Future of Publishing

January 11, 2010 By 4 Comments

Mark Coker of Smashwords got me thinking about the future of publishing. Many people have written about the end of the year, end of the decade, predictions for the future, but Mark’s prediction kindled a flame of thought. I try to hold on to these moments because my work schedule has become so crazy I don’t always know if I’ve captured same thought. In the middle of a very tight schedule I had to think about what he said. You can read all five of his points on his blog. I’ll just repeat the last two:

“4. Most authors will be indie authors”
“5. Successful publishing companies will be those that put the most total profit in the author’s pocket. No, not the highest per-unit royalty percentage.”

It’s no new thought that the United States influences other cultures. Americans have been doing that since they settled in the foreign wilderness to take their chances with Native Americans and Nature rather than submit to an “un-G-dly” power. Rebellion is always fueled by the knowledge that an entire country was founded out of rebellion against its colonizing parent country. Horatio Alger wannabees, astronauts, freedom riders, strikers, protesters of all kinds take strength from knowing that the Independent spirit lives on, a whole nation of independents.

So when Mark predicts “most authors will be indie authors”, he’s got good solid footing for that statement. Traditional publishing depends on large teams of people from previewing, reading the manuscript through the production, distribution, and sales. Today that team is not needed. It is possible for an author to hire every single person on that chain, topnotch professional editors, readers, book designers, book cover designers, printers, distributors, and salespeople. The author can get these services for a fraction of the cost of a traditional publisher, there is no infrastructure overhead to account for. At this time authors already have to hire publicists to sell their books. What’s keeping them from hiring the whole team?

Imagine, I, Ms Author, write a book. I can’t get an advance from a publisher because no publisher has any money. So I support myself for the months it takes to write. Then I hire a great editor. Maybe even an editor from a well-known publisher. Why can I do that? Because the editor just found him/herself out of a job because the publishing company went under. Then I hire a designer for the interior and cover of the book. Granted, I’m footing the bill here myself. It means I need a nest egg of about $500. At this point I run out of money, so I use Print on Demand technology to print and distribute the book. I only pay the setup fees and shipping cost of that first book. Once the book is available I get out into the Social Media scene and I start to market my book.

A writer must be in the Business of writing today, just to survive. Tomorrow it will be so “rule of thumb” that I’ll do it because I get the greatest return on my investment by doing it myself, braving nature myself, pulling myself up by my own bootstraps.

And that’s what makes number 5 a reality. I learn that I can produce my own works, get them out there, and pocket the majority of the proceeds.

Filed Under: From Shoshana, Print On Demand, Social Media, social media marketing, Uncategorized, Understanding publishing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Collaboration in Fiction and Fact

January 7, 2010 By 2 Comments

I’m quite the ostrich with my head in the sand at times. And so when I began hearing about writing circles, post World Wide Web, I thought it was a new phenomena centered around new technology.  Writing circles are no newer than any group of people getting together to further a common cause – in this case a story. The difference in technology is the twist. Letter writing, essay composing, even story telling, requires some contemplation time. There is a balance between thought and the act of writing, sometimes more thought than writing. I only have to look at poetry to see the amount of work behind each carefully placed word. Since my college career was in computers and mathematics I never had the opportunity to participate in a writers group. I had plenty of opportunity for collaborative writing, centering around the computer topic at hand. Creative writing was not encouraged. Only the facts, ma’am.

Technology has changed this the way it has changed all communication. Everything is instant – instant messaging, instant answers, instant stand on one foot contemplation (an oxymoron if ever I heard one).  To collaborate on a writing piece today is a fast affair. For good or better, stories can be composed quickly, reviewed quickly, and published quickly.

One of my employees recently told me about a writing circle that she belongs to. The people rarely see each other, and that’s only because they were friends before marriage and kids sucked up all their times. Now they chat and work together online. The writing circle they formed was for a short duration. Its purpose was to create a story, each participant writing a chapter. They finished the book. But now what? It needs a deep edit. The foremost question, though, is the edit to consolidate and give the piece one voice? Or is the edit to refine each individual voice to harmonize with its companions? And then what do they do with the story?

