by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
In October, my agent received an email from my editor. I have a release scheduled in the Southern Quilting series this June (book 5). My editor knew my contract for the series was about to run out and asked me to come up with some ideas for additional books for the series.
I developed two book outlines but never emailed them. My editor wrote my agent last month to say that print sales had decreased (I’ve no doubt…they’re only a fraction of my digital sales for my self-published books) and Penguin Random House wanted to stop printing the series. Instead, they were interested in my exploring their e-only line, InterMix.
And…I asked for my character rights back.
The publisher promptly returned a non-renewal notice for the series and a permission grant for me to continue it via self-pub.
I know my ebooks have been selling well—I get royalty checks. I haven’t drunk the Kool-Aid here. I know what I need a big-five traditional publisher for…expansive print distribution into bookstores. But this is now becoming less and less important as indicated by my publisher moving away from printing this series.
I read my agent’s email and immediately knew I wanted to self-pub the series before I’d even finished the email. I’m fortunate enough to have a decent reader base at this point, making this the right decision. Would I discourage everyone from accepting an e-only deal? I wouldn’t. But I’d add that we really need to go into these types of arrangements with our eyes open. What do we want to get out of it? We should do some soul-searching.
Admittedly, I didn’t give InterMix a chance. I didn’t explore their royalty structure. I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t query. I just pulled out. This is completely based on my current contracts for digital books and the small percentage of royalties I receive on net.
Challenges for me will be maintaining the series branding without making it too close to the 
publisher’s covers, for copyright reasons. The quality I’ve got to match/approach is evident as you look at the cover on the right for my upcoming June release. Another challenge will be ensuring the same level of quality in writing, editing, and production. I think I can swing it.
It’s tricky. But I’ve done it before. That’s how the Myrtle Clover series started out.
The nice thing is that I have a strong audience for the series and it had a good push from the publisher and visibility at retailers. Luckily, I have that as a base.
Also nice is that now I have two outlines ready to go. :)
Important for writers, I think—don’t let these types of decisions become personal. I love my editor…I’ve had a fantastic working relationship with her. My agent and I have worked together well. This isn’t about relationships…this is business. This is about my making a living.
I think they understand that. There are no hard feelings. I’m not just taking my ball and going home out of pique. E-only isn’t a good fit for me…that’s all there is to it.
When Midnight Ink dropped my Myrtle Clover series in 2010, I was extremely disappointed. My characters, I thought, would never come to life on the page again. In 2015, I know that my characters can keep having adventures as long as I choose to write them and the readers are interested in reading them.
With this series moving to self-pub and with the end of the Memphis series (an orphaned series that I don’t have the rights to self-pub) I thought, “This is it—now I’m 100% indie.” Before realizing that….no, not really. I have nine traditionally published books with a tenth on the way in June. I receive income from those as long as they keep selling and they’re always for sale online. With that in mind, I guess I’ll always be a hybrid.
My editor invited me to pitch Penguin Random House another series. I never like to say never. But—I’d have to have a really good reason to pitch.
What direction is the weather vane pointing for you? Hybrid, traditional, self-pub?
Why 1 author will take her trad. series to self-pub. Share on XImage: MorgueFile: Bosela
Hi Elizabeth – you have a better grasp of the market and all its variables – and you seem to have the ability to make a decision, based on your knowledge and how you can work round things … I’m sure you’ve made the right choice – good luck and thanks for letting us know the ins and outs … cheers Hilary
Hilary–Thanks! Yes, I usually struggle with choices (even restaurant choices, what to pack for a trip, etc.) so the fact that no struggle occurred with this one was remarkable.
Hope you’re continuing to improve from your surgery and have a happy week!
No surprise print sales are down. My books sell far more as eBooks than print.
Cool you were able to get the rights back without a hassle. Big step, but I’ve no doubt you’ll keep the quality high.
Good for you. It’s a changing publishing world and you need to make the best business decision for you. At this point, I have no plans to query when the time is right.
Jemi–Thanks! And I can totally see where you’d say that.
Congrats!
You like running the show. You’ll like this arrangement.
