A CONTRIBUTION TO SELF-REDACTANCE' was prepared by AYAN MOHAMED YUSUF and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Communication (Structure B) at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. NGEOW YEOK MENG) Date: 15 April 2022 Assistant Professor/Chief Supervisor. We hereby confirm that AYAN MOHAMED YUSUF (ID No: 20UJM00624) has completed this dissertation entitled “ONLINE PUBLISHING IN KENYA: FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SELF-PIETY” under the supervision of Dr.
Introduction
This study focuses on self-publishing in Kenya to examine the perceptions of ten Kenyan self-published authors who participated in interviews. Mainstream publishing is saturated with academic books, making self-publishing the best option for authors.
Problem Statement
But it is uncertain whether self-published authors find self-publishing more affordable, cost-effective and more manageable with the e-book market booming and the availability of print-on-demand technology. The study also seeks to understand how self-publishing improves the independence of self-published authors, as they now have total control over the publication of their books.
Research Objectives
Although self-published authors have autonomy over their books, the growing Kenyan market shows an average income of only US$2.30 per person (Clarke, 2015). The study also looks at challenges facing self-published authors and proposed solutions.
Research Questions
The researcher developed the following research questions to answer in order to investigate the issue in this study and provide answers. Research questions guide the researcher in staying focused and breaking down the project into manageable tasks.
Significance of Study
Scope of the study
- Self-publishing
- E-book
- Online publishing services
- Print on demand
- Traditional publishing
The interview sessions were conducted in 2021 to explain the self-publishing trend that has been growing since 2010. The first part of the interview questions were asked about personal data and their self-publishing journey.
- Introduction
- History of Publishing
- Publishing in Kenya
- Online Publication in Kenya (e-book publishing)
- Online Self-Publishing Services
- Conceptual Framework
The publishers and the author negotiate a royalty agreement, which is a certain percentage of the book's total sales. The remaining 90% of the book's profits are allocated to the publisher, distributors, marketers and retailers (Wischenbar, 2012).
- Introduction
- Population and Sampling Methods
- Research Instrument
- Data Analysis
- Ethical Considerations
This study aimed to understand factors influencing ebook self-publishing in Kenya, how self-publishing has increased authors' autonomy, and what challenges they face. This process allowed the researcher to identify factors influencing self-publishing in Kenya and gain a deeper understanding of the phenomena. The first few participants were selected from YouTube channels, websites and Facebook groups dedicated to self-publishing.
Some self-published authors have their own YouTube channels and websites where they share videos and articles about the self-publishing process with their audience. The first part of the interview discussed the author's background, introduced how they got into self-publishing, and their perceptions and experiences with self-publishing books in Kenya. The second part of the interview was aimed at answering the research questions, examining the factors influencing e-book self-publishing, how self-publishing has increased the autonomy of self-publishing authors, and exploring the challenges faced by Kenyan authors and their solutions, if any.
Outsourcing to printers to print paperback books was a crucial phase in the Kenyan self-publishing industry. The interview was divided into three sections; to examine factors influencing e-book self-publishing, how self-publishing has enhanced author autonomy, and explore the challenges faced by Kenyan self-published authors and their possible solutions. The interview questions include the reasons for choosing to publish, personal experiences in the self-publishing industry, the process of self-publishing, how self-publishing has increased their autonomy as authors, and the challenges of self-publishing.
Introduction
For the latter approach, the author manages all aspects of self-publishing on their own. I contracted a self-publishing company called the Writers Pen Publishers, they did most of the work. The general challenge is the burden of self-publishing and being responsible for everything the book entails.
In the context of the second research question, it was discussed how self-publishing strengthens the author's autonomy. The findings of the study were analyzed through thematic analysis to determine the factors influencing self-publishing of books in Kenya. The first research question was to examine the factors influencing e-book self-publishing in Kenya.
Social media plays a key role in the self-publishing journey, with the author responsible for each task. The goal of this study was achieved because data showed how self-publishing increases authors' autonomy. This study can be used by self-publishing authors to educate themselves on the benefits and challenges of self-publishing in Kenya.
Factors Contributing to Self-publishing of books in Kenya and how it improves
- Mainstream Publishing
- Freedom
- Royalties
- Bookshops
- Shipping
- Independent Publishers
Challenges and Proposed Solutions
- Fatigue
- Expensive
- Bookshop Outlet Rejection
- Editorial
Because once you've gone the self-publishing route, the whole workload is on your shoulders, you have to be the one marketing the book, sometimes you're the one distributing the book. When publishing with traditional companies, the company covers the costs, but for self-published authors, they have to pay for everything themselves. Self-publishing costs can also be expensive, especially for a first-time self-published author who hasn't benefited from royalties before.
5 explained that although the self-publishing process is expensive, it is important to spend money on book production, editing and book cover design to attract buyers. Placing in bookstores is lucrative and provides self-published authors with publicity, but it is quite difficult to get accepted by established bookstores. One of the challenges we have in Kenya is that bookstores, again, they want to reserve books that have already been requested.
This narrows the market for self-published authors and makes it difficult for independent authors to break through. 6 also suggested government intervention, and not just for self-published authors, but traditional publishers as well. 10 explained the editorial challenge he faced the first time he self-published, stating that editing is important and the entire process of self-publishing is expensive and time-consuming.
Conclusion
Regarding editorial challenges, respondent 4 stated that she would get qualified local editors in the future so that she would not experience the same challenge she had with her first self-published book. All this increased the independence of self-publishing authors and at the same time simplified the publication process. The third research question explained the challenges faced by self-publishing authors and proposed solutions.
Bookstores are hesitant to stock unknown self-published authors and most respondents claim these have been rejected by established bookstores. In the literature review, the factors identified include print-on-demand, the e-book market and the availability of online publishing services. This study revealed issues supported by literature research, such as authors self-publishing and choosing ebook publishing to maintain the rights of their books, fix the prices for their books, and a large portion of maintain revenue (Finder, 2012).
Although print-on-demand was mentioned in the literature, this study found that self-published authors prefer bulk printing and print-on-demand only through online publishing services. The use of M-Pesa as a means of payment is also a new finding, the importance of independent publishers, the use of boda-boda as a means of transport within the country, publishing companies that do not foresee regulations for self-published authors, and obtaining ISBN through the National Library of Kenya. This was supported by respondents who stated that self-publishing, in general, gives them control and freedom over their work and also that both bulk and on-demand printing provides more royalties compared to traditional companies.
- Introduction
- Findings and Discussion
- Implications for Practice
- Limitations
- Recommendations for Future Research
- Conclusion
The respondents explained that they prefer the simplicity of self-publishing an e-book and not incurring shipping costs. The second research question investigated how self-publishing increases the autonomy of authors and the themes discovered under this question include the freedom and control that self-published authors have over their books. This study contributes to existing knowledge on self-publishing while also filling the gap.
As an emerging phenomenon, studies have been conducted to understand self-publishing, but this study examines the factors influencing e-book self-publishing in Kenya and also examines how self-publishing enhances author autonomy and the challenges of Kenyan self-publishing. the face of the authors. Apart from the data collection process, the researcher found it difficult to obtain previous studies on self-publishing or publishing in Kenya. Also, examine the difference between self-publishing through independent companies and doing it yourself.
How self-publishing increases authors' autonomy and the challenges they go through has also been explored. In the literature review, the researcher found that online publishing services, growth of e-books and print-on-demand are factors that influence self-publishing. Kenya investors are turning a new chapter in the publishing industry. https://discover.hubpages.com/literature/Publishing-in-Kenya. http://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2021-kenya. http://beverleykendall.com/files/self-publishing.pdf. 2000).
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