Information, inspiration and interviews on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. If you need help with writing your book, or you want to learn how to navigate the new world of publishing and book marketing, then join Joanna Penn and her guests every Monday. Also covers the business of being a writer and how to make money with your books.
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/blog/
Successful Self-Publishing Tips With Steven Spatz From BookBaby
It's a big week in self-publishing as we race into 2018, and today's show is packed with tips and info on how you can make the most of your indie experience!
In the introduction, I go through:
* Apple is getting back into the ebook fight with Amazon with a revamp of iBooks to Books with audiobooks [Bloomberg]
* Google has launched audiobooks with Play and focusing on in-home devices for reading them [Google Blog]
* Walmart has struck a deal with (Rakuten) Kobo, which will see co-branded Walmart/Kobo ereading devices, ebooks and audiobooks through the Walmart website and stores [The Verge]
* Barnes & Noble have relaunched NookPress as Barnes and Noble Press, combining their ebook and print self-publishing platforms [BusinessWire]
* The new Author Earnings report findings – and my reaction to it. Plus, why Dean Wesley Smith thinks there is an issue with data privacy and Passive Guy's take on terms & services, plus why the figures are not really “Author
Earnings” since most long-term authors make a less-significant % of their income on Amazon, plus it is only Amazon US sales. Dean reports Amazon as 15-30% of his income, and it was around 20% of mine in 2017.
* The long-running Self-Publishing Podcast is rebranding as the Story Studio podcast, as Johnny, Sean and Dave feel like they have outgrown the name – and I think that reflects the industry as a whole these days. Perhaps we are just publishing now ????
I also give a personal update. I finished the first draft of my first screenplay, an adaptation of Map of Shadows. It's been so much fun and I'm going on a course in March when I'll work on it. In the meantime, on with the next thriller, ARKANE #10, and a new book and course on How to Write Non-Fiction.
I also mention the revamp of my channel, Youtube.com/thecreativepenn, where you can now find writing tips on Tuesdays and business/marketing/money/publishing tips on Thursdays.
Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, where you can get free ebook formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Get your free Author Marketing Guide at www.draft2digital.com/penn
Steven Spatz is the President of