Welcome to this issue of the Carnival of the Indies blog carnival. This issue is for December, 2010. We welcome your submissions on topics related to writing, self-publishing, book design or marketing books.

A collection of outstanding articles recently posted to blogs, your reading here will be richly rewarded.

See the end of this post for links to submit your blog posts for the next carnival, or for participating Bloggers and Featured Bloggers to grab your sidebar badges. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Featured Posts

Jane Friedman presents When (or Why) Social Media Fails to Sell Books posted at There Are No Rules. “Social media is about developing relationships and a readership over the long term that helps bolster your entire career (and sales too). When people claim that social media hasn’t worked for them, I can usually guess why—because I see it used wrong EVERY day.”

Mick Rooney presents Democratization or Be Damned posted at POD, Self Publishing and Independent Publishing. “The only way true ‘Democratization of Publishing’ is going to happen is when the old ‘traditional’ publishing aristocracy takes on and embellishes what is good outside and around it – all that it currently fears.”

Thomas Burchfield presents The Thrill of the Hunt posted at A Curious Man. “I gasp and sprawl on my back upon the cold terra-cotta tile floor, struck down by the reality of my actions. . . Everything can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong. The book is great. The book is terrible. . . The book will sell a million copies and be despised. The book will sell zero copies and be loved.”

Book Design & Production

Stephen Tiano presents 5 “Easy” Steps to Self-Publishing a Best-Seller* posted at Stephen Tiano, Book Designer, Page Compositor & Layout Artist, saying, “Feel free to look around the blog and ask me to post something you consider germane.”

Ebooks and Ebook Readers

Sarah Bolme presents The Diminishing Return on eBooks posted at Marketing Christian Books.

Indie Author

Thomas Burchfield presents Unfinished Business #1 posted at A Curious Man, saying, “A piece about the struggles and challenges of being an independent publisher and author.”

Thomas Burchfield presents Unfinished Business #2 posted at A Curious Man, saying, “A continuation of a series of personal essays/articles on the new world of publishing.”

Thomas Burchfield presents Unfinished Business #3: Two Large Hats, One Very Small Head posted at A Curious Man, saying, “Part 3 of my essays on my experiences and thoughts about self-publishing. Thank you for reading!”

Marketing & Selling Your Books

Patricia Fry presents Get Your Self-Published Book Reviewed posted at Matilija Press Publishing Blog.

Patricia Fry presents Build Your Author’s Platform Through Connections posted at Matilija Press Publishing Blog.

Patricia Fry presents Build Your Platform Through Public Speaking posted at Matilija Press Publishing Blog.

Patricia Fry presents Build Your Author Platform Through Your Writing posted at Matilija Press Publishing Blog.

Patricia Fry presents Build Your Platform One Step at a Time-Your Web Presence posted at Matilija Press Publishing Blog.

Alexander M Zoltai presents Book Promotion Blues ~ “Hey! It’s A Job.” posted at Notes from An Alien, saying, “I *really* would like any and all feedback on what I’m trying to do to promote my book :-).”

Self-Publishing Success

Nick Daws presents Free Report on Copyright Infringement for Writers and Publishers posted at Nick Daws’ Writing Blog.

Joanna Penn presents How To Create A Facebook Fan Page For Your Book Or Author Brand posted at The Creative Penn.

Roger C. Parker presents Book planning, title, & design ideas from Sketching at Work posted at Published & Profitable.

Roger C. Parker presents Choose a memorable book title before you begin to write your book posted at Published & Profitable.

Roger C. Parker presents Content & title ideas for writing books to build your personal brand posted at Published & Profitable.

How to Take Part in the Carnival of the Indies

Well, that wraps up this issue. I hope you enjoy some of the great articles here, and let other people interested in self-publishing know about the Carnival. The next issue is January 30, 2011 and the deadline for submissions will be January 20, 2011. Don’t miss it! Here are all the links you’ll need:

The original announcement post
Carnival of the Indies web page
Submit your article here
Bloggers, grab your official Carnival of the Indies Badges here
Follow Carnival of the Indies on Twitter
Subscribe to The Book Designer Blog