Self-Publishing Week in Review: 6/03/14

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.

A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing

This writer offers step by step instructions for making your self-published book successful. She covers everything from preparation to publication to marketing. This is an interesting read for anyone considering self-publishing.

Publishers Weekly to Integrate Self-Published Reviews in Book Reviews Section

Publishers Weekly doesn’t care if a book is published by a transitional publisher or is self-published. Both types of books will now be fully integrated into their magazine publisher’s regular review pages both in print and online.

‘Abducted’ Leads the Self-Published Bestsellers List

Abducted by T.R. Ragan leads Self-published Bestsellers List this past week. Reading successful self-published works and looking at the author’s marketing strategies is a great way to improve your own work.
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.

It’s Not Too Early to Start Self-Publishing

If you are like many writers, you started 2014 with a list of writing goals: publish a book, write X number of words per day, pick a publisher, etc. Well, June is here, and that means the year is already halfway over. Whether you have been sticking to those writing goals or found them pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, it’s not too late to check them off your list, and even if you haven’t finished your manuscript, it’s not too early to start the self-publishing process. It may be just the motivation you need.

Think about dieting. You write down your goal to lose a certain amount of weight; months later you realize life got in the way and while you’ve made progress, your motivation is weaning and you’re stuck in a diet rut. June has arrived, and you really want to get ready for bathing suit season. How do you motivate yourself? One proven option is buying a swimsuit (or other outfit) in the size you hope to be. The purchase will motivate you to push yourself because you really want to wear what you just bought.

The same scenario works in writing. You’re lacking the motivation to finish your manuscript. You’re stuck in a writing rut. You realize you’re already halfway through the year, and you still have work to do if you want to publish in 2014. What can you do? You can start researching self-publishing companies and choose a publisher. Working with a self-publisher will give you the motivational boost you need to get your book done. You’ll get excited about seeing your book in print and want to finish your project. Plus, most self-publishing companies offer excellent support teams who can help you through each stage of the self-publishing process.

It’s not too early to start self-publishing!

I’d love to know, when do you plan on starting the self-publishing process?

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 Week in Review: 5/27/14

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.

Publishers Weekly Gets Into the Self-Publishing Business

Publishers Weekly is getting into the self-publishing business with the launch of a new site dedicated to self-publishing.  BookLife  will go live on May 29, 2014 at BookExpo America. The site will focus on three main subject areas: book creation, publishing,  and book marketing.

Publishers Weekly Releases eBook Guide to Publishing & Self-Publishing

Publishers Weekly has published a self-published eBook guide. Publishing 101: The Publishers Weekly Introduction to Publishing and Self-Publishing is designed to help authors navigate every step of the publishing process. This is an excellent resource for authors considering self-publishing.

Adventures in Self-Publishing: The Miraculous & Unexpected Venture of Poet Aaron Ozee

Poet Aaron Ozee shares his self-publishing journey and talks about self-publishing in print, ebook, and audiobook format. This is an interesting read for self-publishing poets.

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.

Happy Memorial Day, Self-Publishing Authors

It’s Memorial Day; a day for remembering those who have died while serving in the US Armed Forces. I didn’t grow up in a military family, although my father was in Civil Service for 40 years.  When I was 22 I moved to a military base in Germany, where I acquired gainful employment and enrolled in college.  I remained tightly associated with the military for the next 21 years.  Wow, did this change my perspective about those who serve!  I am in awe and so very, very thankful for those who answer the calling to serve our country.

I lost friends to battles, and I make a point of reflecting on them each Memorial Day.  I’ve visited Arlington National Cemetery and had the eerie and yet peaceful heaviness descend upon me as I observed ceremonies for soldiers I didn’t know.  I’ve donned helmet and Kevlar and flown into Bosnia where I observed hundreds of soldiers living without modern conveniences and very little privacy because they were on a mission; a mission they may not return from.  They are all very special people.  I think about them too.

Prior to my close association with the US Armed Forces, when I choose a book to read purely for pleasure, I tended to navigate toward the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres, but during and after my association with the military, my tastes turned to historical and military fiction novels.  I love a well-written book I can read that has the entertainment value of fiction combined with the historical basis that I can learn from.  Many of the novels I read really drive home the statement that, “Freedom isn’t free.”

Maybe some of you have a story to share about a soldier you loved and lost.  Consider presenting the story as fiction based on a true-story. Self-publishing can help you honor that special person and share their story with the world.

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 Week in Review: 5/20/14

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.

Choosing a Genre — Thrillers

This thriller author shares why she decided to write thrillers and explains the genre to authors trying to decide what type of stories they want to write. She explains key characteristics of the thriller genre as well as tips for writing thrillers. This is an interesting read for anyone considering writing a thriller.

Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing

This article explains why self-publishing is a great option and shares tips to help make your book a success. Topics covered include social media, editing, formatting, marketing, tracking sales, and more. This is a great read for self-publishing authors.

How to Self-Publish for Free by Crowdfunding Your Book

This article explains the method of crowdfunding and how you can use it to finance your self-publishing project. The author provides step by step instructions and advice. This is an interesting read for authors looking for innovative ways to fund their self-publishing projects.

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.