Rachel and I got started in digital first publishing in September, 2011, with our first book Burning Bright, available in digital format from Samhain Publishing and out in paperback on August 7th, 2012.  Our second book, Emerald Fire, is out this week from Torquere Press in both digital and paper formats.  We chose the digital first avenue for a couple reasons.

First, the way that authors get paid makes more sense to us.  

Rather than getting a cash advance, we get paid either monthly or quarterly as soon as royalties start rolling in – in other words, from the first book that’s sold.  While this means our initial earnings are smaller than a $5 or $6,000 advance, they are steady and paid on a periodic cycle depending on the House (in our experience, either monthly or quarterly).  

Second, our royalty rates are significantly higher than traditional publishing – 35% to 40% for digital vs. 5% to 7% for traditional paper.  Even with a digital-first house the paper royalties will tend to be lower because of the hurdle costs involved in getting the product from production to the customer; however, with and ebook there’s a very low hurdle cost and no incremental costs.  This savings can be passed on to the author in the form of increased royalties.

Third, the business model of the digital-first author is different than a traditional one.  If one writes prolifically and quickly, one can find a home in digital-first publishing because books are usually (though not always) shorter, there are more novella-length manuscripts, and readers want and sometimes expect more frequency of releases than with traditional paper books.  If one can bring out four to six titles a year, one can make a good living in the digital-first space while one is building one’s audience.

Fourth, there is more space for first-time authors and for experimental stories from existing authors.  Since there is such a low hurdle cost for new entrants, the publishers can afford to take more risks with new or edgy material that they wouldn’t be able to take in the paper world, particularly since that world is dominated by the large retailers like Barnes and Noble and Walmart.  If a title can’t be sold at either of those places, and sold well, it’s much harder for a new author to get good sales in that venue.

Finally, digital-first publishing has some of the finest people in the business.  There is a prevalence, at least in our experience, of professionalism tempered with a team atmosphere that really works for us.  We have enjoyed our experiences so far and look forward to a long and fruitful career in this channel.

Author Extra, Emerald Fire:

Author Extra:

Emerald Keep Minah Tea Blend

2 parts hibiscus flowers
1 part rose hips
1 part lemongrass
1 part licorice root
1 part dried orange peel

Combine ingredients in an air-tight container and shake well to mix.

Preparation:

Boil four cups of water in a kettle. Meanwhile, using very hot water, warm
a teapot. Put a handful (about 1/2 cup) of herb mixture into a tea strainer
and place in teapot. If you don’t have a tea strainer, you can do one of
two things: pour the tea through a strainer first, or simply let the solid
matter float to the bottom and pour slowly so it doesn’t stir up the
sediment.

Prepare two tea cups in the same way as the tea pot. Set them on coasters
or saucers. Place a slice of lemon in each cup and, if desired, a small bit
of honey. When the water boils, pour over the herbs in the teapot. Allow
tea to steep until it becomes a rich, dark magenta, or about ten minutes.
Pour into the cups and enjoy.