Channer IAN RANDLE of Ian Randle Publishers Limited says the book industry in Jamaica is an area which needs serious development.
Randle argues that the local industry is suffering from a lack of entrepreneurship. He pointed out that what the Caribbean book industry needs is a good distribution network.
Randle was speaking at the seminar titled 'How Do Books Get Published?', the first of three put on by the Calabash Literary Festival on Saturday. The seminars, a new addition to the offerings of the festival, were held at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, St. Andrew.
USEFUL
While the seminars would have been especially useful to writers and would-be writers, they were also easily of interest to those who simply wanted to know more about the 'book business'.
Colin Channer, the founder and artistic director of 'Calabash', which will take place from May 23 to 25 at Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, acted as the programmer for 'How Do Books Get Published?'. Additionally, as the author of two novels, Waiting in Vain and Satisfy My Soul, Channer brought with him the perspective of the writer.
Dawn Davis, an editor with Harper Collins, New York City, was able to bring the perspective of the editor into the mix.
Today's book industry however, needs much more that publishers and writers. Most writers today need a literary agent in order to be signed by the large publishing houses of the world. It is the job of these literary agents to sell the idea of the book to the publishing house. Tracy Sherrod is a New York City literary agent with her own company. The distribution end of the industry was represented by Pam Nelson, the director of Levy Home Entertainment in Chicago.
One of the most intriguing questions asked was what makes an editor buy a book. Davis indicated that one of the largest factors for buying a book are the trends in the current market. She also noted that the editor's passion for the book will also be a factor. Even so, she noted that though trends may indicate what will sell, there is never any surety. "We never really know what books will work," she said. She pointed out that often books take publishers completely by surprise as they do much better than expected.
Even so, large publishing houses do make advance payments based on the earning potential of the book. According to the panel, although the average advance paid is approximately US$30,000.00, persons have been paid as high as US$500,000.00. The latter figure was admitted to by Sharrod.
DIFFERENT
The situation is very different in Jamaica, if Ian Randle Publishers may be used as a measuring stick. Randle pointed out that due to the lack of funds, advances are avoided. "We try not to pay anything," he revealed. He noted, however, that were the situation different, his company would gladly pay advances.
It was also pointed out that though the fiction writer is often revered for talent, most of the money in the industry is made from non-fiction works. As such, non-fiction books may attract an average advance of US$75,000.00, over twice the average advance of fiction works. The Bible also retains its position as a number one seller. Pam Nelson noted that the value of the Bible is that it is not seasonal, but instead moves well from January to December.
The other categories of non-fiction books which are currently doing well in the United States are books on diets, exercise and spirituality. It is expected that lifestyle books will become a major non-fiction category. Randle revealed that the Caribbean market is largely interested in biographies and sports.
Books of poetry are not so lucky. Although Jamaica appears to be bursting at the seams with aspiring poets, the prospect for them appears to be grim. Nelson pointed out that because of the 'art' nature of poetry it is 'too hard to sell'.
The news from the publishers and agents was no different. Sharrod indicated that she had not sold any poetry books to editors, while Davis pointed out that when poets are signed it is with the understanding that it is a 'labour of love' rather than a money-making venture. As such, Randle recommended that poets self-publish, since many of their books are sold through them.
Sharrod agreed with this recommendation.
