"Big Idea Mastermind - https://www.smore.com/n1xu-big-idea-mastermind"
It's About Time: She Writes Press!
Today I am thrilled, proud and downright giddy to announce the launch of a new venture: She Writes Press.
About six months ago, Brooke Warner, formerly the Executive Editor of Seal Press (one of my favorite presses, by the way), came to me with an idea. What if, she asked, we started a press for authors who want to try their hand at publishing outside the traditional system, but who also want to be part of a high-quality, curated imprint? And what if we started this press as a an offshoot of the She Writes community, so its authors could leverage the support, networks, and knowledge of She Writers from all over the world? Authors would pay She Writes Press to edit, print and distribute their work, but She Writes Press would not publish anything that wasn't up to a high, "She Writes-y" standard.
Best of both worlds, right?
I said I was on sabbatical. Then I said I would think about it.
And think about it I did, even as I was diving more deeply into the writing of my book. I started to think: when my novel is finished, do I want to shop it around to publishers who will most likely give me a small advance, take all but 7.5% of the net profits from paperback sales (mine is not a hardcover sort of book), and, in return, frustrate me to no end by relying on ME to do all the hard work of promotion? Having spent some time trying to raise venture capital for a business idea associated with She Writes, I know that no entrepreneur would ever give away such a huge percentage of her idea for so little in return. And I was having a hard time imagining myself doing the same. I know publishers care deeply about books; I know some authors get the kind of publicity and support that makes the tradeoff worth making. I also know that for some authors, laying out capital from the beginning just isn't possible. (More on that in a minute.) But my experience publishing my first book was more like that of most authors I know: I had to bend over backwards to "sell" my book to people who stood to make a lot more money off it than I ever would...by convincing them that I would do all the work when it came to selling it. And do all the work I did, paying out of my own pocket for a website, an independent publicist, and my own travel as I took my book on the road.
If I'm going to invest so much time and money in my work, why not own and control it? And if I can do it under the She Writes brand, giving my book credibility, and publish it in a supportive, community environment, giving my book reach, why not?
I couldn't think of a good reason.
She Writes Press is not going to be a press for "other people," people who couldn't get a deal with a traditional house (which, these days, seems to have as much to do with pitching yourself to a marketing department as it does with the quality of your work). Like She Writes, which Deborah Siegel and I created because we needed it, I am founding She Writes Press with Brooke because I need it too. And when my novel is done, SWP is where I will go to publish it. That said, SWP won't be the right press for everybody, and She Writes will always be here for ALL women writers, no matter how they choose to publish.
Last but not least...I could never start a venture like this without making sure we found a way to support all authors with books we love, even those without the resources to invest in their books up front. So each year, we will choose one to two projects that we will edit, publish and distribute for free (in the spirit of what we did with The Passion Project).
And now it's time, too, for my sabbatical to end! I will be working on my novel, of course, but I will also be blogging every other week about my adventures in writing it, and Brooke will be blogging every other week too. More on other changes to the SW blog, and additions to our team, coming soon.
If you think She Writes Press might be right for you, please, visit the new site! And please, tell me what you think.
Comment
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Comment by Karoline Barrett on June 30, 2012 at 7:55am -
Hi Katrina, here is the link where I found it (it won't let me copy and paste for some reason)
Go to http://shewritespress.com/
Under the SUBMIT TO SWP banner click on GET PUBLISHED
Then a few paragraphs down click on She Publishes package
First sentence...
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Comment by Katrina Maloney on June 30, 2012 at 7:48am -
never mind...found it
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Comment by Katrina Maloney on June 30, 2012 at 7:41am
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where are you getting the figure $3900 Karoline? I'm not seeing any price tables on the website....
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Comment by Julie Lawson Timmer on June 30, 2012 at 6:11am -
Congratulations, Kamy and Brooke and best of luck with the new press!!
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Comment by Julie Elizabeth Powell on June 30, 2012 at 5:21am -
As most of us don't have a choice, in that it is almost impossible to find an agent or publisher in the traditional arena, I was relieved to be able to self-publish. I believe in my work and am just about to publish #11 (dratted editing /proofreading stage) and the best thing about self-publishing is the complete control. Although it is extremely demanding, especially as I want my books to be as professional as possible, the lack of money dictates that I must do it all - write, edit, design the cover, publish and market. Both Lulu and Amazon have made it possible for me to publish free, and I can only be grateful that they exist.
I will continue to write as long as I am alive and capable, and although I may not be able to make a living from it, it is something I must do. Yes, I think I'm a talented writer but over the years I've never been able to break into the traditional 'elite' as most rejections say the same (no new clients). But I must write and even if it wasn't possible to self-publish, I'd still do it.
Those who have read my work, for the most part are positive, and I am always willing to learn from the negative. Independent writers are openly criticised (that's not to say there are not some awful books, as well as gems), but I can only admire those who try, never giving up to those in higher positions. I fully support the self-publishing route and read and review as many Indie books as possible - sometimes to the detriment of my own writing time.
I can only speak for myself when I say that I cannot afford 'services' so must do everything myself, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are many others like me. The most difficult thing is marketing, but all I can do is my best in the 'free' arena and hope that one day others may recognise the value of my work.
Thanks for your time - delete me if I've stepped on anyone's toes. :)
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Comment by Karoline Barrett on June 30, 2012 at 3:15am
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I'm disappointed in the price. $3900?? Wow. There are other (reputable) places (Booklocker.com, for instance) which will do the same things for lots, lots less money!
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Comment by Annice Brown on June 29, 2012 at 8:28pm -
What a great idea. And, you are right about the control. The industry is in chaos and SWB appears to be challenging that. I'm all for it.
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Comment by Carol Hand on June 29, 2012 at 7:42pm -
Congratulations, this a really awesome idea!
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Comment by Carole Avila on June 29, 2012 at 6:55pm -
Congratulations on an amazing opportunity that will benefit us all!
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Comment by Shelley Buck on June 29, 2012 at 4:24pm -
Congratulations, both of you! A great idea. I look forward to your posts as
well as to the launch of She Writes books.
-Shelley Buck
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