Big e-pub vs midsize print pub-help

[Manat]

If one had to choose between a mid size print publisher like Medallion, or a large e-pub like Ellora's Cave, which would be the best career and money wise? I have at most two weeks to decide. I'm leaning toward the print pub because ...it's print, but people say EC is growing fast. Any advice?

[blacbird]

I didn't even know there was a category that could be called "big e-pub". Which may say either something about my ignorance, or something about the relative meaning of the word "big" when it comes to e-pubs.

Or both, maybe.

caw.

[The Lady]

Ooh, a novel in print or a novel on the net. No question in my mind. I grew up reading a book in the hand. That's what I want to create. I'd go with the print. Epublishing, I'd love to know how they make their money. Can't see it myself.

[RG570]

If the epublisher was as big as Ellora's Cave, I'd definitely go with that.

I read an article by one of their authors, who now has a contract with a "real" publisher, and she said that you get paid quicker and more regularly with epublishers than the "real" ones. And people are making very decent money over there.

Plus, your books are never out of print.

[Manat]

If the epublisher was as big as Ellora's Cave, I'd definitely go with that.

I read an article by one of their authors, who now has a contract with a "real" publisher, and she said that you get paid quicker and more regularly with epublishers than the "real" ones. And people are making very decent money over there.

Plus, your books are never out of print.

It is Ellora's Cave. I read something recently that said they were the fastest growing publisher in the world, but I believe the big money maker is their erotica. I can see why people, women in particular, might prefer to buy erotica from an e-publisher, but my offer is from their mainstream press Cerridwen, for an historical. I'm thinking lady might be right about that, who is going to buy a 100,000 historical in e-form? I do know they send royalties the first of the month, just like with a job.

[Christine N.]

Ellora's cave is big business. One of the biggest, if not THE biggest e-pub out there.

Depends on what's important to you. A real book in your hand, or money ;).

[Cathy C]

EC is a print pub, in addition to an epub. They just recently moved from POD to offset press for their trade softcover titles. Of course, not ALL of their books go into print--which is an issue. But both EC and Medallion have an excellent marketing/distribution system and are in all the bookstores. But I believe (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong) that only Medallion is in the SECONDARY markets, which are grocery stores, discount stores like Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target, and on newsstands.

Depending on your book genre, that could be a major market.

Just something to think about. I think the general impression of them is about the same in the industry. They're both "up and comers."

Good luck with your decision! :)

[veinglory]

Yes, there are large epublishers either e-only or e-books as well as print. Yes, people support themselves full time writing for Ellora's Cave. I find it odd that people without even that awareness would jump in to give an answer to such a specific question?

In making this decision I would look at two things. First, the best estimate that can be made of relative sales--perhaps about the same--both meet RWA basic requirements and so can sell 1000s of a title. But maybe Ellora's Cave ahead given that I see a few dozen of their titles in my local store and none that are Medallion (that may be a matter of my location and shelves I borwse, however)? I couldn't say for sure but perhaps you could approach some of the authors for an informal chat?

Then which is the best fit? Look through the catalogues and formats and see which is the image that appeals to you the most and which fits best with your mansucript? Which do you like better as a reader? Which publishers authors you love? That is just the more intuitive side of the equation as to where to find your best 'fit'. :)

I would be proud to be with either, I must say.

[Simon Woodhouse]

When I buy a book, I like to think I'm not really paying for the paper and the ink (even though that's what's in my hand when I walk out the store). What I'm actually buying is the means to transfer the story out of the author's head, and into my own. I'd like to be with the publisher that allows my novel to be transferred into the greatest number of heads, regardless of the medium involved.

I read somewhere once that publishers (like movie studios and record companies), are only really there to act as cr*p filters. In other words, if they're doing their jobs properly, bad books/movies/music should never see the light of day. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

In time I think (I hope) e-publishing will gain more acceptability. But that'll only happen if the publishers involved filter out the cr*p.

[Christine N.]

I had thought I heard EC was in print as well, but I didn't want to say it and not have it be right.

[Manat]

Thanks folks. I'm not sure what I'll do yet, but I've been really worried about making the wrong decision and from what I'm reading here I can relax a bit. It seems that either would be a good choice. It will probably end up being a last minute decision based on intuition and contract issues. I did fire off some contract questions to EC and haven't got an answer yet, but the editors from both places seem very accessable and the kind of people it would be pleasant to work with.