05_library_of_congress pictureUnlimited hosting is a great boon. I said, why not host the groups on the French Creek Press site? A writer’s club can make matches between authors and provide a forum for this kind of collaboration. Each group forms around a story, book, theme, whatever the group decides. The groups sets the schedule and out comes a product at the other end. French Creek Press then steps in and creates a free eBook, free for download. Writers maintain their “byline” so to speak and are acknowledged in the front of the book. Instant publishing.

Look for more on this as I develop this idea with up and coming writers. Once the mechanism is in place French Creek Press will open it to all who aspire to write and need a forum.

Watch this space for the Writer’s Circle. And sharpen your pencils to write.

Filed Under: author platform, Book Model, From Shoshana, new author, Print On Demand Tagged With:

Book Model Variant 1

December 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sometimes an author has a great idea for a book, but can’t get a nibble from a publisher. What’s he supposed to do? The first step involves risk. Either the author invests a great deal of time looking for an agent to sell the idea to a publisher, which cuts into any future royalties the book might generate, or the author buckles down and writes the book.

boiling-frogSpending time with an agent to sell the idea before the book is written may clarify whether or not the book should be written in the first place. After all, the market may already be saturated with books about how to cook frogs and other potential road kill. The time spent marketing the idea is well spent if the author discovers that and avoids one more of such books. Then again, the author might find a publisher that is interested enough and encouraging enough to start the author writing.

The alternative is also risky. If the author starts writing the book because he has a passion about foraging and using everything that he finds in the wild, he takes the risk that the book won’t sell even after it’s written. How many Euell Gibbons’ can the book industry support? (My personal opinion is that the world could use more like Mr. Euell. I can’t count how many times I’ve read his books. If you aspire to be like Mr. Gibbons and are having a difficult time finding a publisher, drop me a line.)

The variant on the basic book model is that the author takes the risk and writes the book before searching for an agent or a publisher. This is the path most new authors must take unless they are well published in venues such as newspapers or magazines. However, there are many instances when a person is recognized as a leader in their field. The publisher might approach such person to write a book, giving assistance at all stages of the book from planning to print.

After the author finishes the manuscript he starts looking for an agent. The agent takes the manuscript in hand and starts shmoozing it up. A good agent has many contacts throughout the publishing industry, each specializing in particular fields; a good agent knows to whom the book should be directed. Phone calls, meetings, lunch, calling in favors all go into the pot. The more the agent believes in the book, the harder the agent works to find a publisher.

For the sake of this model, the book gets accepted by a publisher and the cycle becomes identical to the basic book model. Revisions are made, the manuscript is proofed, typeset, proofed, and published. We’re still dealing with printed matter and one author. Next I’m going to look at ebook creation and collaboration.

Notice that I haven’t said anything about publicity in either model. That’s deliberate. Publicity and marketing of books opens up many possibilities today. This is going to be addressed in later posts.

Filed Under: Book Model, eBook readers, From Shoshana, new author, Print On Demand Tagged With: , , ,

Doom and Gloom or New Beginning?

November 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Everyday I receive an article talking about the demise of this publisher or that book store chain. This morning The Independent out of the UK lamented the Borders UK non-agreement-that-would-save-the-day. The managers’ buyout does not seem to be happening, or they are too little too late – Borders UK is not taking online orders. It will be a few days before Borders UK is either “saved” or goes into receivership. Stories like this are all over the news: little stores folding due to Amazon/Target/Walmart price cuts, publishing houses closing or shedding imprints that don’t generate “big bucks”.

