Is Bubblews the World’s Largest Social Experiment?

I think I’ve figured out what Bubblews is really about.  If I am right, it’s actually a gigantic social experiment.  Where else can you connect with people all around the world as they share big and little stories about their lives and customs, families, and all the large and small details that make them real people?

I have always believed that if ordinary people around the world could talk directly to one another, we would find that we are all actually much alike.  Everyone wants enough food, a safe place to raise his or her family, and the ability to meet basic needs.

The Bubblews platform seems deliberately designed to try to meet the need for understanding among people of all cultures and social positions.  Without leaving the website, I have read stories about people living in Asia, Canada, South America, Europe and the Pacific Islands.  Some of these stories are well written, others struggle to express themselves.  Nearly all contain some little gem of knowledge or insight about the people who wrote them.

Whether this “social experiment” is intentional or not, I believe it is happening at Bubblews.  For this reason, if for no other, I will continue to support the site.

It also doesn’t hurt that the site is one of the best-paying of its kind that I have run across.  It is going through some serious growing pains at the moment, so there are times when it is not possible to log in.  But in my opinion, it’s definitely worth the wait.

I encourage you to at least visit the site.  It may not be to your liking, but then again ...

Can This New Business Model Work for Indie Authors?

There’s a new business model out there for indie authors and publishers.  Can it work?  If you judge by the success of a company called Word Branch Publishing, the answer is yes.

Word Branch Publishing is actually a co-op.  No one associated with the company draws a salary. Instead they share a portion of the royalties as the books they represent become successful.  Author members have published books in several lucrative genres including young adult, spiritual, fantasy and science fiction. 

All of Word Branch Publishing books are published electronically, and most are also available as print-on-demand paperbacks.  One advantage to this system is that it keeps shipping costs down so that more profit is available for its members.

The company is currently working with eleven authors publishing a total of 24 books and is in the process of signing several more.  One also has a screenplay being produced in Asia.  Others have developed their own following.

There are, of course, no guarantees that members will make money, but so far the company, which seems to be very well managed, seems to be well on its way to profitability in the next year or two.

 Word Branch Publishing is located in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, which is a story in itself.

For more information on this innovative company, visit here.  You might also want to take a look at this site.

A New Website Just for Non-Fiction Writers

I’ve been waiting for this. Stephanie Chandler has launched a new website just for non-fiction writers. It’s called "Non-Fiction Writers Association" and I joined it as soon as I found out it had launched on June 7. 2013. As of this writing, at least 56 writers have joined the site.

Stephanie rightly points out that marketing non-fiction books and stories is different than marketing fiction. She has published eight non-fiction pieces herself and knows what those differences are.

Unfortunately, most of the goodies are only available if you upgrade your membership, which costs $19.00 a month or $190.00 for a year. These include the ability to access the forums, downloads, and the other stuff. But you do get access to webinars presented by experts on marketing, branding, and other business-related aspects of publishing. And you get to post your listing in the website’s directory for free.

It’s a little too early to tell whether a paid membership will provide enough benefits to be worth the price. But non-fiction author/publishers should definitely check out this website.

Your One-Stop Shop for Self-Publishing Help

Shelley Hitz is a very successful self-publisher. But what I like best about her is her website. I also like her newsletter. I like her approachability. And there’s a lot more to like here.

Shelley offers everything you need to make a success of your own self-publishing venture. There’s enough free information on the site to keep you busy for hours. She answers questions you didn’t even think to ask
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Shelley speaks from her own experience. She’s a successful author in her own right, so you’re not going to get canned answers to publishing questions. She makes her own experience available to her readers, advises them on great products and services, both free and paid. In short, she does everything she can to make you a success.

I’ve had a very positive personal experience with Shelley as well. I found her to be genuine and extremely personable.

If you’re serious, or thinking about becoming serious, about self-publishing, I urge you to visit her website. But plan on spending a lot of time looking it over. It’s massive. Shelley can convince you that you can become your own publisher, and she can show you how. Be sure to sign up for her free newsletter. Her website is here