Well, it’s coming up on mid-January and in honor of Friday the Thirteenth, this is probably a good time to tell you what’s happening.
In a nutshell, nothing.
The edits for Double Share are still with the publisher. I haven’t heard from her for over two weeks so I’m operating in the dark. I know you want me to say, “That’s it, I’m going it alone.” I’m not going to. At least not yet.
Last year was a year of huge transitions — for me, for Ridan, for the industry. I’m still willing to give Ridan a chance to get their act together because, quite frankly, I like what they do. The results we’ve achieved so far would not have been possible without their help and it seems a bit short-sighted of me to yank the rug out at this point.
I am taking steps to get more of my work out on my own. I published Ravenwood last October and the sequel is almost done. I’ll publish it as soon as it’s ready. I’ve already got the cover art and only need to finish writing the story and get it through some editing before publishing it in print, ebook, and podcast. South Coast and its sequel, Cape Grace, will probably be self-pubs as well. I’m holding them for the moment – first because the sequel isn’t written yet, and second because I want to see if Ridan can get things together.
What will happen in the future? I don’t know. I do have remedies. My contract with Ridan allows me to send a letter and get all my rights back with 30 days’ notice. I’d have to re-do the covers and re-issue them in my own name, but it’s possible to do. I know how it’s done. It’s not a *long* process, but it’s time that takes away from this year’s goals. When will enough be enough? I don’t know. Sorry. I can’t predict that kind of stuff reliably.
I can’t remember if I wrote about this here or not and I’m too lazy to go look but the goals for 2012 are:
1. Six new novel length works – a new Ishmael Wang trilogy, two more books in the Tanyth Fairport universe, and Cape Grace.
2. Podcast all my work and do a couple extra books besides.
3. Get some writing classes behind me to know better which rules I’m breaking and to learn some new ones to flout.
4. BaltiCon, WorldCon, MileHiCon, and COSine.
5. A novella in Scott Sigler’s GFL universe. A novella in Tee and Pip’s Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences universe. At least one more novella from Odin’s Outpost.
It’ll be a full year … and that’s besides getting the last three share books out in print and ebook formats.
Wish me luck. I’m going in.
Nathon. It sounds like you need a business manager. Not volunteering, just saying. The fact that you haven’t heard from “her” in 2 weeks is just not acceptable. I feel for you man.
Dan
PS. Read Ravenwood even though I do not like that magic stuff. Hooked now.
Your list is ambitious, fabulous, and more than I can fathom. I am cheering you on wholeheartedly. I love your work. It has taken me through some dark times, and continues to provide comfort in the good times. I appreciate your patience with Ridan. Our world is too impatient. It sounds as if you have established a positive relationship, so I trust Ridan would let you know if opting to take the 30 day “out” was in your best interest. Thanks for sharing. I will wait patiently for the TF sequel.
Two thumbs up!
Glad to hear you have everything under control. I will still wait patiently for new content. I’m definately looking forward to the new Ishmael trilogy and Cape Grace.
Hopefully Ridan will at least give you a status report sometime soon. Even if its just a “we have too many things in the hopper right now.” Its like in my industry, if we don’t hear from the architect for 2 weeks we start to get worried that a deadline might pop up out of nowhere (which it has).
Keep up the great work Captain!
I think you could find another, more responsible publisher to take you on with your excellent sales record. While breaking the series with Ridan would be hard to do I do think there’s other publishers out there who would love to take you on – and maybe do even better than Ridan.
There’s no excuse for a lack of communication in today’s connected world. I’d even go so far to say that you made your own success and Ridan hopped on your coat tails.
Keep writing, keep working and I’ll keep you in my prayers. 2012 is going to be a great year for you, I can just feel it.
And get back on that treadmill!
Good luck with the publishing efforts, what ever course they take. I’m looking forward to reading and hearing the fruits of your labor. :D I just finished listening to Ravenwood while on the treadmill or in my car or *just one more episode* before I went to bed. Thank you for being such a wonderful storyteller.
If Ridan agreed to publish your work when others would not, I totally understand your sticking with them.
=
The Ridan situation is tough – they clearly hit a home run when they picked up Haldeman And I can understand their need to slow other things down to make room for something like that. But at the same time, they keep posting about signing new authors when it’s clear they have a problem keeps g up with the ones they have.
