Pitch your book: Unbound

[millymollymo]

Unbound, a small, award winning UK press that I've been following for a while is opening up for Twitter pitching.
With former Orbit editor Simon Spanton they now take SFF.

Do do your research before you pitch however, Unbound is a crowdfunded approach, the publisher relies on you to get the word out. And they don't take just any old book. This isn't an "easy in"

@unbounders
Next Thursday (5/5) 2-3pm we're doing #PitchUnbound. Get your pitch ready!

 

[Cory Swanson]

So you pretty much self publish your book and they take some of your money? What is the purpose of a publisher if all they do is print it?

 

[millymollymo]

Nope.
Unbound as a publisher is seriously active at events. Unbound will take on a book that would be a hard sell to a main stream publisher.
They support and work with the author.
Because they edit it, not just copy editing, but develop editing, they sort out a cover. You work with an editor and improve your work. You don't have to chase around finding one, or paying one, or sourcing the art.
But. You'll find that's the same with most small presses.

The big difference is, you have to promote your book BEFORE its printed to get people to buy it. Instead of trying to get people to pick it up after its launched. Regardless of SP or Trad (small press or large) you will have to do this.

Have a look at the site and you can see how it works.
Unlike being self published, you'll find this publisher stocked in stores (usually your local ones with a small press) and those that don't have it in stock are more than willing to do so.
Unbound comes under "disruptive" publishing, and they've been publishing for over 5 years, and getting listed in awards. Not sure off the top of my head if they've won here and there, but I think so.

 

[sknox]

Here's a review
Unbound – Reviewed | The Independent Publishing Magazine
with a fairly clear-eyed assessment of who would benefit from this approach. I cannot number myself among those who would benefit.

 

[millymollymo]

Keep in mind, while relevant on the figures, that the review is old.
With all those numbers, this also puts into context our expectations as writers, wouldn't you say?

This isn't the "easy in."

 

[sknox]

>This isn't the "easy in."
Nope. Didn't think it was. But the advice is clear: the author needs to have a following. I have none. Perhaps two or three books from now I could go to this or another press, but for now it's all bootstraps and gritted teeth.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

>This isn't the "easy in."
Nope. Didn't think it was. But the advice is clear: the author needs to have a following. I have none. Perhaps two or three books from now I could go to this or another press, but for now it's all bootstraps and gritted teeth.

You will need one no matter how you release a book - now’s the time to start working on it

 

[sknox]

Oh I work on it. But it's very slow. My second novel is due out next month, so that will help -- having only one novel really just puts you at the starting line. Then again, I'm not aiming for commercial success (=making a living from writing), so I may never be the sort of author Unbound would want. And that's fine.

 

[Cathbad]

My Following = Mom.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Plus, Simon Spanton has a very high reputation in the biz.

 

[janeoreilly]

I sort of know someone who has a book out with them - the book has done very well, especially in america, and she posted on fb the other day that it has sold 50K copies in it's first year. But she did a huge amount of the work involved in promoting it and it has effectively been her full time job. Worth a shot if someone has a story with a great hook that will make it easy to market.

 

[janeoreilly]

Simon Spanton has just posted on twitter that unbound have let him go :/ so if anyone was thinking of submitting to them, this might not be a good time.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

 

[awesomesauce]

I funded a book on Unbound once. The terms are terrible. Unlike Kickstarter, they take the money right away. The projects seem to be open ended; there's no expiration and as long as it's open, there's no way to get your money back. If it doesn't fund (and, presumably, the author closes it out rather than just giving up and abandoning it to sit open) they don't automatically refund your money. I think the FAQs say they'll give it back if you write them asking for it, but they do push hard for you to transfer it into a different project instead.

The book I supported almost two years ago took over a year to fund, and I still haven't seen a publication date, never mind an actual copy of the book.

Never again.

 

[millymollymo]

Remember folks. IF you go down the TRADITIONAL route, it's a business. Money drives things.

Just had a workshop with an editor from Unbound. Life vs forum comments applied; it's been interesting.

Like I said. Do your research, it's not for everyone.

Where I am right now, I wouldn't. There are some here who could make other choices.