Will this new distribution program list the books in Ingram? Will unsold copies be returnable? Will they also be listable on BookSense? Just how much are these "reading fees"?

Libby

Libby the new distribution program will have books listed on Ingram, they will be fully returnable, they will be available for Book Sense but whether or not they are listed is up to the people at Book Sense, and the readng fees have not yet been set. My hope is that the fees will be known by the end of the week. Hope this helps.

Jerry D. Simmons

I never thought you'd stoop to this, Jerry. I really had faith in you.

Call this proposal whatever you want, co-publishing is just another name for subsidy, as in subsidy publishing, formerly known as vanity press.

I have an inkling who the so-called traditional publisher might be since I continually read news on the trade from several different sources, and I'm quite sure I know who the actual printer is just from your description of the distribution, the same one I as Jigsaw Press use in fact, but let's get real here. A reading fee amounting to several hundred dollars? A "co-publishing" arrangement where the author is required to pay to publish? That's subsidy or vanity, whether you admit it or not. And I'm appalled.

I'm not against you trying to make some money here or at your other sites, but ripping authors off is something I simply can't condone. What you're doing in selling this crap is called spin, my friend. You're trying to spin a sow's ear into a silk purse, just like any other subsidy press does.

You're just another greedy individual trying to capitalize on the dreams of any author you can sucker into your fold.

And I really believed in you, Jerry, but not anymore. What a grave disappointment you are.

M.L. Bushman, aka Kris Karrel, aka editor-Jigsaw Press. www.jigsawpress.com

Dear Mr. Bushman or Kris, I'm sorry you feel that way and you have every right to your opinion, but you have it wrong. The Independent author wants access to booksellers on a national basis, that is a given. The only way to gain that access is through a program designed exactly the way it has been described here. If you want to call it vanity press that is up to you, but this is the exact same publishing model that Harper Collins announced last month, and the same kind of program all the biggest publishers are testing as we speak. This sir is the future of tradtional publishing, and having read all the trades you have to realize this fact.

The reading fees are necessary, and the reason is that the market has labeled all Independent publishing as poor quality. The only way to overcome that obstacle and gain access to national booksellers is with a reading fee paid to professional acquisition editors that the national chains will recognize and accept. This is not my rule, it's the cost of an Independent marketplace gaining access to the traditional market.

As a publisher yourself you have to realize the margins are extremely slim and the difficulty in publishing is no money. This is not a windfall of profits for anyone, it's a shared cost/revenue model that is the future. There isn't a publisher in this country that has access to corporate retail booksellers that would agree to publish Independent titles on a wide scale without some assurance of the quality of the product.

This is not a rip off, it's a choice. Author's can solicit agents and puruse the traditional route, or if they want access to big booksellers, they can try this co-publish and distribution program. I'm not providing spin, I've told it exactly like it is, the reality. I've been very clear there are no guarantees with anything in publishing, including this program. It's not perfect, I'd love for writers to have access to a sales channel without all of this, but it's not reality. The market dictates the price, not me.

As for your comment about being greedy, that is what I take exception to sir. I operate these websites as a free service, I have tried my best to provide an opportunity for the Independent author and the last thing that will come from this program is money! I hope these authors make a killing, but it certainly isn't trickling down to me. I've spent the last three years of my life working for free, and anyone that knows me and my work can speak to that fact, money is not my motivation. To suggest so, based on what you have read here is dead wrong and I'm disappointed you would make such a suggestion without knowing all the facts.

Being critical of someone's work is easy, offering solutions to problems is not. You can cast stones, but may I suggest you get the facts straight before you start tearing down ideas.

Jerry D. Simmons

First of all, if you'd taken a look at the picture on my profile, you'd see I'm not a sir, but a ma'am. But that's beside the point.

Sure, all the big publishers are testing the subsidy model as we speak because they see from the examples set by Lulu, iUniverse, PublishAmerica, et al, that there's big money in that business model. And so do you. But that doesn't make your "choice" to pursue it right or even ethical, especially in light of the spin you've been dishing out since you first started your websites. The way it looks to me now, you planned all along to profit on the dreams of authors, first by presenting yourself as a champion of the independent author to sucker a herd of them in, then by trying to sell this cockamamie scheme of yours designed to separate authors from their money. A non-refundable reading fee, Jerry? Costs to the author, if accepted to your program? Excuse me. All money should flow toward the author--that's the test of a real publisher versus vanity or subsidy or your new term, co-publishing. That co-publishing label is no different than when used car salesmen decided pre-owned was a better way to describe used cars.

