A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: I wrote two books; do I need two publishers?

 

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. 

This week we consider the frequently asked question, "I have written two books; do I need two publishers?" The answer, of course, is "that depends."

The books are part of a series.

If the books are part of a planned or ongoing series, then it is best to stay with the same publisher (unless, of course, something about how the publisher handled the first book was disappointing). Series need to have a similar look-and-feel among the books. That is easier to effect if the publisher is the same. Series also benefit from marketing that develops mailing lists of the earlier book(s) to promote the later books. If, however, the disappointment with the first publisher is strong enough to look for another publisher for subsequent books, then it is best to move the whole series to another publisher and do a second edition of the earlier books or a simple reprint of them (in the latter case, ask the first publisher for reversion of rights).

The books belong to a different genre.

In this case, it may be best to go with two different publishers. Every publisher has its lines of publication (genres, niches), and publishers do better at marketing within those niches. So, if you have written a biography and a book of poetry, chances are not only would you probably be better off with two different publishers, one specializing in biography and one specializing in poetry, you may even have a great deal of difficulty finding one publisher who will publish both genres even though you might be considered a particular publisher's author.  

Your contract stipulates right of first refusal.

Some publishers will stipulate in their contracts that they have first dibs on all of an author's subsequent books. So, if the publisher wants your subsequent book(s), you are obligated to remain with that publisher. However, it could be that the publisher will reject your subsequent manuscript as not fitting with its lines of publication, so moving to another publisher is wise and allowed (even if there is a right of first refusal clause in the contract -- that is what that clause means: the publisher gets to say yes or no before the author can approach another publisher). Here is an example: we publish religious books in the traditional Catholic mode. When one of our authors became an atheist and decided to write a book about Satanic rituals, we turned down the opportunity to publish the second book. (We do not include right of first refusal clauses in our contracts, but generally our authors just offer that to us, and usually we do accept the subsequent work.)

The target audiences differ.

This is another time in which having two different publishers may be preferable. Mailing lists and other forms of contact maintained by a publisher are usually connected with specific target audiences. If a second book in the same genre as the first book is written by the author, but the second book is intended for college students whereas the first was intended for a general lay audience, then it likely will work out better to have two publishers since most publishers service a particular audience (age, socioeconomic status, other specific demographics) that would not overlap these two different target audiences.

The first book was not a success.

Setting aside any blame (sometimes, books just do not sell), if the first book has not found good sales with a publisher, it might be better to move on to another publisher for the second book. Each publisher will have a different reach; one may be more successful for your book than another. (Of course, if you have not pulled your fair share of the weight involved in marketing your book with the first publisher, your second book will also fail unless you make an effort to be an active part of the marketing team.) 

There are probably other situations, as well. Just use the reasoning above to determine what might be your best course of action.

See more Publisher Conversations with authors HERE.

 Learn more about publishing from an acquisitions editor -- how to get your book proposal accepted, why proposals are turned down/accepted, and how to find the right publisher for your book. On special sale for $5 while inventory lasts at MSI Press webstore.

The Tuesday talks reflect real discussions between the management of MSI Press LLC and our own authors or those would-be authors who come through our doors but don't make the cut--yet. If you have a topic that you would like addressed, leave the question in the comment section. Chances are, in our 18 years of publishing first-time and experiences authors, we have had a conversation with one of our authors that we can share with you.

                             

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