Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # The Independent Publishing Magazine The online magazine for independent authors and publishers ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://independentpublishing.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Blog - [5 Image Mistakes to Avoid When Printing a Self-Published Book](https://independentpublishing.com/self-published-book-printing-image-mistakes/) - Images can transform a self-published book, adding visual interest while making ideas easier for readers to understand. They play an important role in children’s books and illustrated nonfiction, where visuals often support the story or explain key information. However, a sharp image on a computer screen does not always produce equally crisp results on paper. - [Large Print Isn't Just for Libraries: Why Self-Published Authors Should Consider Accessibility Formats](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-accessibility/) - For many authors, the journey of self-publishing is about creative control and reader engagement. Yet, a common oversight in this process is treating accessibility as an afterthought. This perspective overlooks the fact that true success should be measured by your ability to reach every potential reader, not just some. Embracing accessible publishing is an ethical - [When to Offer Print Books, Ebooks or Both as an Independent Author](https://independentpublishing.com/print-books-vs-ebooks/) - As an independent author, one of the most important publishing decisions you will make is whether to release your book in print, ebook format or both. Each option offers unique advantages and the right choice depends on your audience, genre, budget and long-term publishing goals. When Print Books Make the Most Sense Print books remain - [5 Rules for Crafting an Eye-Catching Black-and-White Book Cover](https://independentpublishing.com/black-and-white-book-cover-design/) - Black-and-white book cover design is a compelling choice for independent authors seeking a polished and professional aesthetic. Without relying on color, each design element carries more weight, which results in covers that feel deliberate and cohesive. This simplicity often translates into stronger visual impact, especially in crowded digital storefronts where high contrast stands out at - [How to Design a Book Cover When Your Audience Spans Multiple Generations](https://independentpublishing.com/book-cover-design-for-multiple-generations/) - How can you make a book cover that appeals to people of all ages? When your audience spans different generations, their visual tastes can vary widely, from bold, current styles to more traditional layouts. The good news is that making smart design choices can fill in those gaps and make a cover that feels both - [4 Book Design Considerations for Authors Planning to Translate Their Work](https://independentpublishing.com/4-book-design-considerations/) - Do you want people to read your book outside of your own native language one day? For many self-published writers, translation lets them reach new readers and markets. However, getting a book ready for that kind of reach frequently starts earlier than you think, like when you are designing it. These early decisions make it - [Developmental Editing for Indie Authors, Part Three: Red Flags, Contracts, and What to Do if the Edit Falls Short](https://independentpublishing.com/developmental-editing-part-three/) - By the time you are ready to pay for a developmental edit, you have already invested a lot. Time. Money. Ego. Hope. You are also about to hand your draft to someone new and wire them a four-figure check. Even if you vet carefully, mismatches happen. Sometimes the editor is competent, but the scope is - [Developmental Editing for Indie Authors, Part Two: Where to Find Editors and How to Vet Them](https://independentpublishing.com/developmental-editing-part-two/) - In [Part One](https://independentpublishing.com/developmental-editing-part-one), I broke down what developmental editing is, what a professional edit should include, and how to sanity-check pricing and scope. That part is comforting because it is mostly definitions and math. This part is different. Now you have to choose a person. You are about to hand over your draft and a - [Developmental Editing for Indie Authors, Part One: What It Is, What It Costs, and What You Should Receive](https://independentpublishing.com/developmental-editing-part-one/) - Writing a book takes forever. Publishing it costs real money. Then some authors make one quick decision that puts the investment of both time and money at risk: they skip developmental editing. Sometimes they assume spellcheck, Grammarly, or AI tools will catch the big stuff. Sometimes they hire the cheapest “developmental editor” they can find, - [4 Book Sequel Marketing Strategies That Convert Existing Readers and Attract New Ones](https://independentpublishing.com/sequel-book-marketing/) - Marketing a sequel is quite different than promoting a stand-alone novel. The marketing plans must reward readers who have stuck with the series while still being accessible to readers who pick it up in the middle. Existing fans want continuity, reassurance and forward motion. New readers want clarity, credibility and a clear entry point. The best - [The Art of Minimalism: How to Enact an Effective Less-Is-More Approach in Book Design](https://independentpublishing.com/book-cover-minimalism/) - Both physical bookstores and their digital counterparts display thousands of titles on a few screens. Covers first appear as thumbnails, similar in size to a postage stamp. In this environment, visual noise can make your cover disappear. Busy designs become indistinguishable, while simple covers grab attention. A cover stripped down to its essentials quickly communicates - [Rooting for the Right Pace: How to play with rhythm to keep your readers hooked](https://independentpublishing.com/rooting-for-the-right-pace/) - The pacing or rhythm of a story is one of the aspects of writing I took the longest to really understand. Unlike story structure or character development, it doesn’t exist on its own. It emerges organically from the words you choose and the story you’re trying to tell. Yet, for readers, rhythm is crucial. It - [Amazon Says My Original Book is "Stolen" - How to Fight a False Copyright Claim](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-copyright-claim/) - You open your email and your stomach drops. "Your KDP account has been terminated." The email is vague - something about "content that infringes copyright" or "does not comply with our guidelines." No specifics. No human to call. Just your entire publishing business - years of writing, thousands in royalties - gone in an instant. - [Why Amazon Flagged Your Book as "Misleading Content" (And How to Fight Back)](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-misleading-content/) - You just received the email every self-published author dreads. Your book-the one you spent months or years writing-has been flagged or removed for "misleading content." Maybe your entire KDP account has been terminated. The email is maddeningly vague, offering something like: "We found that you have published titles with misleading content that have the potential - [How to Create Inclusive Book Covers That Authentically Represent Diverse Characters](https://independentpublishing.com/how-to-create-inclusive-book-covers/) - Book covers play a large role in attracting an audience. While standard covers typically feature a single demographic or generic archetype, there is a push for covers to be more inclusive and realistically represent diverse characters. Importance of Inclusivity in Book Cover Design As an author, you must consider the inclusivity of your book cover. - [Should You Print Your Book in Color or Black-and-White?](https://independentpublishing.com/color-vs-black-and-white-printing/) - I recently spoke with an author who wanted to include full-color images in his black-and-white interior. He felt strongly that reproductions of a handful of famous paintings would help reinforce some of his points. Could we help him self-publish this book with his vision intact? Unfortunately, this is a common conundrum for independent authors. POD, - [An Independent Author's Guide to A/B Testing Cover Guide](https://independentpublishing.com/an-independent-authors-guide/) - Indie authors have to do everything they can to break through in a crowded marketplace. Their stories are worth sharing, and the cover must be captivating enough to reflect that. Fortunately, methods like A/B testing increase a writer’s chances of creating the ideal design that effectively represents the narrative while enticing buyers. Uncover what this - [Vanity Press Is Dead](https://independentpublishing.com/vanity-press-is-dead/) - For decades, the phrase “vanity press” carried a sting. It implied ego, desperation, and low-quality books that no serious publisher would touch. It suggested that authors who chose to bypass traditional publishing were motivated by self-importance. But as the publishing world has evolved, this label no longer holds. Today, the traditional notion of vanity publishing - [Find Your Literary Voice: Or how not to get overwhelmed by the command to be authentic](https://independentpublishing.com/literary-voice/) - “Find your own voice!” This piece of advice, often given to budding writers, has almost taken on the tone of a command, given how frequently its importance is stressed in writing courses and books. Last summer, I found myself repeating the same line to students in my creative writing class at the Maastricht University Summer - [Truth in the Age of AI: Why Writers Must Become Their Own Fact-Checkers](https://independentpublishing.com/truth-in-the-age-of-ai/) - We live in a time when information moves faster than discernment. With the explosion of AI-generated content and online “facts” that spread without verification, writers have a sacred responsibility to be truth-tellers, not just storytellers. As Christian communicators and independent publishers, our credibility depends on more than eloquence. It depends on integrity. When we fail - [Predatory Publishing Pitches: Five Red Flags for Self-Published Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/predatory-publishing-pitches-five-red-flags-for-self-published-authors/) - Having been in the publishing space for nearly forty years, I’m still amazed at the endless stream of scams aimed at self-published authors. Hardly a week goes by without some new variation—whether by email or phone. The names and approaches may change, but the tactics share common threads that should immediately raise red flags. At - [Contests Done Right: Leveraging Awards to Build Credibility and Promote with Integrity](https://independentpublishing.com/book-awards-for-independent-authors/) - As independent publishers and authors, we know the uphill battle of earning credibility in a marketplace often dominated by traditional powerhouses. That’s why moments like the 2025 Selah Awards, where our Redemption Press authors took home multiple wins, including Book of the Year in Nonfiction, are more than just celebrations. They’re strategic opportunities to elevate - [Picture Books Across Borders: What International Publishers Look for in Kids' Titles](https://independentpublishing.com/picture-books-across-borders/) - Licensing a children's picture book internationally can open new paths for independent authors and illustrators. Around the world, publishers are seeking titles that connect across cultures, offer emotional depth, and showcase high-quality storytelling and illustration. Let’s take a closer look at what international publishers are looking for so you can better position your book for - [The Importance of Narrative Structure: Or how not to kill the ducks](https://independentpublishing.com/narrative-structure/) - As the British Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo first embarked on writing novels instead of poems, she soon realised that, unlike with poetry, she needed to think about story structure to give her books a sense of direction (Evaristo, 2021). Indeed, for a novel to work well and to keep readers’ attention, narrative structure is - [How to Create Captivating Characters: On the importance of complexity, (inter)action, and caring](https://independentpublishing.com/creating-captivating-characters/) - Fictional, literary characters only exist as words on a page. Compiled out of dots, curved and straight lines in ink, they are textual inventions. Even if inspired by actual persons, written characters are not the same as real human beings. And yet, as readers, we can feel deeply connected to and moved by literary characters. - [The Psychology of Maximalist Book Covers: Why Many Modern Readers Love Visual Complexity](https://independentpublishing.com/maximalist-book-covers/) - Book covers have moved away from simple designs to denser, more detailed jackets. It is a trend that many authors are using to appeal to reader preferences, which raises the question of why so many are drawn to the maximalist aesthetic. These visually complex designs are appearing across shelves and social feeds, making it worthwhile - [How to Convey Trust and Authority in Nonfiction Book Cover Design](https://independentpublishing.com/nonfiction-book-cover-design/) - Your nonfiction book cover serves as the first impression readers have of your product. A great cover does more than grab attention - it tells a story about your authority to write on the topic and how well you understand your niche. As more people turn to self-publishing, staying relevant becomes even more crucial. You - [Burnout As A Self-Published Author](https://independentpublishing.com/burnout-in-self-publishing/) - Self-publishing gives you freedom, but it also gives you… everything else. You’re the writer, the editor, the marketing strategist, the social media intern, the customer service rep, and sometimes the book cover and interior layout designer. You’re also the one refreshing your royalty dashboard at 3am, wondering if any of this is working. At first, - [Color Theory 101: A Self-Published Author's Guide to Color in Book Cover Design](https://independentpublishing.com/color-theory/) - Self-published authors are responsible for every aspect of their finished books, including the cover. Whether you work with a designer or create one yourself, having an idea of the color scheme can ensure you wind up with something that grabs readers’ attention and fits within the genre. Standing out amid the millions of books in - [The Art of Readability: Planning Typography and Layout for a Polished Book Interior](https://independentpublishing.com/the-art-of-readability/) - You have put in the work, spending early mornings and long nights to finish your book. The only thing left to do before publishing it is to finalize the typography and layout. While easier said than done, you will have no problems if you understand core design principles. What do you need to know to - [Book Design on a Budget: 5 Cost-Saving Strategies for Self-Published Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/book-design-on-a-budget/) - You spent months pouring your heart and soul into your book. Now, it’s time to format it, find the perfect cover design and launch your story into the world. The costs of paying developmental editors, proofreaders, cover designers and interior formatting professionals can add up. Finding budget-friendly options can leave more funds for advertising or - [Penciling the Plot: Why Creative Writers Should Doodle](https://independentpublishing.com/why-creative-writers-should-doodle/) - My first inclination is to stop her, to reach out and fold my hand around the girl’s fingers. She’s holding a soft 2B pencil instead of the regular HB grade and she’s sketching while she should be writing. I am offering a guest workshop on creative writing in the final year at my former secondary - [Protecting Your Rights: Five Red Flags in International Publishing Contracts](https://independentpublishing.com/red-flags-in-international-publishing-contracts/) - Signing an international publishing rights deal can open new doors for independent authors, expanding their reach and revenue potential. However, without proper safeguards in place, authors risk signing away critical rights or accepting terms that are far less favorable than they should be. Publishers, acting in their own best interest, will often present contracts that - [How Do I Manage a Deceased Author’s KDP Account?](https://independentpublishing.com/deceased-authors-book/) - IndependentPublishing.com’s Ask a Self-Publishing Expert column provides answers to reader questions. This month, our self-publishing expert, Sarah Kolb-Williams, answers a question from Khalid, who is trying to become the authorized representative of his deceased mother’s KDP account. Here’s the email (lightly edited for length, clarity, and privacy): To whom it may concern, My name is - [How to Market your Book Without Feeling Like a Salesperson](https://independentpublishing.com/book-marketing-without-feeling-like-a-salesperson/) - Marketing your books as an indie author is hard and most of us dread it. The idea of constantly promoting our work can feel overwhelming, exhausting, or make us feel like we're the cliché of a sleazy salesperson. But marketing doesn’t have to be about hard sales and endless self-promotion! In fact, the best book - [Navigating AI in Book Cover Design: 5 Considerations for Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/ai-in-book-cover-design/) - A debate rages in literary circles about using artificial intelligence (AI) art in cover design. Is it ethical? How much AI should you use? Some people call it stealing from artists whose work trained AI models. Others feel you have to come up with creative and specific prompts to develop the art, and thus, it - [4 of the Biggest Book Design Trends Currently Captivating Gen Z Audiences](https://independentpublishing.com/book-design-trends-for-gen-z-audiences/) - Your book cover is what makes a strong first impression on potential readers. Grabbing the attention of Generation Z presents some unique challenges. Although individual Gen Zers, aka Zoomers, have some similarities with one another, they are a diverse group with multiple interests and unique personalities. So what does this mean for authors, and how - [Companion Products: The Secret to Keeping Your Book in Readers’ Hearts (and Hands!)](https://independentpublishing.com/keeping-your-book-in-readers-hearts-and-hands/) - I remember the first time I held my book in my hands—the culmination of years of lessons, prayers, and perseverance. But once the initial excitement settled, I faced the inevitable question every author encounters: Now what? The reality is, books don’t sell themselves. And in today’s fast-paced world, where attention spans are fleeting, we need - [Five Reasons Why Business Owners Should Write a Book to Transform Their Business](https://independentpublishing.com/why-business-owners-should-write-a-book/) - As an expert or entrepreneur, coach or consultant, speaker or leader, you are standing on a gold mine of knowledge and experience. Hidden underground is the precious substance that shines out in your work with clients; the mighty foundation you've built your business on; the deep source of energy that powers your mission and vision. - [How do I know if I need a sensitivity reader, and where do I find one](https://independentpublishing.com/how-to-find-a-sensitivity-reader/) - The Question That Keeps Coming Up Since I write emotionally intense fiction that touches on topics like mental illness, queerness, obsession, and trauma, and because I'm actively involved in communities like StoryForge, people often come to me with questions about sensitivity readers. They want to know if they need one, when it makes sense to - [Building Your Author Brand: How to Craft Visual Consistency From Cover to Website](https://independentpublishing.com/building-your-author-brand/) - Today's book marketplace is full of other people trying to sell their work. You're competing with traditionally published books, vanity presses and independently published tomes. If you want to rise above the noise, you must develop a personal brand that speaks to the target audience for your stories. Why Consistency Matters in Author Branding Creating - [Developing a Successful Publishing Strategy as a Creative Writer: How to Run the Stairs and Catch Your Breath on the Landings](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-strategy-for-creative-writers/) - One of my biggest struggles as a beginning writer was navigating the publishing world. With so many literary magazines and contests around, I was overwhelmed by the options and would take a shot at anything that came my way, unsure of where to submit my stories. My creative writing students often face the same dilemma, - [Your Story Is Your Strategy: Writing a Book That Grows Your Business](https://independentpublishing.com/write-a-book-to-grow-your-business/) - If you’re a coach, entrepreneur, business owner, nonprofit leader, or high-level executive, you’ve likely been told that building trust with your audience is key to your growth. But what if I told you that one of the most powerful ways to build credibility, attract your ideal client, and leaving a legacy is to tell your - [Help-KDP Blocked My Book! Now What?](https://independentpublishing.com/kdp-blocked-my-book/) - Welcome to Ask a Self-Publishing Expert, where editor and publisher Sarah Kolb-Williams answers questions from independent authors. Today, she’s responding to one author’s struggle to regain her account and getting KDP to un-block her ISBN. The Problem: Banned ISBN Here’s the email we received from Rocío (edited for length and clarity). I opened my first When KDP blocks your book and terminates your account, it may not be the end of the road. Here’s a look at one author’s journey to KDP compliance. - [A Self-Published Author's Guide to Selecting the Perfect Size for Your Book Design](https://independentpublishing.com/a-self-publishers-guide-to-choosing-the-right-book-size/) - Embarking on your self-publishing journey presents many challenges. You’re in charge of mapping stops and your final destination on the way to publishing success. One of the first things you must consider when formatting your book is trim size. What Is the Best Size for a Self-Published Book? The best size for your book will - [Engage Your Audience and Boost Your Book Sales with Thoughtful Questions](https://independentpublishing.com/thoughtful-questions-to-engage-readers-and-boost-book-sales/) - When it comes to writing, there’s one core truth every author has to accept—your readers don’t care about your book. That might be hard to hear, but it’s true. What they care about is themselves. They want to know how your book will solve their problems, answer their questions, or meet their needs. If you - [Why Authors Should Listen to Readers: About the importance of reading reader reviews](https://independentpublishing.com/importance-of-reading-reader-reviews/) - It's been a little less than two months since my debut novel Fake Fish appeared. I have been lucky enough to not only have the book discussed in journals such as Low Hanging Fruit Literary Magazine, Observant, and Women Writers and Women Books, but the reviews have been very positive as well. The novel was - [Four Ways AI Can Help Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/four-ways-ai-can-help-authors/) - Look, let's be honest: writing is hard. It's lonely. It's full of self-doubt. And sometimes – usually around 3 AM when you're staring at a blinking cursor – it feels impossible, not to mention how hard it is to build a career as an author, a notion some may consider purely mythological at this point. - [How One Traditional Publisher Is Using Data Science To Discover New Authors and Self-Published Titles](https://independentpublishing.com/how-traditional-publisher-uses-data-science-to-discover-new-authors/) - If you’re a self-published author who has dreamed of having your book discovered and then traditionally published, you’ll want to keep reading. The conventional wisdom, among authors, is that being self-published is an impediment to getting published traditionally. In fact, the opposite is true. Successfully self-publishing your book can open up a world of publishing - [How Can I Diversify My Income Streams as an Independent Author](https://independentpublishing.com/how-to-diversify-income-streams-as-an-independent-author/) - Have you ever thought about diversifying your income from your book? I frequently receive questions from independent authors who want to know how they can maximize their books’ impact. But this impact doesn’t have to be limited to sales from a single book. More audiences and income streams are available to you—you just have to - [How to Avoid Self-Publishing Scams in 2025](https://independentpublishing.com/how-to-avoid-self-publishing-scams/) - The self-publishing industry is full of exciting opportunities, but it also offers a prime environment for fraudsters who prey on new authors. The latest of these scams made headlines on December 20, 2024, when Federal prosecutors indicted three executives from PageTurner Press in an alleged $44 million publishing fraud scheme. Google it. The details are - [3 Ways Indie Authors Can Get Feedback Before They Publish](https://independentpublishing.com/how-indie-authors-can-get-feedback-before-they-publish/) - Self-publishing has become more and more prevalent in the modern publishing structure; the control that authors can keep over their works makes it one of the most rewarding paths to take. Unfortunately, self-publishing can also feel isolating. Without the structure traditional publishing offers, such as having an established team of editors, agents, and even marketing - [Marketing In Your Strengths](https://independentpublishing.com/marketing-strategies-for-authors/) - Heading into 2025 brings with it some needed adjustments as we, authors and publishers committed to seeing our words impact our world, set out to market the works of our hands. Continuing with this unpacking of the five points set out at the relaunch of this site, in this article we’re going to look at - [Best Practices in Gathering Feedback and Reviews](https://independentpublishing.com/tips-for-gathering-feedback-and-reviews-for-your-book/) - As we continue to unpack the 5 ways authors can sabotage book sales, I wonder how you’re doing in the feedback department? With my first book, I just wrote it, published it, and went on tons of TV and Radio shows. They did provide feedback at the time, but honestly, I didn’t know what to - [Marketing Strategies for Authors: Beyond Beginner – Rebecca Carter | Guest Post](https://independentpublishing.com/social-media-plus-content-marketing-for-authors/) - You might be ready for more advanced social media strategies. When you first dipped your toe into Twitter or gathered friends on Facebook, it was enough to just have a social media presence. Now that you’ve gotten a little savvier, maybe refresh yourself on social media best practices and etiquette — and then take it - [How to Get Writing Inspiration: About spitting in your hands and the importance of just watching](https://independentpublishing.com/how-to-get-writing-inspiration/) - 'I spit in my hands...' The sentence has been in my mind for a couple of days now. I am not sure what it wants from me. What does it want me to do with it? What does it want to be? I haven't had the time to write anything properly in the past months. - [Book Positioning for Beginners - Secrets to Self-Publish Like a Pro](https://independentpublishing.com/book-positioning-for-beginners-secrets-to-self-publish-like-a-pro/) - Did you know most indie authors skip one of the most important steps in the publishing process? It’s a step traditional New York publishing houses do as a matter of course, but most self-publishers bypass because they don’t even know about it. I’m talking about book positioning, where the craft of writing meets the business - [Book Positioning for Beginners - Secrets to Self-Publish Like Pro, Part 2](https://independentpublishing.com/book-positioning-for-beginners-secrets-to-self-publish-like-pro-part-2/) - The book positioning process is a critical step in publishing your book like the pros. In the first installment of “Secrets to Self Publish Like a Pro,” I covered the basics of book positioning and why it’s the foundation of a successful self-publishing journey. In part 2, I discuss the steps in the book positioning - [Book Positioning for Beginners Series: Secrets to Self-Publish Like a Pro, Part 3](https://independentpublishing.com/book-positioning-for-beginners/) - In the first and second installments of this three-part series, I talked about why book positioning is one of the most crucial steps in the publishing process and explored the necessary steps to properly position a book. In this third and final installment of the series, I’ll share some useful tools and resources that can - [What I Learned at My First International Book Fair](https://independentpublishing.com/experience-at-an-international-book-fair-margaux-weisman/) - After twelve years as a book editor, before joining a company that built a virtual foreign rights marketplace, I thought I understood the publishing industry's fundamental dynamics. My first Frankfurt Book Fair proved to be revelatory. As publishing continues its digital transformation, the experience offered valuable insights about the delicate balance between innovation and tradition. - [5 Unexpected Skills for Indie Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/unexpected-skills-for-indie-authors/) - Ever since I was little, I always dreamed about being an author. I read nonstop, planned my books, wrote short stories that became novels. I’ve looked for tips on character development, on plot twists, on keeping story stakes consistently. Do you know one thing I didn’t expect? That I would also have to learn graphic - [The Booker Prize 2024: Winner Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/booker-prize-2024-winner/) - The Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the English-speaking world, was awarded in November 2024. Established in 1969, the prize is presented annually for a novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland. It was originally created to encourage the reading of contemporary English fiction, in an - [An Indie Author's Guide to Creating a Memorable Book Trailer](https://independentpublishing.com/a-guide-to-creating-a-memorable-book-trailer/) - In the competitive world of independent publishing, getting your book in front of readers is more difficult than ever before. Without a publishing house to help with marketing, authors must think outside the box about ways to get the word out about their stories. Fortunately, you can create a memorable book trailer to share on - [6 UI Tips for Designing a Book Cover That Sells](https://independentpublishing.com/ui-tips-for-designing-a-book-cover-that-sells/) - Learn how to design book covers that sell with these 6 UI tips. From visual hierarchy to color choices, make your cover stand out and attract readers. - [Maximizing Book Sales with Marketing Personalization Strategies](https://independentpublishing.com/maximizing-book-sales-with-marketing-personalization-strategies/) - Personalization has touched nearly every facet of modern life and is one of the top B2C marketing strategies today. Book publishing is no exception — readers expect marketing to apply to their preferences. Authors who can find the right balance between offering a unique perspective and solving pain points will make more sales than others. - [Your Book Cover Blurb Matters: 9 Psychology Tips for Your Blurb's Wording and Design](https://independentpublishing.com/psychology-tips-for-your-blurbs-wording-and-design/) - Your book blurb's color, placement, style and wording affect how consumers perceive your work — and maybe even you as an author. The more you understand the psychology behind these reactions, the better you can captivate potential readers. 1. Use Emotional Language Language doesn’t just shape a person’s emotional experiences — it can also subconsciously - [Writing Platform Analysis](https://independentpublishing.com/writing-platform-analysis/) - With so many writing platforms available today, it can be tough for authors (whether they're just starting out or more seasoned) to decide which one best fits their needs. Each platform offers something different, from easy-to-use interfaces to engaged communities, and some even offer pathways to getting published! In this article, we’re bringing you a - [Author Spotlight: Tom Etzel](https://independentpublishing.com/tom-etzel/) - Tom Etzel is the founder and executive director of The Global Peace Building Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting grassroots peacebuilding efforts worldwide. In September, he self-published his debut novel Within Our Grasp: Changing Ourselves and the World. After experiencing personal losses in the aftermath of 9/11, Etzel felt compelled to study and pursue peacebuilding - [Celebrating Indie Author Excellence: Next Generation Book Awards Are Back for 18th Year](https://independentpublishing.com/next-generation-book-awards-are-back-for-18th-year/) - The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is now accepting submissions for the 2025 competition, inviting independent authors and publishers to showcase their best work from the past three years. Founded in 2007 by author and entrepreneur Catherine Goulet, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards is presented by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG) in - [The Art of Not Losing It: Performing in Public as a Writer](https://independentpublishing.com/performing-in-public-as-a-writer/) - ‘Aren’t you scared to read from your work?’ one of my poetry students asked me during the break in a tutorial. Though usually confident, his voice sounded hesitant as if he was afraid to ask something too personal, disclose something that should remain hidden. We had just finished discussing One Art by Elizabeth Bishop, a - [Why every writer should consider writing shorts: A re-evaluation of an underrated genre](https://independentpublishing.com/why-every-writer-should-consider-writing-shorts/) - There has been a long history of misjudgement when it comes to the short story. Particularly in Great Britain and Europe—in the US things are slightly different—writers, publishers and critics alike have deemed the short story to be a mere stepping-stone towards the more ‘mature’ genre of the novel. The fact that short stories have - [What Would Carrie Bradshaw Do? Strut Your Indie Author Brand Like a Pro](https://independentpublishing.com/strut-your-indie-author-brand-like-a-pro/) - Ever wondered what Carrie Bradshaw would say if she swapped her New York Star column for indie publishing? I like to think she’d sit at her laptop, cocktail in hand, and tell you to own your author journey with the same confidence she brought to the book world when she published Sex and the City. - [8 Ball Branding: What Authors Can Learn from the Game of Pool](https://independentpublishing.com/8-ball-branding-what-authors-can-learn-from-the-game-of-pool/) - Picture this: you’re standing at the edge of a pool table, the colorful balls perfectly arranged, the cue in your hand, and the 8 ball just waiting to seal the game. The game of pool is more than just a pastime; it’s a game of strategy, precision, and a little bit of luck. But what - [I write who I am? The problem with identity politics in publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/problem-with-identity-politics-in-publishing/) - Explore identity politics in publishing and how personal experiences shape authors' fictional narratives. Learn why diverse representation is crucial. - [Going Beyond My Mother Tongue: Writing Fiction in Another Language](https://independentpublishing.com/going-beyond-my-mother-tongue/) - The consensus seems to be that writing fiction in a language that isn’t your mother tongue is a bad idea. There’s a reason why many creative writing bloggers and teachers urge you not to attempt it, as it will usually not result in better stories. Indeed, writing in another language than your first can be - [Using Social Media as a (Female) Author: Or How to Swim with Sharks](https://independentpublishing.com/using-social-media-as-a-female-author/) - Building an online presence is a necessary ‘evil’ of being a writer. Whether a traditional (indie) press publishes you or you are an independent author, there hardly seems to be any escaping: you must face social media head-on so people will hear about your book. Yet like many writers, I don’t necessarily enjoy being the - [Look and Read Like You’re Traditionally Published](https://independentpublishing.com/look-and-read-like-youre-traditionally-published/) - Dismal book sales are just a warning sign. The first blog in this series (August 2024) took a bird's eye view of relaunching a book to gain more traction offering five reasons why authors often struggle to get it right. Authors do not follow industry standards for their content, cover, and branding. Authors are unaware - [Strategies for a Successful Book Relaunch](https://independentpublishing.com/strategies-for-a-successful-book-relaunch/) - I first launched Consumed by Success into the world in 1994. Over time I discovered all the things I did wrong and after another relaunch in 1996 I gained the traction I desired. Then after 25 years in print I relaunched again with even more insight on how to reach my audience with not only - [Identify the Two Audiences for Your Book](https://independentpublishing.com/identify-the-two-audiences-for-your-book/) - As we continue to unpack the 5 ways authors can sabotage book sales I’ve got a question for you: Did you know that you have two different audiences for your marketing efforts? Well, you do! The person who will read your book and the person who will buy your book. Two audiences and two very - [Is POD Right for My Book?](https://independentpublishing.com/is-pod-right-for-my-book/) - I’ve had several consultations recently with authors wanting to know if POD, or print-on-demand, will work well for their books. In some cases, I had clear recommendations; in others, I could only go over their options and let them decide. This month, I’m sharing some of the scenarios I’ve helped authors consider lately. If you - [Why Authors Need to Consider Subsidiary Rights](https://independentpublishing.com/why-authors-need-to-consider-subsidiary-rights/) - When I started my career in the self-publishing industry, the year was 2010: the iPad had just made its debut, the Nook was the hot new e-reader, and Kindle Direct Publishing was still called CreateSpace. Quite suddenly, book publishing was no longer confined to the arcane realm of the Big Five. This bred both opportunity—and - [Fresh Coat, Lasting Impact: Why Independent Publishers Need to Keep Their Brands Vibrant](https://independentpublishing.com/fresh-coat-lasting-impact-why-independent-publishers-need-to-keep-their-brands-vibrant/) - In the ever-evolving world of publishing, staying relevant is more than just a good idea; it’s essential. For small, independent publishing companies, a fresh and engaging brand is key to staying competitive and connected with your audience. Just like a fresh coat of paint can revitalize a room, regularly refreshing your brand can breathe new - [Breaking Barriers in Publishing: How StoryForge is Transforming the Writing Landscape](https://independentpublishing.com/introducing-storyforge/) - If you want to publish your book, you will. This is the bold claim of StoryForge, a writing, reading, and publishing platform launched in January 2024. The website's goal is to offer a free place for writers to craft stories, get feedback, and achieve publication. The Minnesota based team, headed by Sabrina Rucker, is focused - [What Is KDP Select - and Is It Right for My Book?](https://independentpublishing.com/what-is-kdp-select/) - Welcome to the monthly Ask a Self-Publishing Expert column, where editor and publisher Sarah Kolb-Williams answers common questions from independent authors. Today, she’s looking at the pros and cons of KDP Select and the factors to consider when deciding whether to use it. What Is KDP Select? KDP Select is the “author side” of an - [The Refresh of The Independent Publishing Magazine](https://independentpublishing.com/the-refresh-of-the-independent-publishing-magazine/) - Seventeen years is a long time for any bootstrapped media outlet to continue to provide meaningful content, but we’ve done it. The Independent Publishing Magazine (“TIPM”) was one of the first online publications dedicated to providing indie authors industry news, information and reviews of service providers. A lot has changed in the book publishing industry - [IngramSpark Drop Set-up Fees](https://independentpublishing.com/ingramspark-drop-set-up-fees/) - One of the go-to platforms for self-published authors, IngramSpark, has decided to dispense with its set-up fees. IngramSpark announced it will no longer charge a fee for new title uploads (for print or ebook formats). Revisions will also now be free for up to 60 days after the book’s first production date. After that, it will - [CAP Awards 2023 for Irish Indie Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/cap-awards-2023-for-irish-indie-authors/) - The CAP Awards provide a platform to showcase Independently Published Authors in Ireland, bringing them to the attention of book shops, distributors, and the media with all money raised going to the charity Aware. Aware is a non-profit organisation that provides education, support, and information on mental health, particularly depression, bipolar disorder, and positive mental health. Founded - [Publishing Insights Day 2024 at Manchester Metropolitan University](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-insights-day-2024-at-manchester-metropolitan-university/) - If you live in the UK and are considering a career in book publishing, Publishing Insights Day 2024 is an event you don't want to miss. This affordable, one-day event on June 6, 2024 is put on by Comma Press and Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester UK). It's a day to learn about the publishing industry and - [Should I Use KDP or IngramSpark to Distribute My Book?](https://independentpublishing.com/kdp-or-ingramspark/) - Wondering whether to distribute your book with KDP or IngramSpark? A self-publishing expert weighs in on what factors independent authors should consider. - [POD Subsidy Survey – Lynn Osterkamp (thepopulistpublisher)](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-subsidy-survey-lynn-osterkamp-thepopulistpublisher/) - Currently Lynn Osterkamp is conducting a survey for authors who have used pod subsidy publishers and would like their feed back. You can take part in this survey at the following link; http://www.thepopulistpublisher.com/ Here are my generally posted comments about Lynn’s survey. I’m a little bemused as well about some of the negative criticism. I - [Are Entry-Level Jobs Disappearing in Publishing? – Ella Gallego | Guest Post](https://independentpublishing.com/are-entry-level-jobs-disappearing-in-publishing-ella-gallego-guest-post/) - You’re a recent literature graduate or someone pivoting in their career who wants to acquire an entry level publishing position. However, entry level publishing position requirements far exceed entry-level. You continuously encounter entry-level positions, with meagre pay, that require or implicitly request previous experience. Phrases like ‘3-5 years of publishing experience required’ or ‘contracts experience - [Who Killed Gutenberg’s Magic Circle? – Miha Mazzini | Guest Post](https://independentpublishing.com/who-killed-gutenbergs-magic-circle-miha-mazzini-guest-post/) - The modern world is a result of a rattling device, Gutenberg’s invention that printed endless books, each of them conveying new ideas to readers. Texts were banned and burned, but a magic circle had been set up: printing nonfiction brings an idea, which leads readers to new ideas, which in turn bring new books. It - [CJK Group Agree to Purchase of Printer and Self-Publishing Service Provider Thomson-Shore](https://independentpublishing.com/cjk-group-agree-to-purchase-of-printer-and-self-publishing-service-provider-thomson-shore/) - Following a March Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy, the CJK Group has agreed to the purchase of the assets of Michigan-based printer and self-publishing service provider Thomson-Shore. The employee-owned company has been in existence for 47 years and over the past ten years has expanded far beyond printing services into an array of offset, print-on-demand, handcrafted books, pre-production, and distribution services for large traditional publishers, - [The London Book Fair 2020 Has Been Cancelled](https://independentpublishing.com/the-london-book-fair-2020-has-been-cancelled/) - Reed Exhibitions, organiser of the London Book Fair, announced this week that The London Book Fair 2020 over the increased concerns of the COVID 19 Coronavirus and the risks of holding such international events. The London Book Fair is one of the premier events during the book industry calendar for publishers and authors. A statement - [IPG REVEALS 2020 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING AWARDS SHORTLISTS](https://independentpublishing.com/ipg-reveals-2020-independent-publishing-awards-shortlists/) - The Independent Publishers Guild has announced the 13 shortlisted categories and finalists for this year’s Independent Publishing Awards. They are: THE PAPERBACK BOOKSHOP TRADE PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR Atlantic Books, Faber & Faber, Oneworld, Sandstone Press BLACKWELL’S CHILDREN’S PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR Nosy Crow, Sweet Cherry Publishing, Walker Books, Wonderbly PLS ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL - [Louise Glück Awarded 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature](https://independentpublishing.com/louise-gluck-awarded-2020-nobel-prize-in-literature/) - The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2020 has been awarded to the American poet Louise Glück. The announcement of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2020, presented by Mats Malm, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, on 8th October 2020. for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal. - [Dublin Literary Award 2023 Shortlist Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/dublin-literary-award-2023-shortlist-announced/) - Six novels have been shortlisted for the 2023 Dublin Literary Award, sponsored by Dublin City Council, which awards excellence in world literature. Celebrating 28 years, this award is the world’s most valuable annual prize for a single work of fiction published in English, worth €100,000 to the winner. If the book has been translated the - [A Word About The Links](https://independentpublishing.com/a-word-about-the-links/) - I thought I’d best start by directing you to some of the links on my blogsite. They are all sites I drop by most days and for aspiring authors navigating the world of independent and self publishing – they are pretty invaluable. The two radio podcast sites feature lots of helpful author info, in particular - [Welcome to the blogspot](https://independentpublishing.com/welcome-to-the-blogspot/) - Hi, and welcome to my blogspot. I hope you will enjoy the journey. I have been writing fiction for more than twenty years and have self-published five books of fiction. My last book, Oceanic, was published way back in 2001. It seems so long ago! This year, though, Raider International Publishers will be publishing my - [Publisher’s Weekly Article – POD by Calvin Reid](https://independentpublishing.com/publishers-weekly-article-pod-by-calvin-reid/) - I came across an article this weekend in Publisher’s Weekly about the whole POD printing process and how it is steadily becoming a real factor with publishers. Trawl through most POD self-publisher/subsidy publishers on the Internet and within a page or two of their sites they will pretty quickly expouse the “POD publishers are putting - [PODdy Mouth Post comment](https://independentpublishing.com/poddy-mouth-post-comment/) - A few days ago I posted about a query on the excellent PODdy mouth blogsite regarding Raider Publishers. A follow up comment was later posted by “Wordsmith”. I would like to take this opportunity to reply to the comments left. “Wordsmith” wrote, Mick, you should be more careful to find out the facts before you - [Raider Broadcasting Network Launched](https://independentpublishing.com/raider-broadcasting-network-launched/) - I came across this on the web today which as you can imagine was of great interest to me. Raider International Publishing have launched a podcasting network radio programme which will be hosted by Adam Salviani and feature interviews and reviews of writer’s books. A writer’s forum programme will also be featured, which will feature - [POD Publishing Standards & Recent Blog Comments](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-publishing-standards-recent-blog-comments/) - Some recent comments left on my blog over the past few weeks have prompted me to write this particular posting. It has made me examine more closely the reasons I set up the blogsite. Let me begin by saying that I started this blog because I wanted to chronicle my own experience of having my - [The Road to Damascus Just Got Longer!](https://independentpublishing.com/the-road-to-damascus-just-got-longer/) - Got home this weekend to find I had an email from Adam at Raider International Publishing. It seems he was wondering why I had not updated him recently on how I was getting along with finishing ‘Trees’. The truth is I’m finding the final passage a lot tougher than expected. I did a lot of - [Raider Publishing First Podcast](https://independentpublishing.com/raider-publishing-first-podcast/) - After a little bit of a delay the first of the Raider Broadcasting Network podcasts is now available on ITunes and on the link provided on the end of this posting. The first show is hosted by Adam Salviani and is called the Writer’s Forum running to about 35 minutes. While Adam does need to - [Rise of the POD Monster](https://independentpublishing.com/rise-of-the-pod-monster/) - There is another very interesting article about the rise in POD publishing/Subsidy publishing in the business section of the Guardian Newspaper in England this week. It is written by John Sterlicchi. In his article, he says: “While self-publish companies stress the ease-of-use of their tools there is no doubt that authors – particularly those older - [Amazon Forces POD Publishers to use Booksurge](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-forces-pod-publishers-to-use-booksurge/) - This all seems to happened over the past 24 hours and several POD sites and forums are just starting to voice their reactions. It seems that Amazon have taken the bold business step of informing POD publishers as well as traditional publishers who use print-on-demand digital print technology that they will have to use Amazon’s - [Amazon Forces POD Publishers to use Booksurge-Update](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-forces-pod-publishers-to-use-booksurge-update-3/) - Following on from the previous post on Amazon’s moves against POD publishers, here is some more indept information and analysis on the current situation, particularly from Angela Hoy of Writersweekly. http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/004597_03272008.html The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Amazon Forces POD Publishers to use Booksurge-Update](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-forces-pod-publishers-to-use-booksurge-update-2/) - Authors seem now to be reporting that Borders.com may also have followed Amazon’s lead regarding this issue. With regard to Amazon Pod titles, the ‘buy’ button directs buyers to third-party sellers outside of Amazon. