Quote:
Originally Posted by SensualPoet
Publishers -- and the eco-system they are a part of -- perform a vital role in bringing a steady stream of quality books to market. It is NOT enough to have a writer, an editor, a website and an ad to become a well-known author and have the ability to prosper.
It is true the publishing landscape is changing, particularly as the distribution system changes; the publisher's role and services provided will also change. I believe it is naive to consider the author/editor as the white hats and the publisher as the blood-sucking black hats ... few authors are good at the roles publishers provide and good publishers can help a good author become a great one.
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I agree completely. If the landscape ever changes to the point that I need to leave my publisher behind, that will be a sad day. Not saying it couldn't happen, but I'd hate to see it.
Publishers help develop new writers and offer both editorial guidance and (to some degree) financial support. Something else publishers do is develop new
editors. Do you think people are born knowing how to edit, or that they learn it in college? No, most good editors get to be that way by working at publishing houses that give
them guidance and support, as well as authors. (Though they tend to be pretty stingy on the financial support; editors aren't paid well, as a rule.)