On a brisk October 8th, a diverse collection people--somewhere around twenty-five in total--gathered in the program room at the Stanley Milner Edmonton Public Library. Young moms and senior citizens alike came to learn about a challenging but rewarding business: self-publishing. It was a free event open to anyone in the public, regardless of where they were from, or if they were a library card holder.
EPL’s Indie Author Day was not exclusive to the city. Rather, it was an international event that the EPL participated in, along with over 250 other libraries across the United States and Canada (note the graphic from http://indieauthorday.com). The event included a livestream event which took questions from people across North America, which can be reviewed here.
Despite its international nature, EPL’s event was personalized to the area, as local speakers and authors such as Wayne Aurthurson, Laini Giles, and Thomas Wharton were invited to share their expertise with eager writers. Seven sessions covering topics such as marketing a self-published book, dealing with finances, and the different pathways of an independent author.
The workshops did not focus on the craft of writing itself, although clearly that is an important part of authorship. Rather, the event interrogated questions about the business side of being an self-published author: how does one get books into libraries? What about ebooks? How important is a professional editor? Writing a book is only the first step of many in to become a successful independent author. Indie authors must promote their own work and develop strong marketing skills if they want to be widely-read.
One of the key takeaways from the event was that life for the independent author has changed. It’s much easier to get in touch with libraries, access helpful resources, and explore new pathways to becoming published. Twenty years ago, libraries and bookstores were often leery of self-published books; today, the market has gained legitimacy, and sellers embrace local writers. On the other hand, with the plethora of print and mobile distractions available in the digital world, it’s also more important to present an exceptional and professional-looking product. Editing, formatting, and cover design, have become more important to authors looking to take part in this market. To help, the event highlighted available software to help with polish the final appearance of their manuscript. One potentially useful piece of technology can be found at EPL--the Expresso Book Machine can print paperback books. Of course, purchasing software or hiring an editor can be expensive, so writers need to decide thier final goals and how much they're willing to invest.
It wasn’t just the speakers drawing writers to the event. Many took the time to network with other writers, sharing their personal projects and making new connections to form a support system. Attendees had a wide variety of projects planned--some were interested in Young Adult fiction, others in fantasy, and a few were considering writing memoirs. Some had published before, while others were new to the business. Writers didn’t seem to be exclusive when forming networks and exchanging ideas, and were just as eager to connect with those working on projects quite different from their own as those who were interested in a similar genre.
The Alberta Writers’ Guild also had a table setup, hoping to connect with and inform local writers about their services. Joining the guild costs a fee--$70.00 for an adult--but it allows writers to access services for editing, marketing, a chance to win awards and bursaries, and access to special events, all of which could be useful to an independent writer trying to carve their way through the crowded market.
Ultimately, there is no “right” path for an independent author, and nothing about the event suggested that independent publishing was better or worse than working with a commercial business. It’s a useful path for some writers who also can, or want to learn, how to be their own businessperson. Each writer has his or her own story, intentions, and hopes for the future: not every author is pursuing the same goal. Some would love to end up on the bestseller list, while others simply want something to pass along to their grandkids someday. These varying goals mean writers won’t all want or need the same resources, and Indie Author Day recognized these differences. With the expansive number of tools available for local writers, it is easier (although, perhaps still not easy) to achieve publication dreams, whatever those dreams entail.
