Is The Future Of Self Publishing In Doubt?
April 14, 2008 by Yvonne Russell
HomeBizNotes.com
Anne Wayman at The Golden Pencil highlights what looks like Amazon’s drive towards dominance of the self publishing market.
At the moment self publishers and POD (print on demand publishers) can have their books listed at Amazon along with mainstream books, using the Amazon Buy Now Button.
Amazon is offering its own self publishing, and it appears from what Anne says that books printed by Amazon will be given priority, with others delegated to the ranks of “on consignment”.
Danger Of A Self Publishing Monopoly?
While it’s Amazon’s business, and they are entitled to call the shots, there’s the concern of a monopoly developing. A monopoly is not good for the consumer or a competitive marketplace.
For full details, see Anne’s post which points you to where the discussion is hotting up. There’s also a petition to sign.
Join The Conversation
Many home business owners self publish especially in niche areas. What are your thoughts?
Other Cautions & Recommendations For Self Publishing
Self publishing is still the publishing approach of choice for many home business owners and can be very successful. Before you publish, you may be interested in reading a previous Home Biz Notes article – Cautions & Recommendations Before You Self Publish or some of the articles in the list of Related Articles below.
I must be chopped liver
LOL. You have me curious as to why…?
I think self-published authors will need to become even more creative and not depend simply on one outlet…or think one outlet is the only way to go. I’ve only sold one of my books through Amazon and that was one published by a small publisher who handled the distribution. I discovered one of my self-published titles on Amazon’s used book list.
http://www.workboxers.com/2008/03/28/deal-breaker-amazon-booksurge-pod-no-choice/
http://www.workboxers.com/2008/04/01/amazon-pod-pause-and-relax-a-moment/
http://www.workboxers.com/2008/04/08/heightened-awareness-re-amazon-books/
Hi, Yvonne. I self-published my book last year. I had been selling my book as an eBook download for about a year before that. It has been a lifelong dream to write and publish a book.
For a mere $400, iUniverse helped me publish my book, The Stay-at-Home Mom’s Guide to Successful eBay Selling. They took care of several rounds of proofreading, a media kit, and listing my book with over 250 online book sellers. Let’s just say that I recovered my initial investment after 1 month on Amazon.
I strongly support self-publishing if the author is willing to spend some time on the internet promoting the book thru groups, forums, article submissions, podcasting, videos, guest blogging, and other channels. It has been a positive experience for me.
Suzanne Wells
The eBay Coach
Thanks for the links Mark. It’s an interesting discussion to follow.
Hi Mary Emma
It’s always comes back to point of difference. Being creative and proactive are part of that.
I think self publishing is here to stay, but maybe the distribution aspects will change somewhat.
Hi Suzanne
Your book is one of the success stories. That’s definitely in part due to your marketing savvy.
Pleased to hear a good news self publishing story.
Congratulations, Suzanne, on the success of your book. Yes, the author must be very active in their book promotion and be willing to venture into various avenues of marketing. I’m impressed, Suzanne.
Yvonne,
Self-published authors have to be very creative in where they sell their books. One of my clients writes novels about prehistoric Indians, and she does well selling at powwows. Going/selling where your target audience is–that’s they key.
Hi Lillie
Selling where your target audience is… spot on.
Thanks for sharing insights from your editiing business Lillie.