Who Is Behind Booktrack’s Tenfold Growth?
A look at who’s using the service that provides soundtracks of music and ambient audio for ebooks.
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Smashwords: Canary in Amazon Self-Publishing Coal Mine?
Commentary from Smashwords CEO Mark Coker gives us a glimpse of Amazon’s growing strength among the independent-publishing platforms.
Self-Published Title Gets Walmart Distribution: Sorry, Probably Not a New Era
Hybrid author Jamie McGuire’s deal with the retail giant is probably a unique outlier, not an indication of future trends.
On the List: The Martian
We asked Andy Weir’s agent, David Fugate, to comment on what helped the self-published sensation break out.
Best Practices for Ebook Discounting and Giveaways
BookBub has been blogging case studies and Q&As with authors and traditional publishers for nearly two years now.
Closing Image: August 26, 2015
Is reading going mobile? If so, it’s useful to know who’s earning money from mobile advertising. Source:
Authors United Asks the Justice Department to Investigate Amazon (Again?)
We can’t know whether Justice might see a viable case here, but what’s obvious is the deepening rift between the traditional and self-publishing sectors.
The Big Five: Becoming More Global and Integrated?
According to Mike Shatzkin, the Big Five will become increasingly focused on publishing in multiple languages and countries, rather than selling subrights.
How Marketing Strategies Might Change in a Mobile Reading Future
Reactions to new research from Nielsen indicating that the future of digital reading may be on phones, not tablets or e-reading devices.
Goodreads: Does It Reflect Existing Buzz or Create Buzz (or Both)?
We examine Goodreads case studies to see whether the site merely reflects the marketplace or has power to influence a book’s success.
Before You Query: Stop by #MSWL
Think of Manuscript Wishlist as a reverse pitch: agents and editors are pitching you, telling authors what they’re looking for using the hashtag #MSWL.
On the List: The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep
Insights from the author of a self-published global sensation.
Authors Offer Insight into Their Sales, Or: Audiobooks May Pay Your Bills in the Future
Two authors, one independent and one traditional, shed light on the diversity of formats and product types that contribute to their bottom line.
Two Author Services Bite the Dust—No, Make That One Down, One Saved
As early efforts to enable and capitalize on self-publishing evolve, some services fall by the wayside: in this case, Pubslush and HarperCollins Authonomy.
How Is KDP Select’s Per-Page Payout Working Out for You?
Two indie authors, Hugh Howey and J.A. Konrath, offer their take on Amazon’s new payment policy which took effect July 1, 2015