Backlists self-published by authors? - Page 3

snape · 02-25-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan

It takes time to properly format and re-edit your work for Smashwords and Kindle--the 12 backlist titles I published took me about a month and a half of full-time work (much of that just in-depth re-reading)--but it's not hard. The Smashword guidelines, in particular, are involved, but real easy to understand.

I've copyedited and formatted a number of books (written by others) for Smashwords, and I can attest to the time it takes to really go through every line and make a manuscript look nice. Remember, too, that the works are then processed by the Smashwords Meatgrinder program, which occasionally spits out formatting weirdnesses you didn't expect.

starrigger · 02-25-2011, 02:04 PM

Someone asked for other authors. Here are some SF and fantasy writers I happen to know about who've self-repubbed at least some of their backlist books:

Vonda N. McIntyre
Doranna Durgin
CJ Cherryh
Jane Fancher
Lynn Abbey
Diane Duane
Gerald Weinberg
Kevin J. Anderson
Jeffrey A. Carver (me)

There are some others listed at backlistebooks.com as well as bookviewcafe.com.

I've been trying to get some more of my writer friends to do it, but for people who aren't already ebook readers, it seems a bigger hurdle than I think it really is.

Joykins · 02-25-2011, 03:00 PM

Carolyn Jewel just released Lord Ruin for Kindle. I'm in the middle of it now. I think she plans to do more.

L.J. Sellers · 02-26-2011, 10:21 AM

There's too many to name! I participate in a listserv called Murder Must Advertise, and every traditionally published author in the forum has e-published his/her backlist. More join the indie revolution every day.

And then there are authors like me, who had a traditional publisher and left to self-publish all their titles...because it's the only way they can make a living.
L.J.

FizzyWater · 02-26-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joykins

Carolyn Jewel just released Lord Ruin for Kindle. I'm in the middle of it now. I think she plans to do more.

FYI - she's on Smashwords, too, for those that are interested in other-than-Kindle formats.

Dr. Drib · 03-09-2011, 08:23 AM

PLEASE NOTE:

This thread is NOT for self-promotion.

There is a distinct difference between mentioning the issues involved in getting one's (or another author's) catalog from backlist to ebook, etc., and blatant self-promotion.

Please remember, MobileRead has a whole Forum for Self-Promotions.

Don
(Moderator)

melaniejaxn · 07-12-2011, 12:05 PM

I'm publishing backlist too. It is wonderful to be able to supply missing books in series for readers. My old publisher often publishes first and last books but did nothing with the middle books and they have been OOP for years.

Rebeccaforster · 07-15-2011, 04:03 PM

Ficbot! I have posted most of my backlist on Smashwords - my current legal thrillers including the bestselling Witness series (Hostile Witness, Silent Witness and Privleged Witness) and the USA Today Bestseller, Keeping Counsel if you like a really creepy villan. I also have my women's fiction up. Hope you'll check it out and thanks for asking us. I also have a new book Before Her Eyes which is my first unique to digital book. Best, Rebecca Forster
http://www.rebeccaforster.com

Dimwit · 07-16-2011, 09:27 PM

Just out of curiousity, what do the republishers do about covers? Use the old ones? Contract new ones?

starrigger · 07-16-2011, 11:40 PM

In most cases, you have to make new ones. Sometimes you can arrange privately with the artist of the original cover (if you like it and want to keep it) for the use of the artwork. But even then, you have to have type design and layout--you can't use that from the original, because that's owned by the original publisher.

In many cases, writers are eager to have new covers, because they weren't happy with the originals.

There's a growing cottage industry of folk doing book cover design, and finding clever ways to use stock art.

Rebeccaforster · 07-22-2011, 07:03 PM

Don't think twice, finish that unfinished book! I'm loving having control over my work, backlist or new work. Hope you'll let us know when it's done! Rebecca

Steven Lyle Jordan · 07-25-2011, 02:55 PM

I'm still in the process of reissuing my books, after a thorough editing/reproofing and new covers. Eight out of fifteen are available now.

02-25-2011, 02:04 PM	#32
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	Someone asked for other authors. Here are some SF and fantasy writers I happen to know about who've self-repubbed at least some of their backlist books: Vonda N. McIntyre Doranna Durgin CJ Cherryh Jane Fancher Lynn Abbey Diane Duane Gerald Weinberg Kevin J. Anderson Jeffrey A. Carver (me) There are some others listed at backlistebooks.com as well as bookviewcafe.com. I've been trying to get some more of my writer friends to do it, but for people who aren't already ebook readers, it seems a bigger hurdle than I think it really is. Last edited by starrigger; 02-25-2011 at 02:07 PM.

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02-25-2011, 03:00 PM	#33
Joykins Wizard Posts: 1,601 Karma: 9211856 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: kindle Oasis 2018, kindle 4 NT, kindle PW2, iPhone, iPad mini	Carolyn Jewel just released Lord Ruin for Kindle. I'm in the middle of it now. I think she plans to do more.

02-26-2011, 10:21 AM	#34
L.J. Sellers Novelist Posts: 287 Karma: 387979 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eugene, Oregon Device: Kindle	There's too many to name! I participate in a listserv called Murder Must Advertise, and every traditionally published author in the forum has e-published his/her backlist. More join the indie revolution every day. And then there are authors like me, who had a traditional publisher and left to self-publish all their titles...because it's the only way they can make a living. L.J.

03-09-2011, 08:23 AM	#36
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	PLEASE NOTE: This thread is NOT for self-promotion. There is a distinct difference between mentioning the issues involved in getting one's (or another author's) catalog from backlist to ebook, etc., and blatant self-promotion. Please remember, MobileRead has a whole Forum for Self-Promotions. Don (Moderator)

07-12-2011, 12:05 PM	#37
melaniejaxn Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 10308 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sierra foothills of California Device: Kindle	I'm publishing backlist too. It is wonderful to be able to supply missing books in series for readers. My old publisher often publishes first and last books but did nothing with the middle books and they have been OOP for years.

07-15-2011, 04:03 PM	#38
Rebeccaforster Rebecca Forster Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles Area Device: Kindle	Ficbot! I have posted most of my backlist on Smashwords - my current legal thrillers including the bestselling Witness series (Hostile Witness, Silent Witness and Privleged Witness) and the USA Today Bestseller, Keeping Counsel if you like a really creepy villan. I also have my women's fiction up. Hope you'll check it out and thanks for asking us. I also have a new book Before Her Eyes which is my first unique to digital book. Best, Rebecca Forster http://www.rebeccaforster.com

07-16-2011, 09:27 PM	#39
Dimwit Connoisseur Posts: 60 Karma: 12652 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kobo	Just out of curiousity, what do the republishers do about covers? Use the old ones? Contract new ones?

07-16-2011, 11:40 PM	#40
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	In most cases, you have to make new ones. Sometimes you can arrange privately with the artist of the original cover (if you like it and want to keep it) for the use of the artwork. But even then, you have to have type design and layout--you can't use that from the original, because that's owned by the original publisher. In many cases, writers are eager to have new covers, because they weren't happy with the originals. There's a growing cottage industry of folk doing book cover design, and finding clever ways to use stock art.

07-22-2011, 07:03 PM	#41
Rebeccaforster Rebecca Forster Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles Area Device: Kindle	Don't think twice, finish that unfinished book! I'm loving having control over my work, backlist or new work. Hope you'll let us know when it's done! Rebecca

07-25-2011, 02:55 PM	#42
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I'm still in the process of reissuing my books, after a thorough editing/reproofing and new covers. Eight out of fifteen are available now.

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