Selling Out or Making a Sell (Part 2) by Dyanne Davis
Written by Dyanne Davis · January 28, 2010 · 873 views
This week, we continue with Part 2 of Dyanne Davis’ article, Selling Out or Making a Sell. Be sure to check out Part 1 of Selling Out or Making a Sell if you haven’t already and definitely share your thoughts!
Part 2 – Selling Out or Making a Sell by Dyanne Davis
Let’s move it a bit past the super explosive to the not as explosive. The manner of publication also garners much attention and sadly I might add with each group thinking they’re a bit better for whatever reason: For not making concessions, for doing it themselves. For not giving up knocking on doors until a mainstream publisher wants the work. The truth of the matter is there is no right or wrong way. Each writer has to make that decision for him/herself. Let’s face it no matter the method some readers will like it and some will hate it.
In the past months heated debates have been sparked across the internet about the legitimacy of e-publishing, self-publishing and vanity publishing. (I won’t go into the differences about self-publishing and vanity publishing. That would take at least another page.) One of the largest romance organizations Romance Writers of America, (RWA) is in the middle of the fray. Self-publishing and vanity rendered a writer as unprofessional by their guidelines. And until recently so did e-publishing. None of this is important unless you’re a member of the more than 10,000 member organization. I’m mentioning this here because in order to make a sale many RWA members turned to these forms of publishing. Were they selling out? And if so whose business was it?
In November 2009 one of the largest major romance publishers, Harlequin made a decision to go into a joint venture with a vanity publisher. They would refer the aspiring writers who submitted to Harlequin and was rejected to this company. The company would then, for a very substantial amount of money, eventually publish the work. Harlequin would receive 10% referral fee from this company for any aspiring writer they referred, who then purchase the service of this company. The writers were told Harlequin would be watching the sales very carefully and that maybe some of the writers would be brought over into the legitimate Harlequin. That’s the carrot that is dangled in front of the aspiring author who has work in the slush pile and will be or has been rejected by the romance giant.
This decision led to Romance Writers of America to place Harlequin on their not approved publisher’s list. I’m sure that before it’s done it will become known as the sound that rocked the publishing world. Traditionally published and non-published alike wondered what this move would mean for them. Agents were fielding frantic calls from their clients. Writers were weighing in with their opinion. The question of self publishing and vanity publishing was discussed at great length. Internet fights broke out, complete with name calling. (Seriously)
And with every day that passed as I worked on this article trying for the most part to keep out my personal opinions on the decision, to not be contrary. To not be me. The fights did lead me to post a couple of times that their beliefs in the quality of self-publishing had led me to a decision to do it myself. I was emailed off loop by several well-meaning readers trying to dissuade me. My question was this: If I wrote a book and it was edited by the same editor how would said book be of any lesser quality?
I swear writing is a crazy business where the public at large obviously feels justified in making decisions they don’t have the right to make. How dare anyone down a writer for making their own choices for their careers. If they do not choose to write a certain genre or to tell of the plight of people of color shouldn’t that be their choice? If they decided to sell to publishers their peers may not like, shouldn’t that also be their choice? If they decide to publish their own work shouldn’t that also be their choice? Why should the question ever be asked, Am I selling out or making a sale?
Okay, as you can see I got a little sidetracked there. For a moment I was rereading some of the nasty posts in my mind concerning different forms of publishing. As we all know the publishing world is ever changing. Sometimes it takes someone with a big enough name to make a difference and to turn the tide. This came in the form of Donna Hill, a respected author and pioneer in African-American romance. It was announced in Publisher’s Weekly that Donna has launched her own ebook publishing company. In recent weeks I’ve talked to several multi-published authors with mainstream publishers who have future plans for striking out on their own and doing what Donna has done.
That still leaves writers who write for Harlequin and those who want to worried about how all the publishing changes will affect them. With all of the changes in the publishing industry, I and many more writers will be asking ourselves, ‘Do we want to make the sale? How badly to we want to do so and if so are we selling out? If we sell to a certain publisher say for instance Harlequin, are we selling out? What if it’s a publisher we’ve had problems with in the past? Are we selling out? What if we decide to see if it makes a difference if we change our names and write characters who do not share our ethnicity whatever that might be? What if we go with an e-publisher? What if we self- publish? Do we take in to account that writing is an expensive endeavor? A lot of money is spent on writing, computers, the latest software, conferences, printers, ink, toner, paper. How do we pay for just the supplies if we don’t make a sale?
Why do we write, to sell, or for our enjoyment? I’ll leave you with this thought: Each writer will have to make the determination for themselves.
