Empowering Authors to Thrive Beyond the Publishing Deal
The publishing world can be unpredictable. One day, your publisher is your partner in bringing your work to the masses; the next, they might cease operations, leaving authors scrambling to reclaim control of their stories. A recent example involves Infinity Publishing and Fast Pencil abruptly halting book publishing operations, leaving authors in limbo. If you’ve faced—or fear—a similar situation, it’s crucial to empower yourself with strategies to thrive independently.
Here’s how you can take charge of your content, remix your work, and build a sustainable author career.
1. Embrace the Remix: Reimagine Your Book
One innovative way to extend your book’s life is by “remixing” it—akin to how music producers create remixes to reach new audiences. Think about your book as a versatile piece of art. Here’s how you can remix it:
- Adapt for Different Age Groups: Convert your book into a children’s or young adult version if applicable. Simplify language, focus on relatable themes, and include illustrations.
- Genre Shift: Could your romance novel become a thrilling murder mystery? Explore blending genres to give your story a fresh perspective.
- Create Spin-offs: Develop standalone stories based on side characters or subplots from your original work.
2. Turn Your Book into Multiple Formats
By diversifying formats, you can attract different audiences and maximize your revenue streams:
- Audiobooks: With platforms like ACX, turning your book into an audiobook is easier than ever. Audiobooks cater to busy readers who prefer to listen on the go.
- Graphic Novels: Transform your story into a graphic novel to reach visual readers and younger audiences.
- Serializations: Break your book into a series of shorter, digestible installments for platforms similar to Kindle Vella or Substack.
3. Retain Your Rights
If you’re currently signing a deal—or seeking to extricate yourself from a defunct one—ensure you retain as many rights to your work as possible. Here’s why and how:
- Reversion Clauses: Include reversion clauses in contracts that allow you to reclaim rights if the publisher ceases operations.
- Self-Publishing Backup: Always keep editable files of your manuscript and cover. This will allow you to pivot to self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, or IngramSpark if necessary.
4. Leverage Direct-to-Consumer Channels
Don’t rely solely on a publisher to reach your audience. Build direct connections with readers:
- Email Lists: Collect email addresses through a simple landing page. Use newsletters to announce new releases, share updates, and nurture your reader base.
- Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are powerful tools for engaging readers and promoting your work.
- Merchandise and Events: Offer branded merchandise or host virtual events like book clubs or webinars to deepen reader relationships.
5. Keep Marketing in Your Hands
Marketing often makes or breaks a book’s success, and no one will advocate for your work better than you:
- SEO-Optimized Blog Content: Write articles related to your book’s themes, ensuring they’re optimized for search engines to draw organic traffic.
- Paid Advertising: Consider running ads on Amazon, Facebook, or Instagram to reach specific demographics.
- Collaborations: Partner with other authors, influencers, or book clubs to cross-promote your work.
6. Explore International and Non-Traditional Markets
Expand your reach by tapping into markets beyond traditional U.S. publishing:
- Translation Rights: Translate your book into other languages to access global readers.
- Educational Licensing: Partner with schools, libraries, or educational organizations to distribute your book as a teaching tool.
- Film and TV Options: Adapt your work for visual media or explore pitching it to production companies.
7. Never Stop Creating
Above all, keep writing. Publishers may come and go, but your creativity is limitless. By continuously producing content, you create more opportunities to connect with readers and diversify your portfolio.
Moving Forward
The sudden closure of publishers like Infinity Publishing and Fast Pencil is a sobering reminder of how precarious the publishing industry can be. But with these strategies, authors can regain control of their stories, reach new audiences, and secure long-term success.
Remember, your story is yours to tell—on your terms. Remix it. Repurpose it. Revive it. There’s no limit to how far your creativity can take you.
My history and success in book publishing never gets old:
