Thinking of turning Smashwords publisher

[dreadcptflint]

Originally Posted by nomesque

Seeking opinions!

I've been mulling over this idea for a while...

There seem to be a number of authors around who find epublishing more effort than they'd like to expend, and also a number in need of an editing service. So I'm thinking that there could be a market for an epublishing service - editing + ebook formatting for a share of whatever sales might be made. Which, I honestly believe, WILL be higher with some polishing.

Here's the model I'm considering:

- I retain worldwide global rights to distribute the ebook for 2 years (to protect me from doing lots of work on a book, only to have the author take it back and not share profits)

- Two pricing options (author pays me): US$300 upfront and 10% of the list price (OR sale price) per sale - OR nothing upfront and 30% of the list price (OR sale price) per sale

- I publish via Smashwords using a Publisher account, which ensures that the correct person (the author, not me) gets credit for the work, payments go through me, but as long as the author has a Smashwords account, they get independent sales figures from Smashwords.

If you fitted into one of those categories, do you think you'd be interested in signing up with someone who'd edit and format your ebook (you having final say in the editing process), plus do some promotion for you, on those sort of terms? Would you have any concerns that I might not have considered? Would you consider this sort of thing to be different to Lulu and the like?

I keep looking at your model. I think that it is a good idea. One that is good enough for me to consider. I do see a few problems:

1. It would require huge amounts of trust. This is a business model that you may never meet the person that you are creating a project with. A lot of business will have to be driven word of mouth.

2. You would want to do some legal documents for the contracts. You could be working with the sweetest little old lady in London but if she dies then you could find yourself against a nasty estate. Once you have a boiler plate then it should be pretty easy to work.

3. Samples. Clients will want to see samples of what you have done and what you can do.

4.Don't be afraid to specialize. You might be able to do the greatest science fiction format in the world but it will not do you any good if all you get are Romance.

[banjobama]

Originally Posted by nomesque

Seeking opinions!

I've been mulling over this idea for a while...

There seem to be a number of authors around who find epublishing more effort than they'd like to expend, and also a number in need of an editing service. So I'm thinking that there could be a market for an epublishing service - editing + ebook formatting for a share of whatever sales might be made. Which, I honestly believe, WILL be higher with some polishing.

Here's the model I'm considering:

- I retain worldwide global rights to distribute the ebook for 2 years (to protect me from doing lots of work on a book, only to have the author take it back and not share profits)

- Two pricing options (author pays me): US$300 upfront and 10% of the list price (OR sale price) per sale - OR nothing upfront and 30% of the list price (OR sale price) per sale

- I publish via Smashwords using a Publisher account, which ensures that the correct person (the author, not me) gets credit for the work, payments go through me, but as long as the author has a Smashwords account, they get independent sales figures from Smashwords.

If you fitted into one of those categories, do you think you'd be interested in signing up with someone who'd edit and format your ebook (you having final say in the editing process), plus do some promotion for you, on those sort of terms? Would you have any concerns that I might not have considered? Would you consider this sort of thing to be different to Lulu and the like?

This is an interesting idea. I have also halfway considered doing this, not as a Smashwords publisher, but just as an independent editor to help people with their books. A very good friend of mine recently graduated college for graphic design and he is eager to get his name out, so I thought maybe I can do the editing and he can do the covers for the books.

Besides my friend not really being 100% on board (or living in the same country as me), I have no credentials whatsoever for editing that would entice someone to give me money to help them. Maybe some time in the future, though, after I finish college.

One concern I have is you giving the authors the final say in the editing. It sounds mean, but if something they write sucks, and everyone can see it but them, yet they insist on leaving it in, won't that make you look bad? For instance, I have bought several books from BeWrite on Smashwords. After the first one, I saw that the books were quality. I had one small issue with one, but that was a matter of opinion. After the second and third one, my good feelings were reinforced. Now, I'll basically buy anything from BeWrite almost sight unseen because I know that at an absolute minimum, the stories will be unique, the mechanics will be flawless, and if the book isn't to my tastes, it will at least entertain me. In my head, I have an image of the type of books I can buy from BeWrite the same as I have an image of Harlequin or Crossroad Press or Tor.

If you start Naomi, Inc., and take money from authors to publish their work, yet don't put your foot down when you feel that something needs to be changed, the quality might be inconsistent. If customers see your name as editor of the book, but the book has issues that ought to have been fixed but weren't because the author got the final say to leave them in, it's not going to make you or your business look good.

This was quite a ramble, and I hope it made sense. Let us know whatever you decide. I would like to see how this goes.

[dlmartin6]

I've read through this thread and I don't see the question asked - "What are your qualifications as an editor?" I've read through the reviews on B&N for your story DEADish and many of them are not flattering so why would writers sign with you? What promotion activities will you offer that a writer cannot do on their own?

I'm fairly new to this forum so I don't know you well and I'm not trying to be critical here. These are the questions I would ask in any business situation. I agree with the other commenters - you will be swamped with requests.

Deb

[Valmore Daniels]

Whoever registers the ISBN owns the number. If you get your rights back and go with a different publisher, they will re-register the work with a new ISBN.