It's literally been years since self-publishing took off in a major way and brought some measure of credibility with it. The days of keeping the publishing method a secret and having to purchase hundreds of copies of your book to sell from the trunk of your car are long behind us, but with every new milestone, achievement, or tool that comes along for indie authors, other … [Read more...] about Why Are There Still Issues Facing Self-Published Authors?
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Is Digital Publishing Broken?
It's been eight long years since Amazon rocked the reading world with the introduction of the Kindle. It was certainly not the first e-reader device on the market, but it was the first one with the power of Amazon's PR team to put it in consumers' hands in a big way, and it was the first one that came with the world's largest online bookseller to feed it. And the industry … [Read more...] about Is Digital Publishing Broken?
Get Ready to Celebrate Indie Bookstores this Weekend
In all of the attention given to Amazon and its fights with various companies, ebooks and their digital benefits, publishing and the revolution of indies, it's easy to forget to take notice of some of the most important and dynamic players in the industry: the local bookstores. These bookshops, mostly independently owned as a labor of love and not a retirement investment, … [Read more...] about Get Ready to Celebrate Indie Bookstores this Weekend
Is the Traditional Publishing Industry Finally Catching Up?
Only a handful of years ago, self-published authors fought for legitimacy and respect while readers, retailers, and the traditional publishing industry scoffed at the notion that anyone would buy a book that hadn't been passed through the infamous "gate." Even with the names of early multi-million selling authors being thrown around, names like Amanda Hocking and Bella Andre, … [Read more...] about Is the Traditional Publishing Industry Finally Catching Up?
Libraries Opening to Self-Published Authors
There is no question that public libraries are in a difficult position. They're charged with providing valuable technology resources, learning opportunities, and of course, books to their communities while working within the most meager of budgets. As if those budgets weren't already spare enough, libraries are constantly under threat of further cuts, manpower and salary … [Read more...] about Libraries Opening to Self-Published Authors
What Rook Can Teach the Industry about Bookselling
There's a new app coming, and on the surface, it looks a whole lot like piracy meets FourSquare. Of course, the fact that a few smaller publishers have come on board and the nomination for a publishing industry innovation award lends a lot of credibility to the concept behind Rook, the free ebook reading app that lets users read any book they want for free, as long as they … [Read more...] about What Rook Can Teach the Industry about Bookselling
The Newest Indie Author Tool: Video Interviews
With so many positive aspects to self-publishing--complete creative and business control, lack of a gatekeeper, full retention of royalties--it can be easy to overlook the difficulties. While the overwhelming majority of traditionally published authors are still responsible for much of the legwork involved in reaching out to readers and generating book sales, all of that effort … [Read more...] about The Newest Indie Author Tool: Video Interviews
How Do Amazon-Publisher Disputes Affect Authors and Readers?
It was only a year ago that the publishing industry sat riveted as it waited to see how the storm between Amazon and publisher Hachette was going to play out. Hachette wanted new terms in light of the DOJ price fixing investigation, and Amazon wasn't about to budge. And with a 95% control of the ebook market, it's easy to see why Amazon didn't think freezing its sales of … [Read more...] about How Do Amazon-Publisher Disputes Affect Authors and Readers?
Writers’ Events Can Strengthen Your Craft, Build Your Career
Authors who are interested in establishing themselves as both better writers and as serious career-minded artists can benefit greatly from attending writers' conferences and workshops, but the cost of attending is often pretty prohibitive. Here's a look at some upcoming events that fall on the lower end of the conference registration spectrum, while still offering some of the … [Read more...] about Writers’ Events Can Strengthen Your Craft, Build Your Career
What Nielsen Can Tell Indie Authors
The kind people at Nielsen BookScan do a fairly decent job at uncovering consumer behaviors towards books, then compare that data year over year to highlight the trends in this ever-evolving market. But a lot of self-published authors--especially ones who limit their work to Amazon or who think they're not selling enough copies to even register as a blip on Nielsen's … [Read more...] about What Nielsen Can Tell Indie Authors