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Well, finally! I've been locked out of my blog for the last few days for some reason. I was getting very annoyed, and ready to take on Blogger when today it seems fine. The workings of the Internet I'm afraid will always be a mystery to me.
Yesterday I took a somewhat scary step towards publishing. I sent off my historical novel, The Freedom Thief, to an ebook publisher, MuseItUp Publishing. I thought that would be the end of it, until I received a reply saying they either would or would not be interested in publishing the book. Instead, I received an email from the President of the company accknowledging receipt of my manuscript, and telling me I should hear again from them within 6-8 weeks, or perhaps sooner. What a pleasant surprise!
I said this was a scary step for me. My novel has a 13-almost-14 year old boy as the protagnonist, and with seemingly every publisher having his own definition of what makes a middle grade or young adult read, in terms of age, I have no idea if the story is middle grade or young adult. I still have misgivings about a middle grade story in an ebook format, so it's scary because I don't know if it will sell as an ebook or not.
In today's economy, it seems to me that for the majority of parents, buying their kids a Kindle or a Nook or whatever other kind of ereader is out there would be one of the last items on their Christmas list...or any kind of gift list. Especially if the kids are only 10 to about 12 or 13 years old...the age my story is aimed at. Yet a lot of writers are going this route, not only with MG and YA stories, but even with picture books and short chapter books for elementary grade readers.
Perhaps the initial cost of the ereader overrides the ongoing cost of buying books from a bookstore, even Amazon. If so, publishing as an ebook makes a lot of sense. However, there are also many parents today who are saying to their children, you have to go to the library because I can't afford to buy you a book. So there are two sides to this issue of ebook publishing for kids.
I just hope I've chosen the right side ! Of course, first I have to find out that the manuscript has been selected for publishing, then I'll have plenty of time to worry about how well it's going to sell.
What are your thoughts on ebook publishing? Do you think this is a viable alternative to fighting the battle in finding a traditional print publisher, and if so, have you taken this route or are planning to?
Until next time,
That's a wrap.
I think that if a kid WANTS an e-reader, they will probably get one. Look at all the young kids who have cell phones, or ipods, or at the least, mp3 players.
ReplyDeleteFor this reason, I think that following your dream through e-books is not a bad move at all. I wish you lots of luck!
Mikki, blogger has been tempermental with me too. My GFC widget says no followers one minute and then shows my followers the next. Very strange.
ReplyDeleteAs for ebooks, I do think they sell better, but I like a physical book too. I want both, but that's just me. Middle grade hasn't made that leap to ebooks yet. Do I think they will? Absolutely. So really it's just a matter of do you want your book to be in stores or not.
Either way, I hope you get an acceptance and can decide for yourself. Keep us posted.
Katie, thanks for the good wishes. You're right, I guess if the kids want ereaders, they'll get them. I keep thinking back to when my children were middle graders, and the only kids in school who didn't have their own private telephones and TVs in their rooms...according to them, that is LOL We could afford them, but we figured they just did not need them. Talk on the house phone, watch TV with the entire family, or forget it! Guess parents are more lenient today.
ReplyDeleteI think in this rapidly evolving world of technology, ebooks are going to be a necessary evil. That being said, I think people are more apt to buy ebooks on the spur of the moment, because they're there and available.
ReplyDeleteMe, I love print books. Always have, always will. However, I am (FINALLY!) becoming much more accepting of ebooks. I'm willing to give them a try.
Mom, they have ereaders aimed at toddlers these days (V-Tech, I think they're called). Just get published!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I can post a comment today? I've tried for 3 days and get locked out each time. But in case this time works...I also prefer the print books, although I have a Kindle. I just don't read it as much as I should, especially since it was a gift from my husband.
ReplyDeleteAs to getting published, IF I have the opportunity to go with MuseItUp, I am certainly going to, and worry about whether the book sells..or not...later on!
Mikki,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do prefer print books myself, I have a feeling that could change if I were willing to shell out the money for a Kindle. And I think Katie's right. If kids want them, parents are going to buy them.
Wishing you all the best with MuseItUp! I hope the news is positive and I hope it comes quickly =D