ABCD’s of E-Publishing

Many of you may be curious about writing for an e-publisher, especially now that Ellora’s Cave has been RWA recognized. But what is an e-book? Have you read one?

Often your favorite print authors can be found in e-book format, such as Janet Evanovich, David Baldacci, Nora Roberts, and Agatha Christie. E-books are simply books you purchase online in electronic format, either from a specific publisher or a distributor like Fictionwise. You choose a format, such as PDF (Adobe Reader), LIT (Microsoft Reader), HTML, or Mobipocket, and then download the book to your computer. Adobe Reader, Microsoft Reader and Mobipocket can be downloaded for free, if you don’t already have a copy on your computer or PDA.

Once downloaded, you may read the book on your computer or laptop, or you might prefer to transfer it—usually with a USB chord—to a PDA or e-book reader. My mom and I are enjoying our Palm devices, not only because they hold fifteen books on a memory card and still fit in our purses, but because they also hold games like Scrabble (Mom’s current addiction) and Solitaire (mine). How can you beat that?
Okay, so now that you have an idea what an e-book is and what to do with one. Let’s look at the benefits of submitting to an e-publisher. First, consider that the cheaper the technology gets for PDAs and e-book readers, the more people purchase them, especially younger people, creating an ever-widening market for e-books. I find that very promising.

I emailed a few e-published authors recently to add their perspective to mine. Dee S. Knight, author of Baer and the Three Goldilocks and Passionate Destiny published by Liquid Silver Books (LSB), says a writing seeking publication needs to present herself professionally to an e-publisher, the same as to a print publisher. Follow publisher guidelines and submit your best work. You will be rejected if you submit sloppy or poorly written work. And you want your best work out there, since e-publishing can help build your writing resume. JB Skully is a veteran Liquid Silver author with eleven books or stories published in e-book format. Her book Sex and the Serial Killer came out in January with HQN, and will be followed by Fool’s Gold in October 2005, Death and Taxes in April 2006, with two more titles release dates to be determined. Skully says that e-publishing helped her build her writing resume through good reviews and contest wins. So submit stories you’re proud of, improve them by working with your editor, and wait for the rewards.

Rae Monet, author of the Solarian Warrior series at Liquid Silver Books, says her published e-books helped her land an agent, which she hadn’t been able to do during her seven years as an unpublished writer. “After my first book came out in June, I was able to use my reviews to assist in attracting an agent.” She has just signed with Paige Wheeler’s agency.

Skully says she signed with her agent without using her e-published books. “However, my agent did take some of my erotic romance work, written as Jasmine Haynes, to Berkley. If not for LSB, I would not have been able to make the sale to Berkley.” The Berkley book, Twin Peaks, will be an anthology with Susan Johnson. Look for it in July.

Jodi Lynn Copeland, author of the Sons of Solaris and Wild Hearts series published by Ellora’s Cave, points out another benefit to e-publishing in an article she wrote for the Mid-Michigan Mirror in 2004: it’s faster. Referring to her decision to submit to an e-publisher, she says, “For once in my writing career, I wanted to write something fun, fast and steamy that I would get a yes/no response back on within the same decade.” She’d been waiting for quite a while to hear back on her category romance submissions at the time.

Dee, Rae, and Skully all mentioned the time benefit, as well. My personal experience with Liquid Silver Books has spoiled me. Working with cover artist April Martinez has been a dream—she creates my covers seemingly overnight and they’re gorgeous. And I sold Enlightened Love in July and it was released in October. Contrast that with Skully’s experience with her HQN book, Sex and the Serial Killer. She sold the book in November 2003 and it just hit bookshelves this January in 2005.

Another item that I’ve heard mentioned often with e-publishing is freedom. Competition is fierce with the big print publishers. They’re usually looking at their bottom line. E-publishing may allow you to find a home for your off-beat novel that doesn’t quite fit into a marketing niche. Dee says, “Don’t be afraid to expand your ideas…e-publishers will take more risk than print publishers but they still want books that sell.” Rae concurs. She says there’s “much more freedom” and you can “publish a book you might never publish in NY and faster.”

Some cautions: As with print publishers, research the company and study any contract before signing. Talk with authors who work with that publisher. Find out the age of the publisher, how often books are released, does the publisher have on-staff cover artists, do they have editors and an editorial process, is there the possibility for your book to go to POD (print-on-demand), what percentage royalty is offered. I’ve only heard of one e-publisher giving a tiny advance. Most offer 30-40% royalties. Some may subtract expenses first, then figure the percentage. Know whether you are giving them the rights to your book for one or two years or more. Will they distribute your book through secondary outlets like Fictionwise? How do the royalties work then? Read the contract. Make sure this is going to be a place you want your name (or pen name) linked with.

Below I’ve listed some e-publishers, but my own personal experience is limited, so be sure to do your own research.

In conclusion, writing for the e-book market can be a stepping stone in your career or a final destination. It’s a place to learn about working with an editor and to learn the ropes of promotion. And it’s an expanding market, possibly the future of publishing. But for me, the most gratifying part of my decision to e-publish has been getting emails from complete strangers saying they loved my book. That is a heady thing, which makes the whole process worth it.

Liquid Silver: http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/
Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/index.asp
Loose ID: http://www.loose-id.com/
New Concepts Publishing: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/
Samhain Publishing: http://www.samhainpublishing.com/
Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Note: Always be sure to check with other authors about the longevity and professionalism of any publisher that you’re considering. This is just a small list of the publishers out there.

Dawn Oliveri’s novella, Primitive Passion, written under the name Shara Lanel, was just released at Liquid Silver Books and received 5 Stars from JERR. Look for her short story, “Directing Claire,” in May as part of Liquid Silver’s Zodiac series. Her first story with HeatWave Romance, The Lion’s Den, will be released April 17th.