By Michelle Tahan
http://io9.com/why-this-bestselling-author-decided-to-start-self-publi-1628241029
Although some might think that authors who publish a slew of successful books, including 24 with Big Five publishers, and 12 of them being NYT best sellers, are content with Big Publishing and its process. Author Karen Traviss can prove otherwise. Despite her succession of published works including her own Wess'har Wars series to a number of Star Wars, Halo and Gears of War novels, she decided to step away from Big Publishing and publish her own books, starting with her newest techno thriller, Going Grey. Her decision may be surprising, but holds tremendous value for writers who want to be successful in the growing and changing publishing industry.
Traviss’ claim is simple. Nobody else will do it for you. She describes her vision of the industry as getting slower, clinging to the past, and doing much less for authors. They are refusing new technologies and are allowing other business models like Amazon to fully override them. Put simply, although Big Publishers are good for some writers, they do not offer the true possibilities of an author with potential, a dedicated audience, and some extra hard work. After all, authors are the sole source of books and readers are the only paying customers. It is “the point at which free market economics meets the pleasure of story telling.”
Not only is Traviss’ decision to self-publish a successful business approach, but also greatly satisfying. Now, she has the flexibility and freedom to publish any book that she desires, as long as she has engaged readers. The bottom line is that in order to succeed in the publishing world, one must not settle. In order to win the game, one must play the game, but not lose focus. Take risks, have a vision, focus on mission statement and mission audience, strategize, and deliver. It is not easy but it is possible.
http://io9.com/why-this-bestselling-author-decided-to-start-self-publi-1628241029
Although some might think that authors who publish a slew of successful books, including 24 with Big Five publishers, and 12 of them being NYT best sellers, are content with Big Publishing and its process. Author Karen Traviss can prove otherwise. Despite her succession of published works including her own Wess'har Wars series to a number of Star Wars, Halo and Gears of War novels, she decided to step away from Big Publishing and publish her own books, starting with her newest techno thriller, Going Grey. Her decision may be surprising, but holds tremendous value for writers who want to be successful in the growing and changing publishing industry.
Traviss’ claim is simple. Nobody else will do it for you. She describes her vision of the industry as getting slower, clinging to the past, and doing much less for authors. They are refusing new technologies and are allowing other business models like Amazon to fully override them. Put simply, although Big Publishers are good for some writers, they do not offer the true possibilities of an author with potential, a dedicated audience, and some extra hard work. After all, authors are the sole source of books and readers are the only paying customers. It is “the point at which free market economics meets the pleasure of story telling.”
Not only is Traviss’ decision to self-publish a successful business approach, but also greatly satisfying. Now, she has the flexibility and freedom to publish any book that she desires, as long as she has engaged readers. The bottom line is that in order to succeed in the publishing world, one must not settle. In order to win the game, one must play the game, but not lose focus. Take risks, have a vision, focus on mission statement and mission audience, strategize, and deliver. It is not easy but it is possible.