David Berens

Today’s guest is David Berens, an author who writes what he calls Tropical Thrillers.   Well, it just so happens that I really enjoy sunshine based mysteries and thrillers, so I’ve had the opportunity to watch David build his author business from afar over the past fifteen months. When I saw a post he wrote on Facebook, I knew I wanted to have him on the show. HIs post used the keyword 13 book to 50k, but since I followed David, I knew the majority of his revenue came from far fewer than the 13 his book report screenshot showed. I also knew how hard he worked to get things right for his Troy Bodean series, and that’s the focus of this interview.  Links: David’s books at Amazon David’s website www.davidfberens.com The Facebook post that is the inspiration for this show The post TAB143: How Being Willing to Tweak Everything has Fueled Sales for Thriller Author David Berens appeared first on .

Today’s guest is David Berens, an author who writes what he calls Tropical Thrillers.   <a href="https://amzn.to/2LRjyTP" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Well, it just so happens that I really enjoy sunshine based mysteries and thrillers, so I’ve had the opportunity to watch David build his author business from afar over the past fifteen months. When I saw <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/permalink/1472781239495002/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">a post he wrote on Facebook</a>, I knew I wanted to have him on the show. HIs post used the keyword 13 book to 50k, but since I followed David, I knew the majority of his revenue came from far fewer than the 13 his book report screenshot showed. I also knew how hard he worked to get things right for his Troy Bodean series, and that’s the focus of this interview.  Links: <a href="https://amzn.to/2LRjyTP" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">David’s books at Amazon</a> David’s website <a href="http://www.davidfberens.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.davidfberens.com</a> The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/permalink/1472781239495002/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook post that is the inspiration for this show</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-being-willing-to-tweak-everything-has-fueled-sales-for-thriller-author-david-berens/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB143: How Being Willing to Tweak Everything has Fueled Sales for Thriller Author David Berens</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB143: How Being Willing to Tweak Everything has Fueled Sales for Thriller Author David Berens

Craig Martelle

Today’s guest is Craig Martelle. Craig is a best-selling author and the Godfather of the indie-focused 20books conferences that are held around the world. We last spoke with Craig in February of 2017 in episode 105, A Year in the Life of a Blue Collar Author.   As you’ll hear in this episode, things have changed a bit for Craig in the past 18 months. As you know, things change quickly in the world of publishing.  We’ll discuss Craig’s thoughts on some of what’s changed for authors during the past year and a half, and some of the tried and true practices that are still critical to indie publishing success today. Then we get into Craig’s thoughts on growing an author business from a couple of different starting points. Of course, we’ll also get into his books, including his recently published Become a Successful Indie Author, his writing habits and what he’s learned by putting on the 20books conferences.     Links:  Website: www.craigmartelle.com Vegas Conference: www.20bookvegas.com/ London Conference: www.20bookslondon.com/ Craig’s Book – Become A Successful Indie Author    Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB142:  How to Become a Successful Indie Author – With Craig Martelle appeared first on .

Today’s guest is Craig Martelle. Craig is a best-selling author and the Godfather of the indie-focused <a href="http://20booksvegas.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">20books conferences</a> that are held around the world. We last spoke with Craig in February of 2017 in <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-blue-collar-author/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">episode 105, A Year in the Life of a Blue Collar Author</a>.   <a href="https://amzn.to/2ukmD8n" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>As you’ll hear in this episode, things have changed a bit for Craig in the past 18 months. As you know, things change quickly in the world of publishing.  We’ll discuss Craig’s thoughts on some of what’s changed for authors during the past year and a half, and some of the tried and true practices that are still critical to indie publishing success today. Then we get into Craig’s thoughts on growing an author business from a couple of different starting points. Of course, we’ll also get into his books, including his recently published <a href="https://amzn.to/2ukmD8n" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Become a Successful Indie Author</a>, his writing habits and what he’s learned by putting on the 20books conferences.   <h3>Links:</h3> <ul> <li>Website: <a href="http://www.craigmartelle.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.craigmartelle.com</a></li> <li>Vegas Conference: <a href="http://www.20bookvegas.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.20bookvegas.com/</a></li> <li>London Conference: <a href="http://www.20bookslondon.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.20bookslondon.com/</a></li> <li>Craig’s Book – <a href="https://amzn.to/2ukmD8n" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Become A Successful Indie Author</a></li> </ul> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/tab142-how-to-become-a-successful-indie-author-with-craig-martelle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB142: How to Become a Successful Indie Author – With Craig Martelle</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB142:  How to Become a Successful Indie Author – With Craig Martelle

