Guest Speakers: G. Russell Gaynor, John G. Hartness, R.J. Joseph, Nicole Givens Kurtz
It’s been a year since NY has released any books – they’ve got a backlog from 2018. Because the pandemic has slowed everything down, it’s the best time to be a writer–yet the worst time to be a NY writer. The circumstances have exposed inherent flaws within the system of traditional publishing. However, it’s going to take a few years for the industry to figure out how to untangle their current web. On the bright side, this is great for Small Presses and Self-Publicists, both of which have wider resources and opportunities than before!
Now, Audiobooks did take a hit during the pandemic, but they have rebounded and come back up… perhaps not quite to the level they were at before, but the demand and sales are increasing. People are flying once more, truckers are driving again, and often times, individuals will listen to audiobooks while doing chores around the home. As people age, vision begins to fail, and educational textbooks are converting to audio formats as well. Just because more people work from home now (and no longer commute) does not mean that the audio industry is dying out.
Now, what are some flaws that have been brought to light? Bookstore Returns – major bookstores (such as Barnes and Noble) who commonly work with the “Big Five” Publishing Houses can return books to the Publisher after three months of the product remaining on their shelves. What does this mean for a Small Press or Self-Publisher? After selling the books for an agreed-upon cost, they pay shipping and handling, taxes, and any other fees involved. If the books are then returned back, it has actually cost the Publisher MORE to sell-and-accept returns than if they had never sold any books at all! This can cause Small Presses and Self-Publishers to go bankrupt in some cases.
There is also the issue of gate-keeping. Often, the income that is offered by NY publishing companies is not substantial for those who want to work locally in New York. As a result, this has caused many writers to seek other avenues – which promotes Small Presses and Self-Publishing. Additionally, this is great for broadening the scope of voices on a more diverse level. “The Monolith” of traditional publishing frequently rehashes many of the same types of stories and patterns over and over again. Self-Publishing and Small Presses offer a wider variety, allowing other unique voices to be heard without the underlying boundaries or restrictions imposed by the “Big Five.”
The topic of “Trigger Warnings” to be labelled on books has become a more prevalent talking point in the industry as well. While it is certainly brought up with good intentions, it can unfortunately be used as a type of censorship and suppress the ability for more diverse voices to be heard. However, as a writer, one of our biggest mistakes can be Self-Rejection and censorship. This can come in the form of submitting your work to an editor, who responds, asking for changes. One may feel anxious about resubmitting to them in the future, and never contact the editor or publishing company again. Do not let your anxiety prevent you from taking the step into what “could be.” There’s excellent works and talent from people across all cultures and backgrounds – sometimes it just needs that extra push, or finding that niche, to become visible.
Have you considered becoming a Self-Published Author, or working with a Small Press? What are some of the advantages and challenges you’ve come across in the publishing world (for traditional or self-publishing)? What are some of your favorite works by Indie Authors? Please let me know in the Comments Section below!
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Featured Image Source: https://mspublishing.blogs.pace.edu/2017/10/09/internships-with-the-big-5/