Controversial Changes
There are some changes in publishing.
First, Christian publisher Thomas Nelson is partnering with Author Solutions in a new venture called WestBow Press. This will be Thomas Nelson's self-publishing arm. You can read some details at Writer Beware!.
Now I've just found out that Harlequin is a part of a new press called Harlequin Horizons. There's some talk about whether it's a Vanity or Self-publisher. Lots of talk, actually. Check out Dear Author for a short post about this, and then in the comments a Harlequin representative answered some questions.
As a capitalist, I think these publishers are innovative and smart to do this. As a writer, I'm concerned. These are new territories and it'll be interesting to see where publishing heads.
What do you think about these traditional publishers using traditional names for their self-publishing ventures? How about agents receiving referral fees? Do you think these changes will really affect those of us who are aiming for traditional publishing?
First, Christian publisher Thomas Nelson is partnering with Author Solutions in a new venture called WestBow Press. This will be Thomas Nelson's self-publishing arm. You can read some details at Writer Beware!.
Now I've just found out that Harlequin is a part of a new press called Harlequin Horizons. There's some talk about whether it's a Vanity or Self-publisher. Lots of talk, actually. Check out Dear Author for a short post about this, and then in the comments a Harlequin representative answered some questions.
As a capitalist, I think these publishers are innovative and smart to do this. As a writer, I'm concerned. These are new territories and it'll be interesting to see where publishing heads.
What do you think about these traditional publishers using traditional names for their self-publishing ventures? How about agents receiving referral fees? Do you think these changes will really affect those of us who are aiming for traditional publishing?
Comments
Paying to have your book published and being paid to have your book published are two very different things.
RWA was right to remove Harlequin from it's list of conference eligible publishers. It's RWA's job to watch out for it's members and that's what they did with that move.
Thanks for commenting, Kristen!
~ Wendy
Blessings to you!
Cherie
I guess we'll have to see how it plays out.
I'm not sure either, Cherie.
Megan, it does seem to be a little shady to me too. They have their right to do business how they want, but I wonder if this is going to open some doors for smaller companies to grow?
I'm not sure how I feel about all this stuff. Just did some quick reading of the links you provided, and it sounds like they're trying to do what they think is best...But I agree with Megan - it'll be important to be informed.
Well, with self-pubbing, which is what you did (I think) you own all the rights to your book, you make all the decisions, and you get (I believe) all the royalties.
Vanity is different because the author pays for their book to be pubbed but they also pay the publisher a percentage of royalties.
As authors, we type our fingers to the bone and work our substantial tushies off to develop and hone our craft and grow to the place where we're finally ready to enter the world of publishing. Handing out discount coupons or free passes to enter negates the importance of the work we've done to get there.
Don't stone me, please. It's just my opinion, and I believe I'm still allowed to express it. :-)
Sandie
I actually agree with you and with RWA's stance. I really think this is going to change things and that there might be a backlash from writers that may have negative consequences for both Nelson and Harlequin. Not sure though...
Book publishing is a business. I think it's chancy. There is risk involved whether a writer self-publishes or is published by an established company.
Hi Kathy, I don't have anything against self-publishing either. Vanity pubbing is different. A little more deceitful, I think. I didn't know that about Wizard of Oz. Very cool!
Sarah, I was wondering what ACFW loops might have to say. Good for you for your attitude! I totally agree that it's our own work that matters.
On the one hand Kudos, to the RWA for taking the stance they did. On the other hand Publishing is a business and all business cares about is money. Adding self publishing is another avenue to make money. I can't blame them there.
Like you, as a writer, I wonder what these changes mean for publishing in the future. Are we heading towards an age where new writers may have to start shelling out money to get that first book out there? Will publishers who reject newbie authors, offer self publishing to get that first book out? Will the trend follow suit to Agents and Editors? Will we start seeing Book Doctoring as a requirement to publishing? Who knows.
How is this any different from an agent who says "I can't take your ms on right now, because it needs editing. Here's an editorial service you should try, then get back to me." and, lo and behold, the agent owns the editorial service?
My concern with their new imprint and RWA's recent standpoint on it is that now all authors published under any of Harlequin's myriad of imprints won't be looked at as legit, simply because of the vanity press.
I can understand RWA's new stance but to extend that to the other traditional imprints under Harlequin is ridiculous. I mean, isn't that where most romance writers are published, at least under an imprint of Harlequin? A good number of authors are Harlequin published--what, are they now "illegitimate" because of it?
