And now for the news!
Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing!
One of the most rewarding trends to emerge from recent years is that of collaborations and partnerships, specifically those between libraries and self-publishing authors and companies. A recent panel at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (#AWP19) conference by the Multnomah County Library covered their Library Writers Project, whereby local (to the Portland area) authors are able to submit their ebooks for availability to library patrons. The Library Writers Project has proven so popular indeed that these authors have seen the readership of their books skyrocket, and three have even been selected for print publication by a local press working in partnership with the library to ensure that the process benefited everyone, authors and library and press alike. In that same spirit, Kelsey Oldham covers booksellers in Australia and New Zealand stocking self-published books. The article is hidden behind a paywall, so only Books + Publishing subscribers will be able to access all of the juicy details. But watch for more of these fruitful partnerships to form in the future!
As a part of its ongoing “Read Harder” campaign, Book Riot contributor Sarah Nicolas recently put together a list of nine self-published books that “encompass romance, mystery, young adult, nonfiction, women’s fiction, steampunk, fantasy, and more” and shared them with this major book reviewing and recommendation platform’s followers. They are each wildly unique, and reached their current place by way of unique publishing methods and platforms, and in so doing they exemplify the best of self-publishing overall: that it is a uniquely democratic space, and a space that fosters truly unique and varied works that are maybe just doing something a bit too uniquely for mainstream publishers to bite—or provide a space for authors who aren’t and never have been interested in walking the traditional publishing path. It’s truly exciting to see Book Riot, a titan of the book world, embrace us so actively.
How the rise of the self-publishing industry contributed to the problems for Baltimore’s mayor
Look, everybody needs a dollop of realpolitik on their news website every now and then, and here’s your yearly dose for self-publishing realpolitik: even a good tool can be put to bad ends when deliberately misused. Writes Mary Carole McCauley of The Baltimore Sun: “It could be argued that the self-publishing phenomenon played a key role in the premature departure of Baltimore’s mayor.” Which is to say, while McCauley does not always paint a flattering picture of self-publishing, even she must admit that the real problem behind the premature resignation of Baltimore’s mayor was not the rise of self-publishing, but the rise of individuals who can find a way to turn even a beautiful thing into a power struggle.
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 