French Creek Press is a new, fledgling company. In a marketplace full of publishers that know the ropes, have been around for decades, have scoped out the marketplace, how could French Creek Press stand a chance? I’ll answer that with another question. How, in times when stores and publishers are closing, can Harlequin open an new digital only division, Carina Press, headed up by Angela James? The answer is, at least, twofold. An all digital press means publishing is only electronic. There is no need to pour money into thousands of books because no book is produced. All the preprint costs are minimal compared to the print and distribution cost. Yes, there is still distribution, but there is no heavy transport cost. This is the ultimate “on demand” product. The book is produced once in a particular format. Then it is sold multiple times, on demand, with no inventory charge

French Creek Press goes one step farther. Instead of investing tens of thousands of dollars in traditional marketing, the decision to use Social Media as the primary tool was made. Viral Marketing combined with on demand printing means French Creek Press can take a risk on new authors. The cost to French Creek Press is much less than the cost to publish a book through one of the old stalwarts. While we are not exclusively producing digital books (we do print books) we cut costs to the point where we can publish authors, sustain the cost of publishing through its lifecycle, market the books, and stay in business.

I was taken to task for following Harlequin’s move. Since the books are a bit, a little bit, risque, and my lifestyle is the antithesis of risque, what am I doing looking at Harlequin? I can’t afford not to. And neither can any other publisher. Harlequin is taking some very drastic steps to stay open and competitive. By adding Angela James to their team they have increased their survival rate multi-fold. Check out what Smart Bitches, Trashy Books has to say about Carina and you’ll see why this is a brilliant move.

I have roots in the computer industry where revolution takes place on a regular basis. Change with the newest, latest, greatest technology that just made all the equipment I bought six months ago obsolete, or die. By keeping to the principle of on demand production and viral social marketing French Creek Press has the opportunity to grab a piece of the action while producing high quality products. In the meantime, I’m keeping my eyes on the big guys that are adapting to the new reality. And I’m keeping my eye on the women publishers that make a difference in the industry.

Filed Under: From Shoshana, Print On Demand, SMM, Social Media, social media marketing, women publishers Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

First Books Published

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

My first ever publishing experience was in grade school. I learned how to make paper. Then I learned how to bind it into a book using thread and glue. Only after the book insides were ready was I allowed to draw, color, paste, and print my story. It was kind of backwards, creating the book and then filling it in. The priority was on making the book, not creating content. Fast forward to high school where I, as a very frustrated, fluent writer, had no outlet for my creativity. My school was so small that there were only 17 girls in my class. The other classes were slightly bigger, but no class had over 25 girls. Due to lack of demand or perhaps lack of energy and guidance, we did not have a newspaper nor a literary magazine. The yearbook was the only creative outlet.

In my Junior year, at age 16, I decided to publish a literary magazine. Of course, I decided this after all funds were allocated to other extra curricular activities, so there was no money even to seed this venture. Over five months I learned how to put together a team of editors, con teachers into sitting on an advisory panel, and how to judge poetry, short fiction, and artwork. I also learned how to beg, I mean, raise the money needed to print the book. I had many encounters with printers and learned a great deal about paper, ink, and size of books.

By May of that year our magazine, Ginko Lines, published its first edition. After I submitted the book to the printer I went back to the dormitory, collapsed on my bed and started to cry. One of the teachers came in to my room and explained the emotional upheaval I was experiencing. She even said, “It’s like having a baby. You just had a baby.” Well – that’s not a good thing to say to a teenage girl in an all girls school.

The next year, my senior year, I went through the process again. The difference in planning ahead financially and emotional was tremendous. I made it through the process to publishing and distribution without crying or breaking. That was the end of my budding publishing career – until now.

I have in front of me the proof copy of the first book published by French Creek Press Ltd. All my experience as a project manager, engineer, editor, book doctor, and layout artist came into play along with the extraordinary talents of the French Creek Press staff. This time I felt like jumping up and down, running down to the street and stopping everyone there to come and look at this baby, book. Excitement replaced tears of exhaustion. Age tells. Experience tells.

