Self Published Author | Category

A New Way to Generate More Ideas

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Dec 4, 2018

If you want to sell more books in a crowded field, they need to stand out in a positive way. In their effort to rise above the competition, authors conduct innovation sessions to think outside the box, brainstorming for the best creative strategy. This can put undue pressure on them to come up with the one best idea. In most cases, that burden will reduce creativity.

However, innovation is still required for your books to get noticed. If you reduce the anxiety to find the best way to become more noticeable, your creative sessions can be more effective. These three steps to creative problem solving can help you do that: 1) Intention, 2) Attention, 3) No Tension. Define the problem, gather information, then relax and let ideas come to you.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about A New Way to Generate More Ideas

The Benefits of Selling at Local Events

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Nov 27, 2018

Selling books at local events such as craft fairs, gift shows and Holiday celebrations can help you make some money as it provides additional benefits. Here are several reasons you might want to attend these events.

• You can sell personally autographed books on a non-returnable basis at full price

• If you sell 50 books, each at $14.95, you will take home about $750 for the day

• You may find the networking beneficial. I know of people who made contacts at local events that led to large-quantity corporate sales and media appearances

• Get increased exposure. Some events expect 5,000 or more attendees

• Display your books with other authors to share the costs and have a fun time

• Regular sales at local events give you a rewarding sense of momentum and activity while working toward long-term, larger sales.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about The Benefits of Selling at Local Events

The POD Process Explained in 8 Simple Steps

by Julie-Ann Harper
Bowker | Tue Nov 20, 2018

Many authors and self-publishers would have come across the term ‘print on demand (POD)’ during the course of publishing, but there may be some confusion around what the term means exactly. How does POD work? How does it differ from other kinds of publishing or printing? And most importantly, should you do it? Self-publishing expert and founder of Pick-a-WooWoo Publishing Group, Julie-Ann Harper, gives us a breakdown of the terms used, the processes involved and the benefits of POD.

What is print on demand?

Inside Publishing

Design & Production

Read more about The POD Process Explained in 8 Simple Steps

7 Tips for Great Book Covers

by Ebony McKenna
Bowker | Tue Nov 13, 2018

As much as we try to rise above it all and not be judgmental, we really do judge books by their covers. With thousands of English-language books published every month, competition is fierce — your book needs an amazing cover to compete for readers’ money and time.

Here are some tips for finding a great designer so that your cover can outshine (or out-gloss or out-matte) the competition.

Inside Publishing

Design & Production

Read more about 7 Tips for Great Book Covers

Easier Said than Done: How to Navigate Literary Translations

by Ulatus
Bowker | Tue Oct 23, 2018

Navigate

Inside Publishing

Writing

Read more about Easier Said than Done: How to Navigate Literary Translations

How to Succeed in a Changing Market

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Oct 16, 2018

Publishers Weekly (October 3) wrote that Barnes & Noble may be up for sale, and that can provide a lesson for book publishers: there is an opportunity for substantial revenue growth of printed books in non-bookstore markets. Publishers who ignore these changes and rely on the traditional business model of selling primarily through bookstores may run out of room to grow.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about How to Succeed in a Changing Market

Self-publishing Essentials: Hybrid Authorship

by Ellie Marney
Bowker | Tue Oct 9, 2018

The publishing industry has gone through big changes in the last few years — and perhaps the biggest change has been the emergence of a new model of authorship.

What is a hybrid author?

A hybrid author is a writer who is published both traditionally and independently. Some of their work (books, articles, poetry, screen or stage works, critique) is released through traditional means, and some is self-published.

You’re allowed to do that?

Inside Publishing

Writing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about Self-publishing Essentials: Hybrid Authorship

Self-publishing Essentials: the Purpose of Publishing

by Ellie Marney
Bowker | Tue Oct 2, 2018

When planning to self-publish, the first questions that most people ask usually relate to process. How do I turn a document into an ebook? What do I do about distribution? Who do I contact about ISBNs?

Before that stage, however, there are a couple of essential questions about purpose that an author needs to consider in order to work out which self-publishing path is the right one to take. Figuring out the answers to these questions will give you a stronger understanding of what you’re doing and how to handle the production process for your book — and it will give you a greater chance of success.

Why did you write this book?

We write for all different reasons — and not all books are written with the intention of hitting the New York Times bestseller list.

Inside Publishing

Writing

Read more about Self-publishing Essentials: the Purpose of Publishing

How to Reach Non-Retail Buyers

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Sep 25, 2018

Book marketing is relatively simple (but not necessarily easy) because there are only two arenas in which to compete: retail and non-retail. The retail sector consists of bookstores (bricks and clicks) and other outlets such as office supply stores, supermarkets, airport stores, warehouse clubs, health-food stores, gift shops and specialty stores.

Selling to these establishments is primarily done through middlemen that control the flow of goods and who exact a fee for their services. Sales through these channels are plagued by two other factors that deteriorate profits: returns of unsold books and payments in 120 days or more.

Publishers may also sell to libraries, and then consider their sales opportunities exhausted. But there is a significant source of profitable revenue in the non-retail arena. This is made up of buyers in corporations, associations, schools, the military and government agencies.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about How to Reach Non-Retail Buyers

Holiday Book Marketing

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Sep 11, 2018

Why you should start now to sell more books this holiday season

It may seem like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and all of the other big holiday sales dates are a long way off. But the reality is that they’re just around the corner. And, what’s more, if you’re looking to take advantage of them in your book marketing efforts, you don’t want to wait until November to get started. In fact, any retailer can tell you that if you want to take advantage of the holiday sales rush, you’d better start early.

Make sure your book is right for holiday promotions

First of all, if it is November by the time you’re reading this, it might be too late for a big holiday push, but there are still some smaller things you can do. Bottom line here, you need to be realistic not just about what you have time for, but also what is appropriate for your book.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about Holiday Book Marketing