Can’t wait to see what is next.
Jack–I think you’re right! And thanks.
Elizabeth – I think you summed it all up brilliantly in saying that authors need to really make the choices that work best for them. That means being aware of the choices that are out there and sifting through the consequences. For you, that meant getting your character rights back. And I think in your case that was wise. You’ve got the reader base and the experience to self-pub the Southern Quilting series. I appreciate your sharing this with your readers, too: it helps other authors who are figuring out what they want to do.
Margot–It’s nice that we have good decisions now! Thanks for coming by.
I don’t think you’ll regret your decision, Elizabeth. You’ve got an established readership, and people looking for good mysteries will find you.
Best wishes,
Susanne
Susanne–Thanks so much for the encouragement! Have a happy week.
Elizabeth, you had a strong gut instinct and you listened to it and trusted it. Yeah! I have no doubt you’ll be successful with the path you’ve chosen because you are so good and so smart. I’m nearing the end of the writing process for my first novel and to help me with the publishing decisions, I signed up for a 6 lecture series Jane Friedman is offering. Things have changed a lot and I don’t have a clue. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Karen–Thanks for the kind words! So often I *don’t* listen to my gut or second guess it. Even more often I don’t have a gut reaction at all. I’ve been trying to be a *bit* more self-aware and thoughtful about what I’m feeling (your blog has helped with this), and happy to realize it worked.
Jane Friedman is one of the publishing folks I most trust. Hope the course helps.
So glad you didn’t have to go through the awful should I or shouldn’t I debate–and especially happy for you that you’ve got outlines for the next two books.
Yet it does illustrate the increasingly level playing field between traditionally-published and indie authors. The trad publishers can only do so much in a world of ebooks.
Meg–Sadly, I foresee a future where they continue merging with each other and then peter out…unless things start radically changing. I’m not at all opposed to being traditionally published but they need to offer me something I need. What I most need right now (from publishers, agents, whomever) is support with print distribution, marketing, running my business, translation, audio, and foreign sales. Except for print (which I’ve still got for my older books and will have for this June release), they’re just not hitting the mark. You’re so right…they can’t compete. I really could contract out for all of these things and still come out ahead.
As usual, you have very concisely described the questions that an author faces as print sales decline and traditional publishing starts pushing for an e-only deal.
For most writers that have been working with traditional publishing only, the weight of decisions for everything from editing to covers can be overwhelming and something that they just aren’t ready to face. You’ve found that not only are those decisions something that you can deal with, but that they are actually quite empowering. You have more control and the ability to tailor your publications for your own perceptions of the market.
Authors who have experience with self-publishing are particularly enthusiastic about the share of the book’s revenue that they are receiving. I don’t see traditional publishing being attractive to authors with self-publishing experience until the publishers change the “standard contract” royalties to something that authors find more fair.
JR–Thanks for coming by with your thoughts on this. You’re so right…it’s empowering to have more control over the process. The biggest time suck comes in setting up our team: designer, formatter, freelance editor. But once we’ve got our team set up, it’s pretty easy from that point out.
Right, 15% of net isn’t very appealing! I believe some publishers are reviewing this issue, but it hasn’t trickled down to me yet.
My favorite part: this wasn’t “personal” and you stayed professional. A lot of business advice over the last few years in this industry hasn’t always emphasized the need to stay adult and not burn any bridges.
I have no doubt your series will do well.
Thanks, Deborah! Right, I never like to burn bridges. Maybe I’ll have another project later on that I’d consider for a trad deal. Always good to keep it professional.
This is such a helpful post, Elizabeth. I’ve been thinking about writing more Sylvia and Willie mysteries one of these days, and I want to be able to put them out faster than is possible with a traditional publisher. I’m leaning toward being one of those hybrids — that’s what gives a writer the best of two worlds.
Patricia: That is definitely an advantage of self-pub…putting out books quickly. My trad books (as you know…I think you’re with Five Star?) were published once a year. Sometimes I worried that readers wouldn’t stay hooked if they were waiting too long. For the last couple of years I’ve put out 2 Myrtle Clovers a year.
