The document summarizes the evolution of the publishing industry from the 1980s to the present. It describes how traditionally publishers, agents, and retailers acted as gatekeepers that took most of the profits and gave writers little control over or profits from their work. In 2007, the rise of ebook marketplaces like Amazon disrupted this system by allowing writers to self-publish and earn more money directly from readers. Now writers no longer need traditional gatekeepers and can become successful like Hugh Howey by self-publishing their work online. The modern era has created many opportunities for nimble self-publishing authors.

1. 21st Century Writer
By David Keener
Evolution in the Publishing Industry
Web Site: www.davidkeener.org Email: dkeener@davidkeener.org

2. Overview
• The Jurassic Era
- When Gatekeepers Ruled the Earth
• Asteroid Impact
- The End of the Big Publishers
• The Modern Era
- The Rise of Nimble Self-Publishers
• Questions
• Homework

3. Part 1: The Jurassic Era
(1980 – 2007)

4. Pop Quiz
How much
moneywillthe
author make from
selling a single copy
of this book?
(Note: Paperback Priced at$8.99)

5. Answer
60 cents

6. When Gatekeepers Ruled…
• Lots of money being made….
- By Publishers, Retailers and Agents
• But hardly any going to the writers
- Even worse than the music industry
There is no other profession besides writing in
which an experienced practitioner, such as a
mid-list writer, cannot make a livable wage.

7. The Agent: The 1st Gatekeeper
• Gets 15% of each deal for life
• Negotiates contracts w/o legal training
• No accountability to writers
- For performance or accounting
• Supposed to serve writers
- Often biased towards publishers

8. The Publisher: The 2nd Gatekeeper
• Accounting practices from Dark Ages
• One-sided “standard” contracts
• No accountability to writers
• “Hold-backs” against returns
• Caters to corporate buyers, not readers
• Won’t publish writers without a “platform”
• Increased emphasis on “blockbusters”

9. The Retailer: The 3rd Gatekeeper
• Not a level playing field for writers
• Publishers pay for “placement”
• Books sell in 6 weeks, then they’re dead
• Automated ordering systemsprevent
authors from gradually growing their “base”
• No insight into readers

10. Part 2: Asteroid Impact

11. Pop Quiz
What happened in 2007
that totally changed
Publishing?

13. A Marketplace
Amazon created a new business model…
• They built a “marketplace” for books
- A level playing field
- READERS determine if writers succeed
• Writers get 70% of list price on ebook sales *
• Real-time sales data; prompt payments
* For books priced $2.99 - $9.99

14. The New E-Sellers
• Amazon.com - Worldwide
• Barnes & Noble – Mostly US
• Smashwords – Worldwide
• Kobo – Mostly international
At least 25% of the market is now ebooks

15. The End of the Big Publishers
• Writers don’t need publishers
• Writers don’t need agents
• Writers have negotiating power
• Writers have choices
• Writers can make REAL money

16. Part 3: The Modern Era

17. Case Study: Hugh Howey
David Keener Hugh Howey

18. Hugh’s Road to “Glory”
• Self-published novellas and YA books
- Gains experience; polishes craft
• Wrote “Wool” – a short story
- So successful, writes 4 more novelettes
• Publishes “Wool Omnibus”
- Becomes major bestseller
• Signs Simon & Schuster “Wool” contract
- Keeps ebook rights
Has sold over a million books…

19. Rise of the Nimble Author
• NOW is the time to be a writer
• The Gatekeepers have been removed
• Formatting an ebook isn’t rocket science
• You’re the source of the magic
If you’ve got something worth saying,
there’s an Audience for you!

20. Questions?
~ A Presentation From ~
David Keener
dkeener@davidkeener.org
www.davidkeener.org
David Keener is a writer, Internet expert,
and speaker based in Northern Virginia.
He speaks regularly at conferences and
other events.
Copyright @ 2013 David Keener.
All rights reserved.
Homework

21. Homework (1)
• The Passive Voice (from David P. Vandagriff)
- Daily Publishing Industry Survey
- He’s a Lawyer, his wife is a Writer
- www.thepassivevoice.com
• Kristine Kathryn Rusch
- Award-winner – F & SF, Mystery, Romance
- Loads of experience as writer, editor, publisher
- Blogs on e-publishing subjects
- www.kriswrites.com

22. Homework (2)
• Dean Wesley Smith
- Blogs on “Killing the Sacred Cows of Publishing”
- Husband of Kristine Kathryn Rusch
- www.deanwesleysmith.com
• J. A. Konrath
- A top indie writer and self-publishing advocate
- Blogs on “A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing”
- Publishes real sales/dollar amounts
- jakonrath.blogspot.com

23. Homework (3)
• David Gaughran
- 2 top books on self-publishing
- davidgaughran.wordpress.com
• David Keener
- Blogs on diverse writing &
publishing topics
- www.davidkeener.org
- /2013/03/my-indie-publishing-
strategy-5-key-strategies