
This sounds like a significant development for the independent author community. Renowned indie author Marie Force is spearheading an effort to create an Indie Author Support Network, an organization designed to support and advocate for independently published authors.
Marie writes: “Over the last decade, indie authors have revolutionized the publishing industry. We have changed the conversation. We have transformed the reader experience. We are entrepreneurs who have formed millions of small businesses. … We are a force to be reckoned with. And now we are coming together to raise our collective voices, to take our seat at the table.”
The effort has received a groundswell of support in the past 48 hours. Author David Gaughran — I just received an Advance Reader Copy of his upcoming book “Strangers to Superfans” — says he’s excited that the initiative “will be exclusively focused on high-level advocacy and interfacing with retailers on issues which concern indies.” He writes:
I think there is a very specific gap right now for a group exclusively focused on high-level advocacy for indies, one where institutional energy is all directed towards that one task.
Over the last couple of days, Marie Force has been gathering expressions of interest to form just such a group, one that would interface directly with retailers. She has already spoken with KDP about dealing directly with the group on issues of common concern, and they seemed very positive about the idea.
He points out that the agenda for the group is still being formulated, but he is perhaps the first out of the box with some ideas:
- Increasing the transparency around Kindle Unlimited
- Cutting down on scammers gaming the system on Amazon
- Devising proportionate penalties for violators
And so on.
Best of Indie is focused on the best indie book reads and bargains for readers, but indie authors are welcome here, too. Authors can express their support at:
- the Author Support Network private Facebook group
- The Indie Author Support Network website
- The two-day-old @author_indie account on Twitter
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