Self-Publishing Week in Review – Self Publishing Advisor

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News From the Self-Publishing World: 12/14/15

This week in the world of self-publishing:

Self-Publishing Stars of 2015

As the editors of Publisher’s Weekly explain in the introduction to this December 11th compendium, they set out to celebrate “the best of the best: the self-published books that received starred reviews in 2015. And [they] check in with some of the authors of these titles, asking them for writing advice and self-publishing tips for aspiring writers.” Those they touch base with include science fiction authors Mary Fan (Artificial Absolutes) and D.L. Orton (Crossing in Time), fantasy authors Terry Irving (Day of the Dragonking) and Mike Duran (The Ghost Box), fiction authors Barbara Valantin (False Start) and Elizabeth Buhman (Lay Death at Her Door), and the graphic novelist duo Damian Wassel and Nathan Gooden (The Gifted)––to name just a few. It’s never a bad idea to check in on what’s new and what’s recommended in the world of self-publishing, so if you’re looking for a good place to start you might consider checking out the full list of PW recommendations at the link!

Vermont farmers create ‘unicorn of self-published books’

Speaking of what’s new and recommended, a December 10th article by Wilson Ring of the Associated Press made it to the WTOP (Washington’s Top News) website detailing the advent of a magical addition to the self-publishing canon––and luckily for us, it’s a book we introduced you to just four weeks ago, John and Jennifer Churchman’s The Sheepover. And now for an update! It would be lovely to think something along the lines of we spotted it first! but let’s face it, when your self-published book starts a bidding war between the Big Five and leads to a three-book deal, a little attention from us here at Self Publishing Advisor isn’t quite prescient but rather very thoroughly earned! Store owner Elizabeth Bluemle, who first took note of the Churchman’s book and is at least partially responsible for the book’s success after publishing an article to a Publishers Weekly blog, says: “This is the unicorn of self-published books because you never find the trifecta of beautiful production, a lovely story and authors who understand what it takes to create a wonderful book that kids love.” We beg to differ on one crucial word: “never.” (You, dear readers, are proof that Bluemle’s “trifecta” may be less uncommon than she thinks.) There may not be any unicorns on the Churchman farm, but one will certainly find quite a lot of talent and, according to Wilson Ring, some sequels in the works.

What Should Authors Expect to Earn?

Brooke Warner, in this December 9th article for HuffPost Books, is out to readjust our definition of “good sales.” Says Warner, who started She Writes Press, “I used to ask the authors what kinds of sales they expected from their first book–generally a debut novel or memoir. I heard one number come up pretty often: 10,000 copies. That seemed to be a benchmark authors deemed to be possible, perhaps attainable.” And while it’s attainable for some, Warner goes on to say, it’s not common and it’s not a healthy indicator for success––especially for the self-publishing author. She digs into the statistics put out by websites like Author Earnings (a Hugh Howie venture), and points out that it’s “self-evident” (emphasis mine) “that self-published authors would make more money (hand-over-fist more, actually) than traditionally published authors on ebooks because they take home 70% of their earnings whereas traditionally published authors take home 25%, minus their agent’s commission.” But Warner’s article takes a turn away from statistics in its second half and delves instead into a discussion of what success might look like if untethered from unrealistic expectations. It’s well worth reading in its own right, not least for Warner’s reiteration of the foundational marketing precept: the best way to sell books is “to publish often and well.” She explains her reasoning in depth, but don’t take my word for it––check out the full article here!