My personal opinion:
It doesn’t matter which medium a writer chooses to bring their work to the public. It only matters the quality of the work that’s produced. If you were a respected Harlequin author before Harlequin partnered with a vanity press, you’re still a respected author.
By the way if you’d like to catch Donna Hill live or whatever you call it when you watch a show via the internet (smile) you can catch a portion of an interview I did with her on my cable television show when she came to Chicago. It’s posted on the home page of my website: http://www.dyannedavis.com. I posted the section where she’s giving tips for writers and telling what work she’s looking for.
Take care everyone.
Dyanne
An avid reader, award-winning author Dyanne Davis’ love of the written word turned into a desire to write. She has been a presenter of numerous workshops and hosts a cable show, which provides writing tips to aspiring writers. Visit her website at www.dyannedavis.com or her alter ego ADAM OMEGA at www.adamomega.com.
Dyanne, thanks so much for sharing! I also believe that this is a personal choice. What works for one author may not work for another. The choice they make is really only theirs to make.
-Tee
Tee,
Those words can never be repeated too often. You should take a poll and ask the authors if others have tried to influence, what they write and how they go about it. It would make for an interesting debate. LOL.
Dyanne
Great article.
“It doesn’t matter which medium a writer chooses to bring their work to the public. It only matters the quality of the work that’s produced.”
I agree. It’s up to each author to decide why they write. For some writing is a career and others write for a hobby.
Shelia,
Hey, how are you? Pretend I’m throwing up my hand and giving you a high five.
Dyanne
Dyanne,
I love what you have done here and bless you for it. I have read much of the fighting and per usual I have chosen to stay out of the fray. As you indicated, we choose for ourselves how we wish to get out work out there. I chose self-publishing because I was more interested, ultimately in publishing than writing…sheesh~ as such I paid attention, made mistakes and plunked down my money. I also closed my ears and worked it from my own perspective. I feel that the universe is large enough to support all. When I started publishing four years ago, I didnt have a clue the impact that Kindle, now IPAD, etc. would have on the publishing industry and I think that much of that will impact how books are read and or delivered. And we are certainly responsible for our product and what we are willing to provide. I personally love the diversity of what is currently occurring and will just carve out my own little niche. I do agree with what Pearl Cleage said in an interview with Carleen Brice, ‘We are going to have to take control of our own destinies, however we choose to do.” I strongly believe in creating my own economy and the way I publish and produce books has allowed that.
angelia
Angelia,
I applaud who take a stand to control their own destiny. Didn’t our president say that very thing last night? By the way he was truly awesome. Did you get your key chain?
Dyanne
Hey Dyanne:)
Interesting article!! But it’s the author’s decision what publishing path they want to take.
Sharon,
Here, here.
Dyanne
Hi, Dyanne. Great piece. Of course I believe that its the author’s choice when it comes to how she wants to get published. Self-publishing takes an entrepreneurial spirit that many people are simply born with, and others may have chosen that route b/c they don’t want to share the rewards (moolah) w/some money-grabbing publisher. Still others may choose that route because they simply want to share what they’ve created. Whatever their reasons, it’s their business. It’s the same with choosing to go with a vanity or e-pub.
It’s the writer’s business.
Hey Lisa G.
Question: Of course we all know and agree that it’s an author’s business what they write and how thy choose to bring it to the public. So can you tell me please why so many people think it’s up to them?
Dyanne
Also I must add that writers if they choose to write at all for the public to read and debate on have to not pay much accord to what people are saying because people can talk you right out of your dreams if you allow it. Constructive criticism is the aloe vera to our burns, but we have to know when it is simply people talking for the sake of talking. We must be discerning and willing to learn from and listen to those who have gone before us.
Angelia,
So true!!!! People can be mean and spiteful at times and in their minds they consider it constructive criticism, when it’s not. Yes, to be able to differiate those that are offering constructive criticism from those that are not, is the key. Also on the other end of the spectrum you should be willing to accept what’s being offered and if they have life lessons to share; share that life lesson for others to benefit from.
Jaime
I am definitely one of those that believe in learning from the lessons of others. I don’t have to stick my fingers in the fire when I’m told the fire will burn me. LOL.
Dyanne
LOL…I try to do the same, too!!!!