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Amazon Forces POD Publishers to use Booksurge-Update](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-forces-pod-publishers-to-use-booksurge-update/) - Most writer and publisher forums are widely discussing the current move by Amazon to make POD publishers use their print-wing Booksurge. Just to clarify, the listing on Amazon for an author’s book will remain, but the ‘buy’ link button to purchase direct from Amazon has been disabled for all POD printed books. The option to - [Breaking News: Amazon Press Release to ‘Open Parties’](https://independentpublishing.com/breaking-news-amazon-press-release-to-open-parties/) - Finally Amazon have responded today to the rumpus over their move to force POD publishers to use Amazon’s in-house pod printers, Booksurge. I will post in more detail about this in response to the Amazon statement over the coming days. Here is the statement in full as released today by Amazon Corporate. March 31, 2008 - [Ingram Book Group Respond to Amazon POD strategy](https://independentpublishing.com/ingram-book-group-respond-to-amazon-pod-strategy/) - Following Amazon Corporate’s statement to ‘Interested Parties’, John Ingram of the Ingram Group and parent company of Booksurge’s rival Lightning Source, issued a statement from John Ingram about the concerns their publisher costumers are expressing to them. John Ingram said, while “the questions that are being raised about Amazon.com and its Booksurge division don’t directly - [AuthorHouse & IUniverse Jump Ship to Booksurge](https://independentpublishing.com/authorhouse-iuniverse-jump-ship-to-booksurge/) - There are no details on the deal both AuthorHouse and IUniverse have done with Amazon/Booksurge, but they are the first of the big hitters to jump from the good ship Ingram/Lightning Source. It remains to be seen exactly how these publishers will deal with the issue of Ingrams and distribution. The issue here is that - [Amazon/Booksurge – Xlibris Update](https://independentpublishing.com/amazonbooksurge-xlibris-update/) - POD publisher Xlibris look to be one of the ‘big hitters’ who are communicating to their authors that they are not willing to sign up to the current Amazon/Booksurge agreement. In light of Xlibris being one of the bigger POD publishers – it may now encourage those publishers undecided to hold station and stand up - [Amazon/Booksurge – Washington State Attorney General’s Response](https://independentpublishing.com/amazonbooksurge-washington-state-attorney-generals-response/) - Kristin Alexander, Seattle Media Relations Manager, has responded to Angela Hoy of Writersweekly regarding the current issue with Amazon/Booksurge. This appears to be the first formal response regarding the questions raised by authors and POD publishers in relation to the legalities/anti-trust laws in the United States. From the enclosed communication to Angela Hoy, the Attorney - [Adventures with POD Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-pod-publishing/) - As many of you know I’ve spent some time researching POD publishers prior to starting this blogsite. I said all along that I would allow the site to develop on its own merits, effectively letting it ‘have its head’. In tandem, I’ve written articles here about many POD topics, relevant and I hope helpful to - [Poll Now Open](https://independentpublishing.com/poll-now-open/) - Forget Obama and Clinton, the POD publisher’s poll is open for votes. You may select just one, but yes, if you feel there is someone who should be on it, reply with comment, stating why, and it will be logged and counted as a vote. Remember, it’s your own positive experience. Poll closes in June. - [HMS PODdy Mouth Sinks at Sea!](https://independentpublishing.com/hms-poddy-mouth-sinks-at-sea/) - So the shutters seem to be finally pulled down for good on Blogger PODdy Mouth. The POD bloggers ‘Sex in the City’ blogspot was deleted by the author following yesterdays posting by Angela Hoy in WritersWeekly. http://www.writersweekly.com It seems Angela feels she has been blacklisted by PODdy and her comment replies to blog articles have - [Adventures with Lulu](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-lulu/) - In my previous article posting below, I discussed the reasons why I chose Lulu to publish my book, Academy. http://mickrooney.blogspot.com/2008/04/adventures-with-pod-publishing.html In this article, I would like to discuss and record what I discovered at Lulu. initially, Lulu’s homepage, with its bright orange graphics, strikes the visitor as casual and unassuming. ‘Publish’, ‘Buy’ and ‘Sell’ banners - [Amazon/Booksurge – Washington State Attorney General-Update](https://independentpublishing.com/amazonbooksurge-washington-state-attorney-general-update/) - As a follow up to the previous post on the initial statement issued by Washington Attorney General’s office, it would seem some conclusions have been reached. Here is the link to the original posting from last week. http://mickrooney.blogspot.com/2008/04/amazonbooksurge-washington-state.html The Attorney General say they have looked at the current circumstances surrounding Amazon’s moves to make POD - [Adventures with Lulu – Part 2](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-lulu-part-2/) - On Friday morning the proof copies of ‘Academy’ arrived back from Lulu, or rather, Lulu’s printers. Now, before I talk about the quality of the proofs, I think I should mention Lulu’s printers. Quite frankly, I don’t know who did the printing for this book! Most POD (print-on-demand) books, until recently have been printed by - [Adventures with Lulu-Part 2 – Update](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-lulu-part-2-update/) - Just a quick update on my last blog article. The Raider Publishing new release hardback title I ordered from Amazon arrived yesterday morning on my doorstep. This book has the identifiable Lightning Source code on the rear blank pages. In short, this strengthens my suspicion that Lulu are indeed now using Booksurge for their printing. - [Excellent Lynn Osterkamp Article on Self Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/excellent-lynn-osterkamp-article-on-self-publishing/) - Lynn Osterkamp has today posted an excellent article on her blogsite, thepopulistpublisher, entitled “Fear Restricts Self-Publishing”. It really is one of the strongest and most honest articles I’ve seen on the subject to date. Here is the link to it. http://pmibooks.com/blog1/ The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Booklocker Moves on Amazon.com](https://independentpublishing.com/booklocker-moves-on-amazon-com/) - The stakes in the current Amazon/Booksurge and POD Publisher situation appear to have taken a further development on Tuesday on this week. As you will be aware Amazon announced last month that it was requiring POD Publishers to use its own in-company POD printer Booksurge, or face losing the ‘first party’ Amazon ‘buy buttons’ on - [Academy by Mick Rooney – June 2008](https://independentpublishing.com/academy-by-mick-rooney-june-2008/) - I began writing Academy around 1992, at a time when we had witnessed the collapse of the Berlin wall, and the map of Europe was steadily changing. New political tyrants and despots emerged in the final decade of the twentieth century who very quickly reminded of us of previous troubled scars. My intention was never - [Amazon/Hachette Livre Dispute](https://independentpublishing.com/amazonhachette-livre-dispute/) - Hachette Livre, the second largest publisher in the world, is in dispute with Amazon UK regarding contractual terms. Amazon UK have sanctioned some of Hachette’s lead titles by removing the ‘buy new’ buttons and promotional leaders from their online retail site. Authors affected by Amazon’s sanctions on the Hachette Group titles include, Stephen King, James - [Paulo Coelho’s Experiment in Film-Making](https://independentpublishing.com/paulo-coelhos-experiment-in-film-making/) - Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is conducting an interesting experiment in film-making on his My Space website at the moment. Coelho decided to make his first feature length film using short original film and music soundtrack submissions to his website. The film is based on his most recently published work ‘The Witch of Portobello’. From June - [POD Publisher’s Poll-Final 4 days](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-publishers-poll-final-4-days/) - Just a last reminder that the POD Publishers poll, which has been running on the site for the past two months, enters its final four days for casting a vote. If you have not already voted, then vote this weekend. At the moment, IUniverse and Lulu are taking more than 40% of the overall pole. - [ACTING THE TEAPOT-XLIBRIS!!](https://independentpublishing.com/acting-the-teapot-xlibris/) - Seems the boys and girls in the Xlibris office may have been acting the teapot yesterday with the POD Publishing poll, or the Xlibris lovers and followers have been hiding under a rock for the past two months! The POD Publisher recorded 11 votes overnight and me thinks some boys and girls out there are - [MOST REPUTABLE POD PUBLISHER POLL-RESULTS](https://independentpublishing.com/most-reputable-pod-publisher-poll-results/) - The results of the POD Publisher Poll concluded today. The poll was run over the past two months and I would like to thank all who took part and voted. Again, the poll was never intended as an exact barometer or science into POD publishers, but instead a guide as to which publishers authors had - [Lulu’s ‘Publish by Lulu’ Service Now Free](https://independentpublishing.com/lulus-publish-by-lulu-service-now-free/) - Got a circular email from Lulu marketing department yesterday announcing that their ‘Publish by Lulu’ service is now being offered for free for an unspecified period of time. This publish and service and distribution pack is the one I chose for my last novel, ‘Academy’ and even at the €89 I paid proved excellent value - [Academy by Mick Rooney – Paperback Release – July 2008](https://independentpublishing.com/academy-by-mick-rooney-paperback-release-july-2008/) - In line with Lulu making their ‘Publish by Lulu’ distribution service package free for a period of time, I have decided to make my novel, Academy available as a paperback edition. The whole proccess took me less than half an hour yesterday on Lulu’s site, with the only internal layout change being the addition of - [Xlibris – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/xlibris-reviewed/) - Xlibris has been in existence for more than ten years and since I last looked at their site and publishing services last year, they seem to have revamped things recently. For these articles, I am going to concentrate on the most important and popular service used by authors using POD publishers, a 200pp black and - [BookLocker – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/booklocker-reviewed/) - BookLocker is run by Angela and Richard Hoy and they take a highly writer centered approach to POD publishing. Angela also runs Writersweekly, a marketing magazine for authors, and is also a former TV reporter and successful self-published writer. Most POD publishers have little or no manuscript screening process, but BookLocker do, and their aim - [Outskirts Press – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/outskirts-press-reviewed/) - Outskirts Press was founded in 2002 by Brent Sampson and has quickly grown into one of the leading group of Print-on-demand publishers and providers of book publishing solutions. Based in Denver, Colorado, Outskirts Press was recognised as the third fastest growing privately held company in Colorado. Sampson himself has proved to be a widely successful - [POD Publishers – Top 5 Book Sales](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-publishers-top-5-book-sales/) - In my next article, I plan to look at five big-hitters in POD publishing and examine what books actualy sell best in this particular field. The industry itself suggests DIY, Self-Help, Cookery, Spiritual/Religious and Politics are the main sellers. In effect, that fiction is really a no-go for POD authors. Well, lets see. Article in - [Authorhouse – £310,000 advance!](https://independentpublishing.com/authorhouse-310000-advance/) - In light of my next posting about what POD published books sell best, I thought the article which appeared in this morning’s Daily Telegraph very interesting. It would appear that POD publisher Authorhouse has paid out author Lorna Page a substancial advance for her novel ‘A Dangerous Weakness’. A quick check on amazon.co.uk adds further - [POD Publisher Book Ranking – Analysis](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-publisher-book-ranking-analysis/) - I want to have a look at what kinds of books sell best from POD publishers. I have selected five of the ‘heavy-hitters’ of POD publishers and listed their top five books by sales rank on Amazon.co.uk this week. The publishers I have selected are: Outskirts PressAuthorhouseLuluIUniverseXlibris OUTSKIRTS PRESS1. How to Be A Super Hot - [The Advance that Never Was](https://independentpublishing.com/the-advance-that-never-was/) - Cate, daughter-in-law of 93 year old author, Lorna Page, yesterday clarified the story which has been filling the media over the past few days. Cate’s original press release is available from the BBC site and clearly shows that no advance was ever claimed to have been paid to Ms Page for her book in her - [Update August 2008 – Diggory Press Court Hearing](https://independentpublishing.com/update-august-2008-diggory-press-court-hearing/) - It seems quite a while since there was last any developments in the court action taken by authors against Diggory Press in the uk. Stephen Manning of Checkpoint Press has issued an update as to where the case is currently for any interested parties. Earlier this month, there was a hearing about the court action - [Amazon Buys Shelfari](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-buys-shelfari/) - It has been announced that Amazon has bought Shelfari, a bookworm social networking site. At Selfari, both authors and avid readers alike can list their own, or other books they have read/written on their ‘virtual bookshelf’. The site is heavily discussion and review driven and much of what I have seen there is already available - [Ebook Readers Reach Out to the School Classroom](https://independentpublishing.com/ebook-readers-reach-out-to-the-school-classroom/) - There has been much talk in the publishing world about the evolution of electronic book readers and what impact they will ultimately have on the print media in general. It remains to be seen if these Ebook readers will do for print media, book publishers and online retailers, what the Ipod has done for the - [Perseus Book Group Offers POD Service to Independent Publishers](https://independentpublishing.com/perseus-book-group-offers-pod-service-to-independent-publishers/) - Small presses and independent publishers are being given a greater opportunity to utilise Print-On-Demand technology by the Perseus Book Group. The Perseus Book Group are one of the largest independent publishers of books, including the imprints Basic Books and Vanguard Press. It provides services such as sales, marketing and distribution to more than 300 independent - [Diggory Press Case Update – Saturday 13th September, 2008](https://independentpublishing.com/diggory-press-case-update-saturday-13th-september-2008/) - I came across a short piece published in The Guardian newspaper this saturday by consumer rights reporter Tony Levene. It will be of interest to those who have being following the Diggory Press case. You can find the published piece by following the enclosed web address. http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/sep/13/9 The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Big Guys n Poor Guys in Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/big-guys-n-poor-guys-in-publishing/) - I posted this evening on Absolutewrite, a forum I regularly post on, regarding Lynn Osterkamp’s article on the media and publishing. Here is the link to that posting. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116929 The following is the posting I made. Having read Lynn’s posting and her blogsite for the past year, I’m not sure she is actually arguing the - [Filigree & Shadow – Out Soon](https://independentpublishing.com/filigree-shadow-out-soon/) - Regular readers of this blog will have noticed that the past month or so I have not been posting as often. I have been proofing and preparing the final files for my next book, ‘Filigree & Shadow’. Some two or three months ago I wrote some articles on POD publishers and tried to give an - [Janus Publishing – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/janus-publishing-reviewed/) - Janus Publishing, based in London, England, describe their company as a co-partnership publishing house. http://www.januspublishing.co.uk/ “After more than forty years in the publishing trade, our founder established Janus Publishing Company in 1991. We currently publish more than forty titles a year, many by previously unpublished authors.” “Our Approach At Janus, we look to nurture new - [POD MAGAZINES FROM MAGCLOUD](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-magazines-from-magcloud/) - We have grown used to POD Subsidy and POD self-publishing over the past 15 years. Well, now a company called MagCloud are offering a print-on-demand service at no set-up charge. Purchase costs on each magazine are set at 20 US cent per page for submitted PDF files. This is the first time I have come - [Adventures with Lulu – Part 3 Filigree & Shadow](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-lulu-part-3-filigree-shadow/) - Yesterday I received the book proofs back of my latest book Filigree & Shadow from Lulu. Although you are advised by the Lulu site to order just one proof copy of your book before you finalise and approve any revision, like Academy, my last book with Lulu, I actually deliberately ordered five proofs. The choice - [Publishing Industry – Change or be Damned?](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-industry-change-or-be-damned/) - Over the past month, there has been considerable debate about the current state and future of the publishing industry across the internet on writer’s forums and blogsites. Some of the discussion was sparked by Boris Kachka’s recent article in the New York Magazine. A lot of the criticism of Kachka’s article seems to centre on - [The Fine Print of Self Publishing (Third Edition) by Mark Levine](https://independentpublishing.com/the-fine-print-of-self-publishing-third-edition-by-mark-levine/) - About two years ago when I started researching self publishing and subsidy publishers, I came across an interview by Ron Pramschufer with a lawyer called Mark Levine on Global Talk Radio. I think this must have coincided with Levine’s first edition of ‘The Fine Print of Self-Publishing’. I was fascinated at the time that someone - [Amazon Finally Moves on UK Print on Demand Market](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-finally-moves-on-uk-print-on-demand-market/) - It looks like Amazon has finally made their move on the UK market for books published by digital print-on-demand technology. This very much follows what Amazon has done in the United States in conjunction with their own printer Booksurge. At the moment, there is already a court action in process by US POD publisher Booklocker - [Lulu UK Sheds 24 Jobs](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-uk-sheds-24-jobs/) - The credit crunch continues to bite deeper with news from New Media Age that Lulu are to make 24 workers redundant from their uk offices. That represents a 25% reduction in staff, including Cristel Lee Leed, European Vice President, and six other senior employees. You can read the full New Media Age article at the - [HarperStudio’s ’26thstory’ & The Biting Edge](https://independentpublishing.com/harperstudios-26thstory-the-biting-edge/) - Last week I posted an article on the current state of publishing and the challenges ahead. One of the more innovative publishing imprints is HarperCollins’ HarperStudio. I have been following their blogsite for some time now and always find their posts and views to have a real edge and reality on what is going on - [Google Book Search Settlement Agreement](https://independentpublishing.com/google-book-search-settlement-agreement/) - Google have finally settled their lawsuit with a group of authors and publishers. Below is the full statement released. Today, Google and the group of authors and publishers who were plaintiffs in the US Google Book Search lawsuits announced a groundbreaking settlement agreement. This settlement, on behalf of a broad class of copyright holders, opens - [Doubleday Sheds 10% of Staff](https://independentpublishing.com/doubleday-sheds-10-of-staff/) - Recently on this site I have been reporting on the general downturn the global economy is having on the publishing world. Just a couple of weeks ago I reported on job losses at Lulu.com and unfortunately those losses continue as reported in the New York Times and many other news organisations. The NYT story is - [Lulu Book Review – November 2008, Interview with Mick Rooney](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-book-review-november-2008-interview-with-mick-rooney/) - You can catch an interview Shannon Yarbrough did with me last week for his LLBR site at the following link. http://lulubookreview.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/llbr-returns-to-the-academy-with-mick-rooney/ The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Borders – Continued Downturn – (Inc. Fri 14.11.08 update)](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-continued-downturn-inc-fri-14-11-08-update/) - I have continued to read media reports about Borders downturn and came across this article in the Bookseller today. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/70507-distributor-cautions-on-borders-us.html It seems to simply reflect what all companies want internationally when recession bites. A reduced catalogue to conserve primary shelf space and longer terms of invoice payment. We must remember that there is nothing that - [Filigree & Shadow – Now Available – November 2008](https://independentpublishing.com/filigree-shadow-now-available-november-2008/) - Filigree & Shadow is now published and available for purchase in hardback, paperback and download from Lulu.com at my storefront. The link is to the right of this article. It should start appearing across all channels over the next few weeks in time for the Christmas market. Things have really been tight and busy over - [Bertrams Book Wholesaler Steadies Its Feet](https://independentpublishing.com/bertrams-book-wholesaler-steadies-its-feet/) - With the administration of Woolworth’s high street stores and entertainment product supplier EUK this week, uk book wholesaler Bertrams insist that their financial stability remains wholly separate and business will continue. While this may be the case, and it remains to be seen what will happen the Woolworth retail high street outlets and entertainment supplier - [US National Book Network to Offer New Digital POD Publishing Service](https://independentpublishing.com/us-national-book-network-to-offer-new-digital-pod-publishing-service/) - The National Book Network will be expanding its client publishing services to include digital short run and print-on-demand facilities. NBN already supplies independent services like sales, marketing, distribution, order fulfillment, credit and collections services to publishers of non-fiction, fiction, and children’s titles. NBN has contacted its clients and informed them of the new services and - [Borders; To Buy or Not to Buy](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-to-buy-or-not-to-buy/) - I’ve been talking in a number of articles recently about the downturn in publishing, and it seems not a day goes by that we don’t hear about another major publisher making cutbacks and laying off staff. Here are the latest publishing news layoffs as reported by theBookseller.com. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/72205-anova-trims-staff-and-books-at-portico.html Earlier this week, Morris Rosenthal on his - [Aquarius Communications Publishing Launched](https://independentpublishing.com/aquarius-communications-publishing-launched/) - For followers of this site, some of you may remember me referring to my own publishing imprint which I used to publish my first five books, Arcadia, The Eternal, Hybrid, Thais and Oceanic. The imprint is something I’m very passionate about and over the past few months I have been planning a number of projects - [HarperStudio & Borders Go Non-returnable on Books](https://independentpublishing.com/harperstudio-borders-go-non-returnable-on-books/) - We have previously reported on the current struggles of Borders bookstore chain and read with interest a business snippet in this week’s Wall street Journal. It seems HarperStudio titles will now be stocked by Borders on a ‘non-returnable’ basis. as with everything in business – this can be construed in two different ways. HarperStudio would - [Happy Christmas!](https://independentpublishing.com/happy-christmas/) - Happy Christmas to all those who have followed the site over the past year. It’s been a turbulent and changing year in publishing with plenty to report on. Even in the past few weeks news surfaces on a day to day basis and the signs are that the current trend will continue. Whatever choices you - [Review of 2008 POD Publishing Articles](https://independentpublishing.com/review-of-2008-pod-publishing-articles/) - I thought I’d take the opportunity on the final day of 2008 to look back on some of the articles and subjects we have touched on during the year. Overall, the Irish book retail sector has recorded stronger sales than for 2007, a surprise to me in light of the economic downturn and the continued - [Author Solutions Purchases POD Publisher Xlibris](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-purchases-pod-publisher-xlibris/) - Author Solutions, owned by equity investors Bertram Capital, has continued its strategy of development and expansion in the digital print-on-demand publishing world by purchasing Xlibris, a leading publisher in self-publishing services to authors. The purchase was announced yesterday, Thursday, January 8th, by Author Solutions CEO, Kevin Weiss. The purchase figure was not disclosed. “ASI is - [Diggory Dog-gone or The Second Coming](https://independentpublishing.com/diggory-dog-gone-or-the-second-coming/) - The Diggory Press website has been down since Christmas and it appears all direct ‘Diggory’ listings have been removed from Google’s search engine. It’s unclear at this stage if Diggory Press itself has ceased trading as a publisher or whether it is simply the early signs of a ‘Second Coming’. Over the past year, the - [Amazon and Booksurge Antitrust Lawsuit – Update](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-and-booksurge-antitrust-lawsuit-update/) - The judge presiding over the forthcoming Amazon/Booksurge antitrust lawsuit has requested both parties legal representatives to attend court in Bangor, Maine. It is not uncommon in Federal lawsuit cases for a judge to make this kind of request. This tends to optimise the Federal court’s time and eliminate parties bringing lawsuits based on frivolous or - [The Curious Tale of the Explosive Lulu Books](https://independentpublishing.com/the-curious-tale-of-the-explosive-lulu-books/) - You may not know the author Jared Ledgard but it would appear his self published books have been attracting some attention over the past year in newspapers here in Ireland and the UK. Here is a link to a news item in The People UK newspaper from January, 2008, by journalist, Daniel Jones. http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=diy-bomb-manuals-on-sale-with-the-groceries-at-tesco&method=full&objectid=20291628&siteid=93463-name_page.html Oddly, - [The First Cuts: Salutary Scratches or Open Wounds?](https://independentpublishing.com/the-first-cuts-salutary-scratches-or-open-wounds/) - I mentioned in an article over Christmas that book retailers in Ireland had performed marginally better in 2008 than on previous profits for 2007. However, early figures suggest that the UK book retail trade recorded profits that were marginally down on last year. There is much discussion amongst UK retailers about the strategy of committing - [Espresso Book Machine Arrives in UK Bookstores](https://independentpublishing.com/espresso-book-machine-arrives-in-uk-bookstores/) - Some of you may remember reading on this site almost a year ago about the Espresso Book Machine (EBM). The machine is a printing press that will produce physical books in-store by means of print-on-demand technology. In effect, it is an on-demand book machine linked to an electronic database of published books. Here is the - [The Friday Project – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/the-friday-project-overview/) - The Friday Project is a publishers which was bought by HarperCollins in May 2008 as it teetered on the edge of commercial collapse. Now, just like HarperCollins’ HarperStudios , the London-based independent publishing house, founded by Paul Carr and Clare Christian in June 2004, will operate as a shared profits publisher, with still the possibility - [Comments on Self Publishing Article – New York Times](https://independentpublishing.com/comments-on-self-publishing-article-new-york-times/) - “The point may soon come when there are more people who want to write books than there are people who want to read them.” New York Times, January 27th, 2009. This is an opening quote from an article about self publishing in the New York Times this week by Motoko Rich about the rise in - [Hughes & Hughes End T5 Airport Bookstore – (Updated on Feb 10th 2009)](https://independentpublishing.com/hughes-hughes-end-t5-airport-bookstore-updated-on-feb-10th-2009/) - Irish retail booksellers, Hughes & Hughes is closing their outlet at Heathrow’s T5 terminal next month. It is believed that BAA, who run Heathrow and Gatwick airports maybe considering moving these book concession outlets to WH Smiths. While many airport terminal bookstore space is quiet limited, Hughes & Hughes was considered to be a more - [Self Publishing Review](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-review/) - There is an excellent site on the web called Self Publishing Review. It offers numerous articles, features, daily news stories, author and publisher interviews, a discussion forum, as well as a wealth of helpful resources for writers. The site’s editor, Henry Baum, recently asked me to become a contributor. I gladly accepted and you can - [Original Writing – Interview with Garrett Bonner](https://independentpublishing.com/original-writing-interview-with-garrett-bonner/) - When I started out two to three years ago researching the area of self publishing, it didn’t take me too long to discover a vast amount of companies in the USA and England—from the business powerhouses of iUniverse, Lulu, Xlibris, Authorhouse, Createspace, Infinity and Wordclay—right down to the great many small micropresses offering self publishing - [Kindle 2 Launched By Amazon – The way forward for the e-reader? (Updated)](https://independentpublishing.com/kindle-2-launched-by-amazon-the-way-forward-for-the-e-reader-updated/) - It seems the gathered publishing fraternity who turned up at the unveiling of Amazon’s new Kindle (Version 2) in the Morgan Library and Museum in New York city on Monday were more intrigued and quizzical, than necessarily bowled over by the new electronic edition to the Amazon family. Even host, Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO, and - [AuthorHouse Courts The Establishment With Referral Program](https://independentpublishing.com/authorhouse-courts-the-establishment-with-referral-program/) - Over the past few months I’ve noticed that AuthorHouse has been making a particularly worrying use of their Referral Program. This type of program is used by a number of large self-publishing service providers using digital POD (print on demand) to authors. Here is AuthorHouse’s own description of the Referral Program. The following links are from - [Publishing World: On The Money](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-world-on-the-money/) - “The once genteel world of publishing is going through a huge transformation with constant advances in technology and an increasingly competitive market.” “More than 200 million books were sold in the UK in 2008, but both the types of books sold and the way people buy them are changing.” By Sarah Murch, BBC Money Programme. - [POD, Self Publishing and Independent Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishing-and-independent-publishing/) - I’ve very much let this site development into what it has now become; a site that authors and people interested in Self Publishing, Digital Print on demand and Independent Publishing can check in on for news, advice, publisher reviews and resources about the industry and process of publishing. Over the past two years of writing - [Mick Rooney – Author Page](https://independentpublishing.com/mick-rooney-author-page/) - I have just set up my author page at the following link. I am still developing it, and over the coming days I will add in the appropriate links and finalise the layout. http://mickrooneyauthor.blogspot.com/ The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Dan Poynter Interviewed by Smashwords](https://independentpublishing.com/dan-poynter-interviewed-by-smashwords/) - Smashworlds, an on line ebook seller has just done an interview with self publishing guru, Dan Poynter. He has just published his acclaimed “Self-Publishing Manual – Volume 2”. In the interview, he discusses the future of publishing and how self published authors may have the upper hand on the traditional publishing world through their active - [David Jones – Self Publisher, Jobless and Proud](https://independentpublishing.com/david-jones-self-publisher-jobless-and-proud/) - I’ve touched quite a bit on this site about the effects of the economic downturn on publishing. Well, today is a new and optimistic day for self published author David Jones. Just a few weeks ago, David Jones was working away in a furniture company, oblivious to the changes about to occur in his life. - [Snowbooks Publishing & Lulu.com](https://independentpublishing.com/snowbooks-publishing-lulu-com/) - I have mentioned a number of times in my articles that small and independent publishers do utilise some of Lulu.com’s book set-up services. Small publishers can choose to use Lulu.com to complete their finalised PDF files for their digital printer, or use them for an initial ‘test’ proof before committing to an off set print - [Waterstone’s New Voices 2009 List Released](https://independentpublishing.com/waterstones-new-voices-2009-list-released/) - Waterstones, the hight street English retailer, has announced its list of literary ‘New Voices’ for 2009. The books are all from new and emerging literary talent which the retailer believes will develop and flourish over the next year and beyond. A considerable amount of the titles are released from Independent publishing houses. Waterstones believe these - [POD & Self Publishers Reviewed So Far](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishers-reviewed-so-far/) - I have assemble all the articles together on the right of this page for all the reviews I have completed on POD and Self Publishing companies. As I complete additional reviews, I will post them to the link list. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [AuthorHouse USA – Reviewed (Updated, March 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/authorhouse-usa-reviewed-updated-march-2010/) - http://www.authorhouse.comhttp://www.authorhouse.co.uk USA & UK based Amazon.com titles – 42,000Amazon.co.uk titles– 49,700 Standard Package starts at $599++ AuthorHouse have been providing self publishing services for authors for many years. They remain one of the heavy-hitters of the self publishing industry, are owned by Author Solutions, who also own iUniverse, and have the largest slice of self - [Publishing Basics Magazine – Change or Be Damned Article](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-basics-magazine-change-or-be-damned-article/) - Publishing Basics is a monthly magazine which I subscribe to. It is owned and run by publishing guru Ron Pramschufer who also owns RJ Communications. In this month’s edition I have an article which was published on this site last year entitled ‘Publishing Industry – Change or Be Damned’. mickrooney.blogspot.com/2008/10/publishing-industry-change-or-be-damned.html You can get a free - [Wil Wheaton’s Interview with Lulublog.com](https://independentpublishing.com/wil-wheatons-interview-with-lulublog-com/) - There is an interesting interview with author, actor, social commentator and BBC correspondent, Wil Wheaton about his new book ‘Sunken Treasure’ on Lulu.com’s blogspot. Wil Wheaton is an author who was previously published by a tradional press but choose the avenue of self publishing with Lulu. You can catch Nick Popio’s interview with Wil Wheaton - [York Publishing Services (YPS) – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/york-publishing-services-yps-reviewed/) - http://www.yps-publishing.co.uk/ Amazon Titles – Not valid as company provides true bespoke services I came across York Publishing Services in the ‘Writers & Artists Yearbook 2009’ which I got a hold of in January. No matter how much research you do in this business, week by week, you are always uncovering something or someone you never - [Amazon Statement on Kindle 2’s Speech Feature](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-statement-on-kindle-2s-speech-feature/) - Amazon has released the following statement regarding the recently released Kindle 2 and its speech feature. Issues had been raised about whether the ‘voice read-back’ feature on the device infringed on publisher’s copyrights. Amazon in their statement maintain that they do not believe there is any issue of illegality, but are nevertheless going to allow - [Faber Liberates The ebook](https://independentpublishing.com/faber-liberates-the-ebook/) - Independent book publisher Faber is one of one of those to watch for new trends and different approaches to publishing. On April 27th, they will release the ebook, ‘What Price Liberty?’ by Ben Wilson, inviting buyers to pay what they deem appropriate, even if that means the download is for free. The book itself deals - [Barnes & Noble Buys Ebook Seller Fictionwise](https://independentpublishing.com/barnes-noble-buys-ebook-seller-fictionwise/) - In an effort to further expand their digital book business, US Bookchain Barnes & Noble has bought the ebook seller Fictionwise for a reported $15,7 million. Fictionwise will continue to be run by its former owners. Both companies believe the overall catalogue of ebooks available to customers will be greatly increased. Fictionwise will continue to - [Authors On Line – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/authors-on-line-reviewed/) - Authors On Line describe its company as an author solutions service. The company proudly claim to be the original UK based company to offer a digital Print On Demand publishing service with full distribution. It may have been, but a lot has changed in self-publishing since it first began in internet publishing in 1997. There are more - [Independent Writers & Artists Perceived Differently – Eric R. Danton Article in The Hartford Courant](https://independentpublishing.com/independent-writers-artists-perceived-differently-eric-r-danton-article-in-the-hartford-courant/) - Eric R. Danton has written an excellent article for ‘The Hartford Courant’. He talks about independent New York band ‘Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’ and how, in general, they have promoted themselves and created a sizeable following with the backing of a record label. This is an area I have mentioned a number of times - [AuthorHouse UK – Reviewed (Updated, March, 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/authorhouse-uk-reviewed-updated-march-2010/) - Amazon.co.uk Titles – 50,000 Amazon.com Titles – 44,100 http://www.authorhouse.co.uk AuthorHouse are one of the largest flagship author solution services with 50,000 plus titles available on Amazon UK. AuthorHouse was founded in 1997 and is owned by Author Solutions US who also own iUniverse and Wordclay. Further expansion in 2009 for Author Solutions has led to - [Spire Publishing – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/spire-publishing-reviewed/) - Spire Publishing first began life as UK based PABD (Publish And Be Damned). It was renamed Spire in late 2006 and although a Canadian company, it has still retained a significant presence in the UK. http://www.spirepublishing.com/ “Welcome to Spire Publishing where self publishing a book is simple and affordable. Your book is published with the - [Blackwell Espresso Book Machine For All Print On Demand Books](https://independentpublishing.com/blackwell-espresso-book-machine-for-all-print-on-demand-books/) - Blackwell booksellers will take ownership of the latest version of the Espresso Book Machine in April and showcase it at this year’s London Book Fair on April 17th. Blackwell, who sell academic books, will have the Espresso Book Machine in their Charing Cross store as part of a pilot test commencing on the last week - [AuthorSolutions – Indie Book Revolution Article](https://independentpublishing.com/authorsolutions-indie-book-revolution-article/) - I have not had time to digest this article on AuthorSolutions main webpage, written by Vice President of Marketing, Keith Ogovek, but there are a number of newspapers and media outlets picking up on it since yesterday. I will post when I read the article in full. Author Soultions own AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Xlibris and Wordclay. - [Author Solutions Article by Keith Ogorek – Analysis](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-article-by-keith-ogorek-analysis/) - In life, certain things have a way of happening just at the right time. This week’s book publishing news was no exception. I have two quotes below from two senior principles from very diverse areas of the book publishing world, who in their own right believe they are making a difference. Here are the quotes. - [Better Book Company – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/better-book-company-reviewed/) - Amazon Titles – N/A http://www.thebetterbookcompany.com/ The Better Book Company is located in Chichester, West Sussex, UK. They were founded in 1999 with the specific intention of assisting authors who wish to self publish their own work. “The Better Book self publishing Company is committed to a policy that offers a straightforward and open working relationship. - [The London Literary Press – (Update Feb 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/the-london-literary-press-update-feb-2010/) - Amazon.co.uk Titles – 000 Amazon.com Titles – 000 http://www.thelondonliterarypress.co.uk/ This publisher has changed their name in the past year and the previous review as of March 2009 is no longer valid. They are a publishing service looking for financial backing from ‘new’ authors and provide few details or clues to their full program. There are - [Man Booker International Prize 2009 – Final 14 Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/man-booker-international-prize-2009-final-14-authors/) - The final 14 authors for the Man Booker International Prize have just been announced. Unlike the English award, the International prize is awarded every two years and celebrates an international author’s contribution to fiction over their entire career, rather than just a single book. The award was previously won by Ismail Kadaré and Chinua Achebe. - [Derwent Press – Reviewed (UPDATED OCT 2012)](https://independentpublishing.com/derwent-press-reviewed-updated-oct-2012/) - The Derwent Press is a small author solution service based in Derbyshire, England. They began in 2005 and have produced quite a small output of books (32 listed on Amazon.co.uk). Their last produced book is listed as a new release from June 2008. Books are actually well represented on their website from the main page - [Trafford Publishing – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/trafford-publishing-reviewed/) - “Success in PublishingA dream of publishing a book as you envision it can never become a reality unless you find a company that believes in making dreams come true.” http://www.traffordpublishing.co.uk Trafford Publishing is one of the largest author solution service companies in the world using print-on-demand digital print technology. They are a Canadian company but - [Dolman Scott – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/dolman-scott-reviewed/) - Amazon.com Titles – 31 Dolman Scott are based in Berkshire in the UK. I have come across them in trade publishing magazines and Google ads on the Internet, which is why their low volume of titles listed on Amazon surprised me. Their titles cover a span of approximately eighteen months, right back to November 2007. - [Value of UK Publishers’ Sales 2008 Down Just 0.2%](https://independentpublishing.com/value-of-uk-publishers-sales-2008-down-just-0-2/) - Sales for UK publishers were down just 0.2% for 2008. This is in spite of the current economic downturn in retail sales towards the end of last year. In total, UK publishers sold an estimated 855m books, with an invoice value of £2990m. The Publishers Association, who is preparing the forthcoming Statistical Yearbook 2008, compiled - [Blurb.com – The Coming Adventure](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-com-the-coming-adventure/) - Over the past year the ‘Adventures with Lulu’ articles have drawn some of the widest and most sustained interest from visitors to this site. On a personal basis, they also provided me with plenty of enjoyment and experience of my own self-publishing journey, notwithstanding the fact that they directly led to my last two books, - [Adventures with Blurb, Part 1-(I’m Eileen Gittins—who the hell are you?)](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-blurb-part-1-im-eileen-gittins-who-the-hell-are-you/) - She is bright, a successful business woman, having worked across the globe with Kodak and Vice President at Wall Data as well as Board Director at Qbiquity and Popular Demand. She studied photography in her younger days and is founder and CEO of Blurb.com, an on line self-publishing solutions company for photographers and authors alike. - [Best Practices in POD Publishing – Writersweekly](https://independentpublishing.com/best-practices-in-pod-publishing-writersweekly/) - Angela Hoy over at Writersweekly has posted an excellent article on ‘Best Practices’ for POD publishers and companies offering author solution services. I have touched on a lot of these best practices here, but Angela has a lot more too, particularly on the issue of royalties. Here is the link to that article:http://writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/005273_03252009.html Also, my - [Five Steps to Self Publishing – Guest Author – Gang Chen](https://independentpublishing.com/five-steps-to-self-publishing-guest-author-gang-chen/) - The following is a contributed article by self publishing author Gang Chen. He is the internationally acclaimed author of “LEED AP Exam Guide” and “Planting Design Illustrated and has written for The Los Angeles Times and The Orange County Register. The opinions and conclusions in this article are those of the author. Clearly, Gang Chen - [Adventures with Blurb – Part Three](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-blurb-part-three/) - The biggest challenge with using Blurb’s free publishing service is knowing whether an author can turn their book into a viable product for self-publishing. There are several black marks going against Blurb and they are serious enough to send most authors on their heels in the direction of the door. Blurb offer no distribution beyond - [Top Ten Best Blogs For Indie Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/top-ten-best-blogs-for-indie-authors/) - April L. Hamilton is an author, blogger, Technorati BlogCritic, advocate for the indie author movement and founder of Publetariat.com. Her most recent book is From Concept to Community. She was recently invited by blogs.com to select a top ten best Indie Publishing websites, and I am delighted to say that this site made the list. - [Self Publishing Reviews](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-reviews/) - There is an interesting posting going on over at selfpublishingreview about this article by mrsgiggles. http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2009/04/01/a-review-of-self-publishing-review-sites/ This is an interesting debate. Why? Because it goes to the heart of what remains different about indie book reviews and the reviews we see in the mainstream press on books. As has been said above, mainstream reviews in - [Amazon UK Move Goalposts on Advantage Program](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-uk-move-goalposts-on-advantage-program/) - Amazon Advantage is a program offered to smaller publishers who do not use large distributors with exclusive contracts. Small publishers will often try to sell their books direct to retailers, but as in any area of publishing, having a distributor with a dedicated sales team who are proactive is the key to successful sales and - [IMPAC International Dublin Literary Award](https://independentpublishing.com/impac-international-dublin-literary-award/) - The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is billed as the richest literary prize in the world for single works of fiction which shows literary excellence. The shortlist of eight authors was announced in Dublin by The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Eibhlin Byrne yesterday at The Mansion House. The shortlist was selected from 146 novels nominated by - [Adventures with Blurb – Part Four, Coming Soon](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-blurb-part-four-coming-soon/) - The final part of my Blurb experiences will be posted here after the weekend. I am putting the final touches to the file and it is almost ready for load up. While I have found it an enjoyable experience–I am conscious that I need to get back to my publisher reviews over the next few - [Author Solutions Purchase Trafford Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-purchase-trafford-publishing/) - Author Solutions Inc has continued its acquisitions of author solution companies with its latest deal. ASI has bought Canadian based Trafford Publishing, adding them to a large stable of companies which now include, AuthorHouse, iUniverse and recently acquired Xlibris. ASI is owned by Bertram Capital, a private-equity management company. The purchase price was not disclosed. - [Adventures with Blurb – Part Four (Come on Eileen)](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-blurb-part-four-come-on-eileen/) - Blurb is a solution for self publishing authors, and yet, it can also be a frustration. I cannot fault Blurb for their accessibility of their on line software, Booksmart, and the results it produces in book form. For what it is worth, you get more flexibility with their software than with many other DIY self-publishing - [Eoin Purcell’s Article – Self publishing as a threat to niche](https://independentpublishing.com/eoin-purcells-article-self-publishing-as-a-threat-to-niche/) - Eoin Purcell has written an excellent article today on his blog about the effects self publishing is having on small and medium sized traditional publishers, particularly DIY services like Blurb and Lulu. “Eoin Purcell works and lives in Cork where he is Commissioning Editor with one of Ireland’s oldest independent publishers Mercier Press. Prior to - [Grosvenor House Publishing – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/grosvenor-house-publishing-reviewed/) - http://www.grosvenorhousepublishing.co.uk/ Amazon.co.uk Titles – 293 Amazon.com Titles – 298 Grosvenor House Publishing is based in Surrey, England and one of its directors is successful self-published author Graham P. Taylor. The English vicar self-published Shadowmancer in 2002, a children’s novel, and in less than a year, Taylor had signed deals with Faber UK and Penguin Putnam - [Chandler Book Design – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/chandler-book-design-reviewed/) - Amazon Titles – N/A (Bespoke Book Designer & Printer) http://www.chandlerbookdesign.co.uk/ Chandler Book Design is based in Norfolk, England. Their core business is book design, but they offer authors intending to self-publish several different book service solutions. They do not support an on line bookstore of their own, but their main homepage does feature some of - [Filigree & Shadow – POD People Review](https://independentpublishing.com/filigree-shadow-pod-people-review/) - You can see a review of Filigree and Shadow at POD People at the below link. http://podpeep.blogspot.com/2009/04/review-filigree-and-shadow.html The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Eprint – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/eprint-reviewed/) - Eprint is a printer and offer author solution services for authors who want to self-publish. The company is based in Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland and has been in business for 14 years. Eprint support their own on line bookstore and feature several tiles on the main webpage. “Whether you want to publish a book to give - [Lulu – New Publishing Packages](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-new-publishing-packages/) - Lulu has launched some new assisted publishing packages which they say are aimed at the authors who wish to focus their time on promoting and marketing their books rather than the nuts and bolts of putting their book together with Lulu’s on line tools. This does suggest a subtle change on Lulu’s publishing strategy. The - [Lulu Poetry Launched – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-poetry-launched-reviewed/) - Hot on the heels of Lulu’s recently introduced assisted publishing packages, Lulu today launched Lulu.poetry. Built upon Lulu’s successful tools and widgets platform, Lulu.poetry offers many of the same publishing options, including their ‘Publish by Lulu’ and ‘Publish by You’ options. “Whether you’re a professional writer compiling your magnum opus, a talented weekend poet sharing - [Self-Publishing Book Expo – November 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-book-expo-november-2009/) - With the London Book Fair almost upon us next week, it is fitting that Self-Publishing will get its own Book Expo for the first time this year. The project is the brainchild of Diane Mancher, a publishing professional for twenty years, and Karen Mender, who served as VP Associate Publisher and Marketing Director and Publicity - [Blurb And The Little Box of Sunlight](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-and-the-little-box-of-sunlight/) - I submitted my order for a first proof of Thais on April 6th. On Tuesday, this week, I got an email from Blurb support to say that the order had shipped. Today, when I got back from the office, I was delighted to find a parcel from Holland with Blurb’s insignia on it. For any - [The Espresso Book Machine – Poetry in Motion](https://independentpublishing.com/the-espresso-book-machine-poetry-in-motion/) - Felicity Woods, editorial assistant at the Bookseller.com has written a nice piece today about witnessing the Espresso Book Machine up close and personal at Blackwell’s London book store. “Up close and personal it is as if the Gutenberg Press met with Willy Wonka, and the chocolatier come out on top.” You can read Felicity’s full - [A. H. Stockwell (Printers) – (updated Dec 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/a-h-stockwell-printers-updated-dec-2010/) - It is not too often we have a company in our review section which can boast that it was first established in 1898. A. H. Stockwell can. They have survived two world wars and all the changes that have happened in the traditional publishing industry. Things have indeed changed considerably now. Their website strikes you - [London Book Fair 2009 – April 20th to 22nd](https://independentpublishing.com/london-book-fair-2009-april-20th-to-22nd/) - The London Book Fair 2009 at Earls Court starts today and runs through to this Wednesday, 22nd April. You can find full details of the event and itinerary at the official website on the link below. http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/ The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Domtom Publishing – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/domtom-publishing-reviewed/) - Titles on Amazon.co.uk – 9 Titles on Amazon.com – 7 Domtom Publishing is a recent newcomer to the author solutions scene. They are based in West Sussex in the UK. They describe themselves as ‘…literally a breath of fresh air to book writers’ and were founded by people from the ‘print industry’ with over 30 - [Melrose Books – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/melrose-books-reviewed/) - Amazon.co.uk Titles – 200+ Amazon.com Titles – 200+ Melrose Books is a division of Melrose Press, who, for many years, published biographical books through the International Biographical Centre. Melrose Books is their imprint for their system of partnership publishing between author and publisher. http://www.melrosebooks.co.uk/ “Melrose Books is a new venture from Melrose Press, the renowned - [London Book Fair 2009 – Ebook Discussion, Tuesday, April 21st](https://independentpublishing.com/london-book-fair-2009-ebook-discussion-tuesday-april-21st/) - Torin Douglas, BBC media correspondent hosted a discussion this morning at the London Book Fair in Earls Court on ebooks with contributions from Gail Rebuck, CEO Random House, Tim Hely-Hutchinson, CEO Hachette Livre UK, Victoria Barnsley, CEO HarperCollins UK and John Makinson, CEO Penguin Group. Getting these publishing CEO luminaries together did not achieve wholesale - [London Book Fair 2009 – Final Day – Boris in Book vs Playstation Wars](https://independentpublishing.com/london-book-fair-2009-final-day-boris-in-book-vs-playstation-wars/) - Our report headline is about as exciting as it got. Plenty of deep discussion in huddled corners of trade stands and some agreements reached, but it was a quieter London Book Fair than previous years. The emphasis was on quality of content and discussion rather than the amount of trade stands or footfalls. In the - [POD, Self Publishing Reviews Part 1 – ‘Your Name’s Not On The List’](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishing-reviews-part-1-your-names-not-on-the-list/) - I have noticed a particular rise over the past few months from readers of POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing asking me to review specific author service companies which they have not yet seen on the site. The array of author service companies is vast and I am slowly working my way through the ones - [POD Best Practices – Angela Hoy with Wise Words](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-best-practices-angela-hoy-with-wise-words/) - “The reason so many large POD publishers have bad reputations, and the reason they rarely respond to public criticism, is because they don’t care. They really don’t. Their business model is to cram as many authors through their doors as they can, and to squeeze as much money out of each author as they can. - [POD, Self Publishing Reviews Part 2 – Vanity & the Typewriter](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishing-reviews-part-2-vanity-the-typewriter/) - A vanity publisher is: “any company which charges a client to publish a book; or offers to include short stories, poems or other literary or artistic material in an anthology and then invites those included in it to buy a copy of that anthology.” (British Advertising Standards Authority Advice Note, Vanity Publishing, July 1997) When - [Irish Independent – Lifetime Reads Collection](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-independent-lifetime-reads-collection/) - This weekend the Irish Independent Newspaper launched its Lifetime Reads collection. Every Saturday readers can avail of a quality 5 x 8 hardback of some classic books of literature, post 1950. There are 20 books in the collection, starting this weekend with Ernest Hemmingway’s ‘The Old Man & The Sea’. Each book will be available - [Fastprint (Printondemand – Worldwide) – Reviewed (updated Jan 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/fastprint-printondemand-worldwide-reviewed-updated-jan-2010/) - The review for this company has been withdrawn as they have merged with a company in the UK which we believe has links with a notorious vanity press. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80048 The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Amazon Acquires Lexcycle for Mobile Download Future](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-acquires-lexcycle-for-mobile-download-future/) - We have talked much in the past few months about ebooks and ereaders, but not touched upon the potential dowload of electronic product to iphones and mobile touchpads. It seems Amazon has kept its eye focused on this area with the aquisition of Lexcycle, producers of the ebook application, Stanza. The Stanza application gives iPhone - [Espresso Book Machine – Daily Telegraph Test Drive Gazumped by Bookbrunch.com](https://independentpublishing.com/espresso-book-machine-daily-telegraph-test-drive-gazumped-by-bookbrunch-com/) - Matthew Moore, writing for today’s Daily Telegraph, was one of the first to test the Espresso Book Machine in Blackwell’s Charing Cross Road shop. It took just eleven minutes to produce a bound edition of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic novel, Crime & Punishment. The book is just one of 400,000 titles available to print at the - [POD TV – Program 1, Launched Right Here](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-1-launched-right-here/) - POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing today goes visual with POD TV. We hope to make this a weekly event and I am currently looking into a series of webcasts and podcasts which I hope to launch over the next few months. For now, I am trawling the oceans to get things going. Our first - [Publetariat.com Article – The ONE Thing Big Pub Must Change In Order To Survive](https://independentpublishing.com/publetariat-com-article-the-one-thing-big-pub-must-change-in-order-to-survive/) - April Hamilton has an excellent article over on Publetariat.com on what commercial publishers need to do to survive as a business. Article Here. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [POD Self Publishing & Independent Publishing Forum – Launched](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishing-independent-publishing-forum-launched/) - It is the week for launches, and without further ado, hot on the heels of POD TV here yesterday, comes POD Self Publishing & Independent Publishing Forum. While the site here remains a tremendous resource (I hope) of information for authors, the format simply does not allow for the free-flowing debate and comment on the - [Amazon Launch Kindle DX](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-launch-kindle-dx/) - Amazon have announced details of its Kindle DX featuring a larger 9.7 inch screen, more memory and wireless facilities. It will be available later this summer. See here. And launch photograths here from engadget.com. And review features from engadget.com The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [POD TV – Program 2: Book Promotion and Marketing](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-2-book-promotion-and-marketing/) - For our second episode of POD TV, here is Algonquin Books Publicity and Marketing Directors Michael Taekens and Craig Popelars discussing Book Marketing and Publicity from Stacey Cochran’s Howtopublishabook.org The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Interview with Blurb’s CEO – Eileen Gittins](https://independentpublishing.com/interview-with-blurbs-ceo-eileen-gittins/) - Eileen Gittins recently visted The London Book Fair and POD, Self Publishing and Independent Publishing caught up with her to discuss Blurb.com Company Profile Blurb was founded by their CEO, Eileen Gittins, in 2005 and is funded by Canaan Partners and Anthem Venture Partners. Blurb is a global publishing service that enables anyone from creative - [InStock Conference for Self Published Authors – July 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/instock-conference-for-self-published-authors-july-2009/) - Here are some details of the InStock Conference For Self-Published Authors taking place this July 18th, 2009, in San Francisco, California. SAN FRANCISCO, California (May 7, 2009) – InStock, a one-day conference for authors interested in self-published books, is premiering July 18, 2009 in San Francisco. The InStock Conference will feature panels on various topics - [Independent Publishers Reject ‘Early Payment’ Option From Amazon](https://independentpublishing.com/independent-publishers-reject-early-payment-option-from-amazon/) - We previously reported about Amazon’s offer to publishers in their Advantage Program to opt in on the ‘early payment option’ here, in exchange for an increased percentage cut on book discounts. Well, according to Catherine Neilan of thebookseller.com, most Independent Publishers have rejected the proposition. