The Micropublisher
The Micropublisher is an online magazine project running throughout 2012. There will be 10 editions in total, showing you how to make a living with words by being your own publishing house.
You can learn more and join the journey below…
I started Mountain & Pacific because I believe that the best way for people like you and me make a living with words right now is by being your own publishing house.
I’m writing this from a converted barn deep in the heart of the English countryside. Outside the window there are fields, footpaths, forests.
It’s an unlikely place from which to run a publishing house, but since June 2011 that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.
This is your chance
Self-publishing, as you’ll well know, has changed. It’s no longer a stepping stone or a fallback, but a lucrative destination in its own right. The opportunity for you to make a living with words is greater than ever before.
But there’s a problem. In the self-publishing world, without publishing houses to filter out the rubbish, readers are overwhelmed. It’s harder than ever to stand out.
I believe there’s a simple solution: be your own publishing house.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
“LOVING Issue #1 of The Micropublisher” – Ronna Detrick
What is micropublishing?
A micropublishing house is simply a traditional publishing house shrunk to down to a one-person operation. A micropublisher is the person who runs it.
1. A publishing house distributes to bookstores. Your micropublishing house can sell books through its own website, through an online bookstore like Amazon, or both.
2. A publishing house needs writers. Your micropublishing house only needs one writer: you.
3. A publishing house aims for a large audience. Your micropublishing house finds a small, specific niche audience and aims to delight those happy few.
4. A publishing house publishes a large number of titles. Your micropublishing house publishes a small number – perhaps only one.
5. A publishing house has huge print costs. Your micropublishing house makes digital publications or print-on-demand titles only.
6. A publishing house runs big promotion campaigns. Your micropublishing house talks to fans who’ve given you permission to talk to them.
7. A publishing house has a huge staff and expensive offices. Your micropublishing house can be run by just you and a computer, from anywhere in the world.
I believe that micropublishing is the best way to make a living with words. By taking up the professional attitude of a traditional publishing house, you help readers, turning them into fans and customers.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
“Just devoured the first issue of The Micropublisher from Mountain & Pacific. Wonderful production!” – D.T. Pennington
It goes beyond blogging
The above features are similar to a blog. Here’s what’s different:
• A micropublishing house creates publications. A blog can certainly be one of these publications, but it’s no more than that.
• A micropublishing house charges for these publications. It’s a rare blog for which you can charge for access.
• A micropublishing house goes beyond the writing. Few blogs approach design, editing, promotion, and distribution with the professionalism of a publishing house.
A micropublishing house is a publishing house for the self-publishing world. It’s a combination of the intimacy of blogging with the professionalism of traditional publishing houses.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
“Always great info and superb design. Thom is really setting a standard” – Linda Gabriel
How to become a micropublisher
The best part in all this? You’re already most of the way there – all it takes is a simple change in attitude.
Instead of thinking of yourself as a blogger with a blog or a writer with an ebook, think of yourself as a publishing house that creates publications. You’re not a blogger who publishes, you’re a publisher who blogs. Simple.
The Micropublisher is a magazine for those who want to embrace micropublishing. It shows you how to make a living with words by being your own publishing house.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
“I really love the work you’re doing. You’re constantly inspiring me to rethink the way I’m doing things and helping me to consider new ways of curating and sharing content” – Raam Dev
Here’s how you’ll benefit
• You’ll learn how others are making a living with words through in-depth interviews with experienced self-publishers
• You’ll be helped towards making a living with words, thanks to dozens of detailed, actionable articles
• You’ll get content that’s enjoyable to read, because each of the 10 magazines is presented in a simple, elegantly designed PDF
• You’ll be at the forefront of the self-publishing revolution, seeing what’s working right now for people like you
• You’ll fill in the missing pieces in your publishing, by seeing how to approach things as a publisher as well as a writer
Not bad for less than 9 bucks a time.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
“Your magazines are a credit to the art. I especially appreciate the slow nature of the genre. They’re meant to be read deeply and savoured” – Shawnacy Kiker
How does it work?
When you make your purchase, you’ll receive every issue of The Micropublisher that’s been published so far, straight to your inbox.
You’ll also be all set for the rest of the year. There are 10 magazines in all in 2012, published every 5 weeks precisely – and you’ll have each one sent directly to you upon publication.
So far, we’re four editions in. With over 70 pages of detailed content in each of these editions, you’ll have plenty to enjoy today.
Try it for free with the ‘nothing to lose’ guarantee
The Micropublisher isn’t available in single editions. This is because I offer a full 50-day money-back guarantee.
If you try out a couple of editions and decide that the magazine isn’t for you, no problem. Simply email me at thom@mountainandpacific.com within 50 days and I’ll refund you the second I see your email – no questions asked.
So you basically get to try the magazine out for free. Lovely stuff.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
“I get over 300 emails a day and a lot of it just sits there. But I can hardly wait to open yours” - Loralee Hutton
It’s not for everyone
Micropublishing is for you if:
• You want to make a living with words.
• You’d like to create something more inspiring, elegant, or profitable than a regular blog.
• You take pride in what you publish and want to make your publications up to the standards you’ve imagined.
• You’d rather take action than read endless news stories speculating about the future of publishing.
• You want to be the best self-publisher you can be.
It’s probably not for you if:
• You’re looking for get-rich-quick shortcuts. Getting to a point where you’re making a living with words isn’t easy. But it can certainly be enjoyable.
• You need a step-by-step guide. We’re exploring the frontier here, not solving an equation.
• You want to be a freelancer or write copy for others. This is for those who want to sell their own words to their own fans.
• You’re trying to be a ‘pro blogger’. Blogs can be part of a micropublishing house, but the focus is on making premium publications.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
“Subscribed. Brilliant work, as always! And a more than reasonable price” – J.L. Forrester
What’s inside the first four issues
Interviews with writers, publishers, and editors, including: Joshua Fields Millburn, Aaron Goldfarb, Colin Wright, Matt Gartland, Ev Bogue, Kinfolk Magazine, Letter to Jane, and many others.
Articles on a range of topics, including:
• How to be your own publishing house
• Artisans and the perfect publishing model
• How much is your writing worth?
• The publisher’s secret weapon
• How to build a personal publishing empire
• Why micropublishing beats blogging every time
• The real secret of ‘how to’
• How to become a professional writer
• Naked publishing and why you need to do less
• 18 ways to publish your words
• How to reach every goal you set for your publishing
In all, over 140 pages of effortlessly readable content, dedicated to helping you make a living with words.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
Q&A
Why make this magazine?
Because publishing is changing and everyone’s focusing on the industry rather than the individual. What I care about is how individual writers like you and me can make a living with words in this new world.
And because, with the global economy as it is, there’s never been a better time to make your own independent income with your writing.
Can I buy individual editions?
The Micropublisher isn’t available in single editions. See the section above titled ‘Try it for free with the nothing-to-lose guarantee’.
When will I get my magazines?
Each new edition will be emailed to you the second it’s published. The magazines are published in 5-week intervals throughout 2012.
Can I ask you a specific question?
You certainly can. Email thom [at] mountainandpacific [dot] com and we’ll merrily chat away.
Buy now // 10 magazines in 2012 // 87
