Self Publishing?

So this was Terry's first attempt at Self-publishing.

Anyone have anything to say on Terry's attempt. Not about the novel but about the self-publishing aspect.

Self Publishing vs Traditional publishing.

Ebooks vs Normal books.

Self publishing is awesome... assuming you go to the right place (I think going the eBook route with Kindle is the smart way to do this... much cheaper and therefore better return assuming people actually buy the book).

However, marketing is KEY, and frankly, I think that was where Terry's people faltered when it came to TFC.

It was a great idea. Otherwise we never would have gotten that story. Also having it in every format was a good idea. Some companies were better then others at getting it out.

AS for marketing. There was more then you might think off ine, but less then I may have done on the website.

I'm of two minds about this. First, I think it's a great idea to get stories published that might otherwise not be. Second, I hate it because I want a traditional book. I have yet to read TFC because of this.

I did, however, buy my girlfriend a Nook so she could read it. :p

Well as Terry found out...getting a quality self published physical book is near to impossible. Most of what is made is crap or to expensive for regular people to afford one.

Zedd wrote:AS for marketing. There was more then you might think off ine, but less then I may have done on the website.

To be fair, it's hard to market an eBook. If it's not being sold in a bookstore bookstores simply aren't going to advertise it, and that's really where most marketing takes place outside of the internet, where people typically have to be looking for it. I don't know the extent of the Amazon marketing scheme.

Other than Stephen King, I really haven't seen a major author who seems to have mastered the art of eBook marketing.

Well B&N would if it helps promote Nook. And since they were testing platforms and found Nook to their liking it would be a selling point.

Othewise yes you are likely only to see adverts on the Internet. With Terry's fan base though marketing through fantasy con's and along side the Save our Seeker campaign would be about it.

Good attempt I'd say. Though I still wish I could have at least gotten a paperback....I prefer dead trees.

A friend of mine self-published a book through Amazon, and you can buy it as an ebook or as a paperback. I think when you order paperback it just sends an automated order to some book printing machine that spits out a copy so nobody has to keep a lot of books in stock.

Merritt wrote:Good attempt I'd say.  Though I still wish I could have at least gotten a paperback....I prefer dead trees.

A friend of mine self-published a book through Amazon, and you can buy it as an ebook or as a paperback.  I think when you order paperback it just sends an automated order to some book printing machine that spits out a copy so nobody has to keep a lot of books in stock.

I believe this is true, but the quality would very likely not be up to Terry's standards, and this is exactly what he's concerned about. I can understand. We're talking about an author who's been at the top of the bestseller charts several times. Readers expect quality product, and to many reflects poorly on the author if the print quality is lacking.

For someone who has such high standards all the crud with Tg.com and the lack of communication on the CE sure is a testament to the opposite. But I cut the guy some slack. I think he looks at it much like Richard did being the leader of D'hara. People who refuse to take charge of their own lives are never going to be satisfied with any answer I give them and I don't want to give them any more reason "by explaining myself" for them to not take charge of their lives.

Well in his defense, he was writing a book, HE was not overseeing the CE creations. Things were getting done. but a lot of what was promised by vendors was either delayed by them or crap. So new vendors had to be found. More then once.

In the end people are getting the CE. They are getting more then they paid for and the damn things probably ended up costing Terry twice what he sold them for.

With that said, there did need to be better communication from the team that was actually getting the things made.

Personally. I would have had them made in advance of them being sold. I know the book was not done yet, so that would have been last, but searches fro good publishers with samples could have been done. Also all the other items could have been made in advance. Terry would have had to front all the money and pray they sold, but I did not think selling would have been an issue.

This way, product done. Price is good. Profit is made instead of a loss.

Zedd my biggest complaint has always been that the standard Terry writes about and what happens in real life has been pretty much at odds with each other. To me this hurts his reputation. Now I will freely admit that those noticing may be in the minority. All Ive ever asked is if you are not going to deliver something based on a stated deadline or promise inform people. Its the professional thing to do. (I also acknowledge that Terry may very well have not been informed about broken promises "he" never actually made)

Im not trying to bash Terry. (or those at Revel). I just find it odd that one can claim to have such exacting standards for others but not take his own performance (even through those he hires) to task.

aammondd wrote:Zedd my biggest complaint has always been that the standard Terry writes about and what happens in real life has been pretty much at odds with each other. To me this hurts his reputation. Now I will freely admit that those noticing may be in the minority. All Ive ever asked is if you are not going to deliver something based on a stated deadline or promise inform people. Its the professional thing to do. (I also acknowledge that Terry may very well have not been informed about broken promises "he" never actually made)

Im not trying to bash Terry. (or those at Revel).  I just find it odd that one can claim to have such exacting standards for others but not take his own performance (even through those he hires) to task.

Your assuming he didn't. Trust me..I am sure Terry had some harsh things to say along the way.

But his reputation would have taken a hit either way. You get it out fast and it is a POS. People will feel ripped off.

Take too long and people think you are stealing their money.

Most people were fine with the wait. They really were not told how long it would take when ordered. What the problem was..was lack communication from the team handling putting everything together. All most people wante was status reports that did not take months to get.

I agree but thats a very important thing.