It’s a difficult decision to make, all right.
I’m currently hybrid in the same sense you are, Elizabeth. I self-publish while my first three books from my old publisher are still available.
After my Memory Wars Trilogy came to its conclusion last year, I decided I wanted to try something different. I wasn’t on contract; I’d been submitting each book in the series as I wrote them. So aside from having to say goodbye to the world and characters, which I was going to have to do anyway, as I didn’t want to shoehorn in more stories for the sake of sentimentality, I had nothing really to lose.
I wasn’t with a large publisher, so with me being based in Ireland and them in America, it made things difficult, I think, for promotion and market penetration. I’d already decided I wanted to self-publish the Lady Raven books, so I made the follow-up decision that I would also work on an all-new series that I could use to find an agent and a deal with a larger publisher, or one at least closer to home. That’s where I’m at now, editing my second Lady Raven book and trying to find a home for my new YA paranormal series.
Paul–I know that publishers and agents are looking at successful self-pubbed series as if they were query letters. The best part of what you’re doing is that you’re not just sitting around waiting on a deal to come through…in the meantime, you’re publishing Lady Raven. You’re bringing in income while you wait. And then you’ve got a viable Plan B just in case you’re not happy with the deals that are offered to you for the YA series.
Well, I’m still relying completely on my day-job for income ;-)
I need to work on ways to improve my sales.
It’s a good thing you were able to get your characters and your rights back without a fight.
For a beginning author, the clout of a publisher (plus their connections, own ISBN, etc.) would be a plus even for ebooks only. But you are established. And know what you are doing.
Diane–I think you’re right. And, especially, for someone who really needs that type of validation as a springboard: to prove their credentials as an authority/public speaker on the topic, to prove to their family that the time they’re spending on their writing is worthwhile, to achieve a life goal, etc.
Do you get the rights to the previous books, or simply the characters going forward? At some point it would be marvelous to redo the other covers in a completely new style to match whatever new style you come up with. Pretty sure I’d choose to make a black and white change from the trad pub titles to my own pubbed titles.
Joel–No rights to the previous (and no surprises there, since I’ve seen that before with Midnight Ink). What typically happens is that when the books are no longer for sale in print, they offer you the print rights to the previous (never the digital).
Wouldn’t you worry about the branding of it? The big change? Regardless, of course, it will have to change because that cover artist and the publisher own that previous work and there’s only so much I can legally do to mimic it.
Design concept: contrast.
When something looks almost like something else, it isn’t perceived as different it’s perceived as wrong.
Drop a paragraph of Times New Roman into a book in Garamond, and it looks like someone missed the boat. Drop in Helvetica and Bob, as they say, is your uncle.
Make your new covers look almost like the old, and not only do you risk offending previous IP owners, it will look like you tried and failed. No reader in the whole world will say, ah; she’s going for ‘close but not too close.’ They’ll just notice that it’s not right — which equals wrong.
Some folks will intentionally support your indie works more than the trad pub. Why not plan ahead for the day you reacquire rights to the old titles because you’re so rich you can?
Side note, barely related: Edgar Rice Burroughs’ pulp fiction classic Tarzan was released (all 22 books) with epic covers by Frank Frazetta. Pulp art of the highest order.
Then, a couple decades later, they were all rereleased with new covers by Boris Vallejo.
Most collectors own both sets. Though I’m a Frazetta fan, I respect Boris’s covers, despite the obvious difference in style.
Joel–Got it. And that does make sense.
And…isn’t about time for Tarzan to make a reappearance? I remember watching the show as a kid. I read some of the pulp, but it was sort of boyish for me at the time. Tarzan pops up regularly in pop culture almost like Dracula.
Popular culture killed Burrough’s work over and over again. Okay, I watched Weismuller and Buster Crabbe and who knows who in the movies, but not one comes within 100 miles of the first 3 books, which are really a single story. A totally unique story with a college-level vocabulary. (Burroughs also invented a perfectly playable version of chess in one of his Mars books.)
If someone would do Tarzan of the Apes the way Raiders of the Lost Ark was done, real homage to the old school, I’d be in heaven.