Especially with ebooks, it seems like fast turnarounds for sequels are critical to maintaining momentum in the market, and right now they’re working against you inn that regards.
Your loyalty to them is respectable, but the success of the share books is also part of what has helped raise their profile – it is a two way street and at the moment it really feels like they aren’t holding up their side of the deal.
@delbert: the problem is, Ridan is not publishing his work. They haven’t even updated their web site or published other authors as announced (A.C. CrispIn was supposed to have multiple StarBridge novels released by Christmas). Robin has a history of backdating the web site, so lack of activity there is nothing new. But to cause multiple authors to miss the holiday sales season is beyond the pale. In many ways it seems Ridan has become even more of a black hole since the Orbitz deal – not even making blog posts.
Most of us just want them to keep their word and ensure that Nathan actually gets his books released so he has the income to write even more.
Hi Nathan,
I total understand your loyalty to Ridan but, business is business… if they are not fulfilling their promise to publish, or even communicating with you behind the scenes, you need to look out for your own interest. Maybe pull your 30-day card, and see if it kicks them in the ass to move forward…
You seem to have a loyal fan base, and good sales when they are published.. I, for one, am looking forward to giving you my money for the next ishmael trilogy..
Perhaps, you could try something new.. put a list of books up you are planning to write (like you did), then ask your loyal readers to pre-buy the books to help you keep going… whichever book gets the most buys, gets written first… I already have my finger on the buy-now button… I’d pay a premium to hear the next story sooner than later.
Phil.
Unfortunatley you will always take the backseat so to speak with Ridan they are focusing on Michael’s Percepliquis which goes on sale today at amazon it might be a good idea to look for an artist an a new editor I’m sure the Dark Overlord Knows a few
Looks like a fun filled year ahead. I can see your reasons for sticking with Ridan. With luck it’ll start working out sooner or later. I, for one, will happily wait for the share books in print whether they come out this year or in 10 years :D
p.s: please please please don’t make me wait ten years!! :D
As a business man myself (management consultant), I can understand the desire to stay with the companies that do good work for you. That being said, I consider keeping time commitments and being in communication when problems arise as critical for doing great work. It sounds like Ridian is falling short in those two key areas.
As a writer with big ambitions who is definitely on the rise, it’s critical that you have people around you who are going to manage your business and reputation well. While I don’t know your’s or Ridan’s situation completely, after watching you flounder over the last 3 months unclear when people who are working for your business will deliver for you, I decided to post a comment.
If you haven’t let Ridan know their performance is unacceptable, it might be time. If Ridan isn’t very clear about your dissatisfaction, they will continue to apply the grease to the squeekiest wheel.
If you haven’t explored other publishing options, it might be time. You don’t have to pull the plug on Ridan until you’ve found another company you think you can trust.
It’s admirable to stick with people who have helped you when they are having trouble. It can also be very costly to do so at a critical time in the building of your own business.
Your work is extraordinary in my opinion. It’s not even in the genre I ususally read, but after reading several rave reviews, I decided to try Quarter Share. I’m amazed at how you make everyday life so interesting. I have since devoured everything I can find that you have e-published. I keep checking to see when the next stories will come out on your website and thus discovered your problem.
I hope to be reading the stories you’ve outlined in your goals soon. Don’t wait too long to get new commitments from Ridan. If they don’t keep those commitment, well, that will pretty much define what your future with them will look like.
Your a great writer, but remember, your writing is the prduct in your business. Make sure you’ve got great people and great companies around you to make sure you can keep putting out a great product.
Well, just out of curiosity, I checked the Ridan website. You’ll all be happy to hear that Ridan is still working to get Double Share out by Xmas 2011.
http://ridanpublishing.com/other_share.html
Good luck Captain, looking forward to hearing the new stories.
If you do move from Ridan, could you go with Scott Sigler’s Dark Overlord Media? The GFL hardback books are amazing. I have Quarter Share in Hardback and can’t wait to get the rest in Hardback.
Cap’N, Thanks for all you do. I love that you are supporting and giving faith to Ridan. I wish you all the best that they finish out the series. I’m still waiting to click “buy” on my hard cover copies and will until you (and please don’t!) tell me it’s not an option. Keep tackling each and every day and you let us know what you need from us to make your job/mission possible. Keep flyin’.
