Topic: Third book in my trilogy has no North American publisher - what now?

[anonymous]

I'm in a bit of a weird situation here, and I don't know what to do. So I'm posting this in the hopes that I'm not alone and that my fellow authors might be able to offer some wisdom on where to go from here...

A few years ago I sold my first two books to one of the Big Six (and then to a publisher in the UK) in a two-book contract. Both stories had a clear arc and resolution, so no cliffhangers, but there was also a definite story arc that I hoped would play out into a third book, and the second book ended on a note which definitely suggested there was more to come.

The first two books really took off in the UK and it wasn't long before my publisher there was asking for Book 3, so I went ahead and wrote it. It was well and thoroughly edited by my UK editor and was published there earlier this year (where it performed as well as the others had done, if not better).

However, in the US, the first two books never really found their footing, and my Big Six publisher decided it wasn't worth their while to continue the series. My agent and I shared my Book 3 with a couple of other US publishers, but nobody wanted to take on a book which was so clearly the last book in a trilogy -- not when the first two were still with a different publisher.

So then we offered Canadian rights to my UK publisher, thinking that if they took it on then at least Book 3 would be available somewhere in North America. But despite their general enthusiasm for the series they decided against it, because they didn't know how they would go about marketing the book all on its own.

Meanwhile, I have readers in the US and Canada begging to know when the third book in the series will be coming out, and I have no answer for them. The best I can do is suggest they order the book from the UK, but I realize most people are not going to want to go to the trouble.

Has anyone else ended up in this situation with a trilogy or series? If so, what did you do with the "orphaned" book? How did it turn out?

[Kell]

I haven't been in this situation, but it seems like a perfect reason to self-publish. You'll have a fully edited manuscript and built-in readership... I imagine you'd have to restrict e-book sales in the UK and commission your own cover, but otherwise, this seems like a clear win...

[anonymous]

Yes, I've considered e-publishing it for North America only, but what about all the folks who don't have e-readers? I think e-publishing may work well for adults and perhaps even teens, but I'm not as sure about MG...

[olmue]

I hate when that happens, because it always seems to happen to the books I love.

If you really can't sell it to North American publishers, I suppose you could at least provide directions on how to order it from the UK? (thebookdepository.com doesn't charge for shipping, for example) But I guess that's not quite the same as having it come out here.

Hugs. That is stinky. And I hope you find a good solution.

[Laura Manivong]

Seems self pubbing it digitally is a grand idea in this situation. If MG kids want it, they will find an e-reader. They'll borrow their parents, borrow from the library, or likely they can download it on their phones. Their schools may even have them before too long.

And you can self-publish some print copies too if you find there's a demand. I think this could work out nicely for you. Fingers crossed.

[shana]

I'm sorry you're in this situation, anon! I agree with the suggestions of self-publishing if you can't find another publisher to pick it up. I'm kind of in this situation with the sequel to one of my books. I constantly get emails from readers asking for a sequel and have since the book first came out. So I'm finishing up the story now and self-publishing the ebook early next year. It's a risk in that I have a lot of middle school readers who found the first book through their school's book fair and I have no idea if they read ebooks. But like Laura said, if the readers want it they'll find a way to read it. Some of the schools in my area are now buying ereaders to have available on loan in the school library and loading up ebooks on them, and the public library is also doing the same.

Also, the suggestion of linking to the the book on The Book Depository is a good one too. That would make it easy for readers who want the print book now to find it.  

[Pam]

I want to just say this might be a great thing for you to self publish. I know I'm one of your fans (I think I know who you are, anyway,) and I'd buy it and tweet, blog, and try to help in any way I could. I think your Big Six publisher is crazy.

But this could work out way better. You'll earn more %. The only thing--you have an agent attached, so you'll have to check with them to see how they feel about it. I wouldn't give up.

I have thought about this and if it ever happened to me, I'd be self publishing in a heartbeat. Times are changing.

I see middle grade books on the top selling list on Kindle--Rick Riordan can be seen there. There is a kindle app and you can read from an iTouch. That's what my daughter does.

[Joni]

Welcome to the ranks of the Trilogy Finishers on Their Own club. I know several of us, and agents have been, so far, completely supportive. You totally can self publish, POD, on paper. (Paperback, but those sell better anyway.) It's easy to put it up as an ebook from there if you want to (and I guess I'll find out, but I agree that for MG paper will be more likely to sell, at least for a little while longer.)

