John Edgar Wideman: He's had it with publishers

“In an unusual move for an established author, critically acclaimed novelist, memoirist and National Book Award finalist John Edgar Wideman is teaming up with self-publishing and print-on-demand service Lulu.com to release, Briefs, Stories for the Palm of the Mind, a new collection of his short stories,” reports Calvin Reid in this Publishers Weekly story. Previously, notes PW, “His books have been published almost exclusively by Houghton Mifflin for years.”

Wideman seems to be reacting to his experience with a big publisher, according to the report:

Citing changes in the publishing business and a desire for more control over the publishing process, Wideman said, “I’ve been thinking about alternatives for a long time. I like the idea of being in charge. I have more control over what happens to my book. And I have more control over whom I reach.” Wideman also noted his “distaste” for what he called mainstream publishing’s “blockbuster syndrome”–the tendency for large trade  publishing houses to focus their resources on books with bestseller potential.

Wideman said the emphasis on blockbuster bestsellers, “has gotten out of hand. Unless you become a blockbuster, your book disappears quickly. It becomes not only publish or perish, but sell or perish.” The book is being published as part of Lulu VIP, a new customizable service aimed at luring established authors to the self-publishing service. Wideman is also making several of his backlist titles available for sale through Lulu.com.