I know you're fairly sharp-eyed, and I know you'll have noticed I've created a new sidebar - EBOOK FORMATTERS. There's only one link at present - but with your help - I'm sure it will grow.
This is the first post of what I envisage will be many discussing aspects of ebook production, distribution, promotion and sales.
It is a vast and rapidly expanding area of endeavour - though equally it is a rapidly settling, or maturing, sector of the publishing business.
Having achieved lift-off with the unpaid-for help of an army of not so cynical independent writers - whom have bug-tested Amazon's direct publishing platform, and have given the system a certain measure of credence - Amazon's Kindle programme (in the States) now seems to be turning away from the independents who fuelled its lift-off and is now courting what were termed until recently, Legacy Publishers.
Legacy publishers were those companies deemed too slow, too stupid, too cynical, too conservative, too stubborn, to sense the benefits of jumping from the cold shower of narrowing margins and the current fiscal crisis into the warm bath of growth, reduced overheads, increased margins and profits.
Well, having watched Amazon avoid a possible train wreck scenario, and having watched all the eager beaver independents experiment with pricing points and social networking driven sales campaigns, the larger publishers are now properly testing the waters - some still dressed in bathing suits and with water-wings - but they're wading in and in increasing numbers.
And, most importantly, Amazon are positioning themselves as a publisher.
Indie writers are already experiencing the impact of this. SEE Dan Holloway's (author of the bestselling The Company of Fellows) comments on this HERE.
Not convinced that falling sales of one title can be safely attributed wholly to the rising (discounted) sales of other titles - that's kneejerk analysis. I mention Dan's reaction only to illustrate how some indie writers perceive the bigger publishers' dabblings in what, until recently, had been seen as, if not level, then an almost even market.
In a future post I'll explore the differences between ebook markets in the USA, the UK, Europe and Asia.
I have a Kindle book available through Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Germany. It is also available in several ebook formats through Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Diesel Books , Kobo Books, and Goodreads. Though as yet, for reasons I'll explore in a future post, not yet available through UK retailers, with the exception of Amazon.
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Thanks for the link. Asbsolutely I wouldn't base a generalisation on one book (though it's a widely talked about topic among many indie writers who've been doing well).
ReplyDeleteFor me it's been a good wake-up call. I didn't become indie to sell lots of books. I went indie becaue I didn't want anyone telling me what I could write and where/when I could write it. The sudden take-off in Kindle sales has been a godsend financially, but it's led me to places I'm not really happy with as a writer. I'm happiest in front of a live audience, putting together shows and compilations of other people's work, and writing things that publishers wouldn't look at. As the Kindle charts look more and more like the regular charts, I need to keep that uppermost in my mind and not be tempted into the avenues I'd have to go down if I had a publisher.
Hi Dan, thanks for popping in - I know you're a busy bloke. Yes, realise your preference for live gigs and CONNECTING WITH AUDIENCES - and realise, too, you see yourself more as a cultural activist than as a writer - which is why I've linked you on my other blog as An Interesting Person. More power to your elbow - and every other part of your anatomy. Looking forward to reading The Company of Fellows. All the best, regards.
ReplyDeleteWow :)
ReplyDeleteI do realise it's possible to connect with auiences many ways and the internet has opened up many more ways for those who hate the idea of standing up in front of a crowd (Jane Friedman posted a wonderful piece for Writers' Digest about the internet for introverts recently) - I just love being able to watch the audience's reaction in real time.
My elbow particularly needs all the power it can get owing to an old skating injury :)
Very best,
Dan
Oh wow it is an amazing news,This step can bring positive change in your work.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up.
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Nice Information I really appreciate your work. Publishing online is now easier and it reaches a large audience at a glimpse of eyes. Its also a quick way to get your name popular.
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