Mass Authorship and the Rise of Self-Publishing
Mass Authorship and the Rise of Self-Publishing

Author: Timothy Laquintano

Publisher: University of Iowa Press

Published: 2016-10-15

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1609384458

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In the last two decades, digital technologies have made it possible for anyone with a computer and an Internet connection to rapidly and inexpensively self-publish a book. Once a stigmatized niche activity, self-publishing has grown explosively. Hobbyists and professionals alike have produced millions of books, circulating them through e-readers and the web. What does this new flood of books mean for publishing, authors, and readers? Some lament the rise of self-publishing because it tramples the gates and gatekeepers who once reserved publication for those who met professional standards. Others tout authors’ new freedom from the narrow-minded exclusivity of traditional publishing. Critics mourn the death of the author; fans celebrate the democratization of authorship. Drawing on eight years of research and interviews with more than eighty self-published writers, Mass Authorship avoids the polemics, instead showing how writers are actually thinking about and dealing with this brave new world. Timothy Laquintano compares the experiences of self-publishing authors in three distinct genres—poker strategy guides, memoirs, and romance novels—as well as those of writers whose self-published works hit major bestseller lists. He finds that the significance of self-publishing and the challenge it presents to traditional publishing depend on the aims of authors, the desires of their readers, the affordances of their platforms, and the business plans of the companies that provide those platforms. In drawing a nuanced portrait of self-publishing authors today, Laquintano answers some of the most pressing questions about what it means to publish in the twenty-first century: How do writers establish credibility in an environment with no editors to judge quality? How do authors police their copyrights online without recourse to the law? How do they experience Amazon as a publishing platform? And how do they find an audience when, it sometimes seems, there are more writers than readers?

The Program Era
The Program Era

Author: Mark McGurl

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2011-11-30

Total Pages: 481

ISBN-13: 0674266021

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In The Program Era, Mark McGurl offers a fundamental reinterpretation of postwar American fiction, asserting that it can be properly understood only in relation to the rise of mass higher education and the creative writing program. McGurl asks both how the patronage of the university has reorganized American literature and—even more important—how the increasing intimacy of writing and schooling can be brought to bear on a reading of this literature. McGurl argues that far from occasioning a decline in the quality or interest of American writing, the rise of the creative writing program has instead generated a complex and evolving constellation of aesthetic problems that have been explored with energy and at times brilliance by authors ranging from Flannery O’Connor to Vladimir Nabokov, Philip Roth, Raymond Carver, Joyce Carol Oates, and Toni Morrison. Through transformative readings of these and many other writers, The Program Era becomes a meditation on systematic creativity—an idea that until recently would have seemed a contradiction in terms, but which in our time has become central to cultural production both within and beyond the university. An engaging and stylishly written examination of an era we thought we knew, The Program Era will be at the center of debates about postwar literature and culture for years to come.

Everything and Less
Everything and Less

Author: Mark McGurl

Publisher: Verso Books

Published: 2021-10-19

Total Pages: 337

ISBN-13: 183976385X

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National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist Best Book of Fall (Esquire) and a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 (Lit Hub) What Has Happened to Fiction in the Age of Platform Capitalism? Since it was first launched in 1994, Amazon has changed the world of literature. The “Everything Store” has not just transformed how we buy books; it has affected what we buy, and even what we read. In Everything and Less, acclaimed critic Mark McGurl explores this new world where writing is no longer categorized as high or lowbrow, literature or popular fiction. Charting a course spanning from Henry James to E. L. James, McGurl shows that contemporary writing has less to do with writing per se than with the manner of its distribution. This consumerist logic—if you like this, you might also like ...—has reorganized the fiction universe so that literary prize-winners sit alongside fantasy, romance, fan fiction, and the infinite list of hybrid genres and self-published works. This is an innovation to be cautiously celebrated. Amazon’s platform is not just a retail juggernaut but an aesthetic experiment driven by an unseen algorithm rivaling in the depths of its effects any major cultural shift in history. Here all fiction is genre fiction, and the niches range from the categories of crime and science fiction to the more refined interests of Adult Baby Diaper Lover erotica. Everything and Less is a hilarious and insightful map of both the commanding heights and sordid depths of fiction, past and present, that opens up an arresting conversation about why it is we read and write fiction in the first place.

APE, Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur
APE, Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur

Author: Guy Kawasaki

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780988523104

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APE’s thesis is powerful yet simple: filling the roles of Author, Publisher and Entrepreneur yields results that rival traditional publishing.

Published by the Author
Published by the Author

Author: Bryan Sinche

Publisher: UNC Press Books

Published: 2024-04-10

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 1469674149

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Publication is an act of power. It brings a piece of writing to the public and identifies its author as a person with an intellect and a voice that matters. Because nineteenth-century Black Americans knew that publication could empower them, and because they faced numerous challenges getting their writing into print or the literary market, many published their own books and pamphlets in order to garner social, political, or economic rewards. In doing so, these authors nurtured a tradition of creativity and critique that has remained largely hidden from view. Bryan Sinche surveys the hidden history of African American self-publication and offers new ways to understand the significance of publication as a creative, reformist, and remunerative project. Full of surprising turns, Sinche's study is not simply a look at genre or a movement; it is a fundamental reassessment of how print culture allowed Black ideas and stories to be disseminated to a wider reading public and enabled authors to retain financial and editorial control over their own narratives.

