Self-Publishing Week in Review, Uncategorized

Self Publishing Week in Review: 5/7/13

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self publishing process, which will lead to a greater self publishing experience. To help you stay current on self publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news in self publishing this week.

‘Wool’ author Hugh Howey chimes in on print, digital, self-publishing

In this article, successful self publishing author Hugh Howey talks about the new publishing paradigm. He discusses  the future of self publishing, using social media to promote your book, and more.

Patti Davis to Self-Publish New Lesbian-themed Novel

Patti Davis, author, actress, and the daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, is the latest notable author to give self publishing a try. Though mostly a nonfiction writer, Davis self published her new novel, Till Human Voices Wake Us, in March and now  is publishing a paperback edition. The book is the first of three new novels that Davis will self publish.

Self-Published Titles Dominate Top of Ebook Best-Sellers List

Self published authors recently stunned the publishing world by taking the #1 and #2 spots on the DBW Ebook Best-Seller list. Last week, five of the top 10 were self published ebooks.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

How to Get Your Self Published Book Reviewed on Amazon

Book reviews are a great way to boost your sales and credibility because readers often turn to online reviews by their peers. Online book reviews are like virtual word of mouth marketing; they can significantly impact your self publishing success. People value other people’s recommendations, and Amazon is one of the most popular sources for online book reviews. Here is how to get your self published book reviewed on Amazon.

1) Identity online book reviewers.

Search online for book reviewers. Look for potential reviewers on Amazon’s Top Reviewers list, and try Googling the Amazon reviewer’s name, which will often point you toward their Facebook page or other contact information. Be sure to look for reviewers who review books similar to yours. You don’t want to spend time soliciting reviewers who won’t be interested in your book.

2) Contact reviewers.

Reach out to people who write book reviews and ask them to review your book. Be sure to send them a FREE copy. (It can be a digital version.) Do not send the book before the reviewer as responded and agreed to review your book.

3) Use your contacts.

Besides people who regularly review books for Amazon, you could ask other people to post a review. Consider asking family members, friends, colleagues, social media followers, etc.  When using this approach, be sure to encourage people to be honest in their reviews. Readers don’t want to read generic reviews by family members and friends who feel obligated to say they like your book.

4) Value honesty.

Not every review is going to be positive. Welcome criticism and use it to improve. Readers will be suspicious if every review is positive. No book is loved by everyone, and readers appreciate genuine reviews.

According to Amazon, if you spend two or three days contacting about 300 potential Amazon reviewers, you can expect to receive about 40 to 50 responses, and wind up with perhaps 35 reviews, a quite satisfactory result. So start contacting reviewers today, and watch your book sales improve!

To learn more about Amazon book reviews, click here.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: The Safehouse

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

9781432775247_cov.indd

The Safehouse

T. Thomas Ackerman

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432775247

Justice can sometimes be so hard to find. “The Safehouse” follows Detective Jessica Warren as she searches for justice as she joins with others in a crusade against domestic violence. But the law is not always on her side, and Jessica finds there are those who are working against her within it. Split between the law, her own goals, and standing against the evil that reeks in the world, “The Safehouse” is a fine read that will grip the reader and not let go.

Kelly Speaks

How to Be a Successful Poet

National Poetry Month has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean you should stop writing and improving your poetry. Success as a self publishing poet is all about consistency, committment, and personal development. To help you become the best poet you can be, here are tips for improving your writing as well as self publishing your work.

Read. Read. Read.

Any time you want to improve your skills and become more successful, reading can help. Read poetry. Read books and articles about writing and publishing poetry. Read information about self publishing. Read anything that inspires you to write and become the best poet you can be, but don’t limit yourself to poetry and industry books. Read fiction, nonfiction, magazines, newspapers, blogs, advertisements, etc. Read everything and anything you can get a hold of. You never know what will inspire you.

Stay Committed

If you want to be successful, you need to commit yourself to your craft. Make time to write every day. Look for ways to continue to learn and grow. Figure out what motivates you and include those motivations in your daily life. Share your goals with others so they can help you accountable. Never give up on dreams.

Be Consistent

Whether you are writing, editing, or marketing, be consistent. Work on your poetry every day. Set a schedule for when you will write, edit, or market your work. Set goals for yourself, and make a plan to achieve them. Successful writers don’t write sporadically; they work on their craft in some way every single day.

I’d love to know, why do you write poetry ?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self Publishing Week in Review: 4/30/13

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self publishing process, which will lead to a greater self publishing experience. To help you stay current on self publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news in self publishing this week.

Self-Publishing Is For Control Freaks

As you know, I love self publishing success stories. This article is about a self publishing author who hit number one on the DBW Ebook Best-Seller list in 2013. She reveals that she decided to self publish because she is a “control freak.” Self publishing is great for authors who want to be in charge of the entire publishing process.

Top Children’s Books by Self-Published Authors for April

If you are self publishing a children’s book, it is important to understand the market. One of the best ways to do this is by reading and learning about top-selling children’s books by self published authors.

Colleen Hoover is a self-published star

Here is yet another self publishing success story. Read and be inspired.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.