Why Different Publishers?

[Debbie Wallace]

What makes you go with more than one publisher? Is it that you don't want to put all your eggs in one basket? That was my initial reason. I'm published with Whiskey Creek Press and New Concepts Publishing. I love Whiskey Creek Press. And I love the fact our books with them are offered in print and ebook.

I've noticed almost every author out there is published with different publishers and now I'm curious to know why. What makes one better than the other? How do you choose which one you're going with when you're published with several different ones?

[Regan Taylor]

I'm with four publishers right now -- I had two really bad experiences with publishers closing and not paying my royalties and got pretty gun shy about being with just one publisher. So part of the reason I'm with Amira, Awe-struck, eXtasy and Champagne is I don't want to go through that with all my books again. I only had one with the two defunct publishers but I could have had more. The other reason is different publishers are known for different types of work -- my futuristic is a good fit at eXtasy -- it wouldn't have flown at for instance, Awe-struck.

[Debbie Wallace]

Well that makes sense. Sorry to hear you had trouble with some publishers. I had a bad experience with one, which is why I hardly promote the books I have with them. Once I get the rights back I hope to publish them elsewhere. I wish more epubs offered the books they publish in print.

[Lainey Bancroft]

Interesting question, Debbie, and one I've given much thought. Yep, I'm definitely not an 'eggs in one basket' type gal (to the point that I make myself a basket case lol)

I like Wild Rose for sweet and for the fact my longer works there go to print. (hey, ebooks are only just catching on in Canada, and likely won't be soon enough for my mom and old aunties) I went with Amira Press for novella length racier work because I liked that they had a 'select' stable of authors. My next racier works I contracted to Siren/Bookstrand because, hey, the Amira release will sell from the Bookstrand site anyhoo, so...why the extra step? Plus Bookstrand also goes to print.

And finally, I took a risk on a brand new division of an established Canadian publisher (Hades Publications) partly because I was invited and partly because I'm Canadian and proud of it, so I'm embracing the opportunity to promote Canadian talent!

See? Many baskets=basket case!

[Debbie Wallace]

Hey Lainey, I started out with two publishers for the same reasons, don't want all my eggs in one basket. The first publisher I went with because they had longevity and reputation, which at the time was great. Since then it's gone into the toilet so now I only have one publisher. The second publisher also had longevity and reputation, plus I was able to offer my work in print and ebook. I'm a little old fashioned but I like paper books, too. I'm happy with my second publisher but always looking for options:)

[Anastasia Rabiyah]

You said it. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Especially with the volatility of small presses these days. I have seen many e-pubs pop up and crash soon after since I was first published in August of 2007. Also, some publishers cater to a certain niche'. I write break off genres and genre blends, and sometimes I want to write something 'out there'. I have publishers who take what I pen, but not all of them would take all that I pen. I like diversity. I like to see which pub gains me the highest sales and exposure.

[Susan Macatee]

Currently, I'm only with one publisher, The Wild Rose Press, a small e and print publisher. I have one short story out, two contracted novels and just returned my fourth contract for another short story to be included in an antholgy. I also have a short story still under consideration.

But now, I'm writing the first draft of my first ever science fiction romance and have already decided when it's complete to shop it around to some of the mass market publishers. The reason? I think being with another publisher might broaden my fan base and hopefully, I'll be able to make more money. Also, with mass market, my print book would be available at more places. And since my TWRP stories all revolve around the American Civil War and this one doesn't, this seems like the perfect opportunity to try marketing something to a different publisher.

[Susan Macatee]

Currently, I'm with only one publisher, The Wild Rose Press, a small print and e-publisher. I have one short story out with them now, two novels under contract and I just sent back the contract on another short story that will be part of an anthology. I've also submitted a short story that I'm waiting to hear back on.

But now I'm writing the first draft of my first ever science fiction romance. When it's completed, I'm thinking of submitting to a few of the mass market publishers. The reason? I think being with more than one publisher would broaden my fan base and bring more money. And because my TWRP stories all revolve around the American Civil War, this seems like the perfect opportunity to try another publisher.

[Linda LaRoque]

Hi Debbie,
I too decided not to put all my eggs in one basket. I love the two publishers I'm with -- The Wild Rose Press and Champagne Books do not ask for a fee to go to print and are thorough in their editing. They've been around awhile, have good reputations, and put out good products. My first book came out with Wings and though pleased with them they do charge a one time set up fee for print.

I believe we owe some loyalty to our publishers but it helps that each have different interests and having more than one allows us to write a variety of story types.

Linda
Linda LaRoque ~ Western Romance with a Twist in Time.
A Law of Her Own, TWRP; Forever Faithful, Nov 1, 2008 Champagne Books; Desires of the Heart, March 4, 2009, My Heart Will Find Yours, May 1, 2009, Flames on the Sky coming soon from TWRP; Investment of the Heart coming May 1, 2009 from Champagne Books.
www.lindalaroque.com