|
Yeah, the publishers are listening.
But, the only thing that will make them change is a change in the bottom line, for the worst.
From what I understand of what a publisher does, I see little need for the old guard of the publishers any more.
With the internet and companies like Amazon and Apple and Lulu allowing for easy distribution what exactly do publishing companies do for authors now?
I have heard from more than a few authors about how non-existent the so called promotion is. Yeah, there are promotions for the biggest authors, but not much for lesser knowns. Seriously, has anyone seen any ads or promotion for Tom Kratman?
As for editors, there are freelance editors and even companies offering editing services to authors in specific genres.
Artist aren't that hard to find. Go to Deviantart and browse until you find an artist whose work you like and then pay them a commission for a piece of cover art. That is assuming you don't live anywhere close to a university with an art program and a bunch of starving art students who would love to do some work.
So, what do publishers do for authors now-a-days, that a little leg work on an author's part can't also do, and put a lot more money in the author's pocket? Is it all about the up front cost? It cost money to pay an editor; it cost money to pay an artist. Do so many authors not have that sort of money that they have to sell the rights to their labor to a publisher to see it available to customers?
I am honestly asking by the way.
|