Any traditionally-published authors here? I'd appreciate your perspective...

[OneGrassRoot]

based on your experience with traditional publishers?

What is your thought about a publisher such as www.o-books.com, aka John Hunt Publishing?

This is what was provided regarding this publisher from a colleague:

"This publisher publishes books in English and distributes in every English speaking country. He uses the very best distribution service for MBS books in the US, so the books have a good chance of getting into bookstores. They’ll get on Amazon etc. He expects authors to help with promotion and marketing (they all do nowadays anyway). The downside (for authors and agents) is that he does not offer any advance payment of royalties. The upside is that he makes his decision quickly (in a few days, not a few months) and he offers 10% royalty on net price (graduating upward) based on # of books sold. He pays royalties twice a year."

The general scenario is that the author (who may have an opportunity to publish with this O Books) is currently unpublished, and is primarily looking to place an existing non-fiction manuscript in order to pave the way for a work of fiction for which we're seeking publication. Yet I wonder if going this route truly paves the way...

Any thoughts -- random or otherwise -- are most welcome. :)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Quickly,

my first reaction was to the phrase "... the books have a good chance of getting into bookstores."

I wouldn't read any further than that. A reputable publisher has a distribution deal with professionals who always place the books in bookstores.

As for the outfit not buying the manuscript, well, that's unacceptable. If the publisher doesn't have a financial stake in the book, I seriously doubt a whole lot of energy would be expended on its behalf.

Look, the desire to be "published" seems to be some kind of disease. The harsh truth is that most people who write will never be published, not in the traditional manner. If someone regards e-publishing as legitimate, then I say "Good for them". I regard it as on-demand printing, nothing more.

If someone loves what you wrote, they buy it and they work with you to make it as good as it can be, and then it is published. It's that simple.

There are no shortcuts.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. And, if it were an agent recommending this....

that would say an awful lot about the agent, right?

:)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. No reputable agent would recommend it

Agents get their percentages - usually 15% - from advances, which translates to "cash up front."

Whoever's trying to sell this is as schlocky as the "publisher."

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Thanks for your input. Much appreciated! :) n/t

[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. You're welcome

Good luck. Just remember that if someone loves your work - and they have to love it if they're going to promote it - they will pay you for it so that they can own it.

Basic rule - you must get paid for your work.

Here's a story I heard from Mario Puzo a long time ago: He was called by a bunch of movie folks who were in production and who had hit a wall with the script. They called from L.A., asked him if he could help them with it, he said he could, and they flew him out.

In the meeting, they began by asking him what they should do.

His response taught me everything I ever needed to work in the publishing industry: "Pay me first," he said, "and then I'll tell you."

Remember that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Now let me add something here

Print on Demand has a place in publishing

But there are cheaper ways to do it, and some folks have actually moved from POD to mainstream, but it takes a lot of work

it is also the mainstay of the Gaming Industry

[OneGrassRoot]

7. I agree...

wholeheartedly. There is most definitely a place. :)

For this particular project, however, it was counterintuitive to the author's gameplan to think in this direction right away; it was especially odd since the recommendation came from the literary agent.