Change or Die

>The only constant is change… I agree, Rachelle, I think change can be exciting, bringing forth fresh new opportunities.

Here in the UK the Christian publishing/retailing world has been rocked by the news that Biblica (formerly IBS-STL) are selling the whole UK division – STL-D (the distribution unit, similar to Spring Arbor), Wesley Owen bookshops (similar to Family Christian Stores) and Authentic, the Christian publisher. With 490 jobs on the line it's disconcerting, of course, but I'm looking for how God will use this to spark creativity and fresh ways of reaching a world that needs a shot of grace.

Thanks for your blog – it doesn't change from being a must-read!

>Well said, Rachelle. If someone automatically assumes selfishness in another person, it says more about the person making that assumption than the person being judged.

>Have you ever read the book, Who Moved My Cheese? It's all about how we adapt or react to change. If you haven't…then this won't make sense. But I really don't want to be like Hem and Haw.

Change, I might not like. But change happens every day. And like you said, we all have to learn how to embrace it, even if we're not exactly sure what "it" is.

>Several people have mentioned that they believe books need a vetting process and are opposed to self-publishing for that reason, but even under the current way of doing things, the vetting process is nothing more than a byproduct of the market forces. Publishing is and should be open to anyone who has something to say, but the market for books is going to determine whether we opinionated people are going to have help from a publisher or not as we try to put our words out there. That vetting process that people are so attached to isn’t about finding good books as much as it is about finding books that will sell easily (and no, they are not always the same). Even if we move to a self-publishing system, as I described in A World Without Thomas Nelson, the market forces will be such that we will still have a lot of people doing the same things they are doing now. There will be editors, because well edited books will tend to sell better. There will be typesetters, because the more successful authors probably won’t have time to do it themselves. There will be publicists, who will try to push their clients’ work. There will be organizations with imprints, that will exist for name recognition. There will probably even be agents who will be trying to convince the organizations to open their doors to their author clients. None of this stuff exists because someone decided that we need some kind of filter between the customer and the author, but the nature of what we do forces us to enlist the help of others to move the words we write to a page that the reader reads.

>I didn't see your writings the way many others apparently did. I saw you riding out the winds of change with a depth perception that I just don't have. You made me think, wonder and even hope. I'm guessing the future role you will play, at least for this author client, will be much the same … smoothing the ruffled feathers of those of us who don't see anything good coming from the shifts. And you'll do that with the same adept reassurance that you do every other part of your job as an agent. And for that, I thank God above. In this particular "body," I am sorry to say that I am the quivering heart. And you, dear agent, are the brain that will tell me what to do next. Again … thank God!

>Reflecting about this time in publishing history, I react with, Wow! We can observe this structural change in real time. That’s really exciting.

That’s the history buff in me. The writer who wants to be published feels the tremors of not knowing how I will fare. What will be demanded of me? Will I be up to it? What will be the outcome for me? Will I look back in five or ten years having made the right choices?

>Hasn't self-publishing always existed? All I know is that almost half my queries used to result in requests for more, but now the same query is getting ignored or passed over. What's happened in just a few months?

>I don't know how I could agree with Sandra Bricker more. You, Rachelle, are riding this wave better than anyone I can imagine. I expect that for as long as you want a role in this industry, there will be one for you. And it's never occurred to me that you're scared for your own position. I love the Scripture that says, "Your gifts will make a place for you."

My hubby started out plugging in slide projectors for corporate meetings. Then he learned photography and began shooting slides for those shows. Then he got into the multi-image, multi-projector production business. Then corporate video production came along and slide shows went away. Did his business come to a crashing halt? No! He stayed ahead of the curve, always adapting. He became a web designer before anyone knew what that meant.

I see you and the other agents I know as innovative and concerned about helping clients along in this ever-changing climate. Thank you so much for using your gifts on our behalf!

>Rachelle,

In my EXTREMELY limited view, I see agents as ambassadors. An agent is the connection, instructor, facilitator, contact, translator, equipper, friend of friends, for entry into a new world.

