Friday, April 26, 2013

10 Ways Self-Publishing has Changed the Books World

The wider cultural significance of self-publishing - that's the topic of an interesting Guardian article by Alison Baverstock, Course Leader for the Publishing MA at Kingston University, who recently researched the growing trend to self-publish: 10 ways self-publishing has changed the books world 

 Here are the first 4 of her conclusions and results:
1. There is now a wider understanding of what publishing is – and that it is more difficult than it looks.
 2. Gone is our confidence that publishers and agents know exactly what everyone wants to (or should) read.
 3. The copy editor, a traditionally marginalised figure, is now in strong demand.
 4. The re-emergence of the book as precious object.

Braverstock also formulates this different, more faceted look at the self and publishing: "Self-publishing means recognising, and preserving, content that has value for someone – but the process does not have to yield an income to be worthwhile."

Additional Links

Saturday, April 20, 2013

A Guide to Girl Geek Culture: The 2013 Eisner Award Nominees + links to online reads

The Eisner Awards are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books, sometimes referred to as the Comics Industry's equivalent of the Oscar Awards. The nominations in each category are generated by a five-member panel and have now been announced. They ate voted on by comic-book professionals, and presented at the annual Comic-Con International convention held in San Diego, California, in July.

"And you know what we do with nominees here!" says the geek web magazine The Mary Sue: "We try to find links to previews, excerpts, first issues, and entire runs that are available to read online for free." 

Check out their page for the full list of nominees and links: The 2013 Eisner Award Nominees You Can Read For Free On The Internet

Nominees Range:
Interesting to see that the nomination inlcudes famous names and publishers, but also self-published works, and webcomics and 
comic-related online magazines. Below the links to the works that can be accessed online completely or as excerpt:


Direct links to the nominated short stories, single issues, continuing series:



Direct links to the nomintated webcomics




Best Graphic Album and Best Adaptation


Best 
Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism


About The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue hopes to be a place for two things: highlighting women in the geek world, and providing a prominent place for the voices of geek women. Because all we really want is to just be able to geek out with all geeks, of any gender, without feeling like our femininity is front and center for scrutinization. To not feel like we have to work harder than guys to prove that we’re genuinely into geek culture. We want simple things, like to be able to visit a comic book store without feeling out of place. To be able to buy a video game without getting the sense that the cashier thinks we’re buying it for someone else.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Small Press Book Review

A long-time reviewer of small press books, author Mel Bosworth now put together an online archive of his own book reviews from OWC and some reviews of fellow authors from OWC and Darksky, to keep them online and accessible.

He explains: "Anyway, as long as blogger exists the site will exist and the links will be good. I'm calling it The Small Press Book Review. And I'm looking to keep it going. Needless to say, I'm also looking for a few good reviewers. Call me. There's a chance I can get you good books to read."

The Small Press Book Review has 2 main sections:
- Small Press: Poetry Reviews
- Small Press: Fiction Reviews

About Mel Bosworth
A two-time Pushcart nominee, Mel Bosworth is the author of the fiction chapbook When the Cats Razzed the Chickens (Folded Word Press, 2009) the novella Grease Stains, Kismet, and Maternal Wisdom (Brown Paper Publishing, 2010) the novel Freight (Folded Word Press, 2011) and the poetry chapbook Every Laundromat in the World (STE, 2012). His work has appeared in numerous literary magazines and journales. He is also an associate series editor for the Wigleaf Top 50. Mel lives, breathes, writes, and works in western Massachusetts.


Tuesday, April 02, 2013

The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success

The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success is a guidebook for authors. It is written by Mark Corker, the founder of the e-book platform Smashwords.   An author himself, Corker already has published several guidebooks, like the Smashwords Book Marketing Guide. In contrast to that, this book covers a wider field. In it, Corker talks about:


  • Changes in the Book Market
  • Platform
  • Pricing
  • Cover
  • Algorithms


  • The book includes several examples on especially succesful e-books and average e-books, their development in time, and effects of pricing, serialization. It's a practicle and thoughtful read, and also giving some perspective, like this advice from the first chapter: "Eighty percent of your book's success will be determined by the quality of your book. The other 20 percent is distribution, marketing and luck. If you remember nothing else from this book, remember this: The very most important marketing you can do is to write a great book that markets itself on the wings of reader word-of-mouth."

    Here's the offical introduction: "The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success reveals the best practices of the most commercially successful self-published ebook authors. This ebook is a must-read for every writer, author, publisher and literary agent. Learn over 25 best-practices you can implement today at no cost. These secrets will help you become a more professional, more successful writer and publisher. Share the secrets!"

    book page: The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success

    Direct link to PDF: The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success

    Mark Coker is founder of Smashwords, an ebook publishing and distribution platform for indie authors, publishers, literary agents and retailers. His is co-author of Boob Tube, a novel that explores the wild and wacky world of Hollywood celebrity. He also wrote the The 10-Minute PR Checklist.

    related links: 
    - a quick guide to book publishing services
    - e-book formatting guides (via GalleyCat)
    - how to create a book cover