There are plenty of independent publishers out there willing to take a look at a writer's work without charging a reading fee. There are also plenty of independent publishers who don't charge the accepted author a dime. There is also nothing stopping the author from true self-publishing.

I know from your description here of your distribution (no promises, eh? where have I heard that before?), and your email newsletter Q and A that I received yesterday (and have since unsubscribed), that you and your partners will be using Lightning Source as your printer-on-demand. Lightning Source is owned by Ingram and that association will get any book printed by LSI listed at the major booksellers like Barnes and Noble, Borders, Powells, Booksamillion, even Amazon--for now. That's the distribution chain you're holding aloft like a holy grail, still that won't put any book on the shelves. What you don't say is that it's up to the author to drive sales to the bookstores, but perhaps you feel this is a given. You just state that you can't promise anything. In that, I'll give you credit. You're a tiny bit more honest than most subsidy publishers with the exception of Booklocker, who screens their submissions rigorously like you state you'll do, has a complete in-your-face honest statement of what they can and can't do for an author's book should they accept the work, and doesn't charge any reading fees.

I love how you word the following: "This is not a rip off, it's a choice. Author's can solicit agents and puruse the traditional route, or if they want access to big booksellers, they can try this co-publish and distribution program."

So, is this "choice" really either or? No. Thousands of other independent publishers who don't charge authors a dime offer the same printing and distribution daily. There's other options, too, Jerry. You know that as well as I do. Authors need to do their homework on this business before spending a dime with anyone. A subsidy, or co-publishing, imprint is the kiss of death for a book. All an aspiring author has to do is a little research to find out why. Join a group like self-publishing or POD publishers at Yahoo groups and lurk for a while. Better yet, ask the question--what's a subsidy imprint going to do for my book? In 99.9% of the cases, the answer is nothing.

My guess is you're going to reap your share of the money out there, Jerry, so I wouldn't worry. P.T. Barnum said there was one born every minute. But how you'll sleep at night is one answer I simply can't fathom. Then again, I'm an honest person doing honest work, not a former corporate soldier reaching out with both hands for a share of a pie filled largely with others' dreams.

Mari
editor-Jigsaw Press

First off Mari, my apology for the reference to "sir" it was not meant as a slur, but your facts are all wrong. There isn't big money in subsidy publishing, are you kidding? The fact that authors have a "choice" to pursue what they want means that I'm "unethical" for simply making the offer.

This program was designed because Independent authors asked for it, the notion that I've planned this all along is just not correct. I take exception to the reference of a "cockamamie scheme" by me to take money out of the pockets of Independent authors, this is not who I am or what I'm about. This program is an offer, I'm explaining the realities of the market, not trying to steal money.

Give me one example today of any publishing model where all the money flows to the author? It doesn't exist, and to attack me for providing an opportunity is unexplainable. Yes, there are plenty of Independent publishers that do not charge a reading fee, I agree with you, but they do not have the distribution capability of this new program, that I can guarantee!

Where you get the notion that Lightning Source is my printer indicates that you have no idea what this is about and your facts are wrong! Lightning Source would never be given the opportunity to publish any of these titles, never! This is a traditional publisher, with offset printing, just like all the other big companies.

I'm not holding any "distribution aloft like holy grail," because all distribution plans have flaws, they are not perfect and there are no guarantees to any of this. So how can you make reference to the fact that I'm less than honest about the program? I've never held back the truth to anyone about this or anything else with regard to publishing.

The statement that other Independent publishers have the same distribution as this new program is just not true. I worked and lived in the publishing and distribution business for my entire career and I can tell you, no one, outside of the big New York publishers have the distribution capabilites as this new program, no one!

I sleep very well at night and I'm sorry you have chosen to see only bad about the program, with me personally and my intentions, but you really need to get your facts straight and perhaps have a conversation with me about my intentions before you begin making statements that aren't factual.

If you would like to continue this publishing discussion perhaps you should contact me via email and I'd be more than happy to set a time and discuss all of this by phone. In fact, I'd be willing to offer our discussion open to anyone interested. At least that way we can get the truth to the writers.

