Quote:
Originally Posted by hoichi
I wonder if the longer tail means the publishers will become more cautious and risk-aversive, like movie studious, preferring to bet on sure hits. Or try to pay less to authors upfront, еffectively being a 'thinner' intermediate and getting a writer closer to self-publishing.
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Even less.
Everything you say is happening. Has been happening since the giant multinationals took over in the 80's. It is "merely" getting increasingly worse.
They outsourced most of their services. And fired the inhouse staff.
They reduced advances. And reduced effective royalties. And laid claim to even more book rights.
They pour money into a few pre-designated "bestsellers" and starve everything else.
They need to satisfy their HQ beancounters in NY, London, Paris, Germany, etc. As long as they meet their numbers they get to keep their glass tower offices and high salaries. At least until the next merger.
As long as they keep finding willing takers for their predatory contracts, the corporate publishers will keep on squeezing until they stream of submitters starts to dry up.
Which isn't just yet.