Nathan,
Sorry to hear about your frustrations with Ridan. I am not sure you are aware, but she did post it on her self publishing blog, but Robin’s Father died near the new year. I completely understand it not being your problem what happens in the publishers life, but I thought some info for context as to why she may not be on the ball. Just a heads up if you were not aware. I would really like to see the share series continue with the great artwork and formatting, but you will decide whats best for your series.
Thanks for the great writing and adventures,
Thaddeus
Been a long time….. Can’t wait for the next chapter in Ishmael’s life. Thanks Nathan. I hope everything works out.
I’m normally not very patient, but I’m willing to wait to get to the last 3 share novels. I don’t know much about the publishing process, but frankly, I’m not sure what’s taking so long. As I understand, you already have the entire novel, you’re just spellchecking it. I’d be glad to have somebody explain what’s wrong with that idea. Keep up the great work though!
As much as I would love to hear you dumped Ridan and are going at it on your own, if they get their act in gear, we would probably see the books sooner. All the best, Captain!
Nathan, my spouse and I are waiting with bated breath for the rest of the share novels to be released in book form. While we understand the complexity of issues involved with your publisher woes, as readers all we can do is wait and hope they will be resolved soon.
Pat, my wife, is willing to go with the Ravenwood sequel – she bought the two Sovereign era anthologies just to get another little taste of Nathan Lowell writing. Me, I’m holding out for the astonishing Mr. Wang and his stellar career.
We know you won’t let us down.
Hope the Ridan guys get back to you soon and that you can get some more ebooks out, Nathan! Have fun at the cons. I’m hoping to start going to some of those. :)
SOunds very ambitious, I am looking forward to it!
I am concerned by this, “3. Get some writing classes behind me to know better which rules I’m breaking and to learn some new ones to flout.”
As Paul F says: “Your work is extraordinary in my opinion.”
If you change your writing style to be more “industry standard”, I believe you may become “just another writer”. Something we have no shortage of, unlike unique writers. That would be a sad day.
I think you should tell your stories your way. From the ones so far, that works well.
=
Sadly publishers seem to be getting lazier and lazier with smaller advances and almost no marketing. It’s hard to see the value most publishers provide past the editing they do, and in this case it seems that Ridan isn’t even doing those very well.
With Amazon, the Kindle and other eBook platforms being so popular and publishers doing so little these days it seems like self-publishing has surpassed mere vanity and has become the only way savvy authors can make any real money.
What the world needs is a fee-for-service based publisher that allows you to buy editing, covers, printing, marketing, PR services, etc on an as-needed, per-service basis.
Nathan,
Don’t take classes.. you have wonderful -easy breezy-style, that is fast and fun for the reader.
Give Ridan a final wriiten deadline and then forget about them They will either produce or they won’t.
Write like the devil, but remember that family, friends, pets and gardens need tending too.
I write a lot and have a kitchen timer on my desk. I get up and walk the dog for 6 minutes every hour. It took a week to get used to the new routine, but It really helps in getting O2 to the brain.
You have a wonderful talent…good luck!
Ursa
I think it is time to draw a line in the sand. You have been more then patient with your publisher. Give them a reasonable deadline and insist on regular updates. They are a business and they need to start acting like one.
If they cannot deliver what they promise, it is time to find someone who can or to do it on your own.
Well. February. Â No updates, no news, no stories, no… Anything.Â
The Ridan site hasn’t been updated since 12/6. Â Robin last posted a blog on 1/9 (ironically enough on how great ePublishing is). Â And none of the books promised before Christmas have been seen. Â Yours or anyone else’s. Â (Except Percepliquis, for which Orbit gets the credit.)
Sorry, Nathan. But at this point I’m done. As long as Ridan is the publisher they (and, sadly, you) will not get a dime from me. Â I recognize that Robin Sullivan lost her father – but that was some time ago and a professional would at least have said something so people would understand why things were delayed. Â (Again.) At this point she hasn’t kept a single self announced deadline or agreement with her authors in over two years.
