Today I was discussing the concept of ‘The Hybrid Writer’ with Melinda.
For those of you wondering about what a hybrid writer is...the term has been used lately to describe a writer who has some Traditionally Published work, some Indie published work, some Digital only published work, a mixture, in other words, of publishing outlets for their creativity. Hybrid can also describe a mix of print publishing outlets, Big Press, Small Press and Indie Press.
A writer is a small business of One selling creative works to interested publishers. Some publishers are huge corporations with a commercial focus, some publishers are passionate small businesses with a niche focus and sometimes the publisher is the author who just wants to find a home for a good story. (Yes, it is a business.)
A writer has to be very aware of how each publisher works and what the advantages and disadvantages of each one are to the writer. If you are a regular reader of Craicer you will know that I have linked to many writers discussing the current upheaval in traditional print publishing and why writers must keep informed of the current changes and the impact this will have on their careers.
Roz Morris has two agents and decided to self publish a book with their support....she discusses this move and why she loves the term Hybrid Writer.
In the blogosphere writers are still discussing the implications of agents moving into publishing. Passive Guy who is a lawyer as well as a writing blogger has some interesting comments to make on the Bookends Literary stoush (I linked to last week) and the legal implications for writers and agents. As always please read the comments as they add a fuller picture to the current discussion.
Bob Mayer takes it a step forward by weighing up whether an agent should step into the publisher’s shoes. His arguments are well reasoned and the comments are very meaty. There are lots of issues for the writer to think about. Step Into This World With Your Eyes Wide Open!
Laura Paulin discusses with her readers the impact of vanishing shelf space in her local chain bookstore. As the bookstore becomes increasingly filled with novelties and not books, what impact will this have on the writer?
Kris Rusch explains how carrying less books in a bookstore leaves writers with less time than ever to promote their book before it is pulped. Even the big name authors are hurting...when you can’t find any earlier books by them in the bookstore, something is up.
Victoria Strauss of Writer Beware detailed this week the cruel hoax perpetrated on a new writer who was led to believe they had a reputable agent and a book auction in three days...except the agency had never heard of her.
Anne R Allen is sharing the load over at her popular blog and in the post introducing her new blogging buddy she shares 6 things that writers won’t miss about the big 6 ‘when they’re gone’
Jane Friedman has taken issue with Adrian Zacheim’s blog post on The Myth Of Self Publishing. If you are thinking about this take a look at the arguments put forward.
Over in the craft corner,
For all you closet comic readers out there, superheronation has defined 17 stock plots for getting Bruce Wayne into and out of trouble.
Harry Potter For Writers takes a look at how the final battles of Deathly Hallows were crafted and what writers can learn from the twists and turns of the story arc.
Jane Friedman has posted her worksheets for writers to help them become pitch ready.
Over on Craicerplus (My Amplify Page) I have links to articles on
New Book Anaylytics App
Finding Qualified Book Reviewers
Q R Code Mistakes
To finish,
If you are thinking about dipping your toe in the water with ebooks, Sarah Billington has set up an ebook project management business. Sarah has expertise in cover design editing and formatting. Check out her site and her unbelievable rates.....
SCBWI LA summer conference is about to start. You can attend it virtually by hanging out at the SCBWI blog...I have done this for the last two years and although I get a case of writer envy there are lots of little bon mots to share. It all helps to keep me informed about what is happening in children’s publishing.
How are you staying informed?
maureen
2 comments:
If an agent becomes a publisher is it time for the author (in that instance)to become their own agent. We should always know enough to protect our own interests, agent or no agent or call in advice from elsewhere as necessary.
Yes, This is an important point that you raise Melinda. The other thing that is important is to understand what changes in contracts means to writers. For instance here in NZ the publishers have stated that ebook rights are non negotiable...deal breakers if you want to keep the rights. Publishers are sitting on these rights limiting the ability of authors to make any money off their back list...With books having a shorter shelf life and being remaindered within 6 months in some cases...authors are becoming really stuck with smaller and smaller paychecks if any at all....it is no wonder that more and more authors are looking to smaller publishers more flexible contracts or investigating setting up on their own....
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