This is Answer My Question Day. (Also posted on one of my FaceBook pages. Edited here for format)
This post is longer than normal, which I hate. I may do more like this in future. Or I may move it to the newsletter. Or I may do no more at all. I’m fickle sometimes. We’ll see.
But for now, over the last few weeks, I’ve answered some fan and author questions and I will share them (names redacted to protect the innocent and questions altered to make them more communally useful).
Q. Why didn’t you release your novella JUNKYARD CATS in Kindle? I am mad at you for making a *promotional choice* that leaves me out.
A. The publishing world has changed just like film and TV have. Some shows come out on the big screen. Some shows come out in Hulu or Starz. Others on NBC, old school. This was NOT a promotional *choice*, it was a publisher / distributor choice. I sold this story to Audible. They bought ALL rights for 6 months, just like some films come out on the big screen and then later streaming somewhere. This is the reality of the publishing business. This is the world we live in. Some fans feel I am being *elitist* and that I *chose a promotional path* that excludes them. In 6 months the story will be out in kindle. If that is not good enough then I have lost a fan, and for that I am so very sorry.
Q. Will JUNKYARD CATS be out in paper soon? I can’t use kindle! I HATE YOU and you are UNFAIR TO YOUR FANS!
A. It will NOT be out in paper for the foreseeable future. Why? Because if I put a novella out in paper, it costs nearly the same to produce as a regular sized book. I will then have fans screaming, “Why is it so short! It cost me nearly the same as a full-sized book! I hate you! You cheated me!” If I can swing it (and that is a big IF for cost considerations) it may appear someday in paper. Or it may not.
So you see. I can’t win for losing. And I MUST protect myself from people who chose to attack, instead of choosing to accept the changing world we live in and read a book in any way I can afford to provide it.
Q. Why didn’t (Made Up Name) Con invite you to attend?
A. Most Cons have limited space and limited panel schedules. I am more often NOT invited to cons. It’s the nature of the business. I don’t get ticked off about it. And I hope my fans won’t.
Q. Why don’t you come to my town? I can’t afford to travel to see you.
A. My pub doesn’t send me on tour. It’s expensive. If a Con in your town invites me and pays my way and my hotel, there is a chance I’ll agree and come. There is also a chance I won’t go, for health/family/publisher-scheduling reasons. Because flying is VERY hard on my health issues.
I honestly don’t think people are entitled. Mostly, people not taking the time to think things through. People see writers who are sent on tours and who travel and then those fans want you to travel to them. It sounds easy because writers are rich, right? koffkoffkoff.
And lastly (and please forgive my bluntness here) my stories are for you, wherever you are. My bodily presence is not required to take you to my worlds.
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I hope this helps you understand some of the pressures we writers live under. And have a great day!
Faith