e-Pubbing Education

As some know from my previous post, I've been exploring this whole 'traditional publication' thing and as I am, I'm finding some fascinating things about the 'other side' of publishing--namely that traditional publication via e-pubs is about as hard (and sometimes as troublesome) as just going it alone (self-pubbing electronically), depending on who picks up the work.

Yes, I do agree that there are a couple 'biggie' ebook publishers that can really be a great coup if you can land it, but overall, for the Average Joe it'll most likely be a struggle to successfully pull off the e-thing--traditional or no.

And while being e-published (traditionally) can help one's career (depending on how it fits into the whole spectrum of things), if you do decide to go this route, you'd better be just as prepared and knowledgeable about what you're doing as you would be for any other kind of publication.

Why? Well for one, the customer base itself is smaller because only certain people are willing to read electronic works to begin with therefore limiting the customer base ... but that's not the only obstacle with the whole e-publishing thing.

Yes, e-pubbing can often expand the products availability while reducing the overall production cost to some degree BUT on the other hand, with the current limitations in distribution (the recent loss of the Amazon/LS link for one) combined with the overall low profitability and overhead, there isn't a lot of squeak room in the industry--hence the all so common 'quantification theory.'

A theory that due to it's inherent design of 'more being better' will frequently rob an e-publisher of the necessary time to produce a premium product, thwart their ability to pay a qualified staff, hinder their capacity to back a professional marketing platform, much less pay the upfronts to have print editions manufactured for unproven works ... sigh...

And I guess that's why I found this new blog to be of interest because for it (like others I read) is openly discussing/reporting on some of what I've already been learning about e-publishers in general. (FYI Blog: Writer's Watch).

Keep in mind that I don't know the background of the blog host, nor the specifics involved, but realizing that education is key in publication--any kind of publication--and the more an author knows about the industry the better, I thought I would pass along the link.

Getting back to the research grindstone...

Amazon Shorts releases third story by Kathe Gogolewski

TRI Studio LLC announces the release of another story by Kathe Gogolewski from Amazon Shorts. The latest, Pony Palace for children aged 8 to 13, is the third release from Amazon for the author. The other stories, The Gold Coin and Weighing In, are both for adults.

Gogolewski, a retired elementary teacher, says she wrote Pony Palace to “inspire children to work toward something they want, instead of begging for it!”

Ray Grant of TRI Studio says, “Children will be able to relate to the main character, a nine-year-old girl named Mikaela, who wants a pony. The humor will capture the attention of both boys and girls as they laugh at her overactive imagination and wonder what she will do next.”

Visit TRI Studio at http://www.TRI-Studio.com

Poets Take a Swipe at Hallmark

Award winning poets Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball have teamed up to produce a book of love poetry which is anything but syrupy. The poems explore love from a variety of angles, and offers mature, deep, reflective sentiment for those who want to say something a little richer, a little deeper than simply "I love you."

According to Joyce Mishaan, Associated Content Producer, "It's a rough world and it's easy to look around and feel that love is nothing more than a hopeless cliche." Cherished Pulse moves beyond those cliches, and explores real love -- the kind of love that may take many years to build. No pussyfooting. No excuses. It's a sensual, beautiful book which can be read again and again.

The chapbook is a miracle made possible by the net; the two poets hail from different continents, Ball from Australia and Howard-Johnson from California, USA.

Cherished Pulse, a book of unconventional love poetry, is offered as an e-book, and costs less than a single paper card. It may be printed, and can be combined with a rose or a piece of jewelry for a superb gift.

For more information on Cherished Pulse, visit Cherished Pulse

Learn more about Ball at Compulsive Reader

Find information on Howard-Johnson at Carolyn Howard-Johnson.com and on Thomas at Vicki Tomas Artist