Dyanne,
that was taught to me with my pablum, I come from a long line of female entreprenuers. Started my first business at thirteen, selling multicolored candied apples. Was rolling in dough in high school creating and sewing prom dresses~ my grandbaby just started walking but I am ready to pass it on~ hee hee~ no maam. I did not recieve the key chain. Thanks for asking
angelia
Angelia,
I should have asked you in the first place but thought you were the Angelia that’s a member of my yahoo group. My apologies. Please send me your address, davisdyanne@aol.com and I will make it up to me. If you do it today it will go out tomorrow since i have to make a visit to the post office anyway.
By the way, those multicolored apples sound VERY good.
Dyanne
Angelia,
I love that statement, constructive criticism is like Aloe Vera for our burns. I’m going to remember that one. And I agree with you one hundred percent that others can talk you right out of your dreams.
I almost got crazy for a moment and started to go farther than I intend, by naming names. I got smacked upside the head by common sense. LOL
Dyanne
Ms. Dyanne,
Another thought provoking article. I agree with what has been stated, it should be the author’s choice to choose which publishing route to take. I do wonder what choice does an author have to publish their work when the industry itself is making them choose?
Jaime.
You did notice that I went on for so long about this that Tee wisely had to break this up into two parts. Some of the things happening in the industry make you go crazy. I know Tee is going to talk about that cover change deal. That’s another topic I had to try not to become crazy over.
I’m not blaming the industry though, so if that came off like that in the second or even the first part of my article, remember I was on a rant. The publishing industry is like any other business. Supply and demand. They need a product, an author chose to fill it and a deal is struck. So, I don’t really count them that much in my rant. It’s just business and we have a choice when it comes to delivering the goods.
Dyanne
Ms. Dyanne,
I did notice. Like you I was on a rant, when that happens by thoughts get carried away. No I didn’t think you were blaming the industry. I’m not trying to either, as you stated this is a business…deals and money are made. It’s just the author should be able to choose.
LOL. Jaime, it’s probably nothing more dangerous than a woman on a rant. You’re right, writers should have the final say. I’m going to let you know very soon how having the final say works out.
Dyanne
Dyanne,
I completely agree with everything word of your post. Before becoming a writer I was and still am an avid reader. I whole heartly concur that it is the qaulity of the material that matters most not the route one chooses in getting it publish.
Thank you,
A.M.,
Well said. I thank all of you for putting up with my ranting and and for giving me your opinions. Since you all are of the same mind as I am, that makes me a happy camper. LOL.
Dyanne
Dyanne
You are as usual so on target. Your years of experience in writing and publishing is greatly appreciated when you share what you’ve learned. I agree that it should be up to the writer to decide how they want to be published. The work has to be good, very good, outstanding no matter what route a writer takes. If an author has a following, it shouldn’t matter to them whether the book is published by a major New York publisher, unless they just want to say, their favorite author is published by XYZ. What should matter is the reader can find their favorite author. I’ve met authors who have been under contract with a major publisher and after their first or second book was published, and did well, were told goodbye. What? After the writer’s hard work, writing, editing, promoting, and building a fan base, they’re kicked to the curb and told to find another home. I’ve read articles in Romantic Times from readers angry about this and as well as authors sharing their side of the story.
Thanks again for a balanced article.
Yasmine,
Thank you for the back up. I hope neither of us gets kicked out of RWA. LOL. They did start my rant……….okay, chill Dyanne. Let it go. I’m good now Yas.
Dyanne
If I get kicked out of RWA I can find something else to spend my yearly dues on…shoes, makeup, writing supplies, etc.
Dyanne… I love this. Agreeing with everyone – you have to control your destiny and your purse strings. The publishing industry has changed so much and so quickly. With the introduction of Kindles and eBooks, small book stores are going out of business and large chains are reducing a slashing prices on books. Authors are going to FB and other mediums to sell books… It’s all a gamble – I say, be true to yourself ..
Great article
Cilla,
Oh my God!! Don’t tell me that I now have to actually become active on facebook. Heck, I’ll never make a sale. I truly don’t get the fascination with facebook. You know something? I’m thinking this should be a really great time for young writers with lots of patience and time for things like facebook, twitter and all the others. LOL.
Dyanne
As a self-published author, I found the article enlightening. Although Harlequin’s actions appear disingenuos, I believe the current system leaves a lot of good writing out in the cold. I chose to self publish after hitting some roadblocks in traditional publication. The question wasn’t the quality of my work, but rather whether my work was marketable. I understand ultimately that this is a business. Artistically however, I’m a writer with a story to tell, and I wanted that story in the hands of readers. I enjoy the freedom of self-publication. I’ ve had excellent reviews and I have a quality product. Meanwhile I’ve seen poor editing even from major publishers. Regardless of the means to publication, the heart of a book, the good or the bad is the content between the front and back covers – the writing.
