publishing | The Creative Penn

From Indie Author To Creative Empire With Michael Anderle

October 21, 2019 by Joanna Penn 7 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:22:19 — 66.7MB)

When we start out as authors, it's all about that first book … but after book one, the sky's the limit in terms of what you can build in terms of a creative business. In today's show, I talk to Michael Anderle, well-known from the 20BooksTo50K group, about how he turned his book series into a co-writing empire and now has hundreds of books in multiple languages, and why he's going wide with his new series.

In the introduction, I mention Jane Friedman's round-up of traditional publishing book trends, and the HotSheet newsletter, plus Google's new voice recorder app that transcribes in real-time, even when offline [TechCrunch]

I also give a little report on my experiences at Frankfurt Book Fair, in particular, talking about the audio summit, the emergence of indie collectives, and the possibilities of BookChain. Thanks to everyone I met and talked to, and special thanks to Marion Hill, author of the Kammbia fantasy series who has a featured snippet in the show. I also thanked APub for the great Amazon Crossing session which was the most author-focused seminar I saw at the Fair, and they mentioned you can submit books for consideration for translation here. Other resources mentioned: Streetlib's new free international email newsletter for those interested in keeping up with international markets.

Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, where you can get free ebook formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Get your free Author Marketing Guide at www.draft2digital.com/penn

Michael Anderle is the award-nominated, internationally-bestselling author of more than 40 urban fantasy and science fiction novels. He’s also the co-author of many more with other authors under his company, LMBPN Publishing, which has now sold over 3 million books. Michael is also the co-founder of the popular 20BooksTo50K Facebook group and events with Craig Martelle.

You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript below.

Show Notes

Where the idea of 20 Books to 50K came from
Starting to think of writing as a business
Looking at author earnings as daily income rather than lump-sum advances
How Michael oversees the production of so many creative works each month and how he works with co-writers
Using a just-in-time model for editing books as they are written
Thoughts around licensing and shared Intellectual Property
Opinions on KU vs wide

You can find Michael Anderle at LMBPN.com and on Twitter @lmbpn. You can find Michael's books on Amazon here, and OpusX here.

Navigating Changes In The Publishing Industry With Mike Shatzkin

August 26, 2019 by Joanna Penn 11 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:03:19 — 51.5MB)

Will Barnes and Noble survive the takeover by a hedge fund company? Will Amazon Publishing continue to take market share? Will audio-first become more dominant for readers? How will AI impact the publishing industry? I discuss these things and more with Mike Shatzkin on today's episode.

In the intro, Open AI releases an updated version of GPT-2, the AI natural language text generator [The Next Web], try it out at TalkToTransformer.com. Chinese search engine Sogou is creating AI-lookalikes to read popular novels in the author's voice [BBC], and the article also mentions the development of human-level text-to-speech through DeepZen.io and Lyrebird.ai. Plus, indie superstar Hugh Howey talks about how he manages his publishing contracts —including retention of ebook rights, limited-term English print deals, and more in this interview on The Knowledge Project (in the last 30 mins).

Plus, I'm a finalist for the Digital Book World 2019 Publishing Commentator of the Year and Best Use of Podcasting in Publishing 🙂

Today's podcast sponsor is Findaway Voices, which gives you access to the world's largest network of audiobook sellers and everything you need to create and sell professional audiobooks. Take back your freedom. Choose your price, choose how you sell, choose how you distribute audio. Check it out at FindawayVoices.com.

Mike Shatzkin is the founder and CEO of The Idea Logical Company and an author, professional speaker, and thought leader about digital change in the book publishing industry. His most recent book is The Book Business: What Everyone Needs to Know.

You can listen above or on iTunes or your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Show Notes

On unforeseen changes in the publishing industry. Mike also talks more about this in his blog post, A lot has changed in the industry in the last 10 years

The growing trend of audiobooks and the potential of audio-first markets

How the purchase of Barnes & Noble by Elliott Management, a hedge fund, under the management of James Daunt, will affect their retail stores [The Bookseller]

What’s the future of Amazon Publishing?

Some of the practices that traditional publishing uses like returns, pulping and promoting debuts. Are traditional publishers changing the way they do business?

On the future of translation with AI, referencing my article on 9 ways that AI will disrupt publishing

You can find Mike Shatzkin at Idealog.com and on Twitter @MikeShatzkin

The Importance Of Self-Editing And Why You Need To Read Your Publishing Contracts With Ruth Ware

April 8, 2019 by Joanna Penn 5 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 46:40 — 38.2MB)

The main mission of The Creative Penn is to empower authors to take control of their writing career, so it's wonderful to interview business-minded, traditionally published author, Ruth Ware, on the show today. She explains why self-editing is the key to writing a book that might get a book deal, plus why authors need to understand their contracts and to always think like a freelancer, not an employee.

In the introduction, I talk about an article on advances and talking about money in publishing with a lot of interesting comments in The Guardian. Plus, I recommend a couple of books: Closing the Deal on your Terms: Agents, Contracts and Other Considerations by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and also Hollywood vs the Author with chapters from a lot of big names on the perils of TV & film deals.

