You know what our job as publishers is? We're the matchmakers. We are here to find amazing, exciting writers and invest in them, publish their work, and get it into the greedy little hands of voracious readers. Nowadays, the readers are way ahead of us all. They're so hungry, all the assumptions of career development for authors is turning upside down. I blame Netflix. And e-readers.
We consume content like a pack of starved werewolves these days. Breaking Bad? Yeah, I'm watching all five seasons in about two months, almost through season four. So what does that mean for my favorite author who delivers a book once a year? Hopefully he realizes the reality: I'll invest a whole lot more in him than he has been led to believe.
So me as a publisher, what am I looking for? Voracious writers! I meet so many people who tell me they're working on a book. And when asked, they say something like, oh yes, I've been working on it for five years now. And they're trying to impress me with that statement. Like that means it's going to be so so so amazingly very good, because it took them THAT MUCH TIME. Guess what that actually says to me when I hear it? Yep, I hear: I guess that means I can expect book two in 2019, at the earliest.
You know who I'm looking for? The author who is going to deliver something for me to sell. On a consistent basis. Who is going to work WITH me to build a fan base. Who knows exactly what he/she wants to write. And has ideas for his/her next two, three, four books floating around in that brain.
That's what I'm looking for. I'm just a matchmaker, I'm just a salesman. I need to quench the thirst of the rabid book-devouring readers out there who are always asking, what's out now that's good to read?
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
It's Not All About 'That Book'
People ask me all the time, is erotica just a fad? Well, I don't know, is sex a fad?
Let's look at this last half-year of craziness in the right perspective. It wasn't one book that suddenly got popular. It was the Internet and social networking catching on to ebooks and erotica. The entire genre has had a huge surge; yes, that one book was an absolute blockbuster, but it wasn't alone.
We're looking at a perfect storm of opportunity for erotica. Ebooks; digital reading devices; social networking; and the ease and anonymity of purchasing has led to erotica and romance and YA and teen all becoming big buzz areas, because people like talking about them on social networking, and they like reading them. Yes particularly women for all of these topics. Women read, and women right, and women talk about what they like. Yes, in ways men just don't. Otherwise, thrillers and shoot-em-ups and military fiction and legal mysteries would be the new big thing.
The other thing that has helped is the way we want content now. Used to be an author was dead stuck on one book a year. That was as much attention a publisher could muster up to get one author's book into the fronts of stores. Build excitement, build anticipation, build that pyramid of paper near the front door, and it was a recipe for success. But you know what's changed everything for storytellers? Netflix. Yes, Netflix. Now when a consumer gets interested in a new series, the entire thing is available on Netflix, and we consume content voraciously. People will watch an entire season of Orange Is the New Black in one week. Or six seasons of Lost if you caught on late. Book content creators (authors) now face voracious readers (consumers of content) who want the next installment right away. Yes, Mr. Patterson and his twelve books a year stirred this pot first.
So what does that all bring us to? Authors who need to churn it out. Readers who want something new constantly. Devices making it easy to buy and easy to deliver without chopping down a forest. So what does that mean for authors? Shorter fiction. Yes. Novellas.
Novellas are bigger than they've ever been. Ever. And they are biggest of all in erotica. People want cheap; people want new delivered all the time. And yes, attention spans are a lot shorter now than ever. But it's not about attention span -- it's about what we're used to. A movie in two hours; a television show in an hour. We want the story told and wrapped up in a shorter amount of time. Then we want to get to the next episode or next story or next movie. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just a change in the anticipated story arc. Beginning, middle, climax, end in less than 100 pages.
If you want my advice, and I'm wrapping up here abruptly, because the kayak is waiting for me to take it out on the lake, start writing novellas! Let me know how it goes.
Bob
SMHIOF@gmail.com
Bob is the senior editor and a co-founder of Insatiable Press
But this is his personal blog, and all statements and comments, opinions and thoughts are all his own.
Let's look at this last half-year of craziness in the right perspective. It wasn't one book that suddenly got popular. It was the Internet and social networking catching on to ebooks and erotica. The entire genre has had a huge surge; yes, that one book was an absolute blockbuster, but it wasn't alone.
