As expected, Konrath takes Shatzkin on, point by point:
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2014/0...-shatzkin.html
Sample:
Quote:
Mike: 5. Current indie successes where the author name or even the book itself was “made” by traditional publishers. Another factor any author self-publishing has to consider is the likelihood of success, which is much greater if the books are backlist (have some fame in the marketplace) or even if just the author has been previously published. Successes like Howey’s, from a total standing start with no prior writing track record, are quite different from others who have reclaimed their backlists and used them as a platform to build a self-publishing career.
Joe: Mike, reread what you just said.
"others who have reclaimed their backlists and used them as a platform to build a self-publishing career. "
First of all, these backlist books obviously weren't selling for the legacy publisher, or else the legacy publisher never would have returned the rights.
Second of all, if the authors who got their backlists returned were able to build a career, WHY THE HELL WOULD ANYONE SUBMIT TO LEGACY PUBLISHERS EVER AGAIN?!?
Pardon my yelling, but what you just said shows your absolute inability to understand what's happening here.
To rephrase what you just said:
Legacy publishers couldn't sell the same books that went on to make self-published authors successful.
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