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Recently people have been saying that book conventions are slimming down in numbers.
But is this because there is less interest, or because conventions are gearing more toward a niche market? Or is it because people are finding books elsewhere? Whatever reason, its obvious that books are selling extremely well and self-publishing is still thriving. Finding out the reason for the change in conventions might help us better understand where the market is heading.
Navigating The Writing Road
Alongside Book Expo was Indie Author Fringe. This 24 hour conference was put together by the great folks at Alli – Alliance of Independent Authors. The conference theme was book marketing and there are some standout presentations up on the Alli blog. I have been dipping into them all week. Just chock full of brilliant advice. For a taster check out Chris Well’s presentation on Media Kits for Authors.
Kris Rusch continues her branding series with a great post on Brand Identity. If you have been wondering how to straddle genres or just what exactly is author branding you need to check out this article.
With the introduction of Amazon Charts there has been some discussion about the worth of bestseller lists. Amazon breaks up their charts by Most Sold and Most Read, they are not the same and there is no distinction on genre. (New HP Covers anyone?) Polygraph Lit Magazine’s new imprint,Pudding, takes a look at gender bias on the bestseller lists and in MFA programmes.
Publishers Weekly interviewed the outgoing chair of the Independent Book Publishers Association about his radical idea for Bookstores.Why don’t they have Book Espresso machines and other goodies… They could be a hub for the community… and sell … BOOKS.
If you have ever thought about owning your own bookstore…It is now possible with Aerio. Have a curated list of books on your own website and get an affiliation cut if anyone buys a book from you. Judith Briles tells you how to do it.
In The Craft Section,
In The Marketing Section,
To Finish,
Maureen
@craicer
About Maureen Crisp
Maureen Crisp has been writing her weekly publishing roundups for over seven years. She is a traditionally published children's author as well as indie-published. She lives in New Zealand and is heading the team organising the 4th National Conference of Children's Writers and Illustrators. She is currently trying her hand at writing a children’s book series if she can drag herself away from forever tweaking her Mars novel or obsessing over space.