~ By Angela Kay Austin

When I tell people I’m a published author, they ask “Where can I buy your book?”  Proudly, I say “Amazon, All Romance eBooks, my publishers’ websites.”  They respond “Can I buy it in a bookstore?”  Before my short story, My Son, was released in print, my answer to their last question would be no.  Because all of my stories were available only in eBook format.

This, instantly, changed the tone of our whole conversation.  At that moment, their body language and questions cued me that they see authors who are electronically published differently from authors who are published through New York houses.

Avon has Avon Impulse, Harlequin has Carina Press, and of course there is Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, my own publishers: Red Rose Publishing and Vanilla Heart Publishing, and so many others.

According to TechCrunch, Amazon Kindle sales have eclipsed both hardcover and paperback sales.  The NY Times recently reported that 180 Kindle books were sold to every 100 hardcover copies.  The author continues to quote Mike Shatzkin, founder and chief executive of the Idea Logical Company, who predicts that fewer than 25 percent of all books sold will be in print in less than 10 years.

Due to devices like Kindle, Nook, Sony eReader, iPad, and more The Los Angeles Times writes that in 2011, total eBook sales are expected to reach $1 billion!

But, still, today people do draw an invisible line of distinction between authors published through the different venues.  And I have to admit before I was published by an epublisher, I probably drew the same line.  Asked the same questions.  Do epublishers have good editors, cover art, who will buy it, how will they know it’s available?  I quickly found out that the answer to all of these questions and more was, yes.

Epubbed authors have led me to cyber conferences, which have taught me to pitch, and as a result, I’ve had two short stories, and two novellas published by epublishers.

Through groups like RWA’s Electronic and Small Press Authors’ Network, authors are able to network and educate others about epublished books.  Hopefully, through authors networking and pressing forward, it will open up more opportunities for readers to be exposed to rich new stories told through voices that may not have otherwise been able to tell them because they were too “different” or just didn’t “fit.”

The next time an author tells you they’re epublished, tell them you’ve got your electronic reader and you’re ready to buy!

Do you still draw the line between epublished, small press, and New York published authors?

After twenty years of practicing marketing: writing copy, designing layouts, developing advertising campaigns, Angela realized each piece of the plans she put together eventually told a story. And, since she was a tween reading her mother’s Reader’s Digest, and every teen magazine she could find she’d dreamt of telling stories.

Her first book, Love’s Chance stayed on Red Rose Publishing’s Best Seller list for 10 weeks.  Her second release, My Son, is available from Red Rose Publishing.  And was a best seller at All Romance Ebooks.  New releases:  Sweet Victory and Scarlet’s Tears are available from Vanilla Heart Publishing.

Angela has written for the Ezine Rithm ‘n Blues.

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~ By Angela Kay Austin

At what age did you decide (realize) you were meant to write?  It’s always been a part of me in one way or another.  When I finally made the decision to jump off that bridge and submit, I think I didn’t sleep for weeks waiting for responses.  When the rejections came, I just knew they were wrong…how could they not see my genius J

It took years, but finally, I did receive that wonderful wonderful yes!

Now, feeling like a “legit” author, I thought it’s logical attend a conference.  Participate and sign.  Attend lectures.  It’ll be no big deal.  Right?

What on earth was I thinking?

I freaking lost my mind at RomanticTimes!  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I think I lost weight…no time for eating or sleeping will do that to you.

I don’t know about past events: ratio of cover models to guests, aspiring writers vs. readers, etc.  But, what I do know is that I was able to walk up to people whose books I’ve read for years, and say hi.  Take pictures, and ask questions.  Nalini Singh will never know how amazing I felt when she walked into a Harlequin party and strolled over to me to say hi.  AMAZING!

Every lecture I attended made something explode in my brain.  I thought I was the only one to think or feel a certain way about something, but here I was surrounded by others who thought and felt the same way.  They battled the same problems.

I can’t wait for next year!

