from the archives – Page 10 – Self Publishing Advisor

from the archives, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “How to Get Your Self-Published Book in A Library”

Welcome back to our Tuesday segment, where we’ll be revisiting some of our most popular posts from the last few years. What’s stayed the same? And what’s changed? We’ll be updating you on the facts, and taking a new (and hopefully refreshing) angle on a few timeless classics of Self Publishing Advisor.

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[ Originally posted: September 21st, 2011 ]

You have an ISBN. You have a LCCN. So libraries should be able to find your book, and therefore, will purchase your book, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, libraries rarely “order” self-published books. This doesn’t mean they don’t house self-published books and that they won’t stock your book. It simply means you need to do a little work to get on their radar. Here are a few ways to get your book in a library.

Donate a copy (or several copies) of your book to the library. Be sure to go through the proper donation channels.

Host a book reading at your library. This will not only introduce the library to your book but also introduce your book to potential readers.

If your book is geared towards children, give a school presentation on your book’s subject. School libraries are always looking for new books.

Connect with librarians via social networks. Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are powerful ways to network.

Send promotional materials such as flyers and letters to local libraries. Be sure to include of the essential information about your book such as subject, genre, audience and purchasing information.

Try to get a book review in a local publication. This will bring positive attention to your book and encourage libraries to buy it.

Libraries are a powerful part of your book promotion strategy. Creative marketing tactics can increase your chances of a library stocking your book. They can also lead to great relationships with librarians and readers. The best way to find out what your local library wants is to talk to the librarians. Work on building an honest relationship, and you may just find one your book’s best promoters.

– by Cheri Breeding

Well, it’s 2016 and a lot has changed, both within the world of self-publishing and the world of libraries in America. On the one hand, the opportunities and platforms available to authors looking to self-publish have only multiplied, whereas on the other hand, libraries have suffered from continuous cutbacks to budgeting–leaving libraries desperate for cost-effective ways to continue offering their core services. And yes, that includes books.

Luckily for everyone, necessity really is the mother of invention. (Thanks, Plato.) And in that same vein, a number of people much smarter than I happen to be have gone and made lemonade out of, well, a sub-optimal situation. For example, if you live in the lovely state of Kentucky, you’re lucky enough to benefit from the collaboration between the director of Davies County Public Library (DCPL) in Owensboro, KY, andl librarian Jim Blanton of Henderson, who partnered up to create ePublish or Bust. This website allows indie and self-published authors to book appearances at local libraries (there are 24 libraries in Kansas that participate, at present) and to access a variety of other resources. While the website remainsin a beta stage as Blanton and others iron out the wrinkles with their system, it provides a glimpse of new possibilities as libraries and authors collectively look to prepare for a digitally-driven future.

And ePublish or Bust is just one of several innovations in process. There are also the SELF-e Literary Awards! Librarians have long sought more guidance on self-published books as well as books by authors of color. Aiming to answer both needs is this new(ish) award offered by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) and BiblioBoard (the company that partners with LJ on SELF-e). It honors the top self-published fiction and poetry ebooks by African American authors who were born in the United States, with the winners receiving $500, formal recognition at the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (ALA) Literary Awards, and a BCALA Literary Award Seal to use on their books. Not only is the lauding of self-published books a first for the BCALA, the new award will also be the group’s first to recognize digital content. Awards are a great way for authors to gain exposure and credibility–especially within the library community.

Not surprisingly, Library Journal has become an anchor amidst the rapidly changing library & indie author relationship. Over the last two years, they have published at least three articles (here, here, and here) detailing these changes and several other innovations in response to them.

