Why I Chose a Small Independent Publisher(s) and More
The "and more" refers to why I've chosen to remain with my small publishers and not jump off and go the self-publishing route as so many others have.
First, I was thrilled when Mundania Press agreed to pick up my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series after I lost the first two publishers. I'd met the publisher at several writing conferences and he had the know how and business sense I was looking for.
I met the publisher for Oak Tree Press also at a writing conference. In fact I met her several times before I approached her about publishing the next one up in my Rocky Bluff P.D. series. I parted ways with the first publisher, the second one published two books and then decided to retire. Approaching Oak Tree Press seemed the next logical stop.
Why did I make that choice and stick with it?
Number one, I don't want to learn how to do something new. Frankly, I don't have the time for it. I want to have time to write my books. I don't want to design my covers and format the pages of my book. I don't want to deal with all those business things.
What do I expect from my small press publishers?
That once my book is accepted, that the book will be edited. Before I ever send it off, my critique group has heard it and critiqued it chapter by chapter. Next, I've had a beta reader or two. Then I go over it once more carefully. That doesn't mean there won't be mistakes--goodness, there always seems to be mistakes. But between me and the editor, hopefully we'll catch most of them.
And then the galley proofs--I will again go over the book looking for mistakes, typos, flaws.
I expect my publisher to come up with a great cover. If I have an idea what might work, I'll give my input. If there's something I don't like about the cover, I'll say so. Sometimes changes are made, sometimes not. I've loved most of my covers.
I'm the one who has to write a short blurb for the back of the book. I'm also the one who has to find authors to write something about the book--though one of my publishers makes great suggestions.
I expect my publisher to get the book up in all the places it might sell such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
I'm the one who has to get a buzz going about the book and I try to get this started long before the book is to come out. I'm the one who will be doing most of the promotion. I am the one with the marketing plans. What venue will I be attending where I can talk about and/or sell my book? What online promo will I be doing? What blogs brought in the most visitors on my last blog tour? Should I plan another blog tour and who should I ask to be a part of it? What other social media should I use again, or try anew?
What I won't do? I won't bug my publisher or ask for things I know won't happen with a small press. A good way to lose a publisher is to be a pest. Another is to not understand the publishing business and ask for the impossible--and keep asking. For one thing, I'm way to busy for that.
Maybe I don't know everything that I ought to know, goodness, I certainly haven't made a fortune writing. I certainly haven't made the dollars some of my fellow authors are reporting. What I do know is that I have some loyal fans, I love hearing from them and when I am fortunate to, I love meeting them. And one more thing, I have a good relationship with both my publishers.
I'm sure there's a lot more. Chime in and tell me why you are doing what you are doing.
Marilyn aka F.M. Meredith
First, I was thrilled when Mundania Press agreed to pick up my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series after I lost the first two publishers. I'd met the publisher at several writing conferences and he had the know how and business sense I was looking for.
 |
| Raging Water, the latest in Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series |
I met the publisher for Oak Tree Press also at a writing conference. In fact I met her several times before I approached her about publishing the next one up in my Rocky Bluff P.D. series. I parted ways with the first publisher, the second one published two books and then decided to retire. Approaching Oak Tree Press seemed the next logical stop.
 | ||
| Latest in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, Dangerous Impulses. |
Number one, I don't want to learn how to do something new. Frankly, I don't have the time for it. I want to have time to write my books. I don't want to design my covers and format the pages of my book. I don't want to deal with all those business things.
What do I expect from my small press publishers?
That once my book is accepted, that the book will be edited. Before I ever send it off, my critique group has heard it and critiqued it chapter by chapter. Next, I've had a beta reader or two. Then I go over it once more carefully. That doesn't mean there won't be mistakes--goodness, there always seems to be mistakes. But between me and the editor, hopefully we'll catch most of them.
And then the galley proofs--I will again go over the book looking for mistakes, typos, flaws.
I expect my publisher to come up with a great cover. If I have an idea what might work, I'll give my input. If there's something I don't like about the cover, I'll say so. Sometimes changes are made, sometimes not. I've loved most of my covers.
I'm the one who has to write a short blurb for the back of the book. I'm also the one who has to find authors to write something about the book--though one of my publishers makes great suggestions.
I expect my publisher to get the book up in all the places it might sell such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
I'm the one who has to get a buzz going about the book and I try to get this started long before the book is to come out. I'm the one who will be doing most of the promotion. I am the one with the marketing plans. What venue will I be attending where I can talk about and/or sell my book? What online promo will I be doing? What blogs brought in the most visitors on my last blog tour? Should I plan another blog tour and who should I ask to be a part of it? What other social media should I use again, or try anew?
What I won't do? I won't bug my publisher or ask for things I know won't happen with a small press. A good way to lose a publisher is to be a pest. Another is to not understand the publishing business and ask for the impossible--and keep asking. For one thing, I'm way to busy for that.
Maybe I don't know everything that I ought to know, goodness, I certainly haven't made a fortune writing. I certainly haven't made the dollars some of my fellow authors are reporting. What I do know is that I have some loyal fans, I love hearing from them and when I am fortunate to, I love meeting them. And one more thing, I have a good relationship with both my publishers.
I'm sure there's a lot more. Chime in and tell me why you are doing what you are doing.
Marilyn aka F.M. Meredith
Comments
I read your blog with great interest since right now I'm wondering whether to approach an agent or look to a small publisher myself with my new work. Like you, I don't want to self-publish.
I agree with you on this. I like working with small presses. I've self-published three books--one, because I wasn't happy with the publisher who had published the first in the series, and two children's books that had been traditionally published and went out-of-print. Though I've done it, I don't much care for having to see to a book's production. The hardest for me was putting up my books on Create Space. Also, I like having an editor.
You are one busy writer.
I've had agents, but ended up finding my own publishers.
All the best with your venture, Heather. If I were younger, I might take that route--but when I was it wasn't as easy as it is now.
I have self-published about three books, and it was okay, but being with a small press is much easier.
Madison, you've done a great job with your books.
The other foot? My Sandi Webster series was published by a different publisher. I was disillusioned and after five books I cancelled the contracts. I'm rereleasing this series using the KDP program. Stay tuned to see if I make it or it breaks me.
Billie Johnson,
Publisher, Oak Tree Press