Hello. I just got back from the Novelist, Inc Conference which was held at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. This year, the conference focused on Indy publishing and social media. I liken it to a gold rush. Some will strike it rich, some will find a few good nuggets and some will keep panning for crumbs. The buzzwords were all about discoverability, distribution, diversification, dedicated work time, metadata, SEO (Search Engine Optimization,) trajectory, back lists, and global mobilization.
What does all of this mean?
Well, for writers it means a whole new world of possibilities in both print and e-book. Future readers will depend on their phones more than ever and they will read on their phones more than ever. Our back list will never go away so we need to know how to promote and maintain our words for a very long time. It’s important to work with professionals no matter whether you use a traditional or independent publishing mode.
For readers, it’s all about the convenience and availability of being able to read from one device to another, in any language and at any time simply with the touch of a buy button on a screen. One speaker pointed out that print isn’t going away but e-books are here to stay. So we have lots of choices as both writers and readers. I’m learning all of this stuff but I did leave this conference with a better understanding of the business side of writing. Now for some pictures of my adventures. What do you see in the future for writers and readers?
This is a picture of my friends Merrillee Whren, Lacy Williams, myself, Laura Marie Altom and Margaret Daley.
After the conference, my husband and I spent one night in Cedar Key, Florida. Inspiration to get home and work.
Latest posts by Lenora Worth (see all)
- Spring is a good time to do some renewal and restoration - March 21, 2018
- Some fun happenings and you’re invited! - March 7, 2018
- When you reach the end of the road, find a new path - February 21, 2018
Thanks for sharing about this conference, Elnora. 🙂
Love your photos – – makes me want to visit a Florida beach again soon.
Happy writing!
Hugs, Patti Jo
Thanks, Patti Jo. Florida is beautiful. It was good to see so many friends at NINC, too!!!
I sure hope we have both print and digital in the future! I use both of them and like them for different reasons.
Glad this was a good conference for you!
Hi, Jen. I think we will continue to have both for a long time. I feel the same–I love holding a book in my hand but I enjoy the convenience of my e-reader, too. 🙂
Thank you for being so diligent in your work. I have been a fan since I read the first Love Inspired that I picked up that you had written.
I like my Kindle, but there are some times that I just need to hold a paper-and -ink book. There is something soothing about holding the printed word. However when I am sitting at the hospital with my hubby it is very handy to have my Kindle so I don’t have to have several books in a bag.
Thank you Shirley!
Personally I have the iPhone and kindle fire plus lots of books on the selves that beg to be read. Recently I developed dry eye and a condition called Blepharitis.Unfortunately I find that being on my iPhone or ebook too long really seems to irritate my eyes when the printed book is more kind to my eyes. Plus it’s nice to get back to holding a book in my hands again.
Shirley, sorry to hear of your eye problems. I’m glad you can still enjoy reading in the old-fashioned way. 🙂