Also, I'm a fledgling publisher on a grassroots campaign to find out more about what authors are looking for in a publisher. The world is changing.. Clearly, publishers aren't doing the job they should be anymore. If there are other writers on here (and if by some miracle Stephen King reads this post your feedback would be so invaluable) please let me know the greatest value your publisher has provided you. I'm not trying to solicit business (I want to prove myself before I start soliciting writers - seriously). I'm looking for data.
I've already asked the self-published community why they have gone in that direction and have had the chance to ask a few traditionally published authors the same. But, the more information I have the better I can serve writers. I'm especially looking for writers with a long history of published books, (again not so I can snag business) so I can learn the pitfalls encountered with publishers. I want to try to avoid any and all possible concerns so I'm known as a competent, ethical, and effective publisher. So, if anyone has a minute to share I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Mary Dunford
Stephen doesn't respond personally but I can tell you that he's very aware of the copyright termination rights and it is on his radar.
I'm not a writer but having been on this side of the business as Stephen's personal assistant, I think one of the things that is of the most value to a writer from a publisher is the marketing of their work. It doesn't do any good to have your work published, whether by a traditional publisher or self-published, if no one knows about it. Being with a publisher means not having to reinvent the wheel to find out how to do that and having the network in place for the contacts that make the difference between selling your book and having it gather dust. It's the publishers who go the extra step to do everything within their abilities to promote that writer's work and increase sales, which should be a no-brainer as it benefits both, that are the ones worth seeking out and keeping once you've signed with them. And that's still important after an author has "made it" not just for the new writers getting their name out there.
Thank you for the feedback. I'm really hoping to be a 'publisher with a conscience'. I believe very strongly that authors (and artists in general) should be able to make a living at their craft. Authors are our educators and dream-makers (I went to art school; can you tell?) I started a business model I coined 'Fair-Trade Publishing' which basically pays authors 50% net royalties, commands complete transparency from the publisher to the author, and requires the publisher to promote the book and the author. ~After all, the author wrote the book, and that's only fair.
..But I am extremely new to this business.. If anyone can help by sharing their best and worst experiences with publishers I would dearly love to know. I mean it when I say I'd like to avoid making mistakes that I don't have to, and instead provide a truly valuable service. In this day and age the only reason a publisher should even exist is to provide a service that is truly beneficial; otherwise, an author is far better off doing everything his/herself.
Thank you again Moderator for allowing me to post here. I am grateful for your feedback - and all the best when copyright reclamation day comes! Vive l'auteur!
Writers? Looking for feedback
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Re: Writers? Looking for feedback
) I started a business model I coined 'Fair-Trade Publishing' which basically pays authors 50% net royalties, commands complete transparency from the publisher to the author, and requires the publisher to promote the book and the author. ~After all, the author wrote the book, and that's only fair. 
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