We're looking at a perfect storm of opportunity for erotica. Ebooks; digital reading devices; social networking; and the ease and anonymity of purchasing has led to erotica and romance and YA and teen all becoming big buzz areas, because people like talking about them on social networking, and they like reading them. Yes particularly women for all of these topics. Women read, and women right, and women talk about what they like. Yes, in ways men just don't. Otherwise, thrillers and shoot-em-ups and military fiction and legal mysteries would be the new big thing.
The other thing that has helped is the way we want content now. Used to be an author was dead stuck on one book a year. That was as much attention a publisher could muster up to get one author's book into the fronts of stores. Build excitement, build anticipation, build that pyramid of paper near the front door, and it was a recipe for success. But you know what's changed everything for storytellers? Netflix. Yes, Netflix. Now when a consumer gets interested in a new series, the entire thing is available on Netflix, and we consume content voraciously. People will watch an entire season of Orange Is the New Black in one week. Or six seasons of Lost if you caught on late. Book content creators (authors) now face voracious readers (consumers of content) who want the next installment right away. Yes, Mr. Patterson and his twelve books a year stirred this pot first.
So what does that all bring us to? Authors who need to churn it out. Readers who want something new constantly. Devices making it easy to buy and easy to deliver without chopping down a forest. So what does that mean for authors? Shorter fiction. Yes. Novellas.
Novellas are bigger than they've ever been. Ever. And they are biggest of all in erotica. People want cheap; people want new delivered all the time. And yes, attention spans are a lot shorter now than ever. But it's not about attention span -- it's about what we're used to. A movie in two hours; a television show in an hour. We want the story told and wrapped up in a shorter amount of time. Then we want to get to the next episode or next story or next movie. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just a change in the anticipated story arc. Beginning, middle, climax, end in less than 100 pages.
If you want my advice, and I'm wrapping up here abruptly, because the kayak is waiting for me to take it out on the lake, start writing novellas! Let me know how it goes.
Bob
SMHIOF@gmail.com
Bob is the senior editor and a co-founder of Insatiable Press
But this is his personal blog, and all statements and comments, opinions and thoughts are all his own.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Me me me... it's all about me... oh, and erotica
Hey there, hey there,
Just a housekeeping note here. I started this blog when we were launching Insatiable Press, and I found myself in the role of senior editor for this exciting new venture. Now that IP is off the ground and running, and it has its very own website at www.insatiablepress.com, I'm relaunching this (my personal blog on my personal blog account) as my own. OK, so it always was my own, owned by me, my opinions, my blog, but now I just want to let you know officially that THIS blog is my personal blog where I chime in about my personal opinions on erotica; writing; getting published; romance; erotic romance; editing; agenting; etc.
If you're looking for the new, brand new, brand spanking new (I couldn't resist), exciting offerings from my company Insatiable Press, you can find it at
www.insatiablepress.com
And a new company blog, where you'll find out about what's hot, what's new, and what's being published, is managed at:
www.insatiablepress.com/blog
More to read, more to enjoy!
Bob
Just a housekeeping note here. I started this blog when we were launching Insatiable Press, and I found myself in the role of senior editor for this exciting new venture. Now that IP is off the ground and running, and it has its very own website at www.insatiablepress.com, I'm relaunching this (my personal blog on my personal blog account) as my own. OK, so it always was my own, owned by me, my opinions, my blog, but now I just want to let you know officially that THIS blog is my personal blog where I chime in about my personal opinions on erotica; writing; getting published; romance; erotic romance; editing; agenting; etc.
If you're looking for the new, brand new, brand spanking new (I couldn't resist), exciting offerings from my company Insatiable Press, you can find it at
www.insatiablepress.com
And a new company blog, where you'll find out about what's hot, what's new, and what's being published, is managed at:
www.insatiablepress.com/blog
More to read, more to enjoy!
Bob
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Come and Knock on Our Door
Insatiable Press is in the process of moving to our exciting new home in the Madison Square Park neighborhood. Honestly, I can't wait to get in and decorate. We are definitely 'movin' on up' with this wonderful new office space. And we've hired another editor to join us and our 'cousin' company, AudioGO.
I have plans. Big plans for Insatiable. And I want to share a few of them with you. First, we are always on the look-out for new authors and new books. I know that sounds really really weird, doesn't it? A publishing company that is actually interested in hearing from new and upcoming authors. A publishing company that will talk to you. A senior editor who is saying, 'contact me.' But that's just me, and I'm sure at some point, I will figure out why everyone else in the industry shuts the doors and closes the blinds and hides in the dark.
