PUBLISHED JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Publishers are facing offset print run delays, lengthy turnaround times for print-on-demand orders, cost increases, and other obstacles—but they are drawing on their characteristic agility and ingenuity to survive. Article Synopsis: COVID-19 was a catalyst for the current supply chain issues, but the origins …

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Authors and independent publishers are successfully using serialization and subscription apps like Wattpad, Radish, Substack, and Kindle Vella to expand reader engagement and enhance their bottom line. Charles Dickens did it. So did Jack London. So did a host of well-published novelists in the …

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — By understanding the anatomy of distribution sales meetings, publishers—even those who handle their own distribution—can improve the discoverability and reach of their lists. Article Synopsis: Sales meetings give publishers an opportunity to present new titles and get feedback from the distributor. A compelling presentation, …

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2021 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Book Publishers can enhance their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by taking time to form meaningful DEI partnerships and collaborations. Synopsis: Publishers should create a plan that articulates short-term and long-term DEI goals, and a means for tracking progress. Hiring a DEI consultant might …

PUBLISHED MAY/JUNE 2021 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Subsidiary rights provide an opportunity for publishers to make the most of their assets, adding a potentially lucrative alternative revenue source. Synopsis: Subsidiary rights options include alternative book formats, supplemental materials, serialized content, audio rights, and more. Arrangements involving foreign and translation rights can …

PUBLISHED MARCH/APRIL 2021 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Publishers can help their authors with where to start, which direction to go, how to navigate the curves, and which roadblocks to avoid when building a platform. Synopsis: A platform helps authors reach buyers, but it involves more than that. An author platform is …

PUBLISHED JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Distributors and industry pros discuss the market trends across sales channels in preparation for a new year. Synopsis: By Q4 2020, overall book sales were up, and the pandemic seemed to drive content preferences. Brick-and-mortar businesses took a big hit during pandemic shutdowns, but …

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — As independent publishers adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic with resourcefulness and ingenuity, some say their innovations will improve their businesses long after the crisis has waned. We can’t wait for things to get back to normal. Or can we? Everyone wants an end to …

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — The book distribution model for independent publishers is again changing for those seeking flexibility and discoverability. Article Synopsis: Successful hybrid publishing involves emulating traditional publishers in every respect while also keeping authors front and center. Incorporating distribution into an existing publishing model is a …

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2020 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Independent publishers cope, adjust, and hope for a better future during COVID-19. Article Synopsis: The pandemic forced the closure and cancellation of many events independent publishers and authors rely on. Independent publishers have the flexibility, resilience, and innovative spirit needed to weather a crisis. …