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Originally Posted by Kali Yuga;
They are definitely filtering, in fact they are more stringent than ever. In the past a publisher might actually read something in the slush pile; nowadays, most publishers won't read anything unless it's submitted by an agent.
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That's interesting, Kali. When I started peddling my masterpiece I decided to send it to agents rather than publishers for the simple reason that an agent should know which publisher(s) to send it to, and not waste time sending it to the wrong people. That's what I needed, since I don't know anything about the publishing business.
I'm still peddling it, btw, side by side with self-publishing. Why? Because of what the doorkeepers do: they've tons of money and contacts, they can get a book out to every branch of B&N and the other big stores, get it on that table that stares you in the face when you enter the store, and get it in front of the paying public; quite apart from the fact that a big name publisher has taken one on is a
de facto "Good Housekeeping" Seal of Approval for buyers.
Self-publishing? A poor second. I saw a report on MR that there were over 200000 books published in the US alone last year, which means that mine is competing with 199999 other books, and that's probably not going to give me a large share of the cake unless I can get my book on that same table. And who can do that?
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Originally Posted by Barcey
I think we'll be better served by more small publishers. If they build a brand from quality books in a specific genre then the "gatekeeper" role means something.
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This would be a great development, Barcey, and I hope you're right, and suspect you will be. Small niche publishers who really work at it and get themselves a reputation, will be a godsend to indie authors.
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Originally Posted by Barcey
I can see more big name authors becoming small publishers. They can sell from their quality name brand and maintain an income when they retire.
I can see more celebrities becoming small publishers. I'm not an Oprah fan but I have read some of the books on her book club list and they are very good. I don't believe that her fans are sheep, they trust her opinion of what is worth reading.
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Two items pretty much the same. Do you mean that big name authors might turn "publisher" in the sense of sponsoring indie authors they think are good? And I suppose celebrities - you mention Oprah - can do the same with their "book clubs"
An interesting development. Once again, I think I agree that this is something we'll see in the future.
Thanks for these points of view.