Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Guest Post and Giveaway with Indie Author Lori Pescatore








Indie Writers: The New Face of Publishing

Hello, my name is Lori Pescatore. I am the author of Human Blend. Thanks to Roxanne for letting me guest post today.

Being a self-published author has had its ups and downs and has been a wonderful journey, one I am glad I traveled. My topic today is just how the impact the self-publishing authors have had on the publishing community. Are the big six in trouble from the little guy?

Recent studies have shown a dramatic drop in printed book sales in favor of e-books. E-book sales are expected to triple after the holiday sales of readers for this holiday season. Big House publishers have still not embraced the e-book market. Is it they don’t quite understand it? Most Indie authors charge a reasonable amount from $2.99 to $6.99 for their e-books versions while the big house publishing companies charge anywhere from $15.00 to as high as $25.00 for their e-books. I’ve even seen some listed at an even higher price.

There are grumblings of legal battles in the works from previously published authors who contracts did not cover e-books, wanting to circumvent their publishing house to distribute their e-book versions themselves at a more reasonable cost to their fans. Look for lawsuits to get coverage soon. Most authors have blogs and/or websites in which they can reach a significant fan base on their own. These same options are easily accessible to self-published authors. Big names like Amazon, Barnes and Noble and websites like Smashwords, Lulu and Off the Bookshelf offer many packages for self-published works.

I recently contacted a small but busy publishing company and gave them my marketing strategy for my book Human Blend. I then asked them what they could do for me that I have not already achieved on my own. The lead agent got back to me and in plain English stated, not much. I am already available in most major bookstores online and in some other areas where fans have gone in and ordered my book from a big chain store. I’ve done countless interviews and I am being reviewed by some of the top book blog websites on the internet. I won a contest that will get my books highlighted on a national TV commercial to air in January. I also have my first book signing scheduled on December 14th. My point being is these are all things Indie publishers can do to get the word out on their book. There is so much opportunity out there and the Big Six are taking a hit because so many other companies now offer the same services they provide to authors at a much better commission rate.

There are many successful Indie writers out there today. Names you might have heard are: B.V. Larson, Zoe Winters and H. P. Mallory.

I will be watching the numbers posted for the publishing houses in 2011. Indie publishers are here to stay and more are on the way. They are the new face of publishing.

Book Blurb for Human Blend:

Escaping from them had been difficult enough, now Laney needs to keep hidden. All she wanted was to be on her own. Laney is not like other girls... she has very special abilities that set her apart from others. How or why she came about these abilities is a mystery she has yet to unfold. Haunted by memories and flashbacks of the suffering she endured at the hands of her captors, she changes her appearance and hides out in a small town. Ignoring her own warnings, she begins a relationship with a local boy. The relationship turns dangerous when the boy begins developing similar abilities. This development does not fall under the radar of the men who are trying to recapture her.

A young doctor's interest is piqued when he witnesses her mysteriously curing a young child's illness. He befriends her due to his growing fascination with uncovering the true nature of her abilities, but not without harboring secrets of his own. Laney's new life falls apart when she meets a young intern that seems to have all the answers to her questions. The information sends her into a tail spin. Thoughts of going on the run once again are thwarted as those whom she was running from find her.

Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords

Would you like to win a copy of Human Blend?

Lori is offering to give away 2 copies (print or ebook, winner's choice)

This contest is open internationally

Just leave a comment to enter

A winner will be announced next Wednesday

29 comments:

Unknown said...

This looks like a good one, I'd love to be entered. Love fiding new authors.

Lane

moiraethefates(AT)gmail(Dot)com

Vicky CK said...

Wow, it sounds like you have put a lot of work into marketing your book. But you must be doing something right if the publishing company said it couldn't do much more than you had already done. Good work!
Hope things go well for you in the new year as well!

Thanks for the giveaway1
vickykerr[at]sbcglobal.net

Kelly aka yllektra(I Work For Books) said...

I so agree that Ebooks are the face of tomorrow!
It is wonderful that authors who previously didn't have the chance to get their word out, they can do it now with self-publishing!
It is amazing what you can achieve with hard work and even without the help of a big publishing house.