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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News From the Self-Publishing World: 11/23/15

This week in the world of self-publishing:

Alan Moore Advises New Writers to Self-Publish Because Big Publishers Suck

We pretty much love i09, the millennial go-to forum for all news fandom-related. And when an article begins with the line, “At an anti-library closure protest, local magician and comics legend Alan Moore had some surprising words” you can bet we sit up and pay attention––particularly when those “surprising words” end up rallying support to the self-publishing cause. The article by Kaila Hale-Stern, which posted to i09 on November 19th, records Moore as saying “Publishing today is a complete mess. I know brilliant authors who can’t get their books published [….] Publish yourself. Don’t rely upon other people.” Says Hale-Stern, “It’s rare and refreshing for an established writer to promote the potential boons of self-publishing and be honest about their perception of what lies behind the industry curtain.” Moore’s words aren’t exactly hot off the press (the protest actually took place back in 2011), but Hale-Stern’s decision to resurrect them––and to a high-traffic website like i09––says a lot about what millennials are hungering for. HINT: It’s not more bureaucratic red tape and rejection by traditional publishers. For more of Hale-Stern’s article, visit her article here.

Audiobooks.com Debuts Self-Publishing Tool

In another article published on the 19th, GalleyCat contributor Dianna Dilworth updates readers on the latest development for self-publishing authors looking to break into the audiobook market––and, fittingly enough, this week that involves the launch of a new self-publishing tool by the audiobook industry supergiant, Audiobooks.com. (When you own the domain name, you must be close to the top of your pyramid.) The platform is being called Author’s Republic, and according to Dilworth it will allow self-publishing authors to “submit titles to Audiobooks.com, Audible, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Scribd, Downpour, and tunein, as well as library providers such as Findaway and Overdrive.” The benefits seem (from a cursory glance at least) to be notable: “Most of these platforms will pay authors an average of 35 percent royalty on what their titles are sold for. iTunes and Amazon will pay a 25 percent royalty.” Only time will tell if this new service measures up to existing competitors, of course. For more information, follow the link.

Best Practices for Selling Your Book to Agents and Editors (or How to Avoid Being Delusional About Getting Published)

Self-publishing made it into the Huffington Post this last week! In an article for HuffPost Books on November 20th, contributor Brooke Warner writes that “Most writers have traditional publishing aspirations” in that “They want an agent to fall in love with their project and champion their work; they’re looking for the external validation of being accepted by a publishing house; their fantasies about getting published involve a red carpet experience that’s increasingly elusive in this industry.” But so few aspiring authors receive that validation, despite having genuinely rich material to submit. The solution? According to Warner, you can fine-tune your approach to agents and publishers alike, but the one option which will always be open to you is that of the indie, hybrid, and self-publishing market. Says Warner, “Independent publishing is a blossoming middle ground for authors, and in many cases you can replicate the experience you always dreamed of having–though you pay for it instead of being paid for it.” Obviously we’re a little biased here at SPA, but we fully advocate for more creative control! To catch more of Warner’s article, check out the original post.

The Indie Authors’ Guide to Self-Publishing Art Books

When it comes to self-publishing, or publishing in general, “art books” don’t get a lot of love or attention. But they should! I mean, what’s more eye-catching and giftable than a beautiful oversized book full of illustrations and photographs? And with the digital revolution has come a parallel evolution in the creation and editorial tools now available to artists and photographers––so really, seeing someone pay attention to them is both refreshing and necessary. In this November 20th piece for Publisher’s Weekly, Ryan Joe writes that “despite the amount of work that goes into such an endeavor, numerous creators—some big names in their respective fields, others up-and-comers—are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to getting their art books published.” He goes on to document the ways and means in which several of these creators have trailblazed the way for other artists to follow, and in so doing Joe creates a summary guide for authors looking to flex a different self-publishing muscle. Well worth a second look, we’d expect!

Advocacy in Self-Publishing, news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Self-Publishing, Self-Publishing Week in Review

News From the Self-Publishing World: 11/09/15

This week in the world of self-publishing:

Ebooks: The self-publishing route to a more traditional relationship

In this article for the Irish Times from November 7th, Sarah Keating reviews new titles being released by self-publishing authors Rachel Abbott, Angela Currie, Fat Roland, and Thijs de Boer. These titles are particularly interesting to Keating because they represent a larger trend––a trend wherein indie and self-published titles have come to amount to roughly 31% of the Amazon Kindle Store’s overall sales figures. She makes reference to an ongoing lawsuit Amazon itself has filed against “false reviewers” who are paid to boost sales figures for these authors––a lawsuit that may turn up dirt on more than just hybrid self-publishing companies and reviewers looking to earn a little extra cash. (The consequences could be huge for traditional publishing companies, as well, in that it could either privilege them in the extreme or it could undercut a part of their promotional strategies as well.) Keating’s reviews are themselves quite worth a look, as are her comments about the new self-publishing discovery tool, MacGuiffin.

