How I Built a Publishing Empire with Unique Love Stories

When I started writing romance novels back in the late 1990s, I never imagined that it would lead to creating a successful publishing company worth millions of dollars.

All I wanted to do was write the kind of books that I personally enjoyed reading. Unfortunately, the market didn’t offer many options from popular authors that matched my tastes.

But I’m an entrepreneur at heart, and when I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I took matters into my own hands.

Under the pen name Jaid Black, I stumbled upon a unique genre that some say I even created myself – erotic romance novels.

When I first started writing my novels, traditional publishers didn’t want to touch them. They said my use of explicit language in a romance storyline was too much for them. But instead of being discouraged, their rejection only fueled my determination to get my stories out there.

So, I took matters into my own hands and decided to publish my stories electronically. I taught myself how to build a website and started selling my stories as PDFs. It was a leap of faith, but I believed in the power of my words.

And as time went on, I didn’t just stop at publishing my own stories. I saw an opportunity to help other authors share their work too. So, I started publishing stories written by other talented writers. Before I knew it, I had transformed from an author into a publisher.

Today, my company, Ellora’s Cave, is a thriving success. We bring in about $15 million a year and sell nearly 200,000 books every month. It’s incredible to think about how far we’ve come.

Although my mother, Patricia Marks, is the CEO of the company now, I still hold the majority ownership. Together, we have also created a special event for romance fans called Romanticon, which is now in its fifth year. It’s a place for readers and writers to come together and celebrate the love of romance novels.

Wow, things have really changed since Engler first started offering her books. Ellora’s Cave has grown so much that now they have over 800 authors! Can you believe it? Some of these authors are even making six-figure incomes, and I heard that Laurann Dohner is set to make seven figures this year. Talk about making some serious money from writing and publishing!

Nowadays, books are sold in different formats. You can get them as ebooks or printed books, and they’re available on popular websites like Amazon and Barnes Noble. But that’s not all! Ellora’s Cave also sells books directly on their own website. It’s so convenient, isn’t it?

What’s really interesting is that Ellora’s Cave has its own male models for cover shots. These pictures might seem a little daring to people outside the romance publishing industry. But hey, it’s all part of the business! I bet those cover models feel pretty lucky.

Did you know that Ellora’s Cave is headquartered in Ohio? They’re not just your average publishing company. They’ve actually trademarked a name for erotic romance called Romantica. It’s their way of showing that they’re special and unique.

The Early Days of Digital Publishing

Let me tell you a fascinating story about a company that was way ahead of its time. They were selling books online way before anyone even knew what a Kindle was. The co-founder, Marks, shared their exciting startup tale in an interview with Publisher’s Weekly:

Ellora’s Cave kickstarted their journey by selling e-books using a PayPal account. Engler, Marks’ partner, would stay up late at night, personally emailing stories to their customers. In 2001, Engler launched a website with a shopping cart and began publishing works from other authors. As the revenue started to grow, Marks—she affectionately refers to herself as an overbearing mom (who also happens to have a business degree)—kept a close eye on the business, providing assistance wherever she could. She said, I helped her set up spreadsheets, figure out royalty payments, and all sorts of other stuff. And by 2003, she was earning enough to bring me on board.

So, you see, by the time the Kindle burst onto the scene and became a sensation, Ellora’s Cave was already raking in millions in annual sales. Talk about being ahead of the curve!

I have to say, the Kindle has really propelled our company to new heights, I proudly proclaimed. It’s amazing how much it has boosted our revenue and made us even stronger, Engler chimed in.

At Ellora’s Cave, our main focus is still on ebooks. Of course, we also offer print-on-demand paperbacks for those who prefer the traditional feel of a physical book.

Although ebook sales have slowed down a bit in the past year, there’s still a lot of potential for growth. According to a report from the American Association of Publishers and the Book Industry Study Group, ebooks accounted for 20% of net sales in the publishing industry in 2012, compared to 15% in 2011.

And let me tell you, romance fiction is absolutely massive! The Romance Writers of America estimates that romance fiction sales reached a whopping $1.3 billion in 2012.

The genre of erotic romance has gained more attention in the last couple of years thanks to the popular book Fifty Shades of Grey. However, I can say that this book hasn’t had a big impact on our company. All it really did was make the media aware of what readers were already purchasing.

Advice for Writers and Business Owners

The story of Ellora’s Cave is all about following your instincts and not letting traditional standards hold you back. We believe in disruptive innovation when it comes to writing fiction.

Let me tell you something cool – being real is super important. You see, Ellora’s Cave has this totally unique culture, and their owner’s personality shines through in everything they do. From their deep red website to their annual conference, they stand out. They’re not your average, boring business. Nope, they don’t try to be all serious like a big corporate publisher. And guess what? That makes them really memorable.

Now, if you’re an author thinking about self-publishing or selling e-books, I’ve got some advice for you from Engler, also known as Jaid Black. She says, don’t just follow the trends blindly. Instead, find something new, or even create your own genre! Look for something that people want, but there’s not a lot of it out there.

And hey, if you’re an entrepreneur, listen up. Engler has some advice for you too. She says, if you want to stand out, put a unique spin on the market. Don’t just copy what’s already there. Be different! And remember, focus is key. She suggests mastering one thing before venturing into something new. Conquer one territory before claiming another.