This is an astounding public service for any creative: writers,artists, photographers etc. you’ve generously taken all that you’ve learned and passed it along to us. It’s surely been a massive amount of work to write this. Yet it’s so clear, simple and honest about the areas you might not have expertise in. You make me proud to be a human.
Leo Tolstoy began writing War and Peace in 1863 and initially published an early version serially in the magazine “The Russian Messenger” starting in 1865, under the title “1805.” This serialized publication continued until 1867.
Serialized novels were very much in fashion at the time. The French invented the "roman feuilleton" to sell more copies of their newspapers; authors like Eugène Sue or Frédéric Soulié later published their novels as books with huge success. And the German writer Karl May's novels, first published in magazines in the 1880s and 90s, to this day sold around 100 (!) million copies.
Great piece. One thing not mentioned is that if you sell on Amazon, they require you to not sell anywhere else for a cheaper price. I got burned by this as my book was on Amazon but also sold through Ingram. Somehow (I think through Ingram) Walmart picked it up and priced it at half the price on Amazon. Their bots noticed it and took it down will I revised the price. I was not able to control the price on WalMart nor find how they got it. We did raise the price on Ingram and after that Walmat increased the price (but not back to 100%).
This author has done humanity a service by this comprehensive but clearly written summary of Everything You Need to Know about publishing in today’s fragmented world. I was absorbed till the end but wanted to print—and there was a link to a PDF of the whole post. Ten kudos for that. The chart alone is worth paying for. And I won’t forget I found it on Substack.
After reading this wonderful post, my biggest question is — how do we round up those 1000 true fans? I’ve considered paying for services offered by various promoters on Substack, but I hesitate, not knowing if they can really deliver. They may be good at selling themselves, but can they sell me?
I'd be very careful with hiring promoters. I've done that in the past with several of my books and it never really did much, honestly. It's wiser, I think, to write the best book you can and reach out to book reviewers on Amazon, via Google and through Substack. There are many! I'm currently doing book reviews myself.
You are right to be cautious Melanie. 95% will take your money and accomplish little if anything. Some depends on what you write. If you happen to be at the center of a popular genre, they may work for you. Good luck
This all super helpful!! I especially love the mention of your two friends whose success began with digitally self-publishing short science fiction stories. I’ve done that with one of my short stories on my substack, but I want to do it with more and in a more formal way. My plan is to self publish a collection digitally, and do pop up shops in Washington Square park to sell lo-fi print copies that I print myself (honestly just for fun/connection, since I live in NYC). Appreciate this essay!
That's a great idea! Love it. And I miss NYC. (Living in Madrid now.) I recently self-published a short story collection. Definitely hard work trying to get it out there!!
Thank you for sharing this. I thought I replied on my phone, but it's a little cheapo that I don't have a good relationship with... I'm on my laptop now.
My stomach hurt the whole time I read this post. That's what happens when I think about marketing. It's terrifying. It reminds me of the time I tried to sell Avon when I was thirteen years old. We lived on a mountain. It was a long, hard, sweaty trek, and in the end, I lost all the money. However, you're right. I've downloaded the article and will brave more readings.
Excellent, detailed explanation of the many options. Well done and thank you.
Please can I add:
~ Only KDP SELECT (i.e. entering into KU) demands exclusivity with Amazon. Even then, that’s just the ebook. The paperback can still be produced with any of the wonderful printers you detailed.
~ I would also add the Draft2Digital option for ebooks.
I would always deselect their Amazon option and upload into KDP direct as then you can utilise the AMS (Amazon) ads.
But D2D distribute your ebook to all platforms such as Kobo and libraries.
Obviously, this is only if you’ve not chosen KDP Select.
But it’s a great way of keeping your book eggs in many baskets.
I have been hesitant to share parts my WIP, now see the benefit. Knowing it doesn’t have to be perfect really helps. Thanks for such great information!!!
Excellent summary in all details - well done, Kevin! I tried multiple routes myself over 25 years and confirm from at least a dozen books that the Advance paid is rarely exceeded by future royalties. For self-publishing you listed all principles while there are regional nuances like the early German pioneer BoD which arrived 9 years before KDP.
Wow. Thank you. I’m restacking. As an author with four books published by major houses, and a fifth currently with my agent, I read this article with fear in my gut. I want the old world back! How can I focus on my writing AND do all this other stuff? What if Tolstoy had to do all this other stuff? Yet, I know you are right. I look forward to learning from you. Again, thank you for sharing.
Very helpful. I run a regional art museum and we’ve been publishing our own catalogues for the last 5 years. We raise funds from donors and then sell and distribute ourselves.
Thank you for this informative article. I'm just beginning this journey to one day self publish. It looks like I'm on the right track.
It was so exciting to then find out you're the author of the 1k true fans theory. That theory inspired my art (haven't started that part) and changed my perspective of audience. I'll tag you when I finally move forward with this art piece🤫
Admittedly I didn't realize you didn't have to have a complete book written when shopping for agents. That's been somewhat of a hurdle for me as I would like to try trad publishing at least one book.
This is definitely required reading for anyone trying to navigate the landscape as of now.
this is only correct for non-fiction (where you dont have to have the book but have to have some standing, either in the academia, media or at least big social media following). it's the other way round with fiction, you don't need to be anybody but you need to have a whole book written.
This is an astounding public service for any creative: writers,artists, photographers etc. you’ve generously taken all that you’ve learned and passed it along to us. It’s surely been a massive amount of work to write this. Yet it’s so clear, simple and honest about the areas you might not have expertise in. You make me proud to be a human.
Thanks for putting this together.
Thanks so much for this !!!!
Yeah it's a good, helpful piece for sure.
Leo Tolstoy began writing War and Peace in 1863 and initially published an early version serially in the magazine “The Russian Messenger” starting in 1865, under the title “1805.” This serialized publication continued until 1867.