Comikaze 2015: Indie Creators Share Self-Publishing Experience

Bleeding Cool has long been a litmus test for emerging technologies and paradigms; this week, in a November 5th article by contributor Michele Brittany, the digital magazine documents a panel of indie comic artists and writers at at Stan Lee’s “Comikaze” conference. The panel, titled “Indie Creators, Unite! A Guide to Self-Publishing” was moderated by Fanboy Comics’ Managing Editor Barbra Dillon and featured Siike Donnelly (Solestar, The King of Neverland), William Orr (Hunter Black), Kevin Bieber (Man vs. Rock), Bryant Dillon (Identity Thief, Something Animal), and Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Boston Metaphysical Society, Kickstart for the Independent Creator: A Practical and Informative Guide To Crowdfunding)––many of whom have become well-known in the comic community, despite their longstanding indie roots. It’s a happy circumstance that, in comics as well as in prose of all kinds, the self-publishing author now has representation at major industry events! The panelists answered questions which ranged from “Why is self-publishing so important?” to whether authors should seek publication in digital or print formats, and all of the answers shed new light on the range of possible paths authors can follow in this brave new world of self-publishing.

The Savvy Self-Publisher’s Guide to NetGalley

Last week in a November 2nd piece for Publisher’s Weekly, Daniel Lefferts wrote that “Most authors write books with the hope of reaching a mass audience […] who buy and consume books because they enjoy them,” but recommends authors instead make efforts to “consider another, smaller (but possibly more influential) network—that of ‘professional readers.'” What he means is, authors––particularly self-published authors––ought to keep the existence of one particular website in mind: NetGalley. NetGalley, a web-based platform that enables publishers and authors to upload books for review by these professional readers, can be (in Lefferts’ words) “pricey.” For this reason, Lefferts writes that “it’s best to do some preparation before taking the plunge”––a truth we find applies to more than just this one service. He also describes in detail how authors might make better use of NetGalley, and how to help make their submissions stand “out from the crowd.” All in all, very useful information to know!

Digital Natives and a New Generation of Content Publishing

Eileen Mullan, in this November 4th article for the digitally-based EContent Magazine, reports on the evolution of the publishing path over the last ten to fifteen years. Mullan, whose own graduate school experience typified a larger “normal,” writes that “the worst part of being friends with a group of writers is that you are constantly seeing talented people who take their craft very seriously get rejected.” And rejection is, ultimately, what Mullan sees as both a necessary crucible and the greatest trial through which today’s writers (still) must pass––only, Mullan sees a question mark in that sentence. Is rejection, which underpins the traditional publishing method, really necessary to shape a book into something … “good”? We know the answer to this one, and Mullan cites Andy Weir’s runaway self-publishing success, The Martian, as an example of a fine book that needed no rigamarole of rejection to reach excellence. The rest of his article is equally as uplifting––and all the more useful for that.

Kelly Speaks, news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Self-Publishing, Self-Publishing Week in Review

News From the Self-Publishing World: 10/26/15

This week in the world of self-publishing:

