By John J. Zelenski
As many in the publishing world may be aware, Tate Publishing
& Enterprises ceased operations several months ago and left many authors,
including myself, angry, hurt, and confused. Many questions
immediately surfaced such as rights to ownership, back payment of royalties,
and of course the huge decision on how and where to republish our
works. Slowly and painfully, questions were answered and the last
one that remained was ultimately the most important to me.
How do I get my books back into the marketplace?
As authors in today’s world, we have more choices than ever on how
to publish (or republish) our works and perhaps that creates a problem in and
of itself– choices. Createspace and a number of indie
publishing platforms are readily available for those who have the time,
patience, and tech savvy to tackle self-publishing. You remain in
complete control of your works and all money is yours to keep
from sales. Then there is traditional publishing -the high and lofty
Holy Grail for most authors. The credibility and respect that comes
from being accepted by a traditional press is certainly something to be proud
of, and can potentially open many doors to possibilities that self-publishing
cannot.
Speaking for myself, I chose to search out a traditional publisher
that could bring my books back to market, that would allow me to remain in
control of rights, and give me the personal attention that I felt my books
deserved. I believe I have found such a company with my new
publisher Peasantry Press. Their
team is a great group of very talented people and very receptive to my thoughts
and insights concerning the uniqueness of my novels.
But what about you? Should you find yourself in a
similar situation, my best advice to give would be to step back and allow some
time. Time first of all to heal – the anger, bitterness, and other
negative feelings that can block a sound decision. Immediately
jumping into another bad situation can bring you back to exactly the same ugly
spot down the road, or worse yet, cause you to lose your rights to your works.
Whether you chose the self-publishing model or choose to seek out a traditional
publisher, there should never be a need to sign anything on a whim, especially
without some prayerful thought and consideration to how these choices may
affect you five or ten years down the road.
In the world of publishing, as many can attest to, time can be our
biggest nemesis….or sometimes it can be our greatest ally. Take your
time, find the publisher that works best for your needs, and remember to close
that drafty window of impulsion.
_____________________________________________________________
John J. Zelenski is an award-winning author who
has appeared on television, radio, and has been featured in numerous print
articles as well as receiving high-profile reviews from the popular
community. Having been inspired, in
part, to write his first novel Walker's Vale, by his own paranormal experiences
as a child, John has developed a keen understanding of the supernatural. His second novel and prequel to Walker's Vale -
The Journal of Ezekiel Walker - continues with the saga of Walker's Vale, with
a future third installment presently in the works. Walker's Vale,
the film will be released through Allegentsia Productions. John, along with his
wife and two children, love to watch the seasons change in beautiful Northeast
Pennsylvania. Social
inks are: www.johnjzelenski.com https://twitter.com/johnzelenski https://www.facebook.com/WalkersVale?fref=ts http://www.amazon.com/John-J.-Zelenski/e/B00S05HZXW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
No comments:
Post a Comment