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Jan. 26, 2005 I awoke this morning and read the U-K Article by Ron Lewis which I venture to guess was a gentle rebuttal to my article and the current one-up-man-ship, which newspapers have been currently printing - based on a story by the Associated Press, concerning the current PublishAmerica "Outing". Let's see. Would my Memoir be the fodder for Rap? Would anyone in their right mind create machine gunned lyrics, set to a constant drum beat, accompanied by back-up dancers, with two platters of vinyl records - constantly belting out a screeching noise... Rappers beating their chests, and prancing on a stage about PublishAmerica? Go one step further - Imagine a video of this Rap broadcast on MTV? Guess what... I don't think so. Ron, having a good laugh, yet? On a serious note, I understand the correlation that can be made concerning the Book Publishing Industry, and the Music Publishing Industry. I have read newspaper accounts and witnessed television News reports regarding the in- fighting, and resulting deaths of Rap artists connected with recording studios. The realm of Published Authors have their share of "One-Hit-Wonders" and accomplished writers. Each author hopes to grab their fair share of consumer dollars. The World of Published Authors is also punctuated with battles with the Book Publishing Industry, to see their work in print. Once the book has been published, the author has high hopes that the work will be read by, PEOPLE. However, unlike the Music Industry - Small Press Publishing Companies do not have reams of advertising dollars to distribute fairly among its promising authors. Each author who signs with a small press (which does not charge one single dollar to bring a book to market) must make a concerted effort to publicize and market their book. Once my memoir was accepted by PublishAmerica, it took seven months of hard work (revisions, editing, cover design) to bring it to market. I was fully aware, from the get-go, that the responsibility of promoting my wares - fell on my shoulders. PublishAmerica provided the "mechanical means" to produce the book. That is what they promised, and they stuck to their end of the contract. It was my obligation to stick to my end of the contract. The mentality of individuals who have issues with my publisher reported in the newspapers, irks me to no end. Let's see... An individual creates a First Draft Manuscript. It is sent to a publishing company who promises, if the work is accepted, to bear all financial costs to bring the book to market. The contract is received, and signed. A symbolic Dollar is received by the author, from the publishing company. The author, holding the dollar in their hand, then rushes to the bathroom - due to an unexpected abundance of liquid human waste, accumulating in the bladder. The employee's of that organization take the First Draft and transforms it into a Acrobat PDF file. Like foreign languages, something gets lost in translation, and there are errors. The PDF file is sent to the author for - guess what - wait for it - EDITING! The author (with fresh eyes) reads the newly formatted Draft, and advises the publishing company of revisions, and corrections. Have I mentioned that the publishing company still has not asked for one single dime? I am mentioning it now! The author sends the corrections to the publishing company. The publishing company then sends the author a PDF file containing the corrections. The author has one last opportunity to make any revisions and or corrections. The author then makes any Final Corrections to the Draft, and authorizes the publishing company to proceed with publication. The publishing company sends the Final Draft to the Author. The author is then contacted by the Art Department of the publishing company, and is given a "Proposed Book Cover". The author then works with the Art Department to create a "Final - Approved" book cover. Has the publishing company asked for any money? NO!!! Once the "Mechanics" of the book is Finalized, the author is given a "Release Date" by the publishing company. Now, imagine this. You are that author. Your book will be released in a few months. I guess it is now time for the author to sit on their hands, and wait - Right? Yeah, sure! Any human being, who is going to have their dream of being a Published Author about to be realized, is going to start (at every opportunity, rapidly) "Talking-Up" the impending release of the book. Something about buttons popping off vests, due to expanding chests? Remember the anticipation of the first kiss, first date, first sexual experience? Yeah, it is something like that. The publishing company then sends out an announcement to the author's familiar's (names and addresses that were supplied by the author) of the impending release of the book. The familiar's of the author are given an opportunity to purchase a "pre-release" copy of the book. The author, then receives "Author Copies" from the publisher. The author almost falls down to the ground due to hyperventilating, holding the finished product in their hands. Once again, did the publishing company ask for one single dime? Hmmm... NO! To recap. The publishing company bears all financial risks to bring the book to market. The publishing company wants to recoup the investment. The publishing company asks the author to publicize the book. The publishing company makes the book available to booksellers. The booksellers - inundated with new releases, get the bright idea to offer books through a new fangled medium..., a Website, thus reducing inventory costs. Here is the kicker. The newly minted - FIRST TIME AUTHOR can direct a potential customer to the bookseller's Website. The customer can actually purchase the book, On-line! Imagine that! Hmmm... The publisher gets the bright idea of creating a Website, where a customer can buy the book - AT A DISCOUNT! I am truly stunned! If the customer is not computer savvy, and or the local bookseller does not have the book (or will not carry Print On Demand) in stock, the customer can order it. Will wonders never cease! Yes, I concede that the Trade Paperbacks (a little smaller than hard copies) are more expensive than your average, fit in your back pocket / purse paperbacks. However - in the Real World, the publisher needs to recoup their investment, and the author needs to (even if the first and subsequent Royalty Checks amount to little more than Burger King / Cheese Burger money) be compensated. Guess what? The end result, is that the individual was published, and can hold the fruits of their labor - IN THEIR HAND!!!! There is no greater exhilaration (sex included) than the title of "Published Author" being bestowed upon an individual. (Sure! Like getting married, the birth of healthy children, receiving a College Degree, and other milestones, Do Not Rate?!!!) When all is said and done, it is the Author and the words, sentences, thoughts, etc, contained in the book, which matter! PEOPLE! The current gossip and news reports concerning my publisher are very entertaining. However, I maintain that it is all about the author, and the book! Still, reflecting on Ron Lewis's article, I just can not equate the mentality and workings of the Music Industry, with regards to the Publishing Industry. When was the last time Saturday Night Live featured a "Reading" by a Author - replacing a Rap, Rock, or Country band....? (Argile Stox! Take a nap! Saturday Night Live, is a stretch...) Any Questions? ------------ About the author Argile Stox: Visit the website: http://mysite.verizon.net/res8nrbr/ Email: argilestox@verizon.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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