What’s an Author’s Obligation to His Publisher?
August 27th, 2010 | 
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I’ve said it before: an author website is a MUST. Even if your publisher has an author page for you on their website, it’s not enough. After all, a publisher’s goal is to sell your book. Your goal should be to sell yourself (and your book, too). Big difference.
With that in mind, I was asked a question recently that left me stumped. And I was hoping that a hearty conversation might help me figure it out.
An author asked me about his obligation to his publisher in terms of the website. For instance, should he use the publisher as the preferred vendor for selling his book through the website? Or is it okay to list all the sites where the book could be purchased (Amazon, B&N, etc…) and just include the publisher’s site in that list?
Is it okay to just include the name of the book publishing company on the one page of the site where the pub details are listed? Or should the company name and pub date be present wherever the book cover sits?
I must confess that I have never thought much about this. Nor have I heard about any publishers complaining about not enough prominence on an author’s website.
But it’s an interesting question. What’s common courtesy? What’s “the right thing to do”? Or does an author have no obligation at all to his publisher?
Share your thoughts!
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I think this is as much of a retailing question as it is a author/publisher question. My advice is to think of your readers. Where do THEY like to buy? Give them choices otherwise you look silly. It is a multi-channel world and sellers need to remember that.
But can you do something different; add more value if they buy from you or the publisher (I’m assuming author/pub prices are full price to protect retailers)? What about an autographed copy if they do?
To your other question I say include the publisher once, not under every instance of the book cover. That seems over the top.
Thanks for your post. Great questions.
Good points from you as well! The first priority should be the reader. Whatever they prefer. If they want to buy from Amazon, why not let them? And if you want to sweeten the pot for them regarding buying from the publisher (or the author himself) by offering a discounted price, autographed copy, etc… then it’s a win-win for everyone.