Apidae09

Having a decent backlist? What does this mean, and can you define the word?

Thanks!

Thanks for the explanation. It makes perfect sense mathematically, although it seems a shame that there's such a correlation between an author's volume and success rate.

Would you be able to take a shot in the dark and give a number for how many published works an author should have under their belt before they achieve a decent amount of exposure? Backlist critical mass?

That makes sense. It also sounds like a novelist's first few products are somewhat doomed.

The point you make about self publishing having a stigma is an interesting one. It's obvious, I guess, but I'd never considered it before. Thank you for the thoughtful answer, and best of luck with your imminent launch!

Absolutely. Large publishers would have a higher average quality in their material, but would also be less inclined to take risks... and risk taking is central to the progress of any artistic medium. Fostering that stigma would be very beneficial to the publishers because it would drive more authors to see them as their only option. That being said, there is a certain comfort in knowing that material coming from a given publisher is going to be of a certain caliber.

So, yes, the choice is great!