I found this 2019 article from CNN about master recordings -- whoever owns them, owns control. The same can be said about the book publishing industry.
While a publisher can help you get established in the industry, and it is a partnership, the bottom line is that the publisher keeps the rights. You essentially do all the work and then hand it over to a corporation in the hopes of continuing royalties.
While music keeps playing, books dry up.
In case you were wondering why Taylor Swift has gotten away with rerecording her albums -- it's the act of rerecording, perhaps different musicians, an extra song, or some other change-up is how one gets to create a new copyright.
In books, perhaps an update of non-fiction content with a title change. Or a fiction book introducing a new character or chapter.
I love what Chance the Rapper says in this article: After gaining early fame online, Chance the Rapper said he’ll “stick with SoundCloud until the day I die,” forgoing a record label so that he retains the rights to his music.
This is why I self-publish my books. Control is everything. I have three traditionally published books and the only way to own that content is to republish it with updated content.
The downside is control isn't cheap.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/01/business/taylor-swift-rights-trnd/index.html
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Very informative. Thank you.
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Chance The Rapper is an inspiration. Control isn't cheap but it's worth it. Why I love this community - we can take charge of our work, community and outreach in so many ways.
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Thank your for sharing!! The music industry functions very differently to so it’s interesting to get some insight on that Debbie Elicksen
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I've heard artists say something similar to what Chance the Rapper said, Debbie Elicksen. The deals some artists make with major record companies are shocking! And the deals come with strings attached, like the article points out. If I ever publish a book, I'll probably self-publish it so I can have control over it.
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Maurice Vaughan Control is everything. With a trad, you still have to do all the sales and marketing, so why not own it?
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Might as well, Debbie Elicksen. And being a screenwriter, I'm used to self-promoting. :)