The benefits of self-publishing to the wider book industry are plentiful, but sometimes it is worth having a look at a few key points to see just what it is able to offer. Of course, there is still a debate going on about publishing, and there are undoubtedly challenges relating to self-publishing as well as benefits, but as it grows in popularity, it’s impossible to deny that there is something important going on here. With this in mind, here are just some of the benefits that independent publishing has bought the book industry.
The publishing process is more appreciated
Now that more authors are getting involved in independent publishing, the process of publishing a book is more appreciated than ever before. Authors understand the work involved, and as the quality of self-published books continues to improve, the role of professionals is also important. This isn’t just good news for authors looking to get their work published, but also for others who work in the industry – editors and proof-readers and marketers. There is more choice and opportunity for them as well as for writers.
Authors understand the business better
When the only way of getting published was to go down the traditional route, a lot of authors didn’t really get that involved with the business side of things. With the rise of independent publishing, this is changing – and it’s a good things. When authors understand the business of publishing better, they are able to make more informed choices about what they want to do themselves and what they would like to use others to do for them. Better appreciation of marketing is also important, with tech-savvy authors taking responsibility for more and more of their promotions.
Authors have more power
We’ve looked before at how self-publishing gives authors more control over what they write, but it also gives them control in other ways. For instance, traditional publishers are starting to wake up to self-publishing success stories and are often keen to work with authors who have already had success. Since the self-published author has all their own rights, it puts them in a position of power. The hybrid model of publishing also opens up more options for authors, giving them choices that didn’t exist until quite recently.
More diversity in publishing
Traditional publishing with one of the big publishers. Self-publishing. Small press publishing. Hybrid publishing. Keepsake publishing. There is more diversity than ever before in the industry, which not only makes it more likely that writers will be able to find an option to suit them, but also gives more choice and power to readers. And, as self-publishing becomes seen more and more as a respectable, viable option for authors, there is arguably more of a level playing field in terms of publishing routes.
What do you think? How else has self-publishing benefitted the book industry?
