If life is a story then why not write it down?
The saying goes that we all have a book inside us and 2014 is likely to prove just that as over one quarter (28%) of Brits’ New Year’s resolution is to publish their own book. The research by leading self-publishing platform Blurb.co.uk supports the growing trend for self-publishing and the increasing number of up-and-coming authors that there are in the UK.
Almost one in ten (10%) enterprising and creative Brits already have self-published a photo book, a cookery book or an illustrated children’s book in the past.
This year, inspired by culinary TV hits including the Great British Bake Off and superstar chefs like Jamie Oliver and Delia Smith, the book Brits most want to publish is a cookbook. One fifth (20%) deem their dishes tasty enough to feed the nation.
Other genres set to swell with self-published books include history and children’s literature. One in five (20%) think their family’s stories can rival those of the best history books and over ten per cent (13%) aspire to emulate the success of Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson by publishing their own illustrated children’s book.
Supporting this, data from Blurb reveals a huge 323% increase in self-published personal history books in the year 2013. The company also revealed a 260% increase in self-published children’s books in 2013, as well as a 230% growth in self-published parenting and family books.
It’s the enjoyment factor of self-publishing that is Brits’ primary reason to put pen to paper; half think it would be fun to self-publish (51%), one third (3%) think their lives have given them great content and they have a great story to tell and over a quarter (27%) long to do something more interesting than their day job. Making money is only the fourth most popular reason to self-publish (24%).
Despite a growing desire for self-publishing, a number of people lack confidence in their own ability to do so, with almost half (48%) saying they wouldn’t know where to start. One fifth (20%) also state that they would be worried about critiques from their friends and family, almost 40% think that they don’t have the time and a quarter (24%) think the process would be too expensive.
Commenting on the findings, Charles Davies, Managing Director of Blurb Europe, who commissioned the research, said:
“Historically, the UK has a rich history of illustrators and children’s book authors, so it’s no surprise that many of us believe we could create a best-selling book. Our message to people itching to express themselves is that there’s nothing to hold you back anymore. Blurb’s online tools make it simple to create, share and sell whatever you want to publish – whether that’s a novel, a book of recipes, a children’s book or a photography book – and Blurb authors keep 100% of their profits.”
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