Edith Layton: Challenges & Triumphs of Publishing From the Beyond

Hello Wench readers! Edith Layton was an original founding Wench, and I'm Edith Layton's daughter. I've been a reader and fan here since the blog spawned, and also an extremely occasional guest blogger since forever thanks to the kindness of the Wenches to allow me to update you on all the goings on at Layton HQ. Now I'll stop writing in italics and just get on with it...

 

My mother died 10 years ago. I can't believe it myself. 10 years is a hard anniversary. Even more so because she left when I was pregnant with my second kid, and she's missing out on the show. She did know my son, and even though he didn't talk at the time, she was convinced he was a genius.

Funny enough, she was right.

But seriously folks.

I miss her so much. She was a great cheerleader, and she was so dang fun, and gee, she would've gone on to write a lot more than the paltry 30+ novels she put out...

But the funny thing is that she IS publishing from the beyond. And this comes with great joy, a lot of work, and even a tiny bit of frustration which I'll vent about at the end.

I've detailed the how and the why before in detail, but the short of it is that it took me 5 years to start putting her out-of-print backlist into the world again, publishing them as ebooks for the very first time. And for the past five years, the backlist (that I have the rights to) has been rolling out thanks to Untreed Reads, as well as some never-before published works like Frost Fair, a regency mystery with 5-star reviews, and a Victorian Christmas novella (which is only 99 cents and it's cat-based, and you will not regret it). There will be more new Layton titles to come, and the entire Edith Layton catalog (that is back so far) is here on Amazon. Edith Layton is also on Barnes & Noble — and many other retailers. But first, here's what's really new news.

In the past three months, her "Super Regency" trilogy came back from the dead, as ebooks, for the first time. The Love series, as it is known, is available on Amazon, Apple Books and like everywhere books are sold. The first book, Love In Disguise, is shown up top. They are $4.99 each, but wow—I just learned Drive Thru Fiction is offering a bundle of all 3 books for just $9.99, and you can choose from EPUB, Kindle and PDF formats. Here’s the bundle link: bit.ly/TheLoveTrilogy

Personally, I like the new covers by Untreed Reads waaaaaay better than the originals. I do truly love romance covers that are real paintings (and even paid to have the rights to one of them on an Untreed release) but the originals on this series were done by Pino, and IMHO, a bit over-the-top for a Regency. In fact, Smart Bitches included one of the originals in a roundup they called Covers That Should Be Wallpaper, and I totally agree.

But hey, don't judge a book by it's cover!

Here's a review of Surrender to Love, the book shown at right:

Ms. Layton delivers a stunning portrayal that looks beyond the fantasy of the Regency hero to the inner heart of the real man. Writing with subtle sensuality, lush elegance and, above all, a transcending grace, Ms. Layton elevates the Regency novel far above the genre norm. 4+ —M. Helfer - Romantic Times

The entire series got raves. Here's another quote from RT:

"The awesome talent of Edith Layton has never been more brilliantly on display than in this sumptuous finale to her acclaimed trilogy of love in Regency England."

 

So what's the bad that I alluded to? It's not the work, but yes, it's a lot. I'm in charge of the "literary estate" and have kids, and a nice husband (British, bookish, and yes mom approved) and a full time job with an awesome company called Withings. All Layton stuff is done for love and in the margins (like this post I'm writing at 11:30P when I should be sleeping or calling back my brother Adam of NPR fame who's currently driving and waiting for my call and he has a podcast with Paula Poundstone you should subscribe to!).

The real frustration is that RWA, and Novelists Inc., both organizations that mom was a paying dues member of, have no membership for people who manage the estates of authors.

With RWA (and yes you'll see me drifting around some RWA stuff in NYC next week) real membership is if you are serious a romance writer. To be an associate member, you can be: an author, an agent, an editor, an aspiring writer, a bookseller or librarian... but whatever, although the dead can and do bring out brand new and old books, there's no place at the table. No larger community for me to learn from—and no I can't just be bothering Wenches, they are so kind, but also busy living and writing!

Where can I learn about rights issues? Covers? Old contracts made before ebooks were a real thing? Taxes? We don't get to be at the table. And yes, Novelists Inc. had the same answer. I've got some of mom's books at traditional publishers, and some I'm doing indie. I did produce this one excellent audiobook myself, and even though I worked at Audible once upon a time... even though I'm a video and audio producer... a marketing pro... I'm still in the dark about if I should do more, or how best to proceed.

I've spoken with the few people I could find in my position, and even those who have author parents who are/were far more famous than Layton, they are in the same boat, lost at sea.

Don't get me wrong, Untreed Reads is great. The best. But dead authors reps don't have access to the community, and it's truly a shame, because we can and should be able to learn from the community. Do you living writers know WHO is gonna do it and what they gotta do? What happens if you die in the middle of a book contract? I have learned a lot. My sideline bringing out my mother's books for love is a wacky adventure I call Romancing the Gravestone... which is soon to not be a major motion picture.

