Entrepreneurial aspect of being a first-time author
Kumar, Sunita (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112028901
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112028901
Tiivistelmä
This thesis dives into the entrepreneurial journey of becoming a first-time author, particularly focusing on the ins and outs of writing, publishing and marketing educational books aimed at teenage readers. It all started when I noticed a gap in the educational publishing scene, where the available resources were either too academic or overly simplified. The goal was to craft content that strikes a balance between engaging storytelling and reliable historical information, as seen in the book The Indus Valley Civilization.
The study takes a closer look at the publication routes through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and partnerships with Moments Publisher in India, shedding light on the hurdles first-time authors face, such as understanding royalties, ensuring accessibility, and building trust with publishers. It also under-scores the significance of marketing strategies ranging from financial investments like Amazon sponsorships to no-cost options such as Instagram and Facebook campaigns. The financial results from December 2024 to March 2025, which included around €31 in international royalties and over ₹5,400 INR in In-dian sales (€52,50), along with a steady stream of five-star reviews, are presented as promising signs of sustainability.
By framing authorship as an entrepreneurial endeavour, this thesis reflects on valuable lessons learned in branding, market positioning, and the importance of long-term investment for gaining recognition. The findings indicate that achieving success as a first-time publisher requires a careful balance between creative passion and entrepreneurial strategy, resonating with existing research on the business aspects of cultural production (Clark & Phillips, 2020; Aaker, 2014; Thompson, 2010).
In the end, this thesis adds to the wider conversation on creative entrepreneurship, providing insights into how first-time authors can navigate the complexities of authorship while building credibility and sustainability in the literary market.
The study takes a closer look at the publication routes through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and partnerships with Moments Publisher in India, shedding light on the hurdles first-time authors face, such as understanding royalties, ensuring accessibility, and building trust with publishers. It also under-scores the significance of marketing strategies ranging from financial investments like Amazon sponsorships to no-cost options such as Instagram and Facebook campaigns. The financial results from December 2024 to March 2025, which included around €31 in international royalties and over ₹5,400 INR in In-dian sales (€52,50), along with a steady stream of five-star reviews, are presented as promising signs of sustainability.
By framing authorship as an entrepreneurial endeavour, this thesis reflects on valuable lessons learned in branding, market positioning, and the importance of long-term investment for gaining recognition. The findings indicate that achieving success as a first-time publisher requires a careful balance between creative passion and entrepreneurial strategy, resonating with existing research on the business aspects of cultural production (Clark & Phillips, 2020; Aaker, 2014; Thompson, 2010).
In the end, this thesis adds to the wider conversation on creative entrepreneurship, providing insights into how first-time authors can navigate the complexities of authorship while building credibility and sustainability in the literary market.