HOSTAGE preview release--Why We Chose to Self Publish Book Two

[sartorias]

This riff goes into why Rachel Manija Brown and I have decided to self-publish Hostage, the sequel to Stranger, which came out from Viking in November.

If you’re expecting a rant about the evils of big six publishing, put away the popcorn or head on over to your favorite internet rantiseum, because that’s not what this is about.

Comments

[paragraphs]

Ahh bummer, I had it pre-ordered (from Amazon) and it landed in my mailbox this morning! Next one I will buy via the cafe.

Very interesting! I have been super curious about the reasons for going self-publishing with the 2nd book but all this makes worlds of sense. In ordering the first book - I had to go check and yes I did pay $10.59 for it. That is not the most I've paid for an ebook but I was willing to pay that because it was your book and I'm already a fan of your writing and really? Your storytelling, both alone and with Rachel. It was a fun ride and worth the tenner, btw, so I'm very much looking forward to seeing everyone again in the next book.

I am currently reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson but sorry guy, putting you aside for a bit so I can read Hostage. (that book/series is another interesting marketing tale to me - as far as I know, exact same book but it can be found in both 'regular' fantasy and the YA section - but with different formatting/size/cover.)

[sartorias]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!

Yeah, that's interesting about books that are marketed to both YA and adult. I am assuming that that only gets done for surefire bestsellers, as I know a bunch of writers whose work falls into that crack between YA and adult and they tend to get rejected for their piece being "too much" one or the other. (So they self-pub.)

[maribou]

Ooh, now I will be able to read Stranger and then Hostage as soon as I want! Yay!

Thanks for this explanation of your perceptions of the process too, very interesting.

[sartorias]

Thank you for reading that looooong thing.

[asakiyume]

Your reasoning makes tons of sense. And really, you're in a super position for self-publishing: it's great to be part of a cooperative that gives you access to quality editing and artwork, and that provides you with a platform from which to launch. Both you and Rachel have lots of experience with publishing up and down the scale, and you know a lot about what sorts of things to do for promotion. You also both have fans--not for this series (yet! but soon), but for your other work. All of this means that I think The Change books have a great future ahead of them.

Personally, I'd love it if they eventually do end up on screen!

[sartorias]

Thanks! We might fall flat on our asses with this experiment--who knows! As of now it's out there, and as with all books, it's up to the readers.

Why we self-published the sequel to Stranger

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User rachelmanija referenced to your post from Why we self-published the sequel to Stranger saying: [...] is $4.99; the paper book will be released in a few months. Sherwood has put up a detailed post [...]

An essay on publishing in today's environment

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User asakiyume referenced to your post from An essay on publishing in today's environment saying: [...] , talking a little about how things look from the publisher's angle. Link to the essay is here. [...]