How big of a market for medium publishing houses?

pisqualie · Jul 10, 2007

I am not sure if I am asking that right but I thought I would inquire here... I have a proposal for a non-fiction book that is somewhat nichey. My proposal has received many compliments and I had seven agents review it, and one that I decided to go with. Within a week, it was with two editors at different publishers, but each eventually declined because the market seemed too small for them. The rejection today was very complimentary and said the proposal was well-written, but that they wouldn't be able to get enough out to warrant taking it on. I am not sure how big of a house it was - like I said, I believe it was a 'medium' one, whatever that means.

Other publishers have said the idea is great, but just not enough numbers. Seems to be the consensus. I am flattered that the idea is good and that the proposal is strong

Oh my point. The point of my post though is this: how many is enough to warrant taking a book on? Does anyone know? I am not sure how it all works...

My other question is this: this particular book is something that will have a really high continual sell because of the continuing need, and there will also be revision/updated editions every few years. There are a couple of spin-offs as well that are pretty practical. Do you think this will attract publishers or will the initial not huge up front thing keep them from trying?

Is a small house really so bad?

thanks

cooltouch · Jul 10, 2007

I don't know all that much about the ins-and-outs of publishing, but my book is published by a small press and I know my publisher pretty well, so I understand it somewhat. The various editions of my book have been published in runs of 5,000 copies or more. In those quantities, it is not difficult for everybody to make money.

It seems to me that a publisher must think in more long range terms than just the next print run. I know mine does. So, if staying power is a selling factor for your book, this point should be emphasized.

University presses are used to small print runs -- but they usually make up for the small volumes with the prices of their books (think college textbooks). Then there's the whole POD world. Dunno anything about it, though.

Best,

Michael

Tish Davidson · Jul 10, 2007

You might want to read the Favorite and Profitable Small Oress thread in the Networking forum.

aka eraser · Jul 11, 2007

A small or medium-sized house is not at all bad if they have a good distribution system, a catalogue and sales people. Although they don't have the money and manpower of the mega-publishers, they can be more author-friendly by keeping your book frontlisted for longer and can still make a buck with smaller print runs. An author may also feel more like a person and less like a commodity when s/he's one of 20 instead of 2,000.

Nomad has expertise in this area and will probably weigh in at some point as well.

pisqualie · Jul 11, 2007

Thanks guys - I appreciate the insight. I just learned from my agent a bit about his strategy... he is pretty confident it will go to a smaller one without a problem, and is trying to test the waters with the more medium sized ones first for the sake of the advance... makes sense I suppose.

I am just learning what all this stuff means. Thanks!

Lauri B · Jul 13, 2007

pisqualie said:
Thanks guys - I appreciate the insight. I just learned from my agent a bit about his strategy... he is pretty confident it will go to a smaller one without a problem, and is trying to test the waters with the more medium sized ones first for the sake of the advance... makes sense I suppose. I am just learning what all this stuff means. Thanks!

Hi Pisqualie,
Small houses often do just as a good a job with distribution and promotion as big ones. The main thing to determine with a small press is who distributes for them and how. That's how to get books into bookstores, libraries, schools, etc. If the publisher has no real distribution plan (they sell through Ingram and/or online only) DO NOT go with them. If they have national distribution through one of the half dozen or so really good book distributors, and they are committed to help you promote, then you're in as good a position with them as you'd be with a large house.

pisqualie · Jul 14, 2007

Nomad said:
Hi Pisqualie,
Small houses often do just as a good a job with distribution and promotion as big ones. The main thing to determine with a small press is who distributes for them and how. That's how to get books into bookstores, libraries, schools, etc. If the publisher has no real distribution plan (they sell through Ingram and/or online only) DO NOT go with them. If they have national distribution through one of the half dozen or so really good book distributors, and they are committed to help you promote, then you're in as good a position with them as you'd be with a large house.

Thanks so much! I will keep that in mind...

nancyadams · Jul 15, 2007

When I read something like this, I am amazed. Visit your local Barnes & Noble and you'll see plenty of books that could only have a small market!! In fact, I see numerous books that I wonder how they got any agent in the first place! :e2shrug:

This is truly a hard business!

pisqualie said:
I am not sure if I am asking that right but I thought I would inquire here... I have a proposal for a non-fiction book that is somewhat nichey. My proposal has received many compliments and I had seven agents review it, and one that I decided to go with. Within a week, it was with two editors at different publishers, but each eventually declined because the market seemed too small for them. The rejection today was very complimentary and said the proposal was well-written, but that they wouldn't be able to get enough out to warrant taking it on. I am not sure how big of a house it was - like I said, I believe it was a 'medium' one, whatever that means.

Other publishers have said the idea is great, but just not enough numbers. Seems to be the consensus. I am flattered that the idea is good and that the proposal is strong

Oh my point. The point of my post though is this: how many is enough to warrant taking a book on? Does anyone know? I am not sure how it all works...

My other question is this: this particular book is something that will have a really high continual sell because of the continuing need, and there will also be revision/updated editions every few years. There are a couple of spin-offs as well that are pretty practical. Do you think this will attract publishers or will the initial not huge up front thing keep them from trying?

Is a small house really so bad?

thanks

How big of a market for medium publishing houses?

pisqualie

cooltouch

Tish Davidson

aka eraser

Fish Whisperer

pisqualie

Lauri B

I Heart Mac

pisqualie

nancyadams