Post by lvcabbie on Dec 12, 2013 20:24:52 GMT -5
What would you do?
I have a publisher who has released two of my three historical novels – and will accept the 4th as soon as I've finished it.
The contract calls for 15% royalties on paperback sales and 40% on e-book. As part of the contract, they provide a cover, edit the manuscript, and publish it on their site, as well as Amazon.com, Smashwords, and other websites. Their web page says:
“We naturally require all Bluewood authors to actively market and promote their book(s), and we go the extra mile to help them become successful sellers. “
In other words, they don't prepare press releases – unless pushed and then provide them in pdf. format – nor send them out to media contacts, and do not have or seek reviewers for the work.
In other words, other than providing a “professional” name as publisher, they do little that I cannot do myself!
So far, the sales suck basically because nobody knows about the novels or has any idea of whether or not they're any good.
My question is this: I have another historical novel I feel has the nugget of great success as it's about a historical figure of heroic proportions. He was a soldier during the Spanish rule of Mexico and one almost no Mexicans know of. He rose from almost nothing to become governor of California, in spite of his place in society and then, when removed from that position for unfair reasons, continued to do his duty, look out for those under his supervision, and generally display characteristics any one would be proud of. With the right marketing, even in English, I think this could be a most successful work in Mexico and among the Mexican-American community.
Should I submit this to my current publisher? Or seek another publisher for it? Or self-publish it?
And, one more question – how do YOU go about getting reviews for your works? I have a massive list of book reviewers, both bloggers and media outlets. Yet, none I've contacted have responded with a request to review either of the two published works.
Would anyone here like to read and review one or both of them?
Thanks for your responses.
I have a publisher who has released two of my three historical novels – and will accept the 4th as soon as I've finished it.
The contract calls for 15% royalties on paperback sales and 40% on e-book. As part of the contract, they provide a cover, edit the manuscript, and publish it on their site, as well as Amazon.com, Smashwords, and other websites. Their web page says:
“We naturally require all Bluewood authors to actively market and promote their book(s), and we go the extra mile to help them become successful sellers. “
In other words, they don't prepare press releases – unless pushed and then provide them in pdf. format – nor send them out to media contacts, and do not have or seek reviewers for the work.
In other words, other than providing a “professional” name as publisher, they do little that I cannot do myself!
So far, the sales suck basically because nobody knows about the novels or has any idea of whether or not they're any good.
My question is this: I have another historical novel I feel has the nugget of great success as it's about a historical figure of heroic proportions. He was a soldier during the Spanish rule of Mexico and one almost no Mexicans know of. He rose from almost nothing to become governor of California, in spite of his place in society and then, when removed from that position for unfair reasons, continued to do his duty, look out for those under his supervision, and generally display characteristics any one would be proud of. With the right marketing, even in English, I think this could be a most successful work in Mexico and among the Mexican-American community.
Should I submit this to my current publisher? Or seek another publisher for it? Or self-publish it?
And, one more question – how do YOU go about getting reviews for your works? I have a massive list of book reviewers, both bloggers and media outlets. Yet, none I've contacted have responded with a request to review either of the two published works.
Would anyone here like to read and review one or both of them?
Thanks for your responses.