Let's turn to this month's optional IWSG question, which is: "There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?"
This is a great question and the answer could be very wide-ranging. Who knows where we'll be in ten years' time? Over the past decade I really think we've seen indie and self publishing solidify as a force in the industry, but I'm not sure indie authors are truly seen as being on the same level as those traditionally published - I'd like to see equal recognition, and that could include things like reviews in the New York Times and equal opportunities for things like audiobooks, movie adaptations, and so on.
At the same time, on the traditional publishing side, it would be nice to see more stability for small presses in particular. Many seem to fold very suddenly or without warning, often leaving authors' dreams turned upside down. This is a difficult one. I'm sure many of them will not weather the current crisis, and who's to say there aren't more episodes to come? I'd like to see grants or other help made available for them. I can't say I know much about this area, but I'm thinking about dipping my toe in it, and I worry what state COVID will leave it in.
What thoughts do you have about the future of the industry? You can check out others' responses here.
30 comments:
Reviews! Maybe bad reviews will not be allowed in the future. Only praise and well wishes. haha
Teresa
Equal recognition for everyone as even small press authors don't get a lot.
I think we'll see a lot of change in just this next year.
I don't think self published work will ever be considered as equal to 'traditionally' published – which is a shame as some is excellent. It's also understandable, as some isn't very good.
Oh well, we're all mostly on the same page. Recognition..Phew...The authors do want a bit of it. Good luck with your WIP. You're doing good.
Sonia from https://soniadogra.com
I agree about indie authors coming a long way in the last decade. So many options to make your book shine and stand out in a crowded market.
I've been tentatively working on business plans to expand my Wings of Light Publishing to include other authors, going toward a small press model, but I haven't gone there yet because I want to make sure it's sustainable.
I think our industry has changed and continues to change.
I think that's very interesting about the future of the industry. It feels like how the printing press forever changed publishing and access to books, not all at once but irrevocably. The digital revolution is slowly but surely bringing about a new, even more decentralized shift in how books (and media in general) get made and shared. We're still working through the kinks but these are growing pains.
I think there's a lot of truth in all you said. Including finding innovative ways to support innovative solutions. It's especially important for niche publishers giving voice to those whose voice has been too long silenced, you know? It is one of those things I've been thinking a lot about lately.
Congrats on your confidence with your WIP! That's always a good place to be.
Anne from annehiga.com.
I agree that the industry needs to treat self-published authors the same as traditionally published and give them the same opportunities.
Well put! I agree that us indies and small press folks deserve more respect--not sure how much it will happen, but we can also hope. Ideally, I'd also love to see the traditional publishing world treat all of their authors better. Right now, unless you're a HUGE gun, they don't treat their authors very well. I've seen too many friends get slammed under the wheels of NY. So across the board-- more respect for writers!
Hi Nick - good luck with the writing and being prepared for publication at some stage. I hope books, as books, don't go - I do like my paper reading! Take care and stay safe ... all the best - Hilary
Indie authors do have equal opportunity with audio books. They can use ACX and choose the option to split the royalties with the narrator instead of paying a fee if finances are a struggle. I'll be doing this myself since my small press publisher no longer can do audio books for their authors.
Great point about equal respect for self-pubbed writers. I know from those I've spoken to or read their work that they are working just as hard. And there's the whole marketing part that's so much more work for a self-pubbed or small press writer.
It will be interesting to see how our current events affect the publishing community. Will there be more ebooks/epublishing? I hope that more small presses don't fold. I'd hate to see there be no other options besides the big 5.
Happy ISWG!
I decided to go the self-publishing route without querying my books at all. It makes my control-freak side happy, but it is difficult to gain an audience for your work!
Hope those words keep flowing for you!
DLP isn't danger of going under, but we've lost a lot of our live events and that hurts.
The industry is constantly changing. I wonder to what extent COVID-19 will affect the evolution of the book industry.
I'd love to see equal recognition for self-pubbed and indie authors too, and more stability for those small houses. For all the respect we've earned over the last decade, proving we're not the vanity authors of yore, many people outside the writing community still think we're automatic hacks and inferior.
I do feel for just about everyone right now. There isn't a person or business that isn't suffering...well, unless you own a face mask company...
A lot of our brains seemed to go in the direction of Indie authors and equal platform for them for this post. I find it illuminating. Indie authors really are the driving force behind the book market these days, and they should definitely be recognized as such!
More love for the indie authors would be awesome.
I think more people were reading as they had more time at home. Now, if those readers were able to take more chances on presses that they weren't familiar with... Yeah, hopefully the smaller presses would get more stability. That would be nice.
P'd like to see more small presses succeed. Good luck with your own toe=dipping :)
I've heard of a couple of small presses going under. And indie book shops. And a distribution company is in administration. It's all so sad.
I want the small presses to do well, not go under.
Wow, that would be truly awesome if Indies were to be given respect equal to published authors. I love that hopeful thought. I don't think there is the same stigma around being self-published as there was twenty or even ten years ago. As you say, who knows where we'll be in another ten years time! :-)
I'd like more stability for small presses, too. They have a tough row to hoe, but some do an excellent job. Thanks for weighing in on this interesting question.
Congrats on your progress, Nick. I hope it continues even better.
It's a shame about small presses. you have to wonder if the financial realities will allow them to continue.
Yes Nick, the publishing industry is in flux and there's a way to go before indies get the same recognition as traditional. Not surprising. Ebook history isn't well known, but many luminaries in the industry self published.
I'd like to see small presses have an easier time, too. Library Journal and Kirkus seem to ignore the small presses and not review their books. It doesn't seem fair.
I agree with Chrys. Audio is the way to go. Great post. Happy IWSG!
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