So, for any newbies - all you have to do to participate in bloffee is:
So, any particular posts that stuck with you this week? I was pleasantly surprised, after Wednesday's post, to see this post by Nathan Bransford, where he declares the gatekeepers to publishing have been replaced by ‘influencers’. While I agree with this in some respects, I’m not sure this development holds a ton of weight when it comes to traditional publishing. Sure, maybe trends will be set by indie-published books (Like Fifty Shades) that will have traditional houses following suit, but, as far as I can see, it hasn’t really changed the way the big six acquire material on a large scale, has it? I mean, I assume they’re following trends and keeping their eyes open, but everything I’ve read and heard in the last few months leads me to believe the power-houses are still operating pretty much the same. What do you guys think?
Hope you all have a great weekend!
*CQG*
20 comments:
That place looks spectacular. I'd stay there. Publishing has changed drastically over the previous few years and I do wonder how it truly affects the big publishers.
I think it has to affect them a little.
I brought tons of energy drinks this morning because I need them...
I've brought some fresh picked and cleaned strawberries so everyone have at that them :-)
That B&B looks fab on the outside. I can only imagine the inside is to die for.
I glanced over Nathan's article. The one thing I've noticed is that he has a tendency to be slightly ahead of the curve. Something he touches on gains momentum then gets a louder, larger audience down the line, usually in agreement with what he mentioned.
Self-publishing hasn't really turned things completely out of order, but it has begun to have an impact. The Big 6 will want to remain the Big 6. At this point, I'd say that whatever way they can accomplish this goal, while also producing phat profits, is the "influencer".
Hmm, what have we got? Decaf de luxe (cinnamon, cocoa, molasses) and oats with peanut butter and banana. The perfect start to a long day after a short night.
I don't usually comment...more of trolling, but I did just have to say that a lot of people get this wrong about Fifty Shades. Fifty Shades was fan fiction that was posted on a website, it was picked up by a small press out of Australia and then picked up by the Big Six. It was never actually self-published.
And that's all. Other than that I stayed up WAY too late awtching the Olympics and now I'm drinking Diet Mountain Dew.
I brought coffee as usual. I think this will influence big publishers but maybe not yet. Didn't Simon or one of the other big publishers buy a small vanity/self publishing press? I can't remember the details. But I agree for now that we're not seeing much difference.
Blueberry coffee cake is sounding awfully good this morning, so that's what I'm bringing. And coffee, because these late-night Olympic events are killing me.
Having decided to go with self-publishing for now, and (hopefully) small presses in the future, I haven't been keeping up on what the Big Six are doing. I agree with Angela, though - their biggest influencers are going to be whatever will help them maintain their status and keep their profits up. Ouch, that sounds cynical. Obviously I'm still sleep-deprived and cranky this morning. More coffee!
I'm bringing coffee and blueberry scones (I don't really have one - just wishing). I'm bet they have a pack of analysts looking at the impact of self-publishing. Good time to be an analyst, huh?
OH I love this B&B place!!! Very grand!! So am bringing along Bucks Fizz!! Yay!!!
Traditional publishing is just that! Traditional but I think in this day and age grudgingly keeping a very beady eye on indie/e-publishing trends too! LOL!
Take care
x
I've brought strawberries, egg white, and oatmeal with a nice cup of steaming tea.
Well, what do I think about the BIG 6....pleading the fifth.
Shelly
That B&B looks like a great place to loose yourself to some writing! (My kind of place.)
Today, I'm brining a bucket of coffee, cause, I stayed up late too. (Not watching the Olympics like everyone else, but trying to work on my WIP without kids interrupting me, HA)
My girls made me zombie pancakes for breakfast. I would love to share them with you. They used strawberries for the "brains". He he he.
I'm still all over the place in my thoughts about traditional vs. self-pub. Right now, I'm still clinging to traditional. However, that may change by the time I've finished this cup of coffee, LOL
Hmm, thought about trying to earn some "tough guy street cred" by saying a I brought a half-bag of potato chips, warm beer, and a cigarette. But no one would believe me as a tough guy... So, in true South Texan tradition, I've brought breakfast tacos with homemade salsa, and fresh, hot tortillas. Ooh, and Bloody Mary's, too! :)
As for the Indie impact, I'd say it is certainly having some impact on the traditional process. Have read multiple agent blogs who've stated they now mine the Kindle lists for buzz surrounding Indie books/authors. At Write-On-Con last year, an agent said during a chat/presentation that she might recommend a first time author taking something Indie first. And, if successful--not bestseller, but successful, it would certainly get her attention more than dry querying.
My personal belief is similar to Bransford's, and that we're moving more toward a model where most mid-list and lower tier authors will find their niche, and the most profitability, from Indie or small ePress . With traditional big publishing really only investing in blockbusters and huge names. Or at leas authors they think they can make a huge name. We're certainly not to that point quite yet, but I think there are certainly signs if you look for them.
I'm bringing poached eggs, and I don't think I know Diandra or Magan, so I'm off to double check.
I've only got coffee today, in a travel mug as I sit at the YMCA during my kid's swim lessons.
Didn't one of the big six recently start an ebook only imprint? And another one bought up a vanity publisher (which doesn't sound like a good thing for authors.) I think change is coming, but it takes a long time for a tractor trailer to make a U turn, you know?
I think the big guys are jumping on the wagon. Penguin just purchased Author House, Harlequin, Random House and Avon (to name a few) now have e-book lines. I think they'll find a way to survive.
Croissants. And what has changed? My agent acts different and a bit more active, after i said, I'll selfpublish every book, she is not able to sell to a traditional publisher. Now I have both and realize, that's probably the best solution.
I'm bringing an urn full of coffee (migraine yesterday, so my brain is much today). I have no idea how things are going to change as a result of e-publishing, but I'm glad I can watch and be part of it all.
I'm bringing...OJ and Asiago Toast from Trader Joes - anyone tried it? It's fabulous.
I think I agree with you, Katie. It's exciting to see so many different avenues that authors can explore to publish their work, but I'm not sure they're really affecting the big houses. Off to meet some new peeps!
Warm Orange Rolls. I feel the major issue with Self publishing effecting the big guys is they still look down on it. The stigma that most self-published books will be "sub-par" is still there, though I think it is changing. Maybe in a couple of years things will be different.
Great post, Katie!
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