Book Wars
Book Wars

Author: John B. Thompson

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2021-03-04

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 1509546790

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This book tells the story of the turbulent decades when the book publishing industry collided with the great technological revolution of our time. From the surge of ebooks to the self-publishing explosion and the growing popularity of audiobooks, Book Wars provides a comprehensive and fine-grained account of technological disruption in one of our most important and successful creative industries. Like other sectors, publishing has been thrown into disarray by the digital revolution. The foundation on which this industry had been based for 500 years – the packaging and sale of words and images in the form of printed books – was called into question by a technological revolution that enabled symbolic content to be stored, manipulated and transmitted quickly and cheaply. Publishers and retailers found themselves facing a proliferation of new players who were offering new products and services and challenging some of their most deeply held principles and beliefs. The old industry was suddenly thrust into the limelight as bitter conflicts erupted between publishers and new entrants, including powerful new tech giants who saw the world in very different ways. The book wars had begun. While ebooks were at the heart of many of these conflicts, Thompson argues that the most fundamental consequences lie elsewhere. The print-on-paper book has proven to be a remarkably resilient cultural form, but the digital revolution has transformed the industry in other ways, spawning new players which now wield unprecedented power and giving rise to an array of new publishing forms. Most important of all, it has transformed the broader information and communication environment, creating new challenges and new opportunities for publishers as they seek to redefine their role in the digital age. This unrivalled account of the book publishing industry as it faces its greatest challenge since Gutenberg will be essential reading for anyone interested in books and their future.

Self Publishing Platforms Explained
Self Publishing Platforms Explained

Author: Azhar ul Haque Sario

Publisher: epubli

Published: 2024-10-02

Total Pages: 293

ISBN-13: 3759885640

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Alright, let's dive into the world of self-publishing with a fresh perspective. Imagine you're at a cozy coffee shop, chatting with a friend who's just spilled the beans on their secret dream to become an author. You pull out this book, "Self-Publishing Platforms Explained," and their eyes light up like a kid in a candy store. This isn't just another dry how-to manual. It's like having a savvy mentor in your back pocket, ready to guide you through the twists and turns of the publishing jungle. We kick things off by tackling the elephant in the room - copyright. Don't worry, we won't bore you with legalese. Instead, think of it as learning the rules of the game before you start playing. Now, picture yourself standing at a crossroads. Each path leads to a different self-publishing platform, each with its own quirks and perks. We'll walk these paths together, starting with the behemoth that is Amazon KDP. It's like the New York City of publishing - if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. For the polyglots among us, Babelcube is your ticket to reaching readers in languages you never thought possible. It's like finding a magic wand that turns your words into a universal language. By the time you finish this book, you'll feel like you've just completed a crash course in publishing, taught by your coolest professor. You'll know the ins and outs of formatting, pricing, and marketing your book across multiple platforms. It's like being given a Swiss Army knife for your writing career - versatile, practical, and always handy. Remember, in this brave new world of publishing, you're not just an author - you're a literary entrepreneur. This book is your trusty sidekick, ready to help you conquer the publishing world, one platform at a time. So grab your pen (or keyboard), pour yourself another cup of coffee, and let's turn that manuscript into a published masterpiece. The world is waiting for your story - let's give it to them!

Fracking 101
Fracking 101

Author: Eric George

Publisher: XinXii

Published: 2016-04-24

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 0994585004

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Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing to give its proper name, has become part of our lives recently, due to the massive exploitation of America’s shale oil and gas fields. Along the way it has stirred up controversy, with passionate opponents fighting against the oil companies. The fight has generated a lot of heat, but not much understanding. This guide, written by some-one who knows what he is talking about takes a detached, neutral view of the subject. Without pushing a view for or against, it provides the factual background you need to form an opinion of your own. An Informed and Neutral Introduction Like most people I have heard of fracking, but did I really understand what it was? To answer honestly, no. I knew it had something to do with mining and was perhaps destructive to the land. To me, it was just one of those words of the moment. This guide has given me a real sense and understanding of what fracking is. It allowed me, someone who has no experience in this field, to learn about the pros and cons of fracking, without having the good and bad of it forced down my throat. If you want an informed and neutral introduction into fracking, then this is the guide for you. ~ Debbie Prewer

Inside Book Publishing
Inside Book Publishing

Author: Giles Clark

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-06-27

Total Pages: 376

ISBN-13: 1317694457

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Now in its fifth edition, Inside Book Publishing remains the classic introduction to the book publishing industry, being both a manual for the profession for over two decades and the bestselling textbook for students of publishing.The book remains essential reading for publishing students, those seeking a career in publishing, recent entrants to the industry, and authors seeking an insider's view. The accompanying website supports the book by providing up-to-date and relevant content.This new edition has been fully updated to respond to the rapid changes in the market and technology. Now more global in its references and scope, the book explores the tensions and trends affecting the industry, including the growth of ebooks, self-publishing, and online retailing, and new business models and workflows. The book provides excellent overviews of the main aspects of the publishing process, including commissioning, product development, design and production, marketing, sales and distribution.

Self Publisher Paperback Publication Guide
Self Publisher Paperback Publication Guide

Author: Azhar ul Haque Sario

Publisher: epubli

Published: 2024-10-02

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 3759885616

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Unleash your inner author! This guide dives deep into the ten best platforms for self-publishing your paperback masterpiece. We'll uncover the secrets of getting your words out there, from worldwide distribution to pricing sweet spots and top-notch print quality. Whether you're dreaming of conquering global markets or simply want your book in the hands of eager readers, this guide has you covered.