Jerry D. Simmons

Dear Jerry,
I know you too well to even remotely suspect ulterior motives from you. You are just too decent a guy - a straight shooter with solid morals and values. So let's put these accusations and innuendos aside as they simply muddy the waters and add confusion to the topic. I think the biggest problem with the introduction of this alternative publishing model is just that - it is too new as yet to have all the ducks set out in a row. Announcing a program so vastly different from anything independent authors are currently familiar with (Harper Collins notwithstanding), naturally leads to many questions. In this case, because so many answers are not yet at hand, I suspect the announcement heightened anxieties to begin with, just because it is something radically new. And then explanations in broad generalities, rather than detail specific ones, caused further confusion for many, suspect motivations for a few. I know you far too well, and trust you so implicitly that I know in my heart you would not be involved in a devious plan. Does this mean I will sign on the dotted line? Certainly not. I need to learn much more. I for one plan to be patient and wait for all the details to emerge in order to make an educated decision. I urge others to do the same.

Good luck to you - now and always,
Lois W. Strn
Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY
http://www.sexliesand cosmeticsurgery.com

Jerry, I am so excited to hear about this! This program will revolutionize the way that independent authors publish their books and the way that they're distributed. As a self-published author (independent author), I was first published in 2003. I have to tell you, distribution sucks!

Yes, my books are available on Amazon, and yes, my local stores and any outside of my province that I have visited have my books, but everywhere else, the no returns policy of my first publisher combined with their lack of full distribution has made my life a lot tougher.

I'm a Canadian author. It is a huge headache to have to consign my titles. I hate the paperwork and the hassle.

Thankfully, I am also traditionally published and hopefully on my way up that rather rusty ladder.

If this program was around when I was first looking into this, I wouldn't have hesitated. I spent about $2000 on a Canadian POD (subsidy)publisher for my debut novel. I've NEVER regretted it.

What you're offering is different from the "norm". What you're offering is a piece of respect, since independent authors are often looked at with disdain.

KUDOS to you. I have always been a supporter of independent publishing and will continue to be, regardless if I'm ever published by Bantam or Random House or Warner (hehe). Self-publishing offers freedom and opportunity. I would never be where I am today if I hadn't taken the risk and I learned so much in the process.

And THAT my friends is what you have to decide. If you believe that your writing is worth the risk, then step off the cliff and dive into a program like this. What have you got to lose? Money? You'll get nowhere fast in this business without some risk. If you were starting a Starbucks business don't you think you'd have to invest some money first? Think of this the same way. The book industry is rapidly changing. If a big house accepts this type of program, why won't an author?

I've made back all the money I spent on 3 self-publishing packages (about $5000), and then some. That's because I realized that by paying any amount I was "investing" in a business....just like any business. And I work my business.

And regarding the above posts, I just have to say a few things...

I've met Jerry and he is nothing but the most wonderful and supportive friend an author can ever hope to have. I am so sorry that this idea has sparked such animosity, and if you knew of all the great things Jerry has done for so many authors, I think you'd reconsider.

Not only has he encouraged me and supported me, he's referred me to agents and publishers. In fact, if it weren't for him, I would've stopped looking (for a while). And because of Jerry, I now have an awesome New York agent who is representing all of my works.

The idea that Jerry is proposing something that is unethical is ridiculous. I've used a Canadian subsidy--I CHOSE to--and it set my career in motion. I haven't regretted my choice or looked back. They laid out the terms, I chose to pay.

I've been talking to the regional managers of a chain in Canada about how to cross over into better distribution, and with any subsidy/POD/self-publishing it's impossible. But what Jerry seems to be proposing may just do the trick. His program will open doors that have always been closed to self-published (however you self-publish) authors.

Like Lois (above), I have faith that Jerry will work out all the details and that this program will be a benefit to those authors who wish to start their careers or see success. It is a choice we all have to make at some point. Do we take a step forward or wait for something to happen?

Jerry, for years my motto has been "Dare to dream...and dream BIG!" And one thing I've learned is that takes COURAGE. So I salute you for having the courage to dream big and to work towards a solution that will put self-published/independent authors on a fairly level playing field. Thank you.

To the naysayers:

"Courage is contagious. So is fear. Fear can't hurt you unless you surrender to it."

So why not just wait for all the information to be available before you make fear-based decisions and accusations? If you're serious about getting published, won't it benefit you to have ALL the information first before making a judgment?

I wish you all the best in success in whatever you choose to do--especially Jerry.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song
http://www.cherylktardif.com

I am astounded by some of these negative comments. Clearly you haven't done your research, if you had you'd know that distribution is a lot more complicated than what you think. I happen to know that Jerry is an expert on this stuff, you clearly are not.