But I'm proud to announce, that after years of frustration...lacking any support from the living nationwide groups, I've formed the DRWA.

Yes, DRWA: Dead Romance Writers Association.

It's for romance authors that are dead, romance authors that think they might die someday, and if you are managing a dead author who doesn't do romance? Great! You are welcome too. 

Follow @DeadRWA on Twitter. It's the new dawn of the dead—author.

Thanks for reading. And hope to raise a glass with any and all of you at RWA. I can be reached in the comments here, or at my primary Twitter account @susiefelber.

And for Edith Layton news (yes the collections of her Christmas short stories are coming soon!) visit: www.facebook.com/authoredithlayton

Thank you again Wenches and much 💖. And hey, if you know of any organizations or resources for dead authors (that aren't just about appreciation but about their biz), do let me know in the comments! 

Comments

[theo]

Has it really been 10 years? It's so hard to believe. I adored your mother. She was very kind to me and witty and funny and losing her was such a shock.

I quit RWA two years ago. Perhaps, if I manage to publish, I'll join again, but I agree with you that they needed something for those handling estates. It's a bit of unproven ground and a go as you learn, I'm sure. Congrats on starting something for those who have to manage it. I hope it does well for you. :)

[Sue McCormick]

I wish you and your new organization huge amounts of luck. As a reader, it is good to know that you and the others will have support im keeping backlists available for my enjoyment.

[LindaB]

Have you found Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog? She's a writer and does a lot of articles on the business of publishing: https://kristinekathrynrusch.com/

She has a series of articles on estate planning that might help you out: https://kriswrites.com/business-rusch-publishing-articles/estate-planning-series/

And then you can check out the blog of her husband, Dean Wesley Smith, another writer, who also has business articles, and who was the executor for another writer: https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/

Good luck. Off I am to buy your mother's books.

[Quantum]

"I did produce this one excellent audiobook myself, and even though I worked at Audible once upon a time... even though I'm a video and audio producer... a marketing pro... I'm still in the dark about if I should do more, or how best to proceed."

{A True Lady
By: Edith Layton
Narrated by: Jeanne Simpson
Publisher: The Estate of Edith Felber }

Hi Susie. I think you are doing a great job. I recall that Janga rated Edith Layton highly so I have her on my TBR list but generally prefer the audio format.I listened with great interest to the sample of your audio-book and liked it. Did you narrate it yourself with a pseudonym?

I think audio-books are a rapidly growing market.As a member of Audible UK I find that the average price per book works out at around £6 and the special deals reduce that to around £3, when they can be cheaper than ebooks. Very important to have a good narrator though (I think Mary Jo recently found a very good one ... you should talk to her).

Just as an author has a voice that can resonate with certain readers, a narrator can add further value, particularly by conveying emotions. When I find a narrator who can bring a book alive as though I am present in the action, like a fly on the wall, then I start preferentially choosing audio-books with that particular narrator.

I hope you will do more audio books....I now have 'A True Lady' on my audio TBR.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Susie, I loved that trilogy! It's great that you're bringing them out again, and the new covers are indeed WAY better! (My second book was one of that class of SuperRegencies and yes, the cover is one of the worst I've ever had.)

It's great that you're organizing a support group for those who manage literary estates. Have you talked to Authors Guild? They might be interested in working with you as well. I think that RWA should also consider associate status for people like you who are managing estates. If I see any board members I know at RWA next week, maybe I'll have a chance to suggest that.

In the mean time, Carry On, Legacy!

[Janice]

I kind of like the old covers; they were individuated to the books, and they were custom painted. I realize that commissioning painted covers is out of budget for most now, but I miss them. Their purpose was to catch one's eye on the spinner racks, and they did. But I accept that they probably wouldn't work now; they're not what people are used to now.

Today's covers with generic people in generic gowns - well, there are too many of them and they're too similar. Pretty and all that, but not in any way memorable. More than once I've passed by such a book in the store because I wasn't sure that I didn't already have it in the TBR.

I am very happy to see that your mom's writings are being made available. She was a superb prose stylist, and her own warmth and humor showed through in her writing. I loved her poems. Her defense of romance is a particular favorite.

"I don't mind being on the romance shelf
and strictly speaking, for myself,
being with Austen, Bronte and Heyer
seems to me to be perfectly fair.
Now pray don't think I'm an arrogant upstart,
but the truth is all our books are about affairs of the heart.
The stigma seems to be because of our happy endings
and everyone knows LITERATURE must deal with grief and heart rendings.
If our hero and heroine ride off into the sunset, happy as clams,
you know that will only please all the Romance fans.
For the critics will sneer and the literati snicker
as they wouldn't if the hero was near death, and the heroine sicker.
But none of this makes me mad
except when someone says 'bodice rippers' because I simply can't stand that
phrase, it is untrue and unfair and cliche', sneery and down-putting and...
oh.
It is also very bad.

best,
That Layton Woman, who proves again, as though you didn't know it, that
whatever she is, she ain't a poet"

[Susie Felber]

Wow thank you Theo. Really appreciate your kind comments. Wonder why you quit them? In any case, thanks again.

