Self-Publishing Tips from The Library Foundation’s Writer-In-

Residence

Self-Publishing (or Indie Publishing)

Intro 30 to 40% of all there is to know about indie publishing extraordinary amount of info has materialized even since 2014-2015 info involves fiction & non-fiction

Back to the FutureWhen did indie publishing begin to “blossom?”

• Approximately 2008-2009: writers really began to risk potential trad publishing opportunities in favor of going indie• 2008-2009. This “risk” coincided with potential of publishing via Amazon (for

romance writers, especially). Romance fic writers first dabbled with amazon• 2011. Amazon launched Montlake Romance and Thomas & Mercer. In 2011, the

pro-indie movement really gelled• 2012 – 2015. Amazon continues to accrue imprints and empower indie fiction

writers, especially. • Amazon KDP – the real Amazon self-publishing mechanism – has grown

exponentially since 2012.

RealitiesYour decisions as an indie publisher/writer are commensurate with

your own personal goals Publishing in 2016: radical changes in the trad and indie industriesYou must be prepared to study trends on your own. Much “self-

study” Much continual change does occur in indie publishing; the needs to

gain traction always morph and you must always be aware of needsEvery genre and sub-genre is highly competitiveGood news: in spite of competitiveness, your work can stand out

Indie vs. Trad Publishing Benefits

Total control with Indie. Majority of indie writers state “total control” as most important rationale for decision.

Publication time frame is optimal. A radical change from trad pub. (You can publish a book every month, instead of waiting one to two years for a trad publisher to publish it.)

Ability to forge a career as writer is more opportune than ever and reasonable. Your success depends on quality of book, production, & marketability

Much gratification seeing your writing career grow or reach personal writing goals as a result of indie control.

Indie vs. Trad Pub “Drawbacks”• As an indie you combine 3 trad pub “divisions”: writer, editor, marketing. You are branded

automatically as an “authorpreneur.”• Cannot (whatsoever) avoid marketing your own work…and survive as an indie – if you have a

career goal in mind.

• As a writer, you must work “twice as hard” marketing your material. Thus, you learn tactical moves as a “PR person” for your stuff.

• No chance of an “advance” as an indie. You are on your own financially. • Fiction Series Productivity is a “must” if you want any reasonable income.

• In other words, as indie with serious goals, you don’t just write; you morph into publishing enterprise.

Publishing (with a focus on Amazon KDP)

• Amazon offers a clear and easily navigable pub procedure via KDP• Amazon & YouTube vids provide excellent how-to needs• Important: thoroughly and decisively edit your book manuscript.

Make sure it is properly formatted. • Make sure your Book Cover is attractive and appealing. Tip: don’t

have it look too “busy”.• Your book(s) needs reviews. It needs stars. Number of reviews

matter – at least to some arguable extent.• Possibility for Pre-Orders exists (be careful here)…ongoing

debate!

ExploreScrivener (www.scrivener.com)Fiverr (www.fiverr.com) for formatting. Cover Design. Promotion.Email List companies: MailChimp. AWeber. & moreCreating simple Author website (see www.jeffreyhillard.com) Advancing your social media savvy is a plus (especially Facebook, Instagram, and

SnapChat).

YouTube: for learning & educational possibilities. How-to’s (for issues such as digital publishing; CreateSpace print publishing; email-list-building; marketing; podcast-viewing; book launching

Sign up for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (monthly) newsletter

Trends in 2016 – 2017 (and beyond)Amazon will continue to expand publishing platforms, options, and

marketability. As well, it will try to nullify significance of Kobo, Apple, Smashwords & others (“going wide” opportunities)

Even more optimization of book Cover Design.Short works will increase, become more marketable, and provide more

opportunity for readers & sales – but there are caveats…Use of ‘dictation’ mode especially via Dragon Dictation softwareInternational “reach” for digital books (English reading populations)

will be enriched. (Translations still held “in check” and ‘iffy’.)

Trends (continued)Proliferation of (free) “support collectives,” such as Facebook Groups, to help one

another navigate indie issuesPower of book groups such as Good Reads and The Fussy Librarian will increase

and be more effective for indie pubRise & Importance of “Street Teams”Mobile phone reading – this will only dynamically increaseAmazon possibly opening more viable doors for extreme sub-genre

categorizations (ex.: Sci Fi & Fantasy-Urban Fantasy-comedy-Asian)

Likely more podcasts. Probably excellent ones! Meaning: you will need to be more judicious in listening hours

Helpful Books• Write. Publish. Repeat. (by Truant, Platt, and Wright)

• Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and Principles of Screenwriting (by Robert McKee)

• Successful Self-Publishing (by Joanna Penn)

• Scrivener for Dummies (by Gwen Hernandez)

Helpful Podcasts• Self Publishing Podcast (w/Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant)• Self Publishing Roundtable Podcast (w/Robert Chazz-Chute et al)• Rocking Self Publishing Podcast (w/Simon Whistler)• The Creative Penn Podcast (w/Joanna Penn)• The Author Biz (w/Stephen Campbell)• Novel Marketing Podcast• Author Strong Podcast (w/Mat Morris)• The Successful Author Podcast (w/Julie Easton) nonfiction

Final Thoughts• Use Scrivener• Beta reader(s)• Fiverr (to begin with)• Search videos for best Book Launch practices• Bone up on various podcast episodes that you care to watch, but be

very selective • Keep a regular writing schedule• Study the success stories, the artists or former day-job or career types

who have made indie publishing work for them

Rising Stars in 2016Annie Bellet

T.S. PaulMichael Anderle

Stephen Campbell (esp. his podcast “The Author Biz”)Bella Andre

Adam CroftMark Dawson

Learn more about The Library Foundation’s Writer-In-Residence