Amazon's CreateSpace is about as no-brainer as it gets. Log in and snoop around; there's enough support - help, templates, step-by-steps - for a monkey to do it. (As long as the monkey can read and has Internet access.) There are also more and more bookstores and other facilities (check universities near you) with the Espresso POD machine that you could use as an alternative. (But there's a big advantage to being on Amazon - you can just email your fans with a link.) If you don't like those options, Lulu does a pretty decent job (but it won't be as easy.) You can buy a supply of your own to sell to folks directly.

Since they aren't interested themselves, you could talk to your UK publisher about using the same cover. Even if they wanted a minor fee, it'd probably be worth it.

Good luck!

[anonymous]

Wow, Joni, I think I love you. :D

Seriously, I had never heard of CreateSpace -- have you used it yourself, then? What have the results been so far, or are you still in the process? I'd love to hear more about how you and the other TFoTO writers (thanks for the handy description!) have handled the process.

And I don't know how willing my UK publisher will be to let me use their cover, but it never hurts to try. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Megan]

I haven't used CreateSpace myself, but one of the members of my in-person critique group is part of an independent press called Turtleduck (http://www.turtleduckpress.com/ ) and they've put up five books for sale so far using CreateSpace for the print versions (which are purchasable through Amazon). 

I'd be happy to put you in touch with her, and then if she's not the one who's handled that side of things she could refer you to the member(s) who have, to share their experiences. 

[Wonky]

Will the UK edition be available on Amazon?

[JulieM]

A few years ago I sold my first two books to one of the Big Six

I hope you will excuse a small aside from a flummoxed Aussie - who do you consider the "big six"? Thanks for helping me on my steep learning curve.

[Amanda Coppedge]

I hope you will excuse a small aside from a flummoxed Aussie - who do you consider the "big six"? Thanks for helping me on my steep learning curve.

http://www.fictionmatters.com/2010/03/05/who-are-%E2%80%9Cthe-big-six%E2%80%9D/

[C.K.]

Such terrific advice here. I really don't have much to add except that I hope you do decide to release your orphaned trilogy book! I'm considering doing this for an adult book I wrote that has a twenty year old main character. Most publishers seemed to think the character was too young to really be a book for adults but it's definitely not YA either. It's good to know there are options, these days, for books that could otherwise fall through the cracks. Please keep us posted.

[Joni]

What have the results been so far, or are you still in the process? I'd love to hear more about how you and the other TFoTO writers (thanks for the handy description!) have handled the process.

I am swamped-ish right now with day job and trying to get that book available, but I'll come back and post about the process (and what I know of some others'), hopefully within a few weeks, once I'm through it and the book has flown the coop.

[JulieM]

Thanks Amanda!

[Simon Haynes]

Just wanted to add my voice to the others. Definitely a candidate for self-publishing, and I'd also ask for the US rights back to the first two the minute they're out of print. That way you can publish all three yourself.

Normally I'd suggest looking at Lightning Source, but if you're only interested in North America then Createspace sounds like the better choice.

[LindaJoy]

 :hurrahGood luck.  I agree this is a great opportunity to find out the differences between publishers and e-pubs. Since your book has been edited and you have a following, you can't lose. If fact you may make more money.  Don't worry about kids not having ereaders. My 2& 4 year old g-sons can manipulate my iPhone for games and older kids are even more savvy. Parents often let them play on phones and teen are skilled at reading anything on their phones. So go for it!!!

[Simon Haynes]

I was also concerned whether middle-graders had access to e-readers, until someone pointed out that many of them have laptops. E.g. the kids at my local school are all given a laptop when they start there, and it stays with them throughout. Most use it for games, but many will install the Kindle software too.

[teri]

Great advice here.  If I ever get into that situation (which is highly possible) I will digitally self-pub and use Createspace for paper.  Wishing you luck!  Go for it!

[AnneB]

Oh dear, I bet I know who you are, too. Go for the self-pub route. Middle-school kids are getting iPads now! And see if your UK publisher will authorize the UK version to be sold in the US.

[Kell]

And many kids have smartphones -- you can read books on those too. For example, I just borrowed City of Sparks from my library -- lots of MG titles available there.