Disintegration: The Book and the Industry (Guest Blog by Scott Nicholson)

99 Replies

Scott Nicholson embarks on a Blog Tour today for his new novel, Disintegration. He’s also giving away a free Kindle DX to one lucky person. To be eligible for the Kindle DX, simply post a comment below with a valid email address. You can only be entered once per blog. Visit all the blogs on the tour and increase your odds. Scott is also giving away a Kindle 3 through the tour newsletter and a Pandora’s Box of free e-books to a follower of “hauntedcomputer” on Twitter. Complete details HERE.

Take it away, Scott.

Disintegration is a novel that never should have been published.

If the world had its way, and there was a merciful, caring God, the machineries of fate would have kept the novel in a bottom drawer. I wrote the crime thriller five or six years ago, as a way to vomit darkness from the belly of my soul while my life was bottoming out. It was so terrible (not as in “awful,” and after a couple million words I think I know the difference) that I couldn’t even write the ending, even though I knew what had to happen. I put those last pages off for a couple of years until, finally, having an unfinished book proved an even greater sin than doing what I had to do.

So I pounded that last nail in the coffin and that was that. I never sent it to my former agent, though I did try one publisher before realizing there was no way in hell I’d ever use a publisher again unless they were paying me six figures.

My life turned around, and,maybe it’s not coincidental, but the publishing industry I’d known had continued its plummet toward the bottom. Sure, it’s great for the top three or five percent, as it always has been, but the final chapter for most writers ends “died sick and penniless, without the rights to his own books and nothing in print.”

I really struggled with the idea of self-publishing about a year ago. I’d been indoctrinated at the feet of all those scolding writers who kept saying, “Only hacks and amateurs self-publish.” I’ve never minded being a hack but I do like making a little money for all the hard work. It was also getting increasingly hard to get a real deal, and the genteel, nurturing industry became a place where agents and publishers no longer even bothered responding at all. I know times are tough but plain old rudeness is unacceptable to me.

So after researching the Kindle phenomenon and hearing some success stories, I finally bit the bullet and published a couple of out-of-print titles at the start of the year. Sure, it was a slow go at first, but The Red Church made a surge and hit #1 in both the “Ghosts” and the “Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy” categories. Not bad for a book long since left for dead by New York. And my daughter was mightily impressed to see me on the bestseller list ahead of Stephen King and C.S. Lewis.

Sure, it didn’t last, but it was enough to inspire me to put out four original novels that I’d been sitting on for a couple of years, as well as some story collections. And The Red Church has hit #1 in “Ghosts” two other times, something that never happened under the old way of doing business. And I get paid every month, straight into my bank account, instead of maybe nine or fifteen months after the contract says I should have been paid. Assuming there’s any money to be paid.

I even got to revise my U.S. novels to release for the U.K. Kindle, and as soon as I get my rights back, they will be available in the U.S. and under my preferred titles, too. I don’t have any gripes with my former publisher, but I just can’t understand not having the books available for sale at all, in any format. It just seems like dumb business.

But this I have learned: publishers will always do what is best for them, not for you. And you as a writer should always do what is best for you, not for them. It hasn’t been easy, but at this point I feel more professional than most of the publishers out there. And readers get to decide whether I’m worth supporting.

To get back to Disintegration (on sale for 99 cents for a limited time only), I was reluctant to release it because it was so bleak. And I’d even marked a point in the manuscript at which I’d revise the last third of it, to make it more like all those other predictable books where everyone lives happily ever after. But my wife said, “Somebody might need that message.” And the early readers have been enthusiastic, so I am glad I was rescued from my desire to be liked.

Disintegration. I think all the pieces are back together now, but I have this little story to remind me of that era. What I can remember of it, anyway.

(P.S. Grave Conditions, the graphic novel anthology featuring Brian Keene, Jonathan Maberry, Stephen Susco, JA Konrath, William harms, and more, is available for direct order at Haunted Computer as trade paperback or PDF download, and can also be purchased at Amazon. It’s taken more than two years to compile and publish, and now I understand why so many publishers have breakdowns, get terminal diseases, develop addictions, and go bankrupt. But I think this collection is worth it.)

99 thoughts on “Disintegration: The Book and the Industry (Guest Blog by Scott Nicholson)”

  2. Rob T.

    “But this I have learned: publishers will always do what is best for them, not for you. And you as a writer should always do what is best for you, not for them.”

