Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
It's the "few bestsellers" that finance everything else. Most books that are commercially published don't make back their advance.
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No support = no sales.
A lot of those midlist failures do just fine when reverted to the author.
That 3 month launch window doesn't allow for books to build up a reputation through reader reviews or word of mouth. It is sink or swim and it is hardly shocking that most titles sink.
Now, the logical next step, of course, is for the BPHs to stop even trying to produce books from authors, franchises, and sub-genres that aren't surefire bestsellers. There's enough established authors and celebrities floating around that this is an effective strategy.
Disney is, in fact, doing just that; they palmed off Hyperion and staff so they can focus on milking corporate franchises. Pearson got rid of Penguin to focus on education and academia; no need to deal with fickle unpredictable consumers, just staid, predictable bureaucrats.
The big boys will do fine; they'll find a way to survive without trade books.