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/84957-publishers-reject-amazon-discount-offer.html.rss The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Podding Along Nicely – Distribution: The Real Deal](https://independentpublishing.com/podding-along-nicely-distribution-the-real-deal/) - Self Published author June Austin has written a very informative post about what real distribution is and misconceptions self-published authors may have about what it truly is. http://juneaustin.blogspot.com/2009/05/some-facts-about-distribution.html The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [The State of Publishing – David Hewson](https://independentpublishing.com/the-state-of-publishing-david-hewson/) - I wrote my own take on where I saw publishing a few months back in an article called Changed or Be Damned. But here is David Hewson’s take on the state of publishing here. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Adventures with Blurb – Part Five](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-with-blurb-part-five/) - At the end of April I got back a single proof copy of Thais, for the second time, as they had sent me the wrong book first time. I got the second order from Blurb within five days; corrected some problems with the cover regarding alignment and also made some changes to the interior. I - [Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 1](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-1-2/) - There are many reasons why an author starts to contemplate travelling the long and winding road to self-publishing. Like many paths we undertake in life – we sometimes find ourselves on a path we never originally planned to travel upon. When this happens, we find out that we don’t always have the sufficient roadmap to - [Copyright Registration and Library Catalogue Number – The Real Deals](https://independentpublishing.com/copyright-registration-and-library-catalogue-number-the-real-deals/) - At certain times of the financial year, usually Jan/Feb, publishers like all companies take a close look at their budgets. Many will be taking a look and revising them more than once this year. So it came as no surprise to get the following email from Gail Warren of AuthorHouse UK informing me of a - [Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 2](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-2-2/) - There are many variables and choices along the self-publishing road, whether an author decides to use author solutions companies like AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Infinity, Xlibris, Mill City Press or the many others using POD (print on demand) technology. Some publishing overlords will snipe from the hedgerow on our road and argue and catcall to us that - [Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 3 or (Sheila, Take A Bow)](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-3-or-sheila-take-a-bow-2/) - A comment from Sheila851 was left on yesterdays Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 2 and it was extremely thought provoking and I think very much encapsulates how self published authors feel about ‘standard’ publishing and why so many are more than cheerful to pursue self-publishing despite its stigmas and challenges for authors. Here - [To Self-Publish or Not To Self-Publish – Part 1](https://independentpublishing.com/to-self-publish-or-not-to-self-publish-part-1/) - The question of choosing to self-publish for an author is better understood if the question is turned on its head. An author should always ask themselves the question rhetorically. ‘Why do I want to self publish?’ I mean have you not heard all the bad press self publishing gets? That it is just pure vanity - [To Self-Publish or Not To Self-Publish – Part 2](https://independentpublishing.com/to-self-publish-or-not-to-self-publish-part-2/) - There are several key questions an author must ask themselves before embarking on their journey through self-publishing, whether they are prepared to go it alone or utilise an author solutions company to do the job for them. 1. Have you exhausted all the traditional channels to have your book published? This may include finding an - [Amazon As Publisher](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-as-publisher/) - Self-publishing through Amazon has just stepped up another notch with news that teenage author,Cayla Kluver, from Wisconsin, USA, has sold the rights of her debut self-published book ‘Legacy’. The book will become the first to fully launch AmazonEncore, a new publishing program set to focus on self published books as well as traditional out of - [Oscars At The IPPY Awards](https://independentpublishing.com/oscars-at-the-ippy-awards/) - The IPPY Awards are considered by some to be the Oscars of POD, Independent and Self-Publishing books. I’m not entirely sure I agree with this view considering there is a small fee for entry and many of the small presses are often born out of an author’s own self-publishing imprint (not a bad thing mind), - [POD TV – Program 3, Inside Infinity Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-3-inside-infinity-publishing/) - For our third program in POD TV, I thought we would take a look at an author solutions company, Infinity Publishing, who are a little unique for a POD publisher by housing their own inhouse print production facility. Today we follow the process Infinity follow when an author submits a book to them, with interviews - [Exploding The Modern Literary Myths](https://independentpublishing.com/exploding-the-modern-literary-myths/) - There is a very interesting article on line today by the Guardian’s Robert McCrum about the modern myths that have occured in the recent few years about books and publishing in general. You can find the article here. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Does Your Ebook Reader Dream In Colour?](https://independentpublishing.com/does-your-ebook-reader-dream-in-colour/) - Paul Marks and Michael Fitzpatrick write about the up and coming advances in Ereaders in yestersday’s ‘Tech’ articles of Publishersweekly.com, including the advances in A4 sized Ereaders and colour screens. You can read their article here. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Eason End UK Bookshop Interests](https://independentpublishing.com/eason-end-uk-bookshop-interests/) - Eason, one of Ireland’s premier book and magazine retailers has sold off its interest in UK book retailer, British Bookshops to The Works, owned by equity firm, Endless. Eason bought British Bookshops in 2004. The sell-off suggests that Eason has given up its strategic development of uk bookstores entirely and a recognition that the company - [Lulu – Your Hem Is Showing (Blush or be Damned)](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-your-hem-is-showing-blush-or-be-damned/) - I get a lot of correspondence from authors week to week and one of the most common themes seems to be the amount of authors who are finding better resources outside of Lulu. This includes using author solution services offered by Createspace and Lightning Source as well as working directly with Amazon’s own publishing programs. - [Bookbrunch Interview With Lightning Source President David Taylor](https://independentpublishing.com/bookbrunch-interview-with-lightning-source-president-david-taylor/) - Last week on Bookbrunch.co.ok, Liz Thomson talked to David Taylor, President of Lightning Source and sponsor of the Independent Publisher of the Year Awards. You can find the full interview here. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Print On Demand Titles Outstrip Traditionally Produced Titles For 2008](https://independentpublishing.com/print-on-demand-titles-outstrip-traditionally-produced-titles-for-2008/) - The preliminary US production figures for books have been released by RR Bowkers today compiled from its Books In Print® database. For the first time ever books produced by print on demand digital methods exceeded books produced by traditional production methods. New books produced by traditional production methods fell by 3% in 2008 but the - [Unibooks, Adbrite and The Mysterious Slinky girl](https://independentpublishing.com/unibooks-adbrite-and-the-mysterious-slinky-girl/) - Let me start by prefacing my motivations for this article. This is not a review or critique of Unibook. Let’s leave that for at least a year. I came across them for the first time this evening because the name popped up in the site’s Adbrite adverts. For the record, I have introduced this simply - [Atom’s Spoof Kindle 9XXXD Promotional Trailer](https://independentpublishing.com/atoms-spoof-kindle-9xxxd-promotional-trailer/) - Atom is an internet funny video site. They have taken a pop at Amazon and their efforts to promote the Kindle DX with its larger size by looking into the future of the spoof Kindle 9XXXD! Take a look for yourselves. Funny Videos | Funny Cartoons | More Video Clips Atom Films The Independent Publishing - [The LL Book Review – Re-launched](https://independentpublishing.com/the-ll-book-review-re-launched/) - The Lulu Book Review has re-launched from today as The LL Book Review and will now accept submissions from Createspace and Wordclay self-published authors. from The LL Book Review Team Welcome to the new and improved LL Book Review, now featuring reviews of books published not just with Lulu, but also Wordclay and Createspace. As - [Partnership Publishing – New Site From SciFi Author Clive Osborne Rapley](https://independentpublishing.com/partnership-publishing-new-site-from-scifi-author-clive-osborne-rapley/) - I came across sci-fi author, Clive Osborne Rapley’s new site which takes a particular focus on Partnership Publishing. Clive discusses his experiences using Pen Press in the UK and is currently looking to hear from other authors who have used Partnership Publishers and Subsidy Publishers. “Are you thinking of writing a book?Have you written a - [POD TV – Program 4 – To Self Publish Your Book, or Not to Self Publish Your Book](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-4-to-self-publish-your-book-or-not-to-self-publish-your-book/) - For program four on POD TV we return to Stacey Cochran’s excellent series of discussions on http://www.howtopublishabook.org/ this weeks program is entitled “To Self Publish Your Book, or Not to Self Publish Your Book” with guests Adam Shepard and Elisa Lorello. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [The Publetariat Vault – Launching Summer 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/the-publetariat-vault-launching-summer-2009/) - From the Publetariat website comes the following; “In an effort to attract publisher attention, you’ve got a fine-looking, well-reviewed, respectably-selling book in print, and you’ve put a lot of time, money and effort into your author platform as well. Unfortunately, publishers haven’t noticed. If there were a service designed to facilitate publisher searches of indie - [No Advance or Be Damned – Part 1](https://independentpublishing.com/no-advance-or-be-damned-part-1/) - I am going to say something which may ruffle a few feathers, both from traditionally published authors and authors who have self-published but are looking to break into mainstream publishing through their own endeavours. Your perspective publisher declares ‘NO ADVANCE OR BE DAMNED’. Would you politely decline the publisher’s contract offer without any advance and - [Man Booker International Winner 2009 – Alice Munro](https://independentpublishing.com/man-booker-international-winner-2009-alice-munro/) - The 2009 Man Booker International prize has been awarded to Canadian author Alice Munro. Munro is predominantly known as a short story writer and has been publishing books since the 1960’s. “Since her first collection of stories was published in 1968, Alice Munro has been highly acclaimed as the contemporary master of the short fiction - [Lulu – Acting The Teapot with Amazon’s Marketplace?](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-acting-the-teapot-with-amazons-marketplace/) - This email was sent to many Lulu authors today and seems to be creating a little bit of a stir at the moment for all the wrong reasons. ***************************** “Dear Lulu Author, Congratulations, your book has been selected for listing on Amazon.com’s Marketplace! As a result, your book will now be easily found on the - [Bill Warrington Wins Amazon Breakthrough Novel 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/bill-warrington-wins-amazon-breakthrough-novel-2009/) - The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award has been won by Bill Warrington for his novel, Last Chance. “Long estranged from his children and now faced with Alzheimer’s, Bill Warrington decides that kidnapping April—his belligerent and beguiling 15-year-old granddaughter—is the only way to mend his family (if not his mind). So begins the journey of, James King’s - [TheNation.com – The Long Goodbye?](https://independentpublishing.com/thenation-com-the-long-goodbye/) - Here is a pretty meaty and worthwhile article entitled, The Long Goodbye? The Book Business and its Woes by Elisabeth Sifton, writing for theNation.com last week. “Humanity has read, hoarded, discarded and demanded books for centuries; for centuries books have been intimately woven into our sense of ourselves, into the means by which we find - [Baker & Taylor Set For POD Distribution by September 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/baker-taylor-set-for-pod-distribution-by-september-2009/) - Baker & Taylor Inc, the US book distributor has joined forces with R.R.Donnelley, a print solutions provider to establish and run a print-on-demand digital book production center at Baker & Taylor’s distribution plant in Illinois. This looks to be the last commercial deal to be put in place before the POD distribution plant opens in - [No Advance or Be Damned – Part 2](https://independentpublishing.com/no-advance-or-be-damned-part-2/) - “Jeeves. There’s a strange gentlemen at the door suggesting publishers should stop giving authors advances.” “Wooster! How ridiculous. The idea is simply preposterous! Send him away and finish preparing my Eggs Benedict and ironing my morning newspaper.” “Actually, Jeeves, I found the idea rather novel and somewhat intriguing. So much so—I’ve invited the gentleman into - [When Publishers Become Animals, Birds & Plants!](https://independentpublishing.com/when-publishers-become-animals-birds-plants/) - Over the weekend the New York Times presented us with their unique evolutionary chart of publisher insignias which have appeared on book spines over the years. Take a look for yourself. http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/06/07/books/felton-ready.html The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [POD TV Program 5 – Poisoned Pen Press & The Future of Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-5-poisoned-pen-press-the-future-of-publishing/) - This program, hosted by Ellen Crosby, features an extensive interview and discussion with Barbara Peters and Robert Rosenwald who are the owners of Poisoned Pen Books and Poisoned Pen Press in Scottsdale, Arizona. The program was recorded at the Library of Congress earlier this month and discussed the mystery genre of fiction and the state - [Lightning Source – How To Get An Account – Explained](https://independentpublishing.com/lightning-source-how-to-get-an-account-explained/) - One of the most common questions I get asked when self-publishing authors are looking at their book publishing options is about Lightning Source. LSI are one of the major Print-on-Demand digital printers in the world with centers in the US and UK. They not only offer print services but also book fulfillment services for publishers. - [BookExpo America 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/bookexpo-america-2009/) - Jim Milliot of Publishers weekly has a concise round-up of BookExpo America here which concluded at the end of last week. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Google Set To Go Head To Head With Amazon in Ebook Stakes](https://independentpublishing.com/google-set-to-go-head-to-head-with-amazon-in-ebook-stakes/) - One of the more interesting items to come out of BookExpo America last week is news that Google is currently in negotiations with some book publishers with a view to setting up a program on line which will allow publishers to sell digital ebooks through Google. If Google do strike some deals then it will - [British Book Industry Awards (BBIA) 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/british-book-industry-awards-bbia-2009/) - The British Book Industry Awards took place on June 1st, 2009 and the following were the catagory winners, with particular note to Independent publishers Atlantic Books and Canongate. Frankfurt Book Fair Rights Professional of the Year Lucy Vanderbilt, HarperCollins Orion Publishing Group Literary Agent of the YearJonathan Lloyd, Curtis Brown Sue Butterworth Award for Young Bookseller - [Hachette Livre UK Kiss And Make Up With Amazon](https://independentpublishing.com/hachette-livre-uk-kiss-and-make-up-with-amazon/) - The Hachette Livre UK Publishing Group have finally ended their dispute with Amazon UK after nearly one year. Back last year on June 6th, 2008 this site reported the following: Hachette Livre, the second largest publisher in the world, is in dispute with Amazon UK regarding contractual terms. Amazon UK have sanctioned some of Hachette’s - [Or Books – New, OR Kind of New?](https://independentpublishing.com/or-books-new-or-kind-of-new/) - This promotional snippet is doing the rounds at the moment. Featuring Colin Robinson and John Oakes who will soon be launching OR Books, billed as an ‘alternative publisher’. Like many who have viewed and hosted this promotional video on their websites, I’m all for alternatives to traditional publishing, whether that is out and out Self - [POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing – Some Technical Revisions](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishing-independent-publishing-some-technical-revisions/) - Please excuse the brief respite over the past day or so. The site has been undergoing some revisions and these should be completed in the next twenty four hours. I felt a growing need to re-organize links and some layout concerns raised through feedback from many visitors. Much of these concerns focussed on visitors having - [Blurb Release Booksmart 2.0 Software Update](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-release-booksmart-2-0-software-update/) - In our previous article on Blurb’s services for self-publishers, we reviewed Blurb and also interviewed Eileen Gittins, CEO of Blurb here. Back in April, when we did the Adventures with Blurb series of articles, Axicom, Blurb’s PR representatives in Europe contacted me and made clear that they had noted our review of their services and - [POD TV – Program 6: DIY Self Publisher Tutorials](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-6-diy-self-publisher-tutorials/) - For program six in POD TV, we are providing the following video links for setting up books with these author solution companies. Unfortunately Createspace do not provide such a tutorial link. Lulu Tutorial: Wordclay Tutorial: Blurb Tutorial:pod The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Diggory Press: The Journey So far & The Quest For Truth](https://independentpublishing.com/diggory-press-the-journey-so-far-the-quest-for-truth/) - It is a story of intrigue, deception, fraud, defamation, theft, forgery, religious persecution, death threats, hatred, subterfuge and much more, culminating in investigations by the British Police Force, Scotland Yard, An Gardai (Irish Police Force) and I have even encountered unsubstantiated claims of Interpol being involved; resulting in, at first, small claims court actions, and - [Lulu Announce Customer Service Improvements](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-announce-customer-service-improvements/) - Today Lulu announced some improvements in their customer care in another effort to re-address the imbalance created by recent changes to Lulu processes and staffing cut backs. Whatever you argue about how recent changes at Lulu have been detrimental to customer care and business – Lulu do good apologies! On the Lulu blog, Sandra Parker, - [POD TV – Program 7: Jeremy Robinson Profile](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-7-jeremy-robinson-profile/) - For POD TV Program 7, we look at modern self-publishing success, Jeremy Robinson in his own words, videos, and recent book promotion for his novel ‘Pulse’. “I self-published my first three novels, The Didymus Contingency, Raising the Past and Antarktos Rising. The success of the books led to a three book deal with Thomas Dunne/St. - [Thomas Wins IMPAC Dublin Literary Award With Debut Novel](https://independentpublishing.com/thomas-wins-impac-dublin-literary-award-with-debut-novel/) - American writer, Michael Thomas, has won the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his debut novel, Man Gone Down, published by Grove / Atlantic. Speaking this morning about his win and prize money, he quipped, “I’m still overwhelmed, I haven’t got round to the financial scheming!” The IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is billed as the richest - [Bezos On The Future of Amazon’s Kindle](https://independentpublishing.com/bezos-on-the-future-of-amazons-kindle/) - Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos has been speaking about plans to expand the Kindle reader across other ebook formats. Bezos spoke recently at Wired magazine’s ‘Disruptive technology’ conference held in New York and also to the New York Times newspaper. Recently Amazon released the larger DX device, which supports Adobe PDF, unlike its smaller Kindle sibling. - [Penguin Introduces The Publisher’s Office On Line](https://independentpublishing.com/penguin-introduces-the-publishers-office-on-line/) - Penguin US have improved their web site and introduced The Publisher’s Office which features video and audio segments on authors and their books, as well as a reading preview segment. While there is perhaps nothing groundbreaking about Penguin’s improvements with these new on line features, it does emphasise the need for tradition publishers to use - [POD TV – Program 8: Literary Agents & Editors](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-8-literary-agents-editors/) - For program seven in POD TV, we are going to look at pre-book submission and the critical steps required if you want to approach traditional publishers. Algonquin Books Executive Editor Chuck Adams and literary agent Sally Hill McMillan discuss the challenges and paths forward for author on their tentative steps into the publishing industry. The - [Better Discounts For Authors – Milnes-Smith](https://independentpublishing.com/better-discounts-for-authors-milnes-smith/) - Philippa Milnes-Smith is president of the Association of Authors Agents. Today, she spoke to theBookseller.com and expressed the growing frustration authors have with their publishers when it comes an author having a heavy influence on sales and promotion of their own books. Milnes-Smith is quoted as saying; “If an author can make significant sales on - [Lulu Lens – Adversity to Pro-action?](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-lens-adversity-to-pro-action/) - Nick Popio has posted on Lulu’s blog today about a new initiative by the Lulu development team. They have launched Lulu Lens. “Last week we decided to try something new, and actively talk to our users about what we’re discussing internally. To get your feedback I posted to the forums and asked, “What would you - [Walking The Camino – Pilgrimage To Heresy](https://independentpublishing.com/walking-the-camino-pilgrimage-to-heresy/) - I rarely do book promotions her but this one did catch my eye over on June Austin’s blog Plodding along Nicely about Tracy Saunders’s, Pilgrimage To Heresy, published in 2007 through iUniverse. This is a fact/fiction adventure about walking the Camino De Santiago. Reviews for Pilgrimage to Heresy “This is by far the best book - [Independent & Small Press Publishers – Submission List & Resources](https://independentpublishing.com/independent-small-press-publishers-submission-list-resources/) - I spent the last few weeks doing the final proofing on Trees and have been looking to put together a suitable submission list of publishers to work through. I came across Newpages.com and this site is invaluable for any writers looking at US/Canadian based Independent and Small Press publishers. The site also includes a list - [Pomegranate Press – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/pomegranate-press-reviewed/) - Amazon UK Titles Listed – 74 Pomegranate Press is a small UK local press based in Sussex, initially specialising in books about the Sussex area. Pomegranate has since expanded its listings to include other non-fiction and fiction titles. Pomegranate also offers a personal self-publishing service for authors. http://www.pomegranate-press.co.uk/ Pomegranate Press was founded by former newspaper - [Indie Publishing – To Be Or Not To Be: That Is The Meaning](https://independentpublishing.com/indie-publishing-to-be-or-not-to-be-that-is-the-meaning/) - Over on Writers Beware Blog there is a posting and comment discussion about IndieReader and April Hamilton’s launch of Publitariat Vault. These are places for self publishing authors to list their books for sale and expose them to a wider industry audience as well as the buying book public. It got me thinking about the term - [The ‘Indie’ Publishing Debate](https://independentpublishing.com/the-indie-publishing-debate/) - This debate certainly seems to have struck a chord with many of you, and indeed the debate rages on over on Writers Beware blog, becoming quite heated at times, particularly regarding the benefit of Publitariat Vault and IndieReader. It should be borne in mind that these sites are new and only time and the testimony - [Blurb Launches PDF Upload Facility](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-launches-pdf-upload-facility/) - Blurb have finally made a critical step forward in their development as a DIY self-publishing company. Users can now design and layout their own books and load them up to Blurb’s on line system as PDF’s. This opens up the choice for authors to use programs such as Adobe and Indesign for their book layout - [Lulu Launch Mini Book](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-launch-mini-book/) - Lulu has just launched a new pocket-sized paperback format they are calling ‘Mini Book’. The format seems more suited to brochure and promotional books than a full book project. They are running a contest at the moment to help to promote and launch the format and you can check out the full details at Lulublog.com. - [PODTV – Program 9: The Recent Google Book Digitalization Agreement](https://independentpublishing.com/podtv-program-9-the-recent-google-book-digitalization-agreement/) - We are going all cerebral this week for PODTV and featuring an indepth discussion on the Google initiative to freely digitize books against the wishes of many authors and publishers. In this program, ITIF brings together different sides of the debate to discuss the settlement, its implications and the broader issues of orphan works and - [Different Industry – Same Mistakes: Susan Piver Article](https://independentpublishing.com/different-industry-same-mistakes-susan-piver-article/) - The comparisons about what is happening in the publishing world and the music industry over the past 15 years continue to be made. Here is an insightful perspective on the issue from Susan Piver following her attendance at an O’Reilly’s Tools of Change in Publishing conference. “What offed the music business—and what the publishing industry - [UniBook.com Launches Free Self-Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/unibook-com-launches-free-self-publishing/) - Unibooks.com is a service we took a brief look about two months ago. They have recently revamped their site and services and are now offering a ‘free self publishing services.’ Michael Van Den Reym, Online Marketing Specialist at UniBook sent me their recent press release. UniBook has launched a revised website that allows authors to - [Normal Reputable Service Has Been Resumed](https://independentpublishing.com/normal-reputable-service-has-been-resumed/) - I’ve been away for the past week on a well earned break, so I just catching back up on news and correspondence. I came across Heny Baum’s article ‘Do Self-Publishing Services Take Advantage of Writers?’ over on Selfpublishingreview.com. It’s certainly a meaty debate, but the bottom line remains that authors looking to use a service - [Reinventing The Publishing Wheel](https://independentpublishing.com/reinventing-the-publishing-wheel/) - During my time away from the site over the past week I came across Alma Books and their own blog – Bloggerel, written mostly by Alma Books founder, Alessandro Gallenzi, and his take on the current state of publishing in what he describes as ‘Chicken publishing’ in an article posted over the weekend. Below, he - [Epic Press UK – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/epic-press-uk-reviewed/) - Amazon.co.uk titles – 32 http://www.epicpress.co.uk/ I came across Epic Press, based in Birmingham, UK, when I was browsing Youtube a few days ago. Here is one of their authors, Peter Haines, and his book trailer, a promotional tool offered by Epic Press; “We are a rapidly growing publishing services organization. We provide the author who - [Boon Times For Small Presses?](https://independentpublishing.com/boon-times-for-small-presses/) - With the current economic strangulation forcing many publishers to let staff go, cut back on taking on authors, drop existing authors and significantly trim their scheduled titles, David Milofsky makes a valid observation in his article, ‘Small presses keep up the good fight’ in today’s Denver Post. “One thing small presses can, and one can - [Apex Publishing UK – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/apex-publishing-uk-reviewed/) - Apex Publishing Limited is an independent international book publisher based in the UK. They were first established in 2002 and offer an ‘author subsidy service’ to established and new authors. Their list of published authors very much reflects this, and thought they published a wide variety of books; they have a notable interest and commitment - [Matador Launch Sales Representation For Books](https://independentpublishing.com/matador-launch-sales-representation-for-books/) - One of the biggest criticisms of the self-publishing service model of business is the distinct lack of direct sales representation to high street stores for these kinds of books, rendering few self-published books real shelf space. While the stigmas of self-publishing may be gradually lifting over the past few years, book retailers are more comfortable - [Lulu’s Faux Pas & WritersWeekly Article](https://independentpublishing.com/lulus-faux-pas-writersweekly-article/) - Angela Hoy over on Booklocker.com has posted in this week’s edition on Writersweekly about the growing concerns some authors are experiencing with Lulu’s quality of service and shipping charges. While Angela does not go into a great amount of detail in her article, she does carry links from Lulu’s own forum from many disgruntled authors. - [PODTV – Program 10: London Book Fair 2009 – Digital Book Publishing Discussion](https://independentpublishing.com/podtv-program-10-london-book-fair-2009-digital-book-publishing-discussion/) - For our tenth program in PODTV we return to a news item we covered in April. Hosted by the BBC Media Correspondent, Torin Douglas and a panel of Gail Rebuck, Chairman and CEO, The Random House Group Limited. Tim Hely-Hutchinson, Hachette. John Makinson, Chairman and Chief Executive , The Penguin Group. Victoria Barnsley, Publisher and - [Legend Press Takes Control of New Generation Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/legend-press-takes-control-of-new-generation-publishing/) - Publisher Legend Press has taking control of print-on-demand publisher, New Generation Publishing. New Generation Publishing had been administered by the writer’s website YouWriteOn. New Generation Publishing operating this free publishing service for unpublished writers but the service has been dogged by delays and criticism that the publishing service was in some way connected to the - [Borders Closing Five Stores: Oxford St And Blanchardstown Included](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-closing-five-stores-oxford-st-and-blanchardstown-included/) - Borders are closing five of its stores in the UK and Ireland. The stores closing include its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street and also its Irish store in Blanchardstown, Dublin. The other three stores closing are Colney, in London, Swindon and Llantrisant in Wales. Borders confirmed late on Monday, 13th July that all five - [Author Advances Come Tumbling Down?](https://independentpublishing.com/author-advances-come-tumbling-down/) - Back in May on POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing I wrote a couple of articles about publishing advances and the reasons why they might one day be a thing of the past and the implications if more publishers continue to reduce or suspend paid advances altogether. http://mickrooney.blogspot.com/search?q=advances http://mickrooney.blogspot.com/2009/05/no-advance-or-be-damned-part-2.html Well, Jack Malvern, writing in the - [Boyd Morrison – Self Publishing Success](https://independentpublishing.com/boyd-morrison-self-publishing-success/) - The internet is a flutter today about the news that self-published author Boyd Morrison with the help of his agent has landed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster. Boyd Morrison has been selling his books on his website and also through Amazon’s Kindle. What is very clear about Morrison is he is a - [New Publishers In Hard Times](https://independentpublishing.com/new-publishers-in-hard-times/) - You would be forgiven for thinking in these hard-pressed times that anyone starting a new commercial publishing venture must be on something stronger and more refreshing than tea or coffee. The current economic challenges to the publishing industry have been covered here and in many other places, ad nauseam, so you will be glad to - [Borders UK Moving Closer To Complete Sale?](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-uk-moving-closer-to-complete-sale/) - James Thompson is reporting in this morning’s Independent that struggling UK book retail chain Borders is in discussions with equity firm, Hilco, with the target being the aquisition of all 46 UK stores. Valco Capital, part of Hilco, intent maintaining the book retailer as a going concern. The aquisition would include Books Etc and Borders - [AuthorHouse On The Double And With Improvements!](https://independentpublishing.com/authorhouse-on-the-double-and-with-improvements/) - Quite why AuthorHouse UK chose to release two separate press releases to highlight recent improvements to their services puzzles me. It would have made far more sense to combine these for what they are worth and emphasis their impact. One press release deals with their website and the other with their publishing packages. Overall, the - [Amazon Look To Christmas 2009 For Kindle UK](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-look-to-christmas-2009-for-kindle-uk/) - Amazon is putting the final pieces in place to allow a launch of the Kindle ebook reading device on the UK market. Amazon is understood to be in ‘advanced’ negotiations with a UK mobile operator according to this article in Mobile Today Magazine. This deal if completed will provide connectivity allowing users to download on - [Management Buyout Secures Borders UK Future](https://independentpublishing.com/management-buyout-secures-borders-uk-future/) - The not surprising news has broken late this afternoon that Borders UK has been sold in its entirety to a management led investment group headed by current Border’s Chief Executive, Philip Downer and Financial Director, Mark Little. The management group will be funded by Valco Capital Partners and should go a long way to securing - [Display Sites – The Future Ahead?](https://independentpublishing.com/display-sites-the-future-ahead/) - There seems to be a developing hoopla in the past month about what are broadly defined as ‘Display Sites’ for self-published and unpublished authors. There is nothing new about these sites in regards to the basic premise of a specific on line place where writers can load up their work and display it to be - [Let Publishing Be Damned – Richard Nash Article](https://independentpublishing.com/let-publishing-be-damned-richard-nash-article/) - Richard Nash, formerly of Soft Skull Press has written an interesting article for Publishing Perspectives this week, entitled, ‘Why Publishing Cannot Be Saved (As It Is)’. Nash pulls no punches here and his arguments remind me of the criticism of banking at the moment, that is, rather than pour money into a financial structure which - [Amazon Thought Police Leave Their Calling Card](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-thought-police-leave-their-calling-card/) - Have an Amazon Kindle? Bought an ebook version of Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ or ‘1984’? Chances are you will not find those books on your Kindle today. You see, during the night, when you were tucked up safe and sound in bed, the Amazon Thought Police crept into your electronic world and snatched these books back. - [Amazon Revise Systems After Big Brother Debacle](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-revise-systems-after-big-brother-debacle/) - Amazon have been forced to revise their systems which allowed them to removed purchased and downloaded copies of George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm from customer’s Kindle devices. The big brother styled swoop of Amazon’s arm happened last Friday and has led to a considerable on line debate and backlash against the giant internet retailer. - [Barnes & Noble Set To Enter Ebook Market](https://independentpublishing.com/barnes-noble-set-to-enter-ebook-market/) - Barnes & Noble, the largest bookseller in the USA is set to go head to head with Amazon in the ebook market. The ebookstore launch is set to go ahead later this summer with a standard price rivalling Amazon’s $9.99 marker. First year sales projections for the retailer are aiming at one million titles and - [Diggory Press Court Case Moves Forward To November 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/diggory-press-court-case-moves-forward-to-november-2009/) - The remaining few claimants in the Diggory Press court case, which was previously scheduled to go ahead in March 2010, have now been requested to appear before a senior judge for a hearing in November this year. This follows several unsuccessful orders from the court for all parties to pursue Alternative Dispute Resolution. ADR requires - [Blackwell UK Launch eBook Store](https://independentpublishing.com/blackwell-uk-launch-ebook-store/) - Fresh on the heels of Barnes & Noble announcing the launch of an ebook stores, Blackwell, the UK retailer and publisher has also entered the on line ebook sales market. Blackwell will offer 45,000 titles for its customers to download directly to their own BeBook reader which supports many ebook reader formats including Adobe PDF - [Other Press – Doing it The Other Way](https://independentpublishing.com/other-press-doing-it-the-other-way/) - Recently I’ve been spending quite a bit of time looking at UK and US based independent and small press publishers in the hopes of placing my last completed novel ‘Trees’. One of the biggest challenges for any author is finding the right publisher for their work. Often the strength of an independent publisher is that - [Booksurge US – (see CreateSpace)](https://independentpublishing.com/booksurge-us-see-createspace/) - UPDATE NOVEMBER, 2009. Booksurge has now merged under the CreateSpace brand.Announcement news. Related articles Amazon Japan Launches Print-On-Demand Program for Publishers (mickrooney.blogspot.com) to self-publish or not self-publish (victoryates.wordpress.com) Create Space Helps First Time Authors Like Taren Wilson The Writer of Novel,The Life Of Mouse. – (takingonacause.com) Amazon Announce Breakthrough Novel Award Finalists (mickrooney.blogspot.com) Abbott Press - [The Publishometer or Spin The Wheel?](https://independentpublishing.com/the-publishometer-or-spin-the-wheel/) - Time for a bit of fun? Ever wondered how an author can evaluate if what they write is truly publishable? Well, Editorial Anonymous think they have the answer with their Publishometer as part of their posting ‘How To Tell Whether a Manuscript Will Be Acquired’. Have a look and see how you score, whether you - [Salt Publishing Diversify To Move Forward](https://independentpublishing.com/salt-publishing-diversify-to-move-forward/) - Salt Publishing is an English based independent publishing company I have a lot of time for. With continuing recessionary cut backs, they had their arts council grant cancelled and that has made trading difficult to say the least in 2009. They launched a ‘Buy Just One Book, Right Now’ campaign in May and while this - [Man Booker Longlist Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/man-booker-longlist-announced/) - This year’s Man Booker Fiction Award longlist has been released and features just one book published by an independent publisher, Sarah Hall’s ‘How to Paint a Dead Man’ (Faber). Random House and Penguin have done particularly well with five and three books respectively, although Penguin’s three books featured include a first from their Penguin Ireland - [Amazon’s Orwellian Gaff Results in Filed Lawsuit](https://independentpublishing.com/amazons-orwellian-gaff-results-in-filed-lawsuit/) - I suppose it had to happen. Well, following Amazon’s ‘hand of god’ reaching into the homes of Kindle owners last week to take back ebook copies of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ and ‘Animal Farm’, the Seattlepi.com website reports yesterday that the first case of someone filing a class-action lawsuit against Amazon in the US District Court - [Sally Bee – Another Self-Publishing Success?](https://independentpublishing.com/sally-bee-another-self-publishing-success/) - Self-publishing success stories are always a great booster for other self-publishing authors. They demonstrate that perseverance and hard work can one day finally pay off. Just a few weeks ago we covered the self-publishing successes of Boyd Morrison and John Lenahan here. The latest self-publishing success story doing the rounds is Sally Bee who has - [Bruce Batchelor – Stop Book Returns or Be Damned!](https://independentpublishing.com/bruce-batchelor-stop-book-returns-or-be-damned/) - I have previously written about the challenges facing the publishing industry in an article entitled ‘Publishing Industry – Change or Be Damned?’ and highlighted the ludicrous returns policy operating between publishers and retailers. “For the past two decades, publishers have allowed wholesalers, distributors and retailers to dictate the terms of their own industry, from pricing - [Sony Step It Up With New E-Readers And Pricing Point](https://independentpublishing.com/sony-step-it-up-with-new-e-readers-and-pricing-point/) - Sony Electronics is launching two new ebook readers in late August to replace their 505 and 700 models. The Reader Pocket Edition and Reader Touch Edition will sell at $199 and $299. These readers now come in at or below Amazon’s Kindle retail price of $299. In a further significant move to step up the - [BookDepository US Has Arrived – Stand And Deliver, For Free!](https://independentpublishing.com/bookdepository-us-has-arrived-stand-and-deliver-for-free/) - One piece of valuable news in the book world we did not touch on last week was the launch of online book retailer, BookDepository.com, the American sister website of the highly successful UK company BookDepository.co.uk which itself has been going for the last five years. In some ways, considering that self-published books are often bought - [Quartet Press – The New Digital Age? (Updated, August, 2009)](https://independentpublishing.com/quartet-press-the-new-digital-age-updated-august-2009/) - We have been spending a little more time recently looking at independent publishers and small presses and in my viral travels today I learned that Kassia Krozser, proprietor and editor of Booksquare.com is involved in a new publisher called Quartet Press. Here is Kassia talking about her new role at Quartet Press taken from a - [POD TV – Program 12: Randy Schmidt – Editor at University of British Colombia](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-12-randy-schmidt-editor-at-university-of-british-colombia/) - Randy Schmidt, Editor at University of British Colombia addresses graduates about their first approaches to publishers – what to expect and what to look for in a reputable publisher. While Schmidt is specifically speaking about academic submitted manuscripts and thesis – much of his advice holds strong for any author submitting to a publisher. Learn - [Writers’ And Artists’ Yearbook Expands Online Presence](https://independentpublishing.com/writers-and-artists-yearbook-expands-online-presence/) - The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook has been my regular purchase each year and the recently published 2010 edition from A&C Black will be no exception. Up till last month the publishers did run a website to promote the book and offer some online resources. However the website has been considerably revamped and now boasts many - [Bookbrunch Article by Trevor Dolby – ‘Time to rethink contracts’](https://independentpublishing.com/bookbrunch-article-by-trevor-dolby-time-to-rethink-contracts/) - Over on BookBrunch, Trevor Dolby has written an article entitled, Time to rethink contracts. It looks at the publishing industry and makes some interesting and witty comparisons with the model of the music industry. He poses the dilemma that we have reached the time of a more equitable contract between author and publisher, with the - [Poetry In Motion – Doom & Gloom (me arse!!) by Enda Murray](https://independentpublishing.com/poetry-in-motion-doom-gloom-me-arse-by-enda-murray/) - Earlier this year we covered the story of David Jones and how being made redundant inspired him to write and self-publish a help and resource book for other people made redundant. Well, another author, Enda Murray, from Longford, Ireland did something very similar. Enda wrote poetry for many years with a quirky, funny and irreverent - [The Publishing Industry Game of Pass The Parcel](https://independentpublishing.com/the-publishing-industry-game-of-pass-the-parcel/) - There is a short posting today on the Writers’ & Artists’ newly revamped website which we looked at two days ago. Cressida Downing, an editorial consultant, looks at literary agents approach to promising works submitted to them. “I have seen a few comments on here from aspiring authors who have been advised to use an - [Will Atkins Discusses Macmillan New Writing](https://independentpublishing.com/will-atkins-discusses-macmillan-new-writing/) - Editor, Will Atkins, over on Jane Smith’s excellent How Publishing Really works discusses Pan Macmillan’s imprint, Macmillan New Writing and the approach and publishing philosophy behind it. […]”Macmillan New Writing is now an integral, and pretty uncontroversial, part of Pan Macmillan, and operates in the same way as the other imprints here, using the same - [The Experience of Ebooks – Nick Cave’s The Death of Bunny Munro](https://independentpublishing.com/the-experience-of-ebooks-nick-caves-the-death-of-bunny-munro/) - The Guardian UK had an article on Nick Cave’s new novel, The Death of Bunny Munro, written by Sam Leith. Cave’s new novel has an advance release on the iPhone ahead of the print version and the enhanced electronic version has some new options that give us a tantalising glimpse of what the future of - [Lulu Through The Looking Glass](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-through-the-looking-glass/) - Lulu Lens was set up as an interactive forum for feedback from Lulu authors. While understandably, Lulu pitch this feedback forum as a means for them to improve their overall services—there is no doubt much of the impetus is to address a number of issues highlighted by authors in their own Lulu discussion forum as - [Publishing Basics Returns From Summer Hiatus](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-basics-returns-from-summer-hiatus/) - After a hiatus of six weeks or so, Publishing Basics Monthly Newsletter returns with some excellent articles this month on book cover design, ‘why you should not self-publish’, marketing your book on a limited budget and a lot more. “The vanity press industry, headed by companies like Author House, Publish America and the likes, have - [Book Sales in Ireland – Eoin Purcell’s Poll](https://independentpublishing.com/book-sales-in-ireland-eoin-purcells-poll/) - Eoin Purcell is carrying out an interesting poll over on his blog and asks the question, ‘…what people in Ireland THINK about success is in terms of booksales?’ It is certainly a pertinent question not just for Irish authors but authors and publishers operating in any book market or country. As Eoin points out, pair - [Self-Publishing Successes From Outskirts Press](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-successes-from-outskirts-press/) - Karl Schroeder, Manager of Author Services at Outskirts Press has much to champion this week. His blog puts the spotlight on Outskirts Press as well as Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, who chose to forgo the traditional route of publishing in favour of an author service company to - [Pynchon’s ‘Soundtrack’ To Inherent Vice](https://independentpublishing.com/pynchons-soundtrack-to-inherent-vice/) - Following on from a posting we did earlier this week on Nick Cave’s new novel, The Death of Bunny Munro – the possibilities ebooks can provide for enhanced interaction between author and reader – the reclusive and complexed American novelist Thomas Pynchon has just disclosed the ‘soundtrack’ to his lastest novel, Inherent Vice. Inherent Vice - [Sony Electronics Forge Ahead With Universal ebook Format](https://independentpublishing.com/sony-electronics-forge-ahead-with-universal-ebook-format/) - Sony Electronics are expected to announce on Thursday plans to sell ebooks in a standard ePub format making them compatible with other ebook reading devices. Ebooks generally have some restrictions built into the software to prevent multiple coping and file sharing. Sony look to have struck an agreement with Adobe in this regard. Amazon play - [Book Sales In Ireland – Results Pt1 From Eoin Purcell](https://independentpublishing.com/book-sales-in-ireland-results-pt1-from-eoin-purcell/) - A couple of days ago Eoin Purcell hosted a poll on his blog and asked what was the measure of success for a book on the Irish market. Well, he has correlated the results and posted the first part of his findings and analysis here. The measure of success certainly appears to be a lot - [Authors’ Chance Ltd: Son or Father of Diggory Press?](https://independentpublishing.com/authors-chance-ltd-son-or-father-of-diggory-press/) - While the next hearing in the Diggory Press court case in the UK is not set to go ahead until November of this year, there has been a very significant development on the publishing side of matters for Diggory Press, Exposure Publishing, their self-publishing wing, and all their contracted authors. A quick browse through the - [Book Sales in Ireland – Pt 2: Analysis by Eoin Purcell](https://independentpublishing.com/book-sales-in-ireland-pt-2-analysis-by-eoin-purcell/) - Eoin Purcell continues with the second part of his analysis on what makes up the success of a book publish on the Irish market, coming up with a suprising result – or is it? http://eoinpurcell.com The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Book Publishing: ‘Don’t Get Me Started!’ – Tom Matlack Article](https://independentpublishing.com/book-publishing-dont-get-me-started-tom-matlack-article/) - […]Let’s face it — the whole chain bookstore, publishing house, agent, author thing is bankrupt. It’s even more 19th century than newspapers and old-fashioned crank music records. Don’t get me started on why the book business is worse off than television, radio, or magazines (all of whom are under extreme pressure). Of all these industries - [Lulu.com Drop Their Popular ‘Publish By You’ Option](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-com-drop-their-popular-publish-by-you-option/) - Lulu have today announced further changes to their publishing process and distribution service, which on the face of it, is a further retrograde step backwards in their position as a brand-leading author solution services provider. The core change today is the announcement of the removal of the popular ‘Publish By You’ service. Here is part - [Barnes & Nobel Launch Rediscover For Out-of-Print Books](https://independentpublishing.com/barnes-nobel-launch-rediscover-for-out-of-print-books/) - Barnes & Noble continue, like Amazon, to move beyond the confines of just being a retailer. They have launched a new publisher program called Barnes & Noble Rediscovers. This program will allow them to work with publishers to reissue that are out-of-print in hardback format. There are already 30 plus titles available under the new - [POD TV – Program 13: Bill Folman’s Book Trailer](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-13-bill-folmans-book-trailer/) - For POD TV this week, something a little lighthearted. Author Bill Folman’s decided to enlist the help of a friend to make a book trailer for his debut novel, The Scandal Plan. The mini-film book trailer has been doing the rounds of the internet for a few weeks. This gets funnier every time I watch - [Amazon.co.uk – A Case of Deja Vu?](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-co-uk-a-case-of-deja-vu/) - “Déjà vu is the experience of feeling sure that one has witnessed or experienced a new situation previously (an individual feels as though an event has already happened or has happened in the near past), although the exact circumstances of the previous encounter are uncertain. The experience of déjà vu is usually accompanied by a - [POD TV – Program 14: POD, Self Publishing’s Promo Trailer](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-14-pod-self-publishings-promo-trailer/) - POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing have had a Youtube presence in the pipeline for a while and finally this weekend we kicked it off aptly with a promotional trailer for the site. Future video uploads will include workshop-style tutorials and advice on self-publishing. Stay tuned for further uploads over the coming months. Youtube channel - [Long Nights in Frisco For Judge Chin in Google Settlement](https://independentpublishing.com/long-nights-in-frisco-for-judge-chin-in-google-settlement/) - The deadline has passed for objections in the Google Books Settlement to be lodged with the US Fedral District Court in San Francisco. By the volume of objections submitted up to yesterday, it looks like Judge Denny Chin may have some long nights sifting through this legal minefield between now and September 18th, when the - [Coming Your Way…Soon](https://independentpublishing.com/coming-your-way-soon/) - Some of you will be aware that I have been concentrating much of my review efforts on author solution services in the UK for the past six months or so due to a book I am currently compiling on the self-publishing market there. Well, I have completed all the reviews I will be doing there - [Books – The Shape of Things To Come?](https://independentpublishing.com/books-the-shape-of-things-to-come/) - Are we witnessing the shape of books to come? Quillr is an online platform that allows authors to use a combination of multimedia with text in their book. We talked last week about Thomas Pynchon’s novel and it’s soundtrack of 1960’s music as accompaniment. Well, Quillr maybe the next step in the future of the - [The Last Block in Harlem – Self-Publishing Success](https://independentpublishing.com/the-last-block-in-harlem-self-publishing-success/) - Earlier this month we looked at Irish self-published author, Enda Murray, travelling around the midlands and west of Ireland selling his book, Doom and Gloom (Me Arse!!), an anti-recession book of poetry. Well, it seems self-published authors will stop at nothing to shift those volumes, though, Christopher Herz is a little different. Herz left his - [Reader Device Wars Hot Up](https://independentpublishing.com/reader-device-wars-hot-up/) - “Delivering on its promise to give consumers a variety of choices, Sony today announced the third member of its new Reader family – the Reader Daily Edition™, a highly-anticipated wireless model with 3G connectivity. The Daily Edition caps its new line of Reader products, joining the Reader Pocket Edition™ and the Reader Touch Edition™ which - [Amazon – Booksurge Antitrust Lawsuit: Motion to Dismiss Refused](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-booksurge-antitrust-lawsuit-motion-to-dismiss-refused/) - Chief U.S. District Judge John Woodcock Jr. has refused Amazon.com’s motion to dismiss Booklocker.com’s Antitrust Lawsuit against them. The lawsuit stems from actions and communications by Amazon early last year to instruct some publishers using print-on-demand digital printing to use Amazon’s own printer, Booksurge. You can read the official court documents on Judge Woodcock Jr’s - [Lulu Clarifies Recent Distribution & ISBN Changes](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-clarifies-recent-distribution-isbn-changes/) - Lulu have made further clarifications today regarding their recent announcement about changes to their distribution and suspension of their popular ‘Publish By You’ option. “We want to hear from you as much and as often as possible to improve our services to ensure you create the best products, have the most sales or achieve whatever - [Smashwords Announce Barnes & Noble Distribution For Premium Catalog Ebooks](https://independentpublishing.com/smashwords-announce-barnes-noble-distribution-for-premium-catalog-ebooks/) - Smashwords have just announced an expansion in their ebook distribution network with online retailer Barnes & Noble. Ebooks included in Smashwords ‘Premium Catalog’ will be made available for listing and sale from the giant online retailer. This will come as a huge bonus to self-published authors who have signed up to Smashwords. authors should be - [Book Sales In Ireland – Results Pt3 From Eoin Purcell](https://independentpublishing.com/book-sales-in-ireland-results-pt3-from-eoin-purcell/) - Eoin Purcell continues with the third part of his analysis on book publishing sales in Ireland. