The Independent Publishing Magazine

TIPM Media Fonejacker!

2013-06-13T17:02:00.001+01:00

Sometimes at TIPM Media, I think I’ve just had a call from Fonejacker… PHONE RINGS “Hello, TIPM Media.” X “Is that Tip? I need some help.” “Well, this is T.I.P.M. Media. How can I help?” [I knew I might have trouble with the company name-sometimes. If I say it too quickly it can sound like TPM Media, instead] X “Oh, good, yes. I have a book…” [long pause from caller as I

Ingram Spark: A Flash of Lightning or A Bolt of Reality for Self-Publishers?

2013-06-07T17:31:00.001+01:00

Something tells me that the word ‘Spark’ is going to be on the lips of many self-published authors over the coming months and I’m sure there will be many articles, lines and comments written about a path yet to be taken by many indie publishers. Working with Lightning Source directly has become a common path for many self-published authors over the past few years. After all, Lightning

John Green - Changing the Publishing Paradigm? - NOT!

2013-06-07T14:20:00.000+01:00

Oh, dear, what an embarrassing rant from author, John Green. Yes, Johnny baby, we did Ann Patchett a few weeks ago. She didn't fare too well, either. Green's rant was actually part of an acceptance speech for an award by The American Booksellers Association. Green wants us to know that he is happy with all the backing the traditional publishing engine provides for his books. He is

Some Thoughts on 5 Key Publishing Paths

2013-06-02T16:25:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago the industrious and expert publishing analyst, Jane Friedman, posted this very useful infographic titled ‘5 Key Publishing Paths’. Since then it has been reproduced many thousands of times by authors across social media channels, blogs and websites, but it has often been reposted and pointed to wrongly as if it represented the holy grail of publishing paths for authors. What

Publishers Left Reeling as MPG Printgroup Set to Enter Administration Next Week

2013-06-01T14:56:00.000+01:00

News that troubled MPG Printgroup will formally enter administration next week has left some UK publishers reeling. The news was confirmed by MPG Printgroup CEO Tony Chard in a letter to all employees. Details contained in the communication to employees were revealed late yesterday by PrintWeek. In the letter, Chard outlined that the company can no longer operate its three print facilities

ALLi Launch Open Up to Indies Campaign

2013-06-01T12:03:00.000+01:00

The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has chosen Book Expo America week to launch a campaign to encourage the book trade, literary festivals and book award organisations to 'open up' to the self-publishing community. In a week where several book trade CEO's spoke openly at BEA about the challenges and threats facing the industry (and happily pointed fingers at who they feel is to blame),

Book Expo America 2013 | Live TIPM Feed

2013-05-31T12:55:00.003+01:00

This is a current live streaming feed from Book Expo America, New York...

Inside Random House | The Art of Cover Design

2013-05-31T07:57:00.000+01:00

From the 'Inside Random House' series of videos, book designers discuss 'The Art of Cover Design.' The video features pieces from Chip Kidd and Peter Mendelsund (Knopf), Marysarah Quinn and Christopher Brand (Crown), and Robbin Schiff (Random House).

The Things Publishing People Say

2013-05-30T01:08:00.001+01:00

A few things caught my eye while reading today's publishing news and a lot of it has to do with how some people view authors and publishers when peering over the garden wall. Sometimes what we see or believe is based more on what we want or wish to see than what is actually in before our very eyes. Novelist, journalist and editor, Roz Morris, pointed me in the direction of this article on

FastPencil - Reviewed

2013-05-27T13:57:00.001+01:00

FastPencil is a California-based publishing service and writing community for authors and publishers. The company was founded by Steve Wilson and Michael Ashley in 2007 and it was purchased in 2013 by the Courier Corporation, an innovative US book manufacturer and content management provider. FastPencil provides authors and publishers with full-featured, open-platform solutions spanning

Salt Publishing Ends Single-Author Poetry Collections Following Market Value Decline

2013-05-25T15:58:00.000+01:00

One of the UK's most vibrant and independent poetry and fiction publishers, Salt Publishing, has this week announced that it is abandoning its single-author poetry collections. Director of Salt Publishing, Chris Hamilton-Emery, explained the decision to the Guardian UK online: "We've seen our sales [of single-author collections] decline by over a quarter in the past year, and our sales have

Lulu Partner with BookLamp to Launch Helix Data Analysis Service at BEA

2013-05-25T11:55:00.000+01:00

DIY self-publishing platform Lulu will use this week's Book Expo America trade show to formally announce details of a new book data analysis engine (Helix) that will allow its authors extract statistical data on genres and themes from the content of their books. BookLamp originally developed their book data analysis engine several years ago with the intention that it would be used by

10 People Who Helped Shape The Future of Modern Publishing

2013-05-24T14:57:00.001+01:00

This is by no means a complete list, but the ten people below have helped shape the future of modern publishing. Some may have played an active part in the construction and dialogue of where publishing is moving, others may have been completely unaware of the significance their role has played. JONATHAN CLIFFORD Consumer activist Jonathan Clifford is the person who coined the term

