We're releasing what? 300 new/signed books within the next year. We've already released 100--without any seeming problems. Of those 400, close to 100 are reissues at least.
Since you only addressed my post long enough to thank me for my input, I have to repeat a major concern with this huge number of releases. From a publishing standpoint, it doesn't matter if a percentage of those books are reissues, or that they're not all novels - ALL of your books (ideally) need to be marketed and promoted, so how can you possibly do that for roughly 33-ish new releases per month? That's a huge undertaking, and you've not mentioned how you make that happen.
I respectfully submit that this constant HORROR at the size of our release schedule is stemming from (pardon me for saying this) complete ignorance about what we're doing at Musa.
We're in the dark because you have yet to say how you make this happen. So yes, this is a horrific number of scheduled releases for latter 2011 and 2012. And since we don't have any answers as to why you would bite off such a huge task, it's logical for us to suggest authors give Musa some time to prove that you can give
all your books the kind of marketing and promotion needed in order to sell books.
We've taken on the challenge of building a publisher that no other publisher in the world believes can work.
I'm sorry, but this still sticks to the bottom of my shoe because you haven't made it clear as to what differentiates your company from any other publisher who had the nerve to say something like this.
I would love nothing more than to see you guys succeed, but I'm not seeing anything in your posts that makes me snap my fingers and say, "Ohhh, yeah, that makes total sense."
I
am a publisher, and I
do have hands-on experience with selling books for a living, and none of this makes sense to me. And the fact that you've pointedly avoided a fellow publisher's concerns gives me pause about your ability to engage in this discussion.
Penhead said:
I'll take suggestions from the "mainstream" publishing industry with a grain of salt. They sneer at e-publishers anyway, and believe that any e-pubbed writer was e-pubbed because they "weren't good enough"
I'm not sure where you've gotten this idea, but I haven't seen commercial trade presses sneer at e-publishers or their authors. E-publishing is simply another form of publication. And this is not the reason Jane and I raised concerns in this thread.
I for one am a better fit for e-publishing. I believe I'll have more control over my work ...
It appears you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. On one hand you say that e-publishing has the same standards as commercial trade publishing, then you insist that e-publishing will give you more control. Which is it? Does e-publishing have lower standards that allows authors "more control," or do they adhere to the same strict standards as commercial trade presses?
Musa accepts a lot of different genres, and I can't help but wonder how they do editorial, marketing, and promotional justice to them all. The successful e-publishers that I've kept my eyes on specialize in one main genre, and this is simply smart business because they have established contacts within that particular genre.
Based on what little Celina has said regarding this issue, I don't see how Musa can put a promotional dent in that many genres.
Honeysock said: Seriously, how does someone with no money/income break into the traditional publishing world? You don't. You have to have money in order to support yourself while you work your way up.
It's done just as would be for any business...you learn the business so you understand the costs involved in such an enterprise, make sure you double/triple it, and then see if you have that kind of operating cash to make it work. There's no mystery to it.
The current traditional publishing model, much like our current traditional educational model, is broken.
This is a platitude that gets dragged out from time to time, and it's often uttered by people who have been rejected by trade presses. So really, this old and moldy complaint comes off as sour grapes. If commercial trade publishing is broken, then perhaps you could tell us why.
See, publishing these days is about options, and all of them can work. Why is it that people insist one particular option - say e-publishing - can only exist at the expense of another (trade publishing)? It's an illogical argument because it's simply untrue. And this is the bone you're trying to pick with those of us who are questioning Musa's abilities. It isn't because we feel e-publishing is a bad idea - it's a terrific idea. We're nervous because we don't see how Musa can accomplish all it's claiming.
In short, no one is attacking. We simply need more information so authors can make informed decisions as to whether Musa can enhance their literary career.