Publishing Options for Authors-Part 2A-Online

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In Part 1, we outlined the pros and cons of traditional publishing with a large publisher or small press. As one of our visitors, Benjamin, commented, another disadvantage of the small press is the typically high retail price on books published by academic presses in particular. He also observed that even hardcover books by large publishing houses were often $30, which is a little steep for many readers. Be sure to read Benjamin’s complete comments beneath the entry, Publishing Options for Authors - Part 1.

To this, we’d like to add that large publishers can make foreign and movie deals most small presses cannot. Also, if they contract a second book with advance, the author may be in the enviable position of getting paid for her time while writing her next book. Another advantage to the small press, however, is a greater niche market since these target a focused audience who might otherwise never hear of your book if published elsewhere.

Whyte Dove Press is not currently soliciting manuscripts for bound publication, but when it does, we will work closely with the author to create the best quality bound volume we can offer at an affordable price to a niche readership and offer an agreement whereby the author and publisher share equitably in both the expenses and the profits.

Currently, however, Whyte Dove Press is actively engaged in publishing material online. 

Another visitor, Matthew, expressed particular interest in the option of publishing online.  We had, at first, intended to discuss the variety of self-publishing options available to authors who still want to see their works in print–even if POD (print on demand)–and save online publication for last.  Instead, we’ve decided to go ahead and talk about online publishing now.

Online publishing options for authors ABOUND.

First we’ll address three main considerations. Then, in the next post, we’ll list numerous online options, giving pros and cons of each and specific information about how authors can take advantage of these.

Three Main Considerations

• What about copyright protection?  This is a very real concern since it is much easier to download or copy-paste material from the internet than it is to photocopy a book or even a magazine article.  Most people don’t even think about the possibility of copyright infringement when they do it.  The best thing to do about this very real consideration is to be choosy about what works you allow to be published online.  If you or your web publisher associate a Creative Commons license with your work, this reminds others that you, the writer, own the property, and it lets them see what permissions you are granting them.  This encourages many people to be more honest than an “All Rights Reserved” notice does.  If you want to publish a work online and retain All Rights, place your copyright notice in the footer of every page or as a watermark on every page, and save it in a format, such as pdf, that preserves this notice. 
• If I’m published on the web, does that hurt my chances of being published elsewhere? - Yes, no, and the opposite.
  • Yes–You can’t sell First Rights or All Rights because being published online is being published. You can’t enter the piece in a contest that specifies no prior publication, etc.
  • No–It usually won’t matter if you’re selling First Serial Rights (magazines, etc.) or if your online appearance is in a restricted environment, such as a web community or private blog.  Even a public environment, such as Whyte Dove Press, typically presents no hindrance to an author’s chances of being published elsewhere because the volume of traffic is not as significant as, say, the New York Times Online; there are exceptions to this, but few.
  • Opposite–The opposite is sometimes true. More and more agents, editors, and publishing houses are searching the web for talent.  In spite of a growing disinclination to read hard copy submissions from the “slush pile” (unsolicited manuscripts, mailed with no prior query receiving a “green light” to submit) and inclination to refuse entirely all unagented manuscripts, these people eagerly read blogs and web-zines and offer authors whose work they like print deals as a consequence.  Rather than wade through lengthier manuscripts from persons who perhaps have no ability to hold the attention of a reader, they can locate web sites and blogs with enough “hits” to warrant attention and sample a writer’s wares in small, digestible portions.  They can also choose those sites that offer the type of material that interests them, the kind they’re looking to publish.  For example, one publisher of recipe books was especially chagrined to find a torrid (yes, and horrid) romance in the submission pile, and this is not uncommon; so is it any wonder publishers speak of the “slush pile” with disdain?
• Why should I give away my writing for nothing in return?  Why indeed?
  • Byline - Always insist on a byline.  In writer lingo, that’s your name after the word “by” at the top.  You can’t take a byline to the bank, but it isn’t “nothing.”  If you can point to anything you have had published by anyone, those publishing credits will be of value to you, that is, IF the web site, its appearance and other contents, are an appropriate setting for your work and if your work shows quality in its context.  For example, if you later seek publication in a literary magazine and can cite previous publication in a literary e-zine, this will be a plus even if your piece is short and informal; whereas, citing a home-made-looking web site where you have exposed an unedited rough draft of an otherwise intriguing story to the public eye, can be detrimental.  In the latter case, having such a byline on such a site will be worse than nothing.
  • Monetary Reward - Some online sites, albeit very few, actually pay contributors.  Whyte Dove Press is such a site.  We readily accept pieces of less than 250 words when given as “gifts,” but we are loathe to receive well-crafted pieces by authors without remuneration because we know the time and attention required to say something worth saying and to say it well.  As a consequence, we are more discriminating about what we accept for our Whyte Pages. 

In summary of these considerations, think of the online community as you might a neighborhood in which you, a contractor, are thinking of building a house.  Does this neighborhood have restrictions?  Will you be building a mansion next door to a mobile home?  Or vice versa?  What kind of traffic runs by?  Even if the lot is free, you’ll be investing in the construction.  Invest wisely. 

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Tags: writers, writing, authors, publishers, publishing, online, web sites, copyright, byline