I almost didn't know where to post this one, but I figured news was probably the best bet.
Richard Wiseman is the author of several pop-psychology books (one of which, 59 Seconds, is excellent), and is well known in the UK. His newest book, Paranormality, is a skeptical look at the paranormal. It's already selling well both in the UK and international territories, but can't get a deal in the States. From his blog:
Quote:
"Paranormality launches in the USA today……under rather unusual circumstances!
Paranormality takes a scientific look at the paranormal, exploring psychic readings, out of body experiences, mind control, ghosts and dream precognition. It is very interactive and allows readers to develop various ‘superhero’ powers. Richard Dawkins was kind enough to provide an endorsement, writing “Wiseman shows us a higher joy as he skewers the paranormal charlatans, blows away the psychic fog and lets in the clear light of reason”.
The book has done well in the UK and has been bought by publishers in lots of other countries. However, the major American publishers were reluctant to support a skeptical book, with some suggesting that I re-write it to suggest that ghosts were real and psychic powers actually existed! We didn’t get any serious offers and so it looked like the American public (around 75% of whom believe in the paranormal) wouldn’t get the opportunity to read about skepticism. Then I had an idea.
I am going to self-publish an unashamedly skeptical book in America and see what happens. Today the book launches on Kindle and my UK publisher will ship physical editions into America (and it will appear as an iBook very soon). It all feels like a scary but exciting experiment.
If you are in the USA you can buy the Kindle edition here and the physical edition here. There’s more information about the book here. This is the book that lots of people don’t want Americans to read and I hope that you will support the project."
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I find this an extremely interesting development, speaking as a working author. Sometimes authors who sell in one country don't in another, or rather do not sell in sufficient numbers (or so potential publishers believe) to justify the cost of production and advertising. That may leave the door open for a form of self-publication of books with existing contracts in other territories.
As I say, a very interesting development.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00572B4BK