A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Why Skin in the Game Is Important for New Authors
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. Today's post is a reaction to a communication last week with a new author, whose proposed contract we just rescinded--and why. The author had an interesting book but one that would not have broad appeal; yet, some kind of narrow niche depth appeal seemed likely or at least possible. The author had no publishing history, no platform, and no clear group of fans. This is not all that uncommon for us because we specialize in helping first-time authors edit their first books into good enough shape to win awards and gather in readers and reviews. As a result, we not only invest time, effort, and money into the production of the book, but we a...