Quote:
Originally Posted by ATimson
He still has two more novels under contract Tor, though (one written and IIRC scheduled for release this year, one not). Wouldn't it make more sense to see those through first?
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Only if the contract had a total non-compete like the one the Penguin editor claimed on Kiana Davenport.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/0...s-amazon-deal/
Contracts are binding on both sides but only to the extent that the contract specifies. And it makes sense to test the self-pub waters as soon as possible and not wait for the existing contract to run out.
If he has two novels left on the contract, no right of first refusal, no non-compete clause, and no other obligation under the contract, then he would be well within his rights to do as he pleases even up to releasing another book the exact same day as his next trad-pubbed release. It would be tacky and self-defeating but he could.
As he is going nowhere near that far and we've heard of no Penguin/Davenport-like tantrum ongoing or brewing it is safe to assume that both sides are (so far) acting like restrained, mature professionals.
In the current climate we need more of that and less posturing and vitriol because from now on the game includes *both* self-publishing and traditional publishing options and throwing hissy fits will change nothing.
Which way an author goes should be simply a matter of cold calculated business interest. As long as the books get to market, *how* they get to market won't much matter to readers.