Simon & Shuster CEO Says Low Barriers to Self-Publishing Create Problems for Trade Publishers
In a recent "Publisher's Weekly" article, Carolyn Reidy, president and
CEO of Simon and Shuster, spoke about current and worsening troubles for the book
publishing industry. She cataloged the list of critical concerns including lower consumer
purchasing, competition with retailers, declining backlist sales, and the economics of
digital publishing that bring in less revenues. She also described the "low barriers to self-publishing" as a threat to the traditional trade publishing industry.
On a more positive note, Reidy told PW, "Now we have the chance to actually find the
reader where they are spending their time – in front of a screen – and cement a
relationship with them through e-mail newsletters, viral marketing, mobile delivery and
other tools."
A one-on-one relationship between an author and a reader is what book publishing is
ultimately about, and readers do continue to want that kind of relationship. The author
who communicates with readers through e-mail, blogs, book web sites, and online news
releases has a great advantage over one who neglects to use electronic media. In these
more competitive times, failing to use these technologies will most likely mean just plain
failing.
When authors consider who will publish their books, they should contemplate what
Carolyn Reidy has said about the low barriers to self-publishing. Choosing a publisher
such as Dorrance to assist you in pursuing your publishing objectives and becoming an
active participant, along with your publisher, in connecting directly to readers gives
authors more options and greater opportunities than ever before.
Posted by Elizabeth House at 11/25/2008 11:24 AM 
Categories: Print on demand,Book publishng industry,Self publishig,Niche marketing
Categories: Print on demand,Book publishng industry,Self publishig,Niche marketing
The more serious problem, IMO, are the low standards of the trade publishers. For example, the senior editor of ****** in NY told me that a war novel with no women in it would have zero chance of publication in today's novel market. That is supression -- the serious white male novelist either has to follow a NY PC template or be bannish from the publishing world. I am bannished. Whitmore fortunately accepted my war novel, The Hogs of Cold Harbor, endorsed by Norman Mailer! At least this good has come of the supression of my work: I'm so furious that I'll keep writing to MY standards, which are a hell of lot higher than the New York pork publishers.
The Internet is definitely the most effecient and cost effective means of promoting a book yourself. Whitmore has a good promotion dept., netting my book four reviews in national magazines; one local newspaper story; an interview on a Southern radio talk show; a spontaneous review on Writers.net's Craft Forum (International); and last, an incredible fury of angry pro and con reviews at my sales page on Amazon.
Nevertheless I spent hours and hours online promoting the book at civil-war chat lines, round tables and reenactment communities. (I deliberately started arguments to bring attention to my book.)
I joined and covertly sang the praises of my book at all the online writing sites & forums.
I took advantage of every free website offered that I could find. I have dozens of websites for my book(s), all of which link back to my Whitmore and amazon pages.
It works. I haven't sold thousands but I've sold hundreds that way. And those sites are still open, still doing their jobs.
Remember: Ms. House is absolutely right. The serious authors in America, unless they are already in the NY publishing loop, must self-publish or do as they are told and write about what NY publishers demand they write about.
As far as being white male writers, we'd might as well be Jewish writers living in Nazi Germany. Surpression has many forms. They are all criminal. Only the victims change. Now we are the victims and it is our duty to retain our artistic integrity.
Reply to this
I have just had my book for children published. PurpleUmpkin. It is at Purpleumpkin.com I started my own publishing company. I was completely surprised by how closed off the industry is. If the trade industry is dying , well they killed it. It is a game of who you are not the quality of the writing. I do not think it will change in my life time. To much money controlled by a very few. It is a lot like Hollywood Closed. It is to bad. As my publishing company grows I hope to be different. I tried to get my book on PBS and WHDH the Childrens channel. It was simple, turn all rights over to us and even allow them to challenge your copyright and trade marks. As my attorney said," this is a contract looking for a court" THIS IS BEING DONE WITH OUR TAX MONEY. My book will rival the Muppet's. Not a chance there.
Reply to this
There is an audience for every writer. As writers we can not become discouraged when books we write and publish don't seem to appeal to the masses. My first ever written book "Diamond's Fate" was published September of this year. And the most disappointing thing is that, my family and friends aren't eager to buy it and read it. I guess everyone wants a free copy. Richard don't become complacent or give up. Keep on expression your feelings on paper. That's what I plan to do. Eventually we will land a bestseller that will have an astounding impact on the readers. I believe every book should tell a story that will bring new awareness to the human mind, soul, and spirit. And there are plenty bestsellers circulating without an ounce of substance needed to bring about positive change in readers. God bless.
Reply to this
The trade publishers are the reason for p.o.d. and self publishing. They only accept manuscripts from agents and agents only accept clients who are published. (Most of the time).
So guys like me are caught in the old "Catch 22" scenario. I self published my first book, "Bodies and Beaches" and it sold out readily. Then the publisher went out of business so I had to go a different route with "Corpses and Canyons" the second in the Kip Yardley Mysteries series. If I could just get Ms Reidy to read either of the above, I'm sure she would be interested enough to publish them both.
Are you listening, Ms Reidy??
Don Yarber
Morganfield, KY
Reply to this
It is easy to understand Mr.Fulgham's concerns with today's media being so much more biased than ever before, but maybe he should give this publisher some consideration. They know what they are doing and if a book about war needs a woman, it's not suppression, it's good business. Maybe the narrator could be the woman or a mother's story. Don't be too hard on yourself or others, Mr.Fulgham.
Reply to this