Here's a bit of the backstory that I'm sure Jerry would never share here. I know through a friend of mine that he took a lot of painstaking hours to develop this program so that it would be GOOD for authors. He refused to do anything that would in any way harm an author's career or cost them wasted money. He didn't want to be like some people in the industry who don't mind charging authors for crap and get away with it. In fact he nearly didn't do this program save for the push from a colleague who encouraged him to give this a shot - because in the end the program would give authors an honest shot at success, this is all that Jerry has ever wanted.

Frankly, while I'm glad to see people posting positive comments I'm appalled at your attack of him. Let's get more of the folks on this site who believe in Jerry's work to post comments. You might not want to buy into this program but you support what Jerry does. I know I do.

In fact Jigsaw, if you're so "offended" by what Jerry does, then get off of his FREE site that he's worked endlessly to create with his own money, asking for nothing in return. An associate who heard about this told me: "You should tell Jerry to pull the site, that would teach some of these unappreciative people a lesson." I second that.

Gayle Watkings, author and supporter of Nothing Binding

I'm somewhat aghast reading the comments about Jerry Simmons' motives here. I've never known Jerry to be anything but exemplary in his dealings with Independent authors. I'd venture to submit that the same holds true in his dealings with people and life in general.

I'm an Independent author and have had the pure pleasure of meeting, working, and talking with him over a two year period. He's never too busy to offer help, answer questions, and tirelessly offer all of us a stage here at Nothing Binding as well as in his Tips For Writers Newsletter. I know for a fact that Jerry has offered his speaking services to writers conferences free of charge in his local area. His heart is, and has been, with the authors.

I do agree with a previous comment that perhaps this new program was announced prior to having adequate answers to questions as to fees, royalites, and distribution to shelves. That being said, Jerry has not faltered in stating up front what he knows now and what decisions haven't yet been determined. As for practices insuring quality, I feel that is imperative, as yes, some POD publishers have given all Independent authors a less than quality shroud to carry around by accepting anything on a page for a fee. I welcome quality control. Any successful business has such practices.

There is no charge for submitting a query and a synopsis which will immediately hone the crop. If an author is accepted and chooses to pursue, I'm sure all further details will be provided. And then, yes, the choice is with the author sans high pressure and empty promises.

As always, Jerry Simmons is the champion for Independent authors. And, IF the day comes that this program is successful and he earns some money, I'd say it's about time. He's worked for free long enough. Would anyone here fault a fair compensation for their efforts?

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE - A Novel (Independently Published)
FIBERS IN THE WEB (Traditionally Published)
http://www.sucarha.com/

I've been rooting for Jerry since he started--spoke highly of him whenever I could. Right up until a few days ago, I counted him a champion for independent authors and publishers everywhere. I was glad to support him. I believed.

Fault me if you like for speaking up, but I don't agree with what he's doing or planning to do. That is my right. Being asked to leave, however, for simply speaking my mind, for voicing my dissent, airing my sense of betrayal is not anyone's right, but Jerry's, and he has not asked me to do so at this time.

To answer Jerry--no, there's no money in publishing, for the author. Hasn't been for a long time. But I don't see subsidy publishers like iUniverse and Lulu going out of business or suffering greatly at their bottom lines. In fact, I would wager their bottom lines are comfortably in the black. Not the case with traditional publishers though.

The traditional publishers have been losing market share for years. There are over 86,000 independent publishers and the number is not shrinking. These indies are eating away the market share the traditional publishers used to enjoy. Last year, there were over 134,000 self-published books produced out of the over 400,000 published overall, the balance published by the indies and traditional publishers combined. Now, what traditional publisher being squeezed by rising costs across the board, and being hammered at by the bean counters who represent the stockholders, is not going to be tempted to jump into this pool of willing victims and profit? Who wouldn't be tempted, if they had the ways and means?

I do not agree that this author-pay business model is the future of publishing. I'd like to see authors and publishers given a fair shake, and in my tiny way, am trying very hard to provide that opportunity to as many as possible. I will agree, however, that many would-be authors will be and are, right now, being persuaded by that argument to part with their money. But I did not, for one minute, believe that Jerry would be one of those standing at the cash register. Sadly, I was wrong.

No matter what brand is slapped on this calf, the fact remains that this little steer is a subsidy-publishing arrangement.

And I sincerely apologize, Jerry, if I made the erroneous assumption that you would be using Lightning Source for printing and distribution through Ingram. Perhaps you do, indeed, have a better plan in mind for printing and distribution.

My best wishes to you all in your future endeavors.

Mari
editor-Jigsaw Press

Dear Mari,

I appreciate your recent comment and thought I would take a moment to respond. Frankly I was appalled at your attack on Jerry, especially without having all the data but I appreciate your effort to come back and respond to all the comments that have since posted.

