e-publishing

This is an introductory guide to the major self-publishing options available to authors today, and how to choose the right service for you.

Word doesn't export to EPUB, but you can still produce an editable file quickly, without buying software or using a "meatgrinder" conversion.

As the publishing industry has transformed in the digital age, small press activity has proliferated. Here's how authors can evaluate their offerings.

More books are translated in France than in any other country: 1 out of every 6 books has been translated from a foreign language, many from English.

In this post I regularly update the best resources I know of related to learning to publish an ebook, finding the right distributors and services, and staying on top of changes in the industry.

The most important thing any author needs to know about book distribution is that more than half of all book sales (regardless of format) take place online.

Pronoun works with independent authors to distribute their ebooks to the five major online retailers: Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play. Pronoun charges authors nothing upfront, and doesn't take a cut of ebook sales either.

There are advantages to selling ebooks only through Amazon, and makes most sense for authors who are just starting out or who are relatively unknown.

A round-up of important 2016 publishing news and trends that will affect authors in the years to come.

Last year, I began regularly contributing to Publishers Weekly on the topic of independent authorship and publishing. Here's a list of all my columns so far:

I'm writing monthly for the IngramSpark blog, which is focused on the concerns of self-publishing authors and small presses.

Should you self-publish? There is no single right answer to this question—it's always situational. It depends on you, your book, and your career goals. This post outlines the key questions you should ask.

If you're looking for an alternative to ACX and more control over your audiobook production and distribution, then ListenUp Audiobooks is worth a look.

Next week, I'm participating in the Book to Course Virtual Summit, a free event hosted by Teachable. I'll be discussing the rise of the writer-entrepreneur.

For years, serialization has been discussed as a significant area of opportunity for reading and publishing in the digital age.

Writers' collectives can help independent authors gain an advantage in quality, cost control, and marketing.

This printable and interactive checklist guides your self-publishing project to completion, to ensure you don't miss any important steps and to help you hit your target pub date.

The most important publishing industry headlines and stories that every writer should keep an eye on in 2016.

Join me to discuss digital media tools and publishing this coming Thursday (December 10) at 3 p.m. Eastern, at the Product Hunt site.

I am thrilled to announce that my 24-lecture series on how to publish your book is now available from The Great Courses.

Writing coach and author Angela Ackerman discusses techniques for identifying and connecting with your target reading audience.

As publishing becomes increasingly digital-driven, how are the business models for authorship changing?

How an indie author turned a story concept into a full-fledged multimedia universe, including a live blog, illustrated journal, merchandise, and podcast.

You can find marketing inspiration in what others have done, but also know that the less advertised “strategies” might actually be the ones worth pursuing.

Two literary agents offer their thoughts on the self-publishing of children's books and what the future of the picture book might look like.

Amazon's Kids' Book Creator allows the average Joe to create illustrated children's books for the Kindle and upload them directly to Amazon.

UK author Harry Bingham describes the four stages of his career, and why he's decided to self-publish after good experiences with traditional houses.

If you don't like the terms offered by Amazon's ACX for selling your audiobook, you do have an alternative. Author Lee Stephen explains the path he took.

My latest column at Writer Unboxed tackles serial fiction—and how it's changing writing, reading, and publishing. Here's a little snippet:

Micro-published books are short, tight, and swift. A meaningful discussion of micro-publishing has been pushed aside during the ongoing tug-of-war between traditional publishing and independent publishing (self-publishing). But we are well beyond “everyone is a writer” at this point. We have progressed into “everyone is a publisher,” if they wish to be—and we have been living in this realm for some time already. Fortunately, micro-publishing benefits the industry as a whole by bringing some much-needed simplicity and directness into a publishing equation that is often weighted down by its own complexity and contracts. And it also benefits you, the writer.

Is it possible to successfully publish and sell your e-books—without a platform—as long as you choose the right genre?

Is it possible that all the changes happening in publishing can be encapsulated by a conversation about self-publishing?

Bestselling author Michael J. Sullivan proposes that publishers give authors permission to send free ebooks to readers who have purchased print editions.

In Writing on the Ether, Porter Anderson looks at the revelation of J.K. Rowling's pseudonym for The Cuckoo's Calling and implications for publishing.

This infographic breaks down the key 5 publishing paths, their value to authors, the potential pitfalls, and examples of each.

Today's guest post is by Judy L. Mandel, author of the Replacement Child, forthcoming from Seal Press in March 2013.

Last month, I gave a 15-minute presentation in Berlin, Germany, called The Future of the Author-Publisher Relationship, as part of

Yesterday, news broke that Pearson (parent company of Penguin) had acquired Author Solutions for $116 million. Read the basics here.

The turning point of my long-term publishing plans came when I realized I have very little in common with author

This weekend, I'll be speaking at the Writer's Digest Conference about e-publishing. I'm in the process of updating my slides

Today's guest post is by Scott Vankirk (@mightyscoo). As much as we (aspiring authors) tend to get joy and satisfaction