In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries it was common for novels to be published first as magazine serials and then in book form if it was felt to merit publication in that form. I suspect and hope that process will repeat itself for online publication now.
I absolutely think that there's nothing to fear about posting online first! I will say that Unruly Figures the book covers 16 people who have *not* appeared on the podcast before, and I believe I'm contractually obligated not to cover them in full episodes for at least a year after publication. So it's not quite accurate that I just collected people from the podcast and turned them into a book. Publishers definitely want some amount of exclusivity, which I get. If the book covered all the same people as the podcast, what's the incentive to buy the book instead of listening to the free audio version?
But overall I think publishing online first, whether that's in magazines or on your own substack, is a great idea! If nothing else, it can be a proof of concept to editors that convinces them to invest in you.
I never took this into consideration. This post that stops a fear I would have had before it takes root. It's great the self-publishing online is where it is today because I did use to have a stigma against it many years ago. A bit self-detrimental and unhelpful to hold such feelings when writing is already hard enough as is.
Bloom Books buys only print rights from established indy authors. After 3 years in business, they have had over 100 million in sales. It's a model that's been proven, so I expect other publishers to follow. It's good news for self publishers.
It's all about opportunity. If you publish something here or on Medium or anywhere and it gets eyeballs and it takes off, you've already done the hard work. So it's easier and less risky for a trad pub or someone from Netflix to predict they can take it to the next level.
What was Erica James's publishing path? Simon?
There used to be a platform for electronic autographs called Kindlegraph. I happened to meet the guy who invented it via Twitter and featured him on my blog.
Anyway, Erica had 50 Shades enrolled and I asked her for her digital autograph and she gave me one! It was so niche and I was touched that she did it. Respect. I read that series three times. Loved it. The sex was merely secondary imho btw. The real value was in Anastasia's hilarious inner monologues and self deprecation, and seeing the Beast Christian as so very loveable.
Sarah Fay, who runs the "Substack Writers at Work" Substack is also writing a memoir, which is I think going to be published by Harper Collins - see https://www.curedthememoir.com/about - which is the example I was looking for when I mentioned this to you recently!
I think Anne Trubek of Belt Publishing wrote that most people have one good essay in them. A good editor can expand a good essay into a book. I have a few folks on my noggin who have written one good essay that vaulted them into a book deal. You probably know a few as well.
I found it interesting because it used to commonly be said that self-publishing a book would guarantee it never found a traditional publisher. If that was ever true, it apparently is true no longer.
So if I already finished my book and have a large stack of rejection emails, do you think publishing it in serial might be a good idea rather than jumping to a self-publishing service? Especially because I've only had a small number of beta readers.
Great stuff here, thanks! What frustrates me is the indifference publishers often show towards writers after work is submitted… is it all that difficult to pen a few words in reply, in addition to the canned comments, “thanks but it’s not what we are looking for.” I’d love anything, even, “hey, this piece is shit,” “your characters are one dimensional, your dialog is weak..” Something that shows someone actually read the whole piece and not just page one. Our time is valuable too… we are the content creators that want and need commentary. I say, get over yourselves and do some good for “your people” that are responsible for what you sell… just sayin’
In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries it was common for novels to be published first as magazine serials and then in book form if it was felt to merit publication in that form. I suspect and hope that process will repeat itself for online publication now.
My favorite authors all were serial writers: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Alexandre Dumas, O'Henry
I absolutely think that there's nothing to fear about posting online first! I will say that Unruly Figures the book covers 16 people who have *not* appeared on the podcast before, and I believe I'm contractually obligated not to cover them in full episodes for at least a year after publication. So it's not quite accurate that I just collected people from the podcast and turned them into a book. Publishers definitely want some amount of exclusivity, which I get. If the book covered all the same people as the podcast, what's the incentive to buy the book instead of listening to the free audio version?
But overall I think publishing online first, whether that's in magazines or on your own substack, is a great idea! If nothing else, it can be a proof of concept to editors that convinces them to invest in you.
I never took this into consideration. This post that stops a fear I would have had before it takes root. It's great the self-publishing online is where it is today because I did use to have a stigma against it many years ago. A bit self-detrimental and unhelpful to hold such feelings when writing is already hard enough as is.
Bloom Books buys only print rights from established indy authors. After 3 years in business, they have had over 100 million in sales. It's a model that's been proven, so I expect other publishers to follow. It's good news for self publishers.
It's all about opportunity. If you publish something here or on Medium or anywhere and it gets eyeballs and it takes off, you've already done the hard work. So it's easier and less risky for a trad pub or someone from Netflix to predict they can take it to the next level.
What was Erica James's publishing path? Simon?
There used to be a platform for electronic autographs called Kindlegraph. I happened to meet the guy who invented it via Twitter and featured him on my blog.
Anyway, Erica had 50 Shades enrolled and I asked her for her digital autograph and she gave me one! It was so niche and I was touched that she did it. Respect. I read that series three times. Loved it. The sex was merely secondary imho btw. The real value was in Anastasia's hilarious inner monologues and self deprecation, and seeing the Beast Christian as so very loveable.
Anyway, great post, Simon. Thanks.
Sarah Fay, who runs the "Substack Writers at Work" Substack is also writing a memoir, which is I think going to be published by Harper Collins - see https://www.curedthememoir.com/about - which is the example I was looking for when I mentioned this to you recently!
I think Anne Trubek of Belt Publishing wrote that most people have one good essay in them. A good editor can expand a good essay into a book. I have a few folks on my noggin who have written one good essay that vaulted them into a book deal. You probably know a few as well.
A solid summary, Simon. :)
Very insightful and well supported with examples.
I found it interesting because it used to commonly be said that self-publishing a book would guarantee it never found a traditional publisher. If that was ever true, it apparently is true no longer.
So if I already finished my book and have a large stack of rejection emails, do you think publishing it in serial might be a good idea rather than jumping to a self-publishing service? Especially because I've only had a small number of beta readers.
Sure
Are you dure they do not overlap very much?
Great stuff here, thanks! What frustrates me is the indifference publishers often show towards writers after work is submitted… is it all that difficult to pen a few words in reply, in addition to the canned comments, “thanks but it’s not what we are looking for.” I’d love anything, even, “hey, this piece is shit,” “your characters are one dimensional, your dialog is weak..” Something that shows someone actually read the whole piece and not just page one. Our time is valuable too… we are the content creators that want and need commentary. I say, get over yourselves and do some good for “your people” that are responsible for what you sell… just sayin’
I published two books on Booknet and got good response. But then the company shut down.
I have been editing the manuscripts for queries.
However, I do fear that the past publishing record can prove to be a hindrance when I actually start sending it out.
Because the few agents I have checked out are also not clear about this.