Intellectual Freedom...and Doing the Numbers...

Whilst indie publishing has the eyes of the world upon it, it is gratifying to find a respected institution ready to support the concept.  A recent announcement by Warnborough College has caught my attention.  This is in reference to their "2014 Warnborough College Second Annual Fine Arts and Art History Conference” (WCCA) taking place 19th-21st August 2014 in Canterbury, England.  The theme is Culture…Time…and Passion: 

"The Fibres of Art. Art isn’t created or developed in a vacuum," reads their publicity on this event.  "Every work of art (in all its forms) in some way reflects the culture—the world—of its creation. In some cases, the arts have even helped to define it. Culture and passion are where great art begins--and art is where worlds and passions collide! Masterworks survive time and cross cultural boundaries, in part because of the compelling passion they embody. How art is understood by future generations is often quite different from what its creators may have intended—but still it remains, and we remain passionate about it. That’s what makes art so exciting!"

Their call to indie publishers is as follows:

CALL FOR INDIE AUTHORS – There will be a café evening, featuring readings, book signing, and sales. This is open to “indie” (independently published) authors who have self-published (or will publish) a work independently, or through a small independent press, by the time of the event.  Your book does not necessarily need to overtly address the theme. All genres are welcome, however emphasis will be placed on fiction. Featured authors will each read an excerpt from their book (for about 10 minutes)—and will sign books during the event. Warnborough College will earn a 20% commission on all books sold at the event. Contributing authors will be responsible for getting their books to the conference. All authors interested in participating should Conference Director Jill Kiefer by 1 April 2014. A brief bio and final confirmation of your attendance must be received on or before 31 May 2014. The name and a brief summary of your book must be emailed to: jkiefer@warnborough.edu.

Intellectual Freedom...and Doing the Numbers...

As I do my share of Googling on the topic of indie publishing, I am also encouraged to see that highly respected companies, businesses and book sellers are getting behind indie authors and putting their name right on the cover.  

For example, a well-loved bookstore (I'd be willing to say one of the best on the planet), The Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, Colorado, has opened a branch of self publishing, and books by their indie authors are making the news. The Tattered Cover is a leading indie bookstore (40 years) which traditionally fills its multi-leveled lovely old building with not only mainstream publishing but small literary press works...so to see that it is now encouraging self-publication as well -- is thought provoking indeed.  http://www.tatteredcover.com  But then, if you read about its owner...you may not be surprised:

"Owner Joyce Meskis is one of the great guiding forces of independent bookselling in the country and a stubborn advocate for the rights of readers, literacy and free expression in America. She is the recipient of many prestigious awards for intellectual freedom including the William J. Brennan, Jr. Award for the Protection of Free Expression given by the Thomas Jefferson Center in Washington D.C.; the PEN/Newman First Amendment Award from the PEN American Center in New York; The Privacy International Brandeis Award; the 

American Library Association Award for Free Expression; and The Author’s Guild of America Award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community. She is also the recipient of the distinguished Service Award for outstanding Achievement and Exceptional Service to the Denver Metropolitan Area from the University of Colorado Board of Regents. Joyce is the founder of the Colorado Freedom of Expression Foundation, and she is currently the director of the Publishing Institute at The University of Denver." 

Independent booksellers have been learning to adapt in order to survive the mammoth bookstore chains in America for some time.  It makes sense that the successful ones would see the wisdom in indie publishing as well.  Clearly there is a lucrative aspect to indie publishing...if prestigious and forward-thinking companies are getting on board, they obviously have done the numbers before making that choice.  Alongside weighing the social, cultural and ethical benefits...could it be that for once the right thing is also the financially intelligent thing?

One thing I also like seeing:  emails from Amazon in my in box that show me books in the genres in which I am interested -- indie writers alongside big name mainstream writers, all on the same advertisement.  With no dividing line down the page.  

These are challenging but very exciting times for writers.  I am most interested to see where it is all going...and excited to be coming on board, myself.