10 Reasons for HubPages to Become a Book Publisher
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HubPages is a vast and ever-growing community of online writers. As of this writing, the site has over 1.2 million published hubs written by 227,491 active users. Many of these writers are book authors or aspiring book authors, covering a plethora of genres both in fiction and non-fiction. As demonstrated through their published writings, Hubbers possess mega tons of knowledge and writing talent.
HubPages is already an online publisher – an online article directory, to be more precise. The company has a published blog and podcast, as well as a few instructional videos. But as far as I know, it has never published a single book. I must wonder why. The more I think about this, the clearer it seems to me that HubPages should immediately take steps to become a book publisher. Here are my top 10 reasons:
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HubPages has the writing talent to publish a select few high quality book titles each year. Say, 5 titles in fiction and 5 titles in non-fiction. Any non-members can sign up in minutes to become eligible for consideration of their manuscript by HubPages' newly established Editorial Board;
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The vast amount of content published on HubPages produces an astronomical amount of page views and advertisement impressions. HubPages “owns” 40 percent or more of these page impressions, and can do with them as it pleases. Any book featured on HubPages advertisements, shown on hundreds of thousands of hubs, will get an enormous amount of “free” exposure. If the work is of good quality, the book and its author are virtually guaranteed to become a commercial and literary success;
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As the publisher, HubPages will stand to profit, not only from sale of books and eBooks, but also from associated rights that it might acquire. Once a HubPages Publishing Company title becomes a hit – and it will! – foreign rights, movie rights, audiobook rights etc.. may be commercially exploited for the benefit of both HubPages and the author;
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HubPages has among its ranks several professional book editors, who can help with line edits, content edits, and appraisals;
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HubPages also has among its members plenty of literary experts, including professional, semi-professional and skilled amateur book reviewers and critics. Hence, HubPages should find it easy to establish a well-functioning, capable Editorial Board in assisting with the screening process;
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HubPages' reputation as a serious writing platform will grow once it takes the steps to become a book publisher. What better ways to gain exposure, and added future membership, than to have books and eBooks with its imprint circulating all over the world?
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By becoming a book publisher, HubPages will strengthen its community of creative writers. All of the Hubbers who are working on fiction or non-fiction book manuscripts will have a rallying point, an added incentive for working hard on their manuscripts. Seeing fellow Hubbers getting published will give real motivation;
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Once the HubPages Publishing Company has published a few books, Hubbers will be able to support the publishing venture by writing book reviews and by linking to the future HubPages online bookstore. Possibly, such activities can be integrated with HubPages' existing affiliate program, giving Hubbers another revenue stream;
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Published works, which have been approved and edited by a reputable publisher, are standard-setting. Many Hubbers will have the opportunity to read some of the works published by HubPages – including any samples posted on the site and previews shown on the HubPages bookstore site. This will give all Hubbers an opportunity to learn what it takes to get published, and to improve their own writing as a result;
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As the world of eBooks has fallen upon us, it would be outright silly for HubPages not to take advantage of the opportunities for manufacturing and distributing quality books to a potentially vast audience. HubPages' eBook titles can be spread further through affiliate programs, for example by setting up a presence on Smashwords, and then let them send the titles further up the digital river to Amazon Kindle and other popular eBook sites.
I have read several interesting hubs where Hubbers have discussed various models for launching books successfully. I have made some attempts at contributing myself, notably with hubs about Novelty Fiction. But at the end of the day, I have concluded that no Hubber would be better equipped to become a successful book publisher than – duh! - HubPages itself!
Think about it, Team at HubPages! Will you at least do me the courtesy to think about it?
