I noticed the title of this article on another author’s news feed and I wondered why Manchester is an “Indie author hotspot”.
I considered the title could possibly be clickbait and ignored my curiosity.
But I don’t think that any longer. There must be some connection.
Why?
Because now Amazon.co.uk is launching a £20,000 cash prize for any author that publishes through the KDP platform between February 20th and May 19th of this year. And if Amazon is investing this kind of money, it’s not out of the kindness of its heart.
So, again why is Manchester such a lucrative utopia for Indie authors?
Really, why?
I did a little research and learned that Manchester, England has a LOT to offer to its citizens.
Museums and restaurants are boasted as second to none in the entire world. Other artistic hot spots like theaters thrive here. Likewise, it’s no surprise that artist of the written word would be successful in an area hungry for it and its artistic kin.
Another factor that sheds some light on why Manchester is an Indie hotspot is because of how Manchester’s universities are described as “world-class”. In other words, students from all over the world want to attend college there and strut away with degrees into successful money-making careers.
Typically, a society that has a high percentage of people who can read and enjoy reading will purchase books. This particular factor made me wonder if countries with the highest literacy rates would be an ideal hotspot for Indie authors as well. I haven’t researched that yet, but I plan on it.
A final factor is the cost of living.
The cost of living is the level of prices relating to a range of everyday items. In Manchester, the cost of living is decent and bares a positive correlation with people’s incomes. The cost of living is another reason why I think Indie authors are able to thrive and make a living as full-time authors.
Moreover, when you consider that there’s a connection between poverty and illiteracy it makes sense that people can’t buy books (reading would be seen as a luxury) when they are worrying about food, shelter, and clothing. 
What do you think of this recent trend in the self-publishing world? Where do you think the next hotspot will develop? Or maybe the location is just a coincidence?
Thoughts, comments, discussion are all welcome!! 🙂
Monique L. Desir 