How to Reach More Readers with Your Words
Copyright 2013 Mark Coker
Published by Mark Coker at Smashwords
Reprinted with permission
Indie Authors Rewrite the Rules of Publishing
Back in the old
days of publishing (four or five years ago), many writers viewed self-publishing
as the option of last resort. Self-pubbed authors were the black sheep of the
writing community. They were considered failed authors because they couldn’t
find an agent or sell their book to a big publisher. They were ridiculed as
"vanity" authors. Sadly, much of the most vitriolic criticism came
from fellow writers.
We don’t hear
much of that anymore. Self-publishing is finally earning the respect it deserves.
High profile indie author successes – utilizing the best practices contained herein
– are climbing the bestseller charts. Their commercial success is changing perceptions
about self-publishing one reader at a time.
Look no further
than the bestseller lists at major retailers to see how the indie insurgents are
scaling the lists. Many Smashwords authors have landed in the top 10 bestseller
lists of major ebook retailers, and many more have topped genre-specific lists
at #1. A few have even landed in the New York Times ebook bestseller list. Indie
bestsellers are destined to become the norm in the months and years ahead.
Don’t misunderstand,
I’m not implying it’s easy to become a bestseller. It’s difficult, and rare. To
get there you’ll need talent, smart decision-making, hard work, patience, and
luck. Even authors previously published by big New York publishers are starting
to go independent. These authors are questioning what Big Publishers can do for
them that the author cannot do for themselves.
It’s only a
matter of time before authors begin speaking of the stigma of traditional
publishing. Indie authors have the ability to publish faster, distribute more
broadly, price lower, sell more books at higher royalty levels, reach more readers
and earn more income than they can by surrendering their rights to a
traditional publisher.
I
f the indie
author movement was a person, 2011 was the year the movement entered adolescence
and 2013 will be the year the movement reaches adulthood. These newly-minted indie
ebook authors (old timers are the ones with three or four years of experience with
self-publishing) are experimenting with abandon. Through trial and error, experimentation,
and rapid information exchange with fellow authors, indie authors are discovering
the secrets of successful modern day publishing.
We're witnessing
the rise of the indie author collective. The collective – warts and all – gives
rise to an intelligence and sophistication that will redefine publishing for
the better.
In The
Secrets of Successful Ebook Publishing, I attempt to capture and distill the
proven best practices of authors who are reaching the most readers with their
books.
My hope is that
these secrets will spark your imagination as you work to become a more professional,
more successful indie author.
Five
Big Trends Facing the Future of Publishing
The publishing
world is in flux as multiple trends converge to challenge old rules and
create new ones.
Here
are the five most important trends facing publishing today:
1. Bookselling
is moving online as brick and mortar bookstores disappear.
2. Reading is
moving to screens as ebooks replace print books.
3. New
publishing and distribution tools empower authors to become professional publishers
while eroding the monopolistic edge once held by large publishers.
4. Digital
distribution enables authors and publishers to efficiently reach a global Market.
5. An
over-supply of books and alternative media content will place downward pressure
on ebook prices. These trends create an environment where indie authors and
small publishers can out-publish and out-compete the larger New York
publishers. A mere four or five years ago, publishers controlled the printing
press and access to retail distribution. Today, thanks to free ebook publishing
and distribution tools such as Smashwords, the ebook printing press is free and
available to any author. Distribution has become democratized, and global,
thanks to the foresight of retailers such as the Apple iBookstore, Barnes &
Noble, Sony, Kobo, Diesel, and Amazon. These retailers are hungry to carry the
ebooks of indie authors. They want indie ebooks because these books satisfy
their customers and sell well. Retailers also understand that readers couldn’t
care less about the name of the publisher on the book’s virtual spine. Readers simply
want great books.
The implications
of this revolution are profound. Writers are now in charge. Readers are the new
curators. You, the writer, decide when your manuscript graduates to published
book. You are your own gatekeeper. You will bypass the traditional industry
gatekeepers and publish directly to your readers around the globe.
Along with this
power shift also comes the responsibility of authors to honor the best practices
of the best traditional publishers. You must publish a quality, professional
book that is as good as, or better than, what’s published by traditional
publishers.
Readers have little
tolerance for anything less, which is how it should be. We live in an age of
media abundance. Consumers have unlimited access to myriad high quality sources
of entertainment and knowledge. Much of this content is available for free. Yet
despite the prevalence of free content options, readers will still purchase
your book because your book is unique. Darwin is in charge. This is a game of
survival of the fittest. Writers who honor readers by publishing great books
will reach the most readers.
The
Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success will help you up your game, even if
you’re already a successful author.
Before we get
started, a simple reminder: It’s tough to sell any book, even a great book. Keep
your sales expectations low, then work to exceed them. Focus on the long term. Successful
indie authors must do many things well while avoiding mistakes that can undermine
their opportunity.
***
You can also download the entire book for free
from the above link.