In this week’s episode, we discuss the process of self-publishing a series that had previously been traditionally published with NYT, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Jennifer Ashley. As you’ll hear during the interview, Jennifer didn’t just decide to continue her Stormwalker series, she also made the decision to invest in the continuation of audiobooks for her series,  by hiring the same narrator her publisher had selected to narrate the books originally. But we go way beyond just that one topic in this wide-ranging interview.  We also dive into things like how and why Jennifer gets involved in the audio production of her books, the various ways she has her books translated into different languages and why she takes such a hands-on approach with every aspect of her indie publishing business. *** During the show’s intro, I also mention a new podcast project I’m working on with Michael Anderle and LMBPN Publishing. The show is called Ear Crush, and our objective is to deliver professionally narrated stories and behind the scenes information to readers who might also enjoy listening to audio versions of stories. As you know, the popularity of audiobooks is growing like crazy, but there are still way too many people who don’t yet understand the pleasure that can be had by listening to a well written, professionally narrated story. Our hope is that by making this short form audio available to people, it will eliminate some of the barriers to entry that subscribing to an audiobook service like audible might present, and can just allow listeners to enjoy hearing stories that feature some of their favorite characters.  In our case, we’re starting out by using the narrators of LMBPN’s existing audio catalog of 100 plus audiobooks, to narrate short stories that feature the series characters of the existing books. Obviously, the hope is that listeners will enjoy the stories enough to want more of those characters and narrators, which they can get by grabbing our audiobooks at Audible or iTunes. I am really excited about the possibilities of this project, and I hope you’ll check it out and let me know what you think. Links Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferashley.com Jennifer’s Amazon Author Page Hillary Huber’s website www.hillaryhuber.com The Ear Crush Podcast – Episode One Ear Crush – Subscribe at iTunes The Plot Whisperer- at Amazon Story Engineering – at Amazon Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB141: Going Indie With A Traditionally Published Series, with Jennifer Ashley appeared first on .

