Blog: Behind the Book, Issue 5

As the release of the non-fiction book The Boys in Brown approaches, author Jon J. Kerr takes readers inside the process. On Tuesdays, the series Brown Beginnings gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the conception and reporting of the story. Thursdays, he blogs about the writing and publishing steps before launch.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” -Charles Dickens

There is no better time in history to be a writer/publisher. And I say this when revenue declines are the new normal in publishing.

I can only speak from my perspective. If Amazon did not exist, I would not be able to publish The Boys in Brown.

In an earlier Behind the Book post, I wrote about the challenges I had early on in finding a traditional publisher. I decided to press forward with the project anyway. This was due in large part to my strong belief in the story. But believing in something and being able to deliver a product are mutually exclusive. Conviction must be matched by fidelity–in this case, is there a production and distribution model that allows for delivery? Fortunately in 2015, market conditions  favor the independent author.

Most of you reading this blog are doing so from your email account.  At some point in the last few years or months, you agreed to provide your email address to www.boysinbrown.com. You probably received a free chapter as an incentive to provide the information. This post (and other blog updates) was sent directly to your email address via a permission-based distribution model. This is a way for me the author, to communicate directly to you, the reader. It’s my belief email is the best way to grab readers attention. There is so much noise on the internet that email is the most effective way to diffuse (although not completely extinguish) that noise. You are interested in this project and I want to reward that interest by providing content I hope you will read and share. A win-win.

Sometime next week, I will be announcing launch date information for The Boys in Brown. My team is finalizing details as of this writing. One thing we do know for sure is where you can get a copy. It will be on Amazon.

Why Amazon?

For one, it’s a distribution platform. It allows for my product–the book–to be purchased, printed, then delivered. Amazon allows for me to set the price of the book (more on that next week). It also provides a familiar store front for you, the reader. How many of you have purchased something on Amazon in the last 30 days? How many of you own a Kindle or have the Kindle app on your iPad or iPhone? An educated guess is almost all of you are answering ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions. Bottom line, if you prefer a printed version of the book, Amazon will provide one. If you prefer a digital version, Amazon will provide one. As a writer, I want readers to be able to consume my words from whatever podium they choose. Amazon allows me the ability to do so.

So by first choosing to receive content around the book via permission-based emails, you can consume blog updates on your own time, as often as you’d like, within a comfortable habitat. Next, if you so choose, you will be able to purchase copies of The Boys in Brown via a distribution channel that is not only well-known, but is platform-friendly. The consumer wins, as does the publisher.

For an indy writer such as myself, it is the best of times. And most important, for you the reader, it is truly the best of times.