I'm always on the lookout for publishing sources that help writers get published fast and simple...and I discovered FastPencil in a PRNewswire press release.
FastPencil appears to be a great resource for writers so check it out at http://www.fastpencil.com/ :
FastPencil Puts Authors on the iPad With New iBookstore Publishing Service
FastPencil Automatically Transforms Digital Content for Easy Distribution to Apple's iBookstore
Next generation publisher, FastPencil, today expanded sales opportunities for authors by announcing iBookstore distribution. FastPencil makes the process seamless for authors to get their content into any channel by providing them with an end-to-end publishing solution that enables them to write, publish and sell books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and now the iBookstore for iPad readers.
"With over 2 million iPad units sold already, Apple is revolutionizing the publishing industry," said Michael "Mash" Ashley, FastPencil Co-Founder and CTO. "Authors want to be part of the revolution, they want their books everywhere. The beauty of FastPencil is that we automatically turn a manuscript into an eBook and put it into the iBookstore as well as Kindle and the entire Ingram Digital network so the author can focus on writing great books."
The iBookstore, announced this past March in conjunction with the iPad, is reinventing the publishing industry and giving consumers a new avenue for purchasing and accessing literature. FastPencil is dedicated to making it easy, fun and economical for anyone to write a book and the iPad makes it even more profitable to be an author with little cost or risk by providing a new platform to sell books.
"Last year 764,448 titles were produced by self-publishers and just 288,355 titles were published through traditional publishers," said Steve Wilson, FastPencil Co-Founder and CEO. "With so much happening in the industry right now including new devices, formats and rules of the game, authors need to hedge their bets with a device and format agnostic service that takes care of the transformation for them and future-proofs their work."
Read more: http://alturl.com/tu3y
6 comments:
We're still in a state of flux here from old-style book publishing and a tidal wave of choices for Internet publishing and dissemination of information like FastPencil.
My question continues to be how writers (of novels) will make money. If they are unknown already, getting their work out their faster doesn't make them suddenly known. In fact, compared to the authors of printed books, each author is going to be swimming in a much larger Internet sea with even more competition than before.
So far, it appears that most of the novelists who are making money are still making it the old fashioned way, by the promotion and buzz that attends big book deals and print media promotion.
How, in the world of FastPencil, does a new John Grisham or a new Nora Roberts ever get heard of without the PR blitz pushing their work into people's consciousness?
Malcolm
There are two big problems with offers such as this. FastPencil offers to make "it easy, fun and economical for anyone to write a book and the iPad makes it even more profitable to be an author with little cost or risk by providing a new platform to sell books."
Offers like this are why accomplished authors have credibility issues and daily run into obstacles in publicizing and distributing their works. Indie authors aren't taken seriously by the likes of the NY Times and major bookstores, simply because anyone can publish and there is no way for the major reviewers and distributors to distinguish between the good and the bad, especially when they receive 1000s of books a month. The other secret companies like CreateSpace, FastPencil and their ilk don't explain to customers is that just putting your book on Amazon, Kindle or ipad isn't going to result in sales. Someone has to know your book is available. How are readers going to find it among the thousands upon thousands of books advertised? It's up to the author, of course. So unless a writer simply wants to see their name in print, an author better understand the business before they buy into self-publishing offers.
Hi Sun Singer,
Self-publishing requires stamina...as did/does traditional publishing. You bring up several good points...
First, I respectfully disagree with your premise that unknown authors won't get known faster if they get their work out in front of readers in the "internet sea" (to borrow your words) Versus what? getting known in the snail-speed traditional model (TM)?
This same internet sea of authors contains many more concentrated readers as well; and if they like your book, it will sell well or even go viral (bingo, a new John Grisham!)...That's BETTER and more instant buzz than was ever given to unknown authors under TM. We still don't understand the power of the net.
Second, you are right that already established authors are still making more money under the TM (this will change)...that's because the old TM (traditional model) is publicizing them more as their stars...They don't do this AT ALL for newbies--They put this burden on the new author (the BIGGEST flaw of the old TM)...How did popular authors under the old TM get known? Very very s-l-o-w-l-y for most. There were some exceptions...But, we want to reverse that equation.
Third, I believe the number of people who like to read and the number who like to write are basically the same as before (which means competition is as constant as before)...they are just now put together (organized) into a more centralized context with the internet and digital access...making it APPEAR that their is this insurmountable sea of competition.
My advice is get your work out in front of as many as you can...I also foresee the printed book NOT going away, as such, and ebook success resulting in printed book contracts...Some have already appeared...BUT, these contracts won't be exactly the same because they are no longer the only game in town...
Hi Pam!
Your comments hold a lot of truth...especially RE the author-responsible marketing...This fact has always been a fact of life for newbies before both of us were born...BOTH in tradional publishing as well as digital...
However, FastPencil is MORE than just a publishing site, it is like "Scribd"...A social media site for writers where you establish a profile, join a community, get followers, show your work for critique or publish for sale and allows you to start building or adding to your online platform that will result in better sales and recognition...
In other words, this IS your digital book reviews, book signings, personal appearances, etc that is done with brick & mortar storefronts...
Remember, you are not a good writer because a Random House decides to publish you (and make you do all the marketing work) you are a good writer if your work is widely read and appreciated (and paid for). RH, Curtis-Brown, Penquin etc publish a lot of bad stuff too!
You do not need their arbitrary validation or stamp of approval to be a good writer...
In my humble opinion, we SHOULD be trying to make writing as fun, economical and easy as possible...People who don't enjoy the writing business, even with all it's imperfections, are probably in the wrong business...or they just don't truly understand it's history or workings...
Writing/publishing is a frustrating but fascinating business at the same time!
I refer you to my response to Sun Singer on this post...
John, you were correct. I was not registered to receive notification of follow-up comments. Now, I am. Thanks. I appreciate your efforts on Writers Welcome to provied suggestions/opportunities for writers in this digital age. As an author passionate about her new book I am frustrated by the unmentioned obstacles that exist throughout the process - be it traditional AND digital. I get frustrated, even ANNOYED, when cautionaries aren't included in digital offers. Don't get me wrong. I am glad to have more option. I investigate them as I have time. Last night I followed your lead to Smashmouth. This was the first site I've seen where they were honest from the get-go about limitations and expectations. However, they didn't discuss copyright protection. After all a writers' effort and expenses some of want to protect our creative product. Caution should be a watch word. My advice to writers is take it slowly, investigate, and compare offers like any good consumer. Patience and diligence should payoff, but there is no guarantee.
Pam,
It's Smashwords not Smashmouth...I got a kick out of the misspell...
Are you trying to smashmouth me?
Anyway, glad you can receive the notifications...How did you register without following my blog? I'm still confused a little on this blogger template...
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