[Susie Felber]

Thanks Sue! Well I’m not sure my kooky scheme will work but, a gal can dream! And thanks as ever for being a reader. 💖

[Susie Felber]

Many thanks Linda, a lot of stuff for me to dig through here! Most seems perfectly aimed to help the living author, which will help the not living author’s estate. Many thanks for sharing and plan to take a proper read of it soon!

[Karin]

That is great, Janice!

[Karin]

Thanks for persevering, Susie! I don't remember reading those Super Regencies back in the day, I think the covers may have put me off. So I'll definitely be checking them out.

[LindaB]

All of Edith Layton's books are 25% off at Smashwords this month: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/edithlayton

[Annelie]

Thank you for republishing this wonderful text about romances!

[Kantu]

Susie,
So sorry you are going through such a hard time. But what you are doing is wonderful. You have the support of the numerous Romance book lovers. I love the idea of DRWA. Thank you for keeping at it.
Regards
Kantu

[Susie Felber]

Thank you for the insights! No I did not now read it myself. I have been an actor but I know how hard it is to be a great narrator and I am not that. But my sister-in-law Neri did it and she is an accomplished actress. You might know her from Mad Men, Parks & Rec or even Wishbone. She went to Harvard as a Preidential Scholar and wow—she’s awesome. Here’s more about her: https://blog.withings.com/2016/05/10/jeanne-simpson-hollywood/
It’s really down to cost vs. sales. I’d do them if we even just came close to breaking even. But even though talent was free (she gets 1/3 of anything Layton makes because we split evenly with my brothers) — it cost a few thousand for studio and edit and we’ve made only about $100 from the audiobook. Other authors have reported similar and after the fact learn of people who have spent tons on audio hoping binge listeners will someday let them break even.
Let me know how you like it after! And thanks for listening 🤓

[Susie]

Hey Quantum, really interesting insights... as for the narrator -- it's not me! I act, but I am not very good. My sister-in-law narrated and she's a Harvard trained working actress who has been seen on Mad Men, Parks & Rec, and for the those that know, Wishbone. Here's a profile on her we did: https://blog.withings.com/2016/05/10/jeanne-simpson-hollywood/

Thing is, even though we paid her nothing (she gets 1/3 of any Layton $ earned), the cost of studio time and production (I got a special deal, but used a great studio) means that we are about $2000 in the red. After I found this, I asked other authors and was told they were the same, but believed that audiobook people like to binge listen and have a series. That said, not sure if true and don't have the funds in the Edith Layton bank to try.

If the book even breaks even, we will make more for sure.

Thanks for being a reader / listener!

[Susie]

Thank you thank you MJP!

Author's Guild is a great idea and I haven't knocked on their door.

And as ever, thanks for the support and I hope to see you/buy you a good drink at RWA.

Best,
Susie

[Susie]

Hmmm, I keep replying to your comment and it keeps disappearing. Anyway, trying again... thanks for the insights! If the audiobook ever breaks even, will make more. We didn't even pay for the very talented talent! It's my sister-in-law Jeanne Simpson, and she's a highly accomplished actress on stage and screen, did a fabulous job, I do hope you'll give it a try. Thanks for being a reader / listener!

[Susie]

Janice I agree on covers! And my friend Stephen Gardner still does real painted covers for Kensington, which I love. In fact, I've got two of his paintings that are books hanging in where I sit now. One is a Lindsey Davis, Venus in Cooper, and another is a murder mystery, and the cover uses a bunch of antiques and furnishings of my house.

And oh THANK you for remembering that poem. Love it. My favorite is one she wrote and keep in my wallet, in her own handwriting:

"I have four angels
at my bed
fear, disaster, doom
and dread"

Many thanks for sharing that!
Best,
That Layton daughter woman

[Susie]

Oh cool! Hadn't seen that one. Thanks for sharing!

[Susie]

Oh cool! Yes they are some of my faves. She was so in love with the characters in the trilogy, and went hard into research for them. Yes, painted covers are great, but for a regency? Those are so laughable. On one, the heros hair color is all wrong and it drove her nuts. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and hope you try them and let me know what you think.

[Susie]

Thank you Kantu! So kind. I do the Layton stuff for love, split the small amount of money that comes in with my brothers. Every year when we are all together and toast mom, because her books pay for the Thanksgiving dinner. :)

[LilMissMolly]

I’d be happy to listen to the audiobooks you’ve published on Audible and leave reviews in exchange. I know that reviews are one of the best ways to get new audiobooks noticed. Good luck! LilMissMolly 1 at gmail dot com

[Nancy L Gessner]

Susie, I love your mother’s books. It is hard to believe that sh has been gone 10 years. I live on Long Island and I know that she used to stop into a local used paperback book shop near by in Albertson. The owner told me how nice she was when he saw me buying her books to reread. Now I am retired so the library is may main source for reading material.
I do have one of her books that she autographed that I picked up at Brnes and Noble and zi treasure it.