    ^^Truth^^^!!!!!!!

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  3. Horror Books

    Wow, sounds like a powerful story — one that I should read.

    My wife and I talk about the books we read and the stuff (very little stuff) we watch on TV or DVD.

    One thing that has always been a given between us is that I will venture, gleefully into dark and gritty tales — tales where the odds against are so overwhelming that a happy ending in almost inconceivable. She does not happily go there.

    I, on the other hand, rarely venture forth into light and frothy. Sometimes I will if the humor is good . . . really good . . . but mostly I shun it. Those are stories I only visit by proxie, when my wife tells me about them.

    No story is meant for everyone — although the worst stories try to be — and some stories — often very special stories — can only be meant for a very few.

    Disintegration will find an audience — maybe a very different audience than your other books — but they will love the book and thank you for writing it. I’m going to go pick up my copy and see if I’m one of them.

    Thanks for the chance to win,
    Greg “The Undead Rat” Fisher

    theundeadrat (@) gmail (.) com

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  12. chey

    “I just can’t understand not having the books available for sale at all, in any format.” Doesn’t make sense to me either. Is it just, this is the way it’s always been done, so this is the way we’ll do it?
    chey127 at hotmail dot com

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  15. Common Sense

    Congrat Scott! I was so excited to see Disintegration make it to the Top 100 last night!

    I downloaded it yesterday. I had been waiting for today but Kindle Nation Daily had your sponsorship early so I joined in, figuring that it was time for that push. I can’t wait to read it!

    lorraine_lanning[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  16. LaQuiet

    I think a friend of mine will be very interested in reading this.

    Count me in for a Kindle! :D

    LaQuiet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Cathy M

    You, as well as many other authors, have found yourself the perfect niche. Good going, Scott.

    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

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  25. Neil Clench

    Um, just to reiterate, when I say I’m ‘on a crime binge’ I mean reading crime novels, not committing criminal acts. Not much anyway.

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  26. ERICA

    I cannot comprehend why they would not have a book available for sales! It makes no sense what-so-ever. I’m glad that you decided to self-publish. Otherwise, I might not have been able to read your books.
    I absolutely LOVED the Red Church and I just bought Disintigration today!

    Congrats Scott! You are an amazing author. I will definitely follow your career as it progresses!

    Hugs,
    Erica

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  27. Jeff White

    I still know people, remarkably close to me, who don’t even see the benefits of a Kindle, much less the changes in the publishing world that benefit writer and reader alike! I agree with LaQuiet that there are many others who need to be reading this and would be altogether interested in what the publishing business is really all about. It is all pretty frustrating.

    Stephen Windwalker announced in the Kindle Nation Daily that you not only cracked the top 100 with Disintegration but also are currently #1 on the “Kindle Movers and Shakers list” as well!! Great news and about time! I wish I could buy extra copies for my friends who do have kindles and forward them to them… something I’d like Jeff Bezos to work on.

    Because of the changes in the publishing world, the need we have today is a phalanx of dedicated and knowledgeable readers and writers who can continue to point the madding crowd toward great works of fiction, thought, music, and (a very pregnant) ETC. This was once a hidden world that I have been increasingly discovering. My first emancipation came from owning a Kindle. Then I was more informed by Stephen Windwalker, (his “Complete User’s Guide to the Amazing Amazon Kindle” was my first purchase) and his advice and leadership in “all things Kindle.” It was he directed me toward Scott Nicholson and his very educational blog tour, and now all of you fellow tourists that I am reading about during the tour by your comments and visiting your sites (blogs) and basically enjoying your company, however virtual. Thank you.

    In the questionnaires about Kindle ownership and usage, Windwalker included some questions essentially about how much stock we put in the advice and information we are receiving from Amazon, Windwalker, and the like. I wholeheartedly trust these sources to be working for the greater good. I have come to think that everyone will benefit from this newly arising freedom!

    It is a great day!

    P.S. I had to highlight every other post on this page in order to read it? Is it the settings for my screen or is anyone else having trouble with it?

    P.P.S. I don’t feel too awful bad writing so much junk because you had the choice to skip my comment in the first place. I worry about being understandable and cogent, but not too much. It may end up being one of the dark ones anyway.

