I'm a sucker for pro-paying zines. As soon as one shows up on Duotrope, I've got a story in the works. So when Penumbra emerged a few months ago offering 5 cents/word, I sent them "Identity Thief" (3K).
The editor responded four days later:
Unfortunately your story doesn't quite fit; however, I really enjoyed it. Our parent company, Musa Publishing, is producing great short stories as standalone, royalty-paying eBooks. If you would be interested, let me know and I'll forward your submission to the Editorial Director with my recommendation.
I was interested (intrigued, more than anything). Musa editor Matt Teel contacted me six days later, offering me an eBook contract for "Identity Thief." But I had a question: How would selling my story through Musa be any different from self-publishing it?
Here's what he had to say:
1. All the advantages from being legitimately published will be paid by our money, not yours.
2. Your work will gain legitimacy.
3. We already have a platform and a readership.
4. Musa uploads to about 23 party retailers.
5. We offer professional editing.
6. We offer professional cover art.
7. Musa will ensure your work can be read by a variety of eReader devices.
8. Our promotions director is a pro with a ton of experience.
9. Not only can we offer a wider readership, we offer more generous royalties—50% of sales.
Figuring I didn't have a whole lot to lose, I climbed aboard the Musa train. I don't know how much I'm going to make off the sales of a 3,000-word story, but if Mr. Teel thinks he can sell it, who am I to argue? We have rounds of edits scheduled, plus a Skype-conference to discuss cover art. Then "Identity Thief" will hit virtual bookshelves on January 27.
So, what do you think? Have you already taken the ePub plunge?
39 comments:
Wow, Milo! Congratulations! This sounds like an awesome opportunity and a great way to get your feet wet in the whole epub business. Keep us posted on how the whole thing goes.
Congrats! It sounds pretty good. I have not taken the e-plunge, though I *have* been seriously considering self-publishing a short story collection before my novel comes out. Like you said, nothing to lose.
Congrats! It sounds like a great opportunity. :)
I'm impressed how you submit stuff and then weigh up the pros and cons and try things out. I'd consider self publishing for certain things, but not sure how to go about it. I'd hate to publish something that I later realised wasn't worthy and made me look uber amateurish!
Those are all good reasons why a traditional publisher is still a good choice. Congratulations, Milo!
Congrats. I've done the e-story from the other side. I think you made the right decision even if you don't make a pot of gold.
I've been thinking of doing the Write1Sub1 bit and am blabbering about the decision-making process on my blog. But, first NaNo. I've got to break my 500-word-a-day habit.
I think you made the right decision. The experience will be valuable and even it is doesn't turn out to be everything you hoped for, you have other stories, can keep writing, and choose other options down the road. There are so many options in today's publishing climate. Congratulations on attracting the attention of someone willing to invest in your work and your talent.
Oooh that's so interesting, Milo. Congratulations on the sale.
I've self-published via amazon kindle, bit not this way.
Thanks for the duptrope link too. That will be very useful.
Madeline: Will do; I'm supposed to go over my first edit soon.
Tony: Great idea -- I'm planning to do something similar in a year or two.
Cherie: That's how I'm approaching it; we'll see what happens.
Madeleine: I know what you mean! I've seen some real cringe-worthy stuff out there on the self-published "shelves" and I don't want to be included in their ranks -- yet.
Alex: Thank you, sir; but I guess I'm still old school -- "traditional" means "print" to me.
Kay: Climb aboard the Write1Sub1 train; we'd be honored to have you!
Karen: Thanks; I think you're right. Might as well give it a shot!
Deborah: Muchas gracias.
Martin: Duotrope is beast.
Veeery interesting. Yeah, looking forward to seeing how this plays out.
My main question would be "How long is the contract?". Something like the standard year for short fiction, after all rights revert to you, would be fine. Otherwise it's the same as self-publishing to those '23 retailers'. Except you'd be giving up a percentage of your intellectual property in exchange for about five hours of work on their part.
I think since it's a short story, it's worth an experiment.
(For calibration purposes, my least-selling short story up on the various sites makes about $50 a year, which translates to about a penny a word after expenses.)
Sounds like a fascinating experiment to me. I'd have gone for it too. Keep us posted!
Michael: Should be fascinating.
David: They're buying print and eBook rights for three years, but all other rights remain with me. You're right; it's an experiment.