Do you need a professional editor or book cover designer? Do you need help with marketing, publicity or advertising? Find a curated list of vetted professionals at the Reedsy marketplace, along with free training on writing, self-publishing and book marketing. Check it out at: www.TheCreativePenn.com/reedsy

Ruth Ware. Photo Credit: Gemma Day

Ruth Ware is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of five crime thriller novels, including In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10, which have both been optioned for screen adaptation. Her books have been published in over 40 languages. Her next book is The Turn of the Key.

You can listen above or on iTunes or your favorite podcast app, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Show Notes

Getting feedback on first drafts from those who know how to be honest

On changing genres and changing pen names

How publishing has changed since Ruth got involved in the early naughts, including a shift in the balance of power

On the language of love and relationships in publishing

The reality of being a full-time writer and why you are always a freelancer, not an employee.

The pros and cons of selling world rights

The intricacies of publishing contracts

The importance of peer support when contract terms are unfamiliar

You can find Ruth Ware at ruthware.com and on Twitter @RuthWareWriter

How To Be Successful When Publishing Wide with Adam Croft

December 17, 2018 by Joanna Penn 2 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:46 — 41.4MB)

There are often stories about indie authors making big money in Kindle Unlimited, but there are plenty of authors making multi-six figure incomes by publishing wide. In this interview, I discuss publishing to multiple platforms as well as author mindset and book marketing tips with Adam Croft.

In the intro, I mention the exciting news that Findaway Voices will be distributing to Storytel in 2019 [Findaway blog], plus rumours of a possible bid by Ingram for Baker & Taylor [Publishers Weekly], and Don'ts for Publishers [Publishing Perspectives.]

I give a personal update from Auckland, New Zealand and challenge you to think a little differently this holiday season. You can find all my pictures on Instagram.com/jfpennauthor.

Adam Croft is the international best-selling author of crime novels and psychological thrillers. He has now started a non-fiction series for authors, which includes The Indie Author Mindset.

You can listen above or on iTunes or your favorite podcast app or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Show Notes

Common misconceptions about indie publishing

On being professional about writing and making it a priority

Adam’s thoughts on KU vs going wide

Strategies to use if you choose to leave KU

On the learning experience and experiment of going with a traditional publisher temporarily

On the current advertising environment

What’s working currently with BookBub ads

You can find Adam Croft at adamcroft.net and on Twitter @adamcroft

5 Tips For Successful Publishing And Book Marketing. Lessons Learned From The Independent Author Conference.

November 12, 2018 by Joanna Penn 12 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 51:02 — 41.7MB)

I'm just back from the Independent Author Conference in Philadelphia. Here are some of my thoughts from the trip in this solo show: People don't buy books, publishing wide is more than just retail, tips for being a better publisher, strategy is what you DON'T do, plus, learn what you need for your stage of the author journey. (And yes, I am a distant relative of William Penn. Here's me by his memorial!)

In the introduction, I mention a podcast interview on Building Books with Mike Shatzkin about the development of publishing and how business models are changing; the Also-Bought Apocalypse from David Gaughran; and ‘Love of books unites us,' as booksellers save the closure of Abe Books in some markets [Guardian].

Plus, the world's first AI news anchor [Guardian], and I mention The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future by Kevin Kelly, AI Super-Powers: China, Silicon Valley and the New World Order by Kai-fu Lee, and This is Marketing: You Can't be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin.

Learn strategies that are working for Amazon Ads right now. Free webinar with Mark Dawson. Thurs 15 Nov at 3pm US Eastern / 8pm UK. Click here to register.

This show is sponsored by my own multimedia courses for authors, and I have a new mini-course/lecture out now: Content Marketing for Fiction.

Do you want to build an asset that makes income for the long-term over and above your book sales? Do you want to sell more fiction but aren't so keen on the paid ads approach? Do you want to use your creativity in your marketing? Click here to learn more about this course and my other courses on How to Write a Novel, How to Write Non-Fiction, and Creative Freedom.

Joanna Penn (yes, it's me!) is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers under J.F.Penn and also writes non-fiction for authors. She’s also a podcaster and an award-winning creative entrepreneur. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com has been voted in the Top 100 sites for writers by Writer's Digest.

You can listen above or on iTunes or your favorite podcast app, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Show Notes

People don't buy books. They buy entertainment, inspiration, or information.
Publishing wide is more than just the online stores
How to be a better publisher – making the most of what you already have
Strategy is choosing what you DON'T do, as well as what you do
Learn what you need for the stage of the journey you're at – or you will get overwhelmed

Happy writing!

From Indie Author To Creative Empire With Michael Anderle

Navigating Changes In The Publishing Industry With Mike Shatzkin

The Importance Of Self-Editing And Why You Need To Read Your Publishing Contracts With Ruth Ware

How To Be Successful When Publishing Wide with Adam Croft

5 Tips For Successful Publishing And Book Marketing. Lessons Learned From The Independent Author Conference.

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