PART TWO:

What are some predictions for the Publishing Industry?

“I predict at least one smaller publishing house will be sold to a new owner. - Steve Laube, Literary Agent

“I predict that freelance book editors, book cover designers, and book marketers will have banner years, as individual authors turn to self-publishing but seek to separate their books from the typical self-published dreck.” - Jeff Gerke, Editor

“I think a lot of the little e-book houses that were fast out of the gate will find themselves squeezed out, bought out, or spent out of existence.” - Chip MacGregor, Literary Agent.

“I predict that more brick and mortar bookstores and chains will fold and/or be purchased. Conversely, I predict a resurgence of indie bookstores springing up to rage against the death of the bookstores, and there will be a proud, underdog rally around these stores. I predict that most of these stores will fold in 12-24 months.” - Jeff Gerke, Editor

“I see publishers moving to be a “service” provider. Focusing on the services they provide (editing, packaging, distribution, marketing) as a way to address the growing trend of self-publishing. I also see Christian publishers searching for quality young adult Christian fiction to try to fill the void left by the Harry Potter, Eragon, Twilight and Hunger Games finales.” - Julie Gwinn, Editor

“New micropresses, small presses, and niche presses (like Marcher Lord Press) will meet the needs of many segments of the reading population that are not being served by the increasingly narrow and conservative titles that will be released by the major publishing companies.” - Jeff Gerke

What do you think will happen in the publishing industry in 2012?

“In 2012 we will get to watch the absorption of Thomas Nelson into the HarperCollins world. And will be watching the implications with Zondervan, the other Christian imprint of Harper. - Steve Laube, Literary Agent

“HarperCollins will lay off 10% of the staff of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan.” - Thomas Umstattd, Author Media CEO

What do you think Amazon will do in 2012?

”New services, sites, and apps will rise up that attempt to do for self-published books what Pandora.com does for musicians. Most of those services, sites, and apps will fail to catch on, but at least one will succeed and have staying power.” - Jeff Gerke, Editor

“Indie publishing will continue to grow and that critics of agents and traditional publishing will get even louder.” – Steve Laube, Literary Agent

“2012 will be the year of the self-publisher, with more authors doing it, more freelancers enabling it, and more people buying it than ever before.” - Jeff Gerke, Editor

“I predict that more self-published authors will rise to prominence (and riches), giving further incentive to other authors to self-publish.” - Jeff Gerke, Editor

“This will be the year of the wider gap between a hobby author and the entre-author. Authors who simply view traditional publishing as the only way to publish, if they have large platforms already, will continue to sell, but may seem some decline in sales. Authors who dabble at writing will see decreased success. And authors who look at their careers as entrepreneurs (Entre-Authors) will thrive in this changing, dynamic publishing paradigm.

Entre-Authors will formulate a cafeteria-plan style of success where they offer products, ebooks, and print books, depending on their own personal strengths and bents. They’ll see change as invitational, not scary or insurmountable. They’ll specialize in social media. Those that do well will learn the art of selling without being creepy or making money an idol to worship.

Entre-Authors will struggle to find balance with time demands, will see the value of focus, and will publish shorter e-works as a way to make a consistent living. ” – Mary DeMuth, Author

Now the question is what is your prediciton? Publishing has already been changed by self-publishing and eBooks, there is no question about that. In 2012, they are poised to take over the publishing industy. What this means is that authors will have to become even savvier about book marketing and using an author APP will become vital. Authors will have to move into the 21st century by combining their website with smartphone author mobile APPs and look at partnering with those with eBook reader APPs. Consumer will want the interactivity not only when reading but with the authors themselves. In order to succeed, writers will need to know the ever changing marketplace. Contact MSRtech at 949.267.8647 about their unique author mobile APPs. January has been designated the month for authors!