Simon: Will do!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained...right? I think---nay, I KNOW, good things will come from this. Good luck and keep us posted! :-)
*Fingers, toes, and whatever else I can cross are currently tied in hopeful knots*
Congratulations on the Pub! I will look forward to hearing about your experience. I've done both and have had positive experiences so I'm open, though I have friends who have had less-plesant experiences in the e-pub business. Good luck and as long as you have some flexibility with your own work you will do well.
"The Skin Map" looks intriguing but unfortunately I've not been pulled in by previous Lawhead works so I'm worried I might not sync iwth it either, however I am going to give it a closer look!
Thanks for stopping and good luck with Musa!
That's a long time, but it's a short story. My second question (for them) would be 'royalties -- 50% of sales'...net or gross? And how/how often will that be reported?
I still think this is a good experiment, but it feels like, since you're not being paid up-front, you're just paying an unnecessary middleman between you and 'self-publishing'.
My short story is coming out in a print/ebook anthology soon, from a small press. I'm pretty excited about it, and seeing what happens with the ebook and royalty situation is one of the major drives for me. Call it an experiment, if you will, but I have a love for traditional publishing (small press especially) that I don't think self-pubbing is going to replicate. I want my work to me a collaberative process between me, the editor, the artist, the publisher, etc. I want to see what we can make together.
Not yet on the e-book jump, but those are some great points to consider.
Writing is hard enough work, without the hassle of all that other stuff. Even if you self-pub, you need partners to handle the points made in your post -- editing, artwork, distribution, up-front costs, etc.
- Eric
I'd say it's good to give it a whirl. You've got nothing to lose. It will probably be a great experience.
I don't think anybody has really figured out the short story e-book market yet.
Congrats Milo! I've heard so many good things about Musa - you're the second friend I have who'll be working with them. I think it's great.
Beware of strangers leaving Trojan horses in the dessert!
Bill.
Elizabeth: Thanks; will do!
Autumn: Lawhead's an acquired taste; it's a slow read, but he's a good writer.
David: The contract states 50% of net sales from third-party sites and 50% off all sales made directly from the Musa site; I'll be able to log in monthly for disbursement, if I choose to do so, and if there's any $ to be disbursed!
Stephanie: Sometimes it does take a village. =] For me, the "experiment" is going with an eBook publisher instead of traditional online/print zines/anthologies.
Eric: No self-pubbing for me -- yet. Maybe when I have a collection of Mercer or Captain Quasar tales, though...
Jay: You're right about that. I'm curious to see if anybody will want to pay 99 cents for a 3K story when they could pay the same for somebody's self-pubbed novel.
Jennifer: Good to know! And coming from an industry insider such as yourself, that is high praise indeed.
Bill: Sage advice.
Keep us posted! Hope this remains awesome!
Congrats and I hope it works out well :)
And as someone just starting out - thanks for the link to Duotrope! *grabs, bookmarks, doesn't let go*
That seems reasonably solid. I shall watch with interest.
(It can't go TOO horribly awry without also being a humorous story at parties. Then everybody wins.)
Robert: Will do!
Kara: You are most welcome; it's an invaluable site.
David: You're right about that.
Awesome post! It's funny how even a rejection letter, if personalized, can be a good thing. Power to ya, and keep it up:)
Go you for getting a story in the works as soon as you see a pro magazine open up. We should all follow your example.
And mega congrats.
Mark: Always; I seriously loathe form-letter rejections.
Cate: Gracias; Write1Sub1 keeps me churning them out, that's for sure.
Congratulations. I hope your choice works out well for you.
Such a great post! Love visiting your blog!
Lola x
http://lola-x.blogspot.com
Michael: Thanks; I hope so too!
Lola: Thanks for stopping by.
Congratulations, Milo. This sounds so interesting. Keep us all posted as to whether it was an idea that paid off.
Thanks; will do!
Chaos is Opportunity, Opportunity gives Power; Ignorance is the tool of Power, through it there is Control; Hatred is the flower of Passion, through it there is Compulsion; Powerful emotion is the Guide, through it there is Purpose; There is no doom in Death, eternally there is the Force.
Darth Plagiarus.
Thank you, Darth. I think...
I would definitely love to go this route, primarily since the idea of self-publishing, formatting, etc intimidates me. Plus, I'm not the best networker or promoter; if someone else is willing to do some of that heavy lifting for me, I would consider it worthwhile to let them do it for me. I hope it all works out seamlessly for you; perhaps it will open more doors for you :-)
Thanks, Lisa. That was my thinking as well. I'm not itching to board the "indie" eBook train for many reasons, but I am curious how eBook sales work -- particularly for a short story such as this one.
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