emmanuelnataf

Hi vtjohnhurt!

We don't decline. However, our freelancer may refuse to work with "low-quality authors" (we've seen the case many times). On Reedsy, you'll be able to request a quote from up to 5 freelancers. You will then be able to compare the offers of those who are willing to work with you.

We are not trying to get our authors a deal with a traditional publisher though. We have made exceptions in the past, connecting an author with a publisher that we though was a perfect fit for them, but that's not our objective in the future. We'd rather help our authors with a crowdfunding campaign (Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Unbound, etc.) so they can pay for our services and then self-publish and keep their rights.

Hi _theWatt,

I have mentioned many other publishing companies and provided very personal answers to some of the questions that were asked. I'm a co-founder and obviously want to promote my company, but it works both ways: people who will sign up will get high-quality services for their books, something they may not have found anywhere else…

Hi dannyboylee,

I couldn't disagree with you more. There are hundreds of "publishing companies" out there that actively spend their time taking advantage of authors. Heck, even the big ones do it with ever more draconian contracts that take away all the rights for a period close to perpetuity, but that's another story.

There are also hundreds of "author services" companies who screw authors all the time. They're actually called "scams", and some of the most famous ones belong to traditional publishers (like Penguin Random House). But you certainly know that already.

At Reedsy, we provide a tightly curated marketplace where all the editors and designers are talented and experienced (I dare anyone to find one who isn't). They are all individuals, btw, and not "outlets for self-publishing". There is nothing like that out there and this is the reason why many authors have to pay several editors before finding the right one… We provide in-built project management tools to make the process simpler for authors and freelancers alike. And for that we take a fee from the freelancer side.

Please explain to me how this is taking advantage of authors.

Hi Thatseemsright! Quite a few questions at once!

Reedsy is not a publisher… yet! We started with the marketplace to provide high-quality author services (editing and design/illustration to start and soon marketing). Authors can select up to 5 freelancers and request a quote. We have designed briefs so our freelancers know exactly what type of work is needed from the very beginning. For example, 4 types of editing services are available: editorial assessment, content editing, copy editing and line editing. Once the request has been sent, it's usually a matter of hours before our authors receive their first responses. Our freelancers will provide a sample edit and an outline of what they'll do. The author can then compare the different offers and start collaborating with the person they prefer. We handle the payment using Stripe, which makes the transaction secured.

In the future, we want Reedsy to be more than a marketplace, but where authors create their books, collaborate on them with the best professionals and then download the files to finish the self-publishing process on their own or apply to be published with us. We will then select the best books and act as a publisher while keeping a very small cut of their royalties… The best of both worlds.

What makes Reedsy special? Well, we want to take the "self" out of "self-publishing". We believe that our focus on quality publishing will change the way self-publishing is still perceived by many. In the long term, it'd be amazing for us to make self-publishing a viable alternative to those who have always preferred the traditional path.

Regarding agents, their role is changing and it's hard to know where it's going. What's for sure is that we don't want to be a middle man between indie authors and traditional publishers: you shouldn't keep 5-10% of your royalties, it's a model of the past.

Hi ClancysLegendaryRed!

That's quite a debate you're starting! I don't know a single author that hasn't invested in his book in some way, and lot's of decent authors make no money with a traditional publisher (at best they break-even).

We are obsessed about quality at Reedsy and are perfectly aware that many services are complete scams, even those coming from major publishers. Our objective is to combine the best of both worlds: the quality of a traditional publisher with the freedom and business model of self-publishing.

Apart from Reedsy, I'm also an art lover and street photographer. I know that in any case, there is some investment needed from the artist. But if it works and that no one in the process takes 90% of your royalties, it's even more magical.