Good morning Cynthia,
You’ve touched on a very good point. Marketability. For mainstream publishing there has to be a niche for what you’ve written. It has to fit in a predefined mold. You have to know when you submit your work if it fits that mold.
For instance, I wrote a triology that deals in part with past lives and psychics. The first book of the triology was the book that got me my agent. However she hasn’t been able to sell that first book becasue…this is what is coming back. No one is reading about psychics which translates into they’re not ready to buy books about psychics. And I keep reading books that have psychics in it so I’m not getting it.
I recently interviewed Jayne Ann Krentz for my Author’s spotlight on my website. The first in her psychic series was recently released a few days ago. I’m waiting to see ow it does and hoping that the interest in psychics will soar.
But getting back to the fitting the mold and sometimes having something that doesn’t. Each book in my trilogy is a bit different, and I know it’s going to be hard to place. I wrote where the muse led me. In between writing the trilogy though I deliberately wrote the kinds of books that I knew were marketable. Besides, I had contracts I had to honor.
On the editing part, I completely agree with you. ALL houses miss something. Sidney Rickman, the editor for all of my books but one, and the editor of the two that I am going to do myself also does freelance editing. I can’t give you a price. But I can tell you she’s super fantastic. She’s going to give it to you straight so if anyone is interested in contacting her just email me. She doesn’t do erotica and she really doesn’t like doing vampires. Other than that I recommend her most highly. Just remember that she still works for Genesis Press and edits freelance when she has the time. Keep going Cynthia, more power to you!!
Dyanne
Brenda,
Would you email me please? I have been trying for an hour to find your email address in my records. Thank you
Dyanne
Hi Dyanne,
Here I am again, learning from you. Great musings.
As the rejections letters pour in for my first novel I was just this week considering this question. What if I don’t find that wise, good and smart agent and/or publisher that loves my work, SOON! Then what concessions am I willing to make to get a contract.
I’m ready to share my work with the world. Am I willing to self publish? If I self publish I will of course be looked down upon by many but I would get a great deal of satisfaction out of having a tangible product in my hands. And the hands of my family and a few great friends. Hopefully maybe others?
This is so much more complicated than just writing…
Kathy,
I am not even going to tell you not to feel bad about the rejections because let’s be real they hurt. Just give yourself a time limit to feel bad about it. Rejections don’t mean your story is bad. that particular person didn’t connect with it.
Seriously, I have readers email me and tell me how much they loved some book that I wrote and the same number will blog somewhere how much they hated it. I look at all of this stuff as the individual opinions.
If you’re off on Tues come to the book chat at the Borders in town. Then we can set a time to brainstorm, or do lunch. Don’t give up okay. You have a great voice and I’m not the only person to tell you that. Give me a call and we’ll talk
Dyanne
Dyanne Davis, thank you for bringing this issue to all of us. Tee C, thank you for moderating.
I knew early on that I am not the type of person to wait years for recognition because of my persona and age. I began writing seriously at age 59 or 60. I reached out briefly to agents with a few queries and received automated rejections like many of you.
Dyanne selected the title, Selling Out or Making a Sell, because of “the flood of email received†when the Harlequin/vanity publisher controversy hit the Internet. Then she wakes you up with “Why should the question ever be asked.†Bang on Dyanne! And to Donna Hill, Bravo!
For me, the subject is moot.
It’s my business how and why I select the avenue to publishing. I write mainstream fiction, paranormal and vampire books, have never submitted to Harlequin or a vanity press. Writers alerted me years ago about vanity press’s contract, knew it didn’t fit my program. Time and money dictates my choice. Some believe self-published work is inferior. I’ve self-published 2 books, have 3 more in the que, and darn near went back to school to learn the business end. I’ve paid good money for professional edits. Have investigated and learned that many professionals either work for publishing houses or have in the past. These are the editors I willingly pay to edit my work. I’ll say it again; you cannot edit your work good enough to take it to a printer. Printers don’t edit. They take your work as camera-ready. What you give them is what you get back.
Today, my funds are limited—I’m retired and live on Social Security checks. When previously self-publishing I did not recoup my expenses, wrote it off as a loss and kept writing. Yet, I still sell my last published book (2006) in small quantities. They are debt-free and in my closet. Now, I will e-Publish, use the e-Book format, and will check out the CD format.
