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writers

Guest Post: 10 Tips and Tricks to Get Writing Inspiration Anywhere and Anytime

Monday, June 20, 2022 by Sabrina Ricci

By Lucia Tang Writers aren’t prophets. No matter how hard we wish, we can’t just take dictation from some divine voice in our ears — we’re supposed to find our own inspiration. But when you’re on the run from a deadline, in a fight with a chapter, or just sick of wishing the book in your head would magically appear on your laptop, finding inspiration can feel like a DIY root … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 10 Tips and Tricks to Get Writing Inspiration Anywhere and Anytime

Guest Post: A Professional Writer’s Guide to Networking

Monday, August 2, 2021 by Sabrina Ricci

networking

By Jori Hamilton For many writers, the goal is to be recognized as a professional. But, whether it’s a creative writer, scriptwriter, poet, journalist, fiction writer, novelist, or another type, moving forward with a career in professional writing requires a long-term commitment and willingness to do things that help you grow. It’s important to note that how you establish … [Read more...] about Guest Post: A Professional Writer’s Guide to Networking

Guest Post: 3 Things All Authors Should Do Before Publishing Their Books

Monday, July 19, 2021 by Sabrina Ricci

By Crave Books For many first time writers, the idea of simply getting something written down can be a daunting task. However, once the manuscript has been approved by your publishing company, it is time to sell your writing. Publishing your written work is a major accomplishment. While it can feel amazing to get your writing out there, it can also be stressful if you … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 3 Things All Authors Should Do Before Publishing Their Books

An Interview With Jerry B. Jenkins, 21-time New York Times Bestselling Author

Thursday, February 13, 2020 by Sabrina Ricci

Jerry Jenkins is the author of nearly 200 books with sales of more than 71 million copies, including the bestselling Left Behind series. Read on for his interview. S.R.: You have an impressive career, as a 21-time New York Times bestselling author who has written nearly 200 books and sold more than 71 million copies, and your work as an editor and publisher. How did you get … [Read more...] about An Interview With Jerry B. Jenkins, 21-time New York Times Bestselling Author

Guest Post: 5 Lessons On Productivity From Successful Writers

Monday, January 6, 2020 by Sabrina Ricci

By Joe Peters Decades ago, when prolific writers like Charles Dickens and Shakespeare were sitting down to pen their best-selling creations, many of the distractions we have today didn’t exist. There was no need to worry about being pulled from a moment of inspiration by a buzz or notification on your phone. Social media wasn’t an issue, and the authors knew that they … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 5 Lessons On Productivity From Successful Writers

Using a Pen Name

Monday, August 12, 2019 by Sabrina Ricci

I don't use pen names, but I can understand why an author may want to use one. Writers Write recently published a post on why writers would want to use a pen name. They mention a lot of reasons, including keeping your identity secret, using a shorter name that's easier to remember, writing in multiple genres and targeting different audiences, and to use a different name from an … [Read more...] about Using a Pen Name

Associations and Websites for Writers

Thursday, June 20, 2019 by Sabrina Ricci

Being part of a community can be empowering and important as an indie author or publisher. Here are some associations and websites that can help: Publishers Global: "An information marketplace for the global publishing industry - publishers, authors, literary agents and all kinds of publishing service providers." Indie Write Net: The indie writer's network. Community … [Read more...] about Associations and Websites for Writers

Social Media Tips and Tricks

Monday, December 3, 2018 by Sabrina Ricci

Social media platforms (and online platforms in general) are constantly changing. Here are a few new features and tips: Pinterest Pinterest now has a more ways of shopping via the platform. Pins now have pricing and stock information, and have links that go directly to the retailer's site. These Product Pins are also more discoverable on the home feed and other parts of the … [Read more...] about Social Media Tips and Tricks

Resources and Advice for Writers

Monday, September 3, 2018 by Sabrina Ricci

Albert Anker [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

There are many types of writing: novels, short stories, articles, technical documents, copywriting, business plans, and the list goes on. Looking for some inspiration or help in your writing career? Here are some programs and pieces of advice from fellow writers. Fiction Writers (and creative non-fiction writers) Thinking about getting an MFA? Then go through New Page's … [Read more...] about Resources and Advice for Writers