In this week’s episode, we discuss the process of self-publishing a series that had previously been traditionally published with NYT, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Jennifer Ashley. <a href="https://amzn.to/2yqZWUF" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>As you’ll hear during the interview, Jennifer didn’t just decide to continue her Stormwalker series, she also made the decision to invest in the continuation of audiobooks for her series,  by hiring the same narrator her publisher had selected to narrate the books originally. But we go way beyond just that one topic in this wide-ranging interview.  We also dive into things like how and why Jennifer gets involved in the audio production of her books, the various ways she has her books translated into different languages and why she takes such a hands-on approach with every aspect of her indie publishing business. *** <a href="http://lmbpn.com/tabithas-vacation-by-michael-anderle-narrated-by-emily-beresford/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>During the show’s intro, I also mention a new podcast project I’m working on with Michael Anderle and LMBPN Publishing. The show is called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ear-crush/id1399011477" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ear Crush</a>, and our objective is to deliver professionally narrated stories and behind the scenes information to readers who might also enjoy listening to audio versions of stories. As you know, the popularity of audiobooks is growing like crazy, but there are still way too many people who don’t yet understand the pleasure that can be had by listening to a well written, professionally narrated story. Our hope is that by making this short form audio available to people, it will eliminate some of the barriers to entry that subscribing to an audiobook service like audible might present, and can just allow listeners to enjoy hearing stories that feature some of their favorite characters. In our case, we’re starting out by using the narrators of LMBPN’s existing audio catalog of <a href="https://www.audible.com/search?sprefix=LMBPN&amp;advsearchKeywords=lmbpn+publishing&amp;x=0&amp;y=" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">100 plus audiobooks</a>, to narrate short stories that feature the series characters of the existing books. Obviously, the hope is that listeners will enjoy the stories enough to want more of those characters and narrators, which they can get by grabbing our audiobooks at Audible or iTunes. I am really excited about the possibilities of this project, and I hope you’ll check it out and let me know what you think. <h3>Links</h3> Jennifer’s website – <a href="http://www.jenniferashley.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.jenniferashley.com</a> Jennifer’s <a href="https://amzn.to/2toUlIs" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> Hillary Huber’s website <a href="https://www.hillaryhuber.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.hillaryhuber.com</a> The Ear Crush Podcast – <a href="http://lmbpn.com/tabithas-vacation-by-michael-anderle-narrated-by-emily-beresford/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode One</a> Ear Crush – <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ear-crush/id1399011477" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe at iTunes</a> The Plot Whisperer- <a href="https://amzn.to/2JSRFy4" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">at Amazon</a> Story Engineering – <a href="https://amzn.to/2yqBjXU" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">at Amazon</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/going-indie-with-a-traditionally-published-series-with-jennifer-ashley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB141: Going Indie With A Traditionally Published Series, with Jennifer Ashley</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB141: Going Indie With A Traditionally Published Series, with Jennifer Ashley

In this week’s episode, we discuss the idea of going wide with a portion of your books. Our guest is best-selling indie author Scott Paul, who writes fantasy and science fiction under the name of T.S. Paul. Scott’s journey as an indie author is fairly short and definitely spectacular. He goes his own way as a writer and is willing to step way outside the box when it comes to his author business. We discuss Scott’s thoughts behind the decision to take some of his writing wide, why he chose to keep some in Kindle Unlimited and what his plans are regarding the distribution of his books going forward. Then we get into the various ways in which Scott markets his author business, both online and offline.  If you’re unfamiliar with the background story of T.S. Paul, you might be interested in hearing his first two visits to the podcast. The first was episode 78: How to Make Real Money selling short fiction, and the second was about a year later, episode 137: Blowing Through the Six Figure Sales Level in Year One. Links Scott’s Website: www.tspaul.blogspot.com Scott’s Amazon Author Page Scott’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenEngineer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tspaulauthor/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/Allaboutthehorn Scott’s Kobo Author Page here Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB140: Going Wide With Some Of Your Books, with T S Paul appeared first on .

In this week’s episode, we discuss the idea of going wide with a portion of your books. Our guest is best-selling indie author Scott Paul, who writes fantasy and science fiction under the name of T.S. Paul. Scott’s journey as an indie author is fairly short and definitely spectacular. He goes his own way as a writer and is willing to step way outside the box when it comes to his author business. We discuss Scott’s thoughts behind the decision to take some of his writing wide, why he chose to keep some in Kindle Unlimited and what his plans are regarding the distribution of his books going forward. Then we get into the various ways in which Scott markets his author business, both online and offline. If you’re unfamiliar with the background story of T.S. Paul, you might be interested in hearing his first two visits to the podcast. The first was <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-make-real-money-selling-short-fiction/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">episode 78: How to Make Real Money selling short fiction</a>, and the second was about a year later, <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/blowing-through-the-six-figure-sales-level-in-year-one-as-an-indie-author/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">episode 137: Blowing Through the Six Figure Sales Level in Year One</a>. <h3>Links</h3> Scott’s Website: <a href="https://tspaul.blogspot.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.tspaul.blogspot.com</a> Scott’s <a href="https://amzn.to/2LO7mTH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> Scott’s Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenEngineer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenEngineer/</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tspaulauthor/?hl=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/tspaulauthor/?hl=en</a> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Allaboutthehorn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/Allaboutthehorn</a> Scott’s <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=T%20S%20Paul&amp;fcsearchfield=Author" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo Author Page here</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/going-wide-with-some-of-your-books-with-t-s-paul/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB140: Going Wide With Some Of Your Books, with T S Paul</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB140: Going Wide With Some Of Your Books, with T S Paul

