Halfway through May

The week in review

Before we begin our perusal of the week’s news, I just want to remind everyone that submissions are still open for inclusion in June’s Creative Works. For submission information, click here. And now, on with the show…

• Henry Baum tackles the question “Why Do People Hate Self Publishing?” ( “Why you’d want to crap over something that has so many positive implications reveals something – not about self-publishing, but maybe about those who are doing the criticizing.”) He also responds to our own J.M. Reep’s criticism of IndieReader.
• The Book Publicity Blog explains Why A Pre-Publication Web Presence is Important. ( “I’ve seen too many authors shoot for the book’s publication date (or a couple weeks before) as the launch date for their website. This is about four months too late.”)
• Smashwords founder Mark Coker’s interview with author Mel Keegan touches on how literary labels can marginalize an author, as well as on the recent #Amazonfail. ( “I think we’re about 10-15 years away from the cultural integration that’ll spell the end of literary apartheid — and even when that time arrives, the religious contingent will continue to disapprove.”)
• In turn, BNET Media Blog turns to Mark Coker to analyze how E-Book Reach a Tipping Point, Triggering Explosive Growth. ( “The amount of content is increasing.  Free books have served as a gateway drug to many early adopters.”)
• And finally, April Hamilton’s series on self-published non-fiction continues with Invented Ideologies and Lexica. ( “If you intend to teach the reader an entirely new way of thinking or being, it’s critical that you make it as easy as possible for the reader to learn and comprehend.”)

Please feel free to share any articles or blog posts you’ve come across during the week in the comments section. Have a great weekend!