Argh. I'm slightly peeved about this whole thing. From both sides, really. Ticked mostly at Harlequin for doing the vanity press thing and ticked at RWA for lumping all Harlequin imprints together.
Hopefully things get better after the dust settles...
As to the self-pub branches of these two big companies, they are in it for the money. They just try to make it look like it's for the author's advantage.
Jennifer Shirk did a post on this today, too.
Jen
Audience of ONE
I'm seeking traditional publishing for my WIP...
I'd also like to point out that there's a diff. between self-pubbing and vanity-publishers. With self-pubbing, the writer gets 100% of the royalties when their books sell. With vanity, not only does said writer PAY to have their books printed, but they also have to give a cut of their sales to the publisher. Very shady.
There's a saying we all should know at this point: "Money flows TO the writer." That's the way this business is supposed to work; and even if the writer chooses to self pub, they're basically just paying for printing, paper, and book-cover fees because they don't have the printing press and equipment to do it themselves. But the money from the sales flows to them. For Harlequin to choose to join forces with a vanity press?? That's foul and fain.
On an even more unsettling note, the company that Harlequin signed with is Author Solutions, one and the same that Thomas Nelson signed with. This is going to cause a lot of flack ... people pointing out that the Christian Market should be above taking advantage of writers like that.
The whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Bleck.
Years ago, I worked with stock analysts, who talked about the risk/reward of companies. Are publishers looking to put the risk squarely on the writers' shoulders, while they take the rewards?
Blessings,
Susan
That's what I get for not reading ALL of the comments before I go spouting off. Heh.
Good job, lady moderator. :-)
Susan, I really hope not. If that happens, well, thank goodness for technology. It may be that we'll have to pay for our own books and do all the marketing ourselves but then we'll get all the royalties too. I'd still prefer for traditional to remain the same though.
Nancy, that's what we want writers to know, but unfortunately most new writers don't realize that. And now I think publishers may be muddying that knowledge for newbies.
MaryBeth, leery is a good word, imo.
Katie, wow, I hope that book doctoring requirement never happens. *shudder* Who knows though, with the advent of all this technology, where publishing will lead. I think the comparisons to the music industry are pretty good.
Jennifer, it's definitely about the money.
Me too, Kristen. I'd rather stick with traditional to.
Patti, you're right, there's no credibility in self-publishing for a fiction writer. For a non-fiction writer, the credibility comes from the platform. That's why self-pubbing works for non-fiction writers. But fiction, it's just paying for your words to be in print.
Dara, although I agree with RWA for condemning harlequin's shady venture, I'm not sure why they've lumped everything together. There probably is a reason, but I think it's a pretty risky move for them to make considering that many romance writers are harlequin authors.
Hey Jeanette, the referral fees seem unethical to me. If an agent does want to refer someone, I think in their letter they need to state that they're being paid to do so. Heh. For some reason I didn't see Jennifer's post in my dashboard. I'll go check it out.
:-)
Terresa, my gut is feeling funny too. LOL
BTW, Jessica, I'd love you as my neighbour. Think of the brainstorming story chats we could have over tea and pumpkin spice scones. Oh, to dream!
I think that will definitely happen with Harlequin. I'm kind of relieved that Steeple Hill has a different name. Until I tried to look up the publisher online, I had no clue they were affiliated with Harlequin.
Your welcome, Genny!
I agree, Deb. Change isn't necessarily bad, but this just seems shady.
I do know publishers need to re-think how they do business, same as booksellers will have to....it'll be interesting to see how things progress. I hope us authors are not trampled upon (even more) in the process!
So- I actually think many more writers are turning to selfpublishing/vanity cuz they can get their work out there, but many more READERS are looking to the major publishers now to work as someone who can tell them that YES-this novel REALLY is worth reading-and we've read it, scrutinized it, and published it because it's good. Of course, most writers are aware that the publishing industry ISN'T the objective, wise mode of book judgment we hope it is many times(hello, 'Twilight'!), so that's a stumbling block in it. I'll be interested in seeing where everything goes in the industry.
But- It all just makes me MORE likely to look for traditional publishing so that my writing-if published- does not come under AS MUCH doubt as the self-published/ vanity writers. :)
I agree with you about books though. While the average reader probably doesn't pay too much attention to publishers, I do think they'll still be looking for traditionally pubbed books, once they realize stuff.