The best news is this: libraries are taking note. It’s not just a one-sided relationship! The Springfield-Greene County Libraries of Missouri had over 300 self-published titles in their collection by 2014, and were working to continue building their catalogue of these specific kinds of item–because they recognize that there’s a demand for them. I spoke to the Director at my local public library, and her policy is that she’ll put a self-published title into circulation if it meets four criteria:

It has an ISBN (other libraries vary on this, but she requires it);
It’s local (in respect to author or content);
It’s a physical copy and not an ebook (our library subscribes to an online database of pre-selected titles for download, and only the parent company can opt to include specific title–that’s not a decision left up to the end user/library); and
It’s free (i.e. donated. She does not solicit self-published titles except in the rare case that the library is hosting a reading. This has to do with a longstanding handshake agreement with the local indie bookstore: we buy through them to supply the stock for our readings, and they have to have access to the book in the right quantity.)

I realized rather quickly that the situation was far more complicated than I’d expected, and I’d forgotten one very crucial detail: Libraries are not bookstores. They neither function like one (and in fact, often have very complicated relationships with local bookstore) nor do authors and distributors of self-published titles receive the same benefits from placing their books in a library as they do in a bookstore. After all, libraries usually only stock one or two copies of any given book–they’re not going to account for a huge chunk of change anyway. The bookstore is where you sell your books, and libraries are where you raise awareness about your books. Exposure at the library can drive sales, but otherwise it doesn’t pad your bottom line. This is why I recommend approaching the library as more than just a stock-it-and-run storage locker for your work. Libraries have demonstrated they’re ready, eager, and waiting in the wings with a lot of innovative strategies to be your partners in promotion. If you stop looking at them as a mediocre sales point, you’ll see them for what they really are: allies.

Thanks for reading. If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. ♠

from the archives, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “Self-Publishing Statistics – Trends in E-book Consumerism”

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[ Originally posted: June 6th, 2012 ]

Since November 2009, Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading, a survey conducted by Book Industry Study Group’s (BISG), has been tracking the habits and preferences of book consumers who have acquired an e-book or a dedicated e-reading device within the past 18 months. The report shows important information for authors and publishers. Not only do the findings squash the pessimistic rumors that the publishing industry is dying, but the report also gives authors and publishers a glimpse at the future of publishing. Here is an overview of some of the most interesting and hopeful statistics.

Readers’ preference for designated e-readers has dropped from 72% to 58%, while readers’ preference for multi-functional tablets has increased from 13% to 24%.

The Apple iPad was not the preferred tablet; instead, readers choose non-Apple devices, such as those offered by Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

More than 62% of survey respondents reported an increase in dollars spent on e-books.

More than 72% of survey respondents reported an increase in the number of e-books they are purchasing.

The movement from e-readers to tablets is important for authors and publishers to be aware of because it offers insight to what readers want. As multi-functional tablet devices become more popular, authors and publishers will be expected to produce a richer, more interactive e-book experience. In addition, the increase in e-book sales is great news for authors and publishers. It shows that there is a demand for great writing and that publishing, though in a new format, is still alive. If you are considering self-publishing a book, be sure to consider offering both a print and electronic version of your book. This will ensure that you appeal to both e-book and print consumers.

– by Kelly Shuknecht

We’ve written about the changes in the long-term outlook for e-books more recently than this 2012 post, but I think it’s important to look a little further back in time–to a moment in the history of e-books when it looked as though both print and e-book models might have unlimited growth possibilities. But of course, they don’t–unlimited growth often looks possible in the early stages of a new market, only to slow and eventually plateau when that market’s growth reaches a balance with existing ones.

In the case of e-books, the market held steady through some fairly revolutionary changes within the distribution platform––from dedicated e-readers to iPads and tablets to mobile––but the bottom ultimately dropped out after Hachette and Amazon resolved their price-fixing dispute. And I have to be careful when I weigh the consequences of this dispute, since one of the oft-quoted reasons Hachette brought its suit in the first place was to negotiate better terms for its authors. One of the end results has been, of course, that booksellers and publishers were able to jack up their prices for e-books, often reducing the price difference between print and e-book editions to a pittance. And if buying an e-book saves readers just two or three dollars off of a print price (often in excess of $20 for new books), the preference for the weight of a print book in hand wins out.