Some of my hubs on getting published
- Novelty Fiction: A Quick Tour
Novelty Fiction has a heart and soul. We like polished works of fiction and authors who understand what professionalism means. We prefer literary fiction and dramatic novels, but are open to considering most genres within fiction written for an... - Author Incentive Accounts by Novelty Fiction
Creative Writers can now set up a Novelty Fiction-sponsored author website, then promote their site by using social networking, author newsletters etc.. A new affiliate program for serious creative writers seeking income, mutual promotional support a - Free Author Websites by Novelty Fiction
OK, so you're a self-published author or an aspiring author. You have it pretty much worked out inside your head. Now go tell the world. Set up a free website or blog somewhere, then what? I see nothing wrong with that, but I've come up with what I.. - Novelty Fiction's Private Network
First impressions The first thing that greets you once you have registered as a member and been approved is usually a welcome gift with a few friendly words attached. The messages are never automated, so someone – oftentimes me – has actually... - Novelty Fiction: Visions and Opportunities
For some time, I pondered on the difference between vanity publishers and commercial publishers, as well as between publishers and self-publishers. Being a pragmatist, I really have no particular preference for one model over another. If a vanity... - Novelty Fiction Offers Free Editing
A well-edited manuscript is a big advantage for you, the author, no matter how you intend to make use of it: Selling your story or article, self-publishing it as a book, or making an e-book. There are far too many self-published books and e-books... - Newsletters: A Promotional Tool for Fiction Writers
Over the past two years, I have been experimenting with various newsletters for Novelty Fiction. While building a mailing list has neither been fast nor easy in my case, I have seen steady progress. I get new subscribers through feedback forms, and..
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Thanks, Nemanja Boskov, I am glad that you agree. I really think they should consider this. The obstacles do not seem insurmountable, and the risks should be manageable. Let's see what further happens. I appreciate your feedback!
I am going to have to disagree there are better venues out there for free book publishing in which you do not have to shae revenue
I am most definitely not suggesting that HubPages should become a self-publishing or vanity publishing company. What I envisage is a commercial, reputable publishing company. HubPages would have to pay royalties to its authors, like any traditional book publisher.
I think hubpages should give this idea some serious consideration.
Thank you, Leni Sands. Maybe a few more votes "in favor," and they will listen?
This is one great idea that needs serious consideration.. You have my vote on this one!
Great suggestion WE.
I vote for it. It will be a win-win situation for all.
I have voted it up & useful.
Now only if some hubpages coordinator reads this and takes action :)
Thank you, Shimmering Dawn and Ruchira. I should add that if this is to be successful, the number of titles each year would have to be relatively small, giving full weight to the featured authors. Trying to please everyone wouldn't work. But HubPages has proven that they understand that concept. With enough support from readers, I also think they may take a look!
I also agree with you here and think this is a great idea.
Thanks Lisa Koski. I appreciate that. Just want you to know that I've read your profile page with much interest. Sounds great with a background in English literature!
Definitely voted up! My one question - for any hubs published, would they put some sort of block on those stories so they are no longer free to view? I think this is a wonderful idea!
LABrashear, thank you very much! Just the contrary, I believe. The trend in publishing seems to be that having content online is a good way to promote published works - the samples sitting alongside advertisements for the books for purchase. On Smashwords, typically 20 percent or more of the books are available for customers to preview prior to making a purchase. For a novel or novella, I think people who like the story will want to buy it for their e-book readers or even in print.
You have come up with a great idea. But you also added meat to your idea and came up with 10 sound reasons why it should progress from being just an idea and becoming reality. It really does make sense. Where do I sign up?
Thank you! I appreciate your support for this idea. At some point, if this goes any further, we can discuss how to present a proposal.
interesting propostion.
Many thanks, Enlydia Listener.
Very interesting. I myself have been working on a novel for the past 4-5 years that I am coming close to finishing so I know I'm going to have to look into something like this sometime soon.
Great.suggestions and theories. I have considered writing and publishing a book since I started writing here. Lulu would be a good site for Hubpages to partner with.
Website Examiner I have returned to vote up, useful and interesting (all buttons danced upon here).
Dear Leni Sands: An unprecedented act of kindness, for which I am grateful!
Nikalooch, 4-5 years doesn't sound unreasonable for a quality novel. I have some stories to tell in that regard, but that had better wait till some other day. I wish you luck, and hope to hear more about your progress. Feel free also to join Novelty Fiction's private network, there is a link on my profile page. We have groups discussing how to get published or how to succeed with self-publishing.
Sparkster, thank you very much for your comment and suggestions. I am comfortable with Lulu because I find the service easy to use. I am not too sure about their printing costs. Lightning Source could be another option.
Great idea you have web, it would be a nice leap to link writing online with a publishing agency. OR perhaps gather a few elite agencies to visit hubpages to read here. Fresh material is always the pinpoint of a booking agent so I am surprised they are not reading here. I have heard of people getting signed due to a hub but don't now the specifics.
Thanks, Jen. I had not considered the literary agency angle at all.
A great idea, WE! i voted up with my support for this.
Thanks, Lora. I am without influence, but your vote counts a lot.
