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Bestselling author J.D. Barker has entered a distribution agreement with Simon & Schuster. Under the terms of the deal, Simon & Schuster will handle worldwide print, sales, and distribution for Barker's imprint, Hampton Creek Press, starting November 1, 2023. Hampton Creek Press was initially a distribution arm for Barker but has grown to include other authors, primarily in the thriller and horror genres.
The agreement marks a shift in the industry as it combines the creative control of independent publishing with the reach and resources of a major publishing house.
Barker's forthcoming novel, "Behind a Closed Door," out on May 13, 2024, will be the first title under this new partnership. The novel, described as "50 Shades of Grey meets David Fincher's The Game," has already been optioned for film by QC Entertainment, the production company behind Jordan Peele’s "Get Out."
In his new book, Barker introduces Sugar & Spice, the latest app craze that is taking the world by storm and leading the characters Abby and Brendan Hollander into a dangerous game of life and death. When the app assigns the pair a series of increasingly taboo tasks, they soon find themselves in a twisted web of seduction and violence.
He reluctantly sent the new book to his agent to shop with the big publishers. "I felt like I had to. The feature film rights sold fast. The moment the book started circulating in Hollywood, the offers started coming in. I knew I could indie-publish the book, but print distribution would be limited if I did. I had to go the traditional route to see the book in grocery stores, drugstores, Walmart, Target, and Costco. A book like this must be everywhere."
This perspective led him to contact Simon & Schuster, which was recently acquired by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR). Barker knew KKR from his days working in finance and was confident they would breathe fresh life into the business. "New ideas. New revenue streams. That’s exciting. I knew a company like KKR could transform a publisher like S&S."
Industry experts predict this hybrid model could become the norm soon. One survey showed that 76% of authors publish their own titles. According to the Authors Guild, self-published authors increased their income by 76% from 2018 to 2023, which explains why many writers are interested in a hybrid approach. With the global book publishing market expected to reach $104.21 billion by 2028, new partnerships like Barker's could be key to capturing this growth.
"For successful indie authors, signing a traditional deal doesn't make sense, even for a large advance. Not when you have to pay it back for pennies on the dollar,” shares Barker. He adds that this new model takes away the risk for publishers. "The financial burden is on us, the author. Working together, we all profit, we all benefit. It's a win-win for both parties," Barker concludes.
Visit https://jdbarker.com/ to learn more about J.D. Barker’s groundbreaking publishing deal.
About J.D. Barker
J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international bestselling author of "Dracul," "The Fourth Monkey," and other novels. His works have been translated into two dozen languages and optioned for film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.
Contact Info:
Name: J.D. Barker
Email: Send Email
Organization: Hampton Creek Press
Website: https://jdbarker.com/
Release ID: 89128093
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