Hello authors and readers,
There's some big news for Indie Authors this month, and some opportunities for readers. So read on!
News for Authors
Draft2Digital, the new owner of Smashwords, has recently implemented a coupons system for authors selling their e-books on Smashwords. This allows you to create your own promotions and generate coupons for them.
You can choose which of your titles are included, whether the coupon is of limited numbers or unlimited, and the discount amount.
The coupons are available to all Smashwords readers. In addition, you get a code to share via social media or newsletters. In the 'For Readers' section below you can see the example I've created for two anthologies I've previously published of short fiction from authors from around the world.
Draft2Digital is free to publish with and offers royalty sharing for multi-author books. Their percentage of royalties taken is roughly the same as Amazon and they are clearly working hard to develop into the major alternative to the Bezos publishing giant.
IngramSpark Removes Upload Fees!!!
Yes, this news really does deserve the three exclamation points! In what might be the indie publishing news of the year, IngramSpark has eliminated their £50 upload fees. Uploads of all new books now have no upload fee, and corrections can be made for free for the first 60 days.
For many authors, IngramSpark is the goto for publishing print versions of their books due to it's distribution to Gardners and hence easier access to libraries and bookstores.
The Take-Away for Indie Authors
The indie publishing landscape is changing and there is a clear challenge to Amazon's dominence. The combined news above means that easy access to qualtiy publishing and distribution of both print (IngramSpark) and e-books (Draft2Digital) by channels other than Amazon is an increasing reality.
For Readers
Books and Beverages UK continues to introduce more independent British authors to the world.
Recent interviews, available on YouTube, include Leeds author Darren Walker discussing writing supernatural comedy and Bradford authors Raj and Jyoti Soren talking about stress management, building confidence and combatting bullies.
The Books and Beverages Uk website also features blog posts from guest authors and readers sharing their thoughts on interesting books.
If you're in the Harrogate areas Friday, May 5, why not catch the recording of their next interview with Yorkshire Historical Fiction authors Jane Fenwick and Julie Fearn?
Fancy Writing a Book Blog?
Books and Beverages UK are looking for Authors and Readers who are interested in writing either a single article or a monthly book-related blog post. If this sounds like you, you can contact them at: booksandbeveragesuk@gmail.com