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Fail Again – Fail Better: Guardian UK Article](https://independentpublishing.com/fail-again-fail-better-guardian-uk-article/) - Robert McCrum takes his sharp insight and wit to publishing blunder rejections of celebrated literature over the years in Sunday’s Guardian UK newspaper article. For authors currently in the rounds of submission/rejection, submission/rejection, ad nausea, you might be heartened to know about the following remarks and observations on book classics which sit happily and comfortably - [Cold Tree Publishing – R.I.P. (Reflection & Celebration)](https://independentpublishing.com/cold-tree-publishing-r-i-p-reflection-celebration/) - Cold Tree Press was one of the earliest American POD publishers starting out way back in 2001. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, they were guided by the commitment of its entrepreneurial owner and president, Peter Honsberger. Cold Tree Press emerged into a changing world of publishing and quickly developed a reputation for nurturing new writers and - [Penguin Group Launch Puffin Ireland](https://independentpublishing.com/penguin-group-launch-puffin-ireland/) - There is some positive news on the publishing front for a change as Caroline Walsh, Literary Editor with The Irish Times reports today on news that Penguin Publishing is setting up Puffin Ireland, their children’s imprint. Michael McLoughlin, Manager of Penguin Ireland, believes there is a wealth of talented children’s writers in Ireland and best-sellers - [Borders UK Launch Second-hand Book Sales](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-uk-launch-second-hand-book-sales/) - Borders UK have linked up in a partnership with Alibris Books to sell second-hand books through its online store. The new service is targeted at ‘cash-strapped’ customers and will provide access to hard-to-get, out-of-print and out-of-stock books. Borders UK are planning to offer up to nine million titles in an effort to provide their customers - [HarperStudio – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/harperstudio-overview/) - Bob Miller, President of HarperStudio shares his views this week with PublishingPerspectives.com on how he sees the need for the relationship between publisher and author to become more of a partnership of commitment. […]”I believe that publishers and authors should be equal partners, sharing profits fifty-fifty, as we are doing in all of our deals - [Google Books Settlement – Deadline is Friday](https://independentpublishing.com/google-books-settlement-deadline-is-friday/) - The Google Books Settlement is a highly complexed debate and it is one that POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing has deliberately not chosen to examine as we believe this should be be an informed and personal choice for published authors outside of influence from author solution services, intimidation from peers or writing workshops, or - [Amazon Lodge Objection To Google Book Settlement](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-lodge-objection-to-google-book-settlement/) - Global online retailer, Amazon, formally lodged their objection to the Google Books Settlement in the US courts yesterday. The objection comprises of a substantial document detailing Amazon’s specific points of legal argument against the Settlement. The main points of Amazon’s objection to the agreement reached is: 1. Arguably unlawful2. Stretches the Court’s power beyond its - [Authors Guild Release Stinging Rebuke To Amazon Objection](https://independentpublishing.com/authors-guild-release-stinging-rebuke-to-amazon-objection/) - The US Authors Guild has released a stinking rebuke to Amazon’s formal objection to the Google Book Settlement lodged earlier this week with the US courts. The statement comes on the eve of the deadline for authors to opt out of the settlement. Here is the Authors Guild statement in full. “September 2, 2009. Amazon - [Google Book Settlement Objection Date Extended by US Court](https://independentpublishing.com/google-book-settlement-objection-date-extended-by-us-court/) - San Francisco US District Court Judge Denny Chin has announced an extension on the deadline for objections and amicus briefs in the Google Book Settlement case to be filed with their administration system. The court cite system maintainance from today till Tuesday morning as the reason with several impending filings still to be lodged. The - [Google Waver on Book Settlement in Europe](https://independentpublishing.com/google-waver-on-book-settlement-in-europe/) - The Google Corporation is a little unsteady on its feet at the moment and this weekend we have seen the first signs of a concession on the Google Book Settlement. The Financial Times is reporting that Google have agreed to a concession to European publishers and authors to have two non-US representatives on the board - [Man Booker 2009 Shortlist Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/man-booker-2009-shortlist-announced/) - The shortlist for this year’s Man Booker Prize has just been announced with the betting favourite Hilary Mantel included in the six selected books. Never without its surprises, Colm Toibin and William Trevor have not made it into the final selection. Chairman of the Man Booker Prize commented: “We’re thrilled to be able to announce - [Man Booker 2009 Submissions Guilty of ‘sloppy editing’](https://independentpublishing.com/man-booker-2009-submissions-guilty-of-sloppy-editing/) - Here is an interesting aside from this week’s announcement of the shortlist for the Man Booker prize. We all know that self-published books often come in for some fair criticism about the standard of editing and at times the complete lack of editorial input. But according to the chairman of the Man Booker prize and - [Dial 999 For Lulu Today!](https://independentpublishing.com/dial-999-for-lulu-today/) - Not wanting to let a good marketing opportunity slip by, Lulu are offering a promotion for today (9/9/9). The offer is a $9 discount off 9 books ordered from them. http://lulublog.com/2009/09/09/999-sale-take-9-off-9-books-coupon-code-999/ The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Quartet Press Close Before The Door Opens](https://independentpublishing.com/quartet-press-close-before-the-door-opens/) - Early last month we took a look at one of the most exciting and audacious new independent press ventures in digital publishing with our feature on Quartet Press. I think it is quite some time that a new independent press was greeted with such interest and general enthusiasm. Sadly, this within the last few hours… - [Quartet Press Concede ‘financial structure flawed’](https://independentpublishing.com/quartet-press-concede-financial-structure-flawed/) - Kat Meyer has spoken in an article late yesterday with Calvin Reid of Publishers Weekly and shed more light on the sudden closure of new digital publishing venture, Quartet Press. Meyer, one of the founders of Quartet Press, conceded that the financial structure of the business was flawed and ultimately would not work, and rather - [Marion Boyars Publishing End Their Independent Odyssey](https://independentpublishing.com/marion-boyars-publishing-end-their-independent-odyssey/) - Hells bells! It’s turning out to be a grim week for independent publishers with news this morning that distinguished British publisher, Marion Boyars has taken the decision to wind down their operations and will finally close its doors in the middle of 2010. There will be just one further release in October from the publisher - [POD TV – Program 15: Google Book Digitizing Debate](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-15-google-book-digitizing-debate/) - This week PODTV features a fascinating discussion on Google’s project of digitizing books and the ensuing objections to the Google Book Settlement.Hosted by the Computer History Museum, this discussion is entitled ‘Information Technology and the Future of Books’. Daniel Clancy, Engineering Director of Google Books, gives us the argument from Google’s perspective and the implications - [The Challenges & Future of Digital Publishing: Kassia Krozser of Booksquare](https://independentpublishing.com/the-challenges-future-of-digital-publishing-kassia-krozser-of-booksquare/) - In the publishing world, when a new venture goes pear-shaped, you might understand its founders making an about turn and scrambling for the seclusion of the nearest forest for ‘quiet time’. Not so, Kassia Krozser, one of the founders of the now-no-more digital publisher, Quartet Press, and proprietor of Booksquare. Today, she writes candidly and - [Google Will Allow Access & Resale To Retailers of Digital Database](https://independentpublishing.com/google-will-allow-access-resale-to-retailers-of-digital-database/) - Like a heavy weight boxer in the ring taking a few well-targeted blows to the head, Google continues to defend its position and the strengths of the Google Books Settlement, while at the same time clarifying detailed points and casting out its own interpretation and concessions to the gathered crowds. Yesterday, at the US congressional - [Are Amazon Overstepping their Mark with New SITB Policy? – GalleyCat Report](https://independentpublishing.com/are-amazon-overstepping-their-mark-with-new-sitb-policy-galleycat-report/) - There is an interesting report today over on GalleyCat which says they have seen a copy of an email sent out by a book distributor to its publishing clients informing them of a change in Amazon’s policy on their Search Inside the Book (SITB) program. The new policy will require publishers to participate in SITB - [Blurb – Reviewed (Updated – May 2014)](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-reviewed-updated-may-2014/) - I have re-edited the Blurb review and updated some separate material not originally included. Blurb was founded by Eileen Gittens, a highly successful business woman with US global companies Kodak and Wall Data amongst others on her CV. She studied photography in her younger days and set up Blurb as on line self-publishing solutions - [Don’t Panic – Maintenance Over & Full Service Restored](https://independentpublishing.com/dont-panic-maintenance-over-full-service-restored/) - Apologies for the unscheduled downtime and maintenance on the site. Some ‘spanner’ in the office decided to ‘try out’ some alterations on our template and source coding resulting in the loss of more than half of our files and many of the site links. We have loaded our back-up files and about 95% of the - [Infinity Publishing US – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/infinity-publishing-us-reviewed/) - There is one factor which singles out Infinity Publishing from many other author solutions services. From the very beginning, in 1997, Infinity Publishing did all their POD printing in-house and offered authors a non-exclusive contract. They describe what they do as ‘originated book publishing’, but the self-publishing industry and the world at large doesn’t really - [Lulu Publishing Partner Program – Marriage of Convenience or Masterstroke?](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-publishing-partner-program-marriage-of-convenience-or-masterstroke/) - Here is the start of the original press release from the first day of September: “RALEIGH, N.C., September 1 — Lulu, the marketplace for digital content on the Internet, today announced a new partnership program designed to maximize revenue for partner organizations while expanding the availability of its feature-rich tools and services for authors seeking - [Hachette Livre Form POD Partnership With Lightning Source](https://independentpublishing.com/hachette-livre-form-pod-partnership-with-lightning-source/) - Lightning Source, the global provider of physical and digital services to the book industry, are teaming up with Hachette Livre France to create a large print on demand operation based at Hachette’s distribution. The POD service will have the potential to provide any books on their database to the French book market. Hachette hope to - [Federal Court Judge To Decide on Google Fairness Hearing Format](https://independentpublishing.com/federal-court-judge-to-decide-on-google-fairness-hearing-format/) - Federal Court Judge, Denny Chin, presiding over the Google Book Settlement fairness hearing, scheduled for October 7th, has received in the region of 400 objection submissions to his office up to the deadline last week. With this amount of objections, Judge Chin has indicated he may have to consider imposing limitations on the amount of - [On Demand Books Add Google List to EBM](https://independentpublishing.com/on-demand-books-add-google-list-to-ebm/) - On Demand Books, the company behind the Espresso Book Machine (EBM) have announced that they have now added Google’s public domain list to their database of available books. On Demand already have 1.8 million titles available through their POD database including most of Lightning Source’s listing. On Demand Books continues the roll out and promotion - [US Department of Justice Kicks Google Book Settlement Into The Ditch](https://independentpublishing.com/us-department-of-justice-kicks-google-book-settlement-into-the-ditch/) - The US Department of Justice may very well have dealt the Google Book Settlement, as it stands in current form, the final and fatal blow in its statement released late yesterday, Friday, September 18th. In no uncertain terms, the Department of Justice declares that the Google Book Settlement should be rejected. “As presently drafted the - [Opposition Group Declare Google Book Settlement ‘is dead’](https://independentpublishing.com/opposition-group-declare-google-book-settlement-is-dead/) - Lawyers representing the US Authors Guild and the American Association of Publishers in the Google Book Settlement have formally requested the US Federal Court to postpone the date for the Fairness Hearing scheduled for October 7th. This follows last week statement by the US Justice Department that the Google Book Settlement should be rejected. Instead, - [Apex Publishing Land David Van Day Autobiography](https://independentpublishing.com/apex-publishing-land-david-van-day-autobiography/) - Apex Publishing, a UK based subsidy/partnership publisher, say they have acquired the autobiography of singer and reality TV star, David Van Day. The autobiography, entitled ‘Another Day, Another Dollar’ is due for release in hardback next June and was co written with Derek Clements. Van Day came to musical prominence in the 1980’s with British - [Google Book Settlement – When Fairness Becomes Status](https://independentpublishing.com/google-book-settlement-when-fairness-becomes-status/) - As widely expected Judge Denny Chin has acceded to the request of the plaintiffs in the Google Book Settlement case and agreed to put back the date for the Fairness Hearing scheduled for October 7th. However, in its place, Judge Denny Chin will instead preside over what is now being declared as a ‘status conference’ on the same date. - [CreateSpace Launch Self-Publishing Packages](https://independentpublishing.com/createspace-launch-self-publishing-packages/) - It seems CreateSpace have decided to go down the same avenue of marketing their services as Lulu. Although CreateSpace offered many individual services to authors – their focus has shifted to the familiar self-publisher packages. While CreateSpace say the packages offer significant savings to authors when compared to their individual prices for each service – - [Author Solutions & Smashwords Sign Ebook Distribution Deals With Sony](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-smashwords-sign-ebook-distribution-deals-with-sony/) - Sony Electronics has signed deals with self-publishing behemoth Author Solutions and ebook platform Smashwords to distribute their ebooks through Sony’s own online epub portal. This has the potential to be a huge step forward for self-publishing authors using the family of companies owned by Author Solutions. They include iUniverse, AuthorHouse, Xlibris, Trafford and Wordclay. Exact - [Blurb Release Booksmart 2.5 & Flat-rate-shipping](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-release-booksmart-2-5-flat-rate-shipping/) - Blurb, a free self-publishing option for authors, have just released the latest version of their Booksmart software. The 2.5 version of Booksmart includes new design and control features and improved stability of the application. Blurb have also introduced much cheaper flat-rate-shipping and together with the new software improvements, it looks like another significant step forward. - [Apex Publishing & Legend Press – A Sign of Hybrid Publishing?](https://independentpublishing.com/apex-publishing-legend-press-a-sign-of-hybrid-publishing/) - Maybe it is a sign of the times, but this week the borders between publishers offering author-publishing services blurred a little more. Apex Publishing is showing real intent on dramatically increasing its output of traditionally contracted authors with news of another autobiography of journalist and TV presenter, Garry Bushell. This follows the announcement last week - [Xlibris Introduce October Discounts On Packages](https://independentpublishing.com/xlibris-introduce-october-discounts-on-packages/) - In a continuing trend with the larger author solution services in the past few months, Xlibris have introduced further discounts on their publishing packages. The trend is to limit these discounts for a month or so and often add in one or two additional features as a sweetner. Here is the official press release and - [Lulu UK & USA – Reviewed (Updated 2014)](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-uk-usa-reviewed-updated-2014/) - Lulu UK & USA Lulu is one of the original DIY publishing services formed in 2002 by technology entrepreneur, Bob Young. Lulu publishes over 400,000 titles per year providing online software tools for writers and artists to publish, print and product everything from books, magazines, CDs and DVDs. Lulu are a truly global company with - [Amazon Kindle Makes International Debut](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-kindle-makes-international-debut/) - It was widely predicted since the London Book Fair this summer, but finally Amazon has confirmed that a wireless version of the Kindle will be available to order for the international market from today with units shipping on October 19th. Amazon have agreed deals with a number of high profile UK publishers, including Atlantic Books, Bloomsbury, - [Hilary Mantel Wins Man Booker Award For Wolf Hall](https://independentpublishing.com/hilary-mantel-wins-man-booker-award-for-wolf-hall/) - The last couple of days seem to be filled with news stories which lack any great surprise. Last night’s Man Booker Award in London proved no exception with Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall winning the £50k literary prize. Mantel has pretty much been the out and out favourite since the final shortlist was announced back in July. - [Revised Google Book Settlement For November](https://independentpublishing.com/revised-google-book-settlement-for-november/) - Following the status conference on the Google Book Settlement case, Judge Denny Chin has agreed to the requests of lawyers for Google to allow a revised agreement to be drawn up in light of the multiple objections from parties, including the US Justice Department, lodged with the Federal Courts. The revised agreement will now be presented to - [Herta Muller Awarded Nobel Prize For Literature 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/herta-muller-awarded-nobel-prize-for-literature-2009/) - The Romanian-born German writer Herta Muller has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for literature this morning. The Nobel Committee at the Swedish Academy honoured Herta Muller for her lifetime work and described it in the following way. ‘the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed.’ Muller was - [PODTV – Program 16: Cambridge University Press Digitization Project](https://independentpublishing.com/podtv-program-16-cambridge-university-press-digitization-project/) - Cambridge University Press is a distinguished British academic publisher and this year they are celebrating 425 years of continuous publishing of academic and educational texts as well as 2009 being their 800th anniversary. As a department of the University of Cambridge, its purpose is to further the University’s objective of advancing knowledge, education, learning, and - [EA Teams Up With Publishers For Launch of Flips ebooks](https://independentpublishing.com/ea-teams-up-with-publishers-for-launch-of-flips-ebooks/) - Electronic Arts, the game studio, is following in the footsteps of Nintendo and utilising the DS console platform to launch a serious of children’s ebook titles. Nintendo themselves also ready have experimented with ebook titles on the DS with 100 Great Classic Books, which sold 115,000 units in the UK. Electronic Arts are calling the - [New York Times: Sergey Brin Offers His Opinions On Google Book Settlement](https://independentpublishing.com/new-york-times-sergey-brin-offers-his-opinions-on-google-book-settlement/) - Sergey Brin, co-founder and technology president of Google has expressed his opinions and support for what Google is trying to achieve with the Google Book Settlement in an article for yesterday’s New York Times entitled, A Library to Last Forever. It is a frank and reasoned opinion few–bar the most partisan–could find fault with. Brin’s - [Frankfurt Book Fair Gears Up For 2009 Show](https://independentpublishing.com/frankfurt-book-fair-gears-up-for-2009-show/) - The Frankfurt Book Fair starts this Wednesday, October 14th and runs until the 18th. The Fair will only be open to the trade for the first three days and the general public for the final two days. The annual Frankfurt Book Fair has now established itself as the premier global book fair and this year - [Time For Publishers To Engage & Embrace Changes: Sara Lloyd, Frankfurt TOC, 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/time-for-publishers-to-engage-embrace-changes-sara-lloyd-frankfurt-toc-2009/) - The O’Reilly Tools of Change kicked off their first ever conference on European soil at the Frankfurt Book Fair this morning. The O’Reilly TOC conferences are well known on the digital technology and publishing circuit in the USA. Their aim is to identify the challenges and decipher the tools of change needed in the digital - [Thomas Nelson Form Self-Publishing Partnership With Author Solutions](https://independentpublishing.com/thomas-nelson-form-self-publishing-partnership-with-author-solutions/) - Thomas Nelson was originally founded as a Scottish bookseller in Edinburgh in 1798. The company began selling second-hand religious books but quickly developed the Thomas Nelson publishing imprint. Throughout the nineteenth century it continued to publish both religious and non-religious books until close to the turn of the century when non-religious books accounted for 94% - [Frankfurt Book Fair 2009 Digitisation Survey](https://independentpublishing.com/frankfurt-book-fair-2009-digitisation-survey/) - Organisers of the Frankfurt Book Fair 2009 have been conducting a survey about digitisation in the book publishing industry. The results of the survey will be correlated and put together in the Bookfair’s newsletter following the event. I thought it would be interesting to present the questions being asked in the survey here. You can - [Frankfurt Book Fair 2009 or China Book Fair 2009?](https://independentpublishing.com/frankfurt-book-fair-2009-or-china-book-fair-2009/) - Is it my own perception or the reality that the Frankfurt Book Fair 2009 is in danger of being entirely consumed by the dissident voices of China? (not to mention the dissident voices of digitization and disinterest) There has been an undercurrent of criticism against the organisers of the Frankfurt Book Fair that they have somehow - [Thomas Nelson – Publishing Intrigue & Afterthoughts](https://independentpublishing.com/thomas-nelson-publishing-intrigue-afterthoughts/) - The decision this week by American trade publisher Thomas Nelson to launch their own imprint offering authors self-publishing packages has certainly captured the blogosphere, if not the whole of the publishing industry. Add to this the intriguing caveat that Author Solutions will run the design, print and distribution end of WestBow Press for Thomas Nelson. - [Shadowmancer Author Calls Time on Writing Career](https://independentpublishing.com/shadowmancer-author-calls-time-on-writing-career/) - We have spoken about English author Graham Taylor (GP Taylor) several times on these pages regarding his self-publishing success during the 1990’s with his first novel, Shadowmancer, as well as his involvement with British author solutions service, Grosvenor House Publishing. The Telegraph reported yesterday that Taylor has decided to give up writing so he can care - [Google Launch Google Editions E-store For 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/google-launch-google-editions-e-store-for-2010/) - Google have chosen the week of the Frankfurt Book Fair to announce the launch of their ebook selling store which will rival Amazon and Barnes & Nobel. The online ebook platform store will simultaneously open in the USA, UK and Europe in the first half of 2010. Their slogan will be “buy anywhere, read anywhere” - [McCrum On Originality In Publishing Today](https://independentpublishing.com/mccrum-on-originality-in-publishing-today/) - “How can good new writers be published when the industry is ruled by people who aren’t interested in originality?” This is the question posed by Robert McCrum in an article entitled, Stop the bean-counters ruling the fiction roost on the Guardian.co.uk this morning. He recounts a personal tale of a new author’s attempts to place - [Barnes & Noble Look To ‘Nook’ The E-Reader Competition](https://independentpublishing.com/barnes-noble-look-to-nook-the-e-reader-competition/) - Barnes & Noble will announce the launch of their own e-reader later today at a press conference in Manhattan. The e-reader will be called the Nook. Don’t ask; perhaps Barnes & Noble executives will reveal the reasons why they chose such an odd name for the device. The e-reader will feature colour touch-screen controls, which can - [AU Optronics Goes All Floppy With E-paper Future](https://independentpublishing.com/au-optronics-goes-all-floppy-with-e-paper-future/) - It must be the day for e-reader and e-paper announcements. AU Optronics Corporation today announced a series of innovative e-paper technology devices. One is a 20-inch e-paper LCD-shaped monitor which has a myriad of possibilities, from public information units to advertising monitors. This is just one of a number of innovative products AU Optronics will - [POD TV – Program 17: Frankfurt Book Fair, 2009 – Andrew Savikas, VP for Digital Initiatives at O’Reilly Media](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-17-frankfurt-book-fair-2009-andrew-savikas-vp-for-digital-initiatives-at-oreilly-media/) - Vice President at O’Reilly Media, Andrew Savikas, gave an interview ahead of Tuesday’s Tools of Change Conference at the Frankfurt Book Fair, 2009. He discusses how digital media is changing modern publishing as well as everyday life and the arrival of e-books and e-readers. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Smashwords For Non-US Authors – Nicola Furlong](https://independentpublishing.com/smashwords-for-non-us-authors-nicola-furlong/) - Nicola Furlong has an excellent guide to the process of uploading your book to Smashwords on her blog today. Interestingly, she highlights the particular problems authors outside of the US have with using Amazon’s Kindle. Unfortunately, you must be able to provide a US address and bank to use Amazon to upload a book for - [ABA Make a Stand on Independent Booksellers & Hardback Books](https://independentpublishing.com/aba-make-a-stand-on-independent-booksellers-hardback-books/) - The Department of Justice in the US—whether it is their wish or not—has become extremely acquainted with the book publishing world in the last year. The Google Book Agreement was recently kicked into touch following their comments and intervention last month, and now, the American Booksellers Association has requested the Department of Justice to investigate - [Google Books Settlement: Make Haste At Your Peril – Objectors](https://independentpublishing.com/google-books-settlement-make-haste-at-your-peril-objectors/) - Judge Denny Chin, presiding over the Google Books Settlement case, has again been requested by opponents to ensure they are given ‘sufficient time to study and comment on any amended settlement agreement’ and that there are no limits on any objections. The call came from Yahoo and Microsoft, two of the most significant corporate objectors - [Virtual Conference Today: Digital Content Day at Your Desk!](https://independentpublishing.com/virtual-conference-today-digital-content-day-at-your-desk/) - Book Business is presenting a free Publishing Business Virtual Conference today online, entitled, Digital Content Day at Your Desk! Here is a brief from their website. Book Business is proud to present the first Publishing Business Virtual Conference & Expo: Digital Content Day at Your Desk! Please fill out the registration form below to register - [Self-Publishing Book Expo: New York, Saturday, November 7th](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-book-expo-new-york-saturday-november-7th/) - The much anticipated Self-Publishing Book Expo in New York’s Sheraton Hotel is just a week away, taking place on Saturday, November 7th. The organizers of the event have managed to put together a very impressive array of speakers and panelists from the world of self-publishing services, independent presses, distributors, printers and self-published authors. The highlight - [Chip Kidd: Book Cover Design & The Future of E-books](https://independentpublishing.com/chip-kidd-book-cover-design-the-future-of-e-books/) - Chip Kidd, renowned book cover designer is currently on a trip to Ireland and this evening he did an interview for Culture Shock, an arts program on one of Ireland’s national radio broadcasters, Newstalk, hosted by Fionn Davenport. Chip Kidd is an associate art director at Knopf, an imprint of Random House. He joined the Knopf book - [Popping Over To The Co-op For An e-book?](https://independentpublishing.com/popping-over-to-the-co-op-for-an-e-book/) - Successful self-publishing authors have been around for many years and here on POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing we have looked at many of the varied solutions services authors can use. What is very clear about self-published authors is often their ability and need to be innovative in the marketing of their books and how quickly - [Lulu Improves e-book Options](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-improves-e-book-options/) - Lulu have made a significant step forward today with their latest announcement on improvements to their e-book facility. The new improvements will allow wider format compatibility, DRM and a revised pricing structure. Up till now, their e-book facility was pretty basic. Here is some of their blog announcement. “Why publish an eBook? The simple answer - [Xlibris Get it In The Neck From Publishing Perspectives](https://independentpublishing.com/xlibris-get-it-in-the-neck-from-publishing-perspectives/) - Dear, oh dear. Xlibris really did get it in the neck today from daily online publishing magazine, Publishing Perspectives. They featured in the lead and accompanying articles by Edward Nawotka. You can read the two articles, A Cautionary Tale about POD, and also, Bonus Material: Is Xlibris Profiting More from Selling Publicity than Printing?. A - [Lulu’s Old Curiosity e-Book Shop](https://independentpublishing.com/lulus-old-curiosity-e-book-shop/) - Lulu has become something of a curiosity in the old shop of author solutions services for me in the past year. Yesterday, we reported their announcement of an improved e-book facility, allowing them to properly embrace the development and continuing changes in the e-book market and provide self-publishing authors with something more than, what was, a pretty bog-standard - [USA Today’s Self-Publishing Article](https://independentpublishing.com/usa-todays-self-publishing-article/) - USA Today have an article in this morning’s technology section by Kim Kamando about the options for authors considering publishing their book outside of traditional publishers. The piece, while sound enough, strikes me as being a little on the simplistic and basic side. Here is the piece. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Xulon Press Introduce Color Packages](https://independentpublishing.com/xulon-press-introduce-color-packages/) - Xulon Press have expanded their self-publishing services to include colour books. For an author solutions service, it was one blind spot in their publishing programs for authors. Here is some detail about it from their site. Xulon Press offers Color Book publishing programs that will fit both your budget and your dream. To publish your - [Self-Publishing Book Expo: New York – Tomorrow, Saturday 7th, November](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-book-expo-new-york-tomorrow-saturday-7th-november/) - A final reminder that the Self-Publishing Book Expo takes place in New York’s Sheraton Hotel all day tomorrow. The organizers of the event have managed to put together a very impressive array of speakers and panelists from the world of self-publishing services, independent presses, distributors, printers and self-published authors. The highlight of the event looks to be - [Eason Staff Facing 12.5% Pay Cut](https://independentpublishing.com/eason-staff-facing-12-5-pay-cut/) - It’s not too often on these pages that I delve deeply into the moral economics of the book business. Today, I will make a rare exception. Sometimes, you need to make exceptions. Eason, the flagship Irish book and magazine retailer is reported to be considering a 12.5% pay cut on its employees. Eason employs 1500 - [LL Book Review Takes On All-Comers!](https://independentpublishing.com/ll-book-review-takes-on-all-comers/) - The popular self-publishing POD book review site, LLBR, from today, take on all-comers! Shannon and his team have been slowly expanding the POD publisher services they will consider for book reviews since the site launched in early 2008 specifically for Lulu authors. Shannon now reports: “By the time our one year anniversary rolled around, we - [Harlequin Launch Digital Publisher Carina Press](https://independentpublishing.com/harlequin-launch-digital-publisher-carina-press/) - Harlequin, one of the world’s leading romance and women’s fiction publishers has just launched Carina Press, a digital-only imprint that will trade independently of its parent publisher. First e-book titles are expected from Carina Press in Spring 2010. Initially, carina Press will focus the romance and erotica genres. They will not be adopting the traditional - [Google Books Settlement Case Given Eleventh Hour Extension Until Friday](https://independentpublishing.com/google-books-settlement-case-given-eleventh-hour-extension-until-friday/) - Judge Chin has today granted a short extension in the Google Settlement case which will allow The Authors Guild and Google to finalize a new agreement by this Friday, November, 13th. No substantive reason was given by the court to allow the extension until the end of this week, but lawyers for Google did argue that - [Vanity? Me? No. I’ve The Wrong Glasses On](https://independentpublishing.com/vanity-me-no-ive-the-wrong-glasses-on/) - I like to pride myself on knowing pretty much most publishing services that pop up over time, so when someone this week asked me about Whitmore Publishing, I embarrassingly went All Homer on them. Doh! Who the hell are they? For now, I will leave you with Postman Pat and his black and white cat, - [POD TV – Program 18: Cartoon Irreverence – Book Promo Trailer For ‘Ditch The Agent’](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-18-cartoon-irreverence-book-promo-trailer-for-ditch-the-agent/) - Ditch The Agent is a book by author, Jack King and explains how authors can achieve a traditional publishing deal without having to venture down the vanity and self-publishing avenues. Here is his irreverent trailer for the book, entitled, How [Not] to publish a book. Begin with “DITCH THE AGENT – The Book for Writers”, written by - [CreateSpace And Booksurge Unite Under One Brand](https://independentpublishing.com/createspace-and-booksurge-unite-under-one-brand/) - Self-publishing authors may see CreateSpace and Booksurge as two distinctly different companies, but both brands are run by On-Demand Publishing, who are in turn a subsidiary of Amazon. The announcement of the merging of CreateSpace and Booksurge comes as no great surprise, and if anything, should have happened more than a year ago considering CreateSpace has become the - [Display Sites – A Means To An End?](https://independentpublishing.com/display-sites-a-means-to-an-end/) - This week WEBook announced the launch of AgentInbox. I had planned to cover it as a news item, but felt it was more a news story about writing than a publishing news story. Digress it you will for a few moments and read Victoria Strauss over on WriterBeware and her take on WeBook’s AgentInbox. I - [Revised Google Settlement Filed At Eleventh Hour](https://independentpublishing.com/revised-google-settlement-filed-at-eleventh-hour/) - At one point on Friday it did not look like we were going to have a revised Google Settlement. Delays of several hours and attorney negotiations finally led to a revised settlement being lodged late Friday evening with Judge Denny Chin presiding over the case in the US District Court. The revised settlement, according to - [Smashwords Partner With Shortcovers For Expanded Distribution Deal](https://independentpublishing.com/smashwords-partner-with-shortcovers-for-expanded-distribution-deal/) - Smashwords, the e-book retailer, has announced a distribution partnership with Canadian e-book publisher and retailer, Shortcovers. From the 18th November Smashword’s premium catalogue will be distributed through their online network of 189 countries. This deal is in line with recent distribution deals signed with Sony and Barnes & Noble. Shortcovers are particularly strong in offering - [Harlequin Announce Full-Scale Paid-Publishing Program With ASI](https://independentpublishing.com/harlequin-announce-full-scale-paid-publishing-program-with-asi/) - Harlequin have announced the launch of a full-scale paid-publishing venture in partnership with Author Solutions. This is hot on the heels of Harlequin’s new e-book imprint, Carina Press, announced last week, and will be run by Author Solutions. The new paid-publishing venture will be called Harlequin Horizons. This looks like a very similar move to Thomas - [Harlequin & Thomas Nelson: Harlots Of The New Publishing Industry?](https://independentpublishing.com/harlequin-thomas-nelson-harlots-of-the-new-publishing-industry/) - Today’s announcement by Harlequin, a division of Toronto-based Torstar Corporation and one of the USA’s top romance genre publishers, to launch their paid-publishing imprint, Harlequin Horizons, follows on from last week’s announcement of their partnership with leading self-publishing service provider, Author Solutions Inc, to launch a digital-only publishing imprint, Carina Press. Today’s news of Harlequin’s - [Eason Withdraws Wage Cut Plans For Staff](https://independentpublishing.com/eason-withdraws-wage-cut-plans-for-staff/) - According to an item in today’s thebookseller.com, Eason have withdrawn their threat to pursue a 12.5% wage cut from their 1500 employees. Staff and unions are still pressing for Eason management to reinstate the Christmas bonus which was withdrawn for this year. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Harlequin Backtracks On Name of Paid-Publishing Imprint After Backlash](https://independentpublishing.com/harlequin-backtracks-on-name-of-paid-publishing-imprint-after-backlash/) - Continued pressure from US writers’ organisations and publisher watchdogs has resulted in Harlequin announcing that it is to change the name of its new paid-publishing venture, Harlequin Horizons, launched this week in partnership with Author Solutions. Yesterday, Preditors & Editors changed its listing for Harlequin to Vanity Publisher. Today, the Romance Writers of America (RWA) - [Google Settlement Given Court’s Preliminary Approval](https://independentpublishing.com/google-settlement-given-courts-preliminary-approval/) - Judge Denny Chin has granted the US District Court’s preliminary approval of the revised Google Settlement. The next stage will be a final hearing on 18th February 2010, which will examine the terms of the agreement and make a ruling on its full approval. The opt-out/opt-in and final objections deadline will be 28th January. November, - [Diggory Press: A Means To An End](https://independentpublishing.com/diggory-press-a-means-to-an-end/) - I have been inundated with requests to update the current Diggory Press saga and the outcome of last week’s court date. A full detailed article will appear this weekend. In short, two of the three remaining claimants were awarded full original small claims costs, while a third case was dismissed for claims and counter-claims on a legal - [Diggory Press: When Publishing Nightmare Becomes Reality Show](https://independentpublishing.com/diggory-press-when-publishing-nightmare-becomes-reality-show/) - Two weeks ago, a long self-publishing saga finally reached a legal conclusion. It is one, which on and off, since this site began, we have chosen to cover because of its fundamental relevance to authors looking to use various companies offering what I call author solutions services. Frankly, this paid-publishing nightmare for some authors of - [Borders UK On the Brink of Collapse](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-uk-on-the-brink-of-collapse/) - According to reports in this weekend’s business section of the Times UK, Borders UK retail chain is on the brink of collapse following WH Smith withdrawing from rescue discussions with the book retailer. It is expected talks will continue this week with other perspective groups, but one of the main points of contention is that Borders is - [Bold Predictions For Amazon Kindle](https://independentpublishing.com/bold-predictions-for-amazon-kindle/) - In an article today, Joe Wikert makes A Bold Prediction and questions Amazon’s long term commitment to the Kindle e-reader device. Wikert reasons that Amazon, ultimately, is not geared towards hardware and already they have fallen behind other competitor e-readers. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [What Sells Books? Sweet Self-Publishing Indulgence](https://independentpublishing.com/what-sells-books-sweet-self-publishing-indulgence/) - A conversation the other day with an author considering self-publishing veered off on a tangent neither of us had expected. We started out discussing his perspective book on sweet confectionary over the past fort years. Needless to say, we began with a long indulgent conversation on the sweets we used to buy with our pocket - [Harlequin Rebrand Paid-Publishing Imprint To Reveal DellArte Press – Ta-dah!](https://independentpublishing.com/harlequin-rebrand-paid-publishing-imprint-to-reveal-dellarte-press-ta-dah/) - Harlequin has changed the name of its paid-publishing imprint Harlequin Horizons. The imprint, which is pretty much being run in its entirity by Author Solutions will now be know as DellArte Press – very art-nouveau! From their website… “DellArte Press is a publishing company that offers aspiring romance writers the opportunity to self-publish their work - [Borders UK – Days From Administration](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-uk-days-from-administration/) - It is distinctly likely that the coming days will see Borders UK officially enter administration despite interest from both HMV and WH Smith to purchase part or all of the retail chain of 45 stores. However, it is understood both have now withdrawn their interest. Even a late bid in the last few days by the - [DellArte Press (Harlequin Paid-Publishing) – Reviewed [CLOSED]](https://independentpublishing.com/dellarte-press-harlequin-paid-publishing-reviewed/) - In future months, that is—beyond November 2009—authors who drop by the DellArte Press site will probably be oblivious of the furore which occurred when romance publisher Harlequin decided to sign up with Author Solutions and utilise them to development a paid-publishing services. Harlequin is not the first, nor will they be the last. Author Solutions already - [Borders UK Formally Enters Financial Administration](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-uk-formally-enters-financial-administration/) - Borders UK formally entered financial administration this afternoon with the appointment of MCR who will carry out a period of assessment before reporting to creditors. However, the 45 Border stores in the UK will continue to trade and its 1150 staff will be paid their wages. Some news networks jumped the gun a little early - [The Write Lines: BBC Radio Oxford](https://independentpublishing.com/the-write-lines-bbc-radio-oxford/) - Came across this BBC Radio Oxford program called The Write Lines via Jane Smith’s excellent, How Publishing Really Works. It is presented by the BBC’s Sue Cook and focuses on writing, publishing (commercial and self-publishing) and literary agents. The program runs for four episodes and broadcasts on Sundays, 9pm to 10pm and features many established industry experts. - [Borders UK Stores To Close By Christmas](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-uk-stores-to-close-by-christmas/) - The 45 Borders stores in the UK will enter a final phase of closure in the four weeks of retail business leading up to Christmas. This is the final blow for their 1150 staff who have, until late last week, held some forlorn hope of the stores being taken over at local and regional levels. - [POD TV – Program 19: Back Channel Press](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-19-back-channel-press/) - POD TV has been on a short hiatus, but returns this week with Joe Smiga’s Living Your Passion, a local TV Network program in Manchester, New Hampshire. Here, he interviews husband and wife, Nancy and John Grossman who run Back Channel Press, a local company who provide publishing services for authors. The company’s services are aimed - [YOGS Law & The New Money Flow In Publishing – Mark Barrett Article on Ditchwalk](https://independentpublishing.com/yogs-law-the-new-money-flow-in-publishing-mark-barrett-article-on-ditchwalk/) - Occasionally you read something which really strikes home. Even less often, someone comes along with a fresh outlook on a long debated publishing issue. For someone who had never heard of YOGS Law (in publishing – money flows towards the author), Mark Barrett over on Ditchwalk has produced, certainly for me, one of the most insightful - [End The Publishing Terminology or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/end-the-publishing-terminology-or-be-damned/) - I read some wonderful things today. I also read a lot of crap. In my travails of the morning, afternoon and evening, I came across the words of writers I hold and respect dearly. There were also other words written by writers I know less about. I still discovered the occasional gem, and a few - [Amazon Request Rejected in Google Settlement Case](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-request-rejected-in-google-settlement-case/) - Amazon’s request that Judge Denny Chin withdraws his preliminary approval for the revised Google Settlement case in New York has been unsurprisingly rejected. Judge Chin ruled on the request yesterday and the case will now move on to a fairness hearing on February 18th. Judge Chin underlined his belief that argument against the agreement would - [CreateSpace Launch Full Online Distribution For Pro-Plan](https://independentpublishing.com/createspace-launch-full-online-distribution-for-pro-plan/) - CreateSpace today announced that it is introducing full online distribution to authors who opt for their PRO plan offer. This has been long overdue and brings CreateSpace into line with many other author solutions services. Historically CreateSpace has only offered online distribution through their own ebook store and parent company Amazon. Here is the full - [Deansgrange Writers Put The ‘P’ Back in Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/deansgrange-writers-put-the-p-back-in-publishing/) - Yes, I went on one of my rants yesterday. Sometimes you look into the distance and miss what is important when it is right under your own nose. Self-Publishing takes many authors into the unfamiliar global hemisphere. For most, that is never the objective. I think it fitting tonight that we should forget the Thomas - [MWA Join RWA in Sending Harlequin To The Little Boys Corner](https://independentpublishing.com/mwa-join-rwa-in-sending-harlequin-to-the-little-boys-corner/) - Following the RWA (Romance Writers of America) withdrawing its rating and benefits from Harlequin last week – the MWA (Mystery Writers of America) have followed suit by agreeing to remove all Harlequin imprints from its approved publisher listings. “The Board of Mystery Writers of America voted unanimously on Wednesday to remove Harlequin and all of - [Amazon Brick-it After Times UK Spread The Mortar](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-brick-it-after-times-uk-spread-the-mortar/) - An interesting story has appeared over the weekend, reported in the business section of the Times UK, about secret plans by Amazon to launch brick and mortar retail outlets. Amazon have been extraordinarily quick to refute them through a Reuters report. “A spokesman for the group said it had no plans to open physical stores - [Time Ladies And Gentlemen To Move On or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/time-ladies-and-gentlemen-to-move-on-or-be-damned/) - We really have reached a time to find a way forward in publishing to deal with the existence of self-publishing and paid-publishing services. The debate is quickly becoming entrenched in morals, standpoints, labels and some very foolish rhetoric. “MWA does not object to Harlequin operating a pay-to-publish program or other for-pay services. The problem is - [Wall Street Journal Shine The Light On Scottish Independent Canongate](https://independentpublishing.com/wall-street-journal-shine-the-light-on-scottish-independent-canongate/) - In an age when discussions on the publishing world seem to focus on a handful of behemoth publishing houses, it’s nice to see this piece in the today’s Wall Street Journal by Paul Sonne featuring Scottish independent publisher Canongate. There is no doubt having the rights to Barack Obama’s books have helped no end to - [ASI CEO Responds To Harlequin/Thomas Nelson Paid-Publishing Debate With Statement](https://independentpublishing.com/asi-ceo-responds-to-harlequinthomas-nelson-paid-publishing-debate-with-statement/) - Author Solutions CEO and president, Kevin Weiss, has today formally responded with a press statement and video address about the current debate on Harlequin and Thomas Nelson to launch self-publishing partnerships with ASI to provide paid-publishing services for authors. Here is the full text of the press release. Bloomington, Ind. (PRWEB) December 7, 2009 — - [Amazon Announce Breakthrough Novel Award 2010 Details](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-announce-breakthrough-novel-award-2010-details/) - Amazon, in conjuction with Penguin Books, has announced that submissions for the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award will commence on January 25th through to February 7th, 2010. Here is some of the Amazon press release announcement. The full details and links about the award, entry and rules can be viewed here. The awards are open - [Author Solutions Partner With On Demand Books For EBM Access](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-partner-with-on-demand-books-for-ebm-access/) - Still dancing in the headlights of publicity stirred up by their partnerships with publishers Thomas Nelson and Harlequin, Author Solutions today announced another new partnership with On Demand Books, owners of the Espresso Book Machine. Author Solutions will provide self-publishing authors with an online web toolkit service that will enable any Espresso Book Machine in - [POD TV – Program 20: Author Solutions CEO Talks To ABC TV](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-20-author-solutions-ceo-talks-to-abc-tv/) - Well, that was the week that was. There’s really no author solutions service or impresario in the news these past few weeks other than Author Solutions and its CEO, Kevin Weiss. So, fittingly, for POD TV in program 20, here is Kevin Weiss giving an interview in mid-November on USA ABC TV network with presenter - [Want A Bestseller, Teacup or Piano? – Borders UK Sell All](https://independentpublishing.com/want-a-bestseller-teacup-or-piano-borders-uk-sell-all/) - The closure of Borders 45 UK stores may be as soon as Christmas for most branches. In what has been clearly a difficult time for Borders staff – the latest reported by thebookseller – suggest that it is a case of anything for sale if it is not nailed down. ‘Want the latest best seller, - [Real Deal Podcast – Self Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/real-deal-podcast-self-publishing/) - Here is a podcast from CNET Real Deal, presented by Tom Merritt and Rafe Needleman about self-publishing. They discuss Lulu, CreateSpace, Blurb, Booksurge, marketing self-published books as well as publishing in general. Tom Merritt appears on CNET TV and loves to dive into technology and help consumers fight fear, uncertainty, and doubt with technology. See - [When Is a Book Not a Book?](https://independentpublishing.com/when-is-a-book-not-a-book/) - They say seeing is believing. It’s just that our instinct is also to check once, check twice, before we truly accept what we see before us. They say a millionaire passes at least one dollar bill dropped on the street every day. A pauper never misses one. Why? Because the pauper is always looking for - [Borders US Launches Ebooks With Shortcovers Partnership](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-us-launches-ebooks-with-shortcovers-partnership/) - While Borders UK stores will pull the shutters down on all of its stores next week, Borders in the US has invested in Shortcovers and that has resulted in the re-branding of the successful e-retailer. Shortcovers will now be curiously known as Kobo and they will power the new Borders ebook stores. Here is part - [Macmillan US Announce Enhanced Ebook Editions For 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/macmillan-us-announce-enhanced-ebook-editions-for-2010/) - Macmillan US will commence selling enhanced ebook editions of what the publisher expects to become bestsellers. The limited editions will appear from 2010 and will include enhanced features like author profiles, interviews and reader guides. They will sell for a slightly higher price than the inital hardcover version but will be available simultaneously. The enhanced - [UK Author Advances Slump To New Low](https://independentpublishing.com/uk-author-advances-slump-to-new-low/) - There is a piece today in the Bookseller.com about the monetary decline in advances paid to authors by UK publishers for literary fiction. The article reports that some advances have actually dropped as low as £500, with £1,000 to £2,000 being the common marker. According to one quoted publisher, we are a long way from - [POD TV – Program 21: The Future of Reading](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-tv-program-21-the-future-of-reading/) - For this week’s POD TV, courtesy of TVO in Ontario, Canada, Empire of the Word takes a look at the future of reading with a host of experts to discuss the issues. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Borders To Close For Good Amid Hachette Court Action](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-to-close-for-good-amid-hachette-court-action/) - The 45 Borders UK stores will close for good next Tuesday with it looking increasingly unlikely that administrator MCR will find a buyer for the book retailer. Events have become sadly acrimonious in the past week with Hachette Livre taking Borders/MCR to the courts because of non-payment of stock already sold by stores. Over the - [2009: The Year That Was – Coming Soon](https://independentpublishing.com/2009-the-year-that-was-coming-soon/) - Things have been extremely quite over the past week with people tied up with some big, red, fat guy arriving in a few days. With the month of December and the year drawing to a close, I will shortly be posting a review, in several parts, for the publishing year that was. And what it year - [Ingram Group CEO Interviewed by The Tennessean](https://independentpublishing.com/ingram-group-ceo-interviewed-by-the-tennessean/) - Skip Prichard is the president and CEO of Ingram Content Group. For those not in the know, Ingram run the largest book wholesalers in the US, as well as owning Lightning Source, the digital printer used by many author solutions services. Prichard was interviewed this week by The Tennessean and he discusses, among other things, - [2009: The Year That Was (Jan – April)](https://independentpublishing.com/2009-the-year-that-was-jan-april/) - So, here we go, 2009, the year that was in publishing. This is by no means a conclusive round-up, but the stories and events that caught my eye. JANUARY The year began with a lot of anxiety in the publishing world. There were already plenty of rumours and murmurings of editors walking the plank, staff - [Happy Christmas To All](https://independentpublishing.com/happy-christmas-to-all-2/) - Our journey this year takes us to Christmas, a time for cheer, joy and happiness. May you all have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones, family and friends. Thank you for your visits, your comments, your support and inspiration. Strength through joy… The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [2009: The Year That Was (May – August)](https://independentpublishing.com/2009-the-year-that-was-may-august/) - MAY Amazon announced the launch of its Kindle DX in May featuring a larger 9.7 inch screen, more memory and wireless facilities. It will be available later this summer. We got the chance to interview Eileen Gittens, CEO of Blurb, on POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing, and you can read that interview here. Amazon - [Wasteland Press – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/wasteland-press-reviewed/) - Wasteland Press is an author solutions service based in Shelbyville, Kentucky. I might stand corrected, but I think this is the first company we have reviewed from the state of Kentucky. Timothy Veeley is their CEO and he started Wasteland Press in 2000. I thought it a rather disparaging name for an author solutions service, - [2009: The Year That Was (Sept – Dec)](https://independentpublishing.com/2009-the-year-that-was-sept-dec/) - SEPTEMBER Bob Miller, President of HarperStudio, shared some pertinent views in September on the future of publishing with PublishingPerspectives.com on how he saw the need for the relationship between publisher and author to become more of a partnership of commitment. […]”I believe that publishers and authors should be equal partners, sharing profits fifty-fifty, as we - [Amazon E-books Outstrip Physical Books For Christmas Sales](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-e-books-outstrip-physical-books-for-christmas-sales/) - According to Amazon.com, their Kindle ebook sales outstripped physical book sales this Christmas. The top Amazon seller was Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue, followed by Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Are Amazon Doing Porkies For Christmas?](https://independentpublishing.com/are-amazon-doing-porkies-for-christmas/) - As a follow up from our previous news story on Amazon’s reported Kindle sales over physical sales. Mediabistro/galleycat reports some rather raised and questioning eyebrows across the blogosphere this evening. Are Amazon telling porkies, or eschewing the figures over Christmas? The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Author Advances End 2009 Debate](https://independentpublishing.com/author-advances-end-2009-debate/) - PublishingPerspectives.com today took another look at a debate much talked about throughout 2009, choosing to highlight the views of Bob Miller and MJ Rose. I think it highly relevant that the last key news story of 2009 should be author advances. It may be the area in publishing where we will see most change in - [2010: Through The Wishing Glass](https://independentpublishing.com/2010-through-the-wishing-glass/) - So, 2010 is but moments away. Where is the publishing industry going and where does independent and self-publishing see itself in the twelve months ahead? To be frank, the industry as a whole remains very tentative as to what lies ahead. Expect further caution and much consolidation. From what I have seen so far from - [Happy New Year 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/happy-new-year-2010/) - Happy New Year to all. Let’s hope this year is just as exciting and thought-provoking in the publishing year just passed. