I’ve been thinking for some time now that the power dynamic between author and publisher has shifted, in favour of the author. Which is great news. This has happened, largely because the options to self-publish and distribute have grown up and become respectable, rather than being a disadvantaged teenager. This respectability has given authors an opportunity to generate more income for themselves, rather than giving the lion’s share to the publisher, and therefore also build their brand, and touch their tribe.
The author Nick Kettles is doing this with his book, ‘The All-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness’, which recently garnered an endorsement from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Impressed with this achievement, and curious about how he had done this, I have interviewed him for my blog. His insights into his creative process are worth reading, if you are struggling to find an audience and publisher for your book. His secret is so simple, and yet easy to overlook in a marketplace that thrives on noise …
The New York Times published an article on May 10 about how during good times, an art auction is the obvious choice for a collector wanting to sell a work of art. And now that the recession is deepening, many art collectors are ‘retreating’ into selling their art privately, for less money. Well boohoo I say.
“The game has definitely shifted,” said Christopher Eykyn, a former head of Impressionist and modern art at Christie’s who is now a dealer in New York.
I should hope so.
What has also shifted is the balance of power between artist and dealer with the publication of 51.9 million blogs (according to Technorati). Artist/bloggers such as Duane Keiserare democratizing the art world, using the Internet to change the making and selling of art, and therefore taking back their power. Dealers and galleries, who have historically commanded a whacking 50% commissions, no longer have exclusive control in defining who is hot or successful. Now artists can sell directly to the public, using blogs or auction sites at prices more affordable to would-be collectors. They can even create a new customer base using this media.
To your success!
This was originally intended to be my painting blog, but now it's also about writing, what we ache for, and everything else important.
"Your paintings are like auragraphs. You pick up the information from the person and express it through art. However, they are on an altogether deeper level - not dealing with the outer projection of ourselves, not even with the spirit, but on a soul level. They are soul reflections".
Mary Clair Kelly, Cruse Counsellor