Well argued, WE. Hubbers are the cutting edge!
Website Examiner! I included this great thought provoking hub in my hub luv #12. It is a great idea!
Triciajean, thank you! I am learning all the time about many good books written by Hubbers, yourself included.
Homesteadbound, I appreciate the attention very much. I like the way you have chosen to feature select hubs.
Great idea with even a better list of reasons. I agree. Thanks.
You've convinced me! We certainly do have all the resources we need right here.
Thank you, Sligobay and Millionaire Tips. That would be a great thing, in case it actually happened.
I read about this hub through homesteadbound. I know little about ebook publishing outside of Kindle and Amazon. I have never written a novel, but there are certainly many on Hubpages who have.
Thanks, Flora. I just listed Shadesbreath's novel in my online bookstore, and you are right.
love the idea of a hub pages publishing arm. If they consider and go through with it I would certainly make it my maiden voyage into e-book publishing
Great idea. I'm surprised hubpages hasn't done this.
I gave this hub positive feedback because it is interesting and well presented. I'm too new to hubpages.com to agree or disagree with your argument. One thought is, just because a team is good at managing the hub pages website, it does not follow that they would be adept at, or interested in, being book publishers. No question about the potential. If I were a book publisher or a literary agent, for sure I would have talent scouts reading Hub pages and profiles.
Your hub makes a lot of sense for Hubpages to get into the book marketing business. Very interesting idea.
Wellnessguidesja, that sounds encouraging. Thanks for your comment.
Lisadpreston, thank you. They have probably discussed the idea, but we don't know how seriously.
B. Leekley, thanks. I think they could leverage this website to publish successfully, which doesn't mean they would have to try to become a mainstream publisher with wide distribution to stores. I appreciate the support.
Pamela, I am glad that you agree and that you find this interesting. Thank you!
A truly fascinating idea. I agree with you. Good thinking!
Thank you, James! I know that you have some experience to bring to the table. I appreciate your opinion.
What you propose seems viable enough, maybe it is in the works down the road. Great job on the outline presented and really good segway into the other hubs on the subject of publishing. I gave you thumbs up on this one.
Ytsenoh, thank you. I appreciate your clear and concise comment. Am glad that you find my presentation satisfactory.
Of course! Makes perfect sense in so many ways WE. I hope this gets taken up. I like the idea of anthologies, where a bunch of strong hub writers could be brought together in print or eBook, with a reputable editor's eye. A great thing to aspire to.
Thank you, Keri Summers! It makes sense to me, too. I also do like the anthology concept, which is one of the best ways for new authors to get exposure. One puzzling issue is whether the writers that are not yet quite so "strong" will be able to accept that they cannot meet the publisher's requirements. Some writers may develop a sense of entitlement simply because they are members of HubPages and think themselves worthy of publication. A delicate issue on a site such as this.
WE, you make a very good point about who should be included in an anthology. It is a delicate issue. Especially since the sense of entitlement matters most to those who may be looking for a method of acceptance not based purely on writing ability.
The other side of that is to recognize that no anthology can include all the good writers, so some judgments would have to be made on preferences or what seems to fit the particular anthology.
A third point is that many of us have not yet learned that we aren't particularly entitled to inclusion in any efforts of others, and not even entitled to jobs that others must create for us. Who do we expect to be more inventive, more creative, more courageous than ourselves? Publishers, editors, and all executives do a great service for many, but this is not something any human being owes another. Each writer on hub can publish an anthology and invite writers to participate. My humble think.
Triciajean, I agree with your points. Writers need to take responsibility for themselves, and they've never had better options than they do now. Thanks!
I just love hub pages...... love this hub. Sorry for the misunderstanding in the forums.... am i forgiven.
Dear Joy, the so-called "misunderstanding" cuts to the core of your question, I think. That reflects my experiences on the site; I'm sure others have a different story to tell. It was only great to get it out there. But you are definitely forgiven, if you want to be. Thanks.
love this idea, but then we'd have to make sure of copyright ect, but this is a great idea!
Rebecca, you are right. Copyright is important, and in that regard HubPages would probably just get a license to publish the books whereas the author would retain copyright, as in a normal publishing contract. Thanks!
nemanjaboskov Level 6 Commenter 4 months ago
This is a great idea, WE!
Your reasons are fantastic, and I really think that the team should think about this - as it would make a great deal for some of the very talented writers here, as well as for HP as a company.