Are mainstream publishing companies at risk of being wiped out by this ‘self-publishing revolution’? Claire Watts, Production Manager at Oldcastle Books, argues that indie books do not pose a threat to traditional publishing. She told IMPACT ARTS: “The publishing process shapes and processes an author’s work in a way that an author cannot do for him or herself”.
Whilst it is true that self-publishing lacks the formal process that often champions traditionally published work. Watts admitted: “Self-published books actually enhance the publishing world. They bring more books to our attention and get more people interested in reading”.
Many highly respected authors, such as Edgar Allan Poe and Beatrix Potter were once self-published.
However, Amazon.com recently revealed that in 2012 a quarter of Kindle ebook sales in the US were self-published works. Similarly, according to Bowker Market Research, indie books accounted for 20% of all crime, science fiction and romance ebooks sold in the UK in 2012. This suggests that these books are no longer on the fringe of literary consumption.
Many highly respected authors, such as Edgar Allan Poe and Beatrix Potter were once self-published, and there are numerous examples of similar success stories of indie authors breaking the confines of self-publishing, like Fifty Shades author E.L. James.
However indie books still aren’t eligible for literary awards. Perhaps considered too unsophisticated or lacking the literary authentication that a professional publisher can offer, it would appear that there is still a degree of stigma surrounding self-publishing, despite the recent increase in popularity.