To Ebook or not to Ebook......

[PoliteSuccubus]

Hello All;

I've got a couple of projects going and am wondering....Should I try to find a publisher and get them in trade? Or try to get a Ebook thing?

How do you get paid for Ebooks?

Where to go, what to do?

Can you help someone who really wants to make her dream of becoming a plublished writer come true, but is completely cluessless?

Thanks!

 

[Whispersecret]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "get them in trade."

Personally, I think e-books are a step below printed books. Maybe someday they'll be on an equal level as far as quality, but for now, the excerpts I've read on e-book sites are just plain bad.

So, because I have a similar dream and because of the belief stated above, I am sending my stuff to print publishers.

My advice is to finish a project first. Then, either find an agent or start sending out query letters. (Letters that outline your book/story and ask if they'd care to see it.) A lot of publishers these days aren't accepting unsolicited manuscripts, which means your manuscript probably needs to be brought in by an agent.

 

[Un-registered]

Should I try to find a publisher and get them in trade? Or try to get a Ebook thing?

A number of books originally published as e-books are picked up by paper publishers and then printed, so it can be a step in that direction. It is not usually possible to go the other way.

How do you get paid for Ebooks?

Just the same as with paper books. Both my publishers (one paper, one e-book, different fields) send me statements of sales at contrctually agreed intervals and a bank transfer of the royalties follows in a few days.

Can you help someone who really wants to make her dream of becoming a plublished writer come true, but is completely cluessless?

Email me if you want more help, and the details of my experiences with publishers. If I put some of them on here Laurel would banish this thread to the Extreme section!

The road to being published is long and hard but, believe me, the first time someone you don't know asks you to autograph a copy of one of your books the feeling is indescribably exciting.

 

[Diane Marie]

My advice is to finish a project first. Then, either find an agent or start sending out query letters. (Letters that outline your book/story and ask if they'd care to see it.) A lot of publishers these days aren't accepting unsolicited manuscripts, which means your manuscript probably needs to be brought in by an agent.

Whispersecret’s advice is, in my opinion, the best your going to get, if your intention is to have a novel or set of short stories published. Get an agent.

The other alternative is to write articles, at least as a start. Magazines are always looking for new talent, it’s not an easy chore filing the pages of their publications, weekly, biweekly or monthly. This approach also gives you a chance to ascertain how others received your work.

If your successful at being published, it also looks good on your resume.

May I suggest rather then e-mailing someone who you don’t know, not to mention not knowing if that person is really published or not, invest in a copy of "The Writer’s Handbook". As a source of information on what, how and where, this book is invaluable.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Thank you.

Altho this thread isn't getting a lot of response, the information is solid.

Living in Alaska has it's benefits, but also it's downside when it comes to connecting with folks with your intrests. It's hard to tell who your peers are when everyone is bundled up!

When I get closer to finishing one of my current projects I will again seek expert advice from the wonderful peerage I have found here.

 

[jon.hayworth]

If your projects are in the erotica genre - don't forget to take a look on the Erotic Readers Association website - they have extensive authors resources including lists of publishers (e and Paper) and links to them.

I will not comment on the agents issue, as the situation on your side of the pond appears to be very different to that in the UK. Over here agents are only interested in published authors - a sort of chicken and egg situation.

Hope my two pence worth is of some help.

jon