The book sounds great!!! Kinda like Dark Angel :P
I'd love to be entered!

yvantis[at]hotmail[dot]com

Kim - Bookishly Me said...

This book sounds great. I'd love to be entered.
I love the fact that ebooks opened a door to self-publishing, there are so many new great authors who can get their word out now. And I always enjoy a new great read.
kimvanaken@live.nl

Miranda Hardy said...

This does look like a good book.

DreamyCowgirl @ hotmail.com

Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale said...

This sounds like a great book! I love finding new indie authors! It's hard now adays but also alot easier to get your work out there with the internet! I would love to read this! Congrats to Lori on her book!!

kristen_babygurl@hotmail.com

Kristen
My Bloody Fairy Tale

Texas Book Lover said...

Please enter me...I would love to be incuded in this! All I read are e-books (unless I win other forms) and I love finding new authors!

Thank you! Maria
Mmafsmith@gmail.com

SandyG265 said...

I like to but Indiee-books. I've discovered some good writers and the prices are a lot more reasonable than the big publishers.

Lisa (Lisa's World of Books) said...

Please enter me!
lisa.mcgeen@hotmail.com

Kulsuma said...

I'd love to read this! It sounds fantastic.
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

tina werner said...

this book sounds really great! please enter me!

tina

stampitchick at yahoo dot ca

debbie said...

Please enter me for the print version. It is interesting that once again, technology has outpaced our ability to keep up with it. I hope that the publishing companies and authors can come up with agreements so that everyone benefits.
I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Judy said...

Great post!! Looks like a really good read. I love that cover. It catches your attention and doesn't have anything sexy on it!!


magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

Reading said...

I would love a print copy of this. Thanks for the giveaway.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

Wow this looks like a great read!
count me in!
beejee77(at)comcast(dot)net

booklover0226 said...

I enjoyed reading the post.

I look forward in reading your works, Lori.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

tetewa said...

This would be a new author for me, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

Estella said...

Sounds like a good read.

I believe indie authors are here to stay and will take a lot of readers from the big publishing houses.

kissinoak at frontier dot com

donnas said...

Sounds like a good book. Thanks for sharing!

bacchus76 at myself dot com

JenM said...

This book sounds interesting and I love reading ebooks and finding new authors. Please enter me.

jen(at)delux(dot)com

Kelly said...

HI Lori....
$25 for an e-book..... that is crazy!!!!!!
Your books sounds great... I would love to have a chance to read it...

Thank you for this contest....
Kelly M

crazyforbooks@comcast.net

Victor Arnette said...

Lori, you've been an inspiration to me and have given me hope that I can make my book a success. I would love a print copy of your book AND an eBook copy to put in my phone to read when I am stuck in line (or when I should be paying attention in class, LOL). You should write a small DIY book on self-publishing and eBook publishing and Marketing tips and tricks. You obviously know a lot about it already.

Again CONGRATS!

Victor Arnette
dragonlordwriter(AT)comcast(DOT)net

Julie S said...

Sounds like a good story. It's hard for indie authors these days but I hope things get better as more and more authors are out there.

I would like to be entered to win a print copy of the book.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am so guilty of leaving the world of print books behind (unless print is the only available option)in favor of e-books. Print books just don't hold my attention like they used to. Now as for "Human Blend", please enter me into the contest for this book. It sounds interesting, and I am always looking for new authors to become obsessed with (not in a creepy way, just in a way that causes me to constantly check to see if you have anything new coming out). lol

zuradia at yahoo dot com

Shaz Goodwin said...

I never thought I would move away from having the feel and the smell of books in my hands ........... but I think I'm slowly changing!

Book sounds fab :) Would love to be entered!

Unknown said...

Count me in, another new author to try!

Dottie :)

katsrus said...

I would love to win.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

sablelexi said...

I'd love to read this book.

jlynettes @ hotmail . com

Unknown said...

Wow...sounds like GREAT BOOKS...can't wait to read!!!

 
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