Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Why I am changing direction on self-publishing

After much discussion, we have decided not to self-publish printed books anymore. In 2011 we put out an out-of-print book by a deceased author and the Second Edition of Self Publishing in Canada. Even though we have a distributor and even though we have marketed the book, sales are not as good as we had expected. The question became, "Do keep doing this as a hobby or find another way to self-publish?" The truth is we can't afford this as a hobby, so we need to find another way.

We are committing ourselves to publishing e-books. The sales of e-readers was phenomenal at Christmas and we see it as a less expensive way to get our message out without either having to put up the funds to pay for printing costs or find a place to store books. I am currently formatting Self Publishing in Canada and All On Her Own to a Kindle format. Then I have to completely type up Good Morning Quadra since nothing will read that kind of disk anymore.

Does this mean the print book is dead? Not at all. It's just not the right fit for us at this time.  Check in regularly and learn about the new adventure...and how to self-publish the old fashioned way.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

New international organization for self-publishers

A British author and former literary agent has established an international non-profit organization for self-published authors. The Alliance of Independent Authors will represent the interests of self-publishers when they have to deal with agents, booksellers,  wholesalers, and trade publishing companies.

Organizer Orna Nass hopes to sign up 500 members in the first year. She plans to offer a newsletter, a helpline, monthly meetings, and a biannual conference. This could be a real boon for self-publishers. Even though it is in Britain, it might we worth looking at.

Their website will be live in a few weeks. I will post the website when it comes online.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Distribution for self-publishers

Self-published author David Korinetz started Red Tuque Books to help others distribute their own books. He sells books to Canadian libraries and any independent bookstore that uses BookManager. He does not sell to Chapters/Indigo.

In order to be listed in BookManager, an author has to have a distributor. Red Tuque Books has filled this need.

Chapters/Indigo's terms are just too harsh for the little guy. They want too large a discount, and expect to be able to return unsold books "anytime and in any condition." Small publishers would lose too much money.

Contact David at http://www.redtuquebooks.ca/ or phone him at 778-476-5750.

Make 2012 the year you get your book into print!

Self Publishing workshop March 10 in Victoria

Self Publishing Workshop about the business side of writing and self-publishing. Saturday, March 10 from 1-4:30 pm at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre in Victoria, BC. Only $50! Speakers are Bernice Lever of the Canadian Author Association and Joyce Sandilands of Whitlands Publishing. Register at 250-885-9010 or www.3pennypublishing.com.