In case you were waiting for the hoopla surrounding self-publishing to die down, there's some unfortunate news from Bowker: the number of ISBNs issued for self-published books just reached one million last year. That may not seem like a lot--surely there are more than one million self-published books, right?--but remember, that's only the number of books whose ISBNs were issued … [Read more...] about Is Self-Publishing Still a Flash in the Pan? Yeah, Right.
self publishing
BN Press Now Offers Pre-Orders, But Why?
Barnes & Noble is still clinging to life despite years-long rumors that almost every aspect of the business model is at death's door. With physical stores closing and the Nook constantly rumored to be on the chopping block, it's hard to know what to believe. So the recent announcement that B&N's Press (formerly Nook Press, the self-publishing wing of the company) is now … [Read more...] about BN Press Now Offers Pre-Orders, But Why?
Wattpad Authors Have An Opportunity To Earn from their Stories
Okay, authors, be ready to watch events unfold without getting your hopes up too high...at least not yet. Author-reader consumption platform Wattpad is beta testing a new feature that can be a game changer if it proves to be both sustainable and expandable, one that stands to open up an entirely new marketplace for readers to buy authors' works. According to a new report by … [Read more...] about Wattpad Authors Have An Opportunity To Earn from their Stories
#CockyGate Finally Dies the Death It Deserved from Day One
Don't you love when romance has a happy ending? Or at least a sigh-of-relief ending while still shoving the villain out the proverbial window? Romance stakeholders from readers to publishers have been on the edge of their seats over one hapless author's attempt to make a name for herself by trademarking a common romance term. After months of coverage, courtroom drama (in which … [Read more...] about #CockyGate Finally Dies the Death It Deserved from Day One
Wattpad, Tongal Take Reading to the Big(ger) Screen
Author-upload site Wattpad has been an integral part of the indie author revolution, creating opportunities for authors to put their work in front of readers, publishers, and industry stakeholders. Equal parts reader-centric entertainment platform and author exposure mechanism, they've paved the way for book consumers to find their next favorite writer. But the welcome … [Read more...] about Wattpad, Tongal Take Reading to the Big(ger) Screen
KDP Print launches expanded distribution to bookstores
Amazon has been slowly edging out its own competition by morphing authors over to the newer KDP Print platform instead of the original CreateSpace platform for print-on-demand books. Initially, the KDP Print upload process was just another avenue for self-published titles that were already making their way to ebook via KDP. The only benefit at the onset was the you had one … [Read more...] about KDP Print launches expanded distribution to bookstores
Are Authors Really That Poor?
"So, you're an author. Have you written anything I've heard of?" "You're an author, so you just wear pajamas all day, right?" "You're an author, so you're rich, right?" That last question has been the bane of many authors' existence, the misperception that somehow listing a book for sale equates to a carefree lifestyle filled with champagne baths and sleeping 'til noon. … [Read more...] about Are Authors Really That Poor?
Are Amazon’s Review Policies Helpful or Reactionary?
Like it or not, Amazon is the world's largest bookstore. As such, there are a couple of pitfalls for both readers and authors. First, as the largest source of potential buyers, authors have to play nice and follow the rules. When authors cook up something ridiculous to game the system, Amazon makes sweeping changes to those rules. Even worse, as the world's largest bookstore, … [Read more...] about Are Amazon’s Review Policies Helpful or Reactionary?
AuthorEarnings Debunks Industry Lies Surrounding SciFi, Fantasy
In another stunning display of both truth in publishing and meticulous attention to the data, the latest release from AuthorEarnings takes on another facet of the traditional publishing industry, namely the lies surrounding scifi and fantasy publishing. In a presentation at the 2018 SFWA Nebula Conference, cape-wearing number cruncher Data Guy presented findings that dispel a … [Read more...] about AuthorEarnings Debunks Industry Lies Surrounding SciFi, Fantasy
New “Gift” Option for Authors to Share Books on Amazon
When it comes to getting the word out about their books, indie authors need all the tools they can get their hands on. It might be in the form of blog tours, book swaps, ARC giveaways, or other types of meaningful promotion, but any mechanism for putting a book in front of readers is welcomed. Amazon has now quietly launched a new feature that will give authors another … [Read more...] about New “Gift” Option for Authors to Share Books on Amazon
2018 IndieReader Discovery Award Winners Have Been Announced
As indie author continue to make headway in an industry that only a few years ago shunned their very existence, more and more opportunities continue to open for them. However, recognizing some of the key players who've been their for small press publishers and self-published authors all this time is vital, as these entities have evolved along with the ever-changing … [Read more...] about 2018 IndieReader Discovery Award Winners Have Been Announced
What #Cockygate Court Ruling Should Mean to Authors…and One Author in Particular
Cocktales is available for a limited time. Just when you thought it was safe to write about cocks...er, cocky...again, the courtroom drama isn't over. Rather than admitting defeat and facing the loathing hordes, author Faleena Hopkins has apparently dug in her heels and plans to proceed with further legal efforts. In the meantime, a judge ruled last week--after some … [Read more...] about What #Cockygate Court Ruling Should Mean to Authors…and One Author in Particular
Another Romance Author In #CockyGate-Level Move
Ah, who can forget only a couple of weeks ago when a romance author destroyed any hope of having a career and a dedicated following by being a jerk to other authors? Dubbed #cockygate, author Faleena Hopkins filed a dubious trademark-slash-wordmark on the word "cocky" as it pertains to her Cocky Brothers book series. She then moved forward with threatening other authors who had … [Read more...] about Another Romance Author In #CockyGate-Level Move
Bronx Book Festival Highlights Bigger Problems For Readers
LitHub recently profiled the amazing story of Saraciea Fennell, a publicist for a Big Five publisher, who took on a seemingly impossible task for the best of reasons. After seeing the lack of attention her home in the Bronx receives on the literary radar, she set about creating the Bronx Book Festival. The daunting task has been a labor of love, and thankfully, has … [Read more...] about Bronx Book Festival Highlights Bigger Problems For Readers