Or at least, that’s what sales figures are showing. People still read print books. And they’re not about to stop reading e-books either, due to their portability. But there’s no getting around it: “Consumer behavior has changed,” says Randy Petway, Chief Revenue Officer at Ingenta. When asked by Publishing Perspectives what the greatest challenge facing publishers today might be, he responded that it’s “Understanding and adapting to the way content is bought and read since the rise of digital publishing.” We may have reached a new equilibrium in the quantity of e-books sold, but we have yet to fully contextualize this new market in other ways––including finance and law. This place we’ve reached is a messy one, as Petway reminds us, but it’s also rife with opportunities. What will be our next step forward?

Thanks for reading. If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. ♠

from the archives, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “6 Ways Watching Real Housewives of New York Can Help You Market Your Book”

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[ Originally posted: July 27th, 2011 ]

Do you watch Real Housewives of New York? If not, surely you’ve seen all the press about the show. Did you know that you can learn a lot about how to market your book and build your author brand by watching it? Here are just a few of the lessons to be learned when watching the show for any period of time (some old and some new):

Follow trends: Take note from Ramona and her jumping on the “renew your vows” trend. Sure, it is a good idea to be unique most of the time, but sometimes you have to “do the stuff everyone else is doing” in order to get your momentum going. After all – it works well for everyone else – isn’t it at least worth a “try”?

Defend the grapes: Bethenny offered to “stomp the grapes” to make wine. Not if Kelly had anything to do with it – she planned to eat those grapes. If you take a stand on some issue or cause that you really believe in and make this public knowledge, that’s a good way to network and build demand for you and your book.

Start your own team: It works for the Twilight saga (remember “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob”?) and is even working for RHONY with the “Team Blonde” and “Team Brunette” fiasco. Have you considered starting “teams” for the main characters in your book? This will build audience excitement for sure because people love to choose sides.

Refer to yourself in the third person: Did you see how Sonja referred to herself in the third person on the recent reunion show? Well, don’t do it that way, but this is a great way to write an effective author bio that will stand out amongst the crowd. Author bios should never be written in first person (neither should social media profiles and the like).

Toss modesty to the wind: Also in the recent reunion show, Kelly mentioned that Cosmo rated her as one of the Five Nicest Celebrities. Why can’t you do the same as an author? Naturally, you don’t want to tout your achievements at inappropriate times, but don’t be afraid to brag a little – especially when it comes to your bestselling author status.

Wear cream to the wedding: This is not the best thing to do in “real life”, but it can be very effective when promoting a book. Don’t allow other authors in your genre to get all of the spotlight. It’s OK to steal the show just a bit for yourself.

Many newly-published authors are faced with the question of: “How do I market my book?” Believe it or not, your answer could be as close as your nearest TV set.

– by Elise L. Connors

Does anyone still watch reality television these days? I remember the day, back in 2008, when Real Housewives of New York premiered–and even further back, it must be said, to a day before any of the Real Housewives cluster of shows aired. Since Real Housewives of Orange County is now in its eleventh season, you can imagine that that’s quite a ways further back! But let’s face the facts. A show that births such classic one-liners as:

… and:

… just can’t die. I won’t let it. That’s not a world I want to live in–a world of sincerely self-aware nature documentaries is a fine and wonderful thing, but it can never rival a world in which the absurdly rich are given finely scrulpted eyebrows and scripted lines worthy of Homer. And Bravo, home to all things Real Housewives, has some of the most loyal fans out there. Over 1.4 million people proved their loyalty by tuning in for the premier of last season, the weakest yet. But 1.4 million? That’s still a lot of people. And while the jury’s out on whether sticking around for another round of brunches and office tours with the rich and famous qualifies Real Housewives of New York marks quality decision-making, the show’s longevity puts the proof in the pudding of Elise’s 2011 blog post, above.