Here's the thing: my company works extensively with POD authors - many of them - we've done this for years. As time has worn on we've found that more and more distribution has become a serious issue. It's no longer a matter of whether books can be published, they can. But generally no one can find them. I realize that's a bit of an overstatement but I think you get my point.

The birth of this idea was a bit forced to be honest. Jerry didn't even want to do it: "Too much risk for the author" he said. But then I told him of all the books we'd worked with, many of which that had gotten national recognition, had been on major shows, gotten major reviews, etc. but had been lagging in sales. Yes, I realize sales are not predictable, if they were we wouldn't even be having this conversation. But my concern was that despite their best efforts, authors weren't seeing their efforts rewarded. I knew the lack of real distribution was to blame. I've seen authors get discouraged, and some even give up. It breaks my heart. I've been in this industry, which is largely a thankless one, not because there's a fortune to be made, but because I, like Jerry, believes in the independent author. We've both turned ourselves inside out to figure out a way to make them successful, despite the odds and this idea seemed to have merit. The more we discussed it, the more we researched it, the more we developed it - it seemed like the alternative that we were looking for. Jerry ironed out the kinks (maybe not all of them but certainly 90% of them) and suddenly there was light at the end of the tunnel. There is always risk, without risk there is no reward. But again, this idea seemed a viable one. So he developed it further, outlined it and we rehashed it again. We brought in a distributor we trust and respect and discussed it with him. He felt the same way. What was the point of writing if no one would be able to read your book? With the choke-hold Amazon was forging it seemed options were becoming even more limited.

The pay-to-publish model is one New York has used for years although it's never been widely discussed. HarperCollins' new model of pay to publish was just announced but many publishers have done it for years. I agree Mari, it's discouraging but unfortunately it's the future. And I have to tell you, as someone who's worked with authors on both sides of the fence I often find the ones who pay to play are almost more motivated to succeed than those who have no financial investment in their work.

I understand that authors are skeptical, you should be. You should ask lots of questions. There are a lot of flim-flam operations out there, people pandering "success" to the unsuspecting author. I can tell you now, neither Jerry nor I would be involved in something that was even remotely questionable. As a friend and colleague I can tell you that Jerry has invested hours and countless dollars in creating a platform for authors for which he receives very little gratitude.

This program may not be right for you or for anyone who has posted to this blog. That's fine. But it'll be perfect for someone and for that author they'll hopefully be able to see the success that otherwise eluded them. That is why we do this, that is why we work so hard.

Penny C. Sansevieri
Author Marketing Experts, Inc

It amazes me how quickly friends can become enemies! Here we have two wonderful people, proven friends of the independent author, trying their hardest to set in motion something of potentially enormous benefit to the the very same authors they have been working diligently to promote, and getting shot down for their efforts. Why? I suspect that this new model has evoked anxieties, perhaps partially because it has left unanswered questions, perhaps partially because it emerges as a threat to business as usual for others. Can't we all just cool our heels, be a bit patient, and wait for the details to emerge? Toward the end of 2006, when I first self-published and became a small voice for "Authors Helping Authors", I have become keenly (and at times painfully) aware of the tremendous discrepancy in the quality of books published through the POD model, a fact of life that damages the reputation of all independent authors. Let's face it, anyone with the determination to complete a book, can get it self-published. There is little if any pre-screening of content, style, or layout required to do so. To my mind, this proposed model might just be that missing link, a means of recognition for quality books, elevating them to a respected status, and providing distribution channels currently unavailable to us.

They say the devil is in the details. Hang in there. That devil might just turn out to be the knight in shining armor.

Lois W. Stern
Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY
www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com

When I first read Jerry's plan, my first reaction was to wait and see, but these verbal attacks are not helping. It is confusing enough to have authored a book or two and try to understand how to reach the public when the air is full of arrows.

All authors are independent authors until they sign a contract. The fact that famous people, who write or have the bucks to hire a ghost writer, form a special privileged group and have excellent sales potential creates distortion in trying to come up with a viable business plan for the rest of us. The major publishers are busy seeking out that line of defense to their bottom line first. The thousand of new authors with no particular pedigree need more avenues to reach their goals. Jerry has provided one more—let’s give it some room to breathe.