How To Get Self-Published Books into Stores and Libraries

This has been a huge week for self-publishing, in that there doesn’t seem to be a large media outlet left untouched. Take this October 23rd article in Publishers Weekly, for example, in which contributor Alex Palmer demystifies a few tried-and-true self-marketing methods. Why is this such a big deal? For starters, when an industry giant like PW dedicates significant page-space to a (for lack of a better term) “self-help” piece specific to self-publishing authors … well, this is a tacit acknowledgement that there are enough self-publishing authors out there to make them a significant reading bloc that PW is clearly willing to go to great lengths to woo. Ten years ago, or even five, PW would have been far more likely to publish “discovery” pieces aimed at readers (past, present, or future) of self-published books and traditional publishing experts, rather than self-publishing authors themselves. So this is exciting. And the tips Palmer lists (like: “call ahead to make an appointment with the librarian or bookstore owner rather than just appearing unannounced” and “build […] ties to communities long before books come out so [authors and librarians or booksellers] won’t be strangers when the time comes to ask for arranging author events and distribution”) pack a punch and are backed up with useful insights from a variety of experts. This has to be one of the best (and most interesting) assistive pieces I’ve read this year.

What Divides Us?

Talk about making serious press with serious media outlets; this week in The Bookseller‘s “FutureBook” section, contributor Porter Anderson walks us through a variety of self-publishing related news items (some of them in the lead-up to a #FutureChat Twitter event on Oct 23), but far and away the most interesting (I find) is his commentary on the divisions and contentions that exist between the different players in publishing today, and between traditional publishers and the self-publishing author. He asks the question: “Is independent publishing ‘the contrary’ of the Trade?” by which he means, “Do we really have to frame every conversation about self-publishing and traditional publishing as a case of binary opposites?” (My wording on that one.) This is partially in response to some comments made by Hachette Livre’s Arnaud Nourry at the recent Frankfurt Bookfair (in which he described self-publishing as “the contrary of my business. We look at books and decide what we do and do not want to invest in”). Anderson comes to no conclusions, leaving the field open to conversation in the “FutureBook’s” #FutureChat and at the upcoming Author Day conference on November 30th in London.

The Martian and 6 More Movies That Began as Self-Published Books

You thought it couldn’t get any bigger, didn’t you? Well, it did. And by “it,” I mean “self-publishing authors making a big splash in major headlines this week.” Take this October 20th article for People Magazine‘s online edition by contributor Drew Mackie, in which we are presented with exactly what the title promises: seven movies that have their roots in the self-publishing book industry. The Martian has gotten plenty of press lately, and Still Alice made the rounds and raked in a whole bunch of awards as both a book club favorite and an indie film darling, but some of the other titles might surprise you: Legally Blonde, for example. Who knew? Not me. And I certainly am excited to hear that Hugh Howey’s Wool has FINALLY been moved out of “Development Hell” and into pre-production. Mackie quotes Howey as saying, “Traditional publishing is much too restrictive. I don’t want to pump out the same book over and over. I want to challenge myself and produce the work that I feel is missing from the marketplace.” And that, dear readers, is exactly the kind of rip-roaring rallying cry we all need to hear once in a while!

Aussie Writer Gains A-List Recognition for Self-Published Work

This one goes out to those of you from across the Pond––no, the other pond. Australian media supergiant Yahoo7 highlighted the accomplishments of a self-publishing Aussie in a detailed October 21st article by contributor Sophie Smith. Beau Taplin, a native Melbournian, has been making waves not just in the self-publishing industry Down Under, but among celebrities the world over. He counts Kim Kardashian, Jessica Stam, Sophia Bush, Bindi Irwin, and Lauren Phillips among his many readers, but far and away he can credit his social media prowess with garnering him a wide readership. Writes Smith, “Mr Taplin is making a living from the full-time occupation [of writing] despite choosing not to refer his work, which has attracted 281,000 followers on Instagram, 16.3K on Twitter and 10,000 on Facebook, to a commercial publisher.” Taplin, who self-professes to “lean toward the shy end of the spectrum,” sees the novel as falling naturally in line with the traditional publishing model––but he wanted to do something different. His book, Buried Light, comprises only 100 pages of prose, but it has rapidly eclipsed Taplin’s previous two books in sales. Of finding his voice through self-publishing, Taplin has much to say: “I was lost before this.” You can read more about his book at the link.

