On going beyond self-publishing to being an indie author. Why self-publishing is now a mainstream publishing choice, and accepted by the media. The pros and cons of self-publishing. Combining both traditional publishing and independent publishing in a hybrid model. The key book publishing paths. The magic of publishing in the rights model. http://www.TheCreativePenn.com/blueprint/

1. Going beyond
self-publishing to becoming
an Indie Author
www.TheCreativePenn.com

2. Writing for the sake of writing is
fantastic!
Self-publishing that work
can be absolutely brilliant
as a personal project e.g.
photobooks/ personal
memoir for family/
limited audience / school
project

3. We’re talking about:
* publishing professionally
* publishing globally
* being read and selling
books
* running a small business
and making good money!
Going beyond self-publishing to being
an independent author

4. http://jackiecollins.com/jackies-blog/
on-my-decision-to-self-publish/
Self-publishing is now
mainstream and a
positive choice for many

5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23682885
Indie authors are
now mainstream
BBC World News
22 August 2013
Sky News Jan 6 2014
http://www.theguardian.com/books/self-publishing

6. * Quicker time to market. For sale 24 hours after
upload to Amazon, paid 60 days after the end of the
month.
!
* Higher royalties but it’s not a get-rich-quick
scheme & sales could be lower. 70 - 85% indie vs
~15% trad
!
* Total creative control over content & design.
Doesn’t have to be a ‘commercial’ prospect
!
* Sell by any means, in any global market as you
retain the rights
!
* Niche markets perfect as you can price higher
!
* Get into the game! Test the market and then
approach a publisher with evidence of sales. Jump
the slush-pile to agents & publishers
Independent/ Self-Publishing

7. * There’s less prestige than being
traditionally published, but the stigma is
lessening every day and readers & media
generally don’t care
!
* You need to do it all yourself, or find
suitable professionals to help
!
* You need to run all aspects of the
business: writing, publishing & marketing
* For a professional result, you need a
budget upfront
* It’s hard to get distribution into physical
bookshops if that is a goal
!
Independent/ Self-Publishing

8. 8
With more people shopping online, or on their Kindles/
mobile devices, readers don’t care or know who
publishes the book.
You’re a new author
competing with other new
authors. You’re reaching
readers. Where’s the
stigma?

9. 9
Hugh Howey:
Sold print rights only to
Simon & Schuster.
Film rights optioned by
Ridley Scott.
‘Dust’ debuted in NY Times
bestsellers
Self-publishing doesn’t kill your chances of a traditional
deal. In fact, these days it can be a faster route than
the slush pile!
Kerry Wilkinson
has a 14 book
deal based on
his self-
publishing
success of
Jessica Daniel
crime series
Nick Spalding
sold 400,000 self-
published ebooks
before signing
deals with
Coronet in UK &
Amazon in the US

10. 10
Hybrid Model. It’s not an either-or choice anymore
!
!
* Decide PER PROJECT which
might be the best route for your
book. Empowerment of the
author as the centre of the
model.
!
* A third of traditionally published
authors are interested in self-
publishing their next book,
according to a new survey from
Digital Book World and Writer’s
Digest.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/07/30/literary-agent/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/04/26/traditional-self-publishing-not-mutually-exclusive/

11. Handout & fantastic blog for learning about the industry.
It’s up to you how much publishing work you do
http://janefriedman.com/2013/11/19/infographic-key-book-publishing-paths/

12. http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/01/07/know-your-rights/
The magic of publishing

13. 13
* Creative expression.
!
* Empowerment of the
author.
!
* A viable income through
global technologies.
!
* Connection with an
audience.
!
What are you waiting for?
Self-Publishing ...

14. 14
Free 87 page
ebook on !
self-publishing and
book marketing
www.TheCreativePenn.com/blueprint/