Thanks for sharing that, Ann.
151 2019-02-14 20:07:15
Re: Indie vs. Traditional Publishing (22 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
152 2019-02-14 11:54:23
Re: Indie vs. Traditional Publishing (22 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Suin wrote:
I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried 'hybrid' (or vanity) publishing where you pay for their expertise in publishing including editing, printing, Amazon & marketing...
That's what "self-publishing" used to be. You paid somebody like CreateSpace to do the work that "traditional" publishers do. I published my first book that way.
153 2019-02-12 20:31:10
Re: Indie vs. Traditional Publishing (22 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I just read the above article. It's essentially presented as a dichotomy - "indie" vs. "traditional" publishing. But it ignores a third category: independent medium-sized publishers. The article seems to be referring to large publishing houses who have publicity teams, pay for book tours, and pay advances when the contract is signed. The third category, with which I and a number of authors on TNBW are affiliated, do not offer those perks. They do the editing and cover art and support in ways I mentioned above. And they don't require an intermediary agent before even looking at your book. In fact, some forbid the use of agents. Just wanted to make clear that a third choice is available for those who don't want to do ALL the work by themselves and are willing to give up being in total control to have it.
154 2019-02-12 17:51:12
Re: Indie vs. Traditional Publishing (22 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Suin wrote:
jack the knife wrote:I agree with most of what you said, Suin, except for the marketing part. Even with a publisher, unless you're a big name that warrants the publisher taking out ads in the NYT, for example, marketing is pretty much up to you. On the plus side of self-publishing, you have total control of the product and reap all the profits!
Would the publisher, at least, give you support on how to market? Like a checklist of best practices, feedback on how to improve, etc?
Yes, they will, and they'll arrange with Amazon when you want to do a promotion sale, including a free offer. They will also support you and your book on Twitter, as well as on their website. They want you to succeed! But the marketing heavy lifting will be yours.
155 2019-02-12 14:12:42
Re: Indie vs. Traditional Publishing (22 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Suin wrote:
How was your ROI when you published yourself, Bill? There are two major reasons why I'd be reluctant to go down the indie publishing route;
1. You have to invest in editors, cover artists & marketing experts but if your book doesn't do well, it could all be money down the drain. With a publisher, they'd take the hit if the book is a flop.
2. You have to invest a lot of time in learning and researching about different vendors & figuring out how to market it.
Are these valid concerns or am I wrong somewhere/overthinking things?
I agree with most of what you said, Suin, except for the marketing part. Even with a publisher, unless you're a big name that warrants the publisher taking out ads in the NYT, for example, marketing is pretty much up to you. On the plus side of self-publishing, you have total control of the product and reap all the profits!
156 2019-01-28 22:58:06
Re: POP COP QUIZ #40 Juliette Lewis and Who? (4 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
But in some of them she's not one of the stars. Starsky & Hutch and What's Eating Gilbert Grape, as examples.
157 2019-01-28 17:06:35
Re: POP COP QUIZ #40 Juliette Lewis and Who? (4 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
1. Romeo is Bleeding
2. My Stepmother is an Alien
3. From Dusk to Dawn
4. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
5. Back Roads
6. Cape Fear
7. Natural Born Killers
8.
9.
10.
11. Starsky & Hutch
158 2019-01-27 11:58:01
Re: POP COP QUIZ #39 Crime Flix and Chill (11 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
The American is wrong for #2? Yikes! That's the only one I actually saw.
159 2019-01-26 21:01:57
Re: POP COP QUIZ #39 Crime Flix and Chill (11 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
2. The American
4. Whiteout
5. Transsiberian
6. The Big White
7. Deadfall
8.Thin Ice
9. Horsemen?
10. (Gringo meets the plot summary, but no b-r-r component that I can see.)
160 2019-01-24 13:15:44
Re: The Kurdish Connection AND Dangerous Alliance (14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I don't think there is a separate finalists list, if I remember my experience correctly. The winners are announced at the event in Edmonds, Washington, I believe. Of course you don't have to be there to win!
161 2019-01-22 14:43:57
Re: The Kurdish Connection AND Dangerous Alliance (14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
With two in the running, I like your chances!
162 2019-01-22 14:42:56
Re: POP COP QUIZ #39 Crime Flix and Chill (11 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
Once you reveal the answers, I'll be able to tell why I never saw them! 
163 2019-01-22 11:54:27
Re: The Kurdish Connection AND Dangerous Alliance (14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Congrats, Randy!
164 2019-01-20 20:41:38
Re: POP COP QUIZ #39 Crime Flix and Chill (11 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
Those were my answers too. I apparently didn't see any of the others. #3 is The Snowman, I think.
165 2019-01-19 20:09:11
Re: POP COP QUIZ #39 Crime Flix and Chill (11 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
Tough one, JP! I know only one for sure and might know another one - without cheating. Number 3 sounds like a relatively recent movie I've seen trailers of but can't remember the title.
166 2018-12-24 11:31:55
Re: HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE! (9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Merry Christmas!
167 2018-12-21 23:42:39
Re: What's With Some of the New Members (89 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Looking forward to reading that thriller, Temple!
168 2018-12-20 20:23:33
Re: review woes (4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I use Chrome on a PC. I have the occasional problem of the site not letting me highlight only the word(s) in question, so I explain in my comment what I was referring to. Another constant problem is not allowing a highlight to continue into the next line without including the whole rest of the paragraph. Again, I adjust for this in my comment.
170 2018-11-16 14:06:54
Re: Site Bug (19 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Well, there's been a change on my profile page. The works not mine are now gone, but mine haven't come back.
171 2018-11-15 19:49:51
Re: Hacked (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Yes, it appears to be a widespread problem, as noted on Suin's thread. And it's the same unviewable stories planted on the profile pages in these cases. Looks more like mischief than a "glitch" to me. But we'll see.
172 2018-11-15 17:03:25
Re: Hacked (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
To get to my WIP, "Deep Cover," you'll have to go to Author's postings on my profile page until this gets straightened out.
173 2018-11-15 16:59:39
Topic: Hacked (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Discovered today that the works listed on my profile page are not mine! I've messaged Sol. Better check your pages if you haven't done so recently.
174 2018-11-15 16:43:49
Re: Rise is now avaliable (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I'll be going to Amazon!
175 2018-11-06 21:46:04
Re: Progressive aspect and dialogue tags (46 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Sometimes I wish I had never taken up writing and exposed my stuff to critics. Because then I wouldn't have learned the "rules" and could enjoy books without being distracted by the breakage thereof. Case in point: I'm currently reading a John Sanford novel. It's replete with unnecessary dialogue tags and ellipses. He's a bestseller. Okay, he's in the club now and can do that without some editor telling him he can't. BUT - the "rules" would make his writing better. I would like to see the first novels of these bestselling authors to see if the rules were followed then. If so, that would prove the oft-held theory.