Jeanine Frost and me! Love me some Cat and Bones.

ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Brenda Jackson, and Kimberly Kaye Terry! Brenda Jackson was one of the first romance authors that inspired me to write. I wanted to do what she did!

Charlaine Harris’ accent was so adorable. Loved meeting her and sitting in on her panel.

Anne Rice! That’s all…Anne Rice!

Nalini Singh was incredibly friendly and personable! Loved meeting her.

Meeting these ladies was such a pleasure. They were so willing to share information about how they do what they do. Secrets of research and weaving it into your writing.

 I had an absolutely amazing time!  I hope that I’ll get to run into a few of you guys next year.  See you in Kansas City!

After twenty years of practicing marketing: writing copy, designing layouts, developing advertising campaigns, Angela realized each piece of the plans she put together eventually told a story. And, since she was a tween reading her mother’s Reader’s Digest, and every teen magazine she could find she’d dreamt of telling stories.

Her first book, Love’s Chance stayed on Red Rose Publishing’s Best Seller list for 10 weeks.  Her second release, My Son, is available from Red Rose Publishing.  And was a best seller at All Romance Ebooks.  New releases:  Sweet Victory and Scarlet’s Tears are available from Vanilla Heart Publishing.

Angela has written for the Ezine Rithm ‘n Blues.

~ By Angela Kay Austin

Have you ever scrolled through the Amazon Bestsellers’ list and wondered, “Will my book ever be listed?”  Well, I have.  I walk through bookstores picturing what my books would look like placed on display throughout various points in the stores, or imagine picking up USA Today to find to my amazement…what, me #1!

But, what is the reality of the life of a writer?

According to Forbes, James Patterson topped the list as the highest paid author earning $84 million over the past year.  In order to amass those earnings, Patterson released 10 books in the last year, and branched out into young adult and e-books.

Number two on the list, Danielle Steele earned $35 million!  And, stay-at-home mom, Stephanie Meyer popped in at number six with earnings of $21 million!

Okay, so I know you’re asking, “What about J K Rowling?”  Well, she hasn’t released e-books of Harry Potter, yet.  But, Pottermore is coming soon, and I’m sure that will change everything.

The question is how do we do it?  Can we do it?

Patterson writes with a team of co-authors, has multi-media deals.  And we’ve all witnessed the success of Twilight and Harry Potter.

But, the reality is everyone is not Patterson or Stephanie Meyer or J K Rowling.  And everyone can’t have the internet success of Amanda Hocking.

According to Greenleaf Book Group, LLC, although there are some six figure advances, most advances are between $2,000 – $20,000.  But, in today’s market, a large percentage of new releases are self-published or POD (print on demand).  So, I don’t think everyone should rush to the bank opening new bank accounts in preparation.

Instead, we should understand that Amazon has approximately 800,000 Kindle books available, and nearly 2 million print books.  And although the Big Six may not be “all powerful,” they still have power which floods distribution channels, agents, and the booksellers that do still exist.

Author Solutions owns Xilibris, iUniverse, and AuthorHouse the CEO, Weiss, has been quoted as saying the average sales per book for all of his companies is 150.

Whether you are signed with one of the Big Six, or not, the world of writing is extremely competitive.  In order to be moderately successful, you need to be sure to have great writing, promoting, and packaging.  You must be courageous!

Can you do it?

After twenty years of practicing marketing: writing copy, designing layouts, developing advertising campaigns, Angela realized each piece of the plans she put together eventually told a story. And, since she was a tween reading her mother’s Reader’s Digest, and every teen magazine she could find she’d dreamt of telling stories.

Her first book, Love’s Chance stayed on Red Rose Publishing’s Best Seller list for 10 weeks.  Her second release, My Son, is available from Red Rose Publishing.  And was a best seller at All Romance Ebooks.  New releases:  Sweet Victory and Scarlet’s Tears are available from Vanilla Heart Publishing.

Angela has written for the Ezine Rithm ‘n Blues.