I refuse to support liars and confidence artists. Â
I fully expect that you will delete this post – it’s not the kind of text you will want on your site, and it IS your site. Â But as the author and businessman you need to know why you are losing market share and income. Â There are many other writers out there, often self published, who are competing for our disposable income – and producing. Lindsay Buroker and her Emperors Edge series, for example. Or Pip and Tee and their Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. Â Both crank out quality novels and shorts regularly.
Best of luck. Â I’ll check in from time to time in the hopes that you’ve come to your senses and dumped Ridan. Â Or to pick up works you publish elsewhere. Â You are an excellent author, with a great and unique talent for telling stories. Â It is a pity it isn’t being supported.
Actually, Sean, I’m not in the habit of deleting honest criticism and I’m a bit stung to learn you think I would.
As for no news, you’ve been following me long enough to know that I post when I have something to say. Nothing’s changed since the last post. There’s no news to impart.
I do object to being labeled “liar” and “confidence artist.” As far as I know, I’ve never lied, nor conned anybody. It’s your opinion to hold, so who am I to gainsay it.
I’m sorry you’ve lost faith, but I certainly understand your feelings.
Imagine mine.
Safe Voyage, Sean.
Nathan – I was not calling you that. You have been open and honest, often surprisingly so. I am, instead, opting not to provide funds for Ridan – and before making that decision spent considerably time looking into their corporate background, general reputation, etc, in the hope that I was missing something. When you finally find another publishing house I will be delighted to buy your books. Or, even more so, if you self publish – where I will know that the money is going where it belongs.
Good luck.
Wow, I wish I had created something that evoked such strong emotions in others. It is indeed encouraging to see such responses be they negative or positive about your superb work, and definitely something you should be proud of.
Here’s to hoping for more good news soon!
Seeing this post I was just thinking what a tough situation it is to be in. You like Ridan publishing and want to give it a chance, but how long should you wait? I don’t know.
I’m in no great hurry, but the point about others competing with you is true, if you don’t have new books to sell than I can’t give you my money.
I hope it gets sorted out soon for you sake and that of Ridan.
Captain, to me one of the biggest concerns is that Ridan has not updated their website news since December, and has not updated the information on your books since before then. They still show info that Double Share would be out for the Holidays. As little time, and effort, as it takes just to make a website update, it seems like they are just doing nothing.
I mean it just takes minutes to correct such things.
Yeah. And my site is probably just as bad in places.
I try to rationalize it as “It’s more important to be writing.”
I know they feel that it’s more important to work on getting the books produced than fixing the website.
There’s gotta be a happy medium there somewhere. I’ll talk to her about getting a web-intern or something :)
I suspect Nathan isn’t telling all he knows in respect for my personal situation…and I appreciate that. Here’s the nitty-gritty. Editing is 100% on me, Robin Sullivan who wants to make sure it is “right”. After Thanksgiving my father’s health, which had not been good for years started to go deteriorate. After some interventions we thought he was on the mend but it meant that I spent a lot of time in setting up home health care and talking with doctors about various treatment options. I litterally did NOTHING business related for several weeks during this time and finally got a ‘break’ at Christmas. It looked as if we dodged a bullet…I started editing again on December 26th and on the 27th Dad died.
So a large part of January has been spent with making final arrangements and traveling to California to donate his clothing, transfering his car to a friend who was helping out, and cleaning out his living space and making arrangemnts for someone to take it over.
Long story short…I’m now back on editing. I had every intention of getting the book out by Christmas but my father’s illness and death but a full stop on EVERYTHING. This is probaby more than you want to know, and not said to illicit sympathy…just an explanation of why we are where we are.
Thanks for the update Robin. My condolences to you on your father passing away.
Condolences. I can wait.
Robin, thanks so much for your explanation. It matters that you did this. Condolences on your loss.
I am one who checks in every day at this site to see if Nathan’s next book can be purchased yet. Will continue to do so.
Sorry to hear it – I remember the hell I had when my parents died within a couple of years of each other, and had *NEVER* gotten their paperwork sorted. I can really sympathize.
I was beginning to lose patience thinking I’d probably just let this one go and focus on other authors I admire (few as much as Nathan.)
I’m really glad to know the reason, however my heart breaks that it is THIS reason. I lost my father in September, Robin, so I can totally understand what you have been going through. My prayers, positive energy, and thoughts go out to you at this time.
eric
Might be a good idea to expand Ridan’s staff so that when something like this happens it’s not such a mustercluck for all involved.
