If you remember at the end of last year I made a post where I said I wanted to do more with my YouTube channel and this is what I had in mind. Bite-sized (ten minute) interviews with crime fiction authors. I only wanted to make them this length so that viewers didn’t get bored and wander off and to do this right, I am going to choose one topic specific to each author I talk to.
This week I spoke to CWA Dagger in the Library shortlisted crime author Mel Sherratt on the differences between self publishing and traditional publishing.
Below is that interview.
Next week I shall be talking to Lisa Cutts about what it is like to write crime fiction as a working police detective.
If you enjoyed the interview, you can subscribe to the YouTube channel Here. The crime book club videos are also on that channel as well as anything else I create.
Do you think there is still a big divide between self and traditional publishing?
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh) says
Only a fifth of the crime novels now published when she first self-published? Wow, there’s been an explosion since that time.
Rebecca Bradley says
I think there has been an explosion overall on the Kindle with self publishing. I also think that explosion has forced self publishers to up their game and put out quality to work to make sure it stands out.
Margot Kinberg says
Thanks, Rebecca! This is a creative and interesting way to do interviews! And I think the publishing landscape is so ever-changing that what seems ‘normal’ now will probably completely change in a few years.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Margot. I wanted to do something with my YouTube channel and this idea just came to me – as they do!
The publishing landscape moves so quickly you really need to watch your step or you will fall off the edge nowadays don’t you?
readingwritingandriesling says
I agree with Mel, think the quality of editing makes all the difference – pity that this should be the main difference that as a reader I notice between traditional and self publishing – is it about availability of resources?
Rebecca Bradley says
I don’t think it’s an availability of resources, I think there is a financial element involved for some self publishers. If you are traditionally published you don’t have to hand any money over, in fact you could even be given an advance, self publishing, you have to pay for the cover and for an editor or a couple of editors depending on what you want to do. Not everyone can afford that and just takes the risk.
FictionFan says
Great interview – very interesting! I do think there’s still a big divide and for me it comes down to two things – firstly, the quality of editing and proofreading in traditional books is generally still much, much better, and I’m a very picky reader when it comes to that. And secondly, it’s the old ‘so many books’ things – I know which tradtitional publishers produce the kind of books I like, so I trust them – they do the shortlisting for me. With self-publishing, the only way to make a judgement really is either on word of mouth (which doesn’t always guarantee quality, I fear) or by reading endless samples, which to be honest I can’t be bothered doing, since for every one good book out there there are uncountable ones where the standard of writing makes me wonder if the person actually went to school! As a result, though I’ve found a few authors via SP (Gordon Ferris stands out, for one), I still read about 95% or maybe even more via traditional publishing. In fact, I read less SP now than I did three or four years ago. But maybe I’m just a stick-in-the-mud.
Rebecca Bradley says
I don’t think you are a stick in the mud, you know what you like. I agree that there are traditional publishers that I really like so will look at their books favourably.
As I mentioned in the above comment to Carol, not all self publishers pay for editors or proofreaders and this is where things fall down. Authors with traditional deals don’t have to pay any money up front whereas if you self publish you have to sink some money in without knowing if you are going to get any out and not everyone takes the same steps. It does make it difficult I know.
Jacqui Murray says
I’ve dropped my webinars from one hour to thirty minutes to ten minutes. I agree–shorter is better. What program do you use for the taping? Not Google Hangouts…
Rebecca Bradley says
Attention spans are so short nowadays aren’t they?
I talked to Mel on Skype and recorded it using software called SuperTinTin. It was then edited (the ends of the conversation cut off) using Windows movie maker. All very simple, even for some like me to use 🙂
writerdsnelson says
Great idea Rebecca and great interview! What a way to start. I’m thinking of trying ti get an agent this year. I have a manuscript it’s just a case of wether or not bean gives me time to concentrate on it and get it really polished. As I’ve already been self-publishing it a funny way I feel the pressure isn’t so great to get an agent if that makes sense, if no-one wants to take me on I can easily carry on self-publishing, but I would like to see if i can do it.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you! Wishing you lots of luck with the agent hunting. I understand what you mean though about not feeling that pressure now though, even so, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.
vicky blake says
This was great, really interesting. I think that divide is breaking down bit by bit and will continue to. It’s bound to as people read and enjoy great self-published writers.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Vicky. I think the more people use their Kindles the less they look at who the publisher is. It’s only people like us who know a little bit more about books who actually understand that anyway. Normal kindle/Kobo/Nook buyers, just buy an electronic book and decide if they like it or not. And yes, it’s the readers who decide.
Carol Balawyder says
Timing is everything…
Rebecca Bradley says
Yes, and Mel had some great timing, though I think if you still do it well, you can still get your book out there.