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [The Best And The Worst From Bob Miller, HarperStudio CEO](https://independentpublishing.com/the-best-and-the-worst-from-bob-miller-harperstudio-ceo/) - Bob Miller, CEO of HarperStudio, presents his own predictions and trends, good and bad for 2010 and beyond in publishing, self-publishing, partnership publishing and electronic publishing in his article, It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times… The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [The Scores On the Doors Are In For 2009 Book Sales](https://independentpublishing.com/the-scores-on-the-doors-are-in-for-2009-book-sales/) - Nielsen BookScan has correlated their final booksales figures in 2009 (724m units). UK book retailers faired a little better than their US cousins, suffering only a half percent decline, compared to the overall 3% decline. The better than expected figures are strongly attributed to deep discounting from high street retailers like Amazon, Wal-mart and Target - [Canada’s Top Indie Retailer Files For Bankruptcy Protection](https://independentpublishing.com/canadas-top-indie-retailer-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/) - 2009 brought an end to independent book retailer Borders UK and its 45 stores. On the eve of 2010, Canadian independent retailer McNally Robinson has filed for bankruptcy protection in the courts. The family-owned business has run bookstores in Canada since 1969 and they still remain hopeful of being allowed to commence financial restructuring to - [Branding And Publishing Strategies](https://independentpublishing.com/branding-and-publishing-strategies/) - Today, publishers are looking more to cut back on the amount of titles they release and focus their marketing clout and expenditure on extracting as much as possible from the branding of high-end authors. That doesn’t mean mainstream publishing editors aren’t open to new authors with an original book or voice. It just means the - [Rachel Wetzsteon, Poet – (1967 – 2009)](https://independentpublishing.com/rachel-wetzsteon-poet-1967-2009/) - Rachel Wetzsteon, poet and writer, has died at the age of 42. “Hard-edged yet sinuous, rich with feeling yet unsentimental, Ms. Wetzsteon’s poems have a distinctly urban disposition. By turns angry, melancholy, hopeful and comic, they explore the sensibilities of women as they fall in and out of love. The city, in particular the West - [Richard Nash Gives His Take On The Next Decade in Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/richard-nash-gives-his-take-on-the-next-decade-in-publishing/) - Richard Nash, writer and former publisher of Soft Skull Press, tells GalleyCat how he sees the publishing industry develop and change over the next decade. Richard Nash ran Soft Skull Press, now an imprint of Counterpoint, from 2001 to 2007 and ran the imprint on behalf of Counterpoint until early 2009. He left Soft Skull - [Irish Eyes Are Smiling With Launch of Irish Publishing News Site](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-eyes-are-smiling-with-launch-of-irish-publishing-news-site/) - Today sees the live launch of Irish Publishing News, an aggregated news service with a specific focus on the Irish publishing market. The service is the brainchild of Eoin Purcell, formerly of Mercier Press and widely known and respected in Irish publishing circles. Purcell has been tweaking the beta version over on Green Lamp Media, - [Bertrams UK Launches The Samphire Press To Support Independent Retailers](https://independentpublishing.com/bertrams-uk-launches-the-samphire-press-to-support-independent-retailers/) - Bertrams, one of the leading book wholesalers in the UK, has announced that it is to publish classic books of literature and will sell them to independent retailers for £1. The books will form a range called The Samphire Press and will be available from January 21st. Bertrams say the each of the initial 12 - [O’Brien Press Launch Storytime Reads For February](https://independentpublishing.com/obrien-press-launch-storytime-reads-for-february/) - Promotions seem to be the flavour of the day with independent bookstores. Irish publisher O’Brien Press has teamed up with Kelloggs, the makers of breakfast cereal Rice Krispies and Hughes & Hughes bookstore. In a book promotion called Rice Krispies Storytime, starting in February, six children’s books can be redeemed against vouchers available with the purchase - [Ouch! Don’t go about it this way if you are an independent publisher!](https://independentpublishing.com/ouch-dont-go-about-it-this-way-if-you-are-an-independent-publisher/) - Oops. Though admirable and heartfelt, this is really not how you would want your independent publisher to conduct its private business when it wishes to communicate contractual details of royalty payments and delays to its own authors. I think this practice of using journal blog sites for personal business is called ‘hanging yourself out to dry’! Not - [The Bookseller.com Talks to The UK’s Top Publishing CEO’s](https://independentpublishing.com/the-bookseller-com-talks-to-the-uks-top-publishing-ceos/) - Today in thebookseller.com, the CEO’s of the UK’s top publishing houses reflect on the current state of book publishing, the development and impact of digital books, and what their own predictions are in 2010 and beyond. This is part one of an interview thebookseller.com did with Peter Field of Penguin, Victoria Barnsley of HarperCollins and Gail Rebuck of - [The Bookseller.com Continues Their Look At 2010 and Beyond](https://independentpublishing.com/the-bookseller-com-continues-their-look-at-2010-and-beyond/) - This is part two of thebooksellers.com look at publishing and the book industry in 2010 and beyond. Today’s feature includes the views of Tim Godfray, CEO of the Booksellers Association, Michael Neil, MD of Bertrams, Tim Coates, library campaigner and Roy Clare, CEO of Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Part one is here. The Independent - [I’m Somewhat Pissed Off with Hotmail](https://independentpublishing.com/im-somewhat-pissed-off-with-hotmail/) - Ok, everybody, my apologies for the abruptness, but I’ve had to immediately change my contact details from my usual hotmail account and this has caused considerable difficulty. I have only learned in the last 48hrs that I have lost more than 70 – 80% of my inbox, both personal and business emails. I have had little - [Soho Press Founder Dies](https://independentpublishing.com/soho-press-founder-dies/) - Laura Hruska, a co-founder and editor-in-chief of Soho Press died over the weekend following an illness. Hruska was also a novelist in her own right, writing for a time under the pen name, Laura Chapman. She wrote three published novels, A Change of Heart, Legal Relations and Multiple Choice. In 1986, along with her husband, - [New Irish Self-Publishing Service On The Block](https://independentpublishing.com/new-irish-self-publishing-service-on-the-block/) - There is a new Irish kid on the self-publishing block – The Author’s Friend. We spoke some days ago here about the lack of publishing news and concerted focus on the industry in Ireland when Eoin Purcell launched the much needed Irish Publishing News. Up until now, there really has only been three author solution - [Still Trying To Beat The Slush Piles?](https://independentpublishing.com/still-trying-to-beat-the-slush-piles/) - The Wall Street Journal took a look at the infamous slush pile in the publishing and film industry over the weekend. It makes for depressing reading but does highlight the trend of modern authors no longer even bothering to jump on the submission/literary agent bandwagon, and choosing instead to go straight to self-publishing. The article - [Xerox Weigh In Behind On Demand Books’ EBM With Technical & Global Strategy](https://independentpublishing.com/xerox-weigh-in-behind-on-demand-books-ebm-with-technical-global-strategy/) - Xerox has formed a worldwide agreement with On Demand Books, the company who developed and patented the Espresso Book Machine (EBM). The new partnership will provide global sales and marketing for the Espresso Book Machine, now integrated with the Xerox 4112 Copier/Printer. This enhanced book solution will now be capable of printing, binding and trimming - [Book View Cafe Partner With Smashwords](https://independentpublishing.com/book-view-cafe-partner-with-smashwords/) - One of the more interesting developments in the world of independent publishing is the rising popularity of what are described as book or writer cooperatives. These are not just random workshop collectives of writers from across the literary and film world, but often comprise of serious and professional writers independently-minded with clear career objectives. Two - [2010 May Be The Time For Lulu To Drop The Self From Self-Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/2010-may-be-the-time-for-lulu-to-drop-the-self-from-self-publishing/) - Lulu are looking to continue in 2010 where they left off last year with a sustained attempt to address and improve all facets of their website and publishing services, and perhaps gain back some ground they lost to their rival competitor CreateSpace. Though Lulu did strengthen their marketplace in-house and with outside affiliations, as well - [Why People Publish – Publishing Basics](https://independentpublishing.com/why-people-publish-publishing-basics/) - I read quite a few newsletters on self-publishing and one of my favorites is Ron Pramschufer’s Publishing Basics. He has written an article in this months edition entitled Self-Publishing and the New Millennium plus 10. Though it is another great article from Pramschufer, I would tend to disagree with this particular view of why people publish. “Seriously, all - [HarperCollins Restructure Sees Launch of HarperCollins Digital](https://independentpublishing.com/harpercollins-restructure-sees-launch-of-harpercollins-digital/) - HarperCollins Chief Digital Officer, Charlie Redmayne announced to staff yesterday, through a memo, the creation of a new unit within the HarperCollins Group aimed at growing their authors’ reach and revenues in the global digital marketplace. The focus of HarperCollins Digital will be to create electronic products, communities and wider consumer knowledge. The new digital - [Amazon Announces New 70 Percent Royalty Option for Kindle](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-announces-new-70-percent-royalty-option-for-kindle/) - Amazon announced plans today to offer Kindle authors and publishers a 70% royalty option from June 30th, 2010. The aggressive move is seen as a preemptive strike by the giant e-retailer ahead of next week’s announcement on the new Apple Tablet. The expectation is that Apple will also be offering a similar royalty deal. The is excellent news for - [Amazon Agree Settlement in Booklocker.com Antitrust Lawsuit](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-agree-settlement-in-booklocker-com-antitrust-lawsuit/) - Amazon has agreed a settlement in the lawsuit filed against them by Booklocker.com in 2008. The lawsuit was taken against Amazon by Booklocker.com following the giant e-retailer’s strong-armed attempt to force publishers using POD printers for their book lists to switch to paying Amazon’s own POD printer, Booksurge (now subsumed into Amazon’s CreateSpace). Booklocker.com took the lawsuit - [Amazon Open Up The Kindle To Software Developers](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-open-up-the-kindle-to-software-developers/) - Amazon continue their active and aggressive strategy with the Kindle e-reader this morning with the announcement of the Kindle Development Kit. This kit will give software developers access to programming interfaces, tools and documentation to build application and active content and allow them to sell it in the Kindle Store. Developers can go here and - [Author Solutions CEO Throws Down The Gauntlet To Opposition](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-ceo-throws-down-the-gauntlet-to-opposition/) - Kevin Weiss, CEO of Author Solutions, has thrown down the gauntlet in the self-publishing debate and challenged the three author guilds who have opposed and questioned the strategy of his company to develop partnership programs with some of the USA’s top trade publishing houses. Weiss, again chose the format of Youtube video (below) to request - [The Open Publishing Guide – Rochester Institute of Technology](https://independentpublishing.com/the-open-publishing-guide-rochester-institute-of-technology/) - Rachael Gootnick is a recent graduate of the School of Print Media at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has written an introductory piece for selfpublishingreview on the work and research being carried out by students and directors Open Publishing Lab which provides a free resource for self-publishing and independent authors called The Open Publishing - [Irish Publishing 2009: The Bookseller – Eoin Purcell](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-publishing-2009-the-bookseller-eoin-purcell/) - Eoin Purcell, writing in thebookseller.com, takes a look at the sales and industry trends in Ireland in 2009 and what might lie ahead in 2010. At best it looks like a year of consolidation and lip-biting. You can find the article here. Further news on the Irish book market and industry can be found here. - [e-books: May The Battle Commence!](https://independentpublishing.com/e-books-may-the-battle-commence/) - Daily Finance this morning takes an insightful look at the imminent war in the world of e-book retailing. If we are to believe Sarah Weinman, Publishing Industry Reporter for Daily Finance, then the coming months may very well define who the biggest playmakers are going to be, and crucially, whether publishers can maintain control on - [Gemini International – Reviewed (Updated 2017)](https://independentpublishing.com/gemini-international-reviewed/) - Gemini International are an Irish-based printers servicing several Irish publishing houses as well as offering print services for self-publishing authors. Originally Gemini International Limited began in 1973 providing secretarial, copy typing, photocopying, publishing and printing services to Dublin’s city-centre business community. Gemini invested very early on in the 1990’s in digital page-composition systems and was - [Digital Book World Conference – New York 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/digital-book-world-conference-new-york-2010/) - The two day conference, Digital Book World, at the Sheraton Hotel, New York, starts on Tues 26th. We will be covering the highlights of events there this week. Here is a snippet from the official site for Digital Book World. “Digital Book World isn’t just about strategies; it’s also about the network. Because of our - [e-books: Kassia Krozser on Publishing Perspectives](https://independentpublishing.com/e-books-kassia-krozser-on-publishing-perspectives/) - Kassia Krozser has written an article today over on Publishing Perspectives about the development of e-books and that it’s time for us to learn to walk before we try to run. She argues publishers and authors have yet to perfect the presentation and potential of the e-book in a envoirnment where we are already talking - [Irish Author Paul Reid One of Four Novelist To Be Published by AmazonEncore](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-author-paul-reid-one-of-four-novelist-to-be-published-by-amazonencore/) - We may still consider Amazon one of the leading online retailers, but today’s announcement from their Seattle headquarters reinforces the status and development of Amazon as a publisher in their own right. Four novels will be published this spring by Amazon’s own imprint, AmazonEncore, and all of them were entries in the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough - [Day One: Digital Book World](https://independentpublishing.com/day-one-digital-book-world/) - …it’s on it’s way..a lot to get through…working on notes… The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Digital Book World: Day One in The House](https://independentpublishing.com/digital-book-world-day-one-in-the-house/) - Following the introduction by Conference Chairman, Mike Shatzkin of The Idealogical Company, Shiv Singh, VP at Global Social Media Lead, Razorfish delivered the keynote speech. We have become pretty familiar with the mantra of publishers needing to step beyond the confines of the models which have pre-existed for years in the industry. Singh, from his - [Follow The Apple Tablet Launch Live](https://independentpublishing.com/follow-the-apple-tablet-launch-live/) - The Apple Tablet will be launched later today. If you want to follow the unveiling live, go to The Wall Street Journal link here. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Apple iPad Unveiled by CEO Steve Jobs](https://independentpublishing.com/apple-ipad-unveiled-by-ceo-steve-jobs/) - Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, unveiled the much anticipated Apple Tablet today in San Francisco. The new touch screen tablet will be officially known as the Apple iPad. In many ways the iPad looks distinctly like a giant iPhone, or exploded iPhone as it was described at the unveiling demonstration showcase. The Apple iPad is intended - [Apple iPad Website Opens Its Doors](https://independentpublishing.com/apple-ipad-website-opens-its-doors/) - Apple now has the official website for the Apple iPad up and running. The iPad was launched today by Steve Jobs in San Francisco. The initial response seems to be very positive with particular attention being focussed on the device’s gaming capabilities and its launch in March may help to accelerate the print media’s desire - [ePub The Standard For Apple iPad (Updated – Thurs 28th Jan)](https://independentpublishing.com/epub-the-standard-for-apple-ipad-updated-thurs-28th-jan/) - What will Apple’s iPad mean for self-publishers? Well, it’s early to over-speculate and second-guess publishers, particularly e-publishers and independent and small presses. Apple have spent the past few weeks getting major New York publishing houses on-board. Indeed, rumors suggest some of those deals were only signed off in the past few days. We have not heard all the - [Digital Book World: Day Two in The House](https://independentpublishing.com/digital-book-world-day-two-in-the-house/) - This morning Angela Bole of Book Industry Study Group presented the results of a study on e-books with a pretty wide diversity of people. The crunch over their print cousins was that consumers found e-books cheaper and quickly accessible, and that had a knock-on effect with one third of consumers choosing not to buy a - [Publetariat Vault opens To Small Independent Press Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/publetariat-vault-opens-to-small-independent-press-authors/) - The Publetariat Vault has opened to authors who have been published by a small independent press and are looking to use the vault as a way to land a larger publisher or gain literary representation. The Publetariat Vault listings are free of charge through until June. What is The Publetariat Vault? “The Publetariat Vault provides - [The iPad Won’t Kill The Kindle – NYT](https://independentpublishing.com/the-ipad-wont-kill-the-kindle-nyt/) - Brad Stone gives his reasons why he believes the Amazon Kindle will continue to prosper in spite of the arrival of Apple’s iPad in this morning’s New York Times. “When you read a book, you just don’t want to have e-mail, Twitter and the ESPN Web site beckoning from the browser. The absence of those services - [Jerome David Salinger (1919 – 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/jerome-david-salinger-1919-2010/) - The death of novelist Jerome David Salinger, (J.D.), has just been announced by his literary agent, Phyllis Westberg. Salinger died of natural causes yesterday at his New Hampshire home aged 91. “Raised in Manhattan, Salinger began writing short stories while in secondary school, and published several stories in the early 1940s before serving in World - [Patience May Be A Virtue For Arrival of UK Apple iPad](https://independentpublishing.com/patience-may-be-a-virtue-for-arrival-of-uk-apple-ipad/) - Following the initial fanfare for Apple’s iPad media party on Wednesday and considerable review and discussion on the tablet device, more sobering reflection and comment is beginning to emerge. Much focus has been made of Apple’s mirror sites globally and the fact that iBooks, the device’s dedicated store platform for e-books will only be available in the United - [Zondervan and Baker Publishing Group Refer Rejected Authors To Authonomy](https://independentpublishing.com/zondervan-and-baker-publishing-group-refer-rejected-authors-to-authonomy/) - Christian book publishers Zondervan and the Baker Publishing Group are now referring all their rejected authors to Authonomy, specifically to authonomy.com/Christian, a Christian publishing community both publishers have set up there. They describe Authonomy in the headline of their press release as a ‘Free, Easy Alternative to the Self-Publishing Model’. Now, Authonomy may indeed be a - [Authonomy or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/authonomy-or-be-damned/) - Publishing is publishing. A book is a book. A good book is a good book. A bad book is a bad book. Let’s stop trying to re-invent the terms publisher and publishing based on practical or moral grounds—it’s the latter which most troubles me. A book is a published book for me if it has - [Amazon Concede To Macmillan on Ebook Dispute](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-concede-to-macmillan-on-ebook-dispute/) - From New Publishing Express… Amazon has responded to John Sargent’s open letter on Publishers Marketplace and conceded the ground to Macmillan allowing them to price e-books on Amazon at $14.99 to $12.99. However it is still unclear when Amazon will restore the buy buttons on Macmillan’s catalogue that were ‘temporarily’ removed over the weekend. In a statement Amazon said: - [E-Reads: RWA Restate Their Postition on Self-Publishing Ahead of Summer Conference](https://independentpublishing.com/e-reads-rwa-restate-their-postition-on-self-publishing-ahead-of-summer-conference/) - Richard Curtis reports over on E-Reads that the Romance Writers of America (RWA) have upheld their stance on publishers and author solutions services offering paid services to self-publishing authors following a recently convened board meeting. The RWA hold their annual conference this summer and the association felt it necessary to form a special task force - [Twenty Kafka and a Lighter Please!](https://independentpublishing.com/twenty-kafka-and-a-lighter-please/) - Tank Magazine published their first issue back in 1998. They provide a platform to some of the world’s most independent and innovative artists, photographers, designers and writers. “We seek to be informed, articulate and original. The writers, artists, photographers, stylists and illustrators who contribute to Tank are not only outstanding in their class but also - [Selfpublishing.com – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/selfpublishing-com-reviewed/) - Selfpublishing.com has the name every author solutions service would love to have got their hands on. Company founder Ron Pramschufer, a veteran of the print and publishing industry and author of the widely popular self-publishing guide, Publishing Basics – a Guide for the Small Press and Independent Self-Publisher (Navigating the Self Publishing Minefield), proved to - [Amazon Sulk & Eat Touchco While Macmillan Wait](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-sulk-eat-touchco-while-macmillan-wait/) - While Amazon behave like the sulking teenager and continue to drag their feet and delay the return of buy buttons to Macmillan’s listed catalogue, the Amazon corporate and development moguls are not letting the grass grow under their feet. Following the media glare last week on Apple’s new iPad, the New York Times technology section - [Paper And Print or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/paper-and-print-or-be-damned/) - I came across this report yesterday on PrintWeek.com highlighting the fact that major paper manufacturers have continued to announce price increases during the first two months of 2010 due to general increases in energy, freight and the cost of raw pulp rising almost a third in the past twelve months. Combine this with a paper - [SFWA Remove Amazon Links](https://independentpublishing.com/sfwa-remove-amazon-links/) - The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) announced late yesterday that it was removing all links to Amazon on its website in light of the recent Macmillan dispute. Amazon removed the buy buttons from all Macmillan titles last Saturday following Macmillan’s presentation of new e-book terms to the e-tailer last week. Amazon sell most of their - [Second Response From Macmillan’s CEO](https://independentpublishing.com/second-response-from-macmillans-ceo/) - Macmillan CEO John Sargent has issued a second communication using Publishers Lunch today to update ‘Authors and Illustrators’ on discussions with Amazon over Macmillan’s new agency model for e-book pricing. It is now six days since buy buttons were removed from the publisher’s listings on Amazon, and while Sargent expresses his respect for the e-tailer, - [USA Today on AmazonEncore](https://independentpublishing.com/usa-today-on-amazonencore/) - This morning’s USA Today takes a look at AmazonEncore and self-publishing with an article by Bob Minzesheimer. Minzesheimer points out that while editors at AmazonEncore monitor sales data and customer reviews to unearth quality books deserving of greater exposure and backing. That said, AmazonEncore picked up Zetta Elliott’s self-published A Wish After Midnight which sold about - [Are The Sleeping Giants of Publishing Waking Up?](https://independentpublishing.com/are-the-sleeping-giants-of-publishing-waking-up/) - Are the sleeping giants of the publishing world finally waking up to realize someone stole their blanket overnight and they want it back? Macmillan and Hachette Livre seem to think so. There is a new buzz word in publishing. It will not be the first this year, nor the last, but it might be the most significant - [Return Of The Mac!](https://independentpublishing.com/return-of-the-mac/) - Macmillan print and e-book titles have begun to return with first-party buy buttons on Amazon’s site. No formal details have been released yet by either parties to indicate the end of their dispute, but the New York Times reports that an agreement has been reached. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [The Publishing House Formerly Known As…](https://independentpublishing.com/the-publishing-house-formerly-known-as/) - The UK self-publishing service formerly known as The London Literary Press appears to have surfaced once again in another new revised incarnation as, yes, once again as they were formerly know, The London Press. I love the innovation of this company! Their middle name should be the London Re-Invention Press. For the record, here they - [Self-Publishing For Kids From Tikatok](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-for-kids-from-tikatok/) - Last year retailer Barnes & Noble bought Tikatok with the intention of providing a POD (print on demand) self-publishing platform for young children. The new venture is in partnership with Common Sense Media (commonsense.org), a leading nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving families’ experiences with media and entertainment. The partnership is intended to help Barnes - [Is it All Fear And Loathing in The Publishing World?](https://independentpublishing.com/is-it-all-fear-and-loathing-in-the-publishing-world/) - There has been quite a lot of discussion over the weekend about Amazon’s positioning in the publishing world in the light of the resolved dispute with Macmillan. The words threat and fear are in ample supply from Henry Porter in the Guardian UK, Eoin Purcell on Green Lamp Media’s blog, and again in a piece - [E-book Wars: Beyond The Book Live Podcast](https://independentpublishing.com/e-book-wars-beyond-the-book-live-podcast/) - If you want to listen to the view and opinions of the industries leading journalists and analysts on the recent issues in the e-book word then you won’t go to far wrong by tuning into a Beyond The Book special report live on Blog Talk Radio this Wednesday, February 10th, at 2 – 3pm (US - [Cold River Press – Reviewed (Updated – 2019)](https://independentpublishing.com/cold-river-studio-reviewed-updated-june-2012/) - Cold River Studio, based in Tennessee, USA, offer graphic design and self-publishing services for writers, designers and corporate clients. The principal partner of the company is Peter Honsberger, formerly of Cold Tree Publishing. “We believe in the importance of creative collaboration between clients, writers, editors, and designers. In the spirit of that collaboration, we strive - [Publishing Perspectives: Darryl Sloan](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-perspectives-darryl-sloan/) - In the first of a new series of author perspectives, we take a look at Darryl Sloan, from Portadown, Northern Ireland. Sloan is a sci-fi author with a distinctive and innovative style of writing borne out of his years growing up in 1970’s Ulster and ultimately ending up working at the school he attended in - [Self-Publishing Symposium: The New Podler Review](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-symposium-the-new-podler-review/) - The New Podler Review Symposium has being inviting authors and publishers to take part in a questionnaire symposium over the past few weeks on ‘The Function of Self-Publishing at the Present Time’. I took part in it this evening and you can find out how I answered the questions here, and reading below. First, the - [Simon & Schuster Line Up The Ducks Perfectly](https://independentpublishing.com/simon-schuster-line-up-the-ducks-perfectly/) - Simon & Schuster has just launched a major revamp of their corporate website. You can take a look at the improvements here. The website is aimed at providing greater resources and interaction for the retail trade, authors (their contracted authors), as well as literary agents and the media. There are two particular impressive features. One - [Irish Writers’ Centre Left Reeling From Loss of Funding](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-writers-centre-left-reeling-from-loss-of-funding/) - The Irish Writers’ Centre has been dealt a severe blow in their efforts to augment funding for the coming literary year with news that the Irish Arts Council has rejected their application. The Irish Writers’ Centre is a non-profit organisation providing a home-base, study environment, workshops and courses, as well as a dedication to promote - [Advance And Beat A Path To My Door or Be Damned!](https://independentpublishing.com/advance-and-beat-a-path-to-my-door-or-be-damned/) - I came across this series of short articles via Publishers Weekly about the average earnings of a novelist. You can browse through them here, here, and here from Culture Feast. The articles are a couple of years old but do provide some interesting links to surveys on earnings by writers and drive home the old - [The Agency Model For Authors And Publishers?](https://independentpublishing.com/the-agency-model-for-authors-and-publishers/) - Andrew Zack plays devil’s advocate in the Huffington Post with an article entitled, The Beginning of the End…of paper books. This was an article that slipped under the radar for me, but it does pose some intriguing possibilities for publishers who pursue the ‘agency model’ when negotiating contracts and terms with booksellers. To recap, the ‘agency model’ is - [Gough And The State of Irish Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/gough-and-the-state-of-irish-publishing/) - There has been much discussion about Irish writer Julian Gough’s analysis on the state of Irish literature. Much of Julian Gough’s posting on his website has stirred up a great degree of interest from the Guardian UK, the New Yorker, and a great many online websites and blogs. There is some context here which seems - [Authonomy Chalks Up Fourth And Fifth Book Acquisitions](https://independentpublishing.com/authonomy-chalks-up-fourth-and-fifth-book-acquisitions/) - It has taken quite a while for HarperCollins‘ author network site Authonomy to prove successful for its many registered writers. The last acquisitions purportedly to come from Authonomy’s manuscript piles were the three original acquisitions announced shortly after the website’s inception. Today’s news that Terence O’Neill’s manuscript, originally titled, Never Again, is to be published - [O’Reilly Media TOC Conference: New York, February 22nd to 24th 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/oreilly-media-toc-conference-new-york-february-22nd-to-24th-2010/) - O’Reilly Media have long proved they know how to do digital publishing conferences. Next week’s O’Reilly Tools of Change for Publishing Conference from February 22nd to 24th will be no exception. It takes place at the Marriott Marquis Time Square in New York City. “The O’Reilly TOC Conference will decipher the tools of change in - [The Late Night Lulu Show with – Nick Popio](https://independentpublishing.com/the-late-night-lulu-show-with-nick-popio/) - piZap.com free online photo editor HERE’S…… NICK!! [Loud Audience Applause as Nick walks out on stage] “…I don’t know about you, but my favorite price is always free. Love and ideas are some of the greatest things in life, and both are completely free. They are also the main components in creating a book. When - [Liberties Press Enters Shared-Profit Deal With Debut Novelist](https://independentpublishing.com/liberties-press-enters-shared-profit-deal-with-debut-novelist/) - Debut novelist Gerry O’Carroll has secured what could prove to be a very lucrative deal with Irish publisher Liberties Press. O’Carroll’s first novel The Gathering of Souls will be published in trade paperback this May in Ireland. As yet, only Irish publication rights have been secured with the hope that Liberties Press can reach a - [Google Book Settlement Fairness Hearing – Business Insider](https://independentpublishing.com/google-book-settlement-fairness-hearing-business-insider/) - The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Self-Published e-Book on Your Phone](https://independentpublishing.com/self-published-e-book-on-your-phone/) - Unlimited Publishing have launched a new service allowing self-published authors to upload their books in Word, HTML or PDF file format that will allow an e-book to be made available in a smartphone application. There is an initial $5 charge on signing up to the service, with royalties paid at $30 to $35. More details - [No Ruling Today in Google Book Settlement Hearing](https://independentpublishing.com/no-ruling-today-in-google-book-settlement-hearing/) - You can find a very comprehensive round-up of proceedings today at the Google Book Settlement Fairness Hearing from Library.com here. From the outset this morning, Judge Denny Chin indicated that he would not be giving a ruling at the end of the day. His judgement in the case will be deferred to an as yet unnamed date. - [Author Solutions Announces Distribution Deal With Scribd](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-announces-distribution-deal-with-scribd/) - Author Solutions (ASI) has announced a distribution deal with social publishing site Scribd. The deal will only include new titles published through ASI’s author service brands AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Xlibris and Trafford Publishing, as well as a limited selection of their back catalogues. Authors who have their books made available on Scribd’s online store will receive - [Pulling Your Hair Out With Formatting?](https://independentpublishing.com/pulling-your-hair-out-with-formatting/) - If you are having trouble with formatting your book for DIY self-publishing sites like Lulu and CreateSpace, and have pulled out most of the hairs on your head, then click over to Cindy Bauer’s excellent step-by-step guide to formatting in MS Word on Visual Arts Junction. Some sites will allow you to load up your - [Publishing Innovators](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-innovators/) - On POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing, we have reviewed in detail many author solutions services for self-publishing authors. Last summer we began to expand our reviews to independent publishers, and in particular new publishing ventures which caught our eye through reasons of innovation and direct challenges to how publishing really works. From tomorrow, a new - [Full Circle Editions – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/full-circle-editions-overview/) - Liz Calder lived over her family’s grocery in Edgware until she was eleven years of age. She began travelling around the world and became a model and journalist in Brazil before returning to England and getting into the publishing industry. She quickly demonstrated a gift for identifying outstanding writers and carved out a reputation at - [Or Books – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/or-books-overview/) - You would be forgiven for thinking in these hard-pressed times that anyone starting a new commercial publishing venture must be on something stronger and more refreshing than tea or coffee. The current economic challenges to the publishing industry have been covered here and in many other places, ad nauseam, so you will be glad to - [Five Stones Press – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/five-stones-press-overview/) - We know the story a hundred times over. Published author doesn’t get his contract renewed – finds himself out in the big bad world – decides to start his own publishing press and self-publish, and maybe even make a few dollars by getting some other paying-authors on board. Sounds pretty familiar, doesn’t it? David Fulmer - [iUniverse: Best-Sellers or Bottom-Sellers?](https://independentpublishing.com/iuniverse-best-sellers-or-bottom-sellers/) - iUniverse has today revealed its bestsellers for the month of January. Some time ago (2008), we examined book ranking and what kinds of books sold best when published through some of the larger author solutions services. Here is the top ten for iUniverse for January. I have included the current Amazon ranking as of today. - [Self-Publishing: A Better Bet All Round?](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-a-better-bet-all-round/) - Robert McCrum writing in the Guardian UK this morning is unconvinced that 2010 is a bad time to be a writer. He suggests this assertion comes particularly from authors who have been involved in the traditional publishing world since the 1980’s. McCrum goes on to say that the outlook for self-published authors presents evermore promising - [The Shape of Publishing To Come: Jason Epstein, NYRB](https://independentpublishing.com/the-shape-of-publishing-to-come-jason-epstein-nyrb/) - Jason Epstein has written an illuminating and epic piece on the future of publishing in the March edition of The New York Review of Books. A must read. Jason Epstein is an American editor and publisher with a career spanning more than forty years. He has worked for Random House and Doubleday. He was co-founder - [O’Reilly Media TOC Conference: NY, 2010 – Day One, Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/oreilly-media-toc-conference-ny-2010-day-one-overview/) - Day one overview from Hannah Johnson of Publishing Perspectives.(Courtesy of Publishing Perspectives) The Future of Publishing will live on, in, and around the Web community: Richard Nash of Cursor(Courtesy of O’Reilly Media – Tools of Change New York, 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PofhuMY6hTE The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [PublishAmerica Invite Themselves To Dinner At Random House](https://independentpublishing.com/publishamerica-invite-themselves-to-dinner-at-random-house/) - I don’t mention PublishAmerica here too often. There are many reasons why. Some of the reasons are contained in the articles and comments on the links, here and here. The Wikipaedia entry for PublishAmerica provides a better and less critical overview then they actually deserve. In a nutshell, I consider PublishAmerica the modern face of - [Oneworld Launch Calder Collection Using POD](https://independentpublishing.com/oneworld-launch-calder-collection-using-pod/) - The Calder Collection is a new imprint launched by Oneworld Classics. It will publish classic titles from the John Calder catalogue which it acquired in 2007 as well as new titles. The imprint will publish the first ten titles in March, and will be followed by another ten to twelve titles every month. The lists - [Lulu Reinstate Live Chat Support](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-reinstate-live-chat-support/) - Last year Lulu chose to withdraw their ‘Live Chat Support’ service and this drew a great deal of criticism from Lulu authors. Recently, Lulu’s forum has been full of much discussion about the poor response times from Lulu support by email. Well, it appears the penny has finally dropped with Lulu and they have decided - [Lulu Launch Open Publishing Platform For Developers](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-launch-open-publishing-platform-for-developers/) - Lulu used the last day of the O’Reilly Media Tools of Change conference in New York, where they are a sponsor, to announce the launch of an open publishing platform for software developers, publishers or any company wishing to use Lulu’s publishing engine. This will allow a company to develop, build and integrate their own - [Hughes & Hughes Book Chain Enter Receivership](https://independentpublishing.com/hughes-hughes-book-chain-enter-receivership/) - For any international traveller passing through Dublin, Cork or London City airports, wishing to pick up a book for their journey or holiday abroad—they would be very familiar with Hughes & Hughes bookshops. Hughes & Hughes, in many ways, represented Irish independent book retailing to international consumers and readers. Today, the company entered receivership with - [ISBN Agency Study Paper](https://independentpublishing.com/isbn-agency-study-paper/) - E-books and ISBN’s remain a testing issue for many publishers. I have also come across a great deal of misunderstanding from authors who self-publish as well. A recent study paper by the International ISBN Agency reveals that they still stand by their 2005 recommendation that all electronic formats of a book should have a separately - [Self-Publishing Successes – The Shack](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-successes-the-shack-2/) - There is a sense of romance about books becoming phenomenally successful. There is an even greater sense of romance when the book is self-published, because we usually get a great dollop of homestead heart-warming stories of children, Christmas, good-will, good-luck, together with simplicity, reverence, perseverance and courage; all painted on a landscape of financial and - [Beyond The Book Podcast: Cory Doctorow on eBooks](https://independentpublishing.com/beyond-the-book-podcast-cory-doctorow-on-ebooks/) - Chris Kenneally continues his series on ebooks on BlogTalkRadio, entitled, Beyond The Book. Recently he caught up with science fiction author and co-editor of Boing Boing, Cory Doctorow. On eBooks, Doctorow discusses what he thinks are the two principles at play in eBook pricing: Demand elasticity and price discrimination. The former relating to how companies - [Apple iPad Release Still on For Late March](https://independentpublishing.com/apple-ipad-release-still-on-for-late-march/) - Over the last couple of days there have been a number of news reports reporting that there may be a delay in the proposed launch of the Apple iPad in the USA (try here, hereand here). From what I can see, almost all these news stories are directly or indirectly attributed to Canaccord Adams analyst - [Macmillan CEO Speaks Out On New Blog](https://independentpublishing.com/macmillan-ceo-speaks-out-on-new-blog/) - Macmillan have just launched a new blog and it is no surprise that the first three postings there by CEO John Sargent focus entirely on the publisher’s switch from the retail to agency model for e-books. By all accounts, looking at the comments already posted there, the debate will remain sharp and thought-provoking. In his - [The Politics of Culture: Motoko Rich](https://independentpublishing.com/the-politics-of-culture-motoko-rich/) - This is a show on The Politics of Culture on KCRW radio recorded last month around the time of the Apple iPad extravaganza in February. The program talks about the iPad, Kindle, eBooks and iBooks with New York Times digital media columnist Motoko Rich, Wall Street Journal’s All Things Digital blogger Peter Kafka and eBook - [World Book Day: Irish Writers’ Centre](https://independentpublishing.com/world-book-day-irish-writers-centre/) - Tomorrow is World Book Day and I am sure there will be plenty of writers’ workshops, guilds, associations and bookstores celebrating with their own specific events. Here in Dublin, Ireland the Irish Writers’ Centre celebrate with their listed program: 11.00am Bring along some of your favourite short stories and poems from around the world and - [Motoko Rich on the Costs of Print vs eBook](https://independentpublishing.com/motoko-rich-on-the-costs-of-print-vs-ebook/) - Motoko Rich, writing in the New York Times earlier this week, took a look at the costs to publishers when they acquire a book, and also the public perception that the average publishing house is saving vast amounts of money since the advent and growth of e-books. “But publishers also say consumers exaggerate the savings - [Makinson on Penguin’s iBook Future](https://independentpublishing.com/makinson-on-penguins-ibook-future/) - John Makinson is serving his eight year as CEO of the Penguin Group. He had an early career background as a journalist and the investor relations sector. He has worked for the Financial Times and Reuters. On Tuesday, Makinson gave a presentation to demonstrate the new ibooks Penguin have in development for the Apple iPad - [Mediashift: The Self-Publishing Boom](https://independentpublishing.com/mediashift-the-self-publishing-boom/) - Carla King is a publishing and social media strategist and this week she wrote an article on Mediashift about the current self-publishing boom. King herself has been a part of Wild Writing Women, a travel writers group based in San Francisco who self-published their anthology of articles successfully. King reflects on their experience and their - [Eason Secure Deal For Hughes & Hughes Airport Shops](https://independentpublishing.com/eason-secure-deal-for-hughes-hughes-airport-shops/) - The future of Hughes & Hughes seven airport bookshops and 120 staff has been secured following a deal struck late Wednesday evening between a Eason, the leading Irish bookshop chain, and the Dublin Airports Authority. This follows on from Hughes & Hughes going into receivership late last week. Hughes & Hughes seven airport shops in - [Guest Post: Adventures in Self-Publishing with Cedric Cross](https://independentpublishing.com/guest-post-adventures-in-self-publishing-with-cedric-cross/) - I’m Cedric Cross here at POD, Self Publishing & Independent Publishing and I’d like to explain a little how the process of self-publishing has worked for me. But first, I’d like to explain a little about myself and my novel. Enjoy! I first began writing at age twelve about some boys and their journey through life after - [Irish Publisher Londubh Launch](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-publisher-londubh-launch/) - In a time on the Irish publishing scene when the Arts Council of Ireland are cutting back on grants and the book world experiences a time of uncertainty, it is welcome news to see Ireland’s newest publisher launch. Londubh Books is run by Jo O’Donoghue, formerly with Irish publisher Currach Press and joins another recent newcomer Little Island on the - [John Edgar Wideman: The New Lulu VIP Literary Genius?](https://independentpublishing.com/john-edgar-wideman-the-new-lulu-vip-literary-genius/) - Award winning American novelist, memoirist and short story author John Edgar Wideman has been a part of the literary publishing establishment since the late 1960’s. He has published books with Harcourt, Henry Holt and he has had a long-running contract with Houghton Mifflin. Those books have brought Wideman two International PEN-Faulkner Awards (1984, Sent for - [Americas Press (Printers) – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/americas-press-printers-reviewed/) - The growth in self-publishing has led to many book printers presenting themselves as bona-fide publishers or full-on author solutions services when nothing could be further from the case. America’s Press are a family-owned print business based in League City, Texas run by Joel Turner. They have been book printers since 1963 and now specialize in - [ARO Books worldwide – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/aro-books-worldwide-overview/) - We have talked a lot about the benefits of digital print on demand technology and the benefits for authors wishing to self-publish, but less about the benefits POD has offered many global organisations. One of those organisations is ARO, a Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, a non-profit charity principally concerned with transforming the experience of everyday - [New Leaf Launches Distribution Service](https://independentpublishing.com/new-leaf-launches-distribution-service/) - New Leaf Distributing Co. is the largest wholesale distributor of books and recorded media in the Mind/Body/Spirit sector in the world. The company has been operating since 1975 and provides a dedicated and innovative wholesale distribution service to thousands of independent retailers and publishers. At a time in the book publishing world when independent publishers - [Self-Publishing Stories: The Lost I by Choghig Kazandjian](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-stories-the-lost-i-by-choghig-kazandjian/) - Choghig Kazandjian grew up in Lebanon during the civil war and like any young person growing up in a war-torn region; her early years had an extraordinary and powerful impact on her life. Some choose to bury those experiences, escape the conflict as Kazandjian eventually did, and only visit the memories in her own private - [The Huffington Post: Therapy, Self-Publishing and the EBM](https://independentpublishing.com/the-huffington-post-therapy-self-publishing-and-the-ebm/) - Judith Schwartz is a freelance editor, author and journalist. Today, in the Huffington Post, she explains how she decided to use the Espresso Book Machine to gain placement and exposure in independent bookstores for her book, The Therapist’s New Clothes – a memoir of training as a psychotherapist. “Like therapy, publishing is an institution with - [Robert Mauro on Publish America and CreateSpace](https://independentpublishing.com/robert-mauro-on-publish-america-and-createspace/) - Sometimes when I carry out research for work I post here, I end up going off on multiple tangents. In reviewing a publishing service, depending on the company, it can take days/weeks while I source information on publishing packages; a history of company directors; looking at business strategies; as well as reviewing books and authors - [Levine Takes Up PR Role with Bookmasters](https://independentpublishing.com/levine-takes-up-pr-role-with-bookmasters/) - According to Publisher’s Lunch today, author of The Fine Print of Self-Publishing, Mark Levine, has joined BookMasters Distribution Services as publisher relations manager, joining newly appointed vp of business development Tony Proe. Levine’s previous post was as acquisitions editor for Barnes & Noble Publishing. He will be based in Bookmasters’ New York City office. The Independent Publishing - [PublishAmerica/America Star Books – Reviewed (Updated 2017)](https://independentpublishing.com/publishamericaindependence-books-reviewed/) - PublishAmerica (America Star Books since 2014) is a print-on-demand publisher founded in 1999 by Lawrence Alvin Clopper III and Willem Meiners. The company is based in Maryland, United States, and to date, they have published books for more than 40,000 authors (33,279 titles listed on Amazon.com), printing (according to PA) and publishing more books per year than Random - [Macmillan CEO Talks More on eBooks and The Agency Model](https://independentpublishing.com/macmillan-ceo-talks-more-on-ebooks-and-the-agency-model/) - John Sargent, CEO of Macmillan, continues to host some very lively debate on e-books and the agency model on his recently launched blog. In yesterday’s posting he tackles some commenter points made on the site. “In traditional publishing we had three formats, each at a different price. They were targeted at specific channels of distribution and were - [Dog Gone Book Gone!](https://independentpublishing.com/dog-gone-book-gone/) - From Emily Veinglory’s Sunday’s Picture series on PODPeople. