Goodbye to Avalon Books, Hello Amazon
Well, in case you're late in hearing the news, my publisher Avalon Books (which pubbed Georgie on His Mind and Sunny Days for Sam) has been bought out by... Amazon. Eeep. (Read more here)
What does this mean for me?
Well... I'm not sure. :)
Right now there seems to be a "freeze" on my newest book, Sunny Days for Sam. So I have to wait and see what happens next.
But here are some things I DO know:
Will
my book(s) still exist in print?
Going forward, Avalon Books’ romance titles
will be published under our Montlake Romance list; they will continue to
acknowledge Avalon Books in the front of each book they publish.
Will
my books be available in other bookstores and libraries?
Their goal
is to make my books available at a wide range of libraries and retailers, and
they do business with the numerous wholesalers that support these channels.
What
are the plans for Avalon Books as eBooks?
They are in the process of digitizing Avalon Books with digital rights in the
contract. These books will be made available throughout the Kindle ecosystem which
includes all Kindle devices and via Kindle reading apps on iPad, iPhone,
Android devices, Mac, and PC later this year.
One positive thing to come out of this transition will be the availability of my books in digital format.
Yay! That was something I've been begging for since the uprise of ebooks a few years ago. Avalon's hardcover books are lovely, but priced at almost $24 a book, it cannot compete with the $2.99 and under ebooks so readily available to so many Kindle and Nook owners. So it will be nice to finally be a part of that market again.
But it does kind of sadden me to say goodbye to Avalon. I worked with some lovely and talented editors there, and the company itself was very good to me. One of the things that first attracted me to them was the wholesome, family-oriented stories they always put out for the library market.
Publishing changes are bound to happen and when they do, you have to roll with it and embrace the unknown. It's so funny to look back and where I started and where things are in now in just a short five years and see how many of my initial goals on publishing have changed.
I can't say publishing has ever been a boring ride. :-)
How about you? Have you heard about the whole Amazon buyout that went on?
If you're a writer, have your publishing goals changed? Did you ever think you'd be more concerned about the ebook market than print market (like me)? :-)
43 comments:
I'd read about this and wonder how it would change things for you and other Avalon authors. It's great to hear that you'll finally be available in the e-market. I'm hoping all the changes go smoothly and for the best.
Thanks, Connie. It's been a stressful time for sure. Hopefully, things will all work out in the end. :)
Oh wow, I didn't have a clue about the buy-out. You seem so put together and calm. I'd probably be a basket case!
But that is great news about your books going digital. I bet you'll see an increase in purchasing of your books. ;)
My publishing goals haven't really changed. Actually, I think more options have opened up for them. Hope the transition goes smoothly and works out well for you. :)
I'm glad you'll be able to go digital, but I don't like the freeze on your newest book. :(
Wow - that's such exciting news! Are these lovely editors whom you worked with ok - I mean, they've not lost their jobs or anything I hope! I hope they don't lose any editorial independence too!!!
Also, I hope you as an author of Avalon come out of this ok too - once they unfreeze your book! All the best! Take care
x
Hadn't heard about the buy-out either. You have a great attitude about it and I'm sure all will work out well.
This is the first I've heard of it. But, wow. I can't believe Avalon will be no more. I do like that I'll now be able to get your books in ebook though!! My fingers are crossed that everything turns out okay for you.
I hope it all works out well for you and the other hard-working authors. Never a dull moment, huh??? :O)
I'm also learning how quickly things change in the publishing industry. It's exciting to watch...and makes me a little nervous :) I think that as long as we stay flexible and focus on the most important part--writing great books--authors will be okay.
Publishing is a roller coaster, isn't it? Never a dull moment!
I think it's exciting that your books will be available in digital format now. Honestly, I love reading on my Kindle, and I know a whole lot of readers feel the same way.
I did read about it - when you tweeted it. It could be good for your sales with lower priced ebooks available. Of course, change is always bitter sweet!
I did hear about the Avalon buyout. And I can't wait to get your books on my Kindle! I do almost all my reading there. Gotta go with the flow or you drown.
Yes, so many changes & constantly learning to go with the flow. Love that you gave us the run down of what's up with your books & how it impacts you.