It is clear that one of the best ways to present your case in court is to obtain a viable review from a reputable agency, which is still available and relevant—it’s just really hard to get on the list. The idea of paying to reach a valid reviewer and go around this established block of blessed word gurus is intriguing. I would like to see the certificate of acceptance by my reviewer, if I spend money to push a manuscript his or her way. Is Ben Stein on the list? I really think this is where the “risk” part of this raises its ugly head. I believe Jerry has good intentions here, but just like the day print-on-demand was unleashed on the public, many schemes to siphon dollars from pie-in-the-sky authors tainted this rather sterling concept of publishing. This could create a repeat offender. Digital presses, for the first time, made obtaining a quality pulp package inexpensive enough to make authors of all of us. Of course, therein lies the rub.

What I have found as a novice writer and wide-eyed optimist is that my readers have a spectrum of opinions of likes to dislikes in what I have written. Some squeal with delight and can’t wait until I launch another story; others remain silent with tongue in cheek. I can’t please them all. I think the established authors have difficulty as well. This is the variable that drives publishing executives to take a dive into the East River. Another one of the variables that is changing in the publishing world is the intellectual elite, which we seek approval from as authors, are a stuffy narrow minded bunch compared to the sales potential of the world market. What I am edging toward is the abyss of public opinion that can’t be pinpointed by one reviewer, especially one ensconced in New York attitude. A new author has to develop a following just like a rock band. Out of the thousands of musicians a year that try to make it big, most fall short and remain in the backstreets of dive clubs and buried in demo CDs they couldn’t sell to the public. You have to get a bite before you can catch a fish. Think local, go global.

Some of the “self-publishing” houses in sheep’s clothing, that are really fronting for the large corporations, can’t let the money leaks caused by rogue authors independently publishing, that has been happening for the last two years, go unchallenged. I won’t mention names, but one that starts with an X has been courting me lately and their pitch is, “We are on the inside of the market, because of our connections—eluding to the fact that their parent company is in Germany and they speak deutsch—and can guarantee your book will get newspaper article reviews in a major papers, TV interview coverage, and an exclusive press release mailing list that is read by buyers for all the major outlets and indie bookstores all included in our premium package—on sale this week only. They have professional editors to work your manuscript into its full potential and full services to include all the hard to get or expensive listings, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Bowkers, libraries, Costco, Wal-Mart, Target, etc., all included. What I saw was a pathetic outreaching of the major publishers that are now willing to drop all of their lofty standards to stop authors from abandoning their ships of state. Jerry spotted this one dead on. The industry is in flux—the times, they are a changing, to quote one of my prophets.

This is where I embrace Jerry’s efforts. If he can create an avenue to reach distribution and allow a small name author access to the public, then he is my hero. I don’t mind spending some bucks, if the risks can be mitigated inside a reasonable boundary. But, like he says, it’s just a choice, so don’t stop there. Before the ink dries on your next project, farm it out to every possible place it can catch the eye of an MBA trying to make his fortune in publishing books. I might add that print is just one medium in a forest of new ways to reach the masses beyond the book-bound critic in a high-rise glass building. Do I dare open the can of worms of the all electronic author that avoids publishers altogether and gets a business license and becomes his own publisher and sells eBooks, podcasts, and uses YouTube as his press agent! Must I remind you that the Eagles exclusively distributed their last album through Wal-Mart directly from their own recording company? Go Eagles.

John Wolf
JohnWolfBooks.com
FoxandQuill.com

I agree with Lois Stern and her comments. I have known Jerry Simmons for just a couple years after meeting him at the book conferences. I too trust him to do the right thing for us authors and do not believe he would do anything to lead us down the wrong path. Of course, it is up to us to learn the details as he develops them. At that time we can make our own decisions.

I have to tell you that I have been preparing for some time to spend some real money getting Kat Jaske’s books known and into distribution channels. I have often said I need to hire a salesperson to help us sell/promote her books because we don’t know how to do it very well and we don’t have time to do it. I can go out on my own and hire a person I know little about and hope they will be a good sales person. Or I can try to get into Jerry’s program. Either way, I am willing to spend money, and I will decide what is reasonable. His program sounds like what I have been looking for. I want to pay credible people to review our books because I know without a doubt that they will see the same great quality, story and characters, and profit potential of these books.

Like Lois said, let’s cool our negative comments a bit until we see the total package. Then, how is it better or worse to pay a professional to help get our books into readers' hands, than to have me continue to pay to try to promote the books on my own without having the expertise or the time to do it properly? Thanks. Donna Jaske, helper for author Kat Jaske. www.forhonor.com

I was checking back in here tonight to get any updates and happened to click on the podcast link instead of the blog link. I then became engrossed in the broadcasts on blogspot radio co-hosted by Jerry and Penny. Those, too, are very informative and give a bit of 'direction' on the goals of this program, in particular, and the movement of the entire industry in general.

