I admit I am probably missing something, but the vibe I get from their eye-stabbing website (my brain is still throbbing) is they'll still basically operate like a traditional publisher. They're just going to ask writers to forgo their advance in exchange for a larger share of the profits (if there are any.) I think this is fair (I think advances are stupid, status-driven, and usually overblown), but I also don't think this company will behave any differently than any other traditional publisher when it comes to deciding who and what to publish, how to market and promote it, etc. (I hope I'm wrong). Also, I'm inherently wary of the judgement of anyone who approved an entire website in that yellow! WTF, man?
I'm happy to read of a genuine focus to re-energize and give a voice to new and un established authors. I feel the current traditional vs Vanity model stifles the efforts of the dreamers. Damned if you don't succeed, damned if you pay to play. I welcome your initiative. There has to be more options than what we believe are the cultural norms.
If by "collaborative " they mean an author must pony up cash to publish a book, I would stay away from it. It's still pay to play, and despite this new era of indie success stories, I would never pay to publish unless it's taking care of my own expenses at Bear Media which I own. I publish sometimes two of my own books per month with the company. Keep in mind I consider myself a hybrid author because I publish independently and traditionally.
Other than the names and screaming yellow, there's not much to go on yet - that's just about the most bare-bones website you can get. I signed up for the newsletter, but I'll be carrying on as before with my own little strategems in this crazy business. :)
What's telling is that the founders of this new company weren't able to enact this kind of model within a large publisher, despite leading them from the top.
I admit I am probably missing something, but the vibe I get from their eye-stabbing website (my brain is still throbbing) is they'll still basically operate like a traditional publisher. They're just going to ask writers to forgo their advance in exchange for a larger share of the profits (if there are any.) I think this is fair (I think advances are stupid, status-driven, and usually overblown), but I also don't think this company will behave any differently than any other traditional publisher when it comes to deciding who and what to publish, how to market and promote it, etc. (I hope I'm wrong). Also, I'm inherently wary of the judgement of anyone who approved an entire website in that yellow! WTF, man?
I'm happy to read of a genuine focus to re-energize and give a voice to new and un established authors. I feel the current traditional vs Vanity model stifles the efforts of the dreamers. Damned if you don't succeed, damned if you pay to play. I welcome your initiative. There has to be more options than what we believe are the cultural norms.
If by "collaborative " they mean an author must pony up cash to publish a book, I would stay away from it. It's still pay to play, and despite this new era of indie success stories, I would never pay to publish unless it's taking care of my own expenses at Bear Media which I own. I publish sometimes two of my own books per month with the company. Keep in mind I consider myself a hybrid author because I publish independently and traditionally.
Other than the names and screaming yellow, there's not much to go on yet - that's just about the most bare-bones website you can get. I signed up for the newsletter, but I'll be carrying on as before with my own little strategems in this crazy business. :)
Interesting.
Great news for authors new and established.
What's telling is that the founders of this new company weren't able to enact this kind of model within a large publisher, despite leading them from the top.