Some of you may have heard about the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), a new organization supporting self-published authors. I’m one of the advisors, along with Mark Coker (Smashwords), Joanna Penn (Creative Penn), and Victoria Strauss (SFWA), among other well-known publishing professionals.
I discuss reasons for moving to VQR, changes in publishing and self-publishing and what it means for authors—plus I pass on a top tip (hint: it’s to do with your blog).
Also covered:
- Marrying business side and artistic side of writing
- The creative and artistic potential of self-publishing today
- The dangers of “irrational exuberance”
- The need for self-publishers—and all writers—to develop their entrepreneurial skills
- How the major challenge for publishing houses now is to see authors as equals.
If you don’t see the video embedded above, then click here to see on Vimeo.
If you’re interested in other interviews I’ve given (video, audio, text), click here to view the archives.
Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. Her latest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing.
Although the audio trailed the video, I enjoyed the discussion and its content. Best wishes on a smooth transition to Charlottesville. Go Cavaliers!
=rdsieber
Thank you!
I have followed you and learned much. I hope the end of that won’t come asw a simple, one-way bye and good luck. It does feel somewhat like that. It is OK, you owe us nothing. Hoe is your husband with all this?
I’m sorry, I’m so confused! Not sure what you’re talking about. Plus I don’t have a husband.
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Very nice interview, ladies. some great insights into the future and publishing world in general.
Exited to see how the Virginia Quarterly moves forward with you at the helm 🙂
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)