Bowker Finally Names and Launches Self-Publishing Service Portal

2013-05-21T11:33:00.000+01:00

Over the past year Bowker has been expanding its array of self-publishing services for authors and yesterday marked its full entry into the self-publishing service provider market with the launch of SelfPublishedAuthor.com. Bowker is widely known to US-based self-published authors as the place to go to purchase a block of ISBN's (it is the official ISBN Agency for the United States and its

Patchett Rallies Author Troops to Get Involved With Health of The Publishing Industry

2013-05-19T15:15:00.000+01:00

Every so often authors immersed in the traditional world of publishing pop their heads above the precipice and make grandiose statements about independent publishing, the retail book trade, and, in particular, self-publishing and self-published authors. Garrison Keillor tried it prior to Book Expo 2010 with an article for the New York Times, and last summer Sue Grafton tried her hand at making

Guest Post: Appearances Can Be Deceptive - Vincent Flannery

2013-05-15T16:31:00.000+01:00

The word appearance has two meanings: one literally means to appear; the other describes what something looks like. Let’s talk about the first meaning, which is the first thing a writer thinks about: how am I going to get this book to readers? Most writers will have gone through the arduous task of sending work out to agents or, in some cases, directly to publishers. (Though very few

Publishing Service Index - May 2013

2013-05-09T18:42:00.000+01:00

This is the PUBLISHING SERVICE INDEX for MAY 2013. This update reflects some review updates and the review of Llumina Press. TIPM continues to receive a regular feedback on services since the last index at the end of March, both positive and negative, and this is also reflected in the latest index ratings. CLICK TO ENLARGE (KEY) DIY - Do-it-yourself bespoke sevices ASS - Author

Class Action Complaint Against Penguin/Author Solutions - Part 2

2013-05-09T00:01:00.001+01:00

The class action complaint lodged with the New York court at the end of April alleges that ASI misrepresent its company and services with the intention of luring authors in with claims that its books can compete with “traditional publishers,” offering “greater speed, higher royalties, and more control for its authors.” The suit also alleges that ASI profit from “fraudulent” practices, fail

Class Action Complaint Against Penguin/Author Solutions - Part 1

2013-05-07T16:23:00.001+01:00

On April 26th US law firm Giskan SolotaroffAnderson & Stewart filed a class action complaint on behalf of three authors in the Southern District Court of New York. The plaintiffs have been named as Penguin Group (USA) and Author Solutions of Bloomington, Indiana. For the uninformed, you might wonder why a leading global publisher and the largest company of paid-publishing services are named

2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Winners Announced

2013-05-07T09:38:00.001+01:00

The 2013 IPPY Award winners were announced last week and not surprisingly the extensive list of medal winners features an increased representation from micropresses and self-published authors. In fact the e-book section of the award is dominated by self-published authors. Compared to previous years, there is a distinct 'drop-off' in titles from authors using packaged self-publishing services.

Kobo Launch Global TV AD Campaigns

2013-05-02T21:48:00.000+01:00

It is not too often a self-publishing service launches a global TV campaign. Well, Kobo, the self-publishing and distribution platform for authors and publishers has done just that. The first of the advertising campaigns, entitled ‘Reader’s Passion,’ includes TV, online and print advertisements and recognises people who make reading a part of their daily lives. Toronto-based creative agency,

US Law Firm and Authors Instigate Suit Against Author Solutions

2013-05-02T20:14:00.000+01:00

Back in March TIPM reported that US attorney firm Giskan Solataroff, Anderson and Stewart LLP was carrying out an investigation into practices of the publishing industry’s largest self-publishing service, Author Solutions Inc. based in Bloomington, Indiana. Giskan Solotaroff Anderson & Stewart represent employees in employment and civil rights matters, consumers and small businesses in class

Bowker Partner With Smith Publicity To Offer Public Relations Service For Authors And Small Presses

2013-05-02T19:46:00.001+01:00

Bowker, provider of ISBN's (via MyIdentifiers.com), bibliographic information and research material for publishers continues to expand and establish itself as a service provider. Several weeks ago Bowker launched an ebook conversion service for authors and publishers, and today, announced a partnership with Smith Publicity to provide public relations programs for authors and small presses. The

Creative Writing Courses | BBC Radio 4 - You & Yours

2013-04-29T20:02:00.000+01:00

There was an interesting discussion on today's edition of the BBC Radio 4 consumer programme You & Yours about creative writing courses, and specifically those run by big publishers like Faber and Bloomsbury. Liz Thomson of Bookbrunch and Jason Cooper of the Faber Academy appeared on the programme and expressed very different views. Thomson considers some of these types of writing courses as

101 Best Website for Writers: The Independent Publishing Magazine

2013-04-25T16:48:00.000+01:00

The Independent Publishing Magazine has been selected as one of Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers in their May/June edition of their magazine. Delighted to get the recognition for all the work done at TIPM!