Publishing News Roundup Series: Taking Back Writer Control and Increasing Income
by Maureen Crisp • March 28, 2017 • Follow
Published in News • No comments
Stats say that monthly incomes are down for authors, but is that actually true?
It seems that report left out a lot of author groups who are doing pretty well. It seems that income links to taking author control. When the author is in control of their work and promotion they seem to be doing more successfully. Now the question is: How do authors take that control?
Go Out And Conquer
This week I went into the radio studio to record my monthly podcast slot and felt depressed. The topic was writer incomes. The latest stats were out and NZ writers weren’t earning very much at all. As we were talking about the report we both were realising that we knew authors who didn’t fit the criteria and so weren’t surveyed. Then I came across a mention of the report on Passive Voice and the comments were enlightening. So all I can say in this brave new publishing world is Do Whatever Works For You and Good Luck.
Kris Rusch has got a great blog post on Taking Control back to the writer. This is important if you want to plan your career and take advantage of opportunities.
March is London Book Fair and the Indie Author Fringe which was a 24 hour blast of great content for authors. If you didn’t get a chance to watch in real time you can always go and access their great sessions from their website. I binge watch and scribble notes constantly. It’s like a private conference just for you.
Publishers Weekly reported on the London Book Fair describing it as a Keep Calm and Carry On affair. PW also asked agents heading to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, which is traditionally two weeks after LBF, what they would be looking for. Mid Grade is still the holy grail and everybody wants to find the next breakout hit crossover teen….etc etc.
Meanwhile The Guardian wrote about the dubious rise in celebrity authors writing books for children because its sooo easy. (Bring me a barf bucket-stat! -is how all children’s book authors feel.) Are publishers losing out big time on these deals?
Derek Murphy of Creative Indie has set up a website where you are encouraged to do writer sprints with your friends. It is set up in 15 minute increments and you can win free stuff. Derek is hoping to write 5000 words an hour.
Kiwi Katherine Hayton writes about giving InstaFreebie a trial. She added thousands to her email list and got hundreds of preorders.
Ali Luke talks about writers having multiple streams of income and the rise of novellas. Rachel Thompson talks about Branding for Authors. All of these articles explain why and how you should be working with your author business.
Joanna Penn interviewed Mark Dawson about using Amazon ads. This podcast is packed full of great information and is a must listen. If you don’t have the time to listen, read the transcript.
If you are looking for story ideas Now Novel have got a great list of 15 easy ways to generate story ideas.
In The Craft Section,
15 tools for writers– R L Stedman- Bookmark
What should an author blog about– Anne R Allen – Bookmark
How to know your writing is improving– Peter Rey
6 bad habits you can write without– C S Lakin
4 ways not to F up your tenses- Sacha Black
3 craft elements –Elizabeth Craig- Bookmark
5 world building mistakes enthusiasts make– Mythcreants- Bookmark
How to write a sequel– K M Weiland – Bookmark
In The Marketing Section,
How to publish an ebook– Jane Friedman
Sell more books with new cover design-Joanna Penn
Listing your books with Google Play- Elizabeth Craig – Bookmark
Managing Social Media Followers– C K Syme- Bookmark
Back Matter in your book– Bookmark
To Finish,
Tara Sparling has a great recipe for making the modern bestseller. This is a fun read that will lift your spirits. Then you can read Chuck’s latest post on being a professional writer.
Go out and Conquer.
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.