Publishing Isn’t for Sissies: Independent Publishing–The author takes control of her choices…

The author takes a hand. That’s the gist of so many blogs and articles I’ve read in just the first month of 2011.

The majority of fiction readers still hold physical books in their hands, printed by traditional publishers. BUT the rise in viable digital and alternative publishing outlets is changing the landscape of the reading and writing world more rapidly by the day. 

indie publishing

For a brief review of the current state of traditional publishing vs. the digital wave, see the links I included in last Thrusday’s Publishing Isn’t For Sissies post.

Having had these types of industry changes affect the release of my latest contemporary fantasy (more about how my mass market paranormal romance was switched to the fantasy genre in my regular PIFS Thursday post) was only my first wake up call. I keep pretty careful track of social media discussions of publishing these days, and the flood of informed and intelligent conversation about other authors’ experiences is impressive of late.

My advice–whether you’re currently considering digital/eBook/alternative publishing avenues for your work: stay up-to-date on the waves technology is making in writing, publishing, and promoting world that controls your outlets to potential readers.

More specifically:

  • Watch.
  • Listen.
  • Stay informed.
  • Talk with other writers–WRITERS, not just the self-help gurus who’re gonna sell you a new car AND get you published, if you’ll only follow their blogs and buy their advice even though they themselves have never published a piece of fiction or even tried to self or independently publish a novel, let alone been successful at it. 
  • Team with other writers to investigate which opportunities (including traditional publishing) are best for your work. Start your own information network with people you respect and trust and want follow into this new frontier.
  • Comment on intelligent posts and interviews you find online–again, not the “get published quick” variety, but those that industry professionals are commenting on.
  • Get involved in the discussion and the wave of the future coming toward us more quickly than anyone suspected.

Here are a few links from this week to include in your light reading schedule ;o)

  • Best Selling tade paperback author Alisa Valdes takes a chance on self publishing and scores big!
  • NYT Best Selling author and indie publisher Bob Mayer interviews with Randy Ingermanson about digital vs. traditional print publishing. Randy Randy earned a Ph.D. in physics at U.C. Berkeley and is the author of six award winning novels and one non-fiction book. He publishes the world largest electronic magazine on the craft of writing fiction and the FREE monthly Advance Fiction Writing E-zine. Read a transcript of this VERY informative interview here, here and here.
  • Author Kait Nolan hosts a great discussion full of important tips for promoting indie authors and books, specifically, how to get the most from your blog tour.

That’s a good start.

Now, get plugged into the conversation and take control of your own publishing choices!

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2 Responses to “Publishing Isn’t for Sissies: Independent Publishing–The author takes control of her choices…”

  1. Great information and links. Thanks. You mention staying up-to-date with technology. This is huge for any author going indie or doing what Bob Mayer and I are with Who Dares Wins Publishing. During the DBW conference I saw a lot of tweets coming out about enhanced and the ePUb 3 format. We’re already discussing enhancing some of our non-fiction titles that Bob has out with links, video etc, but the technology is changing rapidly and staying on top of it is essential for success. It’s also hard and time consuming, but well worth it if you take the time to do it right.

    I really love this series you’ve got going on Publishing isn’t for sissies. Thanks for helping to keep all of us informed and on top of things!

  2. Christine says:

    Thanks for the insights and for the links, Anna. I appreciate this at a time when I’m exploring my future in this crazy world of writing.

    Checking out the links next :-)

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