Some of you probably already read Kris Rusch's blog on the writing business. But I'd urge anyone - whether or not you're self-publishing or intend to - to read this particular post. It pinpoints very accurately, I think, the two different models (that to an extent are warring at the moment) facing any writer now who wants to publish. And for any writer still stuck in the traditional model mind-set (the 'scarcity' model, as Kris puts it), I'd say it's essential to get hold of the massive change in how readers find books that's taking place, and the fact we're never going back to the old way of doing things.

http://kriswrites.com/2012/03/14/the-business-rusch-scarcity-and-abundance/

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It occurs to me that the 'scarcity' model might explain the curious fact that a lot of writers don't seem to actually write very much. Is their output being shaped by a model that doesn't require them to produce more than a book every couple of years? In other words, for many writers it could be that their ability to accept the new model is hampered by the fact it will mean having to also accept they're going to need to produce more.

Well worth bringing this article to our attention, Terry. The scarcity/abundance concept explains a lot of what's going on.

it will mean having to also accept they're going to need to produce more

I'm not sure whether I agree totally with this conclusion however. It seems to me that the new model presents a great deal more flexibility. The 'short time on the shelves' model can result in excessive pressure on writers to come up with the next one, whereas 'permanent presence' means that the immediate arrival of the follow-up is no longer quite so vital (not for all genres, anyway). It seems to me that the new model has something to offer both to those who want to press onwards rapidly and to those of a more contemplative disposition. Both are valid approaches and both would appear to stand to benefit from the 'abundance' scenario.

Chris

Having thought about it some more, I'm inclined to agree with a lot of what you say. Kris (and Dean) have always written for a living and succeeded with a high output model in traditional publishing. However, I showed this post to a top business coach friend and while he liked the concept, he made the comment that there's no mention of quality in the article (or at least he didn't notice it). Which isn't to say the claim that high volume will attract readers is not accurate but I'm not interested in high volume that's not also quality - either as a writer or a reader.

Having said that, I still think there are a lot of writers around who don't appear to actually write very much, quality or not. As you know, our own SF writers' group struggles to come up with two stories to critique once a month out of 20-30 members, when really, each member should be capable of producing two stories a month. I suspect many writers have allowed the scarcity model to programme their writing habits, down to the minimum. And where I do agree with Kris and Dean is that quality won't appear unless a writer is writing regularly.

So, for me the challenge in self-publishing is to produce quality and quantity. Maybe it's because I'm getting old, but I don't really have ten or more years to give the odd novel or short story time to catch on.

Terry