I'd welcome everyone's views on this.
I've been offered a publishing contract (yay!) There are always 'buts', aren't there? The company wants to intially offer my novel as an ebook with potentially a paperback run, based on demand. Small volume hard-copies would cover requests from existing readers who order through my website.
The big advantage of a deal like this is access to publisher marketing - they have contacts I don't. The disadvantage is I already publish this way, with no 'middleman', so lose a large degree of control.
What would you do?
Thanks for the input, chaps. I'll let you know how it goes :)
First of all, congratulations indeed.
I agree with Victoria that checking the terms and conditions of the contract is wise.
At a glance it seems like a very reasonable proposition for a first time offer. Access to that marketing and media savvy is surely very tempting, no?
As Victoria stated above, this may be the way all future first time authors are asked to prove themselves before a print run is produced. Something we will all have to mull over in the future, should we be successful enough to receive such an offer.
So a cautious "go for it", I suppose.
Sir Congratulations
you must go with the contract as you know something is better than nothing and this will also give you some exposure
All the very best