The first question you need to ask yourself as a writer is, “Why am I writing?” says Jared Kuritz, Co-President of Strategies, during his presentation, “Publishing with a Purpose.” The answer to this question will help you determine your publishing needs.
Jared offers writers 4 reasons, and it’s important to select the one that best fits you.
1) For a personal reason. Is it an extension of journaling?
2) For posterity. For example a grandparent writing for his grandchildren or a CEO writing for his employees.
3) For professional reasons. To augment your existing business.
4) Writing for profit. To make a living at it.
Your answer to, “Why am I writing?” will determine your publishing goals.
Jared covered traditional publishing, Cooperative publishing, Self publishing, Vanity publishing and print on demand (POD).
This post will highlight the points Jared made on traditional publishing, that I found useful and interesting.
With the traditional BIG publishers, 96-97% of all books FAIL. What kind of a business can succeed with such a high failure rate? “It’s the Stephen Kings and J.K. Rowlings that carry those publishers,” Jared said. The pro’s are that the publisher absorbs all the costs, and the initial and ongoing publishing duties, for example sending your books to book events where you have decided to promote your own book. The con’s are that you, the author have no control over any publishing decisions, and that you have to buy books from your publisher for PR, unless you’ve negotiated say 500 or so books specifically for promotion in your contract. Otherwise any book you need, you’ll have to pay the publisher 60% of the cover price.
In general on a cover price of $20.00, the bookstore gets $8-$11 (40-55%), the distributor gets $3.40-$7.00 (17-35%), the publisher $4.40-$9.00 (22-45%), the agent ($0.24-$0.36) and the author nets $1.36-$2.04
I know most writers are aware of all these layers and how, with the traditional big publishers, authors are at the bottom of the totem pole. What I had not heard of myself is that many mid-size to small publishers are offering Cooperative Publishing. I shall let you know what Jared Kuritz, said about this new trend in my next post.
How would you answer, “Why am I writing?”
Another thing I’d love to have you share with us, and I shall post it with a link to your blog in my next post, is your book synopsis in 25 words. I worked on mine, and shall post it next time as it helps determine your publishing goals.
Rob-bear says
Given the four options, I blog primarily for the first — personal reasons. Reflection, community-building, care and compassion — things like that.
I also blog professionally — but not to augment my business. In that case, it’s an opportunity to share ideas with professional colleagues — primarily ethicists, but also people in related fields.
As an established, award-winning journalist, I can (and do) get money from other kinds of writing.
The 25 word synopsis of my unwritten book: Many people live with chronic pain which is “poorly managed” — that’s an ethical problem. How do we come to a better ethical solution?
GutsyWriter says
Rob-bear,
Thanks for your comment and your 25 word synopsis which I shall place with others, in my next post.
Kelli Nørgaard says
I write because I need to. THe thoughts whirl in my head and then it is my fingers´ jobs to figure out how to get those out on paper (or the screen). If I do not, my brain will become this whirling mass of confusion… :o)
25 words: “Most foreigners move to a new place, expecting adventures, but what they find is a place totally different from home. Then they get upset.Why?”
LadyFi says
I’d like to hear more about Co-operative Publishing! Sounds interesting…
Dave King says
I write to discover a little bit more about myself and what I think.
Andrea says
Great post…my book is still just a dream so I can’t include a synopsis but loved how this post made me think about writing. Thanks!! 🙂
Jody Hedlund says
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment! I love to connect with other writers and enjoyed reading your side note about yourself. Your memoir sounds like it will be heart-wrenching!
I was trying to figure out why I write, which of the four categories I would fit within. I’m not sure if I can neatly put myself into one. But perhaps if I could slice myself in half, I’d say I’m writing for personal and profit reasons. I love it but am driven to be published too.
Thanks for your post!
Shirley says
Right now, I am writing to learn the genre of my choice (memoir) and to reach a community of like-minded readers and writers. Here is the synopsis of a book in progress:
As a Mennonite, I grew up with my nose pressed against the window of the world. From birth to college, 1948-1966, I became a conservative-rebel, proud-humble, deep-wide bundle of opposites ready to pioneer a new path.
K. B. Keilbach says
Having just had a book published, I can vouch for your numbers with traditional publishing. Although they take care of all aspects of printing the book and have the capacity to distribute it to a national audience, the profit margins are very small.
I am currently working with the owner of a language school in Southern California to develop a book which we will self-publish and sell to a very niche market. The margins are better. However, we will be responsible for all of the printing and distributing; and that takes time.
Although I write for personal reasons, writing is also my bread-and-butter; so I am always looking for ways to improve my profits.
Your allusion to cooperative publishing is intriguing. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
Crimogenic says
I like to say that I write for personal satisfaction, but that wouldn’t be completely truth. I hope it could make me a buck too.
Lady Glamis says
I write to share, plain and simple. I like the rewards of entertaining those around me, and for sharing something beautiful I have created.
Synopsis For Monarch:
Fighting for his life from terrorists in the South American jungle, a double-crossed CIA officer heads to the mountains of West Virginia, prey to an even larger battle: the one for his heart.
GutsyWriter says
Kelli,
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and have to write?
LadyFi,
I shall talk about it tomorrow morning.
Dave King,
That’s also a great way.
Andrea,
Thanks. I think we can all motivate one another.
Jody,
You’re right. Many writers fit into more than one category. I do too.
Shirley,
Love your synopsis.
K.B. Keilbach,
Congrats on your newly published book. I shall post about cooperative publishing tomorrow.
Crimogenic,
I think many writers would love to sell a book. Good luck. Do you have a 25 word synopsis to share? I shall post it with a link.
GutsyWriter says
Lady Glamis,
You have a fantastic synopsis.
Lori Tiron-Pandit says
I find it very hard to look at writing from the business perspective. I am afraid it would pervert me and would ruin the free spirit that helps the words come under my fingers.
I think that although all of us would love to be able to support ourselves from writing, this is nobody primary reason to do it.
Thanks for this post. I was not aware of those numbers. Very interesting.
Remy says
Writing, like diagramming sentences, gives me an aerial perspective. I write to see the terrain.
Brenda says
I think I write because I like to, I also write to keep in contact with others.
No book in the works (yet), so no synopsis 🙂
Jungle Mom says
I write because I truly want to share with others some of my adventures.
Synopsis: Jungle Mom invites you along as she experiences adventure in the Amazon jungle living among a primitive tribe. It’s a wild ride!
GutsyWriter says
Jungle Mom,
Thanks for the synopsis. Shall post them later.