When it comes to books, authors have many options for how they want to connect with readers. The first question to ask is, do you want to be traditionally published or do you want to self publish? Jane Friedman has a great breakdown of the publishing paths, the value of each route, and things to watch out for. The Porch Swing Chronicles also has a post about being a hybrid … [Read more...] about Writers: Traditional or Self Publish
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Marketing Practices and Strategies for Indie Authors
Marketing is a key component of any indie author's business strategy. This year, I've been at least loosely following BookWork's month by month marketing plan. The early months are more about research and figuring out who to connect with, and then building on that throughout the year. Some other marketing ideas and practices to consider include: "Best Marketing … [Read more...] about Marketing Practices and Strategies for Indie Authors
Guest Post: 4 Pro Tips on Writing Injuries
By Mariah If done well, writing about long-term injuries can add an important element to a work of fiction. The character's psychological development from the initial shock to adapting to the consequences of his injury provides an emotional and uplifting story that can inspire readers. Injuries of all kinds will affect people in different ways, and those responses can lead … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 4 Pro Tips on Writing Injuries
Resources for Indie Authorpreneurs
As an indie author/authorpreneur, there are a lot of things to keep in mind in order to successfully run your business. Here are some resources that address various aspects of being an indiepreneur: "9 Inexpensive Revenue Streams for Broke or Struggling Authors" on The Book Designers: Includes selling special reports, templates, subscription newsletters, classes, private … [Read more...] about Resources for Indie Authorpreneurs
Learning to Code
Digital publishing can encompass more than making ebooks. Lately, I've been learning how to code, because it opens up a lot of possibilities, like building apps or interactive websites, or even Alexa skills. Although I know HTML and CSS, there's still a lot to learn. But it's been a lot of fun so far! In case you're interested in learning how to program, here are some of … [Read more...] about Learning to Code
Photography as a Revenue Stream
When it comes to being an indie author, it's good to think about having multiple revenue streams. Sometimes revenue streams can be related to digital content, but not necessarily writing. The Book Designer recently shared a post about making and selling your own photos. The article goes over the camera you can use (your smartphone is often good enough), processing your … [Read more...] about Photography as a Revenue Stream
Keeping Up To Date With Social Media Platforms
We all know every social media platform is different, and as indie authors you should have different approaches for each. Each platform is constantly updating and evolving. Here's the latest on some of them. Twitter Some people use Twitter to tweet novels, one line at a time. People also use Twitter to share news and stay in touch. People also build bots and in some cases, … [Read more...] about Keeping Up To Date With Social Media Platforms
Tips and Tricks for Being More Productive
It's hard to be an indie author. There's always so much to do: writing, editing, marketing, and all the things that go with running a business. On top of that, a lot of people write as a side gig. With that in mind, here are some productivity tips to help you get the most out of your day, in no particular order. "How To Boost Your Creativity The Einstein Way—With … [Read more...] about Tips and Tricks for Being More Productive
20 Stories Related To Writing and Publishing
Sometimes I read stories, and just have to share them. Here's a list of recent interesting stuff (in no particular order): "13 Writers Who Grew To Hate Their Own Books" on Literary Hub: List includes Ian Fleming (The Spy Who Loved Me), Anthony Burgess (A Clockwork Orange), and Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace). "8 Notable Attempts to Hack the New York Times Bestseller List" … [Read more...] about 20 Stories Related To Writing and Publishing
Two Indie Author Choices: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Although Amazon works with a wide variety of industries now, it originated in books. And it still dominates the book industry. The Wall Street Journal recently wrote about how Amazon "commands an unrivaled customer base for the books, e-books and audiobooks it publishes." Part of what helped Amazon with ebooks is KDP, the platform where indie authors can upload and sell … [Read more...] about Two Indie Author Choices: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Editing in the Writing Process
Editing is an important part of the writing process. But sometimes, it's easy to get so excited about having a first draft, it's hard to take things to the next level. Publisher's Weekly has a post about how every writer needs an editor, even if the writer is an editor. In brief, it takes a lot of courage and perseverance. These worries can go both ways. The Write Life also … [Read more...] about Editing in the Writing Process
Becoming a Speaker
One of my goals this year is to do more speaking gigs. I've done a few, mostly about dinosaurs (but also about self-publishing). There are many articles out there about the benefits of public speaking. As an author, it can be a way to help sell more books, or vice-versa: you can publish a book in your niche to get more speaking gigs. Additionally, getting more comfortable … [Read more...] about Becoming a Speaker
Guest Post: How to Name a Character
By Emmanuel Nataf It’s the new year and you’re ready to actually carry out your resolution of writing a book. You’re excited and sitting down to put down the first word when you stop short — because you’ve realized that you’re missing one of the most basic ingredients of all: a name for your character. Though it might seem like a given, a name is actually one of the most … [Read more...] about Guest Post: How to Name a Character
Starting the New Year Strong: Writing Advice and Resources
Yes, I know it's now February, but it's still early in the year! Also, congrats if one of your resolutions for the year was to write more, and you've made it this far. There are many writing resources and articles out there. Here are a few that may help you with your next novel, broken down by theme. Conflict and Tension "5 Ways to Create Strong Internal Conflict" on … [Read more...] about Starting the New Year Strong: Writing Advice and Resources
Tips and Tricks for Content Marketing
Content marketing can be very powerful. According to Content Marketing Institute (CMI): Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action. When it comes to the type of content to create, there … [Read more...] about Tips and Tricks for Content Marketing
