Tag: Self-Publishing

Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

Why Self-Publishing Authors Should Join Reading and Writing Groups

March is National Reading Month and National Small Press Month. In honor of both, now is a great time to join a reading group and a writing group. Both offer many personal and professional benefits. Here is what you can expect.

Reading Groups

Readings groups are also known as book clubs. One of the best ways writers can improve their craft is by reading. A book club will…

  • Motivate you to make time for reading
  • Introduce you to books you may never have read on your own
  • Help you meet new people
  • Allow you to experience books in a new way
  • Give you a glimpse inside the mind of other readers
  • Expose you to new writing techniques

All of these benefits can help you improve your writing. Also, the social aspect could be lucrative after you self-publish and are promoting your book.

Writing Groups

There are many different types of writing groups. Some examples include critique groups, reading circles, support networks, and timed writing groups. The benefits of writing groups include…

  • Receiving feedback on your work
  • Reviewing the work of others, which can be a great way to improve your own craft
  • Socializing with other writers
  • Building a network and support system
  • Setting goals and validating yourself as a writer
  • Brainstorming with others

All of these benefits can help you improve your writing and help you during the self-publishing and marketing process.

Look for a local group in your area or consider joining an online group. I’d love to know, how has a reading or writing group improved your writing?

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.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 3/04/14

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.

Outskirts Press capitalizes on the self-publishing trend with iPad edition eBooks

Outskirts Press has announced a new eBook publishing solution for self-publishing authors who want to offer books through the Apple iBooks Store. Called the Standard Apple iPad Edition, the solution is one of many the company offers self-publishing authors of both print and digital books.

People-Powered Publishing Is Changing All the Rules

This piece is part of Mashable Spotlight, which presents in-depth looks at the people, concepts and issues shaping our digital world. It talks about how self-publishing has changed as well as other factors that are influencing the publishing market.

Twitter Tips for Writers

Social media is a great way for self-publishing authors to promote their books. These three videos will teach you how to use Twitter to sell more books.

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.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 2/25/14

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.

BookBaby Bulks Up on Marketing

Two deals enlarge the ebook distributor’s promotional toolkit, allowing self-published writers to use an assortment of marketing models simultaneously.The partnerships with Goodreads and the newly launched NoiseTrade Books add their services to BookPromo, BookBaby’s free promotional package.

BEA Adds Programming for Indie Authors

BookExpo America is expanding its offering for indie authors, introducing Author Hub. The new effort is part of an attempt to attract self-published and independent authors to the trade show, which has long catered to traditional authors and publishers. Author Hub will run in conjunction with BEA’s 2012-launched conference for self-published authors, uPublishU.

J.S. Cooper Leads the Self-Published Bestsellers List This Week

Author J.S. Cooper has five books on the Self-Published Bestsellers List this week. This is based on weekly lists of the top eBooks in three major marketplaces for self-published digital books:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

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.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 2/18/14

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.

Is Self-Publishing a Better Road to Wealth for Writers?

This BusinessWeek article discusses Hugh Howey”s analysis of data that shows self-publishing authors make more money than authors with traditional deal.  This is an interesting article for all authors to read.

This chart ought to make the publishing industry very nervous

This chart illustrates some of the data recently analyzed by Hugh Howey. It shows daily unit sales of ebooks by publisher type.

10 Questions With Indie Author Hugh Howey

In this Huffington Post article, the author interviews successful self-published author Hugh Howey. He talks about his self-publishing experience, his writing process, marketing strategy, and more.

Swoon Reads: The Next Romance Bestseller, Selected By You

Swoon Reads, a new young adult romance publisher, has started crowdsourcing, promising a contract to the writer whose book wins the hearts of a community of online readers. On Valentine’s Day, Swoon Reads announced the winner of that contract: Sandra Hall a teen librarian in Morristown, N.J., who wrote A Little Something Different, about two college students falling in love. This is a must read article for romance writers.

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

Happy President’s Day, Self-Publishing Authors!

For many people, President’s Day is just another day off work, or another day that you’re stuck at work while everyone else is off. However, it should be a day to celebrate presidents both past and present. As a country, we’ve been blessed with some wonderful leaders who’ve made great changes and who are an inspiration to us all. For those of you interested in history or current issues, President’s Day is a great opportunity to start a self-publishing project in honor of your favorite leaders. Here are a few ideas to help you generate some book ideas.

  • Get current – Read a newspaper. Watch the news. Browse online news sources. Find out what is happening in our country, and decide if you have an opinion on any of the topics. This research might spark an idea for your next project.
  • Get personal – One of the most interesting history genres is biographies. If you have a favorite president, start doing some research and consider writing a biography.
  • Interview others – Biographies and news sources only offer a limited perspective. Sometimes history is more interesting when you hear it from ordinary people. If there is an event or leader who interests you, interview people about that event or person. Their stories might just make an interesting book.
  • Make it up – If you enjoy history but prefer writing fiction, consider writing historical fiction. This genre offers creative freedom while appealing to your inner historian.

No matter what you decide to write, take a moment this holiday to celebrate the great presidents our country has had and remember that today is more than just a day off work.

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.