Keep looking in this space for the announcement of our newest book.

Filed Under: new author, Print On Demand Tagged With: , ,

Print On Demand and the Toyota Model

July 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

In my heady ivory tower days I was exposed to “Lean Manufacturing” processes and “Just in Time” production. Studying industrial history with an eye towards business gave me the background necessary to take pieces of the Toyota production model and map them onto a print on demand model for publishing. “Lean Manufacturing” and “Just in Time” production heavily depend on interchangeable parts, quick assembly, good distribution channels.

Taichii Ohno and Shigeo Shingo of the Toyota company started with the Ford assembly line production model, which was based on Eli Whitney’s model of the cotton gin and gun manufacturing. Toyota focused on producing cars in order to arrive “Just in Time” for the next phase of development. Toyota recognized the benefit of not having car stock standing idle while awaiting the miraculous order placement. Each car was ordered and paid for as needed. Toyota also recognized the value of its employees. By empowering the employee with team development and manufacturing centered in a nuclear cell, Toyota created a synergy that produced cars not only on time, but with the most excellent quality. By reducing the setup time required and keeping groups intact, Toyota created an environment that benefitted its employees and its bottom line.

French Creek Press Ltd made the decision to use print-on-demand technology in order to address several problems in the publishing industry. While our predecessors are quite successful publishing known authors, it is hard for a new author to publish without resorting to self-publishing. Self-publishing has its place, especially for the entrepreneur. However, most authors want to write, not market and distribute. French Creek Press offers authors the traditional pre-print services of major publishing houses while using the “Just in Time” philosophy for print and distribution. Low inventory and pre-paid orders create an environment where both the author and French Creek Press benefit, a win-win solution for everyone.

By compiling a team of the author, editor, layout artist, and book designer, French Creek Press creates the nuclear cell to turn out a quality production. We reduce the amount of time needed to produce the digital book using state of the art computer systems and Adobe Creative Suite software. “Just in Time” production and distribution is through Lightning Source.

A short disclaimer, I am a Toyota fan. I admit that I once owned a Volkswagen, but that was before I met the Toyota. And once, when I moved across the world and had to buy a car, I bought an old beatup Volvo because that’s what I could afford. As soon as I was able to sell the Volvo, I acquired another Toyota. Toyota is so strong in my family that most family members have at least one Toyota in the driveway.

Filed Under: Print On Demand Tagged With: , , , ,

Open Access and Print on Demand Model

May 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

At the beginning of 2009 I worked for a technical writing company. We, the staff, started a blog ostensibly to tell the world about technical writing. Each contributor added entries about topics that tickled their fancy. I stumbled on the Open Source philosophy in my search for inspiration. At that time I dipped my toe in the ocean, so to speak. Yehuda Berlinger and Joseph di Paolantonio set about to correct my thinking. Since then I have worked (a little) with open source tools, but I had trouble finding a project that captured my imagination. I struggled with how I could “give back” when nothing really struck me. That is, until I started French Creek Press Ltd.

The French Creek Press model for non-academic publishing is print on demand. We provide editing services to any author, we lay out the books, and then print each book as it is paid for. Yes, the per unit cost is higher than the per unit cost of offset printing. The benefit of print on demand reveals itself when the book sells in small quantities. No author should be forced to pay for 500 books if only 100 books will be sold. Is there a place for 100 books? Absolutely. Everyone has a voice. The beauty of print on demand is that the book can easily transition from the print on demand model to the offset print model, when the book becomes a high seller.

My passion kicked in when I began to tackle the academic publishing problem. The traditional model of academic publishing is the author writes a book; it then goes to a paid peer review panel; after peer review the book is revised and then published. Debt is incurred along each step of this model. The author most likely writes the book in his/her spare time. Each member of the peer review panel is paid a fee to review the book. The author then takes more time to revise the book. It may go back for more review and revision. Finally the book is printed; but the author is obligated to buy 500 copies of his book. Marketing doesn’t even enter this picture.

