Query and Cover Letters: A Quick How To

A basic outline for query and cover letters.

Book Shepherds: Who Are They? What Do They Do? Should You Hire One?

A new breed of publication consultants has grown up right alongside the flourishing self-publishing population to serve as guidance counselors through each phase of the complicated process. Though self-publishing is largely considered a DIY endeavor—-hence the designation self-publishing—-there may be many advantages to using a professional book shepherd (as book consultants have been dubbed by self-publishing guru Dan Poynter) that makes hiring one well worthy of consideration.

A Quick Guide to Marketing Your Book on the Internet

Selling your book will be ten times easier as soon as you can accept this one, think-out-of-the-box strategy: your book doesn't have to be inside a bricks-and-mortar store to sell copies. Too many self-published authors get caught up in trying to figure out how to get distribution which will get their book into big box stores such as Borders and Barnes & Noble. The process can be expensive and daunting.

Self Publishing 101 - Don't Sell Your Book in a Bookstore!

How many times when you dreamed of readers finding your book did your dreams center around them finding it in a “brick-and-mortar” bookstore? Chances are, most of the time, though it rarely sells any significant amount of books. The realities of bookstore sales are frightening, and far more books fail courtesy of bookstores than succeed.

Everything You Should Know About Pay to Review Services

Should you pay to have someone review your book? This is a question many small press, self published, or POD published authors are going to have to ask. With the entrance of the pay to review model many authors who could never get their books reviewed by the “mainstream” review outlets now have the opportunity to get that necessary and all important book review.

Use the Power of the Internet to Sell Your Book

Here’s the challenge for today’s authors: The number of books published each year is increasing (195,000 titles in 2003 alone), books sales are decreasing, and only brand-name authors are getting the necessary support to market their books. The unfortunate result is that most authors aren’t going to see even modest book sales. The solution for authors is the Internet.

Writers and Predators

Masters of deception pervade every facet of our lives, so why not the writing life? Time and again scams are perpetrated on writers whose desire to get published overshadows caution. If you've been to Africa or watch Animal Planet, you're aware that predators prey on the weak and unsuspecting. We humans are no different.

How Authors Can Endure The Promotional Process!

Authors severely underestimate the challenge of promoting their books. The truth is - being an author is a lot easier than getting people to buy your paperback!

Paying for Print on Demand (or How a Tea Set Led me to Amazon)

Print on demand (POD), a hybrid of self-publishing and technology, is one of the hottest trends in publishing. POD makes it possible for established writers to publish unique books and new authors to see their work in print. Problem is, you have to come up with the cash. Read this story and learn how a family heirloom led me to Amazon.

What if You did Your Book Marketing Online?

What if there was something you wanted to share with the World? What if you possessed secrets to an industry or had first hand knowledge of some incredible skill you could teach others? What if you wanted to get the word out and make a little bit of money for your efforts?

10 Winning Habits of the Frequently Published, Part I

How to get published more than you ever dreamed!

Writing a Sales Letter to Market Your Fiction

Jump-starting your book sales can be a tedious task. A sales letter is a great place to start getting people interested in your work. This is a comprehensive guide explaining step by step how to write an effective sales letter to promote your fiction.

Writing The Blockbuster Book Proposal: How To Sell Your Non-Fiction Book

You did it. You crafted the perfect query letter for your non-fiction book, and as a result, an editor at a large publishing house has requested a full book proposal. At this point, you have a 50/50 chance of seeing your work on a bookstore shelf. The difference maker will be a strong book proposal that...

Book Promotion Woes?

Too many new authors believe that once their book is written the sales will just come pouring in and they will make a bundle. Sadly, this disillusionment is shattered when they receive a royalty check. The honest to goodness truth of the matter is that the writer's work is only started when the book is released.

Forging Win/win Publishing Partnerships

How about promoting your book as the ideal fund-raising tool? There may be groups of youths, seniors, or church folks who would love to help you sell copies for a percentage of the receipts. Anytime you can ally yourself with others who will serve as your sales force for a small percentage, it is worth serious consideration.