Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Mandy Baggot Loves Digital!

Mandy Baggot doesn’t just love writing romance. She loves the digital age that facilitates spreading the word. This is what she has to say:

As a reader I enjoy lapping up new books in any medium I can get my sticky hands on them in! Kindle, Kobo, Sainsbury’s e-books – I have accounts with them all. The Works, Waterstones, WH Smith – I’m a browser and a sucker for a cover I can fondle.

But, as a writer, I’m currently riding much higher with my latest romantic comedy, Truly Madly Greekly in the digital arena.

So what’s so great about digital publishing?

1)      Fast

It doesn’t take as long to prepare and publish an e-book. This doesn’t mean the novel doesn’t go through a rigorous editing process (I’m going through one of those right now!) but digital done right can cut down the process by months.

2)      Flexible

You can make amendments quickly and easily – change the cover, add bonus content at a later date etc. You can also jump on trends as they occur. This might be getting something into the marketplace quickly to hit on a special event – a tennis romance in time for Wimbledon, a gardening tale for the Chelsea Flower Show, athlete heroine for the next Olympics etc.

3)      Price

Digital publishing doesn’t have a lot of the costs involved with traditional paperback publishing. You can offer books at a more competitive rate to readers and still make money.

4)      Ride the electronic wave

More people that ever own tablets for entertainment and recreation. You don’t have to have a specific e-reader to read digital books – any tablet, smartphone or P.C. has the capability to download a free app to read books on. Some people are becoming readers for the first time because it’s cheap, convenient and accessible.

5)      New writer opportunities

Since Kindle Direct Publishing was born, more and more storytellers are taking the plunge and getting their work into the marketplace. Self-publishing and digital publishing have let authors take much more control over their work and I’m embracing that!

Writing and reading have never been hotter and I say, long may it continue.

About Mandy:

Mandy Baggot is an award-winning romantic fiction author, writing hot heroes and emotional reads. She is represented by Kate Nash of The Kate Nash Literary Agency.
In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance and has since scooped Top Ten Reads/Book of the Year places from a number of UK book bloggers.
Traditionally published by US publisher Sapphire Star, Harper Collins' digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse, and most recently, digital fiction specialists, Bookouture, a great story is never far from her fingertips!
A contributor to writing blogs and short story anthologies, Mandy is also a regular speaker at literary festivals, events and women’s networking groups.
Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World's Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1's Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.
Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.

Links:

Thank you, Mandy, for joining us today and giving us such a comprehensive explanation.

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16 comments:

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Much as I also love print books, I agree with everything you say about the digital age, Mandy! Good to meet you at the conference.

Anita Chapman said...

Congratulations on all your success, Mandy! And lovely to see you at the conference, even though it was brief :-)x

Mandy said...

Thank you Rosemary and Anita! Conference was brilliant, wasn't it? Roll on next year!

Rhoda Baxter said...

I spend sooo much money on ebooks now, I wouldn't have predicted that a few years ago.
I have been known to read the ebook, then buy the print book if it's a keeper.

Mandy said...

LOL Rhoda, I have done that too! Most of my paperback keepers are signed copies now. I would never part with those!

June Kearns said...

A brilliant post.
You're a great example of someone who's made a success of that medium, Mandy. I still love paperbacks (probably an age thing!) but wouldn't argue with your message.

Mandy said...

Thank you June! I think digital books are brilliant for people like me who have no room in their house for all the books they want to read! Also, if they're digital my husband can't see just how many I've bought! I should have put that gem in the blog post!

Lizzie Lamb said...

If it wasn't for digital publishing I wouldn't be sitting here with three books under my belt. I could have submitted the agents and spent years trying to find the right publisher. And in a way I have - it's New Romantics Press. I have always followed your career with interest Mandy and I'm thrilled that you have had so much success. The nice thing with Amazon/Create Space is you can have paperbacks too.

Mandy said...

Thank you Lizzie! I've seen your success in self-publishing too - a huge well done from me! Yes, I have all my self-published books in paperback and I have print on demand paperbacks with my traditional publishers too. It's the best of both worlds!

Anonymous said...

For a long time I didn't have a kindle. My friend urged me to buy one. I did and I love it! It's true what you say about digital and how fast things can happen.
Though I still buy books I just love the feel and texture of them. It was great seeing you at the conference and catching up.

Lorraine H

Linn B Halton and Lucy Coleman said...

I never thought I'd learn to love a Kindle ... but I do! Now I download everything but always buy a paperback copy of something I know I will read more than once. Congrats on the fabulous success of Truly, Madly, Greekly, Mandy - well deserved and a fabulous read.

Mandy said...

Thanks Lorraine and Linn! I love my Kindle too and never go anywhere without it. I had a sneaky little read in bed at conference before my eyes got the better of me!

Sheryl Browne said...

Yup, I agree, Linn. I wouldn't be without my Kindle now, purely for convenience - though I do love a good fondle, Mandy! ;) Well done on your fabulous success with Truly, Madly, Greekly, sweetie. Hugely deserved! xx

Mandy said...

Thank you Sheryl! So lovely to catch up with you at conference!

Catherine Miller said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rena George said...

Thank you for flying the flag for digital publishing, Mandy. As you so rightly say, writing and reading books has never been hotter, which is great for all of us.
Self-publishing and E-books have opened so many doors for writers, but the biggest benefit for me is that I can control everything about my books and my writing business.