I have questions relating to already published books but I'm sure that the answers will come as Jerry and Penny put this all together. I'd suggest calmly forming a list of the questions we as individuals will need answers to and when the wrinkles are ironed out Jerry will let us know when to start asking them. Perhaps, even an open discussion here will help as several of us may have the same questions and that would save Jerry answering everyone in individual emails. I'm sure Penny will help as well. I do understand, if correct, that this program would mean changing publishers, not just distribution and marketing, so many questions may lie in the area of maintaining our books as they are. Especially those of us who, in addition to the print, have invested in the audio and e-book formats as well.

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE - A Novel
FIBERS IN THE WEB
http://www.sucarha.com/

Hi Susan - the idea of an open discussion is a good one! I'm sure Jerry will agree. An open discussion will give everyone the opportunity to get their questions answered! I'm going to give your suggestion to Jerry (although I'm sure he'll read it on his blog this morning).

Thanks for the idea!

Penny Sansevieri
Author Marketing Experts, Inc
http://www.amarketingexpert.com

Thanks, Penny

Just trying to think of things that would make it easier for both you and Jerry as I'm sure many questions will be redundant. I'm rather used to functioning in a 'forum' type setting in some of my other projects and it does work well in a discussion that affects everyone, even the 'silent' readers. I've got questions already! :)

The way the comments follow in chronological order here helps as well. I'm not too fond of the 'beta' format with all the indents and replies to specific posts stacking up. I'm old - need to keep things simple. :))

Hope you are well. Say hi to Alex for me. I miss him! Glad he's with you, though.

Best,
Susan

Folks, independent authors need a friend. As opposed to other "helpful" web sites, job and organization sites, where you have to not only pay to join, but need to pay extra if you want to have a more detailed profile, Jerry is providing this for free. There must be interest if authors from 30 countries are signed up.

When Susan Haley, Lois Stern, Donna Jaske and I decided to create a panel at the Infinity Publishing Conference on how we developed an authors community, we invited Jerry to be part of the panel because of his expertise in the field and his commitment to independent authors. What better friend could we have than someone who has been on the inside of the publishing industry and knows the machinations inside and out? His Q&A on the co-publishing concept was well done in the fact that he anticipated the questions that might be asked. Jerry allows use of his material in Tips for Writers and when the Amazon mess broke, I used his comments almost exclusively in my own newsletter. When I learned my sister-in-law in Tucson was a writer and then saw in one of Jerry's newsletters that there was a women’s writers conference in Scottsdale, he told me if she contacts him, mention that me and Jerry know each other. That’s a friend.

We need a friend because:
1. We start out with a brush painted against us because we published POD and therefore our books are poorly written, something our community has disproven, but that is known only to us.
2. The New York Times and other newspapers don’t review POD. Book review sections in newspapers are getting smaller, which makes our chances even more limited.
3. Chain stores and some independent book stores don’t want to order our books or will carry a few copies on consignment.
4. Amazon has announced the Book Surge conditions in order for them to carry POD books, which by the way, I wouldn't have known about if I didn’t read it in Jerry Simmons' newsletter.

Everywhere we’re being squashed out. Maybe a couple of us get lucky and have a breakthrough with an interview in a mainstream publication or radio/TV program, but that is the exception not the rule. The camaraderie of our Authors Helping Authors, the sharing of our successes, newsletters with each other’s writing is nice and important, but it still doesn’t get our books in Barnes & Noble and Borders. Maybe a few of our friends, colleagues and relatives know about a book that they wouldn’t otherwise have known about. There is only so much we can do with our time and knowledge.

As a publicist, web site designer and author, one of the most difficult things for “the creative people”: authors, singers, and artists to understand is that they are a business. They have a product to sell and even family members with the possible exception of a few needs to pay for it. My aunt bought 5 copies, one for her and my uncle, one each for her daughters and one for her neighbor. The “creatives” don’t know how to price themselves or market themselves. How can you sell something if people don’t know that it exists? They’re hesitant to pay or lack funds to pay for the help of an expert.

Also as a publicist, I have wrestled with the issue of charging a reading fee to look at an author’s book to see if it is something that I would enjoy promoting. The association of literary agents says it is unethical to charge a reading fee. My business consultants told me I wasn’t an agent and time is money.