Indie Author Marketing Guide: A Primer to Social Media

Monday, May 21, 2018 by Sabrina Ricci

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 see it as another way to connect and interact with people, and I've been able to build real relationships through it. Here are a few things I've learned along the way. (And if you want guidance on how to overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed, read Your Writer Platform's "Are You Building Your Writer Platform at Gunpoint?") Don't use social media just to sell books Kristen Lamb's "Social Media, Book Signings & Why Neither Directly Impact Overall Sales" goes into depth on why this is not a good strategy, but basically you don't want to spam people/just make noise, and you will not develop any real relationships this way (meaning, you won't attract real fans). Rachel Thompson suggests spending more time online finding people who may be willing to review your books, and she gives a list of suggestions in her article "Why ‘Read My Book!’ Doesn’t Work…And What To Do Instead" Focus on one or two platforms first, then build from there Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Pinterest. Google. Youtube. Goodreads. LinkedIn. Tumblr. The list goes on and on. You can be active on all these channels, but it's probably best to pick one or two and work on growing an audience there first. Every social media channel works a little differently, caters to a different audience, and has savvy users who expect others to use the network a certain way. The Book Designer's "Do You Make These Online Marketing Mistakes?" offers tips, such as establishing one audience per channel and using landing pages. Social Media Just for Writers also recommends researching your target market and then choosing your social media platform based on that in "How to Stop Wasting Time and Focus Your Book Marketing." For advice on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and YouTube, read DBW's "The Book Marketing Social Media Hierarchy: Which Sites to Use for Which Purposes." Business Insider broke down the demographics of some of the social media platforms. According to them, the 45- to 54-year-old demographic is growing, "27% of 18 to 29-year-olds in the U.S. use Twitter," LinkedIn and Google+ are mostly male, Pinterest is mostly women on tablets, and Tumblr is mostly teens and young adults. Eventually you can expand into other platforms. For a case study on why, read Kate Tilton's "Why I Use Different Social Media Networks (And You Should Too) by @K8Tilton." For help determining which platform is best for you, read these articles: "Instagram: Should You Be On It?" on Indies Unlimited "How Tumblr Turned a Book Into a Bestseller" on GoodeReader "Pinterest Unveils Buyable Pins, A Way To Purchase Things Directly Within Pinterest" on TechCrunch "Pinterest Update: More Ways Authors Can Use Pinterest!" on Writers Win "Indie Author Marketing Guide: Pinterest" on Musings and Marvels "How I Made it to the Front Page of BuzzFeed Twice, and How You Can Too" on Matthew Barby "Surprising News in Social Media – And a Twitter Tip" on Social Media Just for Writers "Indie Author Marketing Guide: Twitter" on Musings and Marvels "Guest Post: 8 Secrets to Increase Your Twitter Followers" on Musings and Marvels "Guest Post: What Everybody Ought To Know About Facebook Account Management" on Musings and Marvels "Guest Post: Want to Step Up Your Facebook?" on Musings and Marvels "Indie Author Marketing Guide: Goodreads" on Musings and Marvels "Indie Author Marketing Guide: LinkedIn" on Musings and Marvels "Indie Author Marketing Guide: Google Plus" on Musings and Marvels "Which Social Media and Marketing Tools Are Publishers Actually Using Successfully" on DBW Strategize how you will build your platform Erindor Press's "Platform Building Primer" is a good start, and advocates setting expectations and figuring out the best way to share content, either via blogging, email newsletters, or something else (and you can use social media to promote that content). The Loneliest Planet shared a post, called "One Writer's Platform (Part 2) Events and PR," which goes over techniques of marketing offline (such as doing public readings and lectures) but also adds that it's worth taping these performances and uploading them to Youtube to share. Use lots of images/visuals People tend to engage more with posts, tweets, etc. that are visual. According to Rebekah Radice's "5 Steps to Get Massive Engagement With Your Visual Content," "43% of social media users share pictures." She recommends having consistent colors, using templates, appropriate fonts, and to create infographics, images, and videos. Build Book Buzz recommends creating different types of images, including picture quotes, tipographics, and infographics. For tips on how to actually create these images, read Social Media Just For Writer's "Writers: Use Visuals to Market Your Books." Make use of social media tools Here's a list of resources, along with helpful tips and links to additional tools: Kate Tilton Social Media Resources Kate Tilton Authors on Instagram Kate Tilton Book Bloggers on Instagram Social Media Examiner Storyfinds Momentum RelayStation Magnolia Media Network Books Go Social Keep up to date on new platforms and tools Lastly, the social media landscape is constantly changing, so it's good to stay up to date. One example of a relatively new tool/platform is Aerbook, which according to PW turns social media into a virtual bookstore. Earlier this year, Social Media Just for Writers wrote about how indie authors can use Aerbook, which allows you to share previews and even sell ebooks on social media networks, as well as see analytics on your shares. According to the article, there are three product plans to choose from: Aerbook Retail is free, no credit card required. It gives you the social look inside the book, email capture popups within the sample, stats on how the book is used, and the ability to share the link and also get web page widgets that launch the Aerbook. This plan lets you sell the book directly through Aerbook, and our service earns 15% of the purchase price after credit card fees are deducted. Aerbook Plus gives you everything Aerbook Retail delivers, plus lets you add links to other retailers, like Amazon, iBooks, or even your own purchase page. Aerbook Plus is $49 per year. Aerbook Flyer includes everything above, but there’s no direct sale through Aerbook’s commerce service. You’ll add links to other retailers. Flyer also lets you do book giveaways, and includes 500 directly delivered, complete books annually. Flyer is $99 per year. Got any social media tips? Please share in the comments!

