Sunday, April 13, 2014 spring "looking ahead" event

[Georgie Binks]

Getting media attention is impossible, although we have cooked up a really weird promotion coming up that should knock Rob Ford out of the headlines for a day or two. That is definitely a problem. But many authors with traditional publishers have a difficult time getting any media attention. Tons of books come into the Toronto Star every week and only a handful are reviewed. The other challenge is that fiction writers have a heck of a time getting noticed these days at all. Publishers love someone with a 'platform' like say a Kevin O'Leary. They'll publish three of his books because he's on TV. Meanwhile Shakespeare never would have made it because no one knew who he was.

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

Good morning everyone. I'm what I have heard to as a hybrid author, since I've had three books published traditionally and am now working on my third which is being done independently. I prefer this term over self-published since it suggests choice rather than no choice, which is often the case today.

 

[Gail Anderson-Dargatz]

I think that editing is absolutely crucial. I was edited very lightly on my first three books, and looking back, those books would have been so much better had I really been pushed. I think we just simply cannot do it ourselves. We're too close to it.

Yes, both substantive and copy edits (few writers have this last skill set):

From that Guardian article:

"The copy editor, a traditionally marginalised figure, is now in strong demand. If you are well-connected through social media, can isolate what your writing has to offer and get the message noticed by a reading public, you can probably manage the marketing of your work. The one thing it's really hard to do is self-edit. Long ago publishers outsourced copy editing, relying on the freelance labour market – and freelancers are now being actively sought by self-publishing authors too. The price for services for which there is both high demand and scarce supply tends to rise."

 

[Georgie Binks]

I would like to see the reading or book signing event evolve, however. Anyone have ideas on what a reading event might look like in the future, particularly as books become more than straight text down the road?

A folksinger I know, Jay Aymar, is now organizing events where he sings songs and then has an author read. It's kind of a different way of doing things but it is catching on.

 

[Kimmy Beach]

I would like to see the reading or book signing event evolve, however. Anyone have ideas on what a reading event might look like in the future, particularly as books become more than straight text down the road?

How would you like to see readings evolve, Gail? Seems to me that the way we do it has been around forever, and I'm not sure it's going anywhere. People are what matter in this business (that's the way I see it anyway), and there will always be room for a group gathered to listen to a reader.

 

[Georgie Binks]

I think that editing is absolutely crucial.

I really agree with this. In addition to using two editors I also was a member of several writing groups. The men in one group really took me to task for the way I wrote the main male and I completely changed my treatment of him based on their comments. I think regular people can also have a lot of common sense to offer.

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

One of the biggest recent trends has been the bloom in self-publishing. I asked Georgie Binks, who was featured in this recent Star piece on the subject, for her thoughts on this one. How many of us will self-publish in the future? How is that changing the publishing landscape?

How do traditional publishers fit in all this? What role will publishers play in the future? How about our beloved booksellers?

To put this one in context, please check out Crystal Stranaghan's guest blog Self-publishing 101 now up on my site. Crystal has generously made available a ton of material on self-publishing to help ground this aspect of the discussion. Please also see her collection of self-publishing resources.

You can see from Crystal's blog just how complicated publishing your own book is. Do we want to take over all the various jobs involved in publishing a book to become publishers ourselves? Perhaps, perhaps not. Either way many of the tasks traditionally handled by our publishers are increasingly falling on the writer’s shoulders. Are we up to the task?

Having worked on both sides of the fence there are certainly pros and cons to both ways. I liked working with publishers and greatly appreciated the support offered since I am largely an introvert. That said, radical changes have been going on in the publishing world for a number of years now and more of the work continues to be piled onto the author's shoulders. When you create a book from the ground up it is necessary to get to know all aspects of book-building and that is empowering. Just a thought or two...

 

[Mary Novik]

What interesting comments, and it's only 9:15! I'm playing catch-up here, trying to read all the posts above. That's a very interesting Guardian article mentioned above. I'll put the link here again to make it easier: Ten Ways Self-Publishing Has Changed the Book World. I know some publishers are actually trying to make direct connections to readers themselves, not just through the usual sales channels, bookstores, etc. I think this is the concept behind the Random House's blogs that directly engage with readers, like Retreat, and their big public events, like Bookstravaganza. They held the first Bookstravaganza in Vancouver this year, and it was wonderful. Lots of great swag for people to take home.

 

[Ania Szado]

We already have authors Skyping into book clubs and joining onstage discussions via screen only. It's impossible to know what tech changes to expect within the next ten years, but it would make sense that there will be smaller budgets for touring authors, and more opportunities to appear virtually... or holographically, or some such thing.

 

[Kimmy Beach]

We already have authors Skyping into book clubs and joining onstage discussions via screen only. It's impossible to know what tech changes to expect within the next ten years, but it would make sense that there will be smaller budgets for touring authors, and more opportunities to appear virtually... or holographically, or some such thing.

That's true, Ania. But I have to say that I agree with Georgie's comment above that she does better handing books to readers directly. I do too. I like Skype, and it's great for virtual classroom visits, etc, but I truly hope it never takes the place entirely of a person reading to other people and signing books (or thighs if the book is electronic ;-)

 

[Georgie Binks]

When I'm selling my books some people tell me they are going to buy it on Kobo or Kindle but I can see immediately who has purchased my book and I've had very few of those sales. I wonder if people are really moving into e-readers or if that is just a fad?

