Wendy Stetina

Spooky Self Publishing Statistics

Happy Halloween everyone! In honor of this spooky holiday, I want to share some self-publishing statistics that may shock you. Don’t be afraid; just keep reading.

According to Marcia Richards, the number of nontraditional books produced in 2010 increased by 169%. Traditional publishing growth was less than 5%.
According to a New York Times report, “81% of people feel they have a book in them.. and should write it.”
According to Self Publishing Resources, 8,000 to 11,000 new publishers enter the field every year; most of them are self publishers.
According to Self Publishing Resources, 87% of books produced are put out by small presses or self-publishing companies.
According to Self Publishing Resources, nonfiction books outsell fiction books two to one, but more fiction books are published.
According to Self Publishing Resources, 52% of all books aren’t sold in bookstores. They are sold in catalogs, online, etc.

As you can see, self publishing is a popular option in the publishing industry. Despite the tough economy, self publishing is thriving. If you have been waiting for the perfect time to self publish your book, that time could be now.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA:
Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.

Wendy Speaks

The Self-Publishing Book Expo is Happening Today

Today, the third annual Self-Publishing Book Expo is taking place at the Sheraton New York Hotel in New York City. The event is perfect for published and aspiring authors. Attendees will gain access to important information about self-publishing and book marketing. Industry professionals will offer a variety of workshops and seminars. Here are some of the most popular events that will be taking place at the expo.

Pitch Your Book to Real Editors and Agents at What’s Your Story?

Get Instant Feedback on Your Manuscript During a One-on-One Manuscript Evaluation Session

Enter to Win Free Book Marketing Services

If you attend the Self-Publishing Book Expo, we would love to hear about your experience, so be sure to leave us some comments.

Wendy Speaks

A Summary of Frankfurt Book Fair 2011

Frankfurt Book Fair is the biggest book and media fair in the world, with over 7,500 exhibitors from more than 110 countries. This year’s event took place from October 12 to 16. Here are a few of the highlights from the 2011 event.

The Tools of Change Conference talked about the importance of e-books and social media marketing. Click here to read the full story in Publishers Weekly.

Macmillan Bello and Curtis Brown announced that they will be publishing several out-of-print books in a digital format. Click here to see the full story featured on The Guardian.

Tons of publishing professionals attended this year’s conference. Click here to read about one agent’s experience.

And the good best news for authors and other publishing professionals… The fair was upbeat despite the struggling economy. Click here to read the story by The Bookseller.

Wendy Speaks

Famous Self-Published Authors: Mark Twain

At some point in your education, you probably had to read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, but did your English teacher ever tell you that the famous novel was originally self-published? Mark Twain reportedly self-published the novel in 1885, selling over 40,000 advanced copies before the publication date. When his book was banned by a public library in Massachuset, his book sales shot up. Today, there are more than 150 American editions of the novel, and 200,000 copies are sold each year.

The next time someone says that self-publishing is not real publishing or remarks that self-published books are of poorer quality than traditionally published books, tell them that Mark Twain not only sold millions of copies of a self-published book, but he became one of the most well-known and respected names in American literature.

Self-published books are just as reputable as traditionally published books. Not convinced? Check back each month for my post on a famous self-published author. You may be surprised by the names on the list.

Self-Publishing, Wendy Speaks

Top 5 Reasons to Self-Publish in October

Has publishing your book been on your to-do list for months, or even years? Does your book always get pushed to the end of your to-do list because you are overwhelmed with work and home responsibilities? Are you one of those people who always finds a reason to wait? Well, wait no more. October is the perfect time to self-publish your book and begin your life as a published author. Here is why.

Complete Your 2011 News Year’s Resolution

When the clock struck 12 on January 1, 2011, did you vow to publish a book this year? Now that it is October, are you feeling guilty for not fulfilling that resolution? Well, if you self publish in October, your book will be complete by the end of the year. A high quality self-published book typically takes 6-15 weeks to complete. If you start now, your book will be done by the end of 2011.

Get a Head Start on Your 2012 Resolution

So maybe publishing wasn’t one of your resolutions last year, but you want it to be one of your resolutions next year. Why not get a head start, and start the self-publishing process now? This way, you can show off your new book in 2012 instead of rushing to publish before the year is over.

It’s A Great Time for Spooky Reads

Do you write horror or thrillers? Do you want to write a children’s book about Halloween? October is a great month to work on these projects. The cool air and pumpkin lattes at your favorite coffee shop can set the tone for a fall book and help motivate you to complete a great Halloween stories.

Avoid the Holiday Chaos

November through January are the busiest months for most people. You are scrambling around to shop for gifts, bake goodies and attend holiday parties. If you self-publish in October, you can start the process before you become consumed by twinkling lights and sugar cookies.

Mad Money

Throughout the month of October, Outskirts Press is running the Mad Money promotion. When you sign up for a Diamond or Pearl package, Outskirts Press will add $300 to your account. You can use the money towards any pre-production services such as a custom book cover or marketing solutions.

So what are you waiting for? Make October the month you made your dreams come true.

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