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: Making the Most out of Scrivener

Thursday, May 3, 2018 by Sabrina Ricci

Scrivener is an amazing tool for writers. You can organize your notes, keep your research all in one place, easily make edits or move around chapters, and even export all your work into other file formats. At first, using Scrivener may seem daunting because there are so many features. But luckily, many people who use Scrivener regularly are willing to share their tips and … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Making the Most out of Scrivener

Indie Authors Writing: Writing Dialogue and Choosing Point of View

Monday, April 16, 2018 by Sabrina Ricci

Good writing takes a lot of practice, and it also helps to get feedback from readers, editors, and other writers. Sometimes, it's hard for writers to come up with realistic sounding dialogue. If you want some help, check out The Write One Blog's "Fiction Dialogue Writing Tips Adapted From Real Life," which gives a number of helpful tips and examples, including: Make the … [Read more...] about Indie Authors Writing: Writing Dialogue and Choosing Point of View

Indie Authors: Researching Your Books

Thursday, December 28, 2017 by Sabrina Ricci

By Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

When writing books, there are a lot of things you can research. What genre should you write in (if you don't already have a preference)? How can you attract readers? Who are your target or ideal readers? What should your book title be? Below is a list of resources that can help answer those questions: Find My Audience: Learn about your Twitter audience. Hasghtagify: … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Researching Your Books

Overcoming Writers Block and Writing a Strong Story

Monday, November 27, 2017 by Sabrina Ricci

By User:Revital9 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to writing, there are a lot of factors to consider. Writer's Block The first thing is to overcome writer's block, if you have it. Writer's block comes in a couple flavors: not being able to write and not being able to finish a writing project. Ellis Shuman Writes has a great post with tips on how to cure writer's block, which includes writing something every … [Read more...] about Overcoming Writers Block and Writing a Strong Story

8 Literary Museums to Visit

Thursday, October 19, 2017 by Sabrina Ricci

Traveling is great. You get to learn new things, meet new people, and explore. Lately, I've been enjoying also further exploring my passions via traveling. The main way I've been doing this is with I Know Dino, my podcast about dinosaurs. Whenever my husband and I travel somewhere new, we always look up where the nearest natural history museum or dinosaur exhibit or center is … [Read more...] about 8 Literary Museums to Visit

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Books for Indie Authors

Books for Indie Authors

Your First 1000 Copies: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book
Your First 1000 Copies: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book
by Tim Grahl
tagged: indie-publishing and to-read
The Author Training Manual: Develop Marketable Ideas, Craft Books That Sell, Become the Author Publishers Want, and Self-Publish Effectively
it was amazing
The Author Training Manual: Develop Marketable Ideas, Craft Books That Sell, Become the Author Publishers Want, and Self-Publish Effectively
by Nina Amir
Other reviewers have called The Author Training Manual a must-read, and I have to agree. Nina Amir has compiled a great amount of research, experience, and real-life samples that can help any other, self-published, traditionally publishe...
tagged: indie-publishing

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