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

Getting media attention is impossible, although we have cooked up a really weird promotion coming up that should knock Rob Ford out of the headlines for a day or two. That is definitely a problem. But many authors with traditional publishers have a difficult time getting any media attention. Tons of books come into the Toronto Star every week and only a handful are reviewed. The other challenge is that fiction writers have a heck of a time getting noticed these days at all. Publishers love someone with a 'platform' like say a Kevin O'Leary. They'll publish three of his books because he's on TV. Meanwhile Shakespeare never would have made it because no one knew who he was.

I so agree with you, Georgie. In order to garner any level of attention these days authors need to be known in some other realm besides simply writing good books! In truth we live in an increasingly bizarre world with an ever diminishing attention span. Sometimes I feel, as a writer like I'm living in a cave chipping away at a stone tablet. In order to produce strong work it is necessary to spend endless hours of first, second, and third drafts, and to also fit plenty of time for reflection in. My fundamental requirements as a creative writer are out of harmony with the civilization in which I live.

 

[Jen Sookfong Lee]

The idea of book events is interesting to me, and I've floated ideas with festivals here and there lately, but no one has bitten yet. I really think the future of book events is to make them more multi-media, to have authors present or speak along with other creative people. This is beneficial for everyone. I think authors lend a bit a gravitas to, say, hiphop musicians, and I think the musicians bring a whole other crowd to the author. Recently I spoke at PechaKucha here in Vancouver, with all sorts of other speakers: an architect, a guy who builds robots, an organic dairy farmer. It was by far the biggest, most engaged audience I have ever spoken to. I have no idea if I sold any books (maybe one that I know of for sure), but it brought me 30 new followers in an hour and presented me with an audience of diverse, smart people.

So let's suggest that to our festival organizers and publicists. Let's piggyback on other events that usually only ever see dancers or singers. We can do it!

 

[Sonal Champsee]

When I'm selling my books some people tell me they are going to buy it on Kobo or Kindle but I can see immediately who has purchased my book and I've had very few of those sales. I wonder if people are really moving into e-readers or if that is just a fad?

I've been anti-eReader for a while now, but I discovered that when I read on my BlackBerry, I can stay up late reading in bed without disturbing my partner. (Lights off for me.) So I wonder.

Still, I wonder.... there was an article somewhere about how much less we retain reading electronically vs reading in print. (And I'm not taking an eReader to read in the tub!)

 

[Jen Sookfong Lee]

I'm traditionally published also and I like the feeling that I'm not just doing it alone! However, I will say that my writing students lately all seem to be gunning for self-publication. The Amazon Kindle Singles seem to be what they're aiming for. How fearless!

 

[Kimmy Beach]

My fundamental requirements as a creative writer are out of harmony with the civilization in which I live.

That's really interesting, Deanna. I agree that we have to be more than just good writers. In some cases, it truly is who you know. I'm close friends with a well-known poet in Ontario and he's invited me to read at his annual poetry gala next weekend. If I didn't have him in my corner, I wouldn't have an Ontario reading of any kind. As a prairie publisher, UAP doesn't have a lot of clout down there. But because my friend asked me, I'm in. We'd been trying (my press and I) to get me a gig down there for a year with no success. So I agree that we have to do more than just write good books. I don't see that changing.

 

[Kim McCullough]

I think that editing is absolutely crucial. I was edited very lightly on my first three books, and looking back, those books would have been so much better had I really been pushed. I think we just simply cannot do it ourselves. We're too close to it.

My editor story is nightmarish - not her fault, really, as she was misdirected by the publisher, but my substantive edit was geared to make my book appropriate for 13 year olds. Um. I think an editor is crucial. I hear such wonderful stories about good editorial relationships. That's what I want next time, if I get another chance!

 

[Gail Anderson-Dargatz]

How would you like to see readings evolve, Gail? Seems to me that the way we do it has been around forever, and I'm not sure it's going anywhere. People are what matter in this business (that's the way I see it anyway), and there will always be room for a group gathered to listen to a reader.

For years now I've done on-line events with bookclubs all over the country. When I do this I post (or send) various materials, as well as answering questions. When it comes to face to face events, I've moved from long readings of my own writing, to very short readings, so the "reading" ends up being more of a conversation with the audience. It's a starting place, but, again, I'm looking for new ideas/approaches to the face to face events.

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

When my publishers put my book Wilderness Mother out of print in 2003 I moped for five years, but also continued to write. Wilderness Mother had been a best-seller and also a Book-of-the-Month Club selection. At the same time I saw the writing on the wall and retrieved rights to my book and put it back into print myself. Since then I have published a novel and another memoir independently. I have a faithful readership who waits for my next book, so I can't complain. I would like to get them further a'field but I do like handselling and meeting my readers.

 

[Kimmy Beach]

I'm traditionally published also and I like the feeling that I'm not just doing it alone! However, I will say that my writing students lately all seem to be gunning for self-publication. The Amazon Kindle Singles seem to be what they're aiming for. How fearless!

You're defintely not doing it alone, Jen! As long as my press will keep me around, I'll stick with them. My sales are largely print, but I'm open to the idea that people might buy it for their Kindle or whatever platform. The Amazon Single thing seems to be me to be about instant gratification. How do we keep telling students and those we mentor to that it's a years-long process, when they can be published inside a half hour?