Kelly Speaks, news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Self-Publishing Week in Review

News From the Self-Publishing World: 10/19/15

This week in the world of self-publishing:

Sussex author tells about the book she always wanted to write

This week, the interview that caught our eye was one between Sussex author Fiona Cane and Argus news editor Lucy Pearce, published on October 16th. In the interview, Cane reveals that Peter James and Eddie Izzard had a hand in her choice to pursue self-publishing her latest book, The Other Side Of The Mountain. “It’s just so difficult now; publishing companies take on maybe one or two authors a year,” says Cane. But she didn’t want to become bogged down in the politics of publishing––she wanted to get her book out there, despite encouragement from other quarters to chase after a more traditional route to publication. The Other Side of the Mountain is not Cane’s first book, but it is the one she is most proud of: “It is much more the book I have always wanted to write but was never sure if I could.” Lucky for us that her childhood schoolfellow Izzard happened to stop by with some sage words of wisdom at just the right moment! “He told me that I had to really push, and want it, and believe,” says Cane. And now we have yet another stellar entry into the canon of self-published geopolitical dramas; The Other Side of the Mountain takes place in Haiti in 2001, and amidst the political and social chaos of that year.

Authors Without Borders

Ever wondered where exactly AmazonCrossing stands in respect to the world of self-publishing? How about self-publishing abroad? Just last week, on October 15th, Porter Anderson of The Bookseller published an article with some of the much-needed details––but he admits that it wasn’t easy to put together the material: “As more indie authors focus on opening international markets, more questions than answers are at hand. It is early days in the deep field of foreign self-publishing.” According to Anderson, the matter of translation remains a huge stumbling block for foreign authors seeking self-publication; AmazonCrossing has, however, been taking steps to help ameliorate the difficulties. Quoting Chad Post, director of the University of Rochester’s (New York) Three Percent translation project, Anderson reveals one key detail: “With more than 150 books translated now, this Amazon Publishing traditional imprint has become the US’ most prolific translation publisher.” That’s a lot of books, but it’s nowhere near, in our humble opinion, enough! (Though let’s face it, there will never really be enough….in our opinion.) Throughout the remainder of his article, Anderson attempts to unspool some of the complicating factors that surround self-publishing a translated work (or, more correctly, finding cost-effective ways to translate your already self-published book). Well worth a read, we think.

Packers Great Jerry Kramer’s Son Publishing Packers Photo Book

It’s an exciting time to be a Green Bay Packers fan! Daniel Kramer, son of the legendary Packers player Jerry Kramer, recently revealed his plans to fund and self-publish a book of his photography and essays to PRNewswire in an October 15 press release. The project, which is being funded by a Kickstarter campaign (ending on October 20th), reached its funding goals days before its deadline … and then some. The book itself, which takes a close look at the 1996-1997 football season, will include material co-written with award-winning author Dick Schaap and feature Jerry Kramer’s own photography, taken on the ground with a privileged insider’s view of the goings-on. The book will be released on the 20th anniversary of the season it documents. And even if you’re not a Packers fan, any self-published, crowd-funded project that reaches this kind of stratospheric public acclaim is very, very good news.

UM Professor Self Publishes First Novel, Celebrates in Oxford

In more news from across the pond, celebrated Blues scholar Adam Gussow is releasing his first piece of fiction––a novel, to be precise––through BookBaby. In an October 15th article for HottyToddy, senior managing editor Callie Daniels Bryant writes that Gussow’s book is already receiving stellar reviews on Kirkus, where the book is said to be “a fast-paced, enjoyable one, with the harmonica blues angle putting a unique spin on the European trip narrative.” If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, consider the fact that Gussow is “noted for his longtime partnership with guitarist Sterling “Mr. Satan” Magee as the duo Satan and Adam.” As a self-publishing author, Gussow has found success through alternative means of self-marketing, and has captured the attention of many potential readers through his carefully curated YouTube channel. Gussow’s own experience as a street performer, or busker, provided much of the fundamental texture of his novel––Busker’s Holiday––so necessary to conveying the actual and authentic experience. If you’re looking for something to take away from the news this week, here it is: the pairing of authenticity with a tech-savvy approach to social media may just be the start of something great.

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