May 2011
25 posts
10 tags
8 Things Readers Want from Self-Published Authors
My post last week, The “Self-Pub Is Crap” Debate, has probably generated more comments than any other post in 2011. Reviewing the comments provides an excellent to-do list of how self-published authors can be taken seriously by readers.
Read more here…
Post by Jane Friedman
9 tags
Should You Self-Publish After a Near-Miss?
Writers often ask if it’s wise or helpful to self-publish their work if they have “near-misses” with agents or publishers. There’s no one answer that works for everyone. But I’ll try to help you come to the right conclusion.
Read the rest here…
Post by Jane Friedman
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Is the E-Book the New Query?
If you’re like me, you’re getting a little bored with the indie vs. legacy publishing debate. People are talking a lot of crap on both “sides” of what shouldn’t be an either/or argument in the first place. (See sci-fi author Jeff Carlson’s great post on the subject here.) But this week I heard some fairly earth-shaking news I figured I’d better share.
It came in an email from a self-published...
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My Progress to Self-Publishing "Cicada"
While I’ve been posting articles and blogs of interest regarding self-publishing, I’ve also been moving ahead on my own project. I thought I’d give you all a heads-up of where I am in the scheme of things:
Chosen Professional Proofreader- I’m expecting my manuscript back during the first week of June
Chosen Professional eBook Designer- eBook and POD will be ready for...
9 tags
52 Great Blogs for Self-Publishers
I guess the first really “social” media was blogs. Blogs were an early sign of a fundamental shift in the media firmament. The idea that the broadcaster (the blogger) would interact directly with the audience (the readers) was explosive. And given the chance, we became social to an extent undreamed of before social media roared to life.
Read the rest here…
Posted by Joel Friedlander
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Author Predation
For any of you who are thinking about publishing, go to Joel Friedlander’s blog and read his new article about the dangers of subsidy publishing. I’m linking to it on this blog and also my self-publishing website. I’m always surprised when I find out that authors are still getting suckered by these vanity presses. It’s so sad. Please, authors, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! ...
6 tags
Alfred A. Knopf Books: Digital Marketing... →
aaknopf:
Here’s the thing about live-tweeting panels: sometimes, I’m just not that into it. It takes some brainpower to listen to someone speak, and it takes more brainpower to process that thought and to formulate a response, and it takes still more brainpower to format that response into 140 characters….
8 tags
Will the Backlist End Big Publishing?
I’m not one to dance on the grave of big publishing (even if it’s never been very friendly to me) but, man, this can’t be good news for the future of traditional publishing. Hocking and Barry Eisler were just the beginning.
Read more here…
Article by Henry Baum
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Building Your Book Audience
There’s a common belief among writers that the route through New York and then to America’s bookshelves is the best way to build an audience. Certainly, there are plenty of advantages to letting someone else worry about all that paperwork, especially when they are earning most of the money.
But I don’t think we can automatically assume that being on store shelves is going to grow your...
9 tags
Self-Publishing Book Tour: Banking on Conundrums...
As an author in this economy, you have to come up with creative ways to market your self-published book. While book tours are a great way to connect with your readers, they aren’t the most affordable method of promotion. However, technology has made it possible for an alternative.
Take note from self-publishing Outskirts Press author, A. L. Hatley, who is taking her latest book, Banking on...
10 tags
Amanda Hocking Interview on BETTER TV
By now, it’s no secret that I’m very interested in Amanda Hocking’s success as an indie writer and self-publisher. I just popped over to her blog and watched this interview of her on BETTER TV.
Happy Friday, Everyone!
sharonthewarblers asked: thx for following:)
14 tags
CreateSpace Webinar: Low-Budget Marketing...
CreateSpace offers some interesting and helpful webinars for free! This one is scheduled for this evening:
Do you want to get more bang for fewer marketing bucks? In today’s tight economy many authors and publishers cut back on their marketing expenditures to save money. But if you can market your books more effectively and efficiently, you can actually do more for less. During this webinar...
first 100 to reblog will be included in my follow...
randomwanderer:
only rule - must be following me!! (I CHECK)
http://randomwanderer.tumblr.com/
http://randomwanderer.tumblr.com/
will be posted in 10 lists of 10 :D
continue to reblog even if the notes reached 100 cause there are always people not following me and some may be likes :)
and if u like my blog, please recommend me here :P
tell me if u did so i can promo u in a seperate list!!...
11 tags
Inverview with Mickey Mills, Indie Author of...
I’m really excited to introduce everyone to a friend of mine, Mickey Mills, author of Haunting Injustice.
In this interview, Mickey shares a lot of valuable insight into self-publishing.
Thanks, Mickey, for taking the time to join us!
First off, tell us about your book Haunting Injustice.
Before I do that, first I’d like to thank you for allowing me this opportunity. Haunting...
9 tags
How to Create a Free Author Website on Wordpress
If you don’t have a website yet, you probably know that you need one. Your online calling card doesn’t have to be elaborate, expensive or professionally designed—but it does need to exist. If you’ve been putting this off, consider taking action now by creating a simple website for free—without downloading or installing anything—by using WordPress.com.
Read the rest of the article here…
...
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7 Things I've Learned So Far
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from writer Tom Leveen.
Read more here…
Post by Chuck Sambuchino
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The Newbie's Guide to Publishing Book
It’s Friday, and I thought I’d end the week with something great…a free book! J. A. Kontrath offers a free copy of his book “The Newbie’s Guide to Publishing” for download!
Download it Here…
Thank you, Mr. Konrath! :-)
9 tags
Meet Our Five New Reviewers!
Here are five new book reviewers added to our list in May. Sign up for newsletter alerts at http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/.We send out an e-mail (usually once a month) when new indie reviewers are added to our list.
Read More Here…
Post by C. Pinheiro
9 tags
Software for Do-it-Yourself Self-Publishers
Even with an entry cost as low as $39 at CreateSpace, some authors may struggle to get their first book self-published due to financial considerations. This is particularly true if the author hires an editor to give the book an all important edit. Other authors may have the desire to create both the cover and the interior of their books. As with everything else in self-publishing, there...
9 tags
An Epic Tale of How it All Happened
Today I’m going to do something I’ve debated on doing before: I’m going to talk about what’s going on with my books from a writer standpoint. I know that I talk about them a lot, but I always talk about it to inform readers. The reason I debated is because I know people like J. A. Konrath talk about their work in a frank, transparent way, which is wonderful for other...
11 tags
What Works: Promo for E-Books
I get bombarded by email, mostly from people either thanking me or asking me for something, and I simply can’t respond to everyone. If you’ve emailed me and not gotten a reply, it’s because I need an assistant, not because I hate you. That said, one reoccurring question seems to be: “I’ve got an ebook, now what can I do to make sure it sells a lot of copies?”...
huisvdk asked: Hey Belle, I really like your site! I don't suppose you could put a link to my indie publishing company on your "Indie Publishing Websites" page? Have a look it's http://prntd.co.uk
“There are books so alive that you’re always afraid that
while you weren’t...”
– Marina Tsvetaeva (via libraryland)
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How-To Videos for Creating Book Trailers
In keeping with my current theme of book trailers, I’ve found a few how-to videos that some may find of interest. There seems to be a variety of ways of, and programs for, creating book trailers. I’ll try and post a nice selection.
Without further ado, here they are:
PowerPoint:
Lisa Lawler created this tutorial, which would be of interest to those who do not need vocal...
