And now for the news!
Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing, specifically regarding publishing trends within the publishing industry, and their implications for all authors!
September has been a busy month in publishing trends! For one thing, there has been the annual trend toward gatherings, trainings, workshops, and conferences for writers becoming more friendly toward and inclusive of self-publishing authors. Take this article, from Tripp Crouse of KNBA, on the 2018 Conference for Writers and Illustrators, recently held in Anchorage, Alaska. Didn’t know that Anchorage was a hot-spot for literature? Well, now it most definitely is, and Crouse’s interview with Writer’s Guild President Brooke Hartman breaks down what, exactly, the conference was about–and in part, it was about “vet[ting] your different options,” including self-publishing (and how to go about it). If you happen to have a writing conference taking place near you, it’s worth checking out the lineup to see if they have a session on self-publishing; chance are good that it will.
Another trend this year, and this month, has been the leveling of the playing field. Self-publishing is no longer just a viable alternative to regular publishing as a means to an income; it’s a viable addition to business plans everywhere–and it’s making headlines on Forbes, among other business-savvy publications. In this article, Forbes contributor Abdullahi Muhammed puts self-publishing into a pantheon of four freelancing options which create what he calls “passive income,” or “sources of regular income that require little or no effort after the initial work has been completed and can generate consistent revenues over time.” Now, we know on this blog that when it comes to writing, one’s work is never over, but it’s worth hearing him out.
It’s not just regular conferences happening around the country this month: there are conferences specific to self-publishing authors now! This one, the 2018 Independent Authors Conference (#indieauthorcon), was presented by BookBaby, self-proclaimed as “the nation’s leading self-publishing service company” (metrics unknown, but everyone has to write sales copy). Despite its affiliation with one specific self-publishing company, the conference, which is upcoming in November, is broader than that: the Broadway World News Desk writes that “Rhe Independent Authors Conference features workshops, panels, and presentations from over 25 publishing experts, covering all aspects of self-publishing, from editing and production to book marketing and promotion.” Whether you go to this conference or another, that lineup sounds impressive enough to inspire some good work, indeed.
Last but not least, here’s a press release from self-publishing company Blurb, now partnering with Adobe (of photo and PDF editing software fame) to allow users of its Lightroom platform to make the best of both worlds. It’s only one among many in terms of new additions to a growing collection of companies enabling creative services in self-publishing, but it’s worth keeping an eye on; Adobe has quite the portfolio, and a great deal of influence over international visual aesthetics.
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.
Self Publishing Advisor 