Each week I look over my collected links to see what an over
arching theme for the blog might be. Sometimes it’s a stretch to link up the
content but this week everyday there was something about writers
being connected with readers and the disconnect from publishers and
distributors with writers. This is
nothing new. I have been observing this for the last five years. However it is
interesting to look at this within the context of this week’s headlines around
the publishing blogosphere...
Libraries are where the readers are.
Last year two ebook library subscription services models
kicked off, Scribd and Oyster. For a flat monthly fee subscribers had unlimited
access to ebooks across formats. The big publishers sat back and watched developments and are now jumping on board. Today Simon and Schuster added their
10,000 book backlist to the services, following HarperCollins earlier this
month. This is a bid for reader’s affections. All You Can Read buffet for
$8:99/month. The publisher gets a cut when a book is lent... Mike Shatzkin is
predicting that the biggest publisher of them all, Random Penguin, will start
their own global library. (Or will there be a nice buy out in the future...)
Smashwords has just partnered with OverDrive the biggest
library database system in the US to make all their books available. This model
is interesting. If the one copy of the ebook is checked out customers have the
option to buy their copy through the library...a win/win for libraries. And
what about the chance for celebrity curated lists of books just for librarians
to recommend.
The Amazon vs Hachette fight doesn’t look like it is winding
down... Mike Shatzkin looks at the power play and how publishing has been flipped over with the power now belonging to the retailer who has the
customers.
If you are an author in the middle of all this what can you do? Take control where you can of your own reader engagement. (get in the
libraries...sell from your website.. reader fan email databases...)
Hugh Howey brought out another Author Earnings report this week. The howls that once greeted these one day snapshots of where the money is
going in the publishing world have become muted... Everybody is scratching
their heads...how can this be... the same figures again... Is Hugh right? If
you are traditionally published this could be a game changer for you.
Joe Konrath has practical advice for how you navigate this
changing world...(a bookmark post!)
Bob Mayer also tells you to take responsibility for your own
work. Complaining is not a business strategy! Change your mindset!
Dean Wesley Smith talks about foreign deals and how you do
them...
In the Craft Section,
Chuck on Writers Block (Trigger warning for your ears)
Stealing from other writers (it is not a bad thing....)
Elisabeth S Craig on developing thematic ideas
In the Marketing Section,
How to create the perfect trailer. (useful for book
trailers)
Slideshare book marketing from Joanna Penn
How to Make WOW blog images with Pic Monkey (from the
amazing Jami Gold)
How to manage an email list...software etc
Dave Gaughran has discovered a new site, Noisetrade, which
aims to build your fan base. They have just branched out into books from Indie Music.
Website of the Week: August Wainwright has collected the 50 best Indie resource sites around. Many of these are on my regular check list.
(one stop shop)
To Finish,
How are the successful authors out there navigating on the
publishing sea. Russell Blake a publishing phenomenon is interviewed on how he
has gone from 0 to 500,000 sales in a couple of years. (you may hate him after reading but you can't ignore him…) MindBodyGreen checks out
10 things successful writers do differently.
Engage the reader... Make it easy for them to find and buy
your next book... SIMPLE. (DUCKS…)
(There are lots of links in the Craft and Marketing sections
to help you.)
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