First, the agent introduces the writer to important individuals. An agent makes possible relationships, communication, and contracts that would not otherwise exist. Everyone sees this immediately and thinks it is the one thing being offered. But there is much more.

An agent translates the language of the publishing industry, negotiates the terms of the contract, and facilitates the arrangements for the work that is being done. An agent instructs writers in the proper etiquette, laws, and customs of the publishing culture. An agent adjusts the writer's expectations and provides valuable information about adjusting to the community and culture.

Even more, the agent assists the writer in preparation for the publishing culture by helping the writer assess when to begin the journey into a strange new country and which avenue and methods provide the best means of travel. An agent makes valuable recommendations for the writer's preparation, without which most writers would simply wither, have bad accidents, or go back home.

Although the role will change gradually in response to the changes in publishing, there will still be a need for the literary agent — more need, rather than less, as the culture and community of publishing becomes more complex.
Writers will need wise ambassadors to help them navigate a path through it all to a place that can become home.

>No matter what the changes, we still need the vetting process. I've yet to read self-pubbed fiction that was any good. I think writers need a bit more humility. I wouldn't want to go to Carnegie Hall to hear someone play an intermediate level version of Fur Elise, just as I wouldn't want to read someone's poorly edited self-pubbed novel.

>Thanks for all your thoughts and openness on this topic. I personally am not thrilled about self-published fiction for many reasons you stated, although I am happy to think that because of it, once in a while a really good piece that otherwise might never have made it to the shelves might get read and applauded. ONCE in a while ;o)

As far as agents roles go, I imagine that if there IS ever a flood of self-published fiction out there, its main obstacle will be publicity, or even getting a bookseller to carry it. Maybe agents, with their vast knowledge and respected experience, will start looking at self-pub pieces the way they look at proposals/manuscripts, looking for gems that they deem worthy not just of publication (since it already is "published"), but for endorsement. People everywhere–readers, writers, booksellers, etc., will be looking for SOMEONE who has a clue about good writing to tell them what's worth reading amongst the deluge; it might as well be agents, who are used to sorting through the piles. I'm curious–how would the idea of becoming more of a publicity agent sit with most literary agents? How would it sit with you?

>The positive thing about being new to this industry is that I don't know how it was before, so I can't very well freak out about the future. Besides, I'm pretty sure my generation is used to technology changing all aspects of society. We've learned to roll with it.

>I have to admit, though it’s exciting to see changes in publishing industry, it’s also intimidating. Supportive bloggers and agents who share their perspective and advice with us makes the journey immensely easier and it’s clear to see in all your posts that it’s not about self-interest at all. So, thanks for caring about the readers and writers out there who are working to keep up with all these changes and showing how much many agents truly do care about the reading/writing public.

>Change is inevitable, but self-improvemnt is optional.

If you keep reinventing yourself, your job, your profession etc, change doesnt hurt as much.

>Katy McKenna said, “I love the Scripture that says, ‘Your gifts will make a place for you.’” While that’s a nice sentiment, it isn’t in the Bible. Often it is the case that God gifts those he places rather than placing those who are gifted.

Matilda McCloud, the comparison to Carnegie Hall certainly makes your point, but I have read some good self-published fiction and I have yet to see a self-published author charge $200 for the privilege of reading their work. There are plenty of musicians who will never play in Carnegie Hall for whom I would gladly pay $20 in order to attend an hour long concert. So, it doesn’t bother me to pay a self-published author to entertain me for four hours or so. But that doesn’t mean I pay ever self-published author out there. I’m just as selective with self-published stuff as I am with traditionally published stuff.

>Rachelle, I appreciate hearing your perspective on every aspect of writing and publishing. The more we know about the process, even if it's changing, the better we can prepare ourselves and adjust our writing goals to fit it.

>Rachelle, I don't think you have to worry about too many people questioning your motives. Your fair and non-self-interested nature is evident to any objective reader of your blog.

Similarly, I would hope that most of us would give others in the publishing industry the benefit of the doubt when it comes to motives.

(Long section of comment self-censored here for discretion's sake.)

