you get to work with. That level of professionalism/talent is invaluable! That being said, if I'm not so fortunate as you, I'll probably bite the bullet and hire the editor, cover artist, etc., and self-pub. And, consequently, there goes my time.
Also, that was a well-said account of why you chose the traditional route, without putting down the other.
I'm so glad you use free time to blog – your posts are ALWAYS so informative and helpful!
Nancy Lauzon says
Hi Nathan – if an author has a chance to be published traditionally, especially with a first novel, it's definitely the way to go, in my opinion. To already have a connection to the publishing industry is a huge plus, obviously. Some could argue it's a necessity.
The challenge for a newbie is finding that great editor and/or agent. You can't get near the Big Pubs without an agent. An agent doesn't want to know you if you don't have an editor. There are a lot of fantastic writers whose books will never be given that chance, because publishers are looking less and less to nurture new authors and build their careers, as they are looking for the next celebrity author or the next great breakout novel, i.e. Harry Potter or Twilight. That's fine, but it doesn't leave a lot of room for midlist authors. I've spoken to a lot of writers who equate getting a publishing contract to winning the lottery.
I gave myself 10 years to perfect my craft and try to find a traditional publisher (i.e. New York). After 5 years I copped out and went with small press which gave me really ugly covers that I hated, and got me nowhere in terms of distribution.
Self-publishing saved my career and gave me a third option. I was tired of being rejected even though I know my novels are as good or better than what's out there. I have to believe that or what's the point? So now I'm back in the driver's seat and selling books again. I did my own covers and I'm proud of my product.
I also believe traditional publishers will eventually be forced to go digital (paperless is the way of the future, whether we like it or not) and then it will become a financial question. Who will give me a larger percentage of my book sales – a traditional publisher or me? But that's another story.
So for anyone out there who's tired of being told 'your novel doesn't fit in with our plans', take the reins and make your own plans. Sure, it's hard work, but the 'hard' is what makes it great.
Francis Tuohy says
Interesting topic as usual. You put point accross politely, but essentily I would imagine that 90% of writers who self publish get rejected by traditional publishers rather than do the rejecting. Traditional publishing is the blue ribbon, and I know that there are lots of good books that might slip through the cracks, but i doubt many great books do.
Bar the exceptional, those whose work is not "good enough," self publish.
Anonymous says
Nathan, totally off point, but do you think you'll write a book for adults in the future? I know you have sort of literary leanings and I'm just curious if you feel a pull to write something for that market?
D.G. Hudson says
Thanks for the explanation of why you chose the trad publishing method. The more we know, the better we can make our own choices.
Can't disagree with your reasons, but I really like the last comment:It's important to know who you are. And, it's important to know what you are capable of accomplishing.
Your honesty is appreciated.
Lexi says
Dorota got there before me.
Surely the elephant in the room has to be that an agent of Nathan's stature, should he write a book, will have little or no difficulty getting a publishing deal?
Two things fuel the self-publishing boom; the new technology, and the sad fact that excellent books by non-celebrities without connections frequently fail to find a publisher.
Erik says
It's rare to see a fair and balanced blog on this subject. Nice work. Writers just need to sit back and look at the pros and cons of trad vs. self and do what makes sense. I made the decision to self-pub last month and I couldn't be happier! That's not true. I'd be happier if my sales were quintupled, but you get the point.
Nathan Bransford says
Mira-
Actually it's more like 15% after commission. But I'm willing to make that tradeoff.
anon-
The first novel I wrote was actually an adult novel, so I wouldn't rule it out. But I really feel like I found my voice writing for children so I see myself writing kids books for the foreseeable future.
lexi-
Is it really an elephant? I'm not going to say I didn't have some advantage, but if all it took was being an agent the first book I wrote would have sold.
Mira says
Nathan,
Well, the math of 15% of 25% escapes me, so I'm just going to say 10%. And I know you were willing to make that trade-off. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't have your eyes very wide open and know what you were doing. I phrased that poorly, and am thinking of deleting the post and trying again later tonight.
D.G. Hudson says
@Nancy Lauzon – I like your attitude. Never give up. Just try something different.
Sounds like good advice to me.
mmshaunakelley says
Natahn, I love this and am so glad you posted it! I have been mulling over self publishing my second book (I actually talked about it on my blog a few weeks ago at http://www.mmshaunakelley.blogspot.com), and ultimately decided not to go that route. I recognize the expertise and resources that come with a traditional publisher (I LOVE my publisher on my first novel), and I think that is the best case for many authors like us (with very full time jobs) to see their book as a success.
Caroline says
Very eloquent, Nathan! I think you encapsulated my thoughts on the traditional vs self-published debate. I personally feel like I would consider myself more of a success if my novel makes it into print. I don't do this for money–I do it for the satisfaction of knowing that I have contributed something of merit.
Rebecca Stroud says
First of all, congratulations to you, Nathan. I'm sure you must be happier than a monkey in space.:-)
That said, and despite the fact that you no doubt had an advantage in the traditional publishing process, I'm reading a book now by a very well-known author, published by Simon & Schuster. And, Lord, the typos!
So it's very frustrating and disappointing to be rejected time and again when you know your work is clean and solid. Ergo, after only a few efforts, I chose to self-publish (not POD). I did my own editing (I'm a former journalist), my own covers, etc. Yes, marketing is a bitch. But at least I'm seeing results vs. waiting in that "please accept me" limbo most unknown authors are relegated to…for years.
Bottom line: Every writer is different so whatever path we choose to take, I wish all of us the best.
Nathan Bransford says
Rebecca-
Spoiler: there are typos in my book. It happens.
