EBook, Traditional Publisher...Both Have a Place

Not long ago during a presentation for a local writing group I was asked why did I choose a traditional publisher for my latest book, "Hiking Through History Alabama" and not publish it myself as an eBook.

The easy answer is that I have a great working relationship with my main publisher, FalconGuides, and they asked me to.

Yes, releasing an eBook is more financially profitable - maybe - since you can keep all of the profits to yourself. That "maybe", of course, all depends on your marketing ability and skills. More often than not that is the cause of death for a book.

Me at the party for the release of
"Baseball in Mobile" at
Hank Aaron Stadium

I did release the first edition of my short story collection, "Living in a Banana Dream", as an eBook to test the waters, mainly to get a bit of feedback before I shipped it off to a traditional publisher: Was anyone interested in it? Was it worth my while to continue pursuing having the manuscript published?

Other than that I am quite happy with the traditional publishing route. Yes, the money isn't great but until I can have more time to devote to marketing it works for me.

The main thing about using a traditional publishing house for the outdoor recreation books is that you need an exceptional editor, one that has experience not only with editing text but one that can pluck out even the smallest differences between maps and text, possible historical inaccuracies, that sort of thing.

I have worked with a couple editors before and realized that a standard editor, while good for the copy is not good for the ancillary details that go into a recreational book. Eventually I may venture into that brave new world with my outdoor recreational manuscripts but right now, I am at a good place. Plus now that the "dating" is over we're into the "engagement" phase of our relationship and I am able to negotiate a little higher advance. Royalties will always be the issue until you really get a good resume behind you. I'm getting there.