And now for the news!
Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing!
This week, we have two big how-to articles from two big media sources that normally don’t spend a lot of time thinking or publishing content related to self-publishing. The first comes from Barbara Krasnoff of The Verge, who writes to cover the “new technologies [which have] appeared and revolutionized the industry”—that is, this new industry that you and I find ourselves a part of: self-publishing, also often referred to as indie publishing. Krasnoff begins by tracing the history of self-publishing—something we have probably often already read about, if not on The Verge—before touching base with a number of authors who have pursued self-publication and delving into the how-to section. Krasnoff concludes:
In short, the process of publishing your own book can be both very simple and very complex. The actual mechanics of publishing an ebook, or even a print book, has become relatively easy, especially if you give yourself to the Amazon ecosystem. However, doing it well — and gaining a following of readers who will enjoy and buy your books — is not as easy. It takes trial and error, patience, and work. But if you’re a writer, and you want people to read your books, it’s certainly worth it.
Overall, Krasnoff’s approach is both nuanced and richly complex, drawing as it does on the real and lived experiences of authors with experience in the field. A worthy read!
Equally as unexpected—and equally as delightful—is this article from Kelley O’Brien of Women, whose article proves to be exactly what its title implies: a getting-started guide for authors looking to break into romance, including by way of self-publication. She opens her section on self-publishing by writing:
Every romance fan knows that Amazon is filled with self-published romance authors, some of whom are as popular, if not more popular, than traditionally published authors. It’s necessary to preface that self-publishing isn’t for everyone. It’s a ton of work. You’ll have to handle everything an agent or publisher would normally take care of, such as book promotion. You also won’t have the support of an agent or publisher.
It can also be very rewarding. Self-publishing, by far, gives you the most control over your work. You always retain the rights to your books. You get to set your own deadlines and won’t have to wait months or longer for your book to start bringing in money.
While she also touches on traditional publishing methods, O’Brien makes sure that authors interested in going indie have a solid foundation and a good place to start the process.
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 each month to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.
Self Publishing Advisor 