Back in the spring, Amazon launched a beta test of a new conversion tool that aimed to be "push of a button" easy when it comes to generating a polished, formatted ebook. Called Kindle Create, it works much in the same way that Microsoft Word does, offering authors a comfortable, familiar system for adding touches like formatting themes and tables of contents. Now, Kindle … [Read more...] about Kindle Create Available to All Authors
indie author
Authors Asked, Goodreads Listened: Kindle eBook Giveaways Are Here
Indie authors have fought for years to be considered "real authors" by both the industry and the readers. While progress has certainly been made--namely in the fact that more and more readers don't care how the book came about so long as it's a great read--there are still a few holdouts where indie authors don't garner the same respect or privileges that publishers and their … [Read more...] about Authors Asked, Goodreads Listened: Kindle eBook Giveaways Are Here
Amazon’s Cyber Monday Steals Include Books
Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos made news over the weekend for being the richest man in the US--worth well over $100 billion--but that announcement pales in comparison to the news of Cyber Monday deals available through his company's site. While the usual Amazon-branded tech will be on sale along with gadgets of every shape and variety, the real treasure trove is to be found in the … [Read more...] about Amazon’s Cyber Monday Steals Include Books
Amazon Announces Writing Grant
There's little doubt that Amazon has made a significant amount of money off the backs of writers. Whether they penned the highest-grossing traditionally published title of the decade or wrote yet another alien love triangle romance and sold four self-published copies, Amazon takes its cut of every title, just like all book retailers. With all the toilet paper, electronics, … [Read more...] about Amazon Announces Writing Grant
Pronoun Self-Publishing Platform Closes Its Doors
Yet another self-publishing service has closed its doors, but in the case of Pronoun, it's not the usual "get rich off authors' dreams" story that so many other sites have fallen victim to. Originally created as an arm of multimedia publishing platform Vook, Pronoun was purchased by Macmillan (yes, THAT Macmillan, as in one of the Big Five) in the spring of 2016, but has been … [Read more...] about Pronoun Self-Publishing Platform Closes Its Doors
Turns Out Piracy ISN’T Good for Authors…Or Readers
In what has to be the winner of the Captain Obvious Award, new voices are speaking out against rampant ebook piracy. Now, it's not as though anyone doesn't understand that piracy of copyrighted content is theft. In fact, that has been openly acknowledged for quite some time. No, in a shocking turn of events, authors have been told that piracy is not only a sign that they're … [Read more...] about Turns Out Piracy ISN’T Good for Authors…Or Readers
It’s Not Too Late to NaNo
If you're connected to any writers on social media, your timelines are probably already filled with the complete spectrum of emotions concerning NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. The elation at meeting or passing your word count goal for the day can be cause for a little humble-bragging, but the angst that goes with life events preventing you from getting to the … [Read more...] about It’s Not Too Late to NaNo
It’s NaNo Time Again…
Ordinary folks may be stringing a few more fake cobwebs around the lamp post in preparation for Halloween tomorrow night, but die-hard authors--an anticipated 350,000 or so--are busy plotting and scheming against their characters and their plots. It's NaNo time again, or National Novel Writing Month. If there's anyone left, book lover or author alike, who's never heard of … [Read more...] about It’s NaNo Time Again…
CreateSpace Is Closing Its Online Bookstore
Amazon owns CreateSpace, the print-on-demand solution that allows indie authors to produce print editions of their work and then seamlessly integrate them into Amazon's online bookstore. CreateSpace started out as an independent company before being bought by the online retailer some time ago, and as such, CS has kept its own online bookstore in operation all this time. But … [Read more...] about CreateSpace Is Closing Its Online Bookstore
New Bowker Study Finds Increasing Growth in SelfPub ISBNs
If there was still doubt in anyone's mind that self-publishing is not only viable but here to stay, a new report from Bowker might cement it once and for all. The rate of ISBN purchase for self-published books has increased by more than 218% since 2011, back when the digital revolution arguably took off. The Bowker report, "Self-Publishing in the United States, 2011-2016 Print … [Read more...] about New Bowker Study Finds Increasing Growth in SelfPub ISBNs