Anonymous says
I believe most would choose traditional publishing given the choice. I too would like to dab a little of Penguin's cachet behind my ears. However, we unknown, unconnected writers are quickly realizing that taking the traditional path to readers is on par with counting on winning the lottery to pay the bills. I'll buy a lottery ticket and cross my fingers now and again, but I know saving those dollars for a good editor is a much better bet.
Rebecca Stroud says
Nathan – Sure, I realize that mistakes are made. Just seems to happen more & more in recent years. So I do get a bit annoyed when I hear ad nauseam about the superior vetting process of trad publishers. Good example: My self-pubbed novel of 40K words had only a few errors (which I fixed) vs. the novel I mentioned had over three in one paragraph…and there's no correcting print once it hits the press.
Again, I'm not advocating one way or another. Just be careful what you wish for, I guess…
Livia says
Random question, if you don't mind my asking. I'm curious, since you were also an agent, about contrast negotiations. Were there any terms going in that would have been a dealbreaker for you, or that you wanted to make sure you had?
Anonymous says
Any chance you'll share the query for the book that didn't sell? 🙂
Even if not, do you think there is anything to be learned there, or do you think the query had nothing to do with the result? This one is so good, and knowing something about how you write and your experience, I just have to believe that the adult novel query was pretty fricking good, too.
Mark Cecil says
hey nathan….thanks for this post, and all the posts this week. super informative, as usual. great stuff.
question: are you nervous? how do you feel? will you be watching how much your book sells once it launches? how many books would you like to sell? just curious how you're feeling and what your expectations sa the big day looms….
Nathan Bransford says
livia-
I knew pretty much what was going to be in the agreement because I was familiar with Penguin's boilerplate, so there weren't any dealbreakers for me.
anon-
Thanks for your confidence! I won't be sharing that query because I have a thing about sharing projects before they're fully baked. That novel was based on an ambitious idea but I wasn't skilled enough to pull it off.
Mark-
No, not nervous! Sort of dazed, busy and excited. I have been strenuously avoiding expectations of any kind. I'll be keeping tabs on things but I'm not living and dying by how it does. Just having it out there is reward enough.
Domino says
Hey I've got a question:
How do you track sales, anyway? Do publishers provide numbers? How often?
I have a published play, and I get a statement every six months. That's the only way I know how it's doing.
Nathan Bransford says
domino-
Publishers will sometimes provide sales numbers, but for the most part you know official sales from royalty statements. Nowadays though Amazon offers Bookscan numbers through Author Central, which doesn't rack all sales but gives a partial snapshot.
Kristin Laughtin says
You might have time to be a self-published author, just not a good one, or likely a very successful one. (Well, you might do better than most. This blog gives you a lot of name recognition.)
But I can understand your reasoning, as many of your reasons are mine as well (and, I suspect, this hold true for many of your other readers).
Has your book sold in any other countries? That alone would seem a good reason to have an agent handle your career.
Nathan Bransford says
kristin-
It has! It should be published in Spain in the fall.
J. T. Shea says
JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE INTERSTELLAR TIME WARP? Good, but JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE INTERSTELLAR TIME WARP AND THE VACATIONING ALIENS FROM ANOTHER PLANET WITH ADDED SPACE MONKEYS would be better. If the cover is big enough.
Publishers eating books!? Rice paper perhaps? Yet another argument against e-books. Just try eating a Kindle.
I'm not so sure about publisher recognition. Some readers may think your books are published by a Batman villain.
Anyone who's figured out who Gordon is can have more fun guessing what Mira's first question was.
Seriously, Nathan, many thanks for this excellent series of posts.
Natalie Aguirre says
Your reasons are all great for why to go with traditional publishing. I also have a full time job and blog. Like you, I wouldn't have the time to market and design a self published book.
Just got my copy of your book in the mail. Can't wait to start it as soon as I finish what I'm reading.
Jim Thomsen says
Nathan, you cite have a professional editor as a reason to traditionally publish … and you seem to imply that self-published authors can't have that. Well, they sure can … from the ranks of many fine editors who have been laid off from publishing houses in recent years precisely because many choose not to pay for top-tier editing any longer. I have many friends who have hooked up with Big Six refugees for developmental and copy editing, for very reasonable prices, and get quality work that's every bit the equal of what you say you're getting. Not all the best editors work for publishing houses.
Caroline Starr Rose says
Yes to every single one of these, plus the insight and wisdom of the art dept., publicity, and all those behind-the-scenes people I know nothing about.
I can't imagine doing this alone. My work would be ridiculous without the prodding and encouragement of my editor. And then getting the story out into the world without backing? No thanks.
Jim Thomsen says
What backing? Two weeks of co-op placement (maybe) before your book is remaindered and pulped? Before the book is closed on you and your sales potential … and thus your future in traditional publishing?
Really, all we're talking about is a difference in how professionals are paid. In self-publishing, authors hire out all these services themselves. In traditional publishing, the publisher arranges for these services … and then recoups the cost, plus the cost of your advance, before the earn-out threshold is reached and any royalties paid.
It really all boils down to paying now … or paying later.
Marcia Richards says
I respect your reasons for going with traditional publishing and maybe in the world of children's books it is best. But I'm hearing a lot about how publishers are leary of taking a chance on a 1st time author. I know the process can take an awfully long time as well. An advance for a newbie is very small, too. I have the free time to devote to self publishing and would like to see my book in print within a year of beginning to write it. You're right about the fact that it may be a toss-up as to which route will yield the most income. Good luck with your new book and hope sales are high!