By Maja Talevska Ever since Amazon took over the online space, the total market share for online sales rose from about 5% in the '90s to 12% in 2019, according to stats about online versus in-store shopping. This change has affected the way people shop for books too. Giants such as Amazon have freed the authors from traditional publishing routes and gave them the power to … [Read more...] about Guest Post: How Much do Americans Spend on Books?
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Authors: Step Up Your Digital Content Game
Today's post is another roundup of resources for authors during these crazy times. Since we're all physically distancing, it's a good time to step up your digital content game. What does that mean? The Book Designer's post about it being a wide virtual world is a good start. There are all kinds of ways to chat online, connect with readers, and go live. Digital also includes … [Read more...] about Authors: Step Up Your Digital Content Game
Online Tools for Building Your Author Platform
As indie authors, so much of our work and efforts go into online marketing, and content on the web. With that in mind, here are some tools (both free and paid) that can help you build your platform and promote your books. Book Advertising "Changes to Amazon Advertising: What Authors Need to Know" on Jane Friedman: A breakdown of new advertising modes, the improved dashboard, … [Read more...] about Online Tools for Building Your Author Platform
Finding Books and Other Content To Read
Reading is an interactive and magical experience. Here are some sources to find books and other things to read: Book Boon: Download free ebooks and textbooks. Free Ebook Foundation / Unglue.it: Free ebooks. Gluejar: "In the business of advancing internet infrastructure for libraries, publishers, researchers, and readers of all types." Book Mooch: Give away … [Read more...] about Finding Books and Other Content To Read
By the Numbers: 189+ Tips and Tricks on How to Write, Edit, Market, and Sell Your Books
So many wonderful authors, publishers, and people just interested in the book industry have written numerous guides, case studies, and resources to help others interested in writing and publishing. Sometimes the best way to share resources is via lists, like my post 7 Strategies and 110 Tools to Help Indie Authors Find Readers and Reviewers. With that in mind, here are links … [Read more...] about By the Numbers: 189+ Tips and Tricks on How to Write, Edit, Market, and Sell Your Books
A List of Writing and Publishing Conferences
Electronic Bindery wrote that self publishing needs a Sundance. But until then, there are many conferences that substitute it. Conferences are a great way to meet people in the writing and publishing industry, and to learn about new trends and techniques. Here is a list of conferences happening this year. Most of these are annual, but some of them change locations. They're … [Read more...] about A List of Writing and Publishing Conferences
Understanding Metadata
Yesterday was part 2 of the BISG's 3-part webcast series, Evolving Metadata Practices: Latest Research on Workflow, ROI, and the Transition to ONIX 3.0. Part two was called, Understanding Metadata ROI: Inisghts from Nielsen's White Paper, The Link Between Metadata and Sales. Jonathan Nowell, from Nielsen BookData, presented data about the findings described in Nielsen's white … [Read more...] about Understanding Metadata
The Effects of Digital Publishing
I've been saying for a while that ebooks should take advantage of being digital and able to be produced quickly, so it's exciting to see that publishers are finally embracing that (not that I claim they are listening to me!). Tomorrow morning, Random House will be releasing an ebook about Osama bin Laden, now that he is dead. I have no idea whether or not this is a book they've … [Read more...] about The Effects of Digital Publishing
This Week in Publishing
Apple and Google are offering publishers different ways to charge for their content. For one thing, Apple will take a 30 percent cut of subscription revenue and will work with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, while Google will only take a 10 percent cut and will work with tablets, smartphones, and websites. But an even bigger difference between the two models is the fact that … [Read more...] about This Week in Publishing