Authors: The New Kids on The Blockchain

Imagine this: you’ve written a book you’re truly proud of and are ready to share it with the world. With the creative work behind you, it’s time to focus on the business of selling. What if you could leverage an innovative—and profitable—business model?

Picture a scenario where you, the author, retain full ownership of your intellectual property and have complete control over the financial side of production and distribution. This is what the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) calls the Creator-Centered Business Model, or Self-Publishing 3.0, as detailed in their recent white paper, “Authors and the Blockchain.”

The terms “blockchain” and “cryptocurrency” can spark curiosity, confusion, and sometimes anxiety about disruption. But not all disruption is negative.

At the London Book Fair, I attended a presentation by Josef Marc, CEO of Publica—a publishing platform using blockchain and cryptocurrency to rethink how books are funded, distributed, bought, and read. He outlined the opportunities available to authors willing to step into this new space.

You can learn more about Publica [here].

What does blockchain mean for authors?

Blockchain is essentially a digital ledger that securely tracks all transactions, contracts, and important information about your book. This technology enables an Author-Centric Business Model, allowing you to:

• Be the first to receive compensation for your work—immediately after each sale.

• Continue selling through retailers like Amazon and other platforms, while also offering direct sales to readers for higher profit margins.

• Set your own contractual and financial terms for how your book is purchased, resold, or loaned.

• Reward readers who help resell your book by pre-assigning compensation.

• Confirm and track the status of your intellectual property rights.

• Build a community around your work, connecting not just readers and stakeholders, but anyone you wish—like the café where you wrote your manuscript or your favorite stationery shop.

These are just a few of the possibilities. The real power lies in the author’s ability to set the terms, which are then embedded in the blockchain—creating a transparent, author-driven system for every stage of the publishing process.

Of course, blockchain isn’t without its challenges, but my aim here is to highlight what’s possible—and to make the concept less intimidating and more empowering.

As an indie author, I’m excited by the opportunities. As a publisher, I see the Author-Centric Business Model as a fair, ethical, and responsible way to support authors as the true owners of their work. As an ALLi member, I fully support their campaign to educate authors and publishers about blockchain’s potential impact on our industry.

While widespread adoption may still be a way off, platforms like Publica are already demonstrating that this business model is viable. Embracing an Author-Centric Model doesn’t have to wait for the future—you can start today by learning about your options and taking a more active role in the business side of publishing.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”—Buckminster Fuller

Disruption can lead to meaningful discovery. I highly recommend ALLi membership for indie authors and publishers seeking timely, reliable industry information—including on blockchain. But even if you do nothing else, start thinking about how you can sell directly to your readers. Update your website, strengthen your social media presence, and educate yourself on contracts and intellectual property rights. Your success as an independent author or publisher depends on how well you understand the business side of bookselling.

Here’s to embracing change—wherever it leads.