The Internet has changed lives. The old is gone and the new is in. We have gone global. Interracial love (interracial romance) has been in existence for years, just under cover. So has same-sex love, borderline sex—all of which has been researched and proved to be real—love between the blind and the deaf. Need I go further? Oh, I can’t for get Vampire Lucien and Christina’s love story. *A shameless hint* Love is love. Our choices do not change love.
I think the easiest way to look at the book market and how you fit in is to be clear that publishing is a business—they expect a return on their money—and if they can change your story to fit their agenda, they will. If you don’t like it, move on.
We cannot look too far into the future of publishing, it’s moving too fast. I believe the future is now and proceed with this in mind when choosing my avenue. Our choices are our business. There’s an old Chinese proverb and I paraphrase, you buy your ticket and take your chances.
Look for this article on: http://www.rawsistaz.com/articles-workshops/selling-out-or-making-a-sell-by-dyanne-davis-part-two/
Minnie,
You make some very valid points indeed. But as we’ve talked about this I was in bed early this morning and realized that at some point like it or not I will have to do an article on the valid reasons RWA was against Harlequin’s actions. Believe it or not the reasons were good.
Still trying to be diplomatic and not get sued, I will say this. My rant, even though I brought up the name, was never against RWA. Their reasons, I fully understood. My rant began because of individuals making remarks that to me meant they thought that writers who published by any means other than traditional were flawed, not as good. So, to be responsible I will have to present the other side. Just give me a little time to write it. I’ll need some time away from this in order to be able to do it without being snippy.
Minnie, your paragraph below I agree with wholeheartedly.
Dyanne
We cannot look too far into the future of publishing, it’s moving too fast. I
believe the future is now and proceed with this in mind when choosing my avenue.
Our choices are our business. There’s an old Chinese proverb and I paraphrase,
you buy your ticket and take your chances.
I think the decision as to what means you employ to publication is your business. I have no problem with Harlequin starting up a vanity press, if you’re willing to pay to be published more power to you. I think it’s crazy to pay to play and then have them pay YOU royalties, but again, your money. Presumably we’re all grown here.
However, I do have beef with the notion of monetizing the slush pile which is what they (and as I understand it now several Christian publishers) are doing. The notion that they will refer people that they’ve rejected to their vanity press is problematic. Especially when they use the lure that they will occasionally choose writers from their vanity press to publish in their regular press. Think about it for a moment, how long do you think it would be before the opportunity to be published with Harlequin is limited to those who’ve “paid to play” through their vanity press? And being that publishing is the ultimate “monkey see/monkey do” business it wouldn’t be long before everyone else followed suit.
So, rather than expanding publishing opportunities which happens under a self-publishing model, what Harlequin is doing will ultimately narrow it to those willing (or able) to fork over $600 – $1500. This pay to play model is dangerous. I don’t think this has anything to do with the viability or even the quality of self-publishing, especially since it’s NOT self-publishing.
Thank you Roz,
You’ve just taken away my need to tell the other side of the story, RWA’s reason for objecting to this. You’ve done a good job of it.
Dyanne
Also, I don’t think there’s as much stigma attached to self-publishing in the black community primarily because blacks were shut out of publishing for so long there really was no other choice. We’ve all heard stories about the writers who sold books out of the trunk of their car until they had a bestseller on their hands.
Roz,
Other writers have also done the same thing and had mainstream publishers come calling when their book had hit a niche.
Let’s go back to epublishing for a moment. I remember the bru ha ha over this. authors using this method and publishers who are publishing in this manner are making money. A lot of writers are making a living wage from this medium. Now a lot of mainstream publishers have jumped on this bandwagon also. Money.
Dyanne
Exactly Dyanne, I love e-publishing because of the higher royalty rate and the monthly royalty check. I probably won’t get rich, but I can certainly keep my son in shoes and Pokemon cards. The industry is changing, rapidly. There are opportunities available to us that even five years ago were unthinkable. If we’re smart, savvy and willing to work our butts off (and read the fine print) we can all get in where we fit in.
Roz,
Did I forget to mention how much I love your new cover for Given with Lisa G as your co-author. It comes out this month right?
Theresa Stevens, managing editor of Red Sage, told me that writers (some) are making six figure incomes with ebooks.
Dyanne
Thanks Dyanne, it comes out February 9th, next Tuesday. I absolutely adore that cover, I’ve put it up everywhere because I think it’s so pretty.
Some people are doing very well with e-pubs. It’s all in the backlist, because if someone likes your current release they’ll often go back and buy everything you’ve got. And with e-books it’s point and shoot easy. Fabulous for impulse buys.
http://roslynholcomb.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/given-cover-squee/