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Concord Free Press – Overview (Updated – June 2011)](https://independentpublishing.com/concord-free-press-overview-updated-june-2011/) - The company is a small independent publisher. The motto is: FREE THEIR BOOKS AND THEIR MINDS WILL FOLLOW. When a new title is published, the books are given away for free through a network of independent bookstores and an online bookstore (the compapany will mail the books anywhere in the world, within reason, for free as well). The authors are - [Amazon UK Author Pages Now Available For Self-Published Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-uk-author-pages-now-available-for-self-published-authors/) - While self-published authors in the USA have been enjoying the benefits of having a free dedicated Author Page of their own for the past few months, Amazon UK have only just launched the feature this side of the big pond over the past weekend. While Amazon have been busy loading thousands of pages for illustrious - [Lulu: You Wanna Piece of Me?](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-you-wanna-piece-of-me/) - DIY self-publishing service provider Lulu has set in motion a process which could see the company offering public shares on the Canadian stock market as early as next month. Last Friday Lulu filed a preliminary prospectus with the regulatory authorities in Canada. The first moves that may see shares in Lulu sold on the stock - [Adventures in Self-Publishing with Cedric Cross](https://independentpublishing.com/adventures-in-self-publishing-with-cedric-cross/) - I’ll start by saying that anticipating a response on the edits to your novel is torture. Xlibris does a great job by updating me on my novel and informing me where the process of the book is at, but waiting on them to edit just doesn’t do well for your sleep habits. Writing a novel - [Miller To Leave HarperStudio in May](https://independentpublishing.com/miller-to-leave-harperstudio-in-may/) - The news today that Bob Miller, president of HarperStudio, the innovative shared-profit non-returnable publishing imprint of HarperCollins is leaving in May to join Workman Publishing, a large US independent publisher, certainly comes as a little bit of a surprise to the industry, considering Miller only took up his role with HarperStudio in April 2008. By - [Arse About Face and The Future of Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/arse-about-face-and-the-future-of-publishing/) - Currently, the below promotional video is doing the viral rounds. It was created as a promotional tool for the Penguin owned, Dorling Kindersley Books imprint. The video is entitled, The Future of Publishing. I think it works pretty well for the subject matter, but the idea is five years old. Here is the DK Publishing - [Is Amazon Taking Aim Once Again on Agency Model?](https://independentpublishing.com/is-amazon-taking-aim-once-again-on-agency-model/) - If we are to believe Motoko Rich and Brad Stone in yesterday’s edition of the New York Times, Amazon may be seriously considering indulging in its party trick of removing the buy buttons from some large publishers. Currently several large publishers are in negotiations with Amazon about the implementation of the agency model for e-books. According to the article in - [Salmon & Dedalus Join Inpress Books UK For Trade Representation](https://independentpublishing.com/salmon-dedalus-join-inpress-books-uk-for-trade-representation/) - Irish poetry publishers Salmon and Dedalus Press have joined the roster of independent trade publishers at Inpress Books UK. They join the successful sales and marketing agency along with five British publishers, Seren Books, Cinnamon Press, Tall Lighthouse, Bloodaxe and Route. Inpress is the sales and marketing agency for independent publishers in the UK and - [John Boyne Hosts Information Day on Publishing at IRC](https://independentpublishing.com/john-boyne-hosts-information-day-on-publishing-at-irc/) - Award winning Irish novelist John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, will join a group of assembled speakers from the Irish publishing community for an information day on publishing. Boyne will host the event in conjunction with the Irish Writers’ Centre in Dublin this Saturday, March 20th. He is the full press release from - [Publishing Perspectives: The Author and Their Tribe](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-perspectives-the-author-and-their-tribe/) - Publishing Perspectives has in the past couple of days focused on the ideas of community, tribe and branding in publishing. I find this a fascinating area in regards to the future of publishing. A little over a month ago we took a look at branding from the self-published author’s point of view with this article - [Authonony: ‘A Load of Rubbish’!](https://independentpublishing.com/authonony-a-load-of-rubbish/) - Seamus is an ordinary shoe but it is going to take an extraordinary courage to fight for his friends and stand up for the dump he now calls home. I have written before on HarperCollins’ answer to the slush pile in the form of Authonomy. However, I cannot pass up a national calling! The extract - [The Authors Guild React to eBook Proposals By HarperCollins & Random House](https://independentpublishing.com/the-authors-guild-react-to-ebook-proposals-by-harpercollins-random-house/) - The US Authors Guild has quickly responded to communications sent by publishers Random House and HarperCollins to their contracted authors about ebook royalties. The Authors Guild are advising authors that it may not be in their best interests to lock themselves into an ebook deal offering 25% royalty, particularly if the deal covers a period - [Hachette Ireland Launch Online Presence](https://independentpublishing.com/hachette-ireland-launch-online-presence/) - Hachette Ireland, a division of Hachette UK, launched their online presence in Ireland earlier this month. While the office has just three staff, Hachette Ireland has developed a significant presence on the Irish publishing scene since it first began in 2002 as Hodder Headline Ireland. The new website features author pages, submission guidelines, a bookshop - [Adult Hardback Sales Slump 8.1% For January (AAP)](https://independentpublishing.com/adult-hardback-sales-slump-8-1-for-january-aap/) - The Association of American Publishers (AAP)has today reported on book sales for the month of January 2010. Overall sales were down 0.7% compared to January 2009, but the most alarming figure is adult hardback, dropping 8.1%. You can find the report here. New York, NY, March 22, 2010—The Association of American Publishers (AAP) reports for - [Or Books Co-founder Asks: Is Amazon Really Worth It For Small Publishers?](https://independentpublishing.com/or-books-co-founder-asks-is-amazon-really-worth-it-for-small-publishers/) - Last week we asked; is Amazon taking aim once again on publishers? Amazon is reported to be threatening to pull the ‘buy buttons’ once again on publisher’s books if they do not get concessions on deals surrounding the new agency model. From last week’s story: “Currently several large publishers are in negotiations with Amazon about the implementation of the - [Amazon UK Impose Price Parity Participation Agreement](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-uk-impose-price-parity-participation-agreement/) - Amazon UK have introduced a Price Parity Participation Agreement making sellers, and one would assume by default self-publishing authors, to adhere to a listed price parity on books available on other online vendors – meaning, Amazon UK will not allow sellers have books on sale outside of the Amazon Marketplace listed at a price that undercuts - [HarperStudio: Enigma, Enterprise or Endgame?](https://independentpublishing.com/harperstudio-enigma-enterprise-or-endgame/) - Last week we reported that HarperStudio supremo Bob Miller was departing the innovative HarperCollins imprint to move to Workman Publishing as Group Publisher. It sparked a great deal of debate as well as anxiety as to the future of the imprint both on the HarperStudio site and wider spheres. So much so, associate publisher Debbie - [June Caldwell’s Summary of Publishing Day at IWC](https://independentpublishing.com/june-caldwells-summary-of-publishing-day-at-iwc/) - June Caldwell presents a thorough summary of last weekend’s Publishing Day at the Irish Writers Centre which was hosted by author John Boyne. The IWC Publishing Day was a great opportunity to scrutinise the links between the author, agent, publisher, publicist and reader. Author John Boyne (Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, among many others) spoke - [Ingram Digital May Stop eBook Availability until Agency Model in Place](https://independentpublishing.com/ingram-digital-may-stop-ebook-availability-until-agency-model-in-place/) - Ingram Digital’s General Manager Andrew Weinstein has sent a letter to its client retailers informing them of the possibility that they will be forced to stop the availability of ebooks titles in their catalogue listing from publishers who intend implementing the agency model. From as early as April—of the largest New York publishers—Ingram Digital may - [Nathan Bransford on Self-Publishing Advice](https://independentpublishing.com/nathan-bransford-on-self-publishing-advice/) - One of Curtis Brown’s literary agents, Nathan Bransford, has written an illuminating piece on guidance for authors considering self-publishing with Should You Self-Publish? Ten Questions to Ask Yourself. There is a lot of advice dished out to authors about self-publishing, but in my opinion, though much of it is well-meaning and sincere, it comes from - [Publishing Perspectives: Simon Levack](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-perspectives-simon-levack/) - Of all the publishing perspectives and self-publishing experiences we have brought to you over the past two years, most of them have dealt with the transition from self-publishing success to the mainstream world of large publishing houses. Success can be measured in several ways in self-publishing, dependent on whether we look at success from the - [UK OFT Receive Complaints on Amazon Seller Agreement](https://independentpublishing.com/uk-oft-receive-complaints-on-amazon-seller-agreement/) - Last week Amazon UK informed sellers using their Marketplace that they could no longer list book titles on other online retail sites, including the seller’s own site, for less than the listed Amazon retail price. The deadline for sellers to agree to this is Wednesday 31st March, and those sellers who do not agree will - [Author Solutions Announce Kindle Deal with Amazon](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-announce-kindle-deal-with-amazon/) - On the same day Smashwords announced a deal to have their premium ebook catalogue listed in the new Apple iBookstore, Author Solutions Inc (ASI) announced a deal with Amazon to have books published through iUniverse, Xlibris, Trafford and AuthorHouse available on the Kindle ereader. From the press release below authors will take it as read that - [Shss! It’s Softly, Softly For Lulu in The eBook Wars](https://independentpublishing.com/shss-its-softly-softly-for-lulu-in-the-ebook-wars/) - This week seems to be the week that anyone remotely connected with selling ebooks is announcing a hook-up deal with Apple or Amazon. We have already seen announcements from Author Solutions’ deal with their brands, AuthorHouse, Xlibris, iUniverse and Trafford for inclusion on Amazon’s Kindle, and yesterday, news came of the popular Smashwords announcing a distribution - [Borders US Set To Make Fools’ Day Deadline](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-us-set-to-make-fools-day-deadline/) - Borders Group US are facing D-day on April 1st. A substantial loan of $42.5m secured two years ago from Pershing Square Capital for the refurbishment of retail stores and an IT upgrade is due to be repaid on Thursday, this week. A number of reliable financial sources, including Bloomberg US, are reporting late Tuesday evening that a - [Steve Almond’s Exploits with Publishers and Self-Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/steve-almonds-exploits-with-publishers-and-self-publishing/) - Steve Almond recounts his experience of how rock and roll can save your life, pissing off some of New York’s top literary agents and publishers…oh, and his journey into self-publishing. “To say that I’ve had a checkered history in publishing would be like saying Elizabeth Taylor had a checkered history in marriage. In the past - [Did Lulu Get a Shed-Load of iPads with Apple Deal?!](https://independentpublishing.com/did-lulu-get-a-shed-load-of-ipads-with-apple-deal/) - Looks like Lulu got a shed-load of free iPads after this week’s agreement with Apple. Their latest ‘fantastic’ offer to celebrate ‘the momentous occasion’ is a free iPad with three promotional publishing packages. I’m not sure if the ‘momentous occasion’ is their deal with Apple, though, I suspect they mean the release of the iPad itself. - [Confirmed: GE Capital Secure Term Loan For Borders Group US Survival](https://independentpublishing.com/confirmed-ge-capital-secure-term-loan-for-borders-group-us-survival/) - Just released on the newswires: ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 31, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Borders Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an amended and restated revolving credit agreement. The new, $700 million senior secured asset-based credit facility matures in March 2014 and replaces the company’s existing revolving credit agreement, which would - [A Load of Rubbish Makes Authonomy’s March Top Five Reads](https://independentpublishing.com/a-load-of-rubbish-makes-authonomys-march-top-five-reads/) - Irish author Helena Duggan’s A Load of Rubbish, a children’s book, made the top five list on Authonomy for March, finishing up at number two. While there are no guarentees of publication with HarperCollins, authors making the top five as voted by other authonomy subscribers will have their books viewed by an editor. From Helena’s blog - [Agency Model or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/agency-model-or-be-damned/) - I don’t how many times I started this piece today on the arrival of the iPad and the agency model. Frankly, by mid-morning, I gave up. There was just too many deals with Amazon to report by publishers, and too many comments like: ‘Oh, oh, it’s on-it’s off; our Amazon buy buttons are off – - [HarperStudio’s Innovative Journey Ends](https://independentpublishing.com/harperstudios-innovative-journey-ends/) - HarperStudio, an imprint of HarperCollins, and one of the most daring and innovative publishers, will publish its last titles under the imprint this Summer. Titles which had been scheduled for later will now be moved to other HarperCollins imprints. In a memo delivered to all staff today, company president, Michael Morrison announced the news. It - [New York times Article: Motoko Rich](https://independentpublishing.com/new-york-times-article-motoko-rich/) - This is a reprint of a posting from last year. “The point may soon come when there are more people who want to write books than there are people who want to read them.” New York Times, January 27th, 2009. This is an opening quote from an article about self publishing in the New York - [Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 3 or (Sheila, Take A Bow)](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-3-or-sheila-take-a-bow/) - A comment from Sheila851 was left on yesterdays Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 2 and it was extremely thought provoking and I think very much encapsulates how self published authors feel about ‘standard’ publishing and why so many are more than cheerful to pursue self-publishing despite its stigmas and challenges for authors. Here is Sheila’s - [Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 2](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-2/) - There are many variables and choices along the self-publishing road, whether an author decides to use author solutions companies like AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Infinity, Xlibris, Mill City Press or the many others using POD (print on demand) technology. Some publishing overlords will snipe from the hedgerow on our road and argue and catcall to us that - [Self-Publishing Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part 1](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-1/) - There are many reasons why an author starts to contemplate travelling the long and winding road to self-publishing. Like many paths we undertake in life – we sometimes find ourselves on a path we never originally planned to travel upon. When this happens, we find out that we don’t always have the sufficient roadmap to - [Lulu Clarify iBookstore Options](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-clarify-ibookstore-options/) - Last week independent sources revealed that Lulu had signed a deal to have their eBooks included in the new Apple iBookstore. On Saturday, on the Lulu Blog, the official announcement was made with this posting – Get Your eBook in the Apple iBookstore. When I posted on the independent reports about Lulu’s deal with Apple, - [Amazon Make Their Mark on Agency Books](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-make-their-mark-on-agency-books/) - Amazon this weekend has begun its bid to make very clear to Kindle eBook customers that it had no hand or part to play in the newly introduced agency model now adopted by the five large publishing houses who were instrumental in seeing it as the primary distribution price model. Books like Twilight by Stephenie - [iPad Launches with 300,000 Sales on Day One](https://independentpublishing.com/ipad-launches-with-300000-sales-on-day-one/) - Apple today announced that it sold over 300,000 iPads in the USA as of midnight Saturday, April 3rd. These sales included deliveries of pre-ordered iPads to customers, deliveries to channel partners and sales at Apple Retail Stores. Apple also announced that iPad users downloaded over one million apps from Apple’s App Store and over 250,000 ebooks from - [Slush Pile Reader – Overview (Updated)](https://independentpublishing.com/slush-pile-reader-overview-updated/) - For authors with a book looking for feedback from an online community and have decided against going the self-publishing route, one alternative is a site like Authonomy, set up by HarperCollins as a means to deal with huge slush piles of manuscripts and a pro-active way to select the cream of new and unknown authors - [Author Blog Awards Shortlist Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/author-blog-awards-shortlist-announced/) - This year sees the first ever Author Blog Awards organised by CompletelyNovel.com with support from leading publishers like Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Bloomsbury, Faber and Random House. The awards were set up to ‘recognise and highlight the writers who use their blogs to connect with readers in the most imaginative, engaging and inspiring ways’. The shortlist - [AmazonEncore Announce Six Summer Titles](https://independentpublishing.com/amazonencore-announce-six-summer-titles/) - Amazon announced six more new titles to be published this summer under their AmazonEncore imprint. The six books will be published in print and Kindle editions. I have stated here before that while Amazon may at times give us reason to question their influence on the publishing industry and dominance and tactics as a retailer, AmazonEncore - [TOT Test-Drives New iPad For Review](https://independentpublishing.com/tot-test-drives-new-ipad-for-review/) - There is a lot going one here apart from the fact that a two-and-a-half year old girl has been viewed nearly 275,000 times on Youtube playing with Dad’s new iPad. I’m not entirely sure why some parents choose to make their very young kids internet celebrities. Watching this little girl made me think of my - [Motoko Rich: It’s The Economy, Stupid!](https://independentpublishing.com/motoko-rich-its-the-economy-stupid/) - Motoko Rich has written some tremendous articles and reports for the New York Times in their Publishing Beat section. Sadly she is moving next month to cover economic issues. Motoko Rich has been covering the publishing industry for the past four years. She will be sorely missed. No replacement reporter has been announced to take - [Self-Publisher Experience Days 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publisher-experience-days-2010/) - There still remains a lot of mystification on the whole process of self-publishing and the printing of books for authors, and the latest program by one of the UK’s most notable self-publishing imprints provides a useful and educational introduction. Matador, the self-publishing imprint of Troubador Publishing UK, has teamed up with printer MPG Biddles to - [Publishing & Self-Publishing in 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-self-publishing-in-2010/) - I read quite a lot each day about the issues going on in the publishing world, but in particular about self-publishing and the part it now plays within the industry of book publishing. Note the subtle emphasis on the word within. Say nothing—keep it under your hat—just maybe they, the industry, won’t notice! What is - [Peeling Away The Layers of Confusion](https://independentpublishing.com/peeling-away-the-layers-of-confusion/) - When I first started researching the area of Self Publishing about three years ago, I was struck by the multitude of terms used both writers and publishers to define their own business. We can easily review many self publishing companies and rattle off terms like Vanity Publishing, Subsidy Publishing, POD (Print-on-demand) Publishing, Partnership Publishing and - [London Book Fair: Latest on Disruption](https://independentpublishing.com/london-book-fair-latest-on-disruption/) - Sunday has brought a clearer picture as to how much this year’s London Book Fair will be disrupted by the current flight ban in many parts of England and Western Europe. Many parts of England over the past two days have been bathe in unusually warm sunshine for April and it is this mild weather - [Checkpoint Press – Reviewed (Updated, Oct 2019)](https://independentpublishing.com/checkpoint-press-reviewed-updated-oct-2011/) - Checkpoint Press is an Irish publishing service based on Achill Island, off the coast of County Mayo. The company was established in 2005 by self-published author and academic, Stephen Manning. Checkpoint Press have a primary focus on non-fiction books with a catalogue of academic, research, instruction & education, inspirational, philosophical, poetry, religious, and autobiographical works, - [Mai Jai Proclaims The Internet is The Literary Apocalypse – Chinese Style](https://independentpublishing.com/mai-jai-proclaims-the-internet-is-the-literary-apocalypse-chinese-style/) - “If I had the right, I would eliminate all Internet literature…The rise of the Internet is proof that humanity is coming to an end.” These are the comments of author Mai Jai at a recent conference. God help us when we have political sock-puppets like this clown. While Google’s march towards digitalization has caused its - [International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Shortlist Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/international-impac-dublin-literary-award-shortlist-announced-3/) - The shortlist for the 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award was announced by The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, at The Mansion House, Dublin. There are eight books shortlisted from nominations by public libraries in Ireland, Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia, The Netherlands, South Africa, Brazil, the USA and Canada. - [Paul Harding Wins 2010 Pulitzer Fiction Prize](https://independentpublishing.com/paul-harding-wins-2010-pulitzer-fiction-prize/) - Paul Harding has won this year’s Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his debut novel, Tinkers. The book was published by a small independent press, Bellevue Literary Press. It is an exceptional achievement for both author and publisher, but particularly for Bellevue, only founded in 2005, publishing high quality literary and authoritative fiction and non-fiction of the - [MWA Place Harlequin Back on Approved List](https://independentpublishing.com/mwa-place-harlequin-back-on-approved-list/) - The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) have contacted its members through an e-bulletin to inform them that romance publisher Harlequin has agreed to abide by all of the MWA’s qualifying criteria for inclusion in their Approved Publishers List. From the e-bulletin: “We are pleased to welcome Harlequin, and all of its imprints, back onto our - [Authors Dawkins and Hitchens Prepare Case For Arrest of Joseph Ratzinger (aka Pope Benedict XVI)](https://independentpublishing.com/authors-dawkins-and-hitchens-prepare-case-for-arrest-of-joseph-ratzinger-aka-pope-benedict-xvi/) - Authors Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have commissioned barrister Geoffrey Robertson and solicitor Mark Stephens to present a justification for legal action and potentially the arrest of Joseph Alois Ratzinger (aka Pope Benedict XVI), when the Pontiff visits the UK for four days in September. The Times UK reported yesterday that controversial authors Dawkins (The - [About our eBook Concerns: TeleRead’s Open Letter to Publishers](https://independentpublishing.com/about-our-ebook-concerns-telereads-open-letter-to-publishers/) - There is an excellent ‘open letter to the publishing industry’ on standards for ebooks now that the big five publishers have applied the agency model for ebook distribution. “Dear Publishers, Now that you have your ‘agency’ contracts (such as they are) in place and are moving on, in your own heads anyway, to Ebook 2.0, can - [Apple Delay iPad International Release](https://independentpublishing.com/apple-delay-ipad-international-release/) - Apple today announced that the international release of the iPad will be delayed by a full month due to unprecedented demand. International online pre-orders will be taken from May 10th when pricing for the device will also be confirmed. From the press release: “Although we have delivered more than 500,000 iPads during its first week, - [Scribd Form POD Partnerships For Books](https://independentpublishing.com/scribd-form-pod-partnerships-for-books/) - Scribd is a social network site for sharing written content and selling books in its ebook store. They have just announced a partnership to expand into printed books with Magcloud, Blurb and Mimeo ultilizing print-on-demand technology. Users and customers of Scribd will now be able to transform loaded files into printed magazines (Magcloud), books (Blurb) - [Bowker Statistics 2009: Non-traditional Means Now The Majority Path For Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/bowker-statistics-2009-non-traditional-means-now-the-majority-path-for-authors/) - The latest 2009 statistical report released by R.R. Bowker today is a real eye-opener. The total amount of titles produced last year was 1,052,803, and significantly, 764,448 of that overall figure came from what Bowker describe as non-traditional channels – a mix of micro-publishers, self-publishers and reprints of public domain titles. In simple terms, 2010 - [Orbit and Their Ever-Decreasing Digital Circle](https://independentpublishing.com/orbit-and-their-ever-decreasing-digital-circle/) - Orbit is an imprint of the Hachette Publishing Group, specializing in science fiction and fantasy books. Today they announced a publishing program for shorter fiction to be published digitally. My ears twitched for this one, thinking, once more we were seeing the green shoots of innovation and openness from a well-respected imprint of a large - [Did The Mayans Know About The London Book Fair 2010?](https://independentpublishing.com/did-the-mayans-know-about-the-london-book-fair-2010/) - Maybe the Mayans had it right all along. There were a few things you could have thought of to disrupt this year’s London Book Fair. Chief among the possibilities might have been dreadful weather conditions or perhaps wholescale transport strikes in the UK. A massive plume of volcanic ash 10 kilometers up in the sky - [London Book Fair 2010: Update Saturday AM](https://independentpublishing.com/london-book-fair-2010-update-saturday-am/) - There was mixed news this evening for attendees of next week’s London Book Fair. NATS, The National Air traffic service, which controls British airspace, lifted some restrictions on airspace in Scotland, and that may also extend to northern parts of England tomorrow. Closure of UK airspace has now been extended to 1pm Saturday, but already - [Virtualbookworm US – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/virtualbookworm-us-reviewed/) - When I first started researching companies who provide author solutions services some years ago, Virtualbookworm (VBM) was one high on the radar. About four or five years ago, had you dropped ‘self-publishing’ as a keyword into a Google search or visited many self-publishing resources looking for information on self-publishing, you can bet VBW would have - [The Book Channel: TV Vanity or A Break For Authors?](https://independentpublishing.com/the-book-channel-tv-vanity-or-a-break-for-authors/) - The Book Channel is a satellite TV channel that launched in 2009 and broadcasts its show three times a week on SKY and Freesat, as well as on their Youtube channel and website. Each show is presented by author Tina Bettison and features three interviews with authors talking about their books and there is also - [London Book Fair 2010: Monday Schedule Beats The Ash!](https://independentpublishing.com/london-book-fair-2010-monday-schedule-beats-the-ash/) - The official start to the London Book Fair 2010 today gets under way in the next few hours. With a UK flight ban still in force until 7pm this evening, this is now a case of it is as it is for the Fair’s organizers and this year’s event is going to have a much more national - [First Day of London Book Fair](https://independentpublishing.com/first-day-of-london-book-fair/) - The London Book Fair opened in earnest today and it was noticeably quieter than it has been for several years. About one out of every five of the eighty events planned across today had to be cancelled due to absent guests unable to reach London due to the weekend’s severe flight restrictions. Ironically, it now - [Publishing Perspectives Interview with New PW President George Slowik](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-perspectives-interview-with-new-pw-president-george-slowik/) - Publishing Perspectives reporter Hannah Johnson caught up with new Publishers Weekly president George Slowik and talked to him about his return and plans for the magazine. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Nielsen Set To Sell Bookseller To its Managing Director](https://independentpublishing.com/nielsen-set-to-sell-bookseller-to-its-managing-director/) - Media research company Nielsen has agreed a deal ‘in principle’ to sell The Bookseller to managing director Nigel Roby. Is is expected the deal may be concluded at the end of this month. Negotiations are expected to conclude at the end of April. All the editorial, sales and marketing and events teams will remain in - [Guernica Magazine: Nicorvo Examines The Death Of Literary Fiction](https://independentpublishing.com/guernica-magazine-nicorvo-examines-the-death-of-literary-fiction/) - Guernica, a literary magazine of the arts and politics, features an article by poet and author Jay Baron Nicorvo in their April edition. Third Degree Burns is a fascinating look at what has caused the potential death of literary fiction. Nicorvo has written this feature in response to another article by Ted Genoways called The - [London Book Fair: More Content Over Form & Contentment Over Frustration](https://independentpublishing.com/london-book-fair-more-content-over-form-contentment-over-frustration/) - The final day of the London Book Fair takes place tomorrow and there is no doubt how low-key the event has been so far. The flight restrictions on overseas attendees due to the Icelandic volcano plumes has underlined that while this event is an international fixture on the publishing calendar, the general British press has - [Bookbuzzr Interview: April Hamilton](https://independentpublishing.com/bookbuzzr-interview-april-hamilton/) - Bookbuzzr.com interviewed April Hamilton, Publetariat founder and author of The Indie Author Guide, which was ranked fourth among the Top 10 Books of 2009 on BookBuzzr. You can read the full interview with April here. “April L. Hamilton is an author, blogger, Technorati BlogCritic, leading advocate and speaker for the indie author movement, and founder - [The Valley of the Squinting Windows: Delvin Book Fair 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/the-valley-of-the-squinting-windows-delvin-book-fair-2010/) - In 1918 a seemingly unremarkable novel appeared for the first time, published by Sampson Low, Marston, a small publisher in London, the novel was called The Valley of the Squinting Windows and was it written by Irish author Brinsley MacNamara (real name, John Weldon). MacNamara came from a small rural village called Delvin in Co. - [Blurb Launch Online Bookshow Widget](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-launch-online-bookshow-widget/) - Blurb has announced the launch of their Blurb BookShow, a preview feature enabling authors to share their books in a showcase format on Facebook, Twitter, their blog, a web site, and many other social media networks allowing third-party programs. Blurb has become a very popular option for self-publishers, micro-publishers, photographers and artists to publish good quality - [Amazon’s 46% Jump in Net Sales Tell Us – No Recession Around Here!](https://independentpublishing.com/amazons-46-jump-in-net-sales-tell-us-no-recession-around-here/) - Amazon.com have just announced their financial results for the first quarter of the year – ending March 31, 2010. There will not be too many retailers reporting net sales of +46%! From the media release: Operating cash flow was $2.78 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $1.76 billion for the trailing twelve months - [Distribution or Be Damned?](https://independentpublishing.com/distribution-or-be-damned/) - Should a publisher ever pay for shelf space in a bookstore, even if the publisher is the author? The quick and immediate answer is absolutely not. Take a deep breath, pause for thirty seconds while contemplating the models of business for mainstream publishing and the various opportunities and avenues for authors looking to self-publish their - [The State of Irish Publishing: Maverick Style!](https://independentpublishing.com/the-state-of-irish-publishing-maverick-style/) - There is a fascinating guest blog over on Irish Publishing News which again touches on the burning question of books and literature in Ireland. In February this year Julian Gough, the Irish novelist, took a swipe at modern Irish authors for being fixated with the past, and in particular with themes and settings from 1950’s Ireland. We covered - [Latest Amazon Grants For Publishers and Writers’ Groups](https://independentpublishing.com/latest-amazon-grants-for-publishers-and-writers-groups/) - Yesterday we reported Amazon’s announcement of a 46% jump in net sales for the first quarter of 2010. In the current economic climate you might be forgiven for thinking that Amazon would be eager to trouser as much of that cash as possible. Actually, it is worth mentioning Amazon operate a grant system through invited - [Normal Service Resumed: Site Administration](https://independentpublishing.com/normal-service-resumed-site-administration/) - Normal service has now resumed at POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing with a new black-white-red logo. You will also notice we have completely revamped the site and finally put to bed the template we were using since we first officially launched the site in January 2008. There is only so much you can do with a template and - [Lulu Abandons IPO Moves For Now](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-abandons-ipo-moves-for-now/) - DIY self-publishing service Lulu have abandoned plans to sell shares on the Canadian stock market in an effor to raise investment to finance expansion in their distribution and sales sectors. Lulu had also intended to use the investment to pay off outstanding debts. CEO Bob Young has commented recently on Bloomberg.com that the market was not - [Reader Views Editor Irene Watson on Book Sizes](https://independentpublishing.com/reader-views-editor-irene-watson-on-book-sizes/) - Irene Watson is Managing Editor for Reader Views, a resource for writers which provides book reviews and various author services. She has written a great guest post on Yorkshire Publishing’s blog, Ask The Publishing Guru about the choice of book size a self-publishing author should consider before embarking on their book project. “What size should your book be? Both beginning and - [The Publishing Road Less Traveled: How Self-Publishing Really Works](https://independentpublishing.com/the-publishing-road-less-traveled-how-self-publishing-really-works/) - Authors can get understandably frustrated when trying to navigate the crowded waters to a mainstream publishing contract, and often their perception is that the road to a published book is marked by a stoney-faced gatekeeper lurking at every twist and turn, ready with a bellowing bark; ‘Thou shall not past less thee be worthy’. No-one - [Pulitzer Winner Harding Secures UK Publication Deal](https://independentpublishing.com/pulitzer-winner-harding-secures-uk-publication-deal/) - Random House UK imprint William Heinemann has won the rights to publish Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Harding’s novel, Tinkers. The deal follows a seven-publisher auction bid brokered by literary agent Kent Wolff of Global Literary Management on behalf of Erika Goldman of Bellevue Literary Press. Bellevue Literary Press is the US independent press who published the first US edition - [Bookmasters Launch CONVERSO: A Creation & Digital Distribution Solution](https://independentpublishing.com/bookmasters-launch-converso-a-creation-digital-distribution-solution/) - The Bookmasters Group, the Ohio-based global publishing service for small presses and mid-sized publishers, has today announced the launch of CONVERSO, a digital content conversion solution. CONVERSO is a global service which will create an e-book, convert it to any format (EPUB, EPDF, PRC, Flash, HTML 5, Blio etc) and distribute it to more than - [Thomson-Shore Offer POD with $12m Digital Print Centre](https://independentpublishing.com/thomson-shore-offer-pod-with-12m-digital-print-centre/) - Thomson-Shore printers will begin offering print-on-demand services for publishers and authors as part of a two-year $12m capital improvement project with the installation of a digital print centre. Thomson-Shore has offered very short offset print runs of as few as 150 copies to authors, small presses and universities, but their new digital centre will allow - [Maverick House Publishers (Overview) & The Province of Irish Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/maverick-house-publishers-overview-the-province-of-irish-publishing/) - Maverick House Publishers is an independent publisher of non-fiction books founded by Jean Harrington in 2002 with its main headquarters in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Ireland. Expansion of the company has seen them open a second office in Bangkok, Thailand to augment their sales and distribution representation in the Far East, as well as Australia, New - [Time For Independents To Take To The Stage](https://independentpublishing.com/time-for-independents-to-take-to-the-stage/) - We have been reviewing author solutions services, printers and new innovators in the world of publishing for some time on POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing. Over the past two and a half years we have looked at 400+ companies, from printers to innovative publishers employing new models of publishing. The development of this site has - [Amazon Go Cheap On The Hard Penguins](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-go-cheap-on-the-hard-penguins/) - Amazon has added a little touch of strategic finesse to their stand-off with Penguin (Pearson Group) since other leading publishing houses agreed terms to implement the agency model on e-books on April 1st. Thirty days have elapsed and Penguin have yet to thrash out a finalized deal with online retailer Amazon. The heavy-handed gloves are now off, - [Slush Pile Reader Announce 2.0 Improved Features](https://independentpublishing.com/slush-pile-reader-announce-2-0-improved-features/) - Last month we did an overview of Slush Pile Reader as part of our publishing innovators series. Yesterday Slush Pile Reader announced some improvements to their site, and in particular, manuscript consumption, badges creating external promotional links to authors’ manuscripts, personalized lists for users, and a host of other improvement features to the site. “We - [e-Books and The Ever-Decreasing Circlets of Hardback Books](https://independentpublishing.com/e-books-and-the-ever-decreasing-circlets-of-hardback-books/) - Yesterday we looked at Amazon’s latest move in their stand-off with Penguin (Pearson Group) over negotiations on the implementation of the agent model on e-books by the major publishing houses. Amazon have reduced some new penguin titles in hardback to $9.99 to telegraph to their customers that they want control and flexibility on retail pricing - [Dog Ear Publishing – Reviewed (Updated, March 2012)](https://independentpublishing.com/dog-ear-publishing-reviewed-updated-march-2012/) - “What does your name mean? Something that is worn from frequent use—and something that often indicates a reader’s FAVORITE portion of a book is called “dog eared”. We want to be that “favorite” spot for authors on the internet.” Dog Ear Publishing is a US author solutions service located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Formed in 2004 - [Nielsen Company Ready To Try A Lulu?](https://independentpublishing.com/nielsen-company-ready-to-try-a-lulu/) - Nielsen’s private equity owners may be considering a move Lulu abandoned last month. Nielsen, the marketing and research company who introduced the Nielsen Bookscan system to monitor book sales are believed to be considering plans for an initial public offering of shares (IPO) according to reports from Reuters. The Financial Times reported yesterday that Nielsen’s private equity - [Publishr – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/publishr-overview/) - All books go through a stage of being a work-in-progress. It could be rightly argued that they remain works in progress until the final edited version rolls off the printer’s assembly line. In many cases, thousands of penned manuscripts every year never escape the perpetual status of a work-in-progress. You could apply the same analogy - [Wideman Reveals Son Led Him To Self-Publisher Lulu](https://independentpublishing.com/wideman-reveals-son-led-him-to-self-publisher-lulu/) - US author John Edgar Wideman, who recently decided to self-publish his latest book using Lulu, has a personal article in today’s Publisher’s Weekly Soapbox blog. While Wideman has spoken extensively on using Lulu for his book, Briefs, the article does reveal that it was actually Wideman’s son, a writer and Lulu employee, who suggested the self-publishing - [Salt Publishing Launch Salt Kids Imprint](https://independentpublishing.com/salt-publishing-launch-salt-kids-imprint/) - Independent Poetry publisher Salt Publishing has launched a new imprint, Salt Kids. From their About page. “The online home of Salt Publishing’s literature publishing for children. Providing a wealth of poetry resources, information, news, features and fun for children, their parents and teachers. Salt is one of the few UK publishers with an active children’s - [Infinity Publishing Sell Majority Share to Investment Group](https://independentpublishing.com/infinity-publishing-sell-majority-share-to-investment-group/) - Infinity Publishing, one of the many author solutions services we have reviewed, yesterday announced that it had sold a majority share in the company to investment group New Harbour Partners LLC from Boston. Arthur Gutch, who is head of New Harbour, will now assume the role of CEO at Infinity Publishing with original founder Tom - [Google Editions Get Their ISBN Blocks](https://independentpublishing.com/google-editions-get-their-isbn-blocks/) - This announcement came today on foot of yesterday’s news of Google Editions opening its doors in late June/July this year. The news was a little puzzling – a case of stating the obvious – though it is something publishers out there are still extraordinarily casual about. You must assign a unique ISBN number to a - [Musings on POD Publishers & Music Business – Part 1](https://independentpublishing.com/musings-on-pod-publishers-music-business-part-1/) - About fifteen or more years ago, I set up a music band management and promotions business with a work colleague. It just struck me recently about the similarities between publishing now and what we did then. With the advent of digital Print-on-demand publishing, it seems to be that in the past 8 years, so many - [Irish Retailers and Publishers Ready for e-Book Challenges](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-retailers-and-publishers-ready-for-e-book-challenges/) - The Irish Independent takes a look at the Irish book retail market and the growth of e-books in their e-Thursday section. Carissa Casey has written the article and she discovers that Irish retailers and publishers are poised to embrace the latest challenging chapter in the story of the publishing industry. “Advances in technology have also brought an entirely new threat to - [Musings on POD Publishers & Music Business Part 2](https://independentpublishing.com/musings-on-pod-publishers-music-business-part-2/) - So what does the future hold for the writer in the changing publishing world? Let’s first look at the person at the end of this line, from the writer’s first thoughts of putting pen to paper, through the publishing process, whether it be traditional or the POD/Subsidy channel, all the way to the buying reader - [Wikipedia Goes POD With Book Creation Tool From PediaPress](https://independentpublishing.com/wikipedia-goes-pod-with-book-creation-tool-from-pediapress/) - Wikipedia, the online open-source encyclopaedia, have entered the world of POD (print on demand) books with the launch of a user book creation tool. Visitors to Wikipedia’s site will now be able to build a book using the book creation tool by selecting online articles, categories, pages or links. The user can then decide on - [Apple iPad Set For May 28th Release in Nine Countries](https://independentpublishing.com/apple-ipad-set-for-may-28th-release-in-nine-countries/) - The Apple iPad will be available in nine different countries, including the UK, from 28th May. The doors of the Apple iBookstore will also open on the same date, with customer pre-orders beginning from May 10th. The following UK price points will apply: £429 for 16GB £499 for 32GB £599 for 64GB (Wi-Fi devices) £529 - [The Words Authors Should Carve on The Inside of Their Eyelids!](https://independentpublishing.com/the-words-authors-should-carve-on-the-inside-of-their-eyelids/) - Writers Beware have amassed some great advice and resource links for authors wanting to avoid any pitfalls when seeking a publisher. If there is one worthwhile thing you can spend ten minutes today reading – believe me – this will be the best ten minutes of your weekend. Victoria Strauss summarizes advice for authors starting - [Self-Publisher Experience Days: (Author’s Choice) – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publisher-experience-days-authors-choice-overview/) - The Author’s Choice Partnership is a an endeavour set up by UK self-publishing service, Matador (imprint of Troubador Publishing), and MPG Biddles (MPG Books Group), a book manufacturer specializing in short-to-medium print-runs (lithographic and POD). Although both companies operate in the print and publishing industry independently, Author’s Choice will offer a host of bespoke self-publishing - [The Author’s Chair: Cedric Cross – Interviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/the-authors-chair-cedric-cross-interviewed/) - [In the first of a new feature on POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing, The Author’s Chair is filled by Cedric Cross, who has just self-published his first novel, The Black Eagle, this week. Cedric has recently been writing about his experiences of self-publishing here on the site.] [MICK] Can you remember the first book you - [Lulu, Dan on the Double, and The Future of Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-dan-on-the-double-and-the-future-of-publishing/) - Last week we cited a Publishers Weekly Soapbox Blog where John Edgar Wideman revealed it was in fact his son, Daniel, who suggested he consider Lulu’s self-publishing services for his next book, Briefs. Wideman has been publishing books in the mainstream arena since 1967 and is an intrinsic part of the American literary scene. He had been - [Google Quietly Planning New World Publishing Order](https://independentpublishing.com/google-quietly-planning-new-world-publishing-order/) - Google are teaming up with Verizon Wireless to deliver a hand-held tablet computer like the Apple iPad according to the Wall Street Journal. This is hardly a surprise and has been long expected in light of Google’s imminent launch of their own e-book store in the shape of Google Editions, which will see them become a - [Self-Publishing Book Expo NY 2010, Confirmed](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-book-expo-ny-2010-confirmed/) - Self-Publishing Book Expo (SPBE) has been confirmed for a second year and looks set to become an annual event on the publishing industry calendar. This year’s event will again take place at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, 811 Seventh Avenue on October 2nd, with sponsorship from Lulu, Greenleaf Book Group, Smashwords, Outskirts Press - [Outer Banks Publishing Group – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/outer-banks-publishing-group-overview/) - You may not recognise the name Anthony Policastro. There is no particular reason why you should. You also may not recognise a new publisher on the block called Outer Bank Publishing Group. Why should you? Well, Policastro used to be a business analyst for Lulu and Outer Bank Publishing Group is his brain-child—a digital publisher - [Maverick House MD Becomes President of Publishing Ireland](https://independentpublishing.com/maverick-house-md-becomes-president-of-publishing-ireland/) - Following the AGM of Publishing Ireland (CLE), Jean Harrington, one of its board members, was elected president of the association. Harrington, who is also MD of Maverick House Publishers, an Irish international publisher of non-fiction books, succeeds outgoing president Alan Hayes. Publishing Ireland was founded as CLÉ – Irish Book Publishers’ Association in 1970 as a response to the - [Bree O’Mara: 1968 – 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/bree-omara-1968-2010/) - UPDATED (see footer)Like many overseas publishers and authors, Bree O’Mara never made it to the London Book Fair last month. Nature has a way of intervening in our lives when we least expect it. Ash clouds from a volcano in Iceland saw to it that the skies of Western Europe were shut down to air traffic - [Publishr Author and Book Revealed](https://independentpublishing.com/publishr-author-and-book-revealed/) - A couple of weeks ago we took a look at Publishr, a new innovative publishing project by Brett Sandusky and his team. Today, by way of personal introduction, Brian Joseph Davis revealed himself and his manuscript The Incompetents as soon-to-be Publishr author and novel. Publishing is ready to embrace networked brainpower. Fiction writers, however, have - [Miller Rolls The Dice on Publisher Risk](https://independentpublishing.com/miller-rolls-the-dice-on-publisher-risk/) - The below video of Bob Miller of Workman Publishing Group addressing delegates at last month’s BookNet Canada Technology Forum came this evening via Jason Boog of GalleyCat on Mediabistro. The video from Blip TV may only have recently become available. Miller, former publisher at HarperStudio, looks at the process of ‘risk assessment’ for publishers acquiring - [IPPY Award Winners Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/ippy-award-winners-announced/) - This year’s winners of the Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) have been announced. I have not had time to go through the full list, but I will do so over the coming days and produce some analysis. The IPPY’s are awarded in multiple categories and offer gold, silver and bronze medals in each. A full - [Hay House Partner with ASI to Create Paid-Publishing Imprint Balboa Press](https://independentpublishing.com/hay-house-partner-with-asi-to-create-paid-publishing-imprint-balboa-press/) - The news just in today is that Author Solutions has formed another partnership with a mainstream publisher – Hay House Publishing – to form a self-publishing service in the shape of Balboa Press. This is pretty much a copybook move replicating the models now operated by Thomas Nelson and Harlequin with Westbow Press and DellArte Press - [IPPY Awards: A Closer Look](https://independentpublishing.com/ippy-awards-a-closer-look/) - The Independent Book Awards (IPPY) have been announced, and this evening I had a chance to look a little closer at the many categories and medal winners. While I have a great deal of time for the IPPY’s, and it has an important role to play in celebrating independent publishing and self-published books – I - [Subtlety, Hay House Publishing and The Arrival of Balboa Press](https://independentpublishing.com/subtlety-hay-house-publishing-and-the-arrival-of-balboa-press/) - Sometimes things get lost in the translation. We apply our own expected template on what we perceive we are seeing. Dig deeper, and the subtleness under the surface can reveal the real changes and message being communicated. There will be some debate about Hay House Publishing and their partnership with Author Solutions (ASI) to create - [Authors: Young, Free and Talented or Old, Experienced and Respected??](https://independentpublishing.com/authors-young-free-and-talented-or-old-experienced-and-respected/) - Today’s Observer newspaper has an article by Robert McCrum positing the question, ‘A literary Career or a brilliant one-off? Take your pick.’ McCrum is reflecting on something Malcom Gladwell said on a book tour in the UK this week about how he is drawn to artists with long careers and consistency in their work, citing - [Balboa Press – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/balboa-press-reviewed/) - Balboa Press is the paid-publishing division of self-help book publisher Hay House Publishing. All their packages and services are administered and powered by Author Solutions (ASI), a global provider of self-publishing services and solutions. ASI has similar partnerships in place with other mainstream publishers and these types of self-publishing service divisions look set to become - [Paid-Publishing or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/paid-publishing-or-be-damned/) - Over the past few days I have refined my opinions on the paid-publishing model offered by mainstream publishers in light of its newest entity, Balboa Press from Hay House Publishing. So far, three of the paid-publishing imprints we have looked at in the past year had one common denominator—Author Solutions (ASI). I do not believe - [AmazonEncore To Publish Konrath’s New Novel](https://independentpublishing.com/amazonencore-to-publish-konraths-new-novel/) - AmazonEncore, Amazon’s publishing imprint, have announced that bestselling author J.A. Konrath’s latest novel, Shaken, part of his Jacqueline ‘Jack’ Daniels series will be published as a Kindle edition of in October, with a print edition to follow in February 2011. From the press release: “J.A. Konrath’s Jacqueline ‘Jack’ Daniels series is one built on a - [Global Giants Bring Different Strategies to Publishing World: Book Industry Conference 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/global-giants-bring-different-strategies-to-publishing-world-book-industry-conference-2010/) - There is some fascinating analysis by Benedict Evans of media research company Enders Analysis presented at this week’s Booksellers Association Book Industry Conference in London. Essentially, Evans argues global companies like Apple, Google and Amazon are not book publishers and the book industry must understand clearly the approaches and strategies of these companies. Evans describes - [Amazon Reinforce Their Brand as Publisher](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-reinforce-their-brand-as-publisher/) - In our report yesterday, we highlighted the analysis of Benedict Evans of media research company, Enders Analysis, who presented a fascinating take on the position and strategies of Google, Apple and Amazon in the world of publishing. Evans was speaking at this week’s Booksellers Association Book Industry Conference in London. Evans delivered the declaration that - [Barnes & Noble PubIt(TM) To Provide Digital Self-Publishing Program](https://independentpublishing.com/barnes-noble-pubittm-to-provide-digital-self-publishing-program/) - US bookseller Barnes & Noble has announced it is to launch a digital publishing program for independent publishers and self-published authors. PubIt! will allow users to load up completed book files online where they will be converted to the ePub format and made available for sale through Barnes & Noble.com and the Barnes & Noble - [The Friday Project Serialize Smailes’ New Novel](https://independentpublishing.com/the-friday-project-serialize-smailes-new-novel/) - Tomorrow, publisher, The Friday Project, will experiment by serializing the 32 chapters in Caroline Smailes’ new novel, Like Bees to Honey, across a host of book blogs. The novel is not due to be published until next week. Some of the blogs included belong to Lindsey Fallow, Ian Aspin, Matt Hill and novelist Sarah Salway. Each blog will - [Bookmasters Launch Full-Scale Self-Publishing Distribution Services with AUTURO](https://independentpublishing.com/bookmasters-launch-full-scale-self-publishing-distribution-services-with-auturo/) - The BookMasters Group has announced the launch of full-scale digital and print distribution service for self-published authors called AUTURO. AUTURO will provide a broader range of options, including sales, marketing, promotion and publicity than had previously been available from The Bookmasters Group. The new service will include print production as well as digital conversion and - [WSJ Article: E-Books Rewrite Bookselling](https://independentpublishing.com/wsj-article-e-books-rewrite-bookselling/) - Today’s edition of the Wall Street Journal has quite an extensive article on e-books and the pressures online sales are having on brick ‘n’ mortar stores. The article takes a specific focus on Barnes & Noble and its 1362 stores. