I know the mass market paperback world very well. I’ve had 22 mass market originals released … not including novellas in anthologies. I write the book, I revise the book, it goes through an editor, a copy editor, and a proofreader or two, is printed the month before the release date, warehoused, and distributed. I’ve been fortunate that my publishers have, for the most part, been able to prevent too many sales prior to the on-sale date, which helps with opening week sales numbers, which helps with list placement. I understand the process and, even with the rapid and rabid changes in the industry over the last few years, I still get it. I understand the timing of writing and revising and production, and I understand that there is a limited shelf life to the paperback original.
So when my first hardcover was published last March, I was introduced to a whole new process. It surprised–and scared me!
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