In an era where book store chains are disappearing while the number of e-distributed books and new authors are rising, how will your book get noticed? This is the burning question everyone is asking as they mull over self-publishing. Recently publishing strategist, Jane Friedman, delivered a keynote to the Writers’ League of Texas Agents Conference discussing the “state of the book” and she did not mince words.
Her key note was titled “Is The Book Dead? Who Cares!” where she addressed the fact that the publishing industry is moving from a place where limited shelf-space is no longer an issue. Wrap your mind around that for a moment. This makes for a great situation for authors in making their works available. It’s easier than ever before. But because there are more titles available, how can you get your book in the right hands?
Friedman believes “we have not stopped improving” the digital process (both publishing and distribution.) So don’t limit yourself. She explains how she believes some of the most creative storytelling of the moment is happening on television (she cited Madmen and Six Feet Under among others.) Yet others believe the future of revealing a story lies with movies or games. In other words, the future is unwritten. It’s up to you!
TechChi has posted a brief review of Friedman’s keynote. Among the info you will find there is a slide used to show the many avenues authors can connect with their audience. You may have read recently this being called the “transmedia approach.” If you haven’t seen the Social Media Wheel take the time to analyze it and see just how vastly you can build and connect to your audience.
And lastly, we wanted to share a related post The Passive Voice turned us onto today. It’s about a series written by Fortune magazine where various people share their experiences of making it in the current economy and how they have reinvented themselves. Author Paul Levine demonstrates this by showing how his routine has become less writing-intensive and more focus given to online book forums, Facebook and monitoring his book sales. It’s a brave new world.
