self publishing news – Page 48 – Self Publishing Advisor

Kelly Speaks, news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing News: 12/21/15

‘Twas the week before Christmas,

and all through the blog,

not a book was neglected,

not even the news …

[we just couldn’t help ourselves! – SPA]

This week in the world of self-publishing:

Do’s and Don’ts of Personal Branding Online

“Have you ever thought of yourself as a brand?” asks Anastasia Crosson in this December 18th article for the online journal, Business 2 Community. She advocates for anyone seeking influence in a public conversation to make personal branding a priority: “A brand can make all the difference in standing out in a crowded marketplace. A brand can make a lasting impression. A brand can grow your network and business.” She particularly emphasizes the value of self-publishing “through blogging, or whatever medium is the best fit” for a person or author to share “content that tells a story about your work and shares your unique insights. […] Becoming a contributor to a publication you trust and respect is another great way to amplify your personal brand.”

Says Crosson, we indie authors can’t forget the importance of authenticity: “You don’t have to take yourself too seriously, try to fit a mold, or fall into the imitation trap. Your personal brand should look and feel like the best representation of you.” There’s a lot to be said in defense of brand marketing, particularly when you’re an indie author looking for that breakout moment! To read more of Crosson’s excellent article, follow the link.

Interview with author Ally Nathaniel

In this week’s featured interview with an indie author, we’d like to point you to Meagan Meehan’s December 18th conversation with self-publishing groundbreaker, Ally Nathaniel, for The Examiner. In her prelude to the interview proper, Meehan writes that “Indie publishing is becoming more and more commonplace, in large part due to Amazon’s accessible and easy-to-use self-publishing platforms […] which have opened the door to many people who are turning their love of writing into a full-fledged, full-time business.”

And while Nathaniel is certainly a case study in proof of this statement, she is also as Meehan points out, a kind of pioneer and indie mastermind: “Ally has literally written the book on self-publishing, and built a business for herself,” writes Meehan, all while “guiding other authors through the process and helping them self-publish their books too. Ally has turned her business into a cottage industry.” The interview covers a number of topics ranging from Nathaniel’s inspiration and reasons for electing to self-publish to her ongoing and upcoming projects. Hint: they’re all interesting!

Authors.me Declaws the Publishing Process

Innovation in self-publishing doesn’t stop with words on a page, as Susan Lahey of Silicon HIlls fame reports in this December 17th article: indie authors and entrepreneurs continue to push the evolution of their own platform, as Monica Landers has done in co-founding Authors.me. Landers, a producer for ABC News, pitches her website as a “platform to connect writers to agents or publishers.”

According to Lahey, Authors.me “helps writers create a profile with all the information agents and publishers need, and can arrange the connection between, say a Young Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy writer and the companies that are looking for that kind of book. Since the site launched in July, they’ve facilitated 15 book deals.” Thankfully, it’s not all about a numbers game, as Lahey explains: “It’s about user experience.” Citing the traditional publishing process as a “soul crushing experience,” Landers (through Lahey) also touches on the difficulties inherent to reading and writing within the indie universe. Landers’ website, which “gives both parties a place to communicate without a hailstorm of emails,” serves as a discovery tool for both readers and publishers to filter through the maelstrom of self-published work out there in search of new material. And a new discovery tool is always good news!

Some good reads to give as gifts this year

It’s not every day self-publishing is mentioned in the Chicago Tribune, but in a December 17th article, contributor Sara Clarkson has proven herself a firm (if occasionally skeptical) advocate. Writes Clarkson, “The tired Scrooge in me has latched on to this quote from poet W.H. Auden: “Thank God for books as an alternative to conversation.” She goes on to explain that she is in the habit of giving books for Christmas gifts, and lists those she’s already purchased for the purpose. “Though my list this year is small,” she writes, there are still some books worth passing on. But how to discern “the worthwhile from the worthless?” Especially when it comes to the famously gatekeeper-free indie market?

“This is where our librarians step in,” says Clarkson, “especially those librarians who have an interest in the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project.” The project is accepting e-books through January 4th of 2016 from Illinois authors with self-published works in the adult fiction genre. The only requirements? The authors must be from Illinois, have already self-published a digital copy of their adult fiction work, and be willing to promote that work “at libraries and other locations throughout the state.” The books can be either purchased online or read for free at local public libraries. According to Clarkson, the Soon to be Famous competition serves an excellent starting point if you’re looking to break into the indie market as a reader or author–and we couldn’t ask for a better Christmas gift!

