John Locke: A Publishing Revolutionary
John Locke
I got in the car today, drove to my local Barnes & Noble, and noticed the special display where John Locke’s book, Wish List, is featured all by itself, not just alongside books by world-famous authors, but in a special section. I felt a burst of pride because I remember when John and I first met, and the dreams we shared, and how he was so happy and proud to be self-publishing. As many of you know – those who have followed my posts through the years (for example, “No Longer Waiting For The Call That Will Change Your Life”), John’s commitment to independent publishing changed my life, as well as that of many, many other writers.
Even though I’ve read Wish List several times (I edited it, in fact!), I still plunked down $4.99 and bought the book and took it to a friend, who doesn’t yet own an ereader. I considered it a great gift because I’m not only helping John (and my friend – it’s a furiously fast, fun, thrilling read), but I’m also helping the whole indie author community.
This is why:
Last summer John Locke, the New York Times bestselling author and the first self-published author in history to sell 1 million ebooks, partnered with Simon & Schuster in a first-ever “Indie sales & distribution agreement.” His print books are now published by John Locke Books, under the Simon & Shuster distribution umbrella (Telemachus Press continues to publish his ebooks). This means that beginning this month, his novels are available for purchase wherever physical books are sold, including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and airports. Wish List, the first book being published, is expected to have an initial press run of 750,000 copies.
Most importantly in this mind-blowing publishing deal is that John retains 100% of the rights to his books.
John’s publishing deal with Simon & Shuster could be a game-changer for independent publishing. Putting a deal like this together was a huge thing, and not many authors would have been equipped to recognize, understand, and take advantage of an opportunity like this. Because of his extraordinary business acumen, John was uniquely qualified to appreciate all the ramifications. Right from the beginning of his self-publishing adventure, when he found out he could sell an ebook for 99 cents and get a 35% royalty, he worked on publishing strategies to be successful as an author. Throughout it all, he never gave up any of his rights or control.
I hope other indie authors will realize how important this milestone truly is. An indie book has hit the shelves of major retailers, untouched by publishers, and unaided by media publicity and multi-million dollar marketing campaigns! We need to get behind Wish List and rally our support. Because if this book makes it, the door will be opened in ways we never imagined. John wanted to show the world that indie books belong in retail stores! This is what he is hoping to achieve, what he has always wanted to accomplish: to bring prestige and publicity to indie work. It’s truly the opportunity we’ve all been waiting for – an indie author has gotten in the mainstream publishing door, but we need to make sure that door stays open for all of us! We can do that right now by supporting John’s success in every way we can.
John has turned the publishing industry on his heels by his brilliance, his success, but, most importantly, his imagination. Not just in his wildly creative, laugh-out-loud thrillers, but in his business and marketing concepts. He thought outside the box, and he saw what could be instead of what is. Fortunately, a major publishing house was interested in stepping into the future along with him, and forged a different author-publisher relationship than any that has gone before.
John Locke has changed the rules, the players, and the game itself. From now on, the publishing industry may never be the same. I hope you’ll show your support the same way I did: by picking up a copy of Wish List and sharing this great news with your reader-friends.
Find out more:
Winslow,
Thank you for passing on the good word about what John has accomplished. He’s quietly helped us all turn a big corner. I’m very happy for him.
He’s also changed the dress code for male authors. Have you noticed how many author dudes are now sporting black leather jackets and shaved heads in their author pics? It’s so cute. Guys!
Very cool observation! Fashion matters. Barbara, thanks for your role too, in this publishing revolution. http://www.thesecretdiaryofaliceinwonderland.com/Alice_Book/The_Author.html
I have been an independent author since before it was cool to be independent. Kudos to John Locke for fine tuning what it means to be self-published. He has certainly been an inspiration to many and will be to many more in the future I suspect. As Bob Dylan once wrote: “The times they are a changin’.”
Thank you, Mark, for your comment. I also strongly recommend authors and readers visit your site: http://www.markedwardhall.com/ , not only to learn about YOUR experience with publishing independently, but also to read your fine novels.
Thank you, Winslow. And thanks for visiting my site and recommending my novels. I absolutely love being an independent author. It seems so strange to me when I read about authors who are still hoping that one day a “real” publisher will feel benevolent enough to give them a second glance. They’re so busy looking at the trees they can’t see the forest. We are blessed to be living in a time when we have total control over our own success.
Independence is fabulous. My experience with the old-fashioned “real” publishing is summed up in your word “benevolence.” Who needs to be patronized any more? We are so fortunate that we are living during a time of revolution, freedom, independence. Enjoyed reading your bio … you are an ideal for aspiring writers, it seems.
Thanks again, Winslow. I checked out your bio and your books. I will buy one today. Your story is very impressive and I’m glad we connected.
One important factor that I like to stress, and it is certainly true of many of us, John Locke being a shining example: it’s never too late to attain your dreams.
Hi, Winslow! Great post. I, too, fell in love with John Locke’s business acumen. I used to coach negotiations at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. What he’s done thrills me. Here’s my blog article about his “How I Sold . . .” book. I treat the book and what John has done as I would a case at the Business School. John read this article and emailed that he didn’t think he’d ever gotten a more positive review. I told him he deserved it. Here’s the post: http://www.yourshelflife.com/?p=997
Everyone should read your post – it’s terrific. What’s interesting is that you come from a professional business pov and get excited by his ideas; I’m the opposite – I have very little of that, having always been ‘taken care of’ by mainstream publishing houses, but I too was excited by the opportunities and encouragement that John offers in his book. His strategies work for amateurs and professionals. He’s Everyman for Business and Marketing. Thanks for writing!