<p>Last year, I wrote a book called <cite>You Deserve a Tech Union</cite>. When <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/you-deserve-a-tech-union-book/">I first announced it</a>, I said it was the hardest thing I’ve ever written, and that I was incredibly proud of it. I think that assessment holds up, even now: I’m deeply glad I got the chance to write it; I’m beyond grateful my publisher was willing to publish a book about the urgent need for unions in tech.</p> <p>A little more than six months later, my publisher announced they were suspending operations, and would <a href="https://abookapart.com/blogs/press/a-new-chapter-for-a-book-apart">no longer be publishing new books</a>. A few months after that, they announced their business was no longer sustainable, and that were <a href="https://abookapart.com/pages/about/">permanently closing their doors</a>.</p> <p>I’m certain this was a difficult decision for the company. It was hard enough for me to hear about it<span class="w"> —</span> and heck, I’m sure that applies to anyone who’d published a book with them. But as difficult as that news was, something wonderful happened in response: a bunch of authors got organized, reached out to our former publisher, and collectively asked if they’d be willing to let us reacquire the rights to our books.</p> <p>Then something <em>else</em> wonderful happened: they agreed.</p> <p>Following on from a flurry of paperwork, I stand here the sole owner of my first three books: <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/books/responsive-web-design/"><cite>Responsive Web Design</cite></a>, <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/books/responsive-design-patterns-and-principles/"><cite>Responsive Design: Patterns & Principles</cite></a>, and my latest title, <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/books/you-deserve-a-tech-union/"><cite>You Deserve a Tech Union</cite></a>. The books’ internals are currently unchanged from when they were published, and they’re still available for purchase everywhere you buy books online; the only thing that’s different is that when you buy a copy, I’ll be getting paid directly, rather than through my publisher.</p> <p>There are two changes I’m excited about<span class="w"> —</span> one small, one big:</p> <ol> <li>First, I’ve tossed together <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/books/">a new books section for my website</a>. Nothing remotely fancy, mind you, but I figured it’d do for now.</li> <li>Second, and this is the one I’m <em>really</em> excited about: I reduced the cost of my books across the board. I hope this makes all three of them<span class="w"> —</span> especially <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/books/you-deserve-a-tech-union/"><cite>You Deserve a Tech Union</cite></a><span class="w"> —</span> more accessible to potential readers.</li> </ol> <p>That’s where things are right now. But really, I don’t quite know what comes next. For my two older books, I’m weighing whether or not I should just release them online for free. But as for <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/books/you-deserve-a-tech-union/"><cite>You Deserve a Tech Union</cite></a>, I’d like to put it on a more sustainable path. Honestly, the most likely outcome is that I’ll continue to self-publish it: give the book a new coat of paint, maybe update a few sections that would benefit from a refresh. At the same time, I’m curious if there’s another publisher who’d be interested in giving the book a proper home. <sup class="footnote-ref"><a class="footnote" href="#fn-publisher" id="fnref-fn-publisher" aria-labelledby="title-footnotes">1</a></sup></p> <p>Anyway. The last few months have been a bit of a journey, to say the least. But wherever my little books happen to land, I’m always, always, <em>always</em> going to be grateful that they got a chance to be out in the world. And right now, I’m especially glad that they’re <em>still</em> here.</p> <p>And finally, I am<span class="w"> —</span> as ever<span class="w"> —</span> incredibly grateful to you for reading my books. Thank you.</p> <hr /> <div class="footnotes flow"> <h2 class="hed-footnotes has-dash" id="title-footnotes">Footnote</h2> <ol><li id="fn-publisher" class="footnote-item"><p>I’ve reached out to a few publishers already, but hey: if <em>you</em> happen to work with an interested publisher, or if you have a connection to someone who does, please feel free to <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/contact/">drop me a line</a>. <a href="#fnref-fn-publisher" class="reversefootnote">↩︎</a></p> </li> </ol> </div>
<hr /> <p>This has been “<a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/reacquired/">Reacquired.</a>” a post from <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/">Ethan’s journal.</a></p> <p><a href="mailto:listener+rss@ethanmarcotte.com?subject=Reply%20to:%20“Reacquired.”">Reply via email</a></p>