AYR has been revealed as one of Scotland’s indie publishing hotspots according to new data released by Amazon.

Following an event held at in Edinburgh, it was revealed Ayr came second to Falkirk when it came to the number of authors, per capita, publishing their work via Kindle Direct Publishing.

Linda Gillard, an author from Ayr, is one of the top independently published author’s who shared some top tips, along with other authors, at the event, to those who want to follow in their footsteps.

Linda Gillard, who lives just outside of Ayr said: “I was an award-winning, mid-list author of women’s fiction when I was dropped by my publisher, but I found success and a salary with Amazon’s KDP. 

“My editor had rejected my fourth novel, HOUSE OF SILENCE as too hard to market, but I sold 10,000 Kindle downloads in less than four months and Amazon UK selected it for its Top Ten Best of 2011 in the Indie Author category. 

“Being indie works for me. I love the freedom and having artistic control, so I’m pleased and proud to have attended the Amazon Academy in Edinburgh. Amazon KDP enabled me to find thousands of new readers who want to read the kind of books I write.”

The top 10 indie publishing hotspots in the Scotland are Falkirk, Ayr, Edinburgh, Motherwell, Glasgow, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Alessio Santarelli, Director of Kindle Content Europe said: “What makes the world of independent publishing such a unique and interesting space is the sense of community and authors’ willingness to share experience and advice. 

“We were delighted to have held the Amazon Academy for authors in Edinburgh, enabling both aspiring and established writers to come together and hear from some local authors who have reached readers all around the world through Kindle Direct Publishing. 

“With a number of marketing tools available to them, we hope this event will be a useful way for authors to connect and learn more about how to make the most of those resources.”

Orna Ross, Founder of Alliance of Independent Authors said: “Digital publishing means writers today can take creative control and publish their books, their way, to a global audience and can now earn a living from their writing as never before. 

“Amazon Academy has been a great opportunity to find out more about producing and selling books using Amazon’s first-class independent-publishing programmes.

"It’s also a place to learn what’s new, ask questions, meet the people behind the programmes, and hear from other writers about what it takes to run a successful indie author business. Feedback from our members has been overwhelmingly positive.”