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.

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

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!

Kelly Speaks, news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

News From the Self-Publishing World: 12/07/15

This week in the world of self-publishing:

Ryan sophomore finds getaway in writing, publishing her book

Some writers get an early start, and as Britney Tabor of the Denton Record-Chronicle notes in this December 3rd article on fifteen-year-old self-publishing advocate Brittney Dear, a little help doesn’t hurt. After moving from a fourth-grade essay on snow leopards to writing full-length novels, then battling her way through the dreaded-but-inevitable Writer’s Block, Dear faced yet another challenge (and one we’re probably all familiar with on this blog): overcoming the know-how barrier to moving her book from manuscript into published book. She turned to an expert, Tabor records, and “Rocky Callen, a published author and book coach from Maryland, gave Brittney advice on self-publishing her first book. She referred her to editors and illustrators and gave her marketing pointers.” With this help, Dear (who writes under the nom de plume Brittney Kristina) worked “six-, eight- and 10-hour shifts three to four days a week as a lifeguard in Prosper and teaching swim classes […] to pay editor and illustrator expenses for the book.” Dear is already enjoying success as her book (Forsaken) finds its target audience, Tabor says, but it isn’t about the money. Instead, Dear hopes her story “inspires teens to do anything they set their minds to.” Here’s hoping, Brittney!

Self-publishing: Road To A Writer’s Death Knell

(Bear with me a moment on this one:)

Last Saturday, author Simon Abah (who has contributed to news outlets as diverse as the UK’s Guardian and Olaitan Ajiboye) voiced the concerns of many when he wrote in the Nigerian paper Leadership that “Book-shelves today are full of works by self-published, self-approved writers whose standards are dismal.” And while Abah is specifically seeking to address a problem he perceives to exist in the Nigerian book market, who among us indie authors hasn’t heard this sentiment expressed somewhat closer to home, about what we do? The reason I think it’s worth including Abah’s article in this week’s news roundup is to highlight exactly why this concern is ill-founded.

Where does Abah, and where do all those other nay-sayers go wrong? They think the primary reason to self-publish is to avoid rejection. Says Abah (case in point): “How can you be an effective writer if you do not suffer rejections leading to reworking of first, second and countless drafts? People who avoid this tortuous route do not have the writing spirit, aren’t confident of themselves and do not understand the concept of patience as a virtue.” But a self-published author might clue Abah in to one simple fact: self-publishing is no easier a route than traditional publishing! Indie authors face equal, if different, barriers to entry into the publishing market: financial barriers, barriers of time and energy, barriers that can only be overcome by intensive research and application to marketing expertise, skill in self-promotion, and the readiness to put everything else on hold to get the book to its ideal readers. In fact, we say an “Amen!” to Abah’s point that we ought to base our “writing efforts on conviction rather than commercial necessity,” that we should “not let insincerity become the hallmark that carries [us] into the future.”

Here’s some news: self-publishing makes room for more authors to hold true to their original visions for their books––to remain sincere––than any number of rejections might do.

The Keys to Publishing Success Are in Your Hands

In a December 4th article for HuffPost Books, self-publishing author Kristen Houghton (of HuffPost’s ‘The Savvy Author’ and Cate Harlow Private Investigation series fame) lays the groundwork for a beautiful argument to choose self-publishing this holiday season––and incidentally, provides the perfect rebuttal to our previous news item. She takes the time to define and describe the distinction between self-publishing, hybrid publishing, digital publishing, and “boutique” publishing––all of which intersect in various ways, but occupy different axes on the indie spectrum. “Major upheavals and changes in publishing benefit authors who now have choices other than the traditional press,” she writes. “Publishing houses have staffers to read proposals and manuscripts, teams of editors, cover designers, book layout designers, printers, and distributors; all this is done with no certainty that the book will find its audience. They’re hesitant to take a chance.” But, as we’ve mentioned before, it’s not all about rejection. The fact that “you are in charge […] isn’t a bad thing. It’s your business and you are the CEO and CFO of the company.” To start your week on a high note, check out the rest of Houghton’s article at the link.

