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Mark Edwards and Louise Voss, the independent and self-published authors of Catch Your Death and Kill Cupid, have achieved a historic feat of reaching #1 on Amazon, which led to a four-book deal with HarperCollins. Edwards shared his insights on the secrets to achieving success on iBooks and Kindle and how self-publishing has revolutionized the publishing industry for indie authors.
Always Wanted to be a Writer?
Mark Edwards shares that he has always wanted to be a writer, having written his first novel after leaving college, yet struggling to be published. After attempting to find a publisher for many years, he decided to self-publish his work.
Advice for Unpublished Novelists
Edwards believes that a writer needs to have perseverance and write stories that people would like to read. One can either attempt to go through the traditional route of finding a publisher or self-publish. The latter worked for Edwards, but he suggests aspiring authors try the former route first.
Cracking the Kindle and iBooks Charts
There is no surefire way of getting noticed on the Kindle or iBooks charts, but Edwards recommends starting with writing a good book that people would want to read. Word of mouth is the most potent tool. However, if you’re lucky, Amazon or Apple might pick you up with their algorithms and place your book prominently on their charts.
Challenges in the Publishing Business
Edwards admits that printing is the most challenging aspect, as it is highly reliant on bookshops carrying your work, which often only have a fraction of books printed.
The Rise of E-Books and Indie Authors
The rise of e-books has proved to be a blessing for indie authors, giving them a new method to find an audience, and it has given publishers the chance to identify authors with a readership. Edwards, however, acknowledges that this has also raised concern about the quality of self-published books.
The Future of Books: Physical or E-Books?
Edwards alternates between reading physical books and e-books and hopes that books will always be printed on paper. Though, he points out that the same was said for vinyl in the 80s, and its demise did not affect music quality. In the end, books are about words, not the paper on which they are printed.
The Demise of the High-Street Bookshop and Piracy
Edwards expresses sadness about bookshops disappearing but believes that if they offer excellent service and the human touch that Amazon and iBooks cannot provide, they still have a bright future. He is concerned about piracy, and although he has noticed no significant e-book sales influenced by piracy, it is still a matter that requires attention.
Kindle or iPad: Which is the Superior Reading Experience?
Edwards prefers the Kindle for a better reading screen that feels like a paper book and is kinder on the eyes. The iPad is great for reading in the dark, and the iPhone is most convenient for short reading bursts.
The Future of E-Books in Studying
Edwards foresees electronic books replacing printed textbooks, believing this would be an intuitive and natural advancement for the school curriculum. For him, having a textbook with media and interactive features feels like the future.
Latest FAQ:
Which is the Most Effective Tool to Promote a Book?
According to Edwards, word of mouth is the most effective marketing tool for promoting a book.
Do Self-Published Books Suffer from Poor Quality?
Edwards acknowledges that this is a valid concern as many self-published books lack quality. He suggests self-publishing authors invest in a good editor, cover designer, and proofreader to ensure the book is of high quality.