Let's all spread the love this holiday season. We can discuss issues without getting personal or defensive.

>I totally agree, agree, agree with all the praise being heaped on Rachelle; because she SPENDS so much time/effort helping writers, by telling them TRUTH. I hope, pray, and expect she'll be rewarded in her future, because she has been trustworthy.

I want to praise God that those that are writng FOR God, rather than for the bussiness aspect; do not need to worry a speck about the BIG change. It will have ZERO affect on your success, no matter what. Remember, God not only can, but HE DOES do the seeemingly impossible for His humble servants ALL THE TIME…in His time. This just isn't known to most people; because the recipients don't tend to run around bragging about it.

>As one in the midst of writing a debut project with a larger CBA house… I've been quietly thinking much about recent discussions here…

And the words of Nathan Bransford over at Huffington post keep ringing me:

"But if publishers feel unable to "make" a book and increasingly depend on word of mouth and the new bottom-up zeitgeist it will surely complicate a publishing business model that makes massive bets on progressively fewer books in the hopes that those books reach the "phenomenon" status that pads margins and launches careers.

Will publishers continue to pay a premium for the privilege of taking an increasingly uncertain risk?

Will authors be depended upon to bring their own celebrity/platform/253,078 Twitter followers to bear in order to make a hit for the publisher?"

Thinking… praying… trusting…
All's grace,
Ann

>I didn't read your posts as self-serving or self-centered, or whatever…I have the same 'wonderings' – what if every book ever written is published? I'd have to think that one over carefully before I answered it.

But, I will say this… what is wrong with worrying about the state of what you love to do? If what you love to do is work with authors and with books -the excitement of seeing a good book, one you championed and rooted for and took on, find a publisher – if that is changing and morphing in a way that could change how you view your Work, your Career that you love, then what's wrong with feeling wary and concerned?

If you look at this as a business, just as with any business, any employee or employer whose business model is changing would feel nervous . . . there could be wonderful things on the horizon as change happens, or, there could be changes that create roadblocks to the joy of the job/business. And really, we all have to make money. Most of us need some form of income, and if it is doing something we enjoy, well that's a blessing times fifty-nine! And if that income is threatened, who wouldn't be a bit nervous?

Not sure if I'm making sense, but having some worry over changes coming to something we love and work hard for and strive to be the best at and feel proud of – I don't see why anyone would fault someone for feeling a bit of anxiety or worry.

There are quite a few self-published authors in the Western North Carolina area, my area,–I have read some that are really good books, and I wish the author had tried harder to find a 'traditional indie publisher' and/or an agent. And I have read some that aren't as good, that needed editing very badly, and I wish the author had slowed down, waited, had their work polished before they sent it out to the world.

Anyway, that's just my little 2 cents I throw in here every so often. I just don't think you should have to defend yourself in any way whatsoever. You are doing something you obviously love, that goes along with your love of books and language and words and reading – you have every right to have some angst or concern.

And yes, there are "bad" books out there, but, if they are bad enough, they'll drift off into oblivion, and the books people enjoy (and that is so subjective) will rise like cream to the top. I write the best danged books I can, ones I feel proud of, and let the pages fall where they may.

>I think Amazon IS the filtering process going forward.

It's a big enough platform, well-established enough and customer-friendly enough that a writer should be able to move a few thousands units there, on their own, if the work has commercial appeal. Those who can do that will be recruited for the agent-NY House system. Those who can't will have been naturally filtered out, just as in the past they were filtered by the sluch pile.

>Hello, Rachelle.

It's so easy to misunderstand what someone is trying to say. We filter what we read through our own experiences – and our emotional status at that moment. That's especially true in this era of roller-coaster change.

There are those who would equate self-centered, shelfish, and self-interest. The differences are not that hard to define. Many comments from Friday could probably be seperated into one of those three categories.

A healthy dose of self-interest will keep us adapting as our world changes. Either of the other two will find us frozen in place, wondering where everybody went.

The last two definitely do not describe you.

Be blessed,

Lynnda

>I usually just read and don't post anything. I have to say this topic has been a hotbed of passionate opinions on both sides.

