Another open submission window approaching: Angry Robot Books

Interesting. I'd consider putting my next one into the mix, which should be ready around then. However without sounding like a hyper-analytical OCD, I'd have to satisfy myself that whatever their royalty rates were (which I'd assume would be industry standard) and their 'firepower' would balance.

From a quick glance, I'm a little concerned their current flagship author isn't selling great on Amazon (the only quick and dirty check I can easily do) and extrapolating from there (using Forbes figures - which are fairly on the ball http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2014/02/10/amazon-vs-book-publishers-by-the-numbers/ ).

Amazon makes up 65% of Ebook sales.

Ebooks make up 30 % of total sales across all mediums (so lets call Amazon 20% total across all mediums, although I suspect it's far more)

The book I'm looking at, which is fairly fresh, and as I say, a 'flagship' author who is heavily pumped (anyone who has read up on them can guess who I'm talking about), according to its sales rank is selling around 2 - 3 a day on kindle. multiplying that by 5 is only 10 to 15 across all mediums a day.

Assuming an industry standard cut... I'm not convinced the math works out.

I'm not intending to turn this thread into another debate about the relative merits of TP vs Small Press vs SP just that I think a lot of people may need to delve into the numbers to help them understand if it works for them.

Still, for me, I may look into it. But I will operate from a position of informed decision and (if I do submit, and they do go for it) negotiate hard with a hefty leaning towards an undertaking from them to set aside a decent chunk of money for marketing. If they don't like or offer up a deal I'm satisfied with? I'd be okay with that, shake cyber hands and walk.
 
Yes, but that same author is in bricks and mortar shops as well as Amazon, so the Amazon figures can only be taken as part of the equation. Assuming it's the same person, it might be worth looking at their blog which breakdowns early sales etc on the current book - and they're pretty impressive.

Part of it comes down to which model you want. If e-book only a trad publisher may not be the way forward. But for a mixed model (and access to a wider audience because something like 40 percent of readers are luddites like me and don't - although I do review e-only friends on kindle, but never by preference - read e-books) then they are the stronger platform.

Once again, it comes down to percentages. The chances of being a successful self-published author are still very mimimal in contrast to the number of writers who enter the market. The vast, vast majority sell very low quantities.

Edit - the author, if I'm on the ball, is also someone who is selling across a back catalogue which accounts for their flagship status and traditionlly have sales below their profile would indicate - mostly due to several bumps in the road which impacted on that building back catalogue.
 
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That's why I put the comment 'quick and dirty' and indicated that the above are worked out on market share across all mediums (taking Amazon, a known quantity with a widely publicized market share value).

His work might be selling like hot cakes out of bricks and mortar.

Between now and submission date I will monitor closely which will inform my decision making. (They may not want it anyway, but I am comfortable and confident enough in my 'brand' to feel that it's not a one sided decision if they feel my work fits them... their house needs to fit me too)

And yes, agreed on your other section. One point of my post was people need to choose what works for them. What works for me is that I need to operate from an informed position and I'd base my negotiation around that. The above is what I'd be thinking. Penetration into new market places interests me - hence why it's a serious consideration.
 
Sadly, the only book I have which might be ready in time is a much hacked about version (with a changed title) of what I submitted last time. :(

Has all the editorial team changed since then?
 
Hee, my author referenced was a she - so we're looking at different figures. :)

But, I think the important thing we're both saying is to make sure the deal suits the person, should it be offered, and matches what the author wants. There are so many models now, it's a big, wide open world. :)

@Ursa major - The market isn't the same, I wouldn't let a previous window put me off. :)
 
I've got a rather exciting mentor for self publishing Mayhem so I think I'll give this one a miss. Although I do have a gap which may allow me to get Cuckoo finished - they say they want diversity does 68 year old gay man with a transvestite son count I wonder ;)
 
ctg said:
Does this include mine as well? Do we think it has enough SF in it?
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Definitely! They ask for this: "We're pretty broad in our tastes, genre-wise. We love anything science fiction, fantasy or WTF. If it's a spaghetti western set in space with pirates, we're down for that."

Yours is definitely WTF, moonbases, and space travel are SF. Vampires count as fantasy! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
 
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One door opens and another (Hodderscape) is still in a process of deciding will it keep open or slam on face. :LOL:
 
And actually given my normal job is writing on digital marketing/strategy and such for largely online publishers, I love the attitude these guys portray in their submissions approach. Casual, disruptive, embracing digital submissions, lacking the rigid, reactionary conservative stuffiness that seems to be present in so much of the publishing industry. An industry that's notably at the epicentre of digital disruption and will continue to be so for a long time yet, but still seems to want to ignore that.

Anyway, off topic - I submitted a novel. Scary...
 
I actually forgot to submit when I pumped this back on the top. Well, it's done now and I'm going back to rewrite the second book. By the way, I slotted it in the WTF section even though I class First Interview as Dark Urban Fantasy.
 
E.Maree said:
I've added my hat to this ring, submitted 30/12/2015. Good luck, everyone!
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Good luck. I wasn't going to go for this, but was getting nowhere with my rewrite without the motivation of a deadline, so have upped a gear and tried to aim for it. I'm now up to chapter nine (from six today) and trucking along nicely. By memory this book is pretty tight for the last third, so I'm hopeful this week and next will kill it in time for a sub, and just before I get Sunset Over Abendau back for the final push towards release. (Insert very excited smiley face)
 
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