And also, this one is a bit further out, but I am going to keep it simmering on the back burner. I want to create a regularly scheduled event of readings at a bar or event space where writers can present their work in public. I imagine my first line-up will include members of my writing group, but if plans stay as they are in the recesses of my dark, dark mind, this would be open to anyone who wants to apply to read. Some day, ah, some day.
You see, Insatiable wants to support writers and the genre. We want to be the exciting part of erotica. All the juicy fun parts. So stay tuned. Subscribe to me here. Contact me at SMHIOF@gmail.com, and keep writing!
Bob
I have plans. Big plans for Insatiable. And I want to share a few of them with you. First, we are always on the look-out for new authors and new books. I know that sounds really really weird, doesn't it? A publishing company that is actually interested in hearing from new and upcoming authors. A publishing company that will talk to you. A senior editor who is saying, 'contact me.' But that's just me, and I'm sure at some point, I will figure out why everyone else in the industry shuts the doors and closes the blinds and hides in the dark.
And also, this one is a bit further out, but I am going to keep it simmering on the back burner. I want to create a regularly scheduled event of readings at a bar or event space where writers can present their work in public. I imagine my first line-up will include members of my writing group, but if plans stay as they are in the recesses of my dark, dark mind, this would be open to anyone who wants to apply to read. Some day, ah, some day.
You see, Insatiable wants to support writers and the genre. We want to be the exciting part of erotica. All the juicy fun parts. So stay tuned. Subscribe to me here. Contact me at SMHIOF@gmail.com, and keep writing!
Bob
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Welcome Welcome!
Welcome to the new blog from the individuals of the editorial team at Insatiable Press!
Here our individual editors will freely comment, discuss, opine, critique, and talk about the field of erotica publishing. Any opinions, comments, statements, promises, and basically all content herein is the personal opinion and work of the individual posting, NOT edited, approved, reviewed, owned, or created by Insatiable Press Limited, Inc.
A little about us and the company we work for. Insatiable Press is a brand spanking new publisher of erotica on audio and eBook. We the editors are always in search of both new and established authors in this exciting genre.
Our first collection of audiobooks will launch any day now, and we're excited about the list of amazing titles we have for you, including works from Sylvia Day, Shayla Black, Shiloh Walker, Shelli Stevens, Delilah Devlin, Lorelei James, Mitzi Szereto, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Violet Blue, Opal Carew, Lauren Dane, and my new obsession Maya Banks.
Our very first original eBook publishing will follow early next year from bestselling authors Pynk and Carol Taylor. You're going to love what the ladies are working on! I'm so proud these ladies will be part of our launch.
So stay tuned here. Bookmark us, Follow us, read on. We'll have a lot to say about erotica, publishing, audiobooks, and more. You have questions? Feel free to email me personally at SMHIOF@gmail.com.
Bob Podrasky
Senior Acquisitions Editor
Insatiable Press
Here our individual editors will freely comment, discuss, opine, critique, and talk about the field of erotica publishing. Any opinions, comments, statements, promises, and basically all content herein is the personal opinion and work of the individual posting, NOT edited, approved, reviewed, owned, or created by Insatiable Press Limited, Inc.
A little about us and the company we work for. Insatiable Press is a brand spanking new publisher of erotica on audio and eBook. We the editors are always in search of both new and established authors in this exciting genre.
Our first collection of audiobooks will launch any day now, and we're excited about the list of amazing titles we have for you, including works from Sylvia Day, Shayla Black, Shiloh Walker, Shelli Stevens, Delilah Devlin, Lorelei James, Mitzi Szereto, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Violet Blue, Opal Carew, Lauren Dane, and my new obsession Maya Banks.
Our very first original eBook publishing will follow early next year from bestselling authors Pynk and Carol Taylor. You're going to love what the ladies are working on! I'm so proud these ladies will be part of our launch.
So stay tuned here. Bookmark us, Follow us, read on. We'll have a lot to say about erotica, publishing, audiobooks, and more. You have questions? Feel free to email me personally at SMHIOF@gmail.com.
Bob Podrasky
Senior Acquisitions Editor
Insatiable Press
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