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Published Aug 6, 2019

Hugh Howey | The Knowledge Project #63

Bestselling author Hugh Howey delves into the transformative journeys of travel, technology, and self-publishing, revealing how these experiences shape his creative process, worldview, and career. Listeners will gain insights into his writing techniques, future tech predictions, and the strategic freedoms of self-publishing.
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Episode Highlights

  • Retaining Rights

    Hugh Howey emphasizes the importance of retaining electronic and other publishing rights for self-publishing success. He shares how his self-published ebook, "Wool," became a bestseller, allowing him to avoid traditional publishing traps like low advances and loss of rights. Howey explains that retaining ebook rights was crucial as publishers often undervalue them and later increase prices to protect their interests.

    I was really lucky that publishers were behind on what the potential was of the digital rights. And if anyone had made the offer that they made later, early, I would have buckled.

    This strategy enabled him to maintain control over his work and maximize profits, as he was making significant income from ebook sales alone 1 2 3.

       

    Strategic Negotiations

    Howey's strategic approach to contract negotiations highlights his focus on long-term goals. He negotiates terms like ebook pricing to ensure they align with his vision, avoiding high prices that deter readers. By retaining control over global rights, he maximizes opportunities in diverse markets, such as Taiwan, where his book became a bestseller.

    You have to be like loving and trusting on one side but very adversarial when it comes to actually setting up the contract.

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    This approach allows him to make informed decisions that benefit his career and maintain creative freedom 4 5.

       

    Self-Publishing Freedom

    Self-publishing offers Howey unparalleled creative and financial freedom. He values the ability to explore various genres without publisher constraints, which led to the success of his dystopian novel "Wool." Howey believes self-publishing is now the best starting point for writers, offering more control over their work and decisions.

    Self publishing used to be thought of as the last resort for writers. Now, publishing contracts are the last resort.

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    This freedom allows him to adapt and thrive in the evolving publishing landscape, making self-publishing a strategic choice for his career 6 7.

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