I was wondering if there is league table of eBook sales. My interest is in the sales of first time authors, not established authors who stand to benefit by selling a backlog of novels for pennies.
It would be interesting to know how many want-to-be authors sell a thousand or more eBooks. I am willing to wager that is not many.
The reason I ask is because of the on-going debate between traditional and self-publishing.
I have watched many youtube videos on the subject. Most are poorly-presented and amateurish.
Perhaps I am being cynical, but I wonder who has most to gain by self-publishing. Has this newly-formed market merely been created to exploit want-to-be authors who have failed to secure an agent and access the traditional route to publishing?
Many small to medium publishers will not invest in authors. They only offer contracts based on eBook sales, with the promise that if the novel does well they will do a print-on-demand run. That is vanity-publishing.
There is no financial risk to the publisher and they stand to gain from sitting back and doing nothing if the book does well. In addition the author has probably signed all his/her rights away in the excited rush to get a publishing deal. For example, the foreign rights, a scale of royalties based on book sales and possible film rights.
I do not believe an author should sign a contract, if a publisher is not prepared to market a novel, and do a paperback print-run. If that is the case, then authors have nothing to lose by being independent.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.
The Author of the Eragon series had to self-publish and then when he was touring with his parents in America it got scouted and then hit main-stream.
Same for FSOG (shame)
So in some cases it does work but in most cases it won't.
If your story/idea/manuscript is worth it's weight in gold to an agent or publisher they will try and gain the rights and it WILL be published. Here's me hoping.
I understand your viewpoint, Jon.
Many agents/agencies are not looking for new authors, because they survive comfortably with their existing list of authors. They can afford to be very selective.
Exploitation is rife in self-publishing because the traditional route to publishing seems to be very close to saturation at any given time.
Unfortunately, very few want-to-be authors sell a thousand eBooks. Marketing is the biggest problem.
Good luck in your chosen route.
Excellent post,Frank.
There is a book that lists Agents and the Genres they are looking for in a writer.
2013 Guide to Literary Agents - Chuck Sambuchino.
The book also covers Synopsis and Covering Letters.
If you look up the book on Amazon you can have a sneak preview of what's inside.
I believe it would be a worthwhile investment for those that can afford it.
Good Luck.