Don’t take this as a drawn-out advertisement for a television show that I don’t even watch–but do take it as a reminder not to turn off your “out-of-the-box” skills when it comes to strategizing and marketing your self-published book. Elise found value and inspiration in a television show because she refused to just sit back and “shut off.” Her mind was active and engaged–even when watching reality television! Maybe your inspiration will come through some other unorthodox channel, like a podcast or a nature walk or a recipe in a kitsch 80’s cookbook. But it’s still valid.

It doesn’t matter how good ideas come to us, not nearly so much as it matters that we put them into real-world application. When push comes to shove, the television we watch and the books we read and the lines we repeat to ourselves in moments of crises aren’t what define our success or failure as self-publishing authors. Only we get to draw the line, and make the call, and cast the judgment. What matters is the work, and that we stick with it–and keep coming back with new ideas to move that work forward! Find your inner diva, dear readers. Find your Real Housewives. Be innovative. Defy the critics, and the numbers. Be indomitable!

Thanks for reading. If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. ♠

Advocacy in Self-Publishing, Choosing a Publisher, from the archives, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TRADITIONAL PUBLISHERS”

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[ Originally posted:June 18th, 2010 ]

Things every author consider when considering self-publishing vs. the old-fashioned model…

7 – Traditional publishers lose money on over 85% of the books they publish, so they only accept around 2% of those that are submitted.

6 – They typically accept manuscripts only from established authors who have demonstrated a proven track record.

5 – Authors lose content control of their work during the editing process.

4 – Authors must still invest an enormous amount of time, energy, and money promoting a traditionally-published book.

3- Authors typically receive 5-10% royalty on the wholesale price of the book, and from that have to give 15-25% to their agent. Do the math.

2 – The majority of books published by old-fashioned publishers go out of print within 3 years. Many books that are stocked on book shelves remain stocked for as little as five weeks before being returned, unsold, to the publisher.

1- Old-fashioned publishers acquire all rights to your book and keep them, even when the book goes out of print or the publisher goes out of business. Yikes.

Publishing is hard and weird, and the process takes far more energy and attention than it rightfully should. If you’re lingering in the balance between opting in to the traditional publishing mechanism or choosing to pursue a self-publishing option, this list from 2010 may just provide the last swing vote. To pretend that we are unbiased would be disingenuous, I know, but isn’t there another side to this list? Isn’t there some dirty laundry to air about indie, hybrid, and self-publishing companies, too?

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Yes, no doubt. That’s the honest answer. The self-publishing model isn’t for everyone, and there are certainly the requisite number of soulless opportunists who have spotted a new means to exploit newcomers, as there are in any industry, but for the most part I do find that the people who work with and alongside self-publishing authors are a good lot. They’re genuinely interested in helping you succeed–according to your own standards and expectations, not under the unrealistic ones set by traditional publishing.

So here’s my claim for the day, with a proviso:

When self-publishing is done right and all of the people involved in a project operate by the foundational tenets of the indie spirit, the experience provides authors the exact opposite experience of traditional publishing.

7: Self-publishing has no gatekeepers, censors, or men in suits wagging their fingers at innovation.

6: Anyone can self publish, no matter their background or prior experience with publishing (traditionally or otherwise).

5: Authors retain full artistic and legal control over their work.

4: Authors get to see a direct proportional relationship between the time, energy, and money they spend promoting and marketing their book–and sales figures.

3: With no middleman to split the earnings, self-publishing authors can keep anywhere up to 100% of their own royalties. That’s, well, a lot better.

2: Self-publishing authors have a weapon in their artillery that traditionally published authors do not which resolves both the overstocked and the understocked problems facing traditionally published authors and their distributers: Print on Demand (POD). Because you can always go back and print more copies of your book, there’s no danger of running out. And because you get to choose how many books you print in the first place and how they’ll be distributed, you’re not shipping crates of untouched books to distributers who will never be able to move copies. Precision targeted sales, that’s what POD enables!

1: Nobody will ever own your work except you. Nobody.

