The Philosophy of Indie Publishing – Introduction
Indie (Independent) publishing is becoming more popular every day. As someone concerned with the best way to publish my book once it is complete, I’ve read every book, listened to every podcast, watched every video, and read every blog post I could get my paws on within the last few years. Throughout this time I have developed my own take on where I think things are heading for the book publishing industry and why some publishing models will, in the long run, be better for both the author and consumer.
Technology has given authors the means to bypass the traditional route. The Internet is a game changer – and it is an exciting one for writers. Even though the industry is changing, and the stigma of “self” or “indie” publishing is diminishing day by day…there still is a lingering group of people vying for the traditional route. Holding on dearly to the dream of having their book on a physical bookshelf for a limited time within brick and mortar shops. Shops that are getting scarcer by the day as more and more people buy ereaders and consider the convenience of online shopping.
My “Philosophy of Indie Publishing” blog posts will address various aspects of indie publishing (vs. traditional publishing).
Some questions that may be pondered and addressed are:
- What are some of the pros and cons?
- Why will the consumer be benefitted with Indie?
- What does it mean that the author holds all of the rights to their book?
- Does the author have to do more work because they have to do all of their own marketing?
- How has the Internet changed the way people can bring their book to people?
- What does indie publishing mean for time frames to publish?
- How do we get around the issue of quality control if anyone can publish a poorly written book?
- Who will determine the quality of a book if not some traditional gatekeeper?
- How will indie publishing help with education?
- How does it support freedom of speech?
- What does it mean that people can display their ideas and concepts with the only gatekeeper being the reader, rather than a small group of people who say “no”?
- Are ebooks the future of reading?
- Why will indie publishing be important for philosophers and the expansion of ideas?
- What are some future possibilities for ereaders?
- What of formatting and cover art?
- How is indie publishing a better model for the environment?
…and a whole lot more.
This is the first of a series of blog posts on this topic that I plan to write. Each post beginning with the title “The Philosophy of Indie Publishing – X” (X being the specific topic) will address specific questions or points about indie publishing. On the right hand side these posts can be filtered by clicking the “Publishing” category. Stay tuned!
Subscribe to my blog if this is a topic of interest to you. I also talk about other topics pertaining to philosophy and the nonfiction and fiction books I am currently in the process of writing. I also post new doodles that you can use for free on your own blog or website, and plan on more free content at www.TrickSlattery.com. Here is another doodle I just put up on the site for your use:
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a spiffy day!
‘Trick
trickslattery
'Trick Slattery's Blog 
Thanks Trick, I’ll be reading these with interest. Sharing … 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Lyn. 🙂
Thanks, I’ll read trough this over the next couple days…
Love the ‘doodle’ as well! really nice feel to the line work.
Thanks Sean. I think your illustrations are really awesome (been watching them). Like your combination of ink techniques. Brilliant really.
Many thanks! Man, I have a long way before I can make my hands do what my mind sees, tho… I’m staying out of the mainstream, that’s for sure. Its funny — given how well known so many “non-traditional” inkers are these days in the graphic novel market — from Crumb to Craig Thompson, even in ‘children’s’ books I get my son– the illustrations in Series of Unfortunate Events and the Edge Chronicles spring to mind — I don’t see why the publishing industry clings to these very clean, almost computer generated styles of inking. Comics is more and more full of it. CGI over writing and technique… agh, rant over. 🙂
I do cartoons. Was gonna go kindle/amazon but that is really not appropriate format. I will follow.
Carl,
Cartoon books may or may not be appropriate for the smaller kindle format, as with some others such as those with intense graphic design that require a larger format (how to illustrate, graphic novels, cartoon books, etc). The ipad is larger and sufficient many times (which people can download and read kindle books from), and if smaller format works but color is important there is the kindle fire and other color readers (though not e-ink technology yet). For printed books (for example a coffee table book) there is print on demand (i.e. lightning source) to consider.
My main focus for indie publishing will be on writing intensive books (both fiction and nonfiction). I should go over illustrations as well though. Definitely needs to be a bullet point for a blog post. I intend on illustrating my nonfiction books in a way that works for the kindle e-ink technology and format.
Thanks for the visit. 🙂
Appreciate reply. Invite my blog/cartoons.
Very interesting… I’ve published on Kindle as I’ve had no luck over the years in getting published anywhere else… so i found what you’ve said quite relevant
Thanks Lois 🙂 Kindle is the way to go in my opinion!
I hope so!! Mind you, I’d love to have a real book traditionally published in my hands with my name on it!
I used to but not anymore.I can’t stand holding the book open, and I need to increase the font size to really really big…hahhah. 🙂