Comments on: For the Holidays: Pirates of the Caribbean’s Keep to the Code and Fast Ships, Black Sails Join Forces http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/ Jeff VanderMeer Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:37:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ann VanderMeer http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17572 Ann VanderMeer Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:50:15 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17572 Good news, folks! Fast Ships, Black Sails should be available in most Borders and Barnes & Nobles stores. And I understand that it is selling steadily and well. May I remind you what a great holiday gift this would make???? Good news, folks! Fast Ships, Black Sails should be available in most Borders and Barnes & Nobles stores. And I understand that it is selling steadily and well. May I remind you what a great holiday gift this would make????

]]> By: Jeff VanderMeer http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17538 Jeff VanderMeer Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:07:38 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17538 Brendan: I think it all depends on the print run, the advance, etc. The total cost to the publisher and the total return. Where it sells, too. If a book sells well through the indies but not through the chains, then that’s going to cause some problems. There’s also the variable of critical acclaim. Which can help lessen the blow of lower sales in some publishers’ eyes. Although probably not over time. Anthos are risky anyway, so you have more leeway with them. And unless editors have four or five in a row that totally tank, most new projects will be judged mostly on the commercial viability of the idea and the list of contributors. From the publisher’s point of view, if the book earns out the advance, then it will have done pretty well. And other factors come into play. Selling the Italian rights has lowered Night Shade’s risk. I have been told that if a Bantam Spectra tradepaper edition sells over 8,000 they’re generally happy. Or at least not wanting to go after you with a shotgun. Glen: I can’t speak for any publishers, but selling 3,000 copies of a single author collection from any indie is often considered good. Unless you’re already a best-selling author with your novels. Elastic Press, and I’m guessing so they’ll probably correct me, would be happy to sell a thousand copies. NS I’m thinking wouldn’t be happy at all with that. Again, you’d have to ask them, though. This is all just off the top of my head, and one thing I’ve learned is that despite the fact that this *should* be a cut-and-dried factual type of thing, it isn’t. There are too many variables as to what will be considered “success”. Brendan: I think it all depends on the print run, the advance, etc. The total cost to the publisher and the total return. Where it sells, too. If a book sells well through the indies but not through the chains, then that’s going to cause some problems. There’s also the variable of critical acclaim. Which can help lessen the blow of lower sales in some publishers’ eyes. Although probably not over time.

Anthos are risky anyway, so you have more leeway with them. And unless editors have four or five in a row that totally tank, most new projects will be judged mostly on the commercial viability of the idea and the list of contributors.

From the publisher’s point of view, if the book earns out the advance, then it will have done pretty well. And other factors come into play. Selling the Italian rights has lowered Night Shade’s risk.

I have been told that if a Bantam Spectra tradepaper edition sells over 8,000 they’re generally happy. Or at least not wanting to go after you with a shotgun.

Glen: I can’t speak for any publishers, but selling 3,000 copies of a single author collection from any indie is often considered good. Unless you’re already a best-selling author with your novels. Elastic Press, and I’m guessing so they’ll probably correct me, would be happy to sell a thousand copies. NS I’m thinking wouldn’t be happy at all with that. Again, you’d have to ask them, though.

This is all just off the top of my head, and one thing I’ve learned is that despite the fact that this *should* be a cut-and-dried factual type of thing, it isn’t. There are too many variables as to what will be considered “success”.

]]> By: Larry http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17535 Larry Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:08:35 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17535 If I had to guess (being no author or publicist), I would imagine having at least a 75% sell-through rate at stores and/or going to a second printing would constitute "success" on a sliding scale. Depends on the print run then, I believe. If I had to guess (being no author or publicist), I would imagine having at least a 75% sell-through rate at stores and/or going to a second printing would constitute “success” on a sliding scale. Depends on the print run then, I believe.

]]> By: Andi http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17534 Andi Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:44:54 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17534 Greetings from Romania!! (I’ll link to this post...) All the best... Greetings from Romania!!
(I’ll link to this post…)

All the best…

]]> By: GlenH http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17533 GlenH Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:38:10 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17533 Adding to the curiosity, how many copies of a single author collection from a publisher like night shade books or elastic press constitutes doing well? Adding to the curiosity, how many copies of a single author collection from a publisher like night shade books or elastic press constitutes doing well?

]]> By: Brendan http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17532 Brendan Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:01:01 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17532 Just out of curiosity, how many copies does an anthology have to sell to be considered doing well? Or maybe that is an industry secret? Is it the same as a novel, or more, or less? Just out of curiosity, how many copies does an anthology have to sell to be considered doing well? Or maybe that is an industry secret? Is it the same as a novel, or more, or less?

]]> By: Larry http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17528 Larry Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:09:43 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17528 Yeah, I know, Jeff, but I couldn't resist teasing there. That being said, let's continue hoping for the best. Yeah, I know, Jeff, but I couldn’t resist teasing there. That being said, let’s continue hoping for the best.

]]> By: Bill Ectric http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17527 Bill Ectric Sat, 06 Dec 2008 23:48:12 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17527 Arrrghh, great video! Arrrghh, great video!

]]> By: Jeff VanderMeer http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17525 Jeff VanderMeer Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:55:39 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17525 Ha! I'm really NOT trying to hard-sell it. But the fact is, if it doesn't do well it will be harder to justify open reading periods for future anthologies and to keep slots open for new writers. That said, it's obviously doing well in terms of critical acclaim, and I fully expect to see more stories taken for year's bests, possibly even some awards consideration. Jeff Ha! I’m really NOT trying to hard-sell it. But the fact is, if it doesn’t do well it will be harder to justify open reading periods for future anthologies and to keep slots open for new writers. That said, it’s obviously doing well in terms of critical acclaim, and I fully expect to see more stories taken for year’s bests, possibly even some awards consideration.

Jeff

]]> By: Larry http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2008/12/06/for-the-holidays-pirates-of-the-caribbeans-keep-to-the-code-and-fast-ships-black-sails-join-forces/comment-page-1/#comment-17524 Larry Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:51:32 +0000 http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/?p=2680#comment-17524 You really know how to do the hard sell, don't ya? :P I have a copy of the anthology, but I'm going to wait until midterms are done next week before I read/review it. Thanks for reminding me that I did want that limited-edition of <i>Shriek</i>, so shortly I'll be placing my order. You really know how to do the hard sell, don’t ya? :P I have a copy of the anthology, but I’m going to wait until midterms are done next week before I read/review it. Thanks for reminding me that I did want that limited-edition of Shriek, so shortly I’ll be placing my order.

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