If Ridan wants to keep playing with the other small publishers it’s got to be able to withstand disasters like this. Get more freelancers and delegate so that you make money for your authors and don’t lose fans.
Readers don’t care about family emergencies. They want their books and when you blow deadlines over and over again they’ll just go elsewhere.
I lost my father in February of last year, so Robin, I understand. But at the same time life moves on, and you have to plan for such things. I had to continue with my life, and business, and had to made sure the family business continued while I handled family concearns. And that is in a tight knit family business. But had I been just an employee of a business, not owned by the family, I would have expected that business to have contingency plans in place to handle the loss of an editor, agent, or etc. Someone who could step in. At the very least I would have expected updates on the website, and someone informing customers and etc. I feel for your loss, but at the same time there should have been someone to step in, in your absence.
This is why so many businesses fail – lack of contingency planning for emergencies.
Small publishers shouldn’t be making commitments if they can’t follow them through or don’t have the procedures in place to cope with unexpected occurrences. It’s not just the publisher who suffers, it’s the author and the readers too. Not to mention that it throws all the publicity and promotion into the abyss.
What I’m struggling with here is that SURELY there couldn’t be that much work to do on a book in the week or two before release? I mean, all that work should have been done MONTHS ago.
It seems that Ridan is working to very tight deadlines, and a company with only one editor is going to struggle.
Sadly, this is the knock on effect – writers like Nathan are finding that their work is being held back and their own careers disrupted. Readers are disapointed and annoyed.
What is particularly telling here is that while Robin Sullivan is struggling with work following her fathers death and all the paperwork and stresses that come with such a tragic occurance, she still managed to put her own husband’s book out on time in January.
It would seem that she is still capable of taking care of ONE writer at least…..
I feel for your loss Robin, but here’s an idea, hire more editors. You had such a good reputation. You were doing what so many other presses fail to do. You were selling lots of books and gtting noticed. Now, you’ve been sliding stedily for a while. My son was a fan of Todd Fonseca The Time Cavern, and those delays lasted, what? a whole year? longer? I won’t buy any of his other stuff because I can’t be bothered to explain to my son why it takes years and years between books. You’ve cost him at least one reader.
I’m am seriously on the fence about Nathan’s books for the same reason. I love his stuff (Nathan you are a real talent) but when I hear that the book is written and it’s just not geting pubilshed because the pubilsher can’t be bothered to hire an editor when they’re too emotional to focus on work I’d just assume not get invested in a series becuase it’s probably not going to happen anyway. Life is a series of events, many of them bad. You might get back on the horse after this one, but tomorrow something else might happen and then what? another delay?
I am so dissapointed for you, Nathan. You have so much talent. You deserve better.
So we have the excuse, but we still don’t have the answer. When is the book coming out?
When I know, Charles, I’ll post it.
Right now, I don’t know.
So, and I hate to ask in such a public way, what are you going to do Nathan?
Are you going to stick with Ridan or look elsewhere?
I think I’ve said already, C.
The Share books will stay with Ridan, at least for now. I’m still convinced we can do more together than I can do on my own there. We’re halfway through the series and interrupting it now seems short sighted.
I’m also writing more books that I’ll be self publishing.
I will not be seeking another publisher. If somebody contacts me, that’s something I’ll have to consider. At the moment, the works are worth much more to me in terms of net present value than a publisher can afford to pay me for them.
There are a lot of *other* kinds of deals in play–foreign rights, tv and movies. All those are possible.
But I think the thrust of your query is “will I replace Ridan with another publisher?” The answer is no. If it comes to the point where I lose faith with Ridan — or if Ridan decides that I’m not worth the hassle — I’ll be self-publishing.
This reminds me of the wait for Quarter Share to come out. Amazon listed a certain date, and when that date came and went I wondered what happened. Things happen in small press, folks, and I’m good with hearing that the books will be out when they come out…and I’m sure Nate and Robin will be the first to let us know when Double Share is on it’s way to being available for sale.
The best thing is…we know it’s worth the wait. :)
HI Nathan,
Do you plan on releasing the new shares on Podiobooks? That’s actually how i discovered the series and would love to continue listening to them.