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.
Question I have an almost 600 page, finished book ready for publishing. It took me almost two years to complete it. It's a combination joke and information book on gambling. I've been in contact with a reputable publishing company for about a year. They have been interested publishing it. Now I hear from them that they 'ed like to split it up into several ebooks and sell it that way.
Other than the self-satisfaction and ego aspect of seeing your very own book on the shelves in a major bookstore, I'm not sure if this is the way to go. It just seems to me that they are just getting a good share of the profits without a lot of financial commitments, while I did most the work. Am I off base on this? Is this a good idea? And, can my book eventually be published in the traditional way, even after being sold as an ebook, or will it be "ruined" forever after this?
Answer Hi, Terrence!
I guess I first have a bit of a problem with the concept of a "reputable publishing company" that wants to produce the book as ebooks. Lots of large and small publishers put out ebooks, but seldom INSTEAD OF their print counterpart. That's sort of cutting their own throat because the bookstore is where the publisher makes money. There aren't enough ebook buyers out there yet to justify the expense of PRODUCING the book---from editors' salaries to cover art to catalogs and marketing.
I agree that you should be concerned. But I will say that 600 pages will be a tough sell to a commercial publisher unless there's a strong platform for it. A "platform" for a book like this would be if, for example, you're one of the final seat winners in the World Poker Tour, or made a million dollars on the slots, or even if you are paid to blog about gambling. I presume the humor aspect is ABOUT gambling, and not just a combination of things (because that would be hard to find a shelf in a bookstore to fit it.)
In your shoes, I'd think long and hard about whether I wanted to be tied to this company. Spend a little more time asking some hard questions and MAKE SURE the publisher isn't listed on the Writer Beware list of 20-Worst Publishers. You can find the list on their site, at:
If they're NOT on the list (and I do hope they're not) then you need to proceed carefully and ONLY do what makes you comfortable. If you don't think that your target readers will buy it as an ebook, then hold out for a print version, or look for a different publisher.
Hope that helps a little and feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.
