Excellent points, Brooke. And thank you for working so hard and so intelligently to get SWP distributed by S&S. It's a huge coup for we SWP writers, even though some don't realize it, and I know it took more hours than you and the project managers even want to think about, but you did it!
Thank you for this explanation. Although S&S purchased and marketed my novel years ago, the doors of the big-5 were closed to me this time, and I'm so very glad SWP agreed to publish my new memoir. I've felt the benefit of hands-on care by you, Brooke, and the project managers, in a way I never felt at S&S. And having the connection to other authors in my cohort has been an amazing and wonderful new world. Thank you for persisting in hybrid publishing, and so supporting your authors!
Such a great post. I always try to help authors understand that their goals should drive which path they pursue. And hybrid can be a wonderful option and in many ways a preferred one! One essential component is strong distribution.
Yes! I went hybrid for my first book because I wanted to use it as a marketing tool and have a bit more control. Given the sales, it’s been a great investment. I hope that it acts as a springboard for my next books, where I am proof of concept, demonstrate my ability to put in the work, and showcase my talent. It’s a wild world out there, and grateful for you @Brooke Warner and @Sally Ekus as constant sources of wisdom!
Distribution! It's not a dirty word but a key concept. Distribution makes all the difference to getting your books into the hands of readers. And isn't that why authors write? Thank you for making this key distinction and for being such an author advocate.
So many authors never think about the distribution part of getting their book published. I didn't until my first book was published by SWP. It's understandable, as distribution is quite the learning curve as is getting your book published! Thanks for explaining this one.
Revealing. Helpful. I am a writer going slow and making progress. I mean who knows who to turn to for this kind of information? BROOKE. Got to you from Dan Blank. Memoir almost finished. Thank you.
Great piece! I chose to leave my previous fiction publisher to go hybrid with SWP. It was a great decision for me. Also, I've worked with publishers who do not have good distribution (or sometimes none as they are pod only)-- distribution is HUGE.
Good piece, many writers don´t know about this model. Can I translate part of this article into Spanish with links to you and a description of your newsletter? Thanks in advance.
New reader here, Brooke. Thank you for the excellent post. I agree with many of your points but I might add a couple of my own. I've shopped a number of publishers to various traditional distributors (and vice versa). Whether its PRH (widely considered the best, boutique-style client services), one of the distribution arms of Ingram (certainly the largest in terms of title count), or a service somewhere in between, they are all a little different in terms of their “reach” into the various markets. The biggest distinction, as you point out, are those distributors who can get books into physical retail outlets via an active and dedicated salesforce, those that rely on commission sales reps, and others that make their books “available” but may have little ability to get books into stores.
The other point I might add is that physical retailers continue to be essential (with very few exceptions) to a book’s success. As a publisher yourself, you know this as well as anyone. The physical display of a physical book in a curated environment. This relationship can’t be demonstrated directly as the last point of contact may or may not be where a sale occurs. Of course, one still has to try to influence discovery online. The physical exposure of books just powerfully augments the power of search engine results on Google, Amazon, and elsewhere.
This is a great perspective if you're a publisher, for sure—and thanks for it. I don't know any authors who shop publishers based on what distribution they have, though maybe they should. Also, totally agree that all distribution is a bit different. I'd only ever been with IPS and PGW in the past so I'm learning how S&S is different. All very interesting. Thanks for being a new reader!
Excellent points, Brooke. And thank you for working so hard and so intelligently to get SWP distributed by S&S. It's a huge coup for we SWP writers, even though some don't realize it, and I know it took more hours than you and the project managers even want to think about, but you did it!
Thank you, Susan!
Thank you for this explanation. Although S&S purchased and marketed my novel years ago, the doors of the big-5 were closed to me this time, and I'm so very glad SWP agreed to publish my new memoir. I've felt the benefit of hands-on care by you, Brooke, and the project managers, in a way I never felt at S&S. And having the connection to other authors in my cohort has been an amazing and wonderful new world. Thank you for persisting in hybrid publishing, and so supporting your authors!
Excellent information!! Thanks, Brooke, for unpacking what can be a confusing topic!
Such a great post. I always try to help authors understand that their goals should drive which path they pursue. And hybrid can be a wonderful option and in many ways a preferred one! One essential component is strong distribution.
Thanks, Sally!
Yes! I went hybrid for my first book because I wanted to use it as a marketing tool and have a bit more control. Given the sales, it’s been a great investment. I hope that it acts as a springboard for my next books, where I am proof of concept, demonstrate my ability to put in the work, and showcase my talent. It’s a wild world out there, and grateful for you @Brooke Warner and @Sally Ekus as constant sources of wisdom!
Thanks for another article that clarifies how things work and what to consider when it's time to publish.
Distribution! It's not a dirty word but a key concept. Distribution makes all the difference to getting your books into the hands of readers. And isn't that why authors write? Thank you for making this key distinction and for being such an author advocate.
So many authors never think about the distribution part of getting their book published. I didn't until my first book was published by SWP. It's understandable, as distribution is quite the learning curve as is getting your book published! Thanks for explaining this one.
Revealing. Helpful. I am a writer going slow and making progress. I mean who knows who to turn to for this kind of information? BROOKE. Got to you from Dan Blank. Memoir almost finished. Thank you.
Love Dan and happy for that connection. And congrats on almost finishing!!
I love it when you get into the weeds, so I don't have to! I can keep up with the industry by following you.
😻
Great piece! I chose to leave my previous fiction publisher to go hybrid with SWP. It was a great decision for me. Also, I've worked with publishers who do not have good distribution (or sometimes none as they are pod only)-- distribution is HUGE.
Another super helpful post Brooke. Thanks
Good piece, many writers don´t know about this model. Can I translate part of this article into Spanish with links to you and a description of your newsletter? Thanks in advance.
Yes, you can. Thank you for asking and for your interest!
New reader here, Brooke. Thank you for the excellent post. I agree with many of your points but I might add a couple of my own. I've shopped a number of publishers to various traditional distributors (and vice versa). Whether its PRH (widely considered the best, boutique-style client services), one of the distribution arms of Ingram (certainly the largest in terms of title count), or a service somewhere in between, they are all a little different in terms of their “reach” into the various markets. The biggest distinction, as you point out, are those distributors who can get books into physical retail outlets via an active and dedicated salesforce, those that rely on commission sales reps, and others that make their books “available” but may have little ability to get books into stores.
The other point I might add is that physical retailers continue to be essential (with very few exceptions) to a book’s success. As a publisher yourself, you know this as well as anyone. The physical display of a physical book in a curated environment. This relationship can’t be demonstrated directly as the last point of contact may or may not be where a sale occurs. Of course, one still has to try to influence discovery online. The physical exposure of books just powerfully augments the power of search engine results on Google, Amazon, and elsewhere.
This is a great perspective if you're a publisher, for sure—and thanks for it. I don't know any authors who shop publishers based on what distribution they have, though maybe they should. Also, totally agree that all distribution is a bit different. I'd only ever been with IPS and PGW in the past so I'm learning how S&S is different. All very interesting. Thanks for being a new reader!
Informative and helpful as always. Thank you!
Than you for this post, Brooke. As one who can't seem to "market" at all, I think the hybrid option -- with good distribution -- sounds appealing.
Another thought provoking and helpful post, Brooke!