From Newsweek"Chronicle Books plans to unveil what it says is a pioneering "mutual referral" deal with the Silicon Valley self-publisher Blurb, known for its print-on-demand online bookstore and glossy photography books. Chronicle will refer unwanted authors to Blurb, who will return an undisclosed cut of the earnings generated from the new accounts. Blurb says that while it's not uncommon for self-publishers to sell promising manuscripts up the chain to larger publishers, this is the first deal to send submissions in the other direction: from the discard pile of a traditional publishing house to an online bookstore where authors pay to have their books printed and sent off into the real world.
It looks to be a win-win arrangement."
...Much like 'journalists' writing stories based on new releases without making any attempt at a serious analysis. If a writer submits to a traditional press, they should get a yes or a no, period. If and when they decide to self-publish they should choose the best printer and distributor for their purpose. A traditional press taking kick-backs for referrals to a self-publishing service is not a win-win situations. It is, in fact, a win-win-lose situation for Chronicle, Blurb and the writer, respectively.
Comments
I've written about the terrible dysfunction of the publishing industry, and had the great pleasure of gaining a response from an agent and someone who works from a publisher.
Needless to say, they were displeased that a peon like myself would dare to criticize their noble work.
But they did deign to respond, so it was a lot of fun. Gave me added faith in the POD as a potential revolution that's long overdue. Hasta la Victoria Siempre!
Just as from time to time our editors refer authors or artists to other trade houses, Blurb.com presents another option if they consider it an appropriate choice. This option will not be part of our response to every author submissions. There are many self-publishing options in the marketplace, though far fewer for illustrated book authors and artists. As an independent illustrated book publisher in San Francisco, Chronicle Books felt an affinity for the locally based Blurb.com and the quality of the product it is offering the public.
Chronicle Books
The lack of a financial kick-back makes this simply a very dubious choice not an utter lack of ethical judgement. Publishing and self-publishing are still different creatures. The author should be credited with the ability to seek out their own options rather than being passed along according to behind the scenes relationships between presses.
2) If you consider it appropriate to actively promote self-publishing to disappointed authors it should be in a fair and balanced manner either specifying no particular provider or covering a representative selection of the many alternatives.
I really don't understand how you do not see the concerns of the many commentators on this issue. Many of whom, like me, a very much supporters of self-publishing as an proactive and carefully researched choice by the author--not a provider-specific impulse choice in the wake of rejection by the third-party press.