Hey guys, I have a friend who wants to start her own epublishing site. She's currently getting a stable of writers together and hammering out the details. She asked me if I could tell her about my experiences with epublishers and what I know about them. Other than there are epublishers popping up all over the place...she wants thoughts, opinions, and advise on running a successful publisher in the current market. I know there are many people on this forum who are either working for or publishing with epublishers, and so I thought I'd post here.
Here is my very subjective take on it:
For a small, new e-publisher I think that Loose Id provides a model. They have grown a large, enthusiastic readership. They have alot of products with predictable, high quality content. Their books get widely reviewed. I have nothing at all to do with them except having placed a novella with them, and they way they handled and sold it impressed me.
All this adds up to well over 100 copies of my book sold within a few months. Basically, unless I am going to sell at least 100 copies with royalties of at least a buck a book it just isn't worth thinking about even as a second publishing teir. I would rather sell 1000s but failing that 100s is worth doing. A lot of epublishers are only shifting 10s and *that* is disappointing if they over-hype themselves. Volume is far more important than cover art or royalty percentage.
Other than that -- pleasant and timely interactions, clear and specific submission guidelines preferably in a niche area to avoid the competition, good editors, a clean pro-looking website and strong distribution (amazon, ebookad.com etc not just on-site).
For a small, new e-publisher I think that Loose Id provides a model. They have grown a large, enthusiastic readership. They have alot of products with predictable, high quality content. Their books get widely reviewed. I have nothing at all to do with them except having placed a novella with them, and they way they handled and sold it impressed me.
All this adds up to well over 100 copies of my book sold within a few months. Basically, unless I am going to sell at least 100 copies with royalties of at least a buck a book it just isn't worth thinking about even as a second publishing teir. I would rather sell 1000s but failing that 100s is worth doing. A lot of epublishers are only shifting 10s and *that* is disappointing if they over-hype themselves. Volume is far more important than cover art or royalty percentage.
Other than that -- pleasant and timely interactions, clear and specific submission guidelines preferably in a niche area to avoid the competition, good editors, a clean pro-looking website and strong distribution (amazon, ebookad.com etc not just on-site).
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Well, after several long emails from her, it's pretty clear that it's "not that easy." She has some things going for her that are very helpful, and not everybody has at their fingertips (for example, her husband is a lawyer that handles contracts and copyrights). She's also friends with several really excellent authors who aren't publishing right now--she's got her pick of high-quality romance erotica. She's also done her research.
Changeling Press
I'll admit it. I'm a new author.
In face I only have books published with one publisher. But my experience with them has been the best! Changeling Press is very professional to deal with and I think both my books got a really good home with them. The editors are very good at their job, but they don't try to re-write the book, or deminish the author's voice. I don't think any book that need that much work would even be accepted with them. What they do, is take a great story and make it even better.
As far as sales are concerned... I sold over 100 copies in two weeks. Not sure what more I can say there.
Everyone in management is exceptionally knowledgeable about the e-pub business and the market in general. I think most of their editors have been around since the beginning of the e-pub businiss. And most importantly, they support their authors 100%.
Honestly, I can't say enough good things about my experience there. They have only been in business one year and already reviewers and authors alike will tell you they are a force in the business. They are ethical in their dealings with both authors and customers.
If you would like to see what they have to offer, you can find them at www.changelingpress.com
Marteeka Karland
I'll admit it. I'm a new author.
In face I only have books published with one publisher. But my experience with them has been the best! Changeling Press is very professional to deal with and I think both my books got a really good home with them. The editors are very good at their job, but they don't try to re-write the book, or deminish the author's voice. I don't think any book that need that much work would even be accepted with them. What they do, is take a great story and make it even better.As far as sales are concerned... I sold over 100 copies in two weeks. Not sure what more I can say there.
Everyone in management is exceptionally knowledgeable about the e-pub business and the market in general. I think most of their editors have been around since the beginning of the e-pub businiss. And most importantly, they support their authors 100%.
Honestly, I can't say enough good things about my experience there. They have only been in business one year and already reviewers and authors alike will tell you they are a force in the business. They are ethical in their dealings with both authors and customers.
If you would like to see what they have to offer, you can find them at www.changelingpress.com
Marteeka Karland
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Erotica seems to be doing very well when it comes to e-publishing. I see erotica titles consistently hitting the top ten sellers on Fictionwsie.com and Eggplant's one erotica title sells steadily.
I'd suggest that anyone looking to go into e-publishing to look at getting listed on as many sites as possible. The majority of Eggplant's titles are sold through Fictionwise. The various other vendors take a close second with sales from the website taking a distant third.
I'd suggest that anyone looking to go into e-publishing to look at getting listed on as many sites as possible. The majority of Eggplant's titles are sold through Fictionwise. The various other vendors take a close second with sales from the website taking a distant third.
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The sales sites depend somewhat on the publisher. Listing with fictionwise, e-bookad and amazon is a great idea, but specialist erotica epublishers often sell mainly from their own sites ands have a loyal following of their own. I think this is especially true for outfits like changeling anf loose Id which have a fairly specific niche and strong house style.
So do the royalties, or commissions, paid by these e-publishers vary widely?
Or are they all about the same percentage?
Or are they all about the same percentage?
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They vary quite a lot but I think 20-40% is fairly common. Often the ones that offer higher percentages provide fewer services and promotion. It is important to balance volume of sales and percentage to maximise profit. I have to main ebooks and the one with a lower % royalty made me more money.
sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I'm still finding my way around this loop.
Royalities are 30% I THINK they say so in their FAQ for submissions, but I couldn't be sure about that.
Marteeka
I'm still finding my way around this loop.Royalities are 30% I THINK they say so in their FAQ for submissions, but I couldn't be sure about that.
Marteeka
i'm not sure what other publishers pay, but I know EC has posted on their website something like 26-27 per cent??? Can't remember. But it's posted in the FAQ's