Conference Overview #Ninc14

Nancy J. Cohen

Having just come from the Novelists, Inc. (Ninc) conference, my brain is fried with all the important information I learned. You can see photos on my Facebook Page under the Ninc Album and read my blogs of each workshop on my personal blog site.

As an overview, here are some of the important points I took away from this event.

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If you indie publish, offer your book at as many retailers as possible. These would include Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple, Smashwords and Google Play. Google is growing.

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Indie bookstores will survive the digital age, especially if they offer curating, personal service and community events.

Publishers may cry that they’re hurting but their profits are rising.

The global marketplace is not to be overlooked. There’s a huge market for English language books, plus the translation market is out there. Agents can still have a role with managing our subsidiary rights.

In the future, authors may sell directly to readers. Be prepared for new technologies and to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

The real threat is the decline of recreational reading. There’s too much competition from video games, TV and movies, and other entertainment pursuits. We need to increase kids’ passion for reading.

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Target your readers. Analyze your data. View your results and modify your business plan accordingly. Make sure you write the best book that you can and present the product in a professional manner.

Series sell better than standalones. Even if you aren’t writing a series, try to link your books with a common theme. Have cover art that ties them together.

Back material is important. Your e-book is a living document. Include links to your other titles and to your newsletter.

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In the photo: Donna Andrews, Carole Nelson Douglas and Nancy J. Cohen

The rest is on my personal blog. Coming next there is BookBub, ACX, legalities for authors and more. Be sure to scroll down to see my previous posts.

For more information on Novelists, Inc., go Here.

9 thoughts on “Conference Overview #Ninc14

  1. Thanks so much for sharing these informational highlights! Attending such events is a new concept to me.

    Each day that I read this blog, I realize that there is a big world out there for storytellers and those who love them.

  2. Thanks for these observations, Nancy. My print books are available through various outlets, but my e-books are only through Kindle on Amazon, as they offer so many advantages if you stick with KDP, and it’s so user-friendly. I tried using Smashwords twice, but sold very few books each time, so went back to having my e-books sold exclusively to Kindle, as I enjoy the extra income from their perks, such as the lending program. And they promote my books for free!

    Here’s the most worrisome development for all writers: “The real threat is the decline of recreational reading. There’s too much competition from video games, TV and movies, and other entertainment pursuits. We need to increase kids’ passion for reading.” My sons, in their twenties, read very little for pleasure. I guess we all need to find ways to hook younger readers, mainly through media they’re already tuned in to.

  3. The threat of losing readings to other entertainment media is very real. We need more pleasure reading in schools and less boring assignments. If the classics must be read, at least mix them in with Harry Potter and the like.

    As for Kindle Select, yes they do offer a broad range of attractive programs. But every one of the speakers recommended diversifying into as many outlets as you can.

  4. Nancy, thanks for the info from the Novelists, Inc. conference. Very enlightening.

    I enjoyed your detailed remarks on your blog. I never cease to be amazed by the coming changes.

    • It’s somewhat scary and exhilarating at the same time. The scary part is the pressure to stay on top of everything, to write more than ever before, and to keep up with the marketing. The exhilarating part are the possibilities of better connectivity with readers and learning new ways of storytelling.

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