Events & Resources

Where to go to find out more? Whether you need help with a specific issue, or want to attend a workshop, we can direct you to the events and resources that provide the best guidance.

What Do You Read? 10 Top Blogs for Today's Indie Authors

by Frances Caballo
Bowker | Wed Aug 3, 2016

Do you have a favorite blog or two? You know, a blog that consistently teaches you something new or provides information on topics that self-publishers need to know to succeed in today’s competitive indie market?

I subscribe to quite a few blogs, but the ones below are those that I couldn’t do without.

TheBookDesigner.com Joel Friedlander
Who doesn’t look forward to learning what’s new on this blog? Joel continues to write his own posts once a week and host a monthly Carnival of the Indies and a book cover contest, which he judges. A team of contributing writers fills out the rest of the month with information on publishing, editing, ebooks, and marketing. Writer’s Digest consistently names TheBookDesigner.com among the 101 best websites for writers. It also received an award from the Alliance of Independent Authors as a top website for self-publishers.

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Why The Hot Sheet Is Important for Today’s Authors

by Porter Anderson
Bowker | Wed Jun 15, 2016

The Hot Sheet

Get a special price at Bowker on a Hot Sheet subscription now.

Jane Friedman and I have been observing the experiences of authors in the contemporary marketplace as it has developed over many years.

The impact of the digital dynamic, after all, hasn’t just rocked publishing. Like a good, stiff earthquake, it also has rearranged the landscape for writers—opening up new pathways to publication…and several pretty little trails that will lead your career right over a cliff.

But you’d think that at a time when free blog sites about writing are on every corner of the Web, the last thing you’d need to do is pay for a private subscription newsletter for authors. Right? Wrong.

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Making Connections at Self-Publishing Book Expo

by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Wed Nov 19, 2014

Saturday, November 15, Bowker was pleased to be among those sponsoring the Self-Publishing Book Expo, which took place at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan. As Publishers Weekly put it,

Among the highlights of the show were panels providing indie authors with information, tips, and best practices on publicity, marketing, teambuilding, and websites. Among the exhibitors at the show were Lulu, Bowker, Smashwords, BiblioCrunch, BookLife, Author Connections, and Nook Press.

This is the sixth year of the conference, which is quite an indication of the growth in self-publishing since 2008. One other anniversary of note: today is the 7th anniversary of the Kindle. Coincidence?

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The Distribution Landscape: What You Need To Know

by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Wed Nov 5, 2014

On Wednesday, November 12, at 1 p.m. Eastern, DCL and Bowker present "The Distribution Landscape: What You Need To Know", a webinar directed at self-published authors. Laura Dawson of Bowker will conduct a Q&A session with Mark Coker, CEO of Smashwords. Topics that we’ll cover include:

Overall market conditions
Retailer health
New distribution models
Pros and cons of exclusivity
Amazon vs Hachette – what does this mean for authors?
Distribution tools that work well for authors
Direct or distributor?

You can find more information about the webinar, and register for it, here.

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Book Marketing University: Selling Large Quantities With No Returns

by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Mon Oct 20, 2014

The Second Annual APSS Book Marketing University

October 24–25, 2014

Embassy Suites Airport Hotel • Philadelphia, PA

Sponsored by Bowker

The Association of Publishers for Special Sales is conducting its second annual Book Marketing University, with lots of great speakers and events. The program opens with a presentation by Dan Poynter, noted self-publishing guru. There will be an additional keynote by John Groton, former Vice President of Special Markets at Random House.

At Book Marketing University, you will discover how to sell your books in more ways than you ever imagined and to people you never knew existed— in large, non-returnable quantities.

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Self-Publishing Continues to Grow in U.S., Says Bowker

by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Wed Oct 8, 2014

A new analysis of U.S. ISBN data by ProQuest affiliate Bowker reveals that the number of self-published titles in 2013 increased to more than 458,564, up 17 percent over 2012 and 437 percent over 2008. Print titles were up a very strong 29 percent over 2012, indicating the format’s continuing relevance to self-publishers. While self-publishing continues to grow, the pace appears to be normalizing after several explosive years.

Read Bowker’s report on self-publishing here: http://bit.ly/selfpub13

“Our general conclusion is that self-publishing is beginning to mature. While it continues to be a force to reckon with, it is evolving from a frantic, wild-west style space to a more serious business,” said Beat Barblan, Bowker Director of Identifier Services. “The market is stabilizing as the trend of self-publisher as business-owner, rather than writer only, continues.”

The analysis also shows:

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Are you up to the TASK?

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Aug 12, 2014

In a recent discussion, I was asked, “How many authors are up to the task of selling 1000 books?” My immediate (unpublished) response was, “If you can’t sell 1000 books, why bother publishing?” But upon more thought, that flip response would have been a great disservice to those who really want to sell 1000 books, but do not know how. The word “TASK” struck me as a perfect acronym representing four areas that I believe need attention in order to be successful as an author. Each requires much greater description than below, but this may give foundering authors food for thought. Two of these characteristics are internal (TA), while two can be acquired (SK). Attend to each and I believe your ability to sell 1000 or more books will be greatly enhanced.

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Premium Book Company: Offering Catalog Sales to Non-Bookstore Markets

by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Thu Aug 7, 2014

Premium's network of 60,000+ experienced sales pros personally sell your books to known buyers in corporations, associations, the military, government agencies and schools. They pay for shipping, and there are no returns.

Click here for more information on Premium Book Company's catalog program.

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Making Beautiful Books

by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Fri Jun 20, 2014

Learn what goes into creating professional-looking books! Join India Amos, Managing Editor of Print and Digital Production at CN Times Books, and Allan Lieberman, Special Projects Manager, Data Conversion Laboratory, Inc., on Monday, June 30th, at 1:00pm EDT to discover what you need to know about production and design.

Whether you are publishing in print, digital, or both, this webinar will help you determine what choices you need to make for your book. We’ll cover:

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Have a Meeting of the Minds

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Wed Jun 18, 2014

Growing your business depends in large part on your ability to innovate – both content and marketing. Moving from your core business (trade sales) into special (non-bookstore) markets is an example. Creating a mastermind group can help you access the combined knowledge of others to help you make the move. To do this, build an environment in which people feel comfortable, willing and able to innovate. Here are the Top Ten Principles For Developing a Successful Mastermind Team.

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