I think the one I saw was sort of campy. Maybe the late-60s TV show in reruns? I’m thinking this was circa 1978. For some reason I was thinking I was in a movie theater (which may also have been the case for another adaptation) but it could have been TV. But this was the era of the campy Batman,which was influencing a lot of pop culture. POW! BAM! :)
Ah yes, Ron Ely in the TV version. Loved it when I was, like, 12.
The 1999 Greystoke was another coffin nail, and the animated version was just sad.
I was thinking of Lex Barker, not Buster Crabbe.
Lots of theatre releases. None even close to the quality of the books.
I guess this is as good a time/place as any to mention my (eventual) series of jungle adventures; closer to Indy than Tarzan.
I didn’t see any of the recent stuff. Your upcoming project sounds cool! Should have a strong audience. I think jungle adventures are timeless and the readers are underserved.
Another excellent and intimate post. You deserve the “Best Website for Writers” awards you keep winning.
Having been in the executive offices of many major corporations, I can tell you what’s going on within your publisher: the CFO woke up and said, Holy s___, ebooks make 10x the profit we make on print (no returns, no massive discounts, no shipping costs, no production costs). Renegotiate with all authors, we don’t care about print, we want ebook rights!
As indies, our biggest problem for 2015 will be to find ad space when we compete against the Big 5 for spots on Bookbub…
Many thanks for maintaining such a great site!
Peace, Seeley
Seeley–I think that’s exactly what happened. :) I’ve dropped out of my trad-pub email loops (which, in retrospect, is a pity because that’s an interesting perspective I’ve lost) so I don’t know how widespread this practice is at Penguin/RH, but I’m guessing it’s getting pretty darn prevalent.
I’m 99% sure that’s what the whole Amazon/Hachette flap was about. Hachette wanted more than 70% and prices above $10. Amazon said no, so now they’re trying to build their own ebook distribution system. First step, create an e-Imprint.
Seeley–That makes a lot of sense. Although there’s a lot of hubris at Hachette if they think they can compete with Amazon. Still, worth a try, I guess. I know authors are always encouraged to sell directly from their sites (on my perpetual to-do list) to reduce reliance on retailers.
BTW: You no longer take your ball and go home, in today’s vernacular, it’s called “rage quit” :)
Rage quit! Ha!! I haven’t heard that…I love it!
It is nice that you have the reader base to make this choice. I hope it all works out for you.
Dolorah–Thanks! I hope so, too.
Elizabeth–
Those who have been along for the ride at elizabethspanncraig.com will know how unlikely it is for you to make the wrong decision. In my view, you are the consummate professional writer–not to mention generous, cordial, funny–the whole ball of wax. It will be both interesting and instructive to see what happens next–and yes, with so many trad-published books to your hard-working credit, you will remain a hybrid author for as long as it can matter. Thanks for all that you do for the rest of us!
P.S. And that’s not schmoozing, for any reason. It’s just the truth.
Barry–Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say. Hope you have a great week…and a good writing week, too!
One of the attractive things about being an artist or author is being your own boss. Now as an indie writer you really are. I hope I will get that freedom sometime too >:)
CA–I hope you do, too! I know you’re usually dividing your time between science and art…hope you’re able to devote more time to the art side soon.
Elizabeth, I really appreciate you taking us through your situation, dilemmas, and decisions. You have nothing to apologize for. Your obligation is to do what is best for you and you only. It helps us enormously when you are willing to share that, so that we can get a sense of the process. Thank you so much, and best of luck! :)
Kathy–Thanks! I hope it’s helpful. Most of the time I feel as if I’m just muddling through all the continual surprises in this business.
Hi Elizabeth,
You’ve been given a gift. I can’t think of a better position to be in for you to self-publish. With your fan base, you track record with Ebook sales and your experience and dedication, you will be able to transition easily. I agree with Joel — might be better to come up with a new image for your brand. Nothing wrong with the old one, but it will let people know there’s been a change. Something to celebrate. Maybe a great time to add a partner, a quirky pet, or something else along those lines.