Chris Syme

This week’s show is all about Crisis Management, which is not, as you might expect, just managing a crisis when you’re in the middle of one. What it can and should be is a process of training yourself to recognize and to deal with potential threats quickly and without allowing your emotions to become involved. Our guest is a longtime favorite of the show, author, speaker and teacher, Chris Syme. Many of us know Chris as an author marketing expert, but her early training was in Crisis Management. In this episode, we’ll learn to identify and to appropriately respond to the different threat levels that can impact your author business and to plan for the possibility of negative online or offline events.  Links: Chris’s Website:  www.cksyme.com Chris’s new book, Crisis Management for Authors Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB139: How to Keep a Problem from Becoming a Crisis – With Chris Syme appeared first on .

This week’s show is all about Crisis Management, which is not, as you might expect, just managing a crisis when you’re in the middle of one. What it can and should be is a process of training yourself to recognize and to deal with potential threats quickly and without allowing your emotions to become involved. Our guest is a longtime favorite of the show, author, speaker and teacher, Chris Syme. Many of us know Chris as an author marketing expert, but her early training was in Crisis Management. In this episode, we’ll learn to identify and to appropriately respond to the different threat levels that can impact your author business and to plan for the possibility of negative online or offline events. <h3>Links:</h3> Chris’s Website:  <a href="http://www.cksyme.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.cksyme.com</a> Chris’s new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/2JkGjOQ" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Crisis Management for Authors</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-keep-a-problem-from-becoming-a-crisis-with-chris-syme/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB139: How to Keep a Problem from Becoming a Crisis – With Chris Syme</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB139: How to Keep a Problem from Becoming a Crisis – With Chris Syme

Let’s talk about how most authors learn best practices for audience building.  Primarily, we listen to and learn from other authors. Maybe on podcasts, like this one, or in books written by authors on how they’ve done it, or maybe we just learn by asking questions in social media groups, or at conferences. But there are other creative entrepreneurs out there who deal with the same need to build fan bases.  Artists, photographers, filmmakers, musicians and more. What can we learn from them and how they build their businesses?  That’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently, and so I’m very pleased to have Singer/Songwriter, Author and Creative Entrepreneur Charlotte Eriksson as this week’s guest. The intro music for this episode comes from a song called White Spaces, written and performed by Charlotte, who as you’ll hear during the interview has branded herself as The Glass Child. I Listened to her music while doing the research for this episode, and what I learned while doing that research is that she’s a talented marketer who has built an enormous audience for her work in both music and writing. In this episode, We’ll talk about what Charlotte does to build her audience and how it applies to authors, and even do a little comparing and contrasting.  Then we’ll close the show with another of Charlotte’s songs, titled Save Me.  Links  Charlotte’s Website- http://www.charlotteeriksson.com/ Charlotte’s Spotify Page (Listen to her music)  Online Store Creator- https://www.bigcartel.com/ Book Printing Services- https://www.bookprinting.co.uk/ Blue Ocean Strategy – Available at Amazon.com Ryan Holiday- https://ryanholiday.net/  Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB138: What Can Authors Learn From Musicians About Audience Building? appeared first on .

Let’s talk about how most authors learn best practices for audience building.  Primarily, we listen to and learn from other authors. Maybe on podcasts, like this one, or in books written by authors on how they’ve done it, or maybe we just learn by asking questions in social media groups, or at conferences. <a href="https://amzn.to/2xmGZlr" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>But there are other creative entrepreneurs out there who deal with the same need to build fan bases.  Artists, photographers, filmmakers, musicians and more. What can we learn from them and how they build their businesses?  That’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently, and so I’m very pleased to have