Where do we go from here? - More reading

[naomi_jay]

A couple of interesting bits and pieces to read following on from my blog last week about the whole JA Konrath/Amazon Encore thing.

First, Dear Author offers some thoughts.

And then Publishers Weekly offers some more.

Interesting to note that some see Konrath's move as "a midway point between corporate publishing and self-publishing" whilst others say the deal is most definitely not a game-changer for publishing. Scott Waxman of Waxman Literary Agency (which has just announced Diversion Books, a controversial move at best, and once again the marvellous Stacia Kane tells us why here), is one of the "middle ground" viewers. Guess that makes sense, given what Diversion Books is all about. Ted Weinstein of Weinstein Literary Management says he's now talking to all of his clients about "the smartest way to publish their books—and going with a big house isn't a foregone conclusion."

It's interesting to note that Konrath's sales for the Jack Daniels series have been slipping with each release. I have to admit, my first thought on reading about this last week was "so nobody else wanted the book, huh? How come?" Of course, I then slapped myself on the wrist for being bitchy, but the question remains. Konrath has success, a recognisable name, and an apparently fiercely dedicated fan base. So why didn't his usual publisher want Shaken? The fall in print sales probably answers that question; there are lots of authors finding themselves in the same boat.

Anyway. The overall point of view appears to be that, yeah, Konrath is doing something different but no, it's not the end of days yet.

Comments

[dwg.livejournal.com]

Verrry interesting read from Stacia Kane, and nice to see a response from Scott Waxman, but I'm hoping there's more follow up to further clarify. I can sorta see where it could be beneficial to authors, but for all the good reasons that Stacia pointed out, I don't think it's going to be as good for business as Waxman hopes.

It seems a little disheartening, because surely the smaller epubs/presses would appreciate getting Waxman represented authors using their brand, and bringing their readers to it, and it could be mutually beneficial for all parties, imo. But this is a theory that's probably just as sound as the one that Waxman has for Diversion. Reality is, neither option could work, or both could, or...we'll just have to see.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

It seems similar to the Ravenous Romance set up, which was founded partly by literary agent Lori Perkins, who went on to sell at least one of her client's work to RR. Something about the RR set-up is incredibly skeevy, but I'm not quite sure why.

[dwg.livejournal.com]

OH it just hit me where I know about Ravenous Romance; Knight Moves. I'm currently wallowing in OTF_Wank and Dear Author tabs and just hit the WTAF about RR soliciting writers on the NaNoWriMo boards. My mind, she is boggled.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, Knight Moves! WTF was that all about... The author of Knight Moves recently accused me of accusing her of supporting terrorists.

[dwg.livejournal.com]

IDEK, but there's icons to Knight Moves fame in weepingcock -- one of my favourites is a speech bubble coming from someone's crotch to say "Queeb." And it got posted about at least twice (it might have been more?) because that's how WTF it is.

By all accounts, Ms Layne seems like a real classy lady.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Based on my brief, bizarre encounter with her, I must concur.