At French Creek Press Ltd, our academic division, Kenwood Academic, pursues a different model, Open Access. Open Access means free online access to articles that have traditionally been published in scholarly journals. Users can read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles. Articles are crawl-able for indexing, can be passed as data to software. The articles can be used for any lawful purpose, without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself. The only constraint on reproduction and distribution, and the only role for copyright in this domain, is to give authors control over the integrity of their work and the right to be properly acknowledged and cited (from the Budapest Open Access forum and from Wikipedia). French Creek Press Ltd, Kenwood Academic Press division, fully supports Open Access review.

I can across two videos that underline the benefit of Open Access. These are from the Public Library of Science.

Barbara Stebbins, Middle School Science Teacher from Open Access Videos on Vimeo.

Ida Sim, Physician Scientist from Open Access Videos on Vimeo.

To market any of our literature published under French Creek Press or Kenwood Academic Press, Pixel/Point Press utilizes all social media outlets. In the same vein that publishing can be affordable, we believe that marketing published works can also be affordable. All the social media marketing tools are Open Source. It is up to the user to invest time and effort using these tools to market the information. At Pixel/Point Press we either create and manage the marketing campaign or we teach the author how to market his/her material.

I have found my place in the Open Source family. Through French Creek Press Ltd, Kenwood Academic Press, and Pixel/Point Press, I hope to contribute back into society. As my partner, Kelli Brown, says, “A rising tide raises all ships.”

Filed Under: Open Access, Print On Demand Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

French Creek Press and its name

May 24, 2009 By 3 Comments

It has been said that where you live influences you, like an angel that sits over the land and guides the happenings of mortal men. Perhaps being born in a territory fusing East and West, and later spending most of my childhood in a place governed by a true innovator, formed my foundation.

Hawaii at the time of my birth was not yet a state in the Union, and the Japanese had not yet supplanted the white American as the major stockholder. Pearl Harbor was bombed and rebuilt. Schofield Barracks wouldn’t house my daughter for at least forty more years. Hawaii was in transition from old to new, from tearing itself apart over losing its identity to becoming part of a great nation.

Eventually my family made it to Pennsylvania, founded and governed by one of the true early innovators, William Penn. His governing principles served as an inspiration for the United States Constitution. As a friend of George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, William Penn created an environment of hospitality for people of all faiths. He implemented a democratic system with full freedom of religion, fair trials, elected representatives of the people in power, and a separation of powers – very innovative stuff in the time of kings.

A hundred or so years later, a man named Emmor Kimber settled in an area that served as a stopping point on stagecoach routes to Yellow Springs and Lancaster at the time of the Revolutionary War. Emmor Kimber was a Quaker teacher who established the French Creek Boarding School for Girls. It became known as a model for progressive education which drew students from great distances. Among his other concerns, and true to his nature, Kimber was an abolitionist, operating a stop on the underground railroad under the school.

I grew up in Kimberton; statehood, people’s freedom, and a love for innovative learning marked me at birth and followed me through my life. Now the world stands at another pinnacle of change – a revolution in communications. Just as the Industrial Revolution turned the world upside-down, technology today is transforming communication into something we can’t yet identify.

French Creek by David Christman 7547

French Creek by David Christman 7547

French Creek Press Ltd., named after the creek that ran through William Penn’s land grant, through Kimber’s innovations in education and protection of people’s life and liberty, positions itself as a “press”, a mechanism to disseminate information. To do that we have three divisions:

Pixel/Point Press – operating on the edge of technology, creating solutions using cutting edge technology to reach all corners of the world.

Kenwood Academic Press – serving the student and faculty body as a print on-demand publishing house and personal writing coach service to ensure that all voices be heard.

French Creek Press – serving established and upcoming authors as a print on-demand and electronic book publishing house.

Filed Under: Introduction, Print On Demand Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,