Did you know that the books you see on end caps and display tables at Barnes and Noble are sponsored by the publishers? That’s right; books featured are rarely due to the store employees choosing their favorite reads. The publishers pay a premium to get their top titles featured on the best real estate in […]
Here are some tips so you can be prepared when the media calls: 1. Anticipate questions. Develop a list of all potential questions you think a reporter would ask you and then write down your responses, ideally in simple bullet points so that your answers are concise. Reporters do not want rambling answers. 2. Know […]
Last week we asked our community on Facebook to answer this question: Which was harder: writing your book or marketing your book? Here’s what they had to say: Rae Stonehouse: I’ve written five self-published, self-help books. I’m going to say that writing them was harder than marketing them, only because I didn’t do a good […]
Use these guidelines to perform your author research, or provide to an assistant to follow. Create a spreadsheet with the following fields: Blog Link, Reviews?, Author Interviews?, Excerpts?, Guest Posts?, Email, Submission Guidelines Link. Perform the following Google searches and log results on spreadsheet: Topic + book review When a book review is located, look […]
Performances on radio talk or news shows are the workhorses of book-promotion activities. With radio as part of your communication plan, you can reach hundreds, thousands or millions of people at little or no cost. You can even sell some books, if you do it right. Most radio shows are conducted over the telephone, from […]
In many memos and manuscripts created, their writers often take a convoluted approach to punctuation. Most noteworthy, too many semicolons show up in too many wrong ways. How can you remember what’s right? Every time you’re tempted to use a semicolon, review these three brief rules. 1. Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. […]
Did you ever try to solve a jig-saw puzzle? It’s simple, right? The picture on the cover of the box shows you how the completed puzzle should look, so all you must do is organize and connect all the pieces. Now think of your publishing journey as the puzzle. You have your vision of the […]
We asked other nonfiction authors what some of their favorite books for writers are. Here are their responses: Sanjida Kay I’d recommend The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne, an editor who describes how to develop one’s craft as a writer. There’s an accompanying podcast, Story Grid Podcast with Shawn Coyne and aspiring novelist, Tim Grahl. […]
Consider Writing Professional Reviews as Part of Your Marketing Plan Excerpted and expanded from the recently released 415-page book in Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s multi award-winning How To Do It Frugally Series of books, How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically Because you are a writer, you’ve always known that a review is the best kind […]
Before you begin to write your book, it is important to know WHO you’re writing for. Identifying your audience will help you not only develop your manuscript, but you will be better able to choose marketing methods for your book. Are you writing a book for: Single moms with young kids? Single moms […]
How Authors Can Work Together to Promote Their Books by Nicolas Walker
Cross-promotion between authors, at first glance, doesn’t seem like the most brilliant idea, does it? After all, they are competing in the same market selling their products to the same consumers. So, how can two authors working together be beneficial? Is it possible for two competitors to collaborate and ensure that they both get an […]
Workbooks can be a wonderful addition to your offerings because they often have a higher perceived value than even a standard hardcover or paperback book. There is something about the idea of having to fill in worksheets and do the exercises that makes us willing to spend more money on a workbook. While a typical […]
How to Set Up an Author Business by Mike Kowis, Esq.
I recently gave a talk to a local writer’s group about the process of self-publishing a book, which includes setting up an author business. Afterwards, the group leader thanked me for sharing the “business side” of being an author. While I appreciated her kind gesture, it struck me as odd because I think of an […]
Member of the Week: Linda Spangle, author of 100 MORE Days of Weight Loss
Author Name: Linda Spangle Book Title: 100 MORE Days of Weight Loss Synopsis This eagerly anticipated follow-up to Linda Spangle’s book 100 Days of Weight Loss will take readers even deeper into their journey to success. Using concepts from her highly-successful clinic and coaching practice, weight-loss expert, Linda Spangle provides simple daily motivators that will keep […]
How Authors Can Work Together to Promote Their Books by Nicolas Walker
Cross-promotion between authors, at first glance, doesn’t seem like the most brilliant idea, does it? After all, they are competing in the same market selling their products to the same consumers. So, how can two authors working together be beneficial? Is it possible for two competitors to collaborate and ensure that they both get an […]
Workbooks can be a wonderful addition to your offerings because they often have a higher perceived value than even a standard hardcover or paperback book. There is something about the idea of having to fill in worksheets and do the exercises that makes us willing to spend more money on a workbook. While a typical […]
How to Set Up an Author Business by Mike Kowis, Esq.
I recently gave a talk to a local writer’s group about the process of self-publishing a book, which includes setting up an author business. Afterwards, the group leader thanked me for sharing the “business side” of being an author. While I appreciated her kind gesture, it struck me as odd because I think of an […]
How to Use Your Reviews and Excerpts by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
When Stephanie highlighted the importance of endorsements for writers it occurred to me that I could share a couple excerpts from the third in my multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers, How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a […]
Author Brand-Building Checklist
Author Brand-Building Checklist What are your core values? In other words, what is important to you in how you run your business and present it to the world? (Remember, authors are entrepreneurs.) How do you want your brand to make people feel? (i.e., strong, empowered, happy, grateful, healthy, hopeful, etc.) What kind of tone do […]
Round-Up Question of the Week: What is your favorite charitable cause?
Last week we asked our community on Facebook to answer this question: What is your favorite charitable cause? Here’s what they had to say: Jen Doeden Weer: The Drawer’s mission is to provide warmth and dignity to the homeless and underprivileged through new socks and underwear. Both are among the most needed and the least […]
Connect with Us
Connect with us on the following social media platforms.
Join the Nonfiction Authors Association.