Inside Publishing

Now that your book is finished, what happens next? We're here to guide you through the publishing process, from editorial to distribution and sales.

Read the Latest Edition of The Hot Sheet

by Richard Smith
Bowker | Tue May 18, 2021

If you’re an author and want to stay on top of the important issues in the world of publishing — issues that affect you — you need The Hot Sheet.

With all the chatter out there, it will help you sort through the noise with stories that focus on relevant topics from across the publishing spectrum. From author success stories to key industry statistics, you’ll find what you need to know in The Hot Sheet. Among the most important insights in this issue:

Inside Publishing

News & Resources

Read more about Read the Latest Edition of The Hot Sheet

How Single-Title Authors Can Create Multi-Book Campaigns

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue May 11, 2021

Authors may become discouraged after trying to sell their book to non-retail buyers in corporations, associations, etc. In many cases they are making the sale more difficult than necessary. Selling to a prospective buyer with one book and an implied “take it (your book) or leave it” offer generally results in “leave it.” However, if you go to the buyer with multiple alternatives your chances of getting the sale increase significantly. But how can a single-title author do that? Read on.

When meeting with potential buyers do not start by talking about your book. Begin by finding out what problems they want to solve, i.e., their pain points. Do this by asking questions, and here are a few examples.

Q. Have you ever used books as a promotional item?

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about How Single-Title Authors Can Create Multi-Book Campaigns

5 Inspirational Blog Post Ideas for Savvy Authors

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Wed Apr 28, 2021

In a recent post here on Self Published Author, I talked about five features of a terrific and effective author website, and today I’m going to go deeper into one of those features: author blogs. Websites with blogs get 55% more traffic than websites without. And you can’t sell more books without more traffic. It’s hard to argue with that number and the logic that follows it, but while that statistic might convince your brain it’s time to start blogging, it’s also important that you also believe with your heart that the connection you can make to your readers is worthwhile.

Reading is very personal. Genre preferences and the types of books we seek out to fulfill needs or answer questions in our lives say a lot about us as individuals. The days of the elusive, mysterious author are over. When 4,500 books are being published every day, personalization becomes a cornerstone of your author marketing if your goal is to sell more books. But I realize it’s easier said than done!

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about 5 Inspirational Blog Post Ideas for Savvy Authors

Strategy Before Action

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Apr 20, 2021

Your 2021 business plan outlines the ways in which your marketing activities should be implemented to reach your goals this year. According to traditional practice, after you establish your objectives your plan is divided into two sections. The first is the Strategic Plan that outlines your general marketing strategies, and the second part is the Tactical Plan listing specific actions. Most people cannot wait to start selling their books, so they typically skip the first section.

However, the battle for increased sales, revenue and profits in non-bookstore markets are more likely to succeed by implementing the actions that match your skills, goals and budget. That, in a nutshell, is effective planning — and it starts with strategy. Here are seven principles that will convince you to plan your strategy before you begin your journey to success.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about Strategy Before Action

Inside Publishing

Read the Latest Edition of The Hot Sheet

How Single-Title Authors Can Create Multi-Book Campaigns

5 Inspirational Blog Post Ideas for Savvy Authors

Strategy Before Action

Pages

Getting Started

Create a Culture of Quality in Your Publishing Company

FAQs about ISBNs

How to Write a Business Plan as Narrative (Part 2 of 2)

A Novel Planning Technique for Book Publishers (Part 1 of 2)

Do You Have the Write Stuff?