There is no such thing as overnight success. It takes a lot of time, dedication, and hard work, and yes, some days can feel harder than others. But the result can be worth it. To help stay inspired and motivated, here are some recent success stories and ideas for monetization. I also recommend reading Michael La Ronn's "Reinventing the Path to Success" post, which talks about … [Read more...] about Inspirational Publishing Success Stories and Ideas For Monetization
self-publishing
Guest Post: Strategies for Getting Published as an Independent Writer
By Jori Hamilton Going with a publishing house may offer the ability to get in front of a larger crowd, but at what cost? If your story is mangled by editors and publisher demands on the way to publication, the final product can end up completely different than the book you set out to write. Self-publishing offers an alternative that, while less splashy, allows you, the … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Strategies for Getting Published as an Independent Writer
Indie Authors: What’s in a Book Cover?
It's well known that a good book cover is a key component of selling a book (aside from having a great story, of course). But with so many books out there for readers to choose from (especially now that indie authors as well as traditional publishers are now making high quality book covers of similar caliber, according to Publishing Perspectives) what can make your cover stand … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: What’s in a Book Cover?
Indie Authors: Editing Tips to Attract Readers and Save Money
No first draft is perfect. That's why editing is such an important step in the writing and publishing process. There are a few types of editing: Developmental editing Line editing Proofreading In a nutshell, developmental editing looks at the big picture of a story, and makes sure the tone is consistent and things make sense. Line editing is more granular, and … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Editing Tips to Attract Readers and Save Money
Tips for Recording and Publishing Your Own Audiobooks
It's no secret that audiobooks are growing in popularity, and are becoming part of the self-publishing process. An op-ed in the New York Times wrote about the benefits of listening to stories: I listen the way I read books as a child, as if I were there watching. The author becomes more transparent, the characters more real. According to Copyblogger, having an audiobook gives … [Read more...] about Tips for Recording and Publishing Your Own Audiobooks
Guest Post: 3 Creative Ways to Decrease Self-Publishing Costs
By Angelica Hartgers Let’s face it: Self-publishing a book can be costly, and this reality is what turns many aspiring authors away from this publishing route. But the truth is that self-publishing doesn’t have to be as financially burdensome as you might have been led to believe. If the idea of paying out-of-pocket for publishing services doesn’t appeal to you, don’t let … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 3 Creative Ways to Decrease Self-Publishing Costs
Writers: Traditional or Self Publish
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
A List of 194 Tools and Resources: Apps, Trends, Marketing Tips, and More
It's about that time again for another roundup post. This time I've got a bunch of tools and resources that cover a wide range of topics, from freelancing to marketing to reading and more. Book Creation Tools/Help Book Creator Comic Book Paper Omnibook Vellum Vivliostyle (and why it's important) "Automated Cleanup for Word Manuscripts" Beyond XML … [Read more...] about A List of 194 Tools and Resources: Apps, Trends, Marketing Tips, and More
144 Tools and Resources for Building Your Author Website and/or Blog
Author websites and blogs are important components to building an author platform. With that in mind, here is a list of resources that can help you set up and optimize your site. Setting Up Your Website NameBounce Find Available Domain Names on Namestation "+300 Awesome Free Things for Entrepreneurs & Startups" on Growth Supply "11 Essential Elements of an … [Read more...] about 144 Tools and Resources for Building Your Author Website and/or Blog
Tips and Tricks for Promoting Your Book
After writing (and editing), marketing and promotion is a key step in book publishing. It helps to keep this in mind throughout the whole process. For example, The Book Designer recommends authors take into account a couple key questions: Who are you writing for? Where does your reader hang out? With this information, you can make sure you craft a pitch that … [Read more...] about Tips and Tricks for Promoting Your Book
A Primer on Self-Publishing
I believe in the power of repurposing content. A while back, I had the pleasure of giving a talk at a writer's conference about the basics of self-publishing. Topics include: Writing and editing tools Cover design Ebook creation tools and techniques Ebook distribution channels Marketing tactics Authorpreneurship concepts Changes and developments in the … [Read more...] about A Primer on Self-Publishing
Guest Post and Book Excerpt by Penny Sansevieri: How Re-Releasing Your Book Gives You a Second Chance
Today I've got a special treat for you. Penny C. Sansevieri, author of many best selling books including How to Sell Books By the Truckload on Amazon and 52 Ways to Sell More Books, has recently made her book How to Revise and Re-Release Your Book: Simple and Smart Strategies to Sell More Books available in print. To celebrate, Penny has kindly shared an excerpt of her book. … [Read more...] about Guest Post and Book Excerpt by Penny Sansevieri: How Re-Releasing Your Book Gives You a Second Chance
Indie Authors: High Quality Book Covers
When it comes to selling books, having an eye-catching cover is high on the list of getting more readers and buyers. But there's a lot to consider. Should you make the cover yourself? Hire a designer? Use stock photos? To help with this process, BadRedHeadMedia recommends planning everything in advance, including researching your options and coming up with a budget. Also … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: High Quality Book Covers
Indie Author Marketing Guide: A Primer to Social Media
Social media is a big part of indie author marketing strategies these days. But for those just starting out, it may seem daunting. When I first began using social media for platform building, I felt slightly overwhelmed. But now, after lots of practice and just incorporating social media into my daily routine, I've come to embrace it. And instead of seeing it like a chore, I … [Read more...] about Indie Author Marketing Guide: A Primer to Social Media
Indie Authors: Self Publishing Advice
Being an indie author is tough. There's the long hours of writing, the nail biting and teeth gritting as you revise your work, and of course there's marketing, promoting, and hoping that maybe you'll get a few, or a lot, of readers. Over the years, more and more indie authors have published, and shared their advice and experiences. Though writing tends to be a solitary … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Self Publishing Advice