I had one book that had substantial grammatical and spelling errors; the spelling of the main character was one way on one page and another on the next page. I was so lost trying to follow it, I couldn’t get past Chapter 2. I can’t represent someone with that poorly edited, if edited at all, book because it will make me look bad. There was the other case, where an author sent me a 600-700 page book. In some ways the book was well written, but he never attributed his quotes! I had to constantly reread to figure out who said what. I entered the Writer’s Digest Independently Published Awards last year. I didn’t win, but received a summary of the judge’s evaluation. Maybe the best part of the summary was “There were few (if any typos) or editorial errors that marred the enjoyment or reading of the text. Well done.” They were, however, the only ones who didn’t like the cover. :)

If we need a screening system to present a better image of the independent authors so be it – and maybe they’ll become my clients. :) We can worry about who will be on the screening panel and how they’ll be selected as this idea develops.

It is a shame that a client I’ve worked with on two books and about to start on the third one doesn’t have her books in the chains. Everybody loves her presentations. Bob O’Connor has written two fascinating historical fiction books, The Perfect Steel Trap: Harper’s Ferry 1859, about John Brown’s attack on Harper’s Ferry and The Virginian Who Might’ve Saved Lincoln, which shows great depth of research and he makes the telling interesting. I see a Ken Burns documentary in those books.

With the health care crisis and issues of malpractice insurance in this country, Margo Corbett’s Lead Your Way to Better Healthcare: Help Doctors Help You, though I haven’t read it, should be prominently displayed in book stores and she should be on talk shows.

Pat Nowak, author of 40 Cars That Owned Me, about the 40 cars he’s owned, which in itself is remarkable, tells the humorous story of how he got Jay Leno interested in his book because he knew Leno liked cars. Pat received a call from Leno on his cell phone while driving. Leno knew of an automobile store that would love the book. All that is great, but did Leno review the book? Or better, how come he didn’t have Pat on his show?

This is not to dismiss the creative efforts of the authors and the cooperation among authors, but we need someone to take it to the next level, to advocate on behalf of independent authors. When talking about web sites, I sometimes use the analogy in the movie Field of Dreams. “Build it and they will come.” They then transition to see this line of cars to see this baseball field in an Iowa cornfield. What’s left out is how did they get those cars to line up and why should people care about a baseball field in the middle of an Iowa cornfield? Build a web site and people will magically come to it is a farce. I’ve seen people who don’t put their web site address on business cards or in their advertising and then complain that nobody is coming to their site. The same goes for “write a book and they will buy.” Nobody is going to buy your book if they don’t know about it – and they can’t get it easily.

Nobody wants to be parted from their money on a scheme, but this idea, even in its rough draft form, seems well thought out and as mentioned by others, if we convene a group and mention questions on our minds, then the plan will then be refined. Plus authors will feel they had a say in the process. Instead of asking negatively, “What do we have to lose?” we should ask, “What do we have to gain?”

Michael Kleiner
Michael Kleiner Public Relations and Web Design
http://www.kleinerprweb.com
Author, Beyond the Cold: An American’s Warm Portrait of Norway
http://www.beyondthecold.com

Good idea from Susan above to start a list of questions or suggestions. Whatever format that takes, I want to throw this suggestion into the mix.

Since the author must pay for the review, even if her book is rejected for this program, we still need to receive a written review that we are allowed to use for our book promotions. That is, the people that review the book should write their review and send it to the author.

It would also be great if there would be a place where the author would have the option of allowing the review(s) to be published.

Donna Jaske
Helper for author Kat Jaske
Three published swashbuckling adventure fiction stories, with the fourth one coming out later this year.
www.forhonor.com

Hi Donna

I may be in error, but I believe 'review' and 'reading fee' are being confused here. If we decide to apply for Jerry's new program and our query and synopsis nets a 'reading for review', that is only to see if the book meets standards for the new publishing program. It doesn't mean, I don't think, a written review that may used elsewhere. The "Book Review" program is something else again. What was being discussed in relationship to this new program was a 'reading fee'. I think! :))
The only 'review' we'd get is either 'accepted' or 'rejected' just like any other publisher. Possibly it would include some reasons as to why if rejected, but I don't think it would be a 'review' we'd want to use in promotion. You do understand, don't you, that you would be changing publishers with this new program? This is not just a distribution or marketing program. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong on this.

Jerry's Book Review program, on the other hand, is free and another Nothing Binding service.

Best,
Susan Haley
RAINY DAY PEOPLE - A NOVEL
FIBERS IN THE WEB
http://www.sucarha.com