    Read you tomorrow, Scott, where ever you may be.

    Jeff White…. whitejw@ameritech.net

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  29. Scott Nicholson

    Thanks, everyone, as of this moment it’s #59 on the Kindle bestseller list, so that means DOUBLE your chances of winning a Kindle! Please spread the word because The red Church is also moving up and that of course could add another kindle giveaway.

    I love America–where dumb trailer-trash like me can bump Patterson off the bestseller list…with your help.

    Chey, publishing has always been a strange biz–it’s a different biz than the one I am in now, which is the Scott Nicholson biz. All I care about is my readers.

    Scott

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  31. MarieStar

    Nice. I will look into this. Congrats on making it on the kindle bestseller list too! Is it inappropriate to say suck it Patterson? I sometimes work at a bookstore and give people tips on good kindle books, I will let them know about you. :)

    forgetyourseatbelt (at) gmail dot com

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  33. Mystee

    I’ve been bouncing between thoughts of a publisher vs self publishing for months now. It’s really great to hear your take on it. I’ve just really worried about all the time I’d need to write another novel..and then the time to promote myself. But from what I’m seeing and hearing from many other authors…publishers snag your book and that’s about it. Not too much in promoting other than if someone happens to come along the web page of theirs that lists your book

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  34. Brenda Wallace

    What a wonderful thing to come home from work to find. I went to buy Disintegration and found it at Kindle #50! You might not feel any different, but I sure do :) varbonoff22 at cox dot net

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  35. Mimi Barbour

    Scott…you have my total admiration for the path you’ve taken to get published. It would freak out any writer to take on a self-publishing role ( anyone without a steel stake up their backside anyway) I wish you all the lcuk possible with your new book and with your future work.
    Mimi

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  36. Eryk

    Can’t believe you are already 2/3 through your tour Scott. it’s been a fun trip into your mind and in meeting all these bloggers.

    calseeor (at) gmail (dot) com

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  40. James

    #46 … for a novel that should never have been published, I think it’s proving itself very well. Onward and upward.

    jamesemr (at) gmail (dot) com

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  41. Teawench

    Another interesting post. I never thought of publishers being that way but I suppose in a way it makes sense. They need to make money, too. It certainly sucks for writers, though. Too bad there isn’t some sort of middle ground the publishers can come to with writers but that probably wouldn’t be as much fun for those publishers.
    teawench at gmail dot com

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  42. stacy h

    while im sorry for the way trad. publishing has gone/treated authors, i’m glad for the technology we have now that makes them almost obsolete!
    congrats on your top 100s!!
    hancoci_s at msn dot com

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  43. ducky_love

    I am so happy to read this. I know in my heart that my favorite writers will find a way to make eReaders work to their benefit. It is the most direct way to reach their fans and I will gladly overpay for an ebook to support an author I love.

    I can’t wait until eReader isn’t a dirty word. I will never forget how excited I was to ask Brian to sign my Nook but after all the drama and bad press I just couldn’t do it.

    Scott, I have never read your work. I pulled up your ebooks on B&N and I want to get them all but nothing is priced over $2.99 and I feel like a criminal! Is this just a promotion that will end soon?

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  51. Jesse

    I’ve already bought Disintergration. Will have to read it once I’m done with your other books!

    Glad to see you’re doing so well with writing as your passion. It’ll be very interesting to see how things turn out with the publishers in the next few years.

    -Jesse
    conrad.jd (at) gmail (dot) com

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  56. Gail in Florida

    I never realized how unfair the publishing industry could be toward writers, and I’m happy for all of you that are finding success self publishing. I’m happy for selfish reasons as well, that the middle man (the publisher) is no longer necessary and we loyal readers may have a direct link to the writer instead.
    Gail in Florida
    cowgirl3000 AT gmail DOT com

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  59. Scott Nicholson

    Thanks everyone–I’m covering elections tonight for the paper so I don’t have a chance to respond but I’ve read them all. Yes, it’s a great era. And we all need to help and take care of one another according to our talents and abilities. That’s why I run indiebooksblog, to help newer writers have a platform, and why I gravitate toward generous writers like Brian Keene, Jonathan Maberry, JA Konrath, Willie Meikle, and others–it seems like the busiest people are the ones who always have a few minutes to help someone else out. That’s a wonderful ethic to live by.