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Borders Group Lifted By $25m Investment](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-group-lifted-by-25m-investment/) - Vector Group Ltd will invest $25 million in Borders Group US through a private purchase of 11.1 million shares of stock. The move is intended to develop and improve the Borders brand, which has experience a difficult period of trading over the past eighteen months. From today’s press release: “ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 21, 2010 /PRNewswire via - [Cantara Christopher Interview on Subtletea](https://independentpublishing.com/cantara-christopher-interview-on-subtletea/) - Cantara Christopher shared a link with me this morning to an interview she undertook with David Herrle at SubtleTea.com. Christopher is co-founder of Cantara Books, a literary micropress. Hats off to both Christopher and Herrle. This a fascinating, engaging and inspiring interview on the passion and dedication to literature and what publishing should be about. This - [LSI Expand Print Options For Publishers and Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/lsi-expand-print-options-for-publishers-and-authors/) - Lightning Source has announced additional print-on-demand services for colour hardbacks, more trim sizes for colour as well as black and white interiors of hardback and paperback formats, and page count limitations are now incredibly flexible with a minimum page count of just 18 pages and a maximum of 1200 pages. Over the past ten years - [Bob Katz – Midlist Author: Hard Times with Third and Long](https://independentpublishing.com/bob-katz-midlist-author-hard-times-with-third-and-long/) - Publishers Weekly ran a piece last Friday on US author Bob Katz. Third and Long is the latest novel by Katz, but unlike his previous books, this one is a collaborative self-publishing project he undertook with Doug Wilhide, a college friend and marketing consultant. Katz has been a midlist author for many years but his - [Patricia Simpson – Midlist Author: Adventures in POD, Paranormal and e-Books](https://independentpublishing.com/patricia-simpson-midlist-author-adventures-in-pod-paranormal-and-e-books/) - Patricia Simpson is an award winning author of fifteen books of paranormal romance. She has been writing and publishing since the early 1990’s and has been published by HarperMonogram, TOR and Silhouette. After some years of successfully publishing with these mainstream publishers, some of the rights of her books started to revert back to her. - [Amazon Announce Six Finalists in Breakthrough Novel Award](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-announce-six-finalists-in-breakthrough-novel-award/) - Amazon and Penguin have announced the six finalists in this year’s Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. Amazon will now make excerpts available from the six novels online and Amazon customers can vote their their favourite one by visiting the dedicated website. Voting will close on June 2nd and two grand prize winners will emerge, each receiving - [Alibris Launch Author Stores For Self-Publishers and Publishers](https://independentpublishing.com/alibris-launch-author-stores-for-self-publishers-and-publishers/) - Alibris is an online marketplace for independent sellers of new and used books, music, and movies, as well as rare and out-of-print titles. They have launched a new feature called Author Stores to give self-publishing authors and publishers direct access to online customers. Author Stores is a marketplace very like Amazon Central and provides similar - [iBookstore Doors Now Open to Penguin and Self-Publishers](https://independentpublishing.com/ibookstore-doors-now-open-to-penguin-and-self-publishers/) - It looks like the two month dispute over terms in the agency model agreement has been resolved between Penguin and Apple. While Random House have yet to decide whether theyt will ultimately adopt the agency model for e-books, Penguin were the only other publisher from the big six not to have reached an agreement with - [Schiel & Denver – Reviewed (Updated, May 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/schiel-denver-reviewed-updated-may-2010/) - (Updated, May, 2010, see footer) Founded by authors in April, 2008, Schiel & Denver is pretty much a new kid on the block. One of those founding authors is Director, Tunde Reid-Kapo (3rd comment down on link). Schiel & Denver describe their company as an international publishing services infrastructure provider, dedicated to meeting the needs of - [BookLocker Move on Lulu Authors with $18 (save $149) Offer](https://independentpublishing.com/booklocker-move-on-lulu-authors-with-18-save-149-offer/) - Angela Hoy, editor and proprietor at BookLocker, late yesterday made an open offer to any unhappy authors with Lulu to switch their books to the Maine-based POD publisher. In a bold announcement on this week’s edition of Writersweekly, Hoy drew attention to negative comments in Lulu’s forum from its own self-published authors. In a piece - [UK iBookstore Finally Gets Some Books!](https://independentpublishing.com/uk-ibookstore-finally-gets-some-books/) - Books from Penguin, Macmillan, HarperCollins and Hachette UK will appear from today in the UK iBookstore for the international release of the iPad. These publishers agreed eleventh-hour deals with Apple, but as yet, there is no word on an agreement with Simon & Schuster who already have ebooks available in the US iBookstore. Up until - [What Price The iPad Now in China?](https://independentpublishing.com/what-price-the-ipad-now-in-china/) - One news item carried in much of the mainstream press this week has been the series of suicides committed by workers at Foxconn Technology Group who operate a number of production plants in Asia. For the most part, this week, the publishing world and technology media sites have focused on the launch of the international - [Kindle 3 For August 2010 Launch?](https://independentpublishing.com/kindle-3-for-august-2010-launch/) - The Kindle 3 is just a few months away according to a report on Bloomberg yesterday. The as yet unconfirmed launch date this August is a direct response by Amazon to anticipated competition from Apple’s recently released iPad. The Kindle 3, a dedicated e-book reading device, will not feature a colour screen like the iPad. - [Diadem Books – Reviewed (Updated May, 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/diadem-books-reviewed-updated-may-2010/) - Diadem Books are a Scottish author solutions company based in Fife, Scotland, and run by Charles Muller, a South African born academic and former hotelier. An author in his own right, he founded Diadem Books in 1997 and for many years used iUniverse’s print on demand service to issue Diadem’s published books. Diadem became a - [POD Index for Author Solutions Services – Coming Soon](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-index-for-author-solutions-services-coming-soon/) - The POD INDEX for author solutions services is something we have been working on for the past couple of months. The most asked question we get at POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing is often along the lines of; ‘What self-publishing service should I go with?‘; ‘Is so and so a good service to go with?‘; - [POD Index – June 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-index-june-2010/) - The POD INDEX for author solutions services is something we have been working on for the past couple of months and over three days of the weekend we compiled the June 2010 index (56) which marks the first month of flotation for all the author solutions services we have reviewed. More details on the POD Index - [Lake Wobegon Days or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/lake-wobegon-days-or-be-damned/) - Just before Book Expo 2010 last week, American novelist and Radio raconteur Garrison Keillor wrote an opinion piece in the New York Times entitled, The End of an Era in Publishing. I should of course refer to the opinion piece as an ‘op-ed’ (opposite editorial), the description of it by many critics who chose to - [TAF Publish Irish Writers’, Authors’ and Poets’ Handbook](https://independentpublishing.com/taf-publish-irish-writers-authors-and-poets-handbook/) - ” TAF Publishing has just published the first edition of the Irish Writers’, Authors’ and Poets’ Handbook for Ireland and Northern Ireland. This is a much-needed writers’ handbook dedicated to the Irish market. The book will be available in Irish bookshops from this week, but can also be purchased online directly from The Author’s Friend - [Texas AG Turns Magnifying Glass on eBook Market](https://independentpublishing.com/texas-ag-turns-magnifying-glass-on-ebook-market/) - The attorney general for the state of Texas has approached two of the main publishing players who introduced the agency model for e-books and requested undisclosed documentation. At the moment, the Texas attorney general is believed to be making preliminary inquiries about pricing practices operating in the electronic book market and the potential effects for - [FastPencil Introduces iBookstore Inclusion For Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/fastpencil-introduces-ibookstore-inclusion-for-authors/) - FastPencil, an online e-book publisher, has announced it is to offer inclusion in the Apple iBookstore for its authors. FastPencil allows authors to upload a book manuscript direct to FastPencil.com for reading and review and its e-book publishing service is provided free using a design wizard and templates. FastPencil assign the book with an ISBN - [Lightning Source – Reviewed (Updated June, 2011)](https://independentpublishing.com/lightning-source-reviewed-updated-june-2011/) - Lightning Source has become synonymous with authors pursuing what is described as ‘true self-publishing—whereby an author sets up their own imprint, purchases a block of ISBN’s and uses Lightning Source’s global print and fulfilment services to publish and make their books available for distribution. Lightning Source US Lightning Source UK “Lightning Source, an Ingram Content - [Raider Founder Sets About Putting Things Right](https://independentpublishing.com/raider-founder-sets-about-putting-things-right/) - Raider International Publishing (RAI 208.16) has been in the author solutions service business for five years. Actually, May 31st was the exact date of their foundation. Company owner and founder, Adam Salviani, made his annual address, and you can find that here. I have a lot of time for Raider International Publishing – their core approach - [Author Solutions Launch Spanish Self-Publishing Imprint, Palibrio](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-launch-spanish-self-publishing-imprint-palibrio/) - Author Solutions (ASI) has announced the launch of Palibrio, a self-publishing service dedicated to spanish-speaking authors in all genres. More on this over the weekend, but for now, here is the press release: BLOOMINGTON, Ind., June 3 /PRNewswire/ — Author Solutions, Inc., the world leader in indie book publishing, announced Thursday the launch of Palibrio—a - [Amazon Reveal Paid and Free Kindle Bestsellers By the Hour](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-reveal-paid-and-free-kindle-bestsellers-by-the-hour/) - Amazon has introduced a new feature to the Kindle Store. Every hour, amazon will provide live updates and present separate ‘Top 100 Bestsellers’ for both paid and free Kindle e-book sales. As of now, Tues 3.28 EST, Stieg Larsson’s The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest is to of the paid pile, and Cynthia Ruchti’s - [Troubador Withdraw Matador’s ‘Michael Jackson’s Dangerous Liaisons’ Book](https://independentpublishing.com/troubador-withdraw-matadors-michael-jacksons-dangerous-liaisons-book/) - June 7th should have marked the official release of Michael Jackson’s Dangerous Liaisons, written by Carl Toms, and published by Matador (256.20), a self-publishing imprint of Troubador Publishing UK. However, on May 27th, Troubador Publishing announced the following: “Troubador has ceased distribution of a self-published book written about Michael Jackson. Following new information that came to - [AmazonEncore Announce Ten Titles For Publication This Fall](https://independentpublishing.com/amazonencore-announce-ten-titles-for-publication-this-fall/) - Amazon has announced another ten titles for publication this fall through their AmazonEncore publishing program, including J. A. Konrath’s Shaken. All ten titles will be published in both print and Kindle editions. “Fall is always an exciting time in the publishing world, and we’re happy to be able to introduce readers to the ten new - [Carina Press Launch with First Ten e-Book Titles](https://independentpublishing.com/carina-press-launch-with-first-ten-e-book-titles/) - It seems like an age since we last mentioned e-publisher Carina Press, an imprint of romance publisher Harlequin Enterprises. Yesterday marked the official launch of their first ten titles. “As a digital-first publisher Carina Press is a natural extension to our business; it builds on our digital strength and leadership position. It gives us greater - [LSI Expand Partnership with PediaPress](https://independentpublishing.com/lsi-expand-partnership-with-pediapress/) - Last month we took a look at the launch of the Wikipedia Create a Book service supported by software tools designed by Mainz-based PediaPress. The Create a Book service allows users to create their own styled book based on selected contewnt from Wikipedia’s English language content. It was unclear if PediaPress were going to provide - [Kingsolver Wins Orange Prize for Fiction 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/kingsolver-wins-orange-prize-for-fiction-2010/) - American author Barbara Kingsolver has won this year’s Orange Prize for Fiction for her novel, The Lacuna (Faber). The announcement was made a couple of hours ago at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in London, where Kingsolver was presented with the award and a cheque for £30,000. This year’s event, the 15th awarding of the - [Milverstead Publishing – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/milverstead-publishing-overview/) - One year ago, almost to the day, Christopher Finlan was in a very different place. Diagnosed with ADD, and believing his life was somehow ruined, he was ready to give up on the life he had built and move to Texas to try and start afresh. But something made Finlan stay with his family in - [Gimme A Good Discount or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/gimme-a-good-discount-or-be-damned/) - Author and Editor Stephen Elliott of The Rumpus, wrote a piece yesterday entitled, A quick little publishing rant. “It makes no sense to discourage the one person most invested in finding readers for their work (which is why Steve Almond went ahead and self-published). Why would Amazon.com, for example, a predatory company, be given a - [Rumble in the Publishing Jungle](https://independentpublishing.com/rumble-in-the-publishing-jungle/) - There is a rumble in the publishing jungle brewing. It may turn out to be a violent storm or a splash in a teacup. In March this year, Wiley & Sons purchased Bloomberg Press, the publishing imprint of Bloomberg—nothing untoward there. A few weeks later, Wiley started contacting Bloomberg Press authors by letter informing them - [Outskirts Press Become ISBN Agent For Bowker](https://independentpublishing.com/outskirts-press-become-isbn-agent-for-bowker/) - US author solutions service, Outskirts Press (OUT 208.18), based in Denver, Colorado, has announced that it has become an authorised agent of R. R. Bowker, the US ISBN Agency. The agreement will allow Outskirts Press to apply and assign a single ISBN’s and barcode on behalf of authors using their book publishing and marketing services. Outskirts - [iUniverse – Reviewed (Updated, June 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/iuniverse-reviewed-updated-june-2010/) - iUniverse was founded in October 1999, initially as a business print on demand service, but later expanded into full self-publishing services for authors. Originally, the company was based in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, and 49% of the company was purchased by retailer Barnes & Noble. Part of the agreement was that the top iUniverse titles would be listed - [Irish Writers’ Centre Awarded €27K Grant](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-writers-centre-awarded-e27k-grant/) - The Irish Writers’ Centre has received a grant of €27,000 from the Irish Arts Council through their Touring and Dissemination scheme. Last February we reported how the IWC was left reeling after the Irish Arts Council rejected their grant application for 2009. The Irish Writers’ Centre made the announcement of the grant this morning. “Dear - [Publishers Weekly Asks ‘Can Sales Reps Survive?’](https://independentpublishing.com/publishers-weekly-asks-can-sales-reps-survive/) - Judith Rosen, writing in this morning’s Publishers Weekly, looks at the changing role of sales representatives at large publishing houses and smaller independent presses, asking the question, ‘Can Sales Reps Survive?’ There is a notable mention of independent sales rep, Lise Solomon, who helped the sales push for Pulitizer Prize-winning book, Tinkers, by Paul Harding, published by Bellevue Literary - [McArdle and Ackley Win Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/mcardle-and-ackley-win-amazon-breakthrough-novel-awards-2010/) - Patricia McArdle and Amy Ackley have won this year’s Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in the respective categories of general fiction and young adult fiction. This is the first year two top prizes have been awarded. Both winners receive publishing contracts with Penguin USA and $15,000 advances. The winners were revealed today at the Amazon campus - [Amazon Ratchet it Up a Level For Distributors](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-ratchet-it-up-a-level-for-distributors/) - The US publishing industry may have another spat on the horizon to accompany the current dispute between John Wiley and The Authors Guild. Amazon is yet again flexing its muscles, this time in the direction of distributors and their publisher clients. Amazon is introducing a new program called ‘Levels of Service’ (PDFdownload). While there is nothing unusuual about - [POD INDEX and Self-Publishing Analysis](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-index-and-self-publishing-analysis/) - A couple of weekends ago we launched the POD INDEX for author solutions services—a rating index of publishing services we have reviewed over the past three years. I made the following comments when we first introduced the POD INDEX for June 2010: “The POD INDEX for author solutions services is something we have been working on for the - [Wiley Offer Olive Branch to Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/wiley-offer-olive-branch-to-authors/) - The current spat between John Wiley & Sons and The US Authors Guild over proposed contract changes showed some signs of hope for authors yesterday following a further press release on the publisher’s website. Wiley now say they are happy to contact their Bloomberg Press authors and discuss any concerns they have. Ultimately, Wiley have conceded - [Wiley Reject AG’s Audit Proposal](https://independentpublishing.com/wiley-reject-ags-audit-proposal/) - John Wiley & Sons’ olive branch yesterday to authors may have brought limited progress, but today the US Authors Guild has already confirmed their own olive branch offer of a royalty audit has been rejected. Today, the Authors Guild revealed that Wiley rejected the royalty proposal which had been part of ongoing discussions this week. In - [Self-Published Author Boyd Morrison’s Huffington Post Article](https://independentpublishing.com/self-published-author-boyd-morrisons-huffington-post-article/) - In July last year we ran a short piece on self-published author Boyd Morrison and the fact that he had landed a book deal with Simon & Schuster. Boyd Morrison had been selling his books on his website and also through Amazon’s Kindle. What was very clear about Morrison over the past couple of years - [Gerbrand Bakker Wins 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award](https://independentpublishing.com/gerbrand-bakker-wins-2010-international-impac-dublin-literary-award/) - The 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award has been won by Dutch author Gerbrand Bakker for his debut novel, The Twin. The announcement was made at a black tie dinner this evening by The Patron of the Award, The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Emer Costello, at the Mansion House in Dublin. Bakker received a - [POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing Daily Newsletter](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishing-independent-publishing-daily-newsletter/) - We made some changes on the site today. Anyone subscribing to the old Daily Newsletter by Email will need to re-subscribe to the new link to the left to continue to receive our Daily Newsletter feed. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Jose Saramago 1922 – 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/jose-saramago-1922-2010/) - Portuguese Nobel Prize-winning novelist Jose Saramago has died at his home in Lanzarote of multi-organ failure after a long illness. The announcement was made today by the Jose Saramago Foundation. Saramago was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. Saramago’s work dealt with fantastic scenarios, such as that in his 1986 novel, The Stone Raft, - [7 Pieces of Misinformation Author Solutions Services Will Tell You](https://independentpublishing.com/7-pieces-of-misinformation-author-solutions-services-will-tell-you/) - It is blog posts like this one that give author solutions services a bad rap – from Self Publishing Advice, the blog of Outskirts Press. The title of the post is ‘7 Things To Know About Traditional Publishers’. I note how they have now moved from refering to mainstream publishing houses as ‘old-fashioned publishers’. Dear, oh - […and Some Useful Information From an Author Solutions Service](https://independentpublishing.com/and-some-useful-information-from-an-author-solutions-service/) - Earlier today we posted an example of misinformation from an author solutions service that gets self-publishing a bad rap and underlines the stigmas already out there. Well, just to show some really good information and advice can come from an author solutions service; here is AJ McDonald, a Lulu Public Relations staffer, offering some thoughtful - [Welcome To The POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing Family](https://independentpublishing.com/welcome-to-the-pod-self-publishing-independent-publishing-family/) - I wanted to bring you all up-to-date with the continued developments here on POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing. A few weekends ago we introduced the POD INDEX and this weekend we have been working on one of our other sites, beefing it up with content. So, here is the family… POD, Self-Publishing & Independent publishing - [Pearson is The World’s Largest Publisher](https://independentpublishing.com/pearson-is-the-worlds-largest-publisher/) - Pearson is the world’s largest publisher, according to a ranking list compiled by Ruediger Wischenbart on behalf of French trade magazine Livres Hebdoof. Details of the top ten global publishers were released by The Bookseller this morning, who will release the full ranking list later this week. “Despite the tough economic climate, and the threat - [Barnes & Noble Launch Nook Wi-Fi For $149](https://independentpublishing.com/barnes-noble-launch-nook-wi-fi-for-149/) - Barnes & Noble booksellers this morning announced the launch of the Nook Wi-Fi ereader. The device will sell at a very competitive $149. Barnes and Noble has also announced that the Nook 3G will be reduced to $199. From the press release. New York, New York – June 21, 2010 – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s - [Amazon Respond To New Nook Prices With Kindle Price Reduction](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-respond-to-new-nook-prices-with-kindle-price-reduction/) - In what looks like a distinct reaction to Barnes & Noble announcement earlier today to price the new Nook Wi-Fi at $149 and reduce the 3G version to $199, Amazon, late today announced that they are to reduce the price of the Kindle device to $189. From the press release. Amazon.com, Inc. today announced that - [Michael Jackson’s Mother Self-Publishes Photo Book](https://independentpublishing.com/michael-jacksons-mother-self-publishes-photo-book/) - Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine, is self-publishing a family-album-style coffee table book of photographs and reminiscences of her son from her personal archive this week. The book is entitled, Never Can Say Good Bye: The Katherine Jackson Story. She is self-publishing the book with the help of Vintage Pop Media in both hardback print and ebook - [Apple Sell 3 million iPads in 80 Days](https://independentpublishing.com/apple-sell-3-million-ipads-in-80-days/) - Yesterday Apple announced that it had sold three million iPads in the eighty days since the launch of the device in the USA. From the press release: Apple® today announced that it sold its three millionth iPad™ yesterday, just 80 days after its introduction in the US. iPad is a revolutionary and magical product that - [FT Article and Jamie Byng’s Incredible Shrinking iPad](https://independentpublishing.com/ft-article-and-jamie-byngs-incredible-shrinking-ipad/) - Yesterday’s edition of the Financial Times ran a piece by Feargus O’Sullivan entitled, ‘Publishing industry holds breath over electronic books’. The thrust of the piece is that the arrival of ebooks and reader devices like the Kindle and iPad are causing the biggest upheavel in the publishing world since the Gutenberg invented the printing press. The genteel - [Vantage Press US – Reviewed [Not recommended]](https://independentpublishing.com/vantage-press-us-reviewed-not-recommended/) - [Not Recommended] Most of the author solution services I review here are companies I have been familiar with over the past three to four years since I began my research on fee-charging publishing services in the industry. Though, I have known some companies a great deal longer. “Even at the age of fifteen, I was - [New Publishing Express – RIP](https://independentpublishing.com/new-publishing-express-rip/) - After almost six months of trialling New Publishing Express, our dedicated news site, we decided to take it out back and put a bullet in its head. It went quietly and without much protest with few turning up for its solemn passing. Will I miss it? No. It was like working late on a Friday night when - [Fulmer and The Blind Book Translator of Paris](https://independentpublishing.com/fulmer-and-the-blind-book-translator-of-paris/) - Back in February of this year, we took a look at Five Stones Press as part of our series of Publishing Innovators. Mystery novelist David Fulmer from Atlanta Georgia, with the support of two business friends, launched his small independent press with its unique business model of fan-base supportive publishing. “Fulmer decided if he was - [Blurb To Publish Book on Friendly Fire Incident in Afghanistan](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-to-publish-book-on-friendly-fire-incident-in-afghanistan/) - Blurb, a DIY self-publishing service, has announced the publication of one of its most significant titles ever. From July 29th, Boots on the Ground by Dusk, a book written by Mary Tillman with Narda Zacchino, shares the story of US Army Ranger Pat Tillman’s life and a family’s unrelenting efforts to uncover the truth about - [Booksni.com Launch Dedicated Online Retail Bookstore For Authors and Publishers](https://independentpublishing.com/booksni-com-launch-dedicated-online-retail-bookstore-for-authors-and-publishers/) - A new online retailer has launched dedicated to books from and about Northern Ireland and also books written by Northern Irish writers. BooksNI.com was born out of Colourpoint Books, a Northern Ireland local publisher founded in 1993 by Sheila and Norman Johnston. The Johnsons also founded April Sky Design in 2002, a company offering self-publishing - [iUniverse Launch Book Placement and Signing Packages](https://independentpublishing.com/iuniverse-launch-book-placement-and-signing-packages/) - iUniverse (IUV 232.56) has introduced two new publishing packages offering in-store book placement and in-store book-signing ($3999) in a partnership with Canadian book retailer Indigo. The in-store book placement program ($2999) is similar to the one sister company AuthorHouse (AUH 222.38) has with retailers Borders and Waterstones. From today’s press release: BLOOMINGTON, IN, June 28, 2010 - [When Booksellers Become Small Presses](https://independentpublishing.com/when-booksellers-become-small-presses/) - What would happen if local bookstores decided to become small press publishers? Well, according to today’s Publishers Weekly article, New Indie Bookselling Model: Publish Own Handselling Favorites, it is already happening. The article looks at the moves by two bookstore owners in Albany New York and Massachusetts using both print on demand and offset to - [PublishAmerica Discontinues Trade Paperback Books (UPDATE)](https://independentpublishing.com/publishamerica-discontinues-trade-paperback-books-update/) - PublishAmerica (PBA 139.58) authors have been informed by email that the company is discontinuing trade paperback editions and books will only be available in hardback editions. It is a bizzare and troubling turn of events for its listed authors. As things stand with PublishAmerica, paperback retail prices are already considered excessive, and this latest development, if it is - [Amazon Jump on Bandwagon and Remove Self-Published Author’s Books and Profile](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-jump-on-bandwagon-and-remove-self-published-authors-books-and-profile/) - When Amazon removed the books and Author Central Page of writer and self-publisher, Michael N. Marcus, they jumped on a misguided bandwagon that has gathered some steam over the weekend. As Amazon has provided—as yet—no reason why they removed the author’s books, we can only assume they are protecting their corporate needs and do not - [Marcus’ Books Return To Amazon Listings](https://independentpublishing.com/marcus-books-return-to-amazon-listings/) - The books of self-published author Michael N. Marcus, currently the victim of a sustained smear on the internet, are available again for sale on Amazon. Yesterday the author’s books became unavailable for purchase fueling suspicions the internet retailer had removed the books from purchase due to online alegations on a series of websites. This morning Amazon was exonerated of - [Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2011 Now Available](https://independentpublishing.com/writers-artists-yearbook-2011-now-available/) - One book never too far away from my hands is the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook. It has been the writers’ handbook of choice for me for many, many years. Today is the official day of publication of the 2011 edition. The book’s editor, Jo Herbert, over on the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook blog, gives a run down - [Amazon Launch 70% Royalty Option on Upgraded Kindle Platform](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-launch-70-royalty-option-on-upgraded-kindle-platform/) - Some weeks ago Amazon announced that it was introducing a 70% royalty option for authors on their Kindle Digital Platform. What I had not noted back then was the fact that this option will only be available to US-based authors and on book sales within this territory. Today, Amazon announced that the 70% royalty option - [POD INDEX – JULY 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-index-july-2010/) - This is our first month on month POD INDEX of author solutions services. Further analysis will come later this week. (click image and zoom for clarity) The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Amazon Start Taking Pre-orders on New Kindle DX](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-start-taking-pre-orders-on-new-kindle-dx/) - Amazon will begin shipping the newest generation of the Kindle DX on July 7th, but the device is available for pre-order from today. The latest Kindle DX will also be available at a new lower price of $379, down from $489, and with free 3G wireless. The new Kindle DX features a new graphite casing - [Smashwords and Wattpad Form Integrated Partnership](https://independentpublishing.com/smashwords-and-wattpad-form-integrated-partnership/) - Smashwords, an ebook publishing and distribution platform, has announced an integrated and cross-promotional partnership with Wattpad, an online ebook community. The partnership will allow Smashwords users to promote their ebooks through Wattpad and Wattpad users will now be able to sell their completed ebooks through Smashwords distribution channels. Overall, this seems a natural partnership with - [Taking Stock and The Realities of the Dreaded Burnout](https://independentpublishing.com/taking-stock-and-the-realities-of-the-dreaded-burnout/) - In the past few days I’ve spent some time personally taking stock of things and some quality time-out. Running this site takes an extraordinary amount of effort and time, so much so, my work days now stretch to 18 or 19 hours just to barely pay the bills. Much of the work is in the - [Borders Group US Open e-Bookstore](https://independentpublishing.com/borders-group-us-open-e-bookstore/) - This morning Borders Group USA opened the proverbial electronic doors on its new e-bookstore, entering a highly competitive market with rivals Barnes & Noble e-bookstore, the Amazon Kindle store and Apple’s iBookstore. The Borders e-bookstore is set to offer 1.5 million titles, including some free books, with Borders Inc. president, Mike Edwards, saying he hoped - [HarperCollins Partner with NetGalley For ARC Delivery](https://independentpublishing.com/harpercollins-partner-with-netgalley-for-arc-delivery/) - HarperCollins announced a partnership with NetGalley yesterday that will see the digital book galley service deliver ARC’s (Advance Review Copies) and digital promotional materials on the publisher’s behalf. This is certainly a welcome development, not just because of delivery streamlining, cost savings and environmental benefits, but again, because it demonstrates that there are large publishers - [The Philosophy and Vision of a Writer and Publisher](https://independentpublishing.com/the-philosophy-and-vision-of-a-writer-and-publisher/) - Alessandro Gallenzi is MD at independent publishers Alma and Oneworld Classics and The Bookseller this morning ran a piece on the London-based literary press securing a global sales and distribution deal with Bloomsbury. I am delighted for Alma and Oneworld Classics. My bookshelves are filled with titles from the old John Calder catalogue, and the - [The Philosophy and Vision of a Self-Published Writer](https://independentpublishing.com/the-philosophy-and-vision-of-a-self-published-writer/) - Those who follow some of the self-published authors we mention on these pages may like to read this terrific interview on Christopher Herz, author of The Last Block in Harlem. The interview features on Urban Reviews. “For me, each word I write, each book I’m going to put out, is a continuation of a long tradition. I am honored - [Teleread Interview: From Harlequin to Self-Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/teleread-interview-from-harlequin-to-self-publishing/) - There is an interview today on Teleread by Chris Walters about traditionally published romance author Donna Fasano, who for years was published by Harlequin, and in December 2009 decided to turn to self-publishing with the Amazon Kindle store and CreateSpace. You can read all the interview here. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [The Faber Academy](https://independentpublishing.com/the-faber-academy/) - One of the more progressive independent publishers in the UK is Faber & Faber. In October 2008 they launched a programme called The Faber Academy – a series of creative writing courses and live events lasting from just one day to six months. “Committed to innovation, the Faber Academy’s programme has an international as well - [The Shack: Where Did it All Go Wrong?](https://independentpublishing.com/the-shack-where-did-it-all-go-wrong/) - Sarah Weinman writes in today’s Los Angeles Times about how one of the most successful self-published books, William P. Young’s The Shack, is now the subject of law suits and counter suits between the author and his two original supporters, pastors Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings. “For nearly eight months, the trio have been mired - [Salt Publishing Relaunch ‘Just One More Book’ to Stay Afloat](https://independentpublishing.com/salt-publishing-relaunch-just-one-more-book-to-stay-afloat/) - The publishing director of Salt Publishing in the UK has today told The Bookseller that following the first half year sales performance, the company is now operating with ‘less than one week’s cash left’ and they have been forced to revive their ‘Just One Book’ campaign. The “Just One More Book” campaign launched this week, - [Has PublishAmerica Lost the Plot?](https://independentpublishing.com/has-publishamerica-lost-the-plot/) - I have seen some crazy things in my time when reviewing author solutions services, but the current antics and communications flowing from the never-never land of PublishAmerica (PBA 135.74) really tops the lot. The following two emails were sent to PublishAmerica authors over the past few days. First email: “Dear author:Sometimes a book deserves a new - [AAP Report on May Hardback and e-Book Sales: Are These the Kingpins of the Publishing Future?](https://independentpublishing.com/aap-report-on-may-hardback-and-e-book-sales-are-these-the-kingpins-of-the-publishing-future/) - The Association of American Publishers has just released net sales figures for the month of May 2010. From their press release: New York, NY, July 14, 2010— Publishers’ book sales tracked by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) for the month of May increased by 9.8% percent on the prior year to $715.3 million and - [Dear Publisher, did you see my tweet?](https://independentpublishing.com/dear-publisher-did-you-see-my-tweet/) - The strength of Twitter as a focus network has really started to come into its own this week in the general publishing and writing worlds. Yesterday, FutureBook, a digital blog association with The Bookseller, explained the significance of the Twitter hashtag, #dearpublisher, which has now seen the emergence of further hashtags like #dearbookseller, #dearauthor and #dearreader. - [Community or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/community-or-be-damned/) - One of the biggest challenges facing authors is finding a suitable channel or platform to present their work. For self-published authors, the challenge is even greater without the support of a marketing engine and sales distributor that comes with a commercial publisher. While self-publishing still has its stigmas and detractors, digitalization in the print and - [The New Yorker’s Book Bench pick up on Leo Hunter news story](https://independentpublishing.com/the-new-yorkers-book-bench-pick-up-on-leo-hunter-news-story/) - The New Yorker’s ‘Book Bench’ has now picked up on the Leo Hunter, age 6, 23 book deal story this morning by including a brief news snippet, but instead, linking to the Galleycat report on Friday, which was at least one of the few to go back and revise their original report. But you would - [iPad Launches in Ireland with…Beer Droop](https://independentpublishing.com/ipad-launches-in-ireland-with-beer-droop/) - Ok, so this Friday, the Apple iPad becomes available to purchase directly by Irish customers along with eight other countries. This is Apple’s main page in Ireland. Thanks, Steve, we’re chuffed, for the launch in Ireland, and the flaccid penis it is after a night on the beer. Hip-hip…I can’t be bothered – April seems so long - [Kindle e-Books Outstrip Hardback Sales](https://independentpublishing.com/kindle-e-books-outstrip-hardback-sales/) - Amazon reported yesterday that sales of Kindle e-books has outstripped hardback books for the first time. From the press release: Millions of people are already reading on Kindles and Kindle is the #1 bestselling item on Amazon.com for two years running. It’s also the most-wished-for, most-gifted, and has the most 5-star reviews of any product - [Digital Book World Asks What We Know (and Don’t Know) About Google Editions](https://independentpublishing.com/digital-book-world-asks-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-google-editions/) - Eric Freese is a Solutions Architect with Aptara, which provides digital publishing solutions, and today he has written a piece for Digital Book World called, Google Editions: What We Know (and Don’t Know). The Google Editions ‘cloud bookstore’ will launch this summer and Freese looks at how Google Editions will work for authors, publishers and the - [CNET’s David Carnoy Looks Beneath The Amazon Numbers](https://independentpublishing.com/cnets-david-carnoy-looks-beneath-the-amazon-numbers/) - David Carnoy on CNET Reviews has some pretty sharp analysis on Amazon’s announcement this week that e-books were now outstripping hardback sales. His piece yesterday called What Amazon didn’t say about e-books questions what might really be case if Amazon actually revealed gross revenue figures behind e-books and hardbacks. “I’d like to see gross revenue from - [Wylie Agency Circumvent Publishers on e-Books with Odyssey Editions (Updated)](https://independentpublishing.com/wylie-agency-circumvent-publishers-on-e-books-with-odyssey-editions-updated/) - The Wylie Agency has launched an e-book imprint, Odyssey Editions, which will initially publish twenty titles of literature’s most influential authors exclusively through Amazon’s Kindle Store. This is potentially one of the most significant pieces of news this year in the publishing world, and perhaps for some time to come if Wylie continues to expand and - [Gollancz Sign Self-Published Author Kit Berry](https://independentpublishing.com/gollancz-sign-self-published-author-kit-berry/) - One of the many criticisms laid at the door of mainstream publishers is that they do not sign new authors, unknown authors or self-published authors. This simply is not not true and a peruse through Publishers Weekly, The Bookseller or Publishers Marketplace will reveal that this happens regularly and the list of published books, week - [Gloves Off in Wylie Agency Row](https://independentpublishing.com/gloves-off-in-wylie-agency-row/) - I said this morning that the announcement by the Wylie Agency to circumvent publishers and use the Amazon Kindle Store to publish e-books by their leading list of authors and the author estates they represent was highly significant. I said it may be the most important publishing news to happen this year. This evening, I’ll - [Bowker Launch Curious Manuscript Submission Service for Trade and Self-Publishers (Updated)](https://independentpublishing.com/bowker-launch-curious-manuscript-submission-service-for-trade-and-self-publishers-updated/) - On a day that was certainly significant, and just when I was about to pull the shutters down, Christy Pinheiro over on Publishing Maven explained and blogged on a curious email she received from RR Bowker about their new program for publishers. It is called Bowker Manuscript Submission. Why Bowker Manuscript Submissions was created? BowkerManuscriptSubmissions.com - [Irish Distributor CMD Booksource to Close in September (Updated)](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-distributor-cmd-booksource-to-close-in-september-updated/) - (Booksource’s base in Scotland) Yesterday Irish Publishing News revealed that Irish books distributor CMD Booksource is to close its Irish operation from September 30th. This is a big blow for quite a number of publishers in Ireland, including UCD Press, Columba Press, Liberties Press and Mercier Press. CMD Booksource opened in Ireland in 2009 and is owned by - [NPD Group: PC Game Digital Downloads Reaching Parity With In-Store Purchases](https://independentpublishing.com/npd-group-pc-game-digital-downloads-reaching-parity-with-in-store-purchases/) - I don’t normally cover the software games market here, but I thought this piece over on Joystiq.com quoting a press release from market research company , The NPD Group, was interesting. While US based, it does give us an insight on the PC gaming market, and that sales parity between physical and digital distribution channels - [HarperCollins CEO Condemns Wylie Agency](https://independentpublishing.com/harpercollins-ceo-condemns-wylie-agency/) - The Bookseller is reporting this morning that HarperCollins is the latest large publishing house to voice its opposition to moves by the Wylie Agency to lauch a digital publishing imprint. The Bookseller piece quotes HarperCollins CEO, Victoria Barnsley: “HC will vigorously protect its rights and our authors’ interests by ensuring their work gets to the broadest possible audience. - [The Authors Guild Enters the Ring on Wylie Agency](https://independentpublishing.com/the-authors-guild-enters-the-ring-on-wylie-agency/) - The US Authors Guild has responded for the first time on the moves by the Wylie Agency to launch a digital publishing imprint and strike an exclusive deal with Amazon. In the statement released this morning, The Authors Guild say that publishers have brought the current situation on themselves and are ‘governed by old publishing - [Larsson Enters the ‘Kindle Million Club’](https://independentpublishing.com/larsson-enters-the-kindle-million-club/) - Stieg Larsson has become the first author ever to sell over one million Kindle e-books. In a press release today, Amazon declared Larsson, author of the bestselling Millennium Trilogy, the first member of the ‘Kindle Million Club’. The Swedish author died of a massive heart attack in 2004 and really only achieved his literary success after his - [David Carnoy of CNET on Self-Publishing an eBook](https://independentpublishing.com/david-carnoy-of-cnet-on-self-publishing-an-ebook/) - David Carnoy of CNET has a great ‘in a nutshell’ piece about all the channels you can choose to use if you are self-publishing your e-book. Well worth the read and the most information on self-publishing I have seen gathered together in one place. “The whole e-book market is rapidly evolving and a lot of - [Man Booker 2010 Longlist Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/man-booker-2010-longlist-announced/) - The judges for the 2010 Man Booker Prize for Fiction announced a longlist of thirteen books this morning to contest Britain’s leading literary prize worth £50,000. A total of 138 books were considered for the longlist. “Here are thirteen exceptional novels – books we have chosen for their intrinsic quality, without reference to the past - [GalleyCat: Jeremy Robinson Interview](https://independentpublishing.com/galleycat-jeremy-robinson-interview/) - I have mentioned successful self-published author Jeremy Robinson a number of times. GalleyCat today have an interview with him. The author of The Didymus Contingency talks about self-publishing, audio books, podcasting, getting picked up by the Trident Media Agency, and landing a major publishing deal with Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press. Interesting, - [Levi Asher on Andrew Wylie, ‘The Jackal’](https://independentpublishing.com/levi-asher-on-andrew-wylie-the-jackal/) - Today’s article by Levi Asher over on Literary Kicks takes a more considered view of Andrew Wylie’s launch of Odyssey Editions. Indeed, the article’s title, Appreciating Andrew Wylie, Evil Bohemian Jackal, reflects Asher’s ability to grasp the wider picture here, and he has not indulged in some of the more over-the-top comments seen this past - [Amazon Unveil Sleaker and Cheaper Kindle](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-unveil-sleaker-and-cheaper-kindle/) - Today Amazon announced the release of the newest generation of devices to the Kindle ereader family. The new Kindle is thinner and comes with improved screen contrast and double the storage space of its predecessor. The latest WiFi model will retail at $139 and all new generation devices should be ready to ship from August 27th. The Kindle - [Wylie Ups The Ante](https://independentpublishing.com/wylie-ups-the-ante/) - Literary agent Andrew Wylie has threatened to up the ante in his negotiations with top publishing houses over the past nine months. Wylie made the latest comments to the Financial Times in an interview this week. Wylie has threatened to expand Odyssey Editions, their new digital imprint, which is publishing the back catalogue e-book editions - [Callio Press (BookForce UK/Discovered Authors) – Reviewed (Updated May 2011)](https://independentpublishing.com/callio-press-bookforce-ukdiscovered-authors-reviewed-updated-may-2011/) - 0 Discovered Authors (now Callio Press) is a UK publisher and provider of author solutions services since 2005. I have been aware of them for the past three to four years. The company was one of the earliest UK author solution services I took a look at, but consistently, I have had to put off reviewing - [No August POD Index](https://independentpublishing.com/no-august-pod-index/) - I am not going to post an updated POD Index for August having looked at the latest stats which show very little change from July. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Connecticut AG Investigates Amazon and Apple](https://independentpublishing.com/connecticut-ag-investigates-amazon-and-apple/) - Connecticut Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal, announced an investigation into the contracts Amazon and Apple have with US publishers, citing that both companies may have an unfair advantage in the retail e-book market. On Monday, Blumenthal wrote to Amazon and Apple and requested a meeting with their attorneys to discuss the deals they had struck with five - [Barnes & Noble for Sale?](https://independentpublishing.com/barnes-noble-for-sale/) - US book retailer Barnes & Noble has yet to officially confirm that company founder and main shareholder Leonard Riggio is contemplating a bid for the whole company with a large investment group. The news reported by Reuters this morning may lead to other interested parties, including billionaire Ron Burkle. Share prices for the company rose - [Coffee. Publishing. Stealth. Guest blog by Malcolm Thomson | Slush Pile Reader the blog](https://independentpublishing.com/coffee-publishing-stealth-guest-blog-by-malcolm-thomson-slush-pile-reader-the-blog/) - Author Malcom Thomson discusses Coffee, stealth, Slush Pile Reader and the other self-publishing site… Coffee. Publishing. Stealth. Guest blog by Malcolm Thomson | Slush Pile Reader the blog The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Dorchester Publishing Goes All Digital](https://independentpublishing.com/dorchester-publishing-goes-all-digital/) - I was away yesterday and only picked up on the news that independent publisher Dorchester Publishing is to switch its entire business model to e-books and print on demand (for select titles). Dorchester was a publisher of mass market paperbacks, particularly romance and thriller novels. Dorchester will continue to publish and have books printed traditionally - [Some Words of Advice to Dorchester Authors | www.publetariat.com](https://independentpublishing.com/some-words-of-advice-to-dorchester-authors-www-publetariat-com/) - Some Words of Advice to Dorchester Authors www.publetariat.com The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Indiana Attorney General Investigates New Century Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/indiana-attorney-general-investigates-new-century-publishing/) - Indiana Attorney General Investigates New Century Publishing The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Maverick House Follow Harlequin and Thomas Nelson with Book Republic Imprint](https://independentpublishing.com/maverick-house-follow-harlequin-and-thomas-nelson-with-book-republic-imprint/) - Irish publisher Maverick House look set to follow in the footsteps of US publishers Harlequin, Thomas Nelson and Hay House with the launch of what they describe as a ’boutique’ imprint, Book Republic. The new imprint will specialize in short print runs and limited editions for fiction and non fiction titles. While Maverick House will - [Plastic Logic Go Back to the Drawing Board](https://independentpublishing.com/plastic-logic-go-back-to-the-drawing-board/) - As long as I have been running this site, I’ve followed the ‘long awaited’ launch of British company Plastic Logic and the promised launch of their e-reader device, the QUE. The news this week via, The Bookseller, is that Plastic Logic have abandoned plans to launch the QUE. According to The Bookseller piece this morning, - [Confusion, Backtracking at Dorchester After ‘All Digital’ Headlines](https://independentpublishing.com/confusion-backtracking-at-dorchester-after-all-digital-headlines/) - Confusion, Backtracking at Dorchester After ‘All Digital’ Headlines The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [ReadWriteWeb: 5 Ways e-Books are Better than Paper Books](https://independentpublishing.com/readwriteweb-5-ways-e-books-are-better-than-paper-books/) - Article The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [The printed book’s path to oblivion – The Shatzkin Files](https://independentpublishing.com/the-printed-books-path-to-oblivion-the-shatzkin-files/) - The printed book’s path to oblivion – The Shatzkin Files The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [PODTV – Program 11: The Future of Books](https://independentpublishing.com/podtv-program-11-the-future-of-books/) - A short film I came across last year and included in the PODTV series. The film was made by Francis Grosjean called ‘Possible ou Probable’ looking at the future of books through the crystal ball into a world where the ebook merges with the physical book. Leave it to the sophisticated French! I thought it appropriate - [BBC Radio 2: Jeremy Vine on Self Publishing with Grosvenor House Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/bbc-radio-2-jeremy-vine-on-self-publishing-with-grosvenor-house-publishing/) - I was only alerted to this BBC Radio 2 midday programme via literary agent Jane Smith’s How Publishing Really Works blog. The programme was presented by Jeremy Vine and featured several self-published authors and Kim Cross, MD of Grosvenor House Publishing (POD Index – 244.16), a UK author solutions service. You can listen to the broadcast - [Review of BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine on Self-Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/review-of-bbc-radio-2s-jeremy-vine-on-self-publishing/) - Last week BBC Radio 2’s midday programme, presented by Jeremy Vine, discussed self-publishing in the UK. The programme featured Kim Cross, MD of Grosvenor House Publishing (POD Index – 244.16), a UK author solutions service, and Simon Crump, a mainstream published author, as well as a host of phone callers. Crump was one of the few lone voices not in support of - [Self-Publishing Review | Blog | Publish With Lightning Source](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-review-blog-publish-with-lightning-source/) - Self-Publishing Review | Blog | Publish With Lightning Source The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Penguin UK Opens its Doors to Unsolicited Manuscripts by Email For Limited Period](https://independentpublishing.com/penguin-uk-opens-its-doors-to-unsolicited-manuscripts-by-email-for-limited-period/) - In an unusual move for a large mainstream publishing house, Penguin UK is now open to accepting unsolicited manuscript submissions from authors for a limited time period (October 2010). The submissions most only come through to Penguin’s editorial offices by email. Details from Penguin UK below: People frequently ask us how to go about getting - [PW Article – Self-publishing: Changing Model, Getting Respect](https://independentpublishing.com/pw-article-self-publishing-changing-model-getting-respect/) - This is quiet a weighty piece in yesterdays Publishers Weekly by Ann Byle on the new models of self-publishing. Alas, we appear to have a new phrase to describe self-publish – ‘custom publishing’. “Self-publishing was once the uninvited guest at the publishing table. But as technology advances and authors develop marketing savvy, first-time and even - [Program Announced for International Supply Chain Seminar at the Frankfurt Book Fair](https://independentpublishing.com/program-announced-for-international-supply-chain-seminar-at-the-frankfurt-book-fair/) - Program Announced for International Supply Chain Seminar at the Frankfurt Book Fair The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [iNew York Times/i Bestseller Seth Godin to No Longer Publish Books Traditionally](https://independentpublishing.com/inew-york-timesi-bestseller-seth-godin-to-no-longer-publish-books-traditionally/) - Another sign of the times… iNew York Times/i Bestseller Seth Godin to No Longer Publish Books Traditionally The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [TOC Evolvers: OR Books – Tools of Change for Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/toc-evolvers-or-books-tools-of-change-for-publishing/) - Kat Meyer interviews John Oakes of OR Books on O’Reilly TOC. This is a successful new independent publisher I took a look at early last year. TOC Evolvers: OR Books – Tools of Change for Publishing The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [PW Select: A Quarterly Service for Self-Published Authors to Launch in December](https://independentpublishing.com/pw-select-a-quarterly-service-for-self-published-authors-to-launch-in-december/) - Publishers Weekly will launch a quarterly magazine in December focusing on announcements and reviews of self-published titles. However, listed self-published titles will come at a fee of $149 to the author and reviews will only be on selected titles. The New PW Select: A Quarterly Service for the Self-Published The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM - [Tim Waterstone To Discuss The Future Of Books In Dun Laoghaire](https://independentpublishing.com/tim-waterstone-to-discuss-the-future-of-books-in-dun-laoghaire/) - Tim Waterstone To Discuss The Future Of Books In Dun Laoghaire The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Bowker Release Book Consumer Trends Report 2009](https://independentpublishing.com/bowker-release-book-consumer-trends-report-2009/) - Bowker release book consumer trends report for 2009. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Writer Beware!: PW Select: Opportunity or Exploitation?](https://independentpublishing.com/writer-beware-pw-select-opportunity-or-exploitation/) - Victoria Strauss has written a lengthy piece on authors paying for their book to be reviewed with a primary focus on Publishers Weekly‘s new paid review service PW Select. There are also some extensive comments to her piece. Writer Beware� Blogs!: PW Select: Opportunity or Exploitation? Related articles by Zemanta Jodi Picoult attacks favouritism towards - [Leo Hunter, 6, lands a mega deal for 23 books – mirror.co.uk!?](https://independentpublishing.com/leo-hunter-6-lands-a-mega-deal-for-23-books-mirror-co-uk/) - What started out as a literary heart-warming story when the UK Mirror newspaper ran with this, turned into a ‘Yikes’ story when I discovered the US publisher was Strategic Book Publishing…….ahem!! Why don’t journalist do some research before running with a story like this? A lot more about Strategic Book Publishing on the AbsoluteWrite link - [Me and My Best Friend: When Publishing Goes Bad](https://independentpublishing.com/me-and-my-best-friend-when-publishing-goes-bad/) - For me, there has only been one story in publishing over the past few days, and it is this one, about Leo Hunter, six years of age, signing a 23 book deal with a US publisher. I didn’t get the chance to dig deep enough when the story first broke (supposedly) when I posted about - [Feis Teamhra | A Turn at Tara](https://independentpublishing.com/feis-teamhra-a-turn-at-tara/) - “The third Féis Téamhra: A Turn at Tara, featuring performances by internationally-recognized Irish poets and musicians, will be held between 3 and 5 o’clock on August 29 2010 on the Hill of Tara. Those taking part include Aidan Brennan, Seamus Heaney, Laoise Kelly, Michael Longley, Susan McKeown, Paul Muldoon and Colm Toibín.” Poetry Ireland Guest - [Boyd Morrison Article in The Huffington Post on Whether to Self-Publish or Not](https://independentpublishing.com/boyd-morrison-article-in-the-huffington-post-on-whether-to-self-publish-or-not/) - Boyd Morrison writes in The Huffington Post on whether an author should choose to self-publish…and into the bargain the Huffington Post is using the title of my book!! Great timing Huff! The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Author Solutions to Introduce Author Educational Services with New Appointment](https://independentpublishing.com/author-solutions-to-introduce-author-educational-services-with-new-appointment/) - Author Solutions last week appointed Suzette Conway as Director of Author Education and will be tasked with developing programs and courses to help educate aspiring authors. Note here and the press release below that it does not mention writers, but ‘aspiring authors’. I am already thinking of the old saying – you need to learn - [September POD Index](https://independentpublishing.com/september-pod-index/) - Just a couple of days ahead of time – September’s POD Index. