Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Self-Published Books on the Rise...

It's another busy busy week so light on the blogging, but I wanted to get a link up to this GalleyCat post especially for the writers who came to see me speak on Saturday at the Carnegie Center in Lexington.

We talked a lot about self publishing (there were many questions about it), so here's an interesting stat from Bowker via GalleyCat:

According to the bibliographic company Bowker, 285,394 new books were published by print-on-demand companies last year--a 132 percent increase compared to 2007. In contrast, U.S. publishers put out 275,232 new books and editions in 2008--a 3.2 percent drop compared to the year before.

In case you don't have your calculator handy, that's a total of 560,626 books published in 2008.

This was also reported on in Publishers Lunch with the headline "On Demand Books Overtake Traditional Titles for the First Time."

7 comments:

Vodka Mom said...

i am going back and forth on this.

At some point many writer's SURELY consider this. After they buy the perfect SHOES, of course...

Vodka Mom said...

writers.


THAT'S what I meant.


damn.

Sheila Deeth said...

Seems to emphasize the difference between being published and making sales, though from what I've heard, it's getting to be just as hard to make sales either way.

Sharon Miner said...

I have 1 Y/A novel published through a small traditional press and 6 with Infinity Publishing, a POD that is very pro-author. I make SO much more profit/commission on my POD books enabling me to donate more to schools, libraries and fundraisers. For all my marketing efforts, why shouldn't I receive a better return on my investment? http://www.SharonMiner.com

P.A.Zimmerman said...

I am so glad to see POD is on the rise. My first book, OLivia's Magic Conch is now out there because I had two years of being overlooked by traditional publishing houses. I say "overlooked" because I believe you cannot be rejected if no one accepts your manuscript because their quota for unknowns has been met for the year. I shopped around to be sure I own all rights and went with Xlibris. While it is difficult to get publicity on your own, I will not give up. My book is right in tune with many issues today and is a fable for middlegrade and up. Fables are ageless, this one is eco-marine friendly and educational as well. I believe it will awaken the curiosity in those who show no awareness to the problems surrounding the coastal areas by keeping our beaches and oceans clean, so I took the plunge and invested my money and will market it with the hope a publisher will hop on board. Thank you for your article. I feel even better about it now.
P.A.Zimmerman www.oliviasmagicconch.com

P.A.Zimmerman said...

I am so glad to see POD is on the rise. My first book, OLivia's Magic Conch is now out there because I had two years of being overlooked by traditional publishing houses. I say "overlooked" because I believe you cannot be rejected if no one accepts your manuscript because their quota for unknowns has been met for the year. I shopped around to be sure I own all rights and went with Xlibris. While it is difficult to get publicity on your own, I will not give up. My book is right in tune with many issues today and is a fable for middlegrade and up. Fables are ageless, this one is eco-marine friendly and educational as well. I believe it will awaken the curiosity in those who show no awareness to the problems surrounding the coastal areas by keeping our beaches and oceans clean, so I took the plunge and invested my money and will market it with the hope a publisher will hop on board. Thank you for your article. I feel even better about it now.
P.A.Zimmerman www.oliviasmagicconch.com

Amanda said...

We would like to call your attention to a great new event for the writing and publishing community!

The First Annual Self-Publishing Book Expo

Saturday, November 7th

The first annual Self-Publishing Book Expo, to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, will bring national focus and attention to the fastest-growing segment of today’s publishing industry. Unlike any other book exhibit, the Self-Publishing Book Expo will be the only event of its kind to highlight the books of self-publishing companies and their authors, and give them the prominence and prestige they deserve.

Please check out the website: http://www.selfpubbookexpo.com

Watch for further postings as we develop more panels and lectures, partner with new sponsors, and sign up a rapidly growing list of exhibitors.


For further information contact us at:
info@selfpubbookexpo.com or call 212 353 3478