One of the reasons so many say they are going to skip out on traditional publishing is the belief that they have absolutely no say in their story. There is this idea that once a publisher gets their hands on your story you are screwed over. They pick a title you hate. They pick covers you don't like. They make major changes to your story that you never intended.
Sorry, this does not happen.
Editors truly listen to everything authors suggest. And yet, I even hear traditionally published authors scream, rant and rave on social media that their editors just made decisions they did not agree with. The problem here is that when the editors and the marketing teams reach out to the authors, they are clearly not being proactive in the process. Let me give you some ideas of what happens.
Publisher: We have been thinking about a title for your story and we have come up with these ideas. What are your thoughts.
Author: Crickets.... or no response.
Look, if you don't like the ideas, provide suggestions. Be involved in the process.
Publisher: Attached you will find the cover of your next book.
Author: Opens up file and grunts. This is nothing that looks like my characters. I hate the way things look.
Note: Most publishers provide opportunities for the author to provide a lot of early ideas and suggestions for the cover. You tell them what you think would look great. You provide them colors. You dictate a lot of the decision making. If you provide vague answers or you don't give them something to work with, they have to make it up.
Publisher: After reading your manuscript, here are a few things we want to see changed.,
Author: They have no clue what I am saying. Ugh, they don't get it...and yet, I guess I will change it because they will want to fire me.
What should the author have done? Make counter arguments. In many cases, the editors might have missed something when they were reading your story and every other story at the same time. Provide suggestions and provide clear evidence that makes what you want work for everyone.
The reality is that if there are things that are not working, it is up to the author to say things and do things. When my authors see a cover that does not work, they email their editors immediately and explain the issue. Guess what? The changes have ALWAYS been made. When my authors turn in their stories, they provide suggestions for titles. They have done their research. They have followed trends in titles so they can really think like the editors. 90% of the time, the titles are either what they wanted, or pretty close to something that they like.
When they turn in revision notes to their editors, they take the time to explain why they kept things the way that they wanted. Without fail, those ideas stick.
So, if you think you have no say, consider what you are actually doing on your end. You will likely find, it was you all along.
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