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [PW: Lamb Aiming For a New Vantage Point](https://independentpublishing.com/pw-lamb-aiming-for-a-new-vantage-point/) - Jim Milliot of Publishers Weekly (print edition) talks to David Lamb, owner of Vantage Press (POD Index, 230.65), one of the oldest vanity presses in the USA, about the company’s plans next spring to launch Vantage Point, a no-fee imprint for mid-list authors. Back in its heyday, Vantage Press ruled the self-publishing (then known as vanity - [Apex acquires Daffy book for cricket fans | theBookseller.com](https://independentpublishing.com/apex-acquires-daffy-book-for-cricket-fans-thebookseller-com/) - Apex Publishing (POD Index 198.08), a traditional and partnership publishing service, has acquired world rights to the autobiography of England cricketer Phillip DeFreitas. (source via, The Bookseller) “Apex Publishing has acquired world rights to the autobiography of former England cricketer Phillip ‘Daffy’ DeFreitas.The deal was done through ghost writer Derek Clements and DeFreitas’ agents Champions UK - [A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing: Journey of the Late Adopter](https://independentpublishing.com/a-newbies-guide-to-publishing-journey-of-the-late-adopter/) - JA Konrath chronicles the daily rise of ereaders and ebooks. A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing: Journey of the Late Adopter The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [GUEST BLOG | Using Social Media Sites for Self Promotion](https://independentpublishing.com/guest-blog-using-social-media-sites-for-self-promotion/) - The rise of social media sites, such as Facebook and Digg, has presented publishers with an opportunity for self promotion that has never been seen before. Due to the popularity of social media sites, publishers have a huge group of people to promote their sites to. Using social media sites to promote blogs and websites - [Fastpencil Launch Premiere Imprint for Best-Selling Authors and Self-Publishers](https://independentpublishing.com/fastpencil-launch-premiere-imprint-for-best-selling-authors-and-self-publishers/) - Fastpencil, an ebook distributor and publishing services provider, has launched a premium imprint aimed at established best-selling authors with sales of over 100,000 copies, and self-published authors with sales of over 10,000 copies. From the dedicated site for the new imprint the following: WHO IS PREMIERE FOR? Best-Sellers FastPencil PREMIERE helps best-selling authors get their - [BBC Radio Oxford | The Write Lines | Sunday 9pm](https://independentpublishing.com/bbc-radio-oxford-the-write-lines-sunday-9pm/) - A reminder that the excellent BBC Radio Oxford series, The Write Lines, a broadcast aimed at aspiring writers and presented by Sue Cook, returns to the airwaves this weekend. You can catch up with the broadcast of the first in a new series on Sunday evening at 9pm BST. This weeks program features guests, Scott - [Finally, someone admits what the Print on Demand business model really is � Behler Blog](https://independentpublishing.com/finally-someone-admits-what-the-print-on-demand-business-model-really-is-behler-blog/) - “Personally, I’d rather know that my book would actually have distribution, marketing, and promotion rather than making sure I felt good about myself. Will the fact that I can call my publisher at home get me readers? Will it get my books on the shelves? I think not. Mr. Rozansky is trying to advocate a - [Man Booker Prize 2010 Shortlist Announced](https://independentpublishing.com/man-booker-prize-2010-shortlist-announced/) - From the Man Booker press release: Peter Carey, Emma Donoghue, Damon Galgut, Howard Jacobson, Andrea Levy and Tom McCarthy are today, Tuesday 7 September, announced as the six shortlisted authors for the 2010 Man Booker Prize for Fiction. For over four decades the prize – the leading literary award in the English speaking world – has - [OR Books | Program or be Programmed: Ten Commands for Digital Age, by Douglas Rushkoff](https://independentpublishing.com/or-books-program-or-be-programmed-ten-commands-for-digital-age-by-douglas-rushkoff/) - OR Books | Program or be Programmed: Ten Commands for Digital Age, by Douglas Rushkoff OR Books latest offering: Program or be Programmed TEN COMMANDS FOR A DIGITAL AGE Douglas Rushkoff With illustrations by Leland Purvis The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Mountains to Sea Literary Festival | Sept 7th – 12th | Dun Laoghaire, Dublin](https://independentpublishing.com/mountains-to-sea-literary-festival-sept-7th-12th-dun-laoghaire-dublin/) - The Mountains to Sea Literary Festival takes place all this week (7th to 12th Sept) in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. A full schedule of events can be found here, where you can also download an event brochure. The official site for the Mountains to Sea Literary Festival features further details and news. From the website: For the - [Beyond Here There Be Dragons | Bait ‘n’ Beer](https://independentpublishing.com/beyond-here-there-be-dragons-bait-n-beer/) - Beyond Here There Be Dragons | Bait ‘n’ Beer: I contemplated getting into a discussion in the past week about POD as a business model and the way it is used by self-publishing authors, POD publishers, and the wider publishing world (though many of them are uncomfortable admitting they use it for niche titles, ARC’s - [An interview with self-publishing author Patricia Ryan | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home](https://independentpublishing.com/an-interview-with-self-publishing-author-patricia-ryan-teleread-bring-the-e-books-home/) - Teleread today has an interview with self-published author Patricia Ryan. An interview with self-publishing author Patricia Ryan | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home Related articles by Zemanta Established authors and the self-publishing backlist: an interview with Patricia Ryan, part 1 (teleread.com) How to Self-Publish Your Book | How to Self-Publish Your Book the … (howtoselfpublishyourbook.com) - [Mountains to Sea Festival 2010 | Readers, Writers and the Digital Revolution](https://independentpublishing.com/mountains-to-sea-festival-2010-readers-writers-and-the-digital-revolution/) - I have attended a few of the events this week in the Mountains to Sea Book Festival, but this forum discussion will be the highlight on Sunday – Readers, Writers and the Digital Revolution. The preview from the official Mountains to Sea Book Festival site: Recently, Jeff Bezos reported that Amazon now sells more e-books - [Pearls of Wisdom | Maya Reynolds: Five Years Later](https://independentpublishing.com/pearls-of-wisdom-maya-reynolds-five-years-later/) - This is an absolute gem of a piece today from author Maya Reynolds – pearls of wisdom for any aspiring author. Go read it! Maya Reynolds: Five Years Later The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Wattpad and Shelf Unbound Writing Competition for Self-Published Authors](https://independentpublishing.com/wattpad-and-shelf-unbound-writing-competition-for-self-published-authors/) - Wattpad and Shelf Unbound Book review Magazine have teamed up for a self-published author writing competition. From the press release: Wattpad, the world’s most popular eBook community, and Shelf Unbound indie book review magazine announce the launch of the Wattpad + Shelf Unbound Writing Competition for self-published authors. The competition is open to any self-published writer - [Ebooks: the future is now – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)](https://independentpublishing.com/ebooks-the-future-is-now-abc-news-australian-broadcasting-corporation/) - Ebooks: the future is now – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) A fascinating ABC News feature on e-books and the future of books and some really sharp insights on the challenges facing the publishing industry over the coming year, particularly those of senior editor at TOR, Patrick Nielsen-Hayden. Related articles by Zemanta Close, But No - [Hachette UK to set e-book prices from Monday | theBookseller.com](https://independentpublishing.com/hachette-uk-to-set-e-book-prices-from-monday-thebookseller-com/) - Hachette UK to set e-book prices from Monday | theBookseller.com “Hachette UK will begin setting e-book prices on retailers’ websites from Monday after indicating this week that it will move to agency terms with every “reseller, including Amazon and Apple” from 20th September.” Related articles by Zemanta Connecticut AG probes Apple, Amazon over e-books (financialpost.com) - [CBC News – Technology & Science – E-books: A new chapter begins](https://independentpublishing.com/cbc-news-technology-science-e-books-a-new-chapter-begins/) - CBC News – Technology & Science – E-books: A new chapter begins Kobo CEO, Michael Serbinis, suggests in the above CBC News article that publishers should release books in digital format first to test the market before printing them. I’m inclined to agree, and I often give the same advice to authors starting out on - [Macmillan to Move Some Fulfillment to Ingram | PW](https://independentpublishing.com/macmillan-to-move-some-fulfillment-to-ingram-pw/) - Macmillan to Move Some Fulfillment to Ingram Looking to lessen costs associated with its traditional print business, Macmillan has reached an agreement with the Ingram Content Group under which Macmillan will use Ingram’s print on demand and physical distribution infrastructure to manage its traditional inventory and POD needs for “long tail” titles. Macmillan will continue - [Amazon Announce 2011 AmazonCrossing Titles](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-announce-2011-amazoncrossing-titles/) - Amazon today announced further titles for 2011 from its AmazonCrossing translation imprint. From the press release: Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced that AmazonCrossing will publish six new books this spring, never before available in the English language: “The Hangman’s Daughter” by Oliver Pötzsch; “No Reserve: The Limit of Absolute Power” by Martín Redrado; “Old - [Ingram to Open POD Facility in Australia](https://independentpublishing.com/ingram-to-open-pod-facility-in-australia/) - Ingram to Open POD Facility in Australia Ingram Content Group announced plans to open a networked Lightning Source print-on-demand book production facility in Australia. The new Australian POD facility will manufacture both paperback and hardcover black and white interior books and should begin operation in June 2011. Related articles by Zemanta Ingram Content Group Expands - [Not Your Father’s Ingram | Publishers Weekly](https://independentpublishing.com/not-your-fathers-ingram-publishers-weekly/) - | Skip Prichard, president and CEO of the Ingram Content Group, talks with Publishers Weekly this morning about the expanded moves from print to digital services. Ingram has long been thought of as the book industry’s quintessential middleman, distributing publishers’ books and other products to thousands of accounts. But over the past five to 10 - [Harrington To Launch New Children’s Imprint | Irish Publishing News](https://independentpublishing.com/harrington-to-launch-new-childrens-imprint-irish-publishing-news/) - Harrington To Launch New Children’s Imprint Jean Harrington, Managing Director at Maverick House and President of Publishing Ireland is to launch a new Children’s imprint, Páistí Press. via, Irish Publishing News. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Four More For Encore](https://independentpublishing.com/four-more-for-encore/) - It’s four more for the AmazonEncore imprint… Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced that AmazonEncore will introduce eight exceptional new books this spring. The list features compelling works of fiction including “Catcher, Caught” by Sarah Collins Honenberger; “Stalina” by Emily Rubin; “The Summer Son” by Craig Lancaster; “Regarding Ducks and Universes” by Neve Maslakovic; “Faking - [10 Things to Consider Before Self-Publishing | Cross-post via Liberal Arts Colleges](https://independentpublishing.com/10-things-to-consider-before-self-publishing-cross-post-via-liberal-arts-colleges/) - This is a cross-posting from Liberal Arts Colleges’ blog, written by Carol Vertz. Self-publishing enables the writer to control every aspect of the creation and promotion of their book. It’s an appealing option for creative people who have the confidence and time to undertake such a large task. But most writers enter the process not - [Nobel Prize for Literature 2010?](https://independentpublishing.com/nobel-prize-for-literature-2010/) - With October approaching, predicting the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature is never an easy one. We’ll know over the coming two to three weeks. But the Swedish Academy are a very quirky bunch, and that’s why I believe the Nobel Prize for Literature is the highest accolade that can be bestowed on any - [Rushkoff Goes Independent with OR Books](https://independentpublishing.com/rushkoff-goes-independent-with-or-books/) - Best-selling author Douglas Rushkoff moves to Independent POD publisher, OR Books, and explains why in this self-written article in Arthur Magazine. Contrary to some blog post I’ve seen on the Internet, Rushkoff is not ‘self-publishing’, but has simply chosen an alternative publishing model to the tradition path. I broadly agree with where Rushkoff is coming from - [Authorlink Chief Editor Hits Out at Agency Model](https://independentpublishing.com/authorlink-chief-editor-hits-out-at-agency-model/) - Doris Booth, Editor-in-Chief of Authorlink, an award-winning online news, information, and marketing service for editors, agents, producers, writers, and readers, has hit out at the Agency Model introduced by publishers this year in an opinion article entitled, ‘Publishers’ Agency Model Punishes Mid-List Authors’. In the strongly worded article, which appeared yesterday, Booth says the Agency Model ‘was - [POD INDEX – OCT 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-index-oct-2010/) - October is the first month that Lightning Source has been knocked off the top spot. A surge in titles being published through CreateSpace and continued strong email feedback has led to their jump from the number 4 spot on the index. Other notable surprise mover on the up is Xlibris, up ten places, again based - [Self-Publishing Book Expo, New York | Bookmakingblog](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-book-expo-new-york-bookmakingblog/) - Michael N. Marcus has written a great review on his Bookmakingblog of Saturday’s Self-Publishing Book Expo which took place at the Sheraton Hotel in New York. Related articles by Zemanta Self-Publishing Book Expo to be held in NYC on October 2 (teleread.com) The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Press Release | To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish](https://independentpublishing.com/press-release-to-self-publish-or-not-to-self-publish/) - PRESS RELEASE http://www.troubador.co.uk/To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish – Website To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish A Seriously Useful Author’s Guide Mick Rooney A fantastic new self-publishing resource for all authors that focuses on the two areas of self-publishing that self-help books tend to neglect: it asks the question ‘why are you self-publishing?’ and provides - [Lulu Launch Discount Manager](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-launch-discount-manager/) - Lulu (254.65) has launched ‘Discount Manager’, a new service allowing authors to set a discount on their books. The discount will come off the listed price of a book, but cannot be set below the minimun cost of the book set by Lulu. Authors should be aware that this is really just a tool to - [Mario Vargas Llosa Awarded 2010 Nobel Prize for Literature](https://independentpublishing.com/mario-vargas-llosa-awarded-2010-nobel-prize-for-literature/) - The Peruvian novelist and essayist Mario Vargas Llosa has been awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize for Literature. The Swedish Academy in their citation said that he had been awarded the prize: “for his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt, and defeat”. About Mario Vargas Llosa Vargas Llosa rose to - [CreateSpace and Library of Congress in POD Deal | PW](https://independentpublishing.com/createspace-and-library-of-congress-in-pod-deal-pw/) - CreateSpace and Library of Congress in POD Deal “Amazon’s CreateSpace division has struck a deal with the Library of Congress to make at least 50,000 public books available at Amazon.com. LOC also reached an agreement with Amazon Europe to make tens of thousands of books in the public domain available to customers at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, - [Ingram Content Group Sign Agreement with Springer](https://independentpublishing.com/ingram-content-group-sign-agreement-with-springer/) - The Ingram Content Group has signed an agreement with global scientific publisher, Springer, for their new integrated distribution service model. The signing of the deal follows a similar agreement Ingram made with Macmillan last month. From the Press Release: Ingram Content Group Inc. and Springer today announced a new integrated distribution services model that combines - [Amazon Kindle Singles Coming Soon to Kindle Store](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-kindle-singles-coming-soon-to-kindle-store/) - Amazon today announced that the digital ebook service, ‘Kindle Singles’ will be arriving to their retail platform soon. The novella-sized ebooks will have their own section in the Kindle Store and will be aimed at ebooks between 10,000 to 30,000 word length (30 to 90 pages approximately). From the Press Release: Less than 10,000 words or - [A Little Quiet of Late? | Administration Message For Visitors to POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/a-little-quiet-of-late-administration-message-for-visitors-to-pod-self-publishing-independent-publishing/) - Another last reminder, in case visitors here have been wondering why it is a little quieter than normal. Many of the daily news stories, links and feeds posted each day, have now been ported across to the Facebook page, where you are all very welcome, and can enjoy lively comments and opinions on publishing. I - [IndieReader Invites Essay Submissions for New Title](https://independentpublishing.com/indiereader-invites-essay-submissions-for-new-title/) - IndieReader is inviting contributions for a forthcoming book of essays entitled, “The Care & Feeding of Indie Authors: Writing, Sex and Ramen Noodles“. From Amy Elderman of Indie Reader: I wanted to give you the head’s up that the folks at IndieReader are compiling a book of essays (800-1000 words) by indie writers entitled, “The - [One Stop Self-Publishing Conference 2010 – Killiney, Dublin](https://independentpublishing.com/one-stop-self-publishing-conference-2010-killiney-dublin/) - I will be attending the first self-publishing conference to be held in Ireland this weekend – The One Stop Self-Publishing Conference at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney, Dublin, hosted by Eoin Purcell, editor of Irish Publish News, and Vanessa O’Loughlin of the Inkwell Writers’ Workshop will present a multitude of sessions and speakers on of - [Amazon Hit Out at Agency Model Pricing on eBooks](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-hit-out-at-agency-model-pricing-on-ebooks/) - Amazon UK has released its first official statement on the Agency Model agreement they signed up to with publishers. Amazon UK say that like the US Kindle market, sales of books by publishers operating the Agency Model have ‘slowed’, though once again, Amazon are short on actual figures and make no mention of the recent - [One Stop Self-Publishing Conference 2010 – Review to Come](https://independentpublishing.com/one-stop-self-publishing-conference-2010-review-to-come/) - Great day at the One Stop Self-Publishing Conference in Dublin. The highlights for me: AJ Healy‘s journey through self-publishing, Benji Bennett‘s deeply personal experience, and the wonderful, bubbly and positive Catherine Ryan Howard’s experience of social media and using CreateSpace to publish her book on working in Disney, Florida . Full review of event to - [Self-Publishing Successes – Tommy Storm by A. J. Healy](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-successes-tommy-storm-by-a-j-healy/) - (I’m re-posting this for those who attended the Onestop Self-Publishing Conference – AJ Healy was a guest speaker. This was a piece I did on AJ in September, 2009) Most people would not turn their back on picking up a regular pay cheque as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs, but then, Alan Healy is - [One Stop Self-Publishing Conference 2010 – Review (Part One)](https://independentpublishing.com/one-stop-self-publishing-conference-2010-review-part-one/) - The first One Stop Self-Publishing Conference was held in Ireland last Saturday at the beautiful Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, perched on Killiney Hill and overlooking the east coastline of County Dublin. Billed as ‘Everything you need to know to get your book into print professionally – in one day’, this was always going to be an - [Xlibris Launch Writing Coaches Service](https://independentpublishing.com/xlibris-launch-writing-coaches-service/) - Xlibris Publishing has launched Xlibris Writing Coaches – a new publishing service aimed at mentoring and aiding self-publishing authors through the creation of a manuscript from conception through to completion and book design. From the press release: This newly added publishing service will bring the author to a step-by-step process of creating a book from - [Novelist Dermot Bolger to Launch National Novel Writing Month at Irish Writers’ Centre](https://independentpublishing.com/novelist-dermot-bolger-to-launch-national-novel-writing-month-at-irish-writers-centre/) - From the Irish Writers’ Centre press office: The Irish Writers’ Centre is delighted to welcome award winning poet, playwright and novelist Dermot Bolger to the Centre on Friday 29th October at 2pm to kick-start National Novel Writing Month 2010. They are awarding 12 contestants the opportunity to participate in a free 2 hour Novel Writing - [One Stop Self-Publishing Conference 2010 – Review (Part Two)](https://independentpublishing.com/one-stop-self-publishing-conference-2010-review-part-two/) - The afternoon session of the One Stop Self-Publishing Conference began with a keynote address by Benji Bennett, author and self-publisher of Before You Sleep, the first of a series of books inspired by Adam, his four year old son he lost as a result of a brain tumour. If there is one thing Benji Bennett’s - [Reassemble or Be Damned (or how humpty-dumpty publishing should be put back together again)](https://independentpublishing.com/reassemble-or-be-damned-or-how-humpty-dumpty-publishing-should-be-put-back-together-again/) - Last week PC World ran an online article entitled, Why Book Publishing Needs the Silicon Valley Way, by Mike Elgan. There is a great deal in this article and Elgan’s basic premise is that the current model of publishing—by which he means traditional publishing houses—is broken and it is now time for publishers to look - [This Week in the Self-Publishing Blogs, October 31 – November 6, 2010 — The Book Designer](https://independentpublishing.com/this-week-in-the-self-publishing-blogs-october-31-november-6-2010-the-book-designer/) - This Week in the Self-Publishing Blogs, October 31 – November 6, 2010 — The Book Designer Joel Friedlander’s look at the week in self-publishing blogs. The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Swinging the Other Way: Vanity Publisher Goes Non-Vanity](https://independentpublishing.com/swinging-the-other-way-vanity-publisher-goes-non-vanity/) - Swinging the Other Way: Vanity Publisher Goes Non-Vanity “From all outward signs, the new imprint, which will be called Vantage Point, will function as a genuine trade publisher. According to information seen by Writer Beware, Vantage Point will work with agents as well as acquiring ‘selected’ Vantage Press titles, will pay small advances (‘comparable to - [Getting Reviews for Self-Published Books](https://independentpublishing.com/getting-reviews-for-self-published-books/) - Getting Reviews for Self-Published Books The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Amazon bypasses publishers for agents | theBookseller.com](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-bypasses-publishers-for-agents-thebookseller-com/) - Amazon bypasses publishers for agents theBookseller.com The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Manning Follows Marcus in Slur Campaign](https://independentpublishing.com/manning-follows-marcus-in-slur-campaign/) - Some of you may remember me earlier this year highlighting the appalling online smear campaign prosecuted on Michael N. Marcus of Able.com and Silver Sands Books. It was a harrowing experience for Michael and his family and demonstrated how easily someone can use the Internet through services like Google Blogger, Facebook and other social networking resources - [Amazon Acquire Toby Press Titles](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-acquire-toby-press-titles/) - In a significant move today, Amazon announced that it had acquired the publication rights of 121 books previously published by literary and commercial fiction publisher, The Toby Press. Amazon plans to re-publish the titles using their AmazonEncore and AmazonCrossing imprints. The books will be made available in both print and Kindle editions throughout the USA, - [Blurb To Launch Bespoke Book Service and iPad Integration](https://independentpublishing.com/blurb-to-launch-bespoke-book-service-and-ipad-integration/) - Blurb CEO, Eileen Gittins, today outlined the developments for the company during 2010 and what we can expect in 2011. Part of those plans include a full bespoke book service and expended distribution including e-books for the iPad. From the CEO’s open letter: An Open Letter from Blurb‘s CEO to our Customers, Partners, and Friends - [CreateSpace Announce Improvements to Their Self-Publishing Platform](https://independentpublishing.com/createspace-announce-improvements-to-their-self-publishing-platform/) - CHARLESTON, S.C. – (Business Wire) CreateSpace, part of the Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) group of companies, today announced an improved self-publishing experience that will help content creators set up, distribute and manage their titles more easily. These enhancements are a direct reflection of member feedback and innovative thinking about how to improve the overall member - [Lulu Trying to Fox The Geese with Author Profiles](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-trying-to-fox-the-geese-with-author-profiles/) - Have a look at the three book covers displayed and tell me which one was self-published. It wasn’t hard, was it? Yes, Bachelor 101 – Cooking, Cleaning, Closing was the self-published title. But what is interesting is that the author, Jamie Reidy, published his cook book, after Hard Sell, a book that has went on - [Or Books Founder on Mediabistro Morning Media Menu](https://independentpublishing.com/or-books-founder-on-mediabistro-morning-media-menu/) - Mediabistro Morning Media News This morning Jason Boog caught up with Colin Robinson of Or Books. You can hear the interview here and click the podcast link in the post. Related articles Revolving Door: 11.26 (mediabistro.com) The secret science fiction inspiration behind Jimi Hendrix’s music [Jimi Hendrix] (io9.com) The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Self-Publishing Index – December 2010](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-index-december-2010/) - The SELF-PUBLISHING INDEX for author solutions services is something we have been working on for the past couple of months and June 2010 marked the first month of flotation. Here is the latest index for December and the final one for 2010. (Click image to enlarge) The most asked question we get at POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing is - [Amazon and Penguin Launch Fourth Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-and-penguin-launch-fourth-amazon-breakthrough-novel-award/) - Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Penguin Group (USA) (NYSE:PSO) today announced the fourth annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition, the international competition seeking the next popular novel. Due to the popularity of the additional young adult category in 2010, the competition will again award two grand prizes: one for general fiction and one for best young - [Smashwords Puts Authors and Publishers in Control of Pricing](https://independentpublishing.com/smashwords-puts-authors-and-publishers-in-control-of-pricing/) - Smashwords: Smashwords Puts Authors and Publishers in Control of Pricing “Our authors and publishers spoke (and some wrote, screamed, begged and politely asked), and we listened. Effective today, all Smashwords retailers are pricing Smashwords books at the price set by the author or publisher. No more discounting. It also means we have significantly increased the - [Democratization or Be Damned](https://independentpublishing.com/democratization-or-be-damned/) - Keith Ogorek is the SVP of Marketing for Author Solutions (ASI). And who you might ask are Author Solutions? Well, regular readers here will be familiar with the paid-publishing services offered by companies like AuthorHouse, Xlibris, iUniverse, Trafford and Wordclay. ASI own all these companies and they also operate and provide the publishing engine for - [CPI UK Antony Rowe – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/cpi-uk-antony-rowe-reviewed/) - Antony Rowe is a UK printer, book manufacturer and provider of self-publishing services, and part of the CPI Europe Group, which has operational bases in the UK, Holland, Czech Republic, Germany and France. As well as Antony Rowe, CPI UK includes five other book manufacturing companies, William Clowes, Mackays, Cox & Wyman, Bookmarque and White - [Writers Forum Magazine: ADSL Print Advertisement!](https://independentpublishing.com/writers-forum-magazine-adsl-print-advertisement/) - I spend quite a bit of time looking at companies who offer self-publishing services to authors, both online and in print magazines. So, naturally, my eyes and ears were perked when I came across a company I hadn’t heard of before: ‘Advanced – Book printing and self publishing made easy’, in Uxbridge. Their web address is www.adslprint.com - [Seth Godin and Amazon Launch The Domino Project](https://independentpublishing.com/seth-godin-and-amazon-launch-the-domino-project/) - International-bestselling author Seth Godin and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced that Godin’s new publishing imprint “The Domino Project” will publish an initial list of six titles using Amazon’s new “Powered By Amazon” publishing program. Powered by Amazon enables authors to use Amazon’s global distribution, multiple format production capabilities, including print, audio and digital, as well - [Sue Collier: “Author Solutions is NOT indie publishing, folks.” | Self-Publishing Resources](https://independentpublishing.com/sue-collier-author-solutions-is-not-indie-publishing-folks-self-publishing-resources/) - Author Solutions is NOT indie publishing, folks. | Self-Publishing Resources: “To start, we have “ indie book publishing leader Author Solutions.” Say what? Authors Solutions is NOT — I repeat, NOT — an indie book publishing anything, let alone “leader.” Authors Solutions is a vanity press (aka subsidy press). It is a pay-to-publish service wherein - [Choice Publishing – Reviewed (Updated Dec, 2010)](https://independentpublishing.com/choice-publishing-reviewed-updated-dec-2010/) - Choice Publishing is one of the few Irish author solution services and was founded in 2005. The company is located in Drogeheda, Co. Louth. http://www.choicepublishing.ie/index.htm “Set up in 2005 by Deirdre Devine and Michelle Bradley, who, having worked in the Publishing industry and witnessed the frustrations of local authors, decided to take the publishing sector - [Authors Now Able to View Sales Through Amazon Author Central](https://independentpublishing.com/authors-now-able-to-view-sales-through-amazon-author-central/) - Some good news for authors today who use Amazon’s Author Central service. Authors will now be able to view Nielsen BookScan‘s weekly geographic sales data for their books through their Author Central account. From the Amazon press release: Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced that authors who use Amazon’s Author Central service (http://authorcentral.amazon.com) can now view - [Writer Beware™ Blogs!: More Contest Alerts: Brit Writers’ Awards, Amazon Studios](https://independentpublishing.com/writer-beware-blogs-more-contest-alerts-brit-writers-awards-amazon-studios/) - Writer Beware™ Blogs!: More Contest Alerts: Brit Writers’ Awards, Amazon Studios The Independent Publishing Magazine | TIPM Media - [Raider International Publishing – Concerns](https://independentpublishing.com/raider-international-publishing-concerns/) - I am reposting this piece from almost one year ago. Simply, because the continued feedback I am receiving from authors who have used, or are in the process of using this publisher’s services, have continued to be negative. I see no evidence through the communications I have had with Raider authors, who have contacted me, that - [Curtis Brown UK: Revenue or Reason?](https://independentpublishing.com/curtis-brown-uk-revenue-or-reason/) - The news this morning that Curtis Brown – one of the top literary agents for authors – has decided to launch Curtis Brown Creative, a writing workshop, offering authors writing novels tutoring services and the possibility of representation by Curtis Brown left me scratching my head. Let’s take a look at what Curtis Brown say: - [Curtis Brown Books Department MD Geller Responds to CBC Criticism](https://independentpublishing.com/curtis-brown-books-department-md-geller-responds-to-cbc-criticism/) - The benefits of being Creative | theBookseller.com Extract Quotes: “Frankly, not the debate I anticipated. Should a writer write with the industry in mind? Will we be grooming a new breed of formulaic writers? These are the questions I expected to debate.” “Paying for access? No. We still are one of the few agencies that - [Andrew Sullivan Turns Again to Blurb](https://independentpublishing.com/andrew-sullivan-turns-again-to-blurb/) - Andrew Sullivan Turns Again to Blurb “For the second time, author, editor, and blogger Andrew Sullivan has taken reader content on his 10-year-old Daily Dish blog on the Atlantic Web site and created a crowd-sourced printed book published by Blurb and sold through its online bookstore. Last Friday Sullivan blogged about how the book, The - [Book Making: You never know where a book idea will come from. My newest book is Barbara Barth’s fault.](https://independentpublishing.com/book-making-you-never-know-where-a-book-idea-will-come-from-my-newest-book-is-barbara-barths-fault/) - Book Making: You never know where a book idea will come from. My newest book is Barbara Barth’s fault. (from Michael N. Marcus’ Book Making Blog) “Sadly, many customers of self-publishing companies are disappointed in their books. You can minimize disappointment if you are properly prepared — and this book will prepare you. Don’t buy - [A modest proposal for book marketing – The Shatzkin Files](https://independentpublishing.com/a-modest-proposal-for-book-marketing-the-shatzkin-files/) - A modest proposal for book marketing – The Shatzkin Files: A proposal to publishers on book marketing backed up with a sound principle and suggestion from publishing consultant, Mike Shatzkin… “There are two questions big publishers need to be asking about all of this. One is “does it scale?” The other is “does it adequately - [Happy Christmas to all](https://independentpublishing.com/happy-christmas-to-all/) - Our journey this year takes us to Christmas Eve, a time for cheer, joy and happiness, as well as reflection on those who left this world. May you all have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones, family and friends. Thank you for your visits, your support, your comments, your friendship and inspiration. Merry Christmas - [Self-Publishing: Carnival of the Indies Issue #3 — The Book Designer](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-carnival-of-the-indies-issue-3-the-book-designer/) - Self-Publishing: Carnival of the Indies Issue #3 — The Book Designer Featured Posts Jane Friedman presents When (or Why) Social Media Fails to Sell Books posted at There Are No Rules. “Social media is about developing relationships and a readership over the long term that helps bolster your entire career (and sales too). When people claim that social media - [The Truth About My Time, Part I: Queries & Requested Material | Confessions From Suite 500](https://independentpublishing.com/the-truth-about-my-time-part-i-queries-requested-material-confessions-from-suite-500/) - The Truth About My Time, Part I: Queries & Requested Material | Confessions From Suite 500 “In 2010, I was open to queries from January 1st to November 15th.Here’s what my stats look like:QueriesQueries Received: 5530Rejected: 4803Requested: 727″ Literary Agent Suzie Townsend on what came in the door this year! The Independent Publishing Magazine - [Novelled: A Brief Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/novelled-a-brief-overview/) - Novelled is a new ebook website for self-published authors supporting PDF, Mobi and ePub formats. According to founder, Perter Ibrahim speaking to Teleread last October… “… the website will allow any budding author to instantly convert their Word documents into various eBook-compatible file formats and make them available for purchase. Obviously, mine won’t be the first - [Book Making: Just what the world needs: yet another sleazy, sloppy, egomaniacal pay-to-publish company](https://independentpublishing.com/book-making-just-what-the-world-needs-yet-another-sleazy-sloppy-egomaniacal-pay-to-publish-company/) - Book Making: Just what the world needs: yet another sleazy, sloppy, egomaniacal pay-to-publish company Michael N. Marcus gives an in-depth review of new kids on the self-publishing services block, Self Help Publishers, and it ain’t pretty! Related articles Michael N. Marcus: Ugliness of e-book formatting bleeding over into print books (teleread.com) J.A. Konrath tells ‘bedtime - [Timothy’s Thoughts: Review: Raider Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/timothys-thoughts-review-raider-publishing/) - Timothy’s Thoughts: Review: Raider Publishing “But I did see a few things that caused me to question whether they should be used. Primarily, their own website it what raised questions in my mind. In looking at the services they provide, they look very much like other subsidy presses, but the website itself looks cheap and - [10 Biggest Predictions for the Future of Book Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/10-biggest-predictions-for-the-future-of-book-publishing/) - 10 Biggest Predictions for the Future of Book Publishing “Obviously, predictions should be taken as just that. Just because some educated experts formulate projections based on trends and observations doesn’t necessarily mean they will come to pass. Nor does it mean that if they do prove real, everything ends up exactly as stated within a specific time - [Harrison Group Survey on Digital Media and Book Consumers](https://independentpublishing.com/harrison-group-survey-on-digital-media-and-book-consumers/) - Data Offers Reality Check for Industry in Flux; Publishers Must Realign with Consumer Expectations for Digital Media NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Publishers, in the midst of creating and driving a reading revolution brought about by both new digital reading devices and entirely new platforms, see key drivers of the content and reading revolution very - [Self-Publishing Index – January 2011](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-index-january-2011/) - This is the first SELF-PUBLISHING INDEX for 2011 for author solutions services. It is something we began on June 2010 when all the companies were put into ‘flotation’. Here is the latest index for January 2011. There is little change in the top ten positions but two notable movers are Wingspan and Blurb – Blurb, - [Dublin Book Festival 2011 Details](https://independentpublishing.com/dublin-book-festival-2011-details/) - Details of the Dublin Book Festival 2011 have just been announced by Publishing Ireland. The festival will run for an additional two days this year from March 2nd through to March 6th. From the official festival website: Welcome to the 2011 Dublin Book Festival! 2nd March to 6th March 2011 Publishing Ireland is delighted to announce - [Turning the Page: The Future of eBooks – Price Waterhouse Coopers eBook Study Report](https://independentpublishing.com/turning-the-page-the-future-of-ebooks-price-waterhouse-coopers-ebook-study-report/) - Price Waterhouse Coopers has just release one of the most substantive reports on ebooks I’ve seen to date. This new study examines trends and developments in the eBooks and eReaders market in the United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany, and discusses major challenges and key questions for the publishing industry worldwide. It also - [First Amazon Took Down Booksellers…Are Publishers Next?](https://independentpublishing.com/first-amazon-took-down-booksellersare-publishers-next/) - First Amazon Took Down Booksellers…Are Publishers Next?: “It’s not that Amazon set out to destroy small book stores. They just offered a better option for a large number of people. Now, Amazon is increasingly offering small features here and there that taken together may start to make a traditional publisher a lot less necessary for - [PW: Two Self-Publishing Stories That Led To Success](https://independentpublishing.com/pw-two-self-publishing-stories-that-led-to-success/) - Two Originally Self-Published Picture Books Hit Their Strides “Self-publishing ventures turned into very different publishing experiences than expected for two first-time authors. Jennifer Fosberry and Cheryl Kilodavis, each inspired by one of their own children to pen a picture book, followed divergent paths to get their books into print, yet their publishing stories had similar - [Raider International Publishing – The Endgame](https://independentpublishing.com/raider-international-publishing-the-endgame/) - We have been following Raider International Publishing even before the start of POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing. Here is the latest feedback from a contracted Raider author I received in what is now becoming a very long list of disgruntled authors. (Raider Review) “This is to mirror all comments above. I purchased the gold package - [Who the hell is KJ Kron?](https://independentpublishing.com/who-the-hell-is-kj-kron/) - So, who the hell is KJ Kron? Well, he has sat at the top-of-the-pile on Slush Pile Reader for most of the last year, and he also did his stint on HarperCollins’ Authonomy. On February 1st, unless an earthquake or volcano washes us all away, Slush Pile Reader will offer and publish his novel, St - [Lightning Source Waive Set-Up Fees For Current Promotion](https://independentpublishing.com/lightning-source-waive-set-up-fees-for-current-promotion/) - Printer Lightning Source (LSI 284.40 – Index Rating, January 2011 ) is running a promotion at the moment for publishers and authors. All set-up fees will be waived if 50+ books are ordered. This offer is being run for a limited period and includes a discount code to be used against the offer. Further details - [IWC – Modern Ireland has Nothing to Inspire Modern Writing](https://independentpublishing.com/iwc-modern-ireland-has-nothing-to-inspire-modern-writing/) - On Wednesday 2nd February the Irish Writers’ Centre presents an open panel discussion on how the current economic climate is affecting modern writing in Ireland. Panellists from many areas across the Arts Sector will join together under one roof to discuss the impending budget and its possible effect on modern and aspiring writers as well - [Interview with Kat Meyer, Conference Co-Chair, Tools of Change for Publishing | Booksquare](https://independentpublishing.com/interview-with-kat-meyer-conference-co-chair-tools-of-change-for-publishing-booksquare/) - Interview with Kat Meyer, Conference Co-Chair, Tools of Change for Publishing | Booksquare “It’s hard to believe another year has passed, and that it’s time for the annual Tools of Change for Publishing Conference. This year’s conference will be held in New York from February 14 through February 16, 2011, and (I know I say - [Authors! You may have no morals – so know your place!!](https://independentpublishing.com/authors-you-may-have-no-morals-so-know-your-place/) - “Author’s conduct evidences a lack of due regard for public conventions and morals, or if Author commits a crime or any other act that will tend to bring Author into serious contempt, and such behavior would materially damage the Work’s reputation or sales.” No, it’s not a line I have dug up from a publishing - [Ebooks and Libraries: A Stream of Concerns | Information Wants To Be Free](https://independentpublishing.com/ebooks-and-libraries-a-stream-of-concerns-information-wants-to-be-free/) - Ebooks and Libraries: A Stream of Concerns | Information Wants To Be Free: This is a fantastically and insightful post on the challenges of ebooks for libraries penned by librarian, teacher and writer, Meredith Farkas, from her blog – Information Wants To Be Free. “Getting an eBook from a library is often a circuitous and - [ASI Partners with Writers’ Digest to Form Self-Publishing Service Abbott Press](https://independentpublishing.com/asi-partners-with-writers-digest-to-form-self-publishing-service-abbott-press/) - Author Solutions (ASI) has once again expanded its suite of partnerships in the self-publishing world. The below announcement is a partnership with…interestingly…Writers’ Digest. Here is the official press release, but I may have more to say on this later in the week. Strategic Partnership Provides Writers a Platform to Improve Their Craft and Get Published - [Darwin and The Evolution of Publishing](https://independentpublishing.com/darwin-and-the-evolution-of-publishing/) - Every time a great beast steps forward and takes a bite from the fruit – the beast grows a tiny bit bigger and the fruit is diminished a little more. I could be speaking about how self-publishing is slowly making its way inside the great whale that is commercial publishing. The true guide line of - [Lulu: From Rough Patch to Drain? | POD People](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-from-rough-patch-to-drain-pod-people/) - Emily Veinglory of POD People considers Lulu, and whether the DIY self-publishing service provider has overcome the ‘rough patch’ or is now ‘circling the drain’. Related articles Popular gorilla Lulu dies at Ohio’s Columbus zoo (seattletimes.nwsource.com) Author Story: “How I Went About Self-Publishing” (lulu.com) Popular gorilla Lulu dies at Ohio’s Columbus zoo (sfgate.com) Most likely the shortest - [Journal of Universal Rejection – Where Every Writer and Every Book is Equal!](https://independentpublishing.com/journal-of-universal-rejection-where-every-writer-and-every-book-is-equal/) - Journal of Universal Rejection: About the Journal The founding principle of the Journal of Universal Rejection (JofUR) is rejection. Universal rejection. That is to say, all submissions, regardless of quality, will be rejected. Despite that apparent drawback, here are a number of reasons you may choose to submit to the JofUR: You can send your manuscript here - [Congratulation KJ Kron! | Slush Pile Reader the blog](https://independentpublishing.com/congratulation-kj-kron-slush-pile-reader-the-blog/) - Congratulation KJ Kron! Slush Pile Reader the blog As I predicted a couple of weeks ago, author KJ Kron will be offered a publishing contract by Slush Pile Reader. From their blog: Karl J. Kronlage’s manuscript St. Peter Killed God has been voted to the top of the pile! Slush Pile Reader will now offer - [The Domino Project Announces: “Poke the Box” | Amazon.com](https://independentpublishing.com/the-domino-project-announces-poke-the-box-amazon-com/) - The Domino Project Announces: “Poke the Box” Press release: Bestselling author and creator of new publishing venture “The Domino Project,” Seth Godin, and Amazon announce their inaugural book “Poke the Box” to be published in English worldwide as print, audio and Kindle editions. In December, international-bestselling author Seth Godin and Amazon announced a new publishing - [Irish Bookseller Waterstone’s To Close Flagship Stores on Sunday](https://independentpublishing.com/irish-bookseller-waterstones-to-close-flagship-stores-on-sunday/) - One of the most familiar landmarks in Dawson Street Dublin is Waterstone’s bookshop, a mainstay of the busy thoroughfare for many years. However, the company this morning announced the closure of the Dawson Street branch, as well as its Jervis Street branch and nine other branches in the UK (Colchester, Worcester, Guildford, Stafford, Hemel Hempstead, Coventry, - [Lulu Launch New Connect and Support Functionality Pages](https://independentpublishing.com/lulu-launch-new-connect-and-support-functionality-pages/) - Lulu has been doing some spring cleaning over the past few months, and today, the fruits of their endeavors went live – Connect and Support. Both new online facilities bring a strong defining line between how Lulu users access ‘how-to’ resources and request customer support. Connect replaces the old Lulu Forums, and Support will now solely be the dedicated - [Memeoirs: Emails to Book – Overview](https://independentpublishing.com/memeoirs-emails-to-book-overview/) - Memeoirs is a recently introduced online service allowing users to create a printed book (POD – print-on-demand) based on your own email exchanges. The service reminds me of several websites allowing users to create a book based on their blog or Facebook page. Memeoirs: your emails in a book. Seriously? Yes, no joke. We take - [E-Books: The Tipping Point? « Catherine, Caffeinated](https://independentpublishing.com/e-books-the-tipping-point-catherine-caffeinated/) - E-Books: The Tipping Point? « Catherine, Caffeinated: “Ten months ago I uploaded Mousetrapped to Smashwords and what was then called Amazon’s Digital Text Platform (DTP) – now Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – almost as an afterthought. I was looking for something to do while I waited for my Createspace proof copy to arrive. Turns out - [Self-Publishing Index: February 2011](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-index-february-2011/) - The SELF-PUBLISHING INDEX for author solutions services is something we have been working on for most of 2010 and June 2010 marked the first month of flotation. Here is the latest index, February 2011. (Click image to enlarge) The most asked question we get at POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing is often along the lines of; ‘What self-publishing - [Self-Publishing Index: Criteria Explained](https://independentpublishing.com/self-publishing-index-criteria-explained/) - I thought with the release of the February 2011 Self-Publishing Index that I would try and provide a little more detail behind how the Index is put together and what criteria is used. Each month, I publish a graphic spreadsheet showing the latest Index and how it has changed from the previous month. Here is - [Easons staff pass no confidence vote | The Bookseller](https://independentpublishing.com/easons-staff-pass-no-confidence-vote-the-bookseller/) - Easons staff pass no confidence vote The Bookseller “The board of Easons has said it backs Conor Whelan, who has been managing director of Easons since September 2009, after senior staff working in Dublin cast a vote of no confidence in him. Irish union organisation Siptu said around 60 Dublin employees who hold the management - [Ask The Author – Well, Publishers, What Took You So Long?](https://independentpublishing.com/ask-the-author-well-publishers-what-took-you-so-long/) - When I first saw this new venture launched by Simon & Schuster, my first thoughts were; how would this work with a collective hub for self-published authors? Yes, the top notch self-published authors use social networking extremely well, but not quite this way, as a collective of independent authors, sharing a genre or unique perspective, - [Publishing Day | Irish Writers’ Centre – March 12th](https://independentpublishing.com/publishing-day-irish-writers-centre-march-12th/) - Publishing Day March 12th The day will start at 10.00am with registration and run until 4.30pm. Tickets are €60 (€50 for Members) and can be booked by paying online or calling the Centre. Ph: 01-8721302 In This Issue From Inspiration to Publication Emer Martin Stephen Boylan Helen Gleed-O’Connor Yvonne Kinsella Deirdre O’Neill From Inspiration to - [EU raids ebook publishers in price fixing investigation | World news | The Guardian](https://independentpublishing.com/eu-raids-ebook-publishers-in-price-fixing-investigation-world-news-the-guardian/) - EU raids ebook publishers in price fixing investigation | World news | The Guardian: I don’t believe this is just confined to France. At heart, this drives a stake through the argument that big publishing houses can price e-books at the current level (Agency Agreement) in place. “The European commission has launched morning raids on - [POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing Now on Kindle Edition](https://independentpublishing.com/pod-self-publishing-independent-publishing-now-on-kindle-edition/) - POD, Self-Publishing & Independent Publishing will be available as a Kindle Blog Edition in the coming days. The editions will be delivered daily and wirelessly to any Kindle owner via Amazon. Unlike our normal RSS reader feeds, the Kindle Blog Edition will provide full content and images, rather than headlines and parsed previews. Readers of - [Direct POD UK – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/direct-pod-uk-reviewed/) - Direct POD is a UK book printer and binder based in Northampton. The company offers a wide range of print manufacturing services for publishers and self-publishers, including offset, digital and short run printing. “From small beginnings, Direct-POD has expanded over the years to become one of the most forward thinking book printing companies. We’re proud - [Easons HR manager secures High Court order against retailer | The Bookseller](https://independentpublishing.com/easons-hr-manager-secures-high-court-order-against-retailer-the-bookseller/) - Easons HR manager secures High Court order against retailer The Bookseller Eason Group’s human resources manager of six years has secured an interim High Court order restraining the company from removing him from his post. Tony Duggan, 60, has worked at Eason for 24 years. The order will also prevent the Irish bookseller from promoting - [Writers’ News and Writing Magazine | April Offer on ‘To Self-Publish or Not To Self-Publish’](https://independentpublishing.com/writers-news-and-writing-magazine-april-offer-on-to-self-publish-or-not-to-self-publish/) - Readers and subscribers of Writers’ News and Writing Magazine can avail of an offer this month to purchase a discounted copy of ‘To Self-Publish or Not To Self-Publish‘ for as little as £5.99. Related articles Self-publishing Amazon author sells 100,000+ e-books per month (teleread.com) Why James Scott Bell Chose to E-Publish (advancedfictionwriting.com) Who Wants To - [Avon Launch Digital Romance Imprint](https://independentpublishing.com/avon-launch-digital-romance-imprint/) - Yesterday, Avon launched a new imprint – Avon Impulse. The new romance imprint will publish novels and novellas in ebook editions as well as paper editions available through POD (print on demand). Initially Impulse will release one book per week with the first title, A Lady’s Wish by Katherine Ash, released as an enovella edition - [Digital Book World | Interview with Ingram’s David Prichard](https://independentpublishing.com/digital-book-world-interview-with-ingrams-david-prichard/) - Digital Book World has an interview below with David Prichard, CEO of Ingram Book Group (they own Lightning Source and the largest book distributor and wholesaler in the USA). From the interview: A day will come, I believe, that you’ll be reading your digital reader and you decide “I would rather have a printed copy” - [Thomas Nelson Announce First Acquisition From WestBow Press…or Do They?](https://independentpublishing.com/thomas-nelson-announce-first-acquisition-from-westbow-press-or-do-they/) - Thomas Nelson has announced that it will publish its first title previously published through their self-publishing division, WestBow Press, whose services are run by Author Solutions. Thomas Nelson set up WestBow Press back in late 2009, citing one of the driving reasons was to discover new writing talent. Well, it has taken almost one and - [Amazon Kindle Sign Up for Non-US Self-Publishers](https://independentpublishing.com/amazon-kindle-sign-up-for-non-us-self-publishers/) - Cover via Amazon I have had quite a number of authors ask me about publishing their books using the Amazon Kindle digital platform. For US authors, it is a great option, but many authors outside the US are confused as to whether they can use it. For a time, I was also convinced that non-US - [Elm Publishing (UK Unpublished) – Reviewed](https://independentpublishing.com/elm-publishing-uk-unpublished-reviewed/) - This publishing service was a separate imprint of UK Unpublished, but has since been subsumed back into the main publishing wing as of summer 2011. Please check UK Unpublished site. Elm Publishing is a UK self-publishing service based in Hockley, Essex, and is owned and run by David Buttle. “Elm Publishing is the brand new option - [Do I really need a separate ISBN for my e-book? | Publishing Basics](https://independentpublishing.com/do-i-really-need-a-separate-isbn-for-my-e-book-publishing-basics/) - Do I really need a separate ISBN for my e-book? This is probably one of the most asked; least understood questions out there in the self-publishing world today. Technically you not only need an ISBN but you need a different ISBN for each format your ebook is being offered. If you are offering your book - [Xulon Press – Reviewed (Updated, March 2011)](https://independentpublishing.com/xulon-press-reviewed-updated-march-2011/) - Xulon Press was founded by author and publisher Tom Freiling in 1999, and the company is part of the large media and communications group, Salem Communications Corporation, based in the USA. Salem is a Christian communications media group with commercial interests in radio, the Internet, and magazine publishing, and not surprisingly, Xulon Press claims to ## Pages - [Contributors](https://independentpublishing.com/contributors/) - Mark Levine has been in the book publishing space for 20+ years as a two-time founder, CEO, author and board member. Mark is the owner and publisher of The Independent Publishing Magazine. 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