“Is there money in e-books?”
It’s a question often repeated and, while I think the dynamics of the publishing world will continue to transform over the next few years, it is a question worth investigating. Traditional publishers are changing their stances. For the “little guy,” the “indie publisher,” there are a host of fantastic folks (book authors and bloggers) who work hard to announce changes, expose problems, explore and share marketing information, and mentor one way or the other. The list is growing, but a few of my favorites are:
- David Gaughran
- Lindsay Buroker
- J. A. Konrath
- Joanna Penn
- Jeff Goins
- Chris Robley
- and the good people over at Men With Pens
That list is by no means complete, but it sure is a good starting place.
One of the things I find most exciting about the world of indie writing is how incredibly supportive authors are to each other. When my novel As the Crow Flies was still a baby, I began searching online for markets (after procrastinating in spectacular fashion; I’m a pro, baby!) and discovered the thrilling possibility of self-publishing. I confess, I took my time studying the pros and cons, and… finishing my book. But while the book was still under construction, I put out two short stories—and I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement and how-to’s provided by other excellent authors. I sometimes wish that I’d hurried a bit more and got into the program several months earlier, but I am still pleased with my decision, and pleased to see how things are progressing in the world of e-books in general. Take a gander at this infographic by NowNovel:
I’d love to hear about your experiences.
How is self-publishing working out for you?
What do you think of the “indie” trend?
Who are some of your favorite indie advocates?