When self-published authors like Amanda Hocking became book industry names, it was for reaching incredible sales figures on the fairly new Kindle e-reading platform. After reaching newsworthy levels of success, Hocking and others like her attracted the attention of literary agents and publishers looking to reach consumers. Experts would often question why an author who was … [Read more...] about Traditionally Published Authors Want What Indies Have
traditional publishing
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
Penguin Random House Finally Seeks Unheard Voices
When self-publishing first began to take off in a big way a few years ago, the very common favorable argument was that the publishing industry was based on a centuries-old model that failed its authors. The cringe-worthy royalty splits and little to no return for the author were bad enough, but the most profound argument was that authors were tired of executives in conference … [Read more...] about Penguin Random House Finally Seeks Unheard Voices
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
Death and Destruction: Overused Terms to Describe Publishing
Can we all agree that we will stop using terms like "killing" and "death" to describe the state of publishing? First, it's disrespectful to all the real cases presented in the news daily of actual killing and death. In case anyone has forgotten, we lost a prominent actor to heroin overdose recently, and news surfaced yesterday of a young girl being stoned to death in Syria … [Read more...] about Death and Destruction: Overused Terms to Describe Publishing
Traditional Publishers Learn What Indie Authors Have Known All Along
Ask any traditionally published author what frustrates him most about the industry, and the list of complaints might be rather varied. A survey of 9,000 authors conducted by Digital Book World and Writer's Digest cited lack of creative control, royalties, and editorial decision making on the list, but one other factor that still plagues authors is the seemingly random and … [Read more...] about Traditional Publishers Learn What Indie Authors Have Known All Along
Smashwords’ Predictions for Publishing in 2014
This time of year brings with it a host of predictions from various entities, all of whom can lay claim to professional insight behind their ideas. In the many centuries' old book industry, the past that used to shape the present has been ripped away by disruption and technological shift, meaning even well thought out predictions may prove to be far off base. Smashwords, an … [Read more...] about Smashwords’ Predictions for Publishing in 2014
Pubslush Takes Crowdfunding to Books, Launches New Blog
Crowdfunding has become a widely popular method for startups to secure the funding they need to launch their conceptual services or products while generating much-needed buzz about their pending product. A small number of diverse platforms have begun bringing the same support structure to books, including Pubslush, whose founder Amanda Barbara spoke to Good e-Reader about the … [Read more...] about Pubslush Takes Crowdfunding to Books, Launches New Blog
Leadership Change at Amazon Publishing
When online book retailer Amazon decided to venture into traditional publishing more than two years ago, it staged a coup of sorts by winning over long-time industry professional Larry Kirshbaum to head up their operations. Now, with eleven distinct imprints and a staff of editors nearly thirty-strong, Kirshbaum is leaving Amazon Publishing and returning to his former role as a … [Read more...] about Leadership Change at Amazon Publishing
The Self vs Traditional Publishing Debate Continues
While authors and industry experts on both sides of the table have almost come to a consensus that there are benefits to both self-publishing and traditional publishing, it almost feels as though some more hardcore fans of either side still won't lay to rest their original sentiments about the other camp. Publisher's Weekly took note of a recent promotion by Amazon of a … [Read more...] about The Self vs Traditional Publishing Debate Continues