From Bards to Audiobook: The Evolution of Self-publishing
It always surprises me when people call self-publishing a recent phenomenon. Instead, self-publishing is a story of perseverance, innovation, and adaptation.
Phase One: Oral Tradition
Self-publishing traces back to ancient times and is intertwined with folklore and mythology. Before written communication, elders and lore keepers preserved knowledge through oral traditions. In European cultures, bards, and troubadours upheld these traditions.
Phase Two: The Mechanization
Johannes Gutenberg’s mechanization of the printing process revolutionized book production. Soon after, books transitioned from handwritten to printed. However, printing remained expensive and limited to the elite and the church, which paved the way for traditional publishing houses.
Phase Three: The Might of Trade-Publishing
As publishing houses gained prominence, aspiring authors faced a choice: secure a publisher (and give up rights & shares of royalties) or self-publish. Expensive printing and limited distribution made self-publishing uncommon for centuries. Eventually, notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens found success.
Phase Four: The Early Digital Age
Desktop publishing weakened traditional publishers’ dominance. Word processors and layout software improved the accessibility and professionalism of self-published books. Early self-publishers printed large batches of books and distributed those themselves. Print-on-demand (POD) technology changed that.
Phase Five: The Digital Revolution
Between 2011 and 2014, self-publishing experienced a gold rush. Though Amazon remains dominant, today’s authors have more options: Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play, IngramSpark, and Kobo, among others.
Q: What do you think about the history of self-publishing?
Read the full article on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/evolution-of-selfpublishing.html
Phase One: Oral Tradition
Self-publishing traces back to ancient times and is intertwined with folklore and mythology. Before written communication, elders and lore keepers preserved knowledge through oral traditions. In European cultures, bards, and troubadours upheld these traditions.
Phase Two: The Mechanization
Johannes Gutenberg’s mechanization of the printing process revolutionized book production. Soon after, books transitioned from handwritten to printed. However, printing remained expensive and limited to the elite and the church, which paved the way for traditional publishing houses.
Phase Three: The Might of Trade-Publishing
As publishing houses gained prominence, aspiring authors faced a choice: secure a publisher (and give up rights & shares of royalties) or self-publish. Expensive printing and limited distribution made self-publishing uncommon for centuries. Eventually, notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens found success.
Phase Four: The Early Digital Age
Desktop publishing weakened traditional publishers’ dominance. Word processors and layout software improved the accessibility and professionalism of self-published books. Early self-publishers printed large batches of books and distributed those themselves. Print-on-demand (POD) technology changed that.
Phase Five: The Digital Revolution
Between 2011 and 2014, self-publishing experienced a gold rush. Though Amazon remains dominant, today’s authors have more options: Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play, IngramSpark, and Kobo, among others.
Q: What do you think about the history of self-publishing?
Read the full article on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/evolution-of-selfpublishing.html
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