Tag: Self-Publishing

Jodee Speaks

Happy Memorial Day, Self Publishing Authors!

Memorial Day is more than the kick off to the summer season. It is a time to remember the men and women who died while serving our country. There are many ways to honor our fallen soldiers (such as visiting cemeteries), and self publishing authors have the opportunity to honor them in a truly special way: by sharing their stories with the world.

Every soldier has a story. Perhaps, he is a father or husband. Maybe she joined the forces to escape a difficult home life. Maybe there is a long history of family members who all served their country. Whatever the soldier’s story, you as a writer have the ability to share it.

If you have a special person in your life who died serving our country, you could write about him or her. Or perhaps you’d like to honor several soldiers by sharing the stories of many men and women who have died for our freedom. Whatever your approach, Memorial Day is a great time to begin working a self publishing project in honor of our falling soldiers.

I’d love to know, are you working on a project to honor our service men and women?

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, Uncategorized

Weekly Self Published Book Review: The Hummingbird Garden

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:

the hummingbird garden

The Hummingbird Garden

Evelyn Schwarz

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432798154

“The Hummingbird Garden” by Evelyn Schwarz is about a girl named Alexis who just moved into a new house with her family. While Alexis was lying down, a little flash of color went by over her and flew into her neighbors’ yard. Alexis walked over to the fence and peeked through a hole. Her neighbors’ backyard is filled with many flowers, and there also some little red glass balls hanging from trees, but the most amazing thing she saw were small, colorful birds zipping by, hovering everywhere, and sometimes flying backwards! Alexis found this sight wonderful and went to tell her Mom and Dad. The next day, they would go to their neighbors’ house and ask about the garden and about the tiny little birds and learn more about them.
This book is a short, little book about a little girl and her neighbors’ hummingbird garden. It’s a cute, little, short story, but I say it’s better for a younger age group, like second grade to fourth grade, but it depends what you like to read or what you are allowed to read. The illustrations are really cute, especially the hummingbirds. You will really love “The Hummingbird Garden” by Evelyn Schwarz if you love hummingbirds like me.

Self-Publishing Week in Review, Uncategorized

Self Publishing Week in Review: 5/21/13

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.

The Real Costs of Self-Publishing a Book

A lot of authors considering self publishing want to know how much the entire process will cost. This article breaks down what the different services may cost you. However, these are just guidelines. Contact your self publishing company for specific information.

What’s the best price for a self-published ebook? $3.99, Smashwords research suggests

One of the advantages of self publishing is setting the selling price of your book. This article talks about how to choose a price for your ebook.

The Writers’ Union of Canada to Vote On Accepting Self-Published Authors as Members

Some membership groups don’t accept self published authors, even though readers, other writers and the publishing industry recognizes self published authors as professionals. Check out the story behind the Writers’ Union of Canada discussion to vote on accepting self published authors as members.

Self-Publishers. Use Amazon Categories to Drive More Sales. 50 Ways To Reach Your Reader #10

There are many ways to improve sales, and using Amazon categories is one of them. Learn how in this article.

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.
Uncategorized

5 Pinterest Marketing Tips for Self-Publishing Authors

When used appropriately, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can be effective tools for book marketing.  The hottest social media trend right now is Pinterest! Like the other social media sites, it can help self publishing authors  facilitate communication with current and potential readers, generate sales, and increase awareness of their books.

This photo sharing site enables users to “pin” images and videos to virtual pinboards, or “Boards,” and share them with others.  Users can organize their pins based on their interests; a few popular examples are food, books, travel, and style. When other users see a pin they like, they can repin it onto one of their own Boards.  Think virtual word-of-mouth marketing!

The visual and social nature of Pinterest make it a perfect fit for book marketing.  Here are a few ways you can use the site to promote your self published book.

1.  Become active on Pinterest and begin networking with people who are pinning in your areas of interest.  People are more likely to want to support people that are active in the community versus people that are just pinning to promote a product or service. You can search on Pinterest for topics related to your interests and your book and start following Boards you find “Pinteresting.”
2.  Create your own Boards.  Keep in mind, Pinterest was created for people to share images and interests.  Your Boards need to be visually appealing, contain lots of images, and they should give potential readers some insights into your interests and why you wrote the book. If you have a poetry book, for example, you may choose to Pin graphics with quotes from your favorite poets, thus allowing you to begin connecting with other Pinners who also like poetry.
3.  Upload images related to your book.  These may include cover images, illustrations, locations that were featured in your book, and/or people that provided inspiration for your characters.
4.  Pin quotes from your book or short selections to entice people to learn more about your book, spread the word and purchase their own copy.
5.  Include links to your website, your publisher’s website or book retail sites so people know where they can purchase your book once you’ve got them “pinterested.”

Pinterest is gaining in popularity, so now is the time to get active, have fun and start promoting your self published book if you haven’t already.

 

 

Jodee Speaks

5 Reasons to Self Publish a Book in Honor of Your Mom

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and many of you celebrated the kind, loving woman who raised you. But why limit celebrating your wonderful mother to just one day out of the year? Give your mom the gift of eternal praise by self publishing a book in her honor. Here are five reasons to self publish a book in honor of Mother’s Day.

1) Books last forever.

Mother’s Day only happens once a year. The flowers you bought her will soon wither, and the chocolates box will soon be empty. By dedicating a book to your mother, you are giving her a gift that will last forever.

2) You can share her with the world.

If you have a wonderful story about your mother, why not share it with the world by turning it into a book? There are many strong, inspiring mothers out there, and readers would love to know their stories.

3) Write a special thank you.

Even if your book isn’t about your mom, you can still dedicate your book to her. In the beginning of your book, write a special note thanking your mom for everything she has done for you and tell her just how much she means to you.

4) Make her proud.

Mothers love to brag about their children, no matter how old they are, and being a self published author is definitely something to brag about. Your mom will love showing off your book to all of her friends and acquaintances, as well as random strangers.

5) Don’t forget yourself.

If you are a mother, you owe it to yourself to make your dreams of becoming a self published author come true. Mothers often put everyone else’s needs before their own, which isn’t a bad thing, but every mom deserves to make her own dreams come true too.

I’d love to know, do you plan to self publish a book in honor of your mom?

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.