There are definately hurdles when self-pubbing…I put off publishing for way too long, avoiding the many decisions, but once I established a team and a process, it’s become much easier.
I’d be willing to bet, this will be a turning point in your career you will forever look back on, as your point of real take-off.
Silas
Silas–I think, for me, the part that makes me a little nervous are the *readers* who know about the change in management, so to speak. :) Obviously I’m being very open about it. I wonder if there are some who might really scrutinize the first non-trad book in that series. I can’t blame them if they do because I’d likely do the same thing. Quality control will be big.
With my Myrtle Clover self-pubbed series, I’m so at-ease. Those books started as trad-pub too, but now I’m so many years into self-pubbing it that I don’t give it a second thought. Funny that I’m even a little uneasy about this other series.
E., you’re business minded and a talented writer–everything I wish to be IF I grow up. Love your experiences.
Teresa–Thanks! Hope you’re having a good week with Millie so far. :)
Oh, I definitely think, given your well-established audience, that this was the best choice. I hope it does really well!
Hart–Thanks!
Elizabeth, dumb as this sounds, I’d no idea so many things are involved in the publishing industry, especially when it comes to choosing between print publishing and self-publishing. In context of your Memphis series, is it really not possible to keep one’s rights to self-publish a book or series already (paper) published by a publishing house?
Prashant–It doesn’t sound dumb at all, it’s a very thoughtful question. I should probably have elaborated on it. That was a series that I was hired to write. The publisher had a concept and characters they specifically wanted developed. I auditioned to write it, develop the characters and concept, and create the mysteries. It’s a writer-for-hire arrangement. They owned the concept (and, technically, the name it was written under). Since that was our contracted arrangement, my part in the series is done.
I’m pitching the Big Six first, then a hybrid, then self publishing. I have a Teen / YA series that is picking up steam so we’ll see what happens with that soon enough.
Stephen–Excited for you and for your projects!
What a great post! I’m a big fan of self-publishing. =D
Thanks, RaShelle!
Because of your indie career, I decided to self-publish a cozy mystery series. I kept brainstorming cozy hooks a publisher might take and then decided against it. I could write a cozy series I love and let readers decide. I’m going indie all the way.
Kimberley–I think you’ve made the right decision. Although I have two hook series, I think my non-hook indies series is my most popular.
I am delighted to have come across your blog. The subject of contracts/self-publishing/intellectual property (as we call it in the UK) are really relevant and interesting (although I am at the start of the process – 20,000 words into the first draft of my first novel). Thank you.
I have a question about genre. I tried to find the answer online and in a Mystery/ Thriller writing Companion (and in your blogroll) but still unsure.
I think I am writing a Mystery pure and simple but I am wondering whether the suspense/darker elements make it a Mystery/Thriller (or something else?!) Is there a way of knowing/litmus test to know exactly what genre the book I’m writing is and – I imagine the answer is yes – do I need to know this before I finish writing it?
Apologies if this is the wrong space for questions. Please feel free to redirect me!
Hi Josephine–thanks for coming by!
I think nailing your sub-genre is a good idea…mostly for the sake of promoting it. If you know what avid readers in that sub-genre expect, you can deliver it better to them and help them to find your book. Your cover design, for instance, is going to be key to indicating the type of content you’ve got inside. So the cover on this post is a cozy mystery cover…sort of frothy, shows an element of danger. It’s code for cozy to readers of these types of books.
Have you seen this post from Writer’s Digest? http://www.writersdigest.com/qp7-migration-all-articles/qp7-migration-fiction/genredefinitions I’d scroll down to both the thriller section and the mystery section. It might also be helpful to you to read books similar to yours…it can be easy enough to find them by searching for keywords on online retailer sites like Amazon. Then you could check a bunch out from your library branch and see if there are common elements in the books.
Hope this helps!
It really did and that link was exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you very much.
I like that click to tweet feature. I just used it. This was very interesting. First of all, congrats on all your success. You do have a great following, so you’re in a good place to make those decisions. This is helpful reading to anyone in the business. Thank you!
And, thanks for visiting my blog today.
Mary
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