This week in the world of self-publishing:
It looks like Reedsy––a self-publishing marketplace platform that “empower[s] writers, publishers, editors and designers to build hybrid careers and work together quickly and effortlessly through bespoke, user-friendly digital tools”––is filling in some very important gaps for the indie community, as this February 19th article by founder Emmanuel Nataf for The Bookseller intimates. Writes Nataf, “Until only recently, the self-publishing arena was an unchecked battleground, a veritable free-for-all where authors and freelancers alike placed their profits in the hands of lady luck.” But a sea change has arrived as the indie publishing industry matures, as he goes on to say––a sea change that has taken some endurance to see through, as self-publishing authors and companies face social stigma and constant critical examination coming from the traditional commercial publishing sector. Things may be changing, however: recently named FutureBook’s BookTech Company of the Year, Reedsy is looking to find its place in a stabilizing conversation with other industry standouts about the future of self-publishing. “After all,” writes Nataf, “if there’s one thing we’ve learnt, it’s that successful growth as a startup depends on looking out, as well as in.” For more information about Reedsy and the FutureBook awards, follow the link!
Big news for the digitally inclined! As per this February 16th press release, Outskirts Press has officially completed work on a suite of apps for smartphone users that aim to make the self-publishing experience an even richer and more rewarding one; the apps are available to authors with both iPhone and Android devices, says the article, and “provide users with self-publishing guides and information, connect users with the Outskirts Press social media community of self-publishing authors, and provide direct links to contact Outskirts Press instantly by phone or email.” Outskirts––which describes itself as offering “full-service, custom self-publishing and marketing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining all their rights and full creative control”––sees the apps as a way for its authors to connect with both their audience and their self-publishing team. Other indie publishing companies, like Kobo and Amazon Direct, offer supplementary apps, but Outskirts’ newest offerings may prove to be the most streamlined yet. For more information, visit the original press release here.
If you’re looking for the latest and greatest news when it comes to bodice-rippers and steamy romance, Publisher’s Weekly has got you covered. In its annual review of what’s going on in and what’s to come in the genre––this year courtesy of Ryan Joe on February 19th––PW first takes a moment to define the difference between the two terms:
Erotic romance, according to a definition from the Romance Writers of America, refers to “novels in which strong, often explicit, sexual interaction is an inherent part of the love story, character growth, and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the story line.”
And erotica? “Erotica is just people doing it,” says Cordelia Logan, who has written 19 stories under five pen names and is beginning to focus on BDSM.
Good to know. More importantly, erotic romance and erotica make for a good slice of the self-publishing industry’s total footprint (written and read) … so even if you don’t like it, don’t read it, or don’t like to admit that it exists––it does! And it’s churning along in any case. And “Thanks to the rise of self-publishing,” writes Joe, “authors can now experiment more.” For the full article, and lots more pith for the aspiring indie erotica or erotic romance writer, you can always stop by the original Publisher’s Weekly article.
As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry.This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Monday to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.
ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog, kellyschuknecht.com.
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