Kelly Speaks, news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

News From the Self-Publishing World: 11/30/15

This week in the world of self-publishing:

Waterloo author writes history, mystery and romance

In this November 29th article for the Belleville News-Democrat, Teri Maddox writes from across the pond of Deborah Heal’s work. Heal, who has self-published both what she calls the three-book “History Mystery Trilogy” and the “Rewinding Time Series” of four books, is a retired English teacher from Waterloo now fulfilling her dreams of becoming an author––and finding a great deal of success in it. Maddox prompts her readers at BND: “Imagine being able to fire up your laptop and experience history in real time, whether at the Old Slave House near Equality or on the Trail of Tears in Golconda.” And this is just what happens in Heal’s books, to Southern Illinois woman Merrideth Randall and her friends, “But their magic software works only when they’re visiting old homes.” The premise is plenty interesting on its own, but what follows––Heal’s own story and route to success––is equally fascinating! Heal isn’t content merely to use a textbook; she does her own research. Maddox quotes Heal’s husband, Bob, as saying: “Debbie does a lot of deep research [….] The history is right. She makes up the characters, but she doesn’t fudge on the facts.” The hard work has more than paid off; as Maddox chronicles, “More than 3,000 people have downloaded the Kindle version of ‘Time and Again’,” Heal’s first book––and now, of course, she’s making news across England for her unique approach to (religously-infused) history. To read Maddox’s original article, follow the link.

At Large In Ballard: Writing in the Cracks

Not every foray into self-publishing is made in the serious spirit of authors seeking self-actualization (although those forays are lovely, too). According to Peggy Sturvidant in this November 27th piece for the Ballard News-Tribune, we have a new self-published entry into both our holiday canon and our updates-of-classic-science-fiction canon: Santa Meets Frankenstein. The book, put out by illustrator Jan Harvey-Smith and Q13 morning meteorologist (turned author) M.J. McDermott, is shaking things up in the seasonal literature department––and raising eyebrows, in the best of all possible ways! Says Sturvidant of McDermott, “She bubbles with the creative juices that led her into majors in drama, atmospheric sciences, and fuels her love of writing. She calls it ‘writing in the cracks,’ between work and family.” (Emphasis mine.) What a beautiful way of expressing what so many of us indie and self-publishing authors know to be a daily reality! And the spirit of the book, according to author and illustrator, could be considered a modern “Christmas fable, ‘for middle readers and the young at heart.'” For more information, check out Sturvidant’s original piece!

So I’m in Iceland And I Want To Be A Writer …

Do you know how to find Reykjavík on a map? Well, it’s a beautiful place and absolutely chock-full of brilliant writers––writers as diverse as Nordic Council Literature Prize winners Gyrðir Elíasson, Sjón and Einar Már Guðmundsson. In this November 28th post to the Reykjavík Grapevine, Kári Tulinius writes a brief but to-the-point piece to all fellow Icelandic authors in search of that “next step”––and actively advocating for indie, hybrid, and self-publishing platforms while at it. Tulinius, a poet himself, writes that “generally, if it is a good book, Icelanders do not look down on writers who self-publish […] so if you have no patience for regular publishing, go for it.” His piece is straightforward, to-the-point, and––I think––perfectly on point for anyone (in Iceland or outside of it) looking for that final word of encouragement to pursue a non-traditional mode of publishing.

Geraldine writers self-publish after struggling to find publishers

Esther Ashby-Coventry, contributor to the New Zealand-based paper The Timaru Herald, documents the self-publishing adventures of the Geraldine Writers’ Club members Edna Huber, Bernadette Joyce, Faye McGunnigle, and Judith Farley. According to Ashby-Coventry’s November 27 article, which went on to be re-posted to the even more widely-read Stuff.co.NZ, these four women don’t think of self-publishing as “their only option,” but rather “the best option” available to first-time authors themselves. The distinction may seem like semantics, but we happen to think this particular set of semantics is an important one! “It’s a catch 22,” Ashby-Coventry quotes Farley as saying: “If you are not known the publisher won’t take you on but how do you get known?” While the article closes with somewhat depressing words from HarperCollins’ New Zealand marketing manager Sandra Doakes (“It is rare to make a genuinely good living in New Zealand; a lot of authors still have day jobs.”) it doesn’t seem that the Geraldine Writers’ Club is suffering because of their decision to seek success outside of mainstream publishing. Current members like Huber look to the example of Alice Mabin, who moved from New Zealand to Australia and whose 2014 novel, The Drover, has sold more than 21,000 copies. “Success is not in bookshops competing with every other book,” Ashby-Coventry quotes Mabin as saying. And that is, we think, a very wise final thought to close out this week’s news!

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

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!

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