Ludicrous accusations have come out from various corners of the publishing industry, some of which are rabidly anti-Amazon and anti-self-publishing, claiming that the information in the notorious Author Earnings reports is flawed at best, and intentionally misleading at worst. The reports, which claim to only be interested in helping all authors make sound decisions based on a … [Read more...] about Uncovering the Inner Workings of the Author Earnings Report
Hugh Howey
Amazon Rolls Out Beta of KDP Pricing Support
New information and knowledge have come to light thanks to the efforts of a core group of individuals; author Hugh Howey and his mathematical number cruncher Data Guy have released exhaustive information through the Author Earnings reports designed to help authors make informed decisions concerning their publishing. Rather than fight the Author Earnings efforts and … [Read more...] about Amazon Rolls Out Beta of KDP Pricing Support
Traditional Publishing Dismisses Author Earnings Report
In what is perhaps the single most telling example of why the traditional publishing fails to address the needs of authors, The Guardian posted an interview with Phillip Jones, editor of the Bookseller, and Nicola Solomon, general secretary of the UK's Society of Authors. While the Bookseller is a publishing industry news source and the Society has recently spoken out about the … [Read more...] about Traditional Publishing Dismisses Author Earnings Report
UK Society of Authors: Traditional Publishing No Longer in Authors’ Best Interests
Thanks largely to Hugh Howey's recent post about the need for organizations that truly work on behalf of authors rather than their own self-interests, serious discussion has opened up about the need for a better structure that works to speak up for writers and their work. Organizations like the Author's Guild have recently been questioned as their interests lie in furthering … [Read more...] about UK Society of Authors: Traditional Publishing No Longer in Authors’ Best Interests
Hugh Howey on Writers’ Unions: Who Really Speaks for Authors?
There are a few groups out there that claim to be the voice of advocacy and support for authors. Chief among them is the Author's Guild, an organization that actively works to block self-published authors from its inner sanctum by imposing hefty sales requirements before indie authors can join, thus making them a retailer's guild, rather than an author's guild. There's also the … [Read more...] about Hugh Howey on Writers’ Unions: Who Really Speaks for Authors?
Authors Rally Behind Amazon in Publisher Dispute
Despite the letter circulated by some well-known authors that urged Amazon to behave itself in its ongoing dispute with Hachette, a new open letter and petition has surfaced. This time, nearly thirty indie authors signed the letter thanking Amazon for its service to the reading public and to authors in particular. The authors include the usual suspects, such as Joe Konrath, … [Read more...] about Authors Rally Behind Amazon in Publisher Dispute
HM Ward on the Aftermath of Her Book Deal Decision
With so much debate currently raging about both book pricing and book deals--especially where indie authors are concerned--it's good to hear some concrete news that worked in an author's favor. While pioneers like Hugh Howey continue to release minutely specific and incredibly detailed reports on book sales for both self- and traditionally published authors, other authors are … [Read more...] about HM Ward on the Aftermath of Her Book Deal Decision
The Hugh Howey Booktrack Competition Open to Entries
Technology and art are blending in two exciting new contests, hosted by Booktrack with sponsorship from Wattpad, Writer's Digest, and Indaba Music. Booktrack, a music overlay platform that engages readers by allowing creators to add ambiance-style music of their choosing over the text so that music plays as they read, is holding two contests around Hugh Howey's work, Half Way … [Read more...] about The Hugh Howey Booktrack Competition Open to Entries
New Author Earnings Report Examines Revenue of Startup Authors
Self-published author and indie author advocate Hugh Howey turned the publishing industry on its head, not with his beat-the-odds success story that made him a household name, but for his willingness to throw open the vault of secrecy surrounding what authors of every ilk actually earn. Considered a taboo subject to the point that discussing exact book sales actually violates … [Read more...] about New Author Earnings Report Examines Revenue of Startup Authors
New Look at How Titles Sell Across Genres
The recent furor caused by Hugh Howey and the team at Author Earnings helped publishers and authors rethink the concept of "secret data," but unfortunately, it's been slow to have a lasting impact on how publishers and retailers guard their sales information. But one author, Edward W. Robertson, published his own look at how titles were selling in different genres, not so much … [Read more...] about New Look at How Titles Sell Across Genres