The Future of Publishing? SelfPublishing Novel Wins Major Literary Award
Written by Free Audio Books - Free audiobooks on April 2, 2009 – 7:07 am -That’s a headline we’ll be seeing more of in the future. The barrier erected by agents on behalf of publishers has come back to haunt them. In this instance we are talking about Carol Buchanan’s historical thriller God’s Thunderbolt: The Vigilantes of Montana which has already been reviewed by SPR. It just won the 2009 Spur Award for Best New Novel.
This begs the question, where was Amazon.com? Carol’s book is produced by BookSurge, which they own, and they are the only easily accessible source for most of the nation. Carol has done a few book events in her native Montana, but, like most first novelists, she has had to do her own promotion. Still, a bookstore is supposed to sell books, and, until she posted that blog entry, there was no mention of it at either the Amazon.com page for the book or BookSurge itself.
And it can’t be found at any of the big chains. Perhaps at Hastings Entertainment where she has done a few signings. But everyone should buy and read this book, because it is a very good example of how a single author can prevail against the “no selfpublishing” prejudices that permeate the culture right now.
At least one major publisher in New York has stopped taking submissions of any kind because of the economic crisis. The feedback from the agents appointed to guard the walls of the industry castle says that fiction, in particular, is not wanted, especially from those without a track record. That means what? We’re on our own? Nothing new about that, but there is going to be a gaping hole in the product pipeline in 12 to 18 months, which we can fill. SelfPublishing online books.
selfpublishing
Tags: selfpublishing
Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments »
By GABixler on Apr 3, 2009 | Reply
Pointing my blog readers here! I think this is fantastic…good entry!
You mention Amazon, but I’d include all self-publishing agencies…they had better start marketing for their clients or their clients will quickly leave them behind!
Thanks for sharing this important info!
Glenda
By Melanie on Apr 3, 2009 | Reply
That’s great that Carol won the Spur Award! Good writing is self-evident, and you certainly don’t need to be traditionally published to prove it. Carol is still the minority and I would love to see more polished self-published fiction, such as CHARLEY’S CHOICE by Fern J. Hill.
It’s good that there are more options now, but the fact remains that fiction represents a very low number in terms of book sales.
By Dan Smith on Apr 5, 2009 | Reply
My agency promotes many self-published books; there are many, many “hidden gems” out there.
By Rocky Wilson on Apr 6, 2009 | Reply
How do you get a review from SPR or other reviewers that will carry clout? I’ve already published one novel this year, SHARENE Death: A Prerequisite for Life, and plan to publish two more in 2009. Would there be any advantage to waiting to publish the third–historical fiction about Kent State University 1970–until we can self publish online?
By BelieversPress on Apr 9, 2009 | Reply
The reason the book is not available at big chains (or really anywhere except Amazon) is due to BookSurge’s trade distribution policies.
BookSurge sells books via Baker and Taylor (vs Ingram) on a non-returnable basis, which bookstores are generally not inclined to buy.
By C.C. Alick on Apr 10, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for opening my eyes.I’m about to publish my first novel, Dancing with the yamuwallis. Some of these comment have shown me that I would have to do some major marketing just to get this book to first base. If any of you have advice for me, pass it along. It’ll be appreciated.
By Liza on Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
I read your blog for quite a long time and must tell you that your posts always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.