When you cast things in a certain light, it gets really and truly hard to see the benefits of opting in to a broken system that has yet to meet the rapidly-evolving needs of a digital market where they live. And I’m not just saying this because I’m biased–I am biased, 100%–but because I’ve been through the wringer of traditional publishing. I know what it’s like. Like most self-publishing authors, I’ve dipped my toe into the world of traditional publishing and come away angry, hurt, and disappointed. And I’m committed to making sure as many authors get to move on to far better and more positive things, as I have. I’m committed to making sure authors know they have another, better option.

And yes, it’s called self-publishing.

Thanks for reading. If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. ♠

from the archives, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “Contest for Self Publishing Authors: 2013 Global Ebook Awards”

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[ Originally posted: October 15th, 2012 ]

Contests are one of the best ways for self-publishing authors to promote their book and improve their credibility. If you want to increase your book’s exposure and prove that you are an accomplished writer, check out the 2013 Global Ebook Awards. This contest does more than just offer an award sticker to put on your book’s cover; it is truly a great way to market your book and self.

By entering your ebook, you will receive the following benefits:

An official Nominee “sticker” on your ebook cover, website, Amazon page, and promotion materials

A free listing in Publishing Poynters Marketplace, offering copies of your book for reviews on prestigious ebook dealers’ sites such as Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and others

The Global Ebook Awards comes with a six-step publicity program. Each week, they show you how to publicize your ebook.

Media coverage for your book and you

Winners and finalists will be listed on the official Global Ebook Awards site.

Winners and finalists are eligible to receive Global Ebook Award certificates attesting to their honor.

Winners will be announced to the media in news releases.

Discounts on video trailers for YouTube, Amazon, and your website

Discounts on other services for authors and publishers

And much more…

To be eligible, your book must have been released anytime in 2011, 2012, or 2013. The application deadline is March 12, 2013, but it is recommended that you submit your ebook as soon as possible.

To learn more, visit http://globalebookawards.com/.

– by Wendy Stetina

Once in a while, it’s worth reassuring ourselves that just because the normal state of self-publishing is one of change–that the definitions of publishing and authorship are moving targets–some things do remain constant. And Dan Poynter’s Legacy Award for the 2016 Global eBook Awards is one of those things!

You heard me: he’s still at it! Three years the older and wiser, Poynter’s award remains a benchmark for ebook success, and I have some additional good news:

Registration is open.

That means you should submit your book, by the way. Because I know, and you know, that your book deserves a chance to shine in the international arena–and I know, and you know, that one of the best ways to reach new audiences is to flesh out your marketing plan with a competition (or two, or three!) of strategic importance. This is one of those strategically important opportunities, and really, the rewards are worth the effort.

The winnings have changed a little, but they’re even more splendid than ever. To quote Poynter’s website, in addition to an award in any of eight “best-of” categories and dozens (no literally, dozens!) of fiction and nonfiction categories, participants also receive the following benefits:

Putting an official “sticker” on your ebook cover, pbook cover, blog, website and promotion materials.
Winners will be announced to the media via social media and news feeds.
Six ebook Promotional “Lessons”
Everyone receives an official “nominee sticker” for their ebook cover or for other use.
An invitation to the Global Ebook Awards Winner’s Reception in Santa Barbara, CA
Winners will be listed on the official Global Ebook Awards site.
Winners will be eligible to purchase Global Ebook Award certificates attesting to their honor.
Discounts on ebook setup, conversions, and website development.
Discounts on other services for authors and publishers.

Entry is $79 USD per category but there are discount offers available, and if you miss out on this year’s registration it may be well worth budgeting the expense for next year! The 2016 awards are open to any books published 2014 and onward, so it would stand to reason that the next round of awards in 2017 will be open to books published from 2015 onward. Your book may still qualify next year!

For more information on this year’s round of awards, check out the Global eBook Awards website and registration page. And make sure to update us if you enter! We’ll track your progress and be your cheer squad along the way. We hope to see your book on the winner’s lists!

Thanks for reading. If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. ♠

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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So here’s my claim for the day, with a proviso:

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