Quote:
Originally Posted by rhadin
That's simply not true. Publishing houses consider many things before deciding whether to sign an author. A major focus is on the market. For example, two excellent authors who should be signed by a major publisher -- Shayne Parkinson and Vicki Tyley -- lose points because they are from New Zealand and Australia. If only excellent writing was the criterion, they would have been signed long ago.
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I was going to say that, but figured it was a moot point. Several editors over the years have said that there is simply too much good stuff to publish it all. And they don't have to sort the slush pile anymore because agents do it for them. Even without agents they have authors who can write and publish faster than they are "allowed" to put out books.
Ilona Andrews had the Kate Daniels written through book 7 when the publisher was still on book 3. The team started writing a different series that had to wait some time before being published. She's with a major publisher.
I could list several authors who have series or books written other than the ones currently under contract, but have been told by their publishers they only want the current series. This is a major reason we will continue to see these authors go it alone. Of course, some don't want the hassle. It is a lot of work and some authors are just not going to go to the trouble to hire editors and artists.
Same with backlist. I've contacted at least two favorite authors and encouraged them to publish their out-of-print backlist. No dice. No time, no desire to revisit the books, etc.