    Look for AS I DIE LYING releasing Saturday. It’s going to be another 99-cent bestseller.

    Scott

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  61. heatwave16

    I definitely want to check out the graphic novels as well. This is something new that I’m starting to add to my reading list.

    heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

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  62. Joe Nazzaro

    Scott, it’s really nice to hear an all-too-rare story of somebody who not only beats the system but uses it to their own advantage. As you say, the major publishers are motivated by decisions that benefit them not necessarily the writer. It’s time that more writers start realizing that and begin making decisions that benefit themselves. I hope your example will act as a catalyst for others to do the same.

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  64. Monster A Go-Go

    I’ve read all of your books so far and have no intention of stopping. I’ll get to this new one eventually (when it’s in paperback–hint! Hint!). Rushed today as my vacation has backlogged me at work. But don’t worry. When you die, I’ll give you a couple of pennies so you don’t die “penniless”. That’s my two-cents worth for today!

    CHEERS!

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  66. Sharon S.

    “vomit darkness from the belly of my soul ”

    I like that. I think I will use it next time my teenager starts whining .

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  67. Scott Nicholson

    @Candy thanks for your support! I hope you’ll write a review, even if you hate it!

    @Joe I don’t know what’s best for other writers but this feels best for me right now

    @heatwave I was really pleased to put Grave Conditions together and will blog about it later in the tour

    Scott

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  70. Mike E.

    It’s really sad to see how publishing has devolved, but good to see that quality and great stories are flourishing thanks to authors like you self-publishing books we otherwise might have never gotten a chance to read.

    That given, if a writer is just starting out, has a completed manuscript in hand, polished and ready to go, would you recommend the self-publishing route, or suggest he try the traditional route first? I have a feeling I know what your answer will be, but just curious. I’ve heard from authors who praise the e-pub industry and the ease in which it allows them to put up their out-of-print books, but still recommend new writers try to break into the business that traditional way.

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  72. Tom Rothenberger

    After reading this I need to get my head out of my you know what and help insure you that you succeed at self publishing by adding some of your titles to my list. Sadly, I appear to be in the minority in owning any of your titles…yet :)

    From record companies to book publishers, it’s a shame that companies don’t treasure the wealth of talent they have. If I owned a company and had stellar staff working for me I’d kill to keep them on staff, not shaft them at every turn.

    hellboy08 at hotmail.com

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  76. Inanna

    I swear, the graphic novel must be a leftover comic-book thing… I never did do comic books. My husband did and loves graphic novels, but I just can’t get into them. *sigh*

    inannajourney at gmail dot com

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  79. Patrick

    Scott
    I downloaded Disintegration and absolutely loved it! I would like to offer this compliment. My wife and I share a Kindle account and she will download books to her computer when she is bored at work. She is always giving me a hard time because I download horror and thrillers exclusively and she would NEVER read anything like that. Well she got home from work and said that she decided to give Disintegration a shot and couldn’t stop reading. Now she is actually revisiting some of the older titles I’ve downloaded.
    Keep up the great work!
    -Pat

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  82. Kristie

    I guess I never thouught much about the publishing industry. Thanks for the food for thought. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com

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  84. Scott Nicholson

    Thanks for your support, everyone, I hope you all learn from my foibles. I think this was the stop where I broke Top 100 and I’m trying for another just to see show it can be done in this era.

    Please tweet facebook goodreads myspace overblow:
    Worst novel ever, 117 rejections, why not help make it a bestseller just for fun? http://amzn.to/9VIkOS #indie #kindle #books PlzRT

    Thanks!

    Scott

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  88. EmilyK

    Bought Disintegration and read it… absolutely loved it!! I will let hubby write the review, since he’s a much better writer than I am… Keep up the great work!

    emilyking630 at yahoo dot com

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  90. Jessica B.

    I thought that I commented on this blog before because I remember talking about ‘vomit darkness from the belly of my soul while my life was bottoming out.’ and how I could actually see it in my mind. eww. but for some reason I can’t find it so I’m writing it again.

    jessangil at gmail dot com

    -Jessisca

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  97. Deidre

    I’m definitely going to have to check out Grave Conditions. I do so lurve graphic novels, particularly horror or paranormal.

    Deidre
    deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

    Reply ↓

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