Bowker, the ISBN provider, found that the number of self-published books in 2012 rose 59% to over 390,000 titles. Ebooks have led the charge, although print books still accounted for about 60% of self-published titles.
The analysis also found that more than 80% of self-published titles came from just eight companies, including Smashwords and CreateSpace. Fiction is the most popular self-published genre followed by inspirational/spiritual works, books for children, and biographies.
At the Frankfurt Book Fair, Publisher’s Weekly encapsulated the event by saying “The self-publishing discussion is the only conversation we need to be having today.”
The Virginia Quarterly’s web editor backed that up.
Books on Demand pointed out that 60% of self-published authors see no difference between their efforts and those provided by traditional publishers. At the same time, 75% saw marketing as the biggest advantage offered by traditional publishers.
And that’s no small point. Self-published authors have to take very broad approaches to marketing to see what works for them at that moment in their selected category. Traditional publishers already know what works and are able to focus a team of individuals on those efforts.
VQR pointed out that the element connecting both groups is that they are both reaching out to readers. And that should be key for you no matter which publishing route you take.
Jennifer Brehl at HarperCollins’s William Morrow imprint bought North American rights to Tina Seskis’s novel, One Step Too Far. The amount hasn’t been revealed but is rumored to have been $500,000.
The book was originally published in April as a Kindle e-book that hit #1 on Amazon. Seskis, who grew up in New Hampshire and now lives in London, followed the e-book publication with a paperback release. The print edition then went on to hit the bestseller list of the British bookstore chain, W.H. Smith.
Note: Penguin’s Book Country operates separately from their other self-pub arm Author Solutions.
Book Country allows self-published authors to sell their works through their website. There are the usual marketing packages authors find at many self-pub companies but there is one difference: authors keep 85% of the royalties. This is higher than both Amazon and B&N.
These days, only folks who cling to old notions of what used to be turn their nose up at self-published books simply because they weren’t backed by a big house. Now the boundaries between the two kinds of publishing are dissolving even more rapidly as traditional publishers, including some of the biggest in the world, enter the self-publishing arena.
Confused? It’s easy to see why. But Simon & Schuster has Archway Publishing while Penguin Random has Author Solutions (and the much maligned AuthorHouse). So if it’s self-published through a company that is part of a big publisher, is it still self-published?
For now, yes. The manuscripts aren’t vetted by anyone; some authors don’t even bother with editing before hitting the print button. And for now, the publishers aren’t likely to look more kindly on any author who approaches them and admits to using the self-pub arm at their company (unless of course that author has managed to sell well on his or her own).
Remember that self-pub is still self-pub. The big publishing house is looking for the same thing as the other printers: a check. The ground is turning to liquid beneath their feet and they’re trying new things to keep afloat. There’s nothing wrong with that, and if it helps them continue on with the old methods, great. Just be aware of what you’re getting…and what you’re not.
Seal Press puts out 30 titles per year. Their books are by women for women. They specify that authors should send a query letter and proposal.
Self-published? Wondering how to set your pricing?
Smashwords recently conducted a survey. They found that cheaper is NOT always better.
Books that sold for $3.99 faired best. They outpaced similar books available for $2.99.
Why? It’s likely about perception. A book that costs a little more signals that it is worth a little more…and possibly a lot more.
But don’t go crazy. HIgher price points than $3.99 did not fair as well.
Is self-publishing the new revolution? It sure feels like it. Publisher’s Weekly covered discussions of self-publishing and how authors are breaking into publishing houses through their own efforts in this article. Some of the key points are:
–Do not give you work away for free. Despite what you’ve heard, content does not want to be free. Authors who cannot make a living do not have time to write…and therefore they can’t continue writing. Charge something. It doesn’t have to be much but it does have to be fair.
–It doesn’t take all that much to catch the attention of traditional publishers. Sell 10,000 copies…or even a few thousand less if the timeframe is short…and start sending your book proposal out to agents and publishers.
–Quality still is king. Be sure to edit, proof, and develop your story just as if you were going after the big six publishers.
Shelf Awareness reports that Author Solutions (which includes subsidiaries AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford, Xlibris, Inkubook and Wordclay) are being investigated for deceptive and unlawful practices. The investigators claim the practices include “enticing authors to purchase promotional services that are not provided or are worthless, failing to pay royalties, and spamming authors and publishing blogs/sites with promotional material.”
As self-publishing has boomed, authors have to be more vigilant than ever about the companies and individuals they trust with their projects. One of the best ways to check a company or person out is to call them directly. If you can’t speak to someone in person, or if you get kicked into a phone bank of low-paid “representatives,” you might consider whether you’re really going to receive the personal attention your book and your career deserve.
Earlier this week, I wrote about the rising interest in short stories. Check out this article for more on singles and how they can impact your writing career.
Here’s a list from Writer’s Digest listing 5 things for your bucket list.
When I posted this to Facebook (find Writer’s Resource under CreationToContract), I noted that I liked the “Do something bizarre” tip best.
Also of interest is the “Self-publish something” tip. They’re not necessarily talking about a book, either. Blog posts, ezine submissions, and other short bits can be great for the author’s soul. And enhance your platform. And provide potential readers of your books with another way to find out about you.
An unbeatable combination!
Here’s a rundown of points to consider when you’re thinking about whether to self-publish.
I would add one additional point: What are your book’s changes in the traditional market? That is, if you were to approach a traditional publishing house, what are your changes of being picked up by an established publisher?
Having a traditional publisher on your team means you don’t have to handle certain types of marketing, manage distribution, or fork over up-front investment costs for creating the book.
Self-publishing offers you much more control over artistic decisions and messaging, regional and niche marketing, and timeliness.
Compare and contrast the benefits and pitfalls of each before you decide.
And remember that you can also take BOTH paths at once!
Writer's Resource/Sunspot Lit 