Self-Publishing In Jamaica And The Caribbean And The Importance Of Diverse Voices With C. Ruth Taylor

The self-publishing movement is just getting started in Jamaica and the Caribbean islands, and authors are discovering they can tell their stories in their own way. C. Ruth Taylor talks about how she became an authorpreneur and why she believes in an indie-first, empowering ecosystem.

In the intro, Draft2Digital acquires Smashwords [D2D; Mark Coker]; Impact of streaming on audiobook revenue and AI narration [Ask ALLi]; Stone of Fire and thoughts on your ‘writing age.'

This podcast episode is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo ecosystem. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. 

C. Ruth Taylor is the author of over 20 nonfiction books and a leading Jamaican authorpreneur. She's also a publishing consultant, podcaster, course creator, and founder of Extra Mile Innovators.

You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.

Show Notes

* From writing to heal a broken heart to authorpreneur

* The rich literary tradition of Jamaica and the Caribbean diaspora

* The reading and publishing ecosystem in Jamaica

* Turning your books into multiple streams of income

* Creative marketing when you can't afford paid ads

* The importance of telling your story and valuing your experience

You can find C. Ruth Taylor at extramileja.com and on Twitter @cameka12

Transcript of Interview with C. Ruth Taylor

Joanna: C. Ruth Taylor is the author of over 20 nonfiction books and a leading Jamaican authorpreneur. She's also a publishing consultant, podcaster, course creator, and founder of Extra Mile Innovators. Welcome, Ruth.

Ruth: Thank you, Joanna. It's good being here.

Joanna: I'm excited to talk to you.

First up, tell us a bit more about you and how you got into writing and publishing.

Ruth: Oh, that's a good question. I'm going to give you the short version.

I am from the island that has produced the fastest man and woman in the world. That's Usain Bolt and our own Elaine Thompson-Herah, and the island that has given birth to reggae music, Bob Marley. And guess what? The island that gave birth to James Bond. This is where Ian Fleming wrote James Bond,