~ Wendy
I wonder if they'll stay true to Avalon's vision? I do have to say YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! to digital (though we've had this conversation before *G*).
Thanks for the information on what would be happening. Publishing seems such a complicated business. Authors struggle to get their books out there and then this happens.
Hopefully everything will turn out good for you and your new book.
Wow, this is interesting news. And big for you! It would be fun to get your books on Kindle, though :)
It's kind of scary about the buy-out, but I'm convinced it'll be a good thing for your career. That's a powerful publisher you have now.
I heard about the buy out and immediately thought of you and Holly Jacobs. It's hard to keep up with all the changes (really transformations) in publishing these days. I'm sure Amazon will do right by it's Avalon authors. E-publishing is definitely growing!Good luck!
I hope the buy out turns out to all be positive. That is a scary thing!
My thoughts on publishing has changed a little. A lot of my friends have gone to ebooks. Awesome!
I thought about you when I heard the news. I think having ebooks available has to be a good thing.
Interesting news Jennifer. Hope it all turns out well!
Riya
Ooo, I had not heard that! That is definitely big news. I have a feeling that this will open up more revenue for you in the digital arena!
The buy out is news to me, but one of my friends is going to have her YA novel published by Amazon later this year. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Right now I'm more concerned that my books would be available in print because most teens still only read this format. It's slowly changing, but if the books are available in this format, I've missed out on my true target population. The majority of my readers would be my non true target audience: adults who read YA.
Wow Jen! I had no idea about all of this. It sounds like it could open up doors. I just like the name Avalon much better. It's more...sophisticated or something. I just want it to work out for all the hard working authors like you.
I never thought I would have to think about the ebook market. *sigh* Little kids are reading their picture books on their ereaders. SHEESH!
My publishing goals have not changed, but the world has. So maybe my goals need to change. Ha.
This is news to me. Not sure how I would feel and it will be interesting to see what all changes--please keep us updated!
Change always has this strange mix of excitement and trepidation, dosn't it? I hadn't heard about the buy out, but it sounds like there will be some great advantages to it. Good luck!!
Huh. I'd heard about this, but not in detail. Thanks for the info!
I hadn't heard about Amazon buying out Avalon. Yay for them converting your books to ebooks! Hopefully, this change will turn out to be a great move for you. I'm always disappointed when I want to buy a book and find that it's not in digital form. We're on a very tight budget and I can't pay a lot for books. And the ebooks that are priced at $9.99 are overpriced and I won't pay that much. If it's a book I'm dying to read, I'll get it at the library! Good luck to you with the changes.
Hi Jennifer! I hadn't heard about the buyout. Wishing a smooth transition for all authors involved.
Yikes! I hadn't heard the news (June is crazy chaos for me!) - hopefully it all works out well :)
I did hear about this through another author. She is looking forward to hearing good things from Amazon about epublishing as well!
Fingers crossed that it all goes smooth!
Heather
I didn't know, but Amazon is about to publish my good bloggy friend, Sarah Fine so I'm on the side of "this is a good thing." :)
I didn't know anything about it. Wow, what a change. I hope it is all good. Keep us posted.
VERY interesting! I know we chatted about Avalon in the past, so this is actually a nice turn of events for you, yes? Here's hoping for increased sales and satisfaction w/your "new" publisher! :o) <3
The publishing world scares, and excites me. I'll admit my knowledge is limited. I hope this means good things for you!!! :)
I wish you luck during this change. Hope it works in your favor.
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I must have been napping under a rock. I hadn't heard that. I think it will mean nothing but good things for your sales.
Hi Jennifer! Wow, this is a big shift, right?
I think it's going to work out great. I think I'm finally succumbing to the new things... maybe I'll even get a cell phone... :)
The only downside to Amazon that I can see is that both print and digital books are only available online ... but that's encouraging to hear that they're trying to target libraries and retailers. Good for them! I hope the transition is a good experience for you, Jennifer!
This is a bummer for me sisnce I am a teen writer without an agent who was hoping to find a friendly publisher in Avalon. I had no idea until I saw an article about it on some news website. The Avalon website is clearly out-of-date... I just hope I can still get published elsewhere. :(
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