AboutCathy Clamp Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of getting published through commercial publishers, ebook publishers and self-publishing I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology, acronyms and manuscript formatting. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication.
Experience I'm a USA Today bestselling author of romance fiction in the Tor/Forge Books paranormal romance line. Along with a co-author, I've published eight novels (combination of mass market and trade softcover) since 2003, and have contracts for six more books through 2009. I've also published short stories in regional and national magazines as well as freelance feature articles.
Organizations Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America.
Publications Books: Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing; Magazines: Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, many others.
Education/Credentials My educational background is limited to real life experience of publishing novels commercially for the past five years.
Awards and Honors USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Book Buyers Best Award for Paranormal, 2007, Romantic Times Best Werewolf Novel, 2006, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Best Historical Chronicle Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
As I run the gamut of the traditional publishing arena, looking for both, an agent an a publisher, it occurs to me I should not ignore altogether, the possiblity of e-publishing--but I don't know diddly about that.
So, how does it work?
ATB,
Dan
Answer Hi, Dan!
Sorry for the delay in answering. I apparently didn't get your first email. But the nice people at AllExperts let me know you were waiting, so here I am!
You're right not to ignore the possibility of epublishing. It's a rising field and, with the right publisher, can do well for certain authors. What you need to decide is what you have in mind for your publishing career. While ebooks are *available* to everybody who uses the internet, the question is how many people actually BUY them? Most of the ebook authors I know don't make very much money, and spend a great deal of time marketing. There's nothing inherently wrong with marketing, of course. I do a bunch myself. But it does take away from writing your NEXT book. The average income for an epubbed novel (from people I've talked to) seems to be from $100-$1,000 over the life of the title (meaning the length of time it's offered on the publisher's website or Fictionwise and the like.) Is that good enough for you? You're the only person who can answer that. Some ebook authors have a good following of fans and more than one has made the jump from ebooks to print pub successfully. Usually that's in the romance/erotica fields, though. Not as many in other genres. The fact is that there are an awfully LOT of readers who prefer the tactile sensation of holding a book. Few people own the Mobi/Kindle/etc. readers presently, so you're somewhat limited on your audience if they don't want to read it on their computer/laptop.
Now, non-fiction (NF) doesn't seem to do as well in ebook format as a print book. Nobody's quite sure why. It would seem logical that MORE people would prefer a business or self-help book that could be quickly searched for particular data on the computer, but logic doesn't always follow in selling books. The fact is that print seems to rule NF.
Maybe if you tell me what genre/category of book you're planning to write it would help me steer you right. :)