Serialized novels were very much in fashion at the time. The French invented the "roman feuilleton" to sell more copies of their newspapers; authors like Eugène Sue or Frédéric Soulié later published their novels as books with huge success. And the German writer Karl May's novels, first published in magazines in the 1880s and 90s, to this day sold around 100 (!) million copies.
Yep. Normal in the 19c. Dostoevsky, Dickens and Twain all serialized.
In fact Tolstoy originally called it ‘War, what is good for’. It was his mistress who suggested he call it ‘War and Peace’
Great piece. One thing not mentioned is that if you sell on Amazon, they require you to not sell anywhere else for a cheaper price. I got burned by this as my book was on Amazon but also sold through Ingram. Somehow (I think through Ingram) Walmart picked it up and priced it at half the price on Amazon. Their bots noticed it and took it down will I revised the price. I was not able to control the price on WalMart nor find how they got it. We did raise the price on Ingram and after that Walmat increased the price (but not back to 100%).
Yes! I had the same experience re Amazon vs Ingram. Frustrating.
Very interesting and insightful! Thanks for sharing.
This author has done humanity a service by this comprehensive but clearly written summary of Everything You Need to Know about publishing in today’s fragmented world. I was absorbed till the end but wanted to print—and there was a link to a PDF of the whole post. Ten kudos for that. The chart alone is worth paying for. And I won’t forget I found it on Substack.
After reading this wonderful post, my biggest question is — how do we round up those 1000 true fans? I’ve considered paying for services offered by various promoters on Substack, but I hesitate, not knowing if they can really deliver. They may be good at selling themselves, but can they sell me?
I'd be very careful with hiring promoters. I've done that in the past with several of my books and it never really did much, honestly. It's wiser, I think, to write the best book you can and reach out to book reviewers on Amazon, via Google and through Substack. There are many! I'm currently doing book reviews myself.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Michael.
You are right to be cautious Melanie. 95% will take your money and accomplish little if anything. Some depends on what you write. If you happen to be at the center of a popular genre, they may work for you. Good luck
Thank you, Mathew.
This all super helpful!! I especially love the mention of your two friends whose success began with digitally self-publishing short science fiction stories. I’ve done that with one of my short stories on my substack, but I want to do it with more and in a more formal way. My plan is to self publish a collection digitally, and do pop up shops in Washington Square park to sell lo-fi print copies that I print myself (honestly just for fun/connection, since I live in NYC). Appreciate this essay!
That's a great idea! Love it. And I miss NYC. (Living in Madrid now.) I recently self-published a short story collection. Definitely hard work trying to get it out there!!
Furreal, especially with a very different day job 😭 but onward and upward
Thank you for sharing this. I thought I replied on my phone, but it's a little cheapo that I don't have a good relationship with... I'm on my laptop now.
My stomach hurt the whole time I read this post. That's what happens when I think about marketing. It's terrifying. It reminds me of the time I tried to sell Avon when I was thirteen years old. We lived on a mountain. It was a long, hard, sweaty trek, and in the end, I lost all the money. However, you're right. I've downloaded the article and will brave more readings.
Excellent, detailed explanation of the many options. Well done and thank you.
Please can I add:
~ Only KDP SELECT (i.e. entering into KU) demands exclusivity with Amazon. Even then, that’s just the ebook. The paperback can still be produced with any of the wonderful printers you detailed.
~ I would also add the Draft2Digital option for ebooks.
I would always deselect their Amazon option and upload into KDP direct as then you can utilise the AMS (Amazon) ads.
But D2D distribute your ebook to all platforms such as Kobo and libraries.
Obviously, this is only if you’ve not chosen KDP Select.
But it’s a great way of keeping your book eggs in many baskets.
Yeah. For sure. I use D2D as well.
I have been hesitant to share parts my WIP, now see the benefit. Knowing it doesn’t have to be perfect really helps. Thanks for such great information!!!
Excellent summary in all details - well done, Kevin! I tried multiple routes myself over 25 years and confirm from at least a dozen books that the Advance paid is rarely exceeded by future royalties. For self-publishing you listed all principles while there are regional nuances like the early German pioneer BoD which arrived 9 years before KDP.
My eyes barely scanned the graphic and I’m already in a mix of “Holy fuck this is awesome” and “Holy fuck I need a break” lol
Sounds about right. Lotta work.
Wow. Thank you. I’m restacking. As an author with four books published by major houses, and a fifth currently with my agent, I read this article with fear in my gut. I want the old world back! How can I focus on my writing AND do all this other stuff? What if Tolstoy had to do all this other stuff? Yet, I know you are right. I look forward to learning from you. Again, thank you for sharing.
Very helpful. I run a regional art museum and we’ve been publishing our own catalogues for the last 5 years. We raise funds from donors and then sell and distribute ourselves.
Thank you for this informative article. I'm just beginning this journey to one day self publish. It looks like I'm on the right track.
It was so exciting to then find out you're the author of the 1k true fans theory. That theory inspired my art (haven't started that part) and changed my perspective of audience. I'll tag you when I finally move forward with this art piece🤫
Great information! As a first-time writer, this is everything I needed to start to have the faintest clue where to start. Thank you.
Admittedly I didn't realize you didn't have to have a complete book written when shopping for agents. That's been somewhat of a hurdle for me as I would like to try trad publishing at least one book.
This is definitely required reading for anyone trying to navigate the landscape as of now.
You do when it's fiction; for nonfiction a few chapters and a proposal work. (I worked for an agent.)
this is only correct for non-fiction (where you dont have to have the book but have to have some standing, either in the academia, media or at least big social media following). it's the other way round with fiction, you don't need to be anybody but you need to have a whole book written.