[dreams]

The below is my rambling throw of a couple of cents.

What do you think? Can individual authors and indie publishing houses continue to get noticed when the big publishers begin to fill the stage?

* I was exposed to indie authors through this forum's members.
* I discover author blogs and websites through this forum.
* I rarely, if ever, do random searching for websites or blogs of authors to learn what is out there. My daily life is full already, so I've found one or two places to check in and learn about ebook authors. That is why the presence of authors on forums attract my attention... I'm already on the forum. Also, other forum members make recommendations that I will read and investigate.

So, drawn from the above:
* Authors who spend time on various forums attract my attention which may result in a purchase and then a word of mouth recommendation to others.
* An author who is a continued positive presence on various forums attracts a loyal following.
* A much lower ebook price than other publishers will definitely make the attraction greater and less of a risk to try that new author. Also, a more reasonable price makes me more willing to continue to buy any author.

Will the big publishers' advertising budgets overwhelm the indies?

Doesn't that happen in any market for any product? Now days, with the internet, a large budget may not always be necessary for exposure. I think a large chunk of time getting (and continuing) the exposure on forums, review sites/blogs, you tube, twitter (follow and tweet others), etc. is going to be what is needed if a large advertising budget is not there.

Every time you (an author) posts, you are creating that exposure to the public. You are advertising with your name, avatar, posted comments, and / or signature with links.

Will the sites that promote indie authors and publishers be replaced with publisher-supported portals pushing everyone to Dan Brown and Stephen King?

Possibly, if they feel it is advantageous for them to do so.

Will indie authors find themselves in the same position they were in before e-books: Sign on with the big boys, or remain forever obscure?

Who knows how long indie authors will have an ebook advantage to inform the public about? Create that advantage with non DRM'd ebooks at great prices and let everyone know about it (over and over again, wherever and whenever you can). I'd rather buy from an indie author site where the author gets more of the money than a big publisher.

Sincerely, An "Average Jane" consumer submitting her view