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?
It would depend on a lot of factors, but if you are confident enough in your own work doing well then just having it out there is a big bonus. eBooks you can do yourself, but now you have the marketing clout of a publishing house behind you who can increase your sales and raise your profile at the same time. It is what they do well.
This will leave you to concentrate on promotion through other media. Ok you'll lose some revenue at first, but there may be appearance money for radio etc that may offset it. Going on your own will not have the promise of a print-run unless you find another publisher with a better deal. So, how is your confidence?
Firstly, well done on getting the contract Jonathan. Like you mention, it is a way to access the publisher marketing which could be great for future deals on your further work. I'm fairly new to writing fiction but think I might well take the risk of losing some degree of control in the hope of gaining more of a chance of a better deal later on. It may also give you more time to work on other things whilst the people offering the contract set to work marketing your book. Good luck and very well done.