Writers of Essex: Digital-first publishing

Join Writers of Essex for their next online meet-up on Saturday 4 March from 12pm. Hear from author Julia Stone on the things she has learnt the hard way about digital-first publishing so you don’t have to.

Digital-first refers to books that are produced by dedicated arms of traditional publishers, but as digital products – ebooks or audio, often with a print-on-demand paperback option. Having had two novels published digital-first, Julia has experienced the pros and cons of this approach. Agents are embracing e-publishing as with higher margins it is potentially more profitable. However, it pays to know the implications. What are the benefits over self-publishing? What service do you actually get from the publisher? How much control do you cede? And how do you make your e-book stand out amongst the hundreds of thousand books published annually?

Julia Stone has a professional background in psychology and psychotherapy, so little wonder that she writes psychological suspense! She attended Faber Academy in 2017. She has been shortlisted for a number of writing competitions and in 2018 won The Blue Pencil Novel award for unpublished authors. Her debut Her Little Secret was published as an ebook, audio and print on demand in 2021. The Accident is her second novel and the Crime Readers Association recommended read in December 2022. Julia runs her own coaching and therapy business part-time, where she helps other creative people work on the emotional challenges and limiting beliefs that get in the way of their writing or artistic ambitions. She also works part-time as a volunteer with disabled adults at a local day centre where she runs the pottery. More information can be found at linktr.ee/juliastone

After Julia’s talk, there will be plenty of time to discuss our writing, ask general questions about writing and share our thoughts and experiences to support one another.

Local group online meet-ups are free to attend. To join us, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form. We’ll send you an email with a link to join us on Zoom.

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