I think we need to be very careful when we ascribe motives to either side of the fence. I would never have thought your opinion was motivated by self-interest. I took you at your word. I've read your blog for a long time and you've always been one to "call it like you see it."

I think we need to be careful about stereotyping either the authors or the publishers as well. I heard good things about Thomas Nelson and Michael Hyatt in particular before this all happened. Suddenly you'd think the man had grown horns and become the devil himself. I don't know that I'm buying the Kool-Aid over at WestBow, and I certainly wouldn't drink the stuff they're selling at Harlequin, but if we take a step back and look carefully, I don't think it's the disaster everyone is fearing.

As someone else pointed out, it isn't like they're offering publication for free. WestBow especially is asking quite a few pretty pennies for the services they're offering. The average person on the street will not be able to afford to plop down that kind of money to publish their book. That becomes a kind of vetting process in itself.

Some authors also aren't looking to make a lot of money, and are willing to pay to have their book edited (multiple times). Sometimes it's just about the craft itself, writing the book. You can't assume they want fame and fortune, or they think the book will snag them an agent. Maybe they just feel the story has to be told, even if it is just to 5 or 10 people. Numbers are irrelevant. They feel like God will do what He wants with it. I've talked with authors like that.

Plus, I think the publishing industry needs to look at the… rise in this sort of business and marketing (as well as the small indie houses) and see that perhaps the guidelines they've established are pushing good books and authors away from their doors and into the hands of smaller publishers and the self-publishing industry.

In this thread people have even mentioned popular books that needed much more editing than they received. They were published traditionally. I don't think badly written books are isolated to the self-published arena. I think there are more there ~ but there are also some good books that were ignored by publishers on both sides (CBA & ABA).

I was a reader before I ever became a writer. I don't want the market flooded with badly written books either. However, in America we have the freedom to write, think and speak whatever we want.

I'm not wise enough to say what the cause of this rise in self & vanity publishing is, but I can see all the blogs about guidelines that have been posted recently… Plus I've noticed quite a few small indie publishing houses opening up because they were "unhappy with the restrictions and guidelines placed upon them by the bigger houses" but they didn't want to go the self publishing route – so they opened their own house (which is self publishing for them).

In the end I think it comes down to the fact that all of us are supposed to do our jobs to the very best of our ability. I think Rachelle is one of the best examples of this. I always look forward to reading her blog. I'm working very hard on my revisions at the moment (not my fav. part of the process). I think the publishers need to do their job to the best of their ability and try and see where this whole market is going and why. I think they are the only ones who can truly make a difference in what happens in the industry.

>I'm a rut person.

I'll admit that change is sometimes necessary. I'll even admit that the changes in publishing are desirable for folks like me.

No matter how good a new way of doing things is or how necessary it is, I generally have to be forced out of my rut.

I do think that all of the big scary changes that terrify rut people are likely to open a whole lot of new doors that we can't imagine right now. Goodness knows, just a few years ago, I wouldn't have imagined the existence, let alone the popularity, of Kindle or the Nook.

>Change for the sake of change is NOT a good thing. There are tried and tested institutions that have persevered over the course of time for a reason. Like how we make lawyers take the state bar and doctors get licensing.

I am worried for the future of publishing. If self-publishing and vanity press are so great in and of themselves…then why do they go to such extremes to mask themselves as being the same as traditionally published books? Why not shout from the rooftops the truth?

And that really ticks off a lot of writers who have endured the gauntlet to be traditionally published. It reminds me of my years in martial arts. Why endure having the crap pummeled out of me for years, the tests, the injuries, when I could have just gone down to the martial arts supply and BOUGHT a nice new black belt?

There are things in life that should be EARNED. Medals of Honor, the ability to practice law and medicine, and the prestige of being called a published author. That truth is timeless, so change can take a hike.

>"I guess I find it vaguely insulting that some people assume I'm speaking from a place of self-interest. Is it so hard to believe that there was no hidden self-focused agenda for my ponderings?"

I frequently run into exactly the same problem… *sigh*