Working Research Questions:
1.The self-publisher: Who are independent authors, do they share characteristics or demographics and what draws these authors to the independent publishing model?
2.The shift of power: Has the expectation and/or reality of power held by authors changed since the growth of independent publishing, and if so in what way and for whom?
3.The future: Has the resulting change in the role of the author and the growth of self-publishing impacted wider publishing models, and what might that look in the future?
Anticipated applications:
1. Provide an original narrative of the history of self-publishing, related author power and the changing perception of the model.
2. Provide authors with analysis of their publishing options, including developing demographic and personality-based profiles by publishing type.
3. Provide publishers with an evidence of how traditional publishing has changed in response to self publishing and author expectations - asking, what's next?
I am a self-published author, with over fifteen years' experience in communications strategy, and copy and content writing. I have worked across the public sector, including with charities such as Terrence Higgins Trust and Barnado's; at UK Parliament in education, engagement and communication teams; and producing learning campaigns at the BBC.
My experience producing content in various ways outside of traditional publishing models led me to the topic for my thesis. I am interested in how personality types can influence how people produce their work, to find out if particular groups have benefited from the growth of self-publishing and how this shift has impacted publishing more widely. I have a particular interest in diversity of author voice and the stories we share and recently worked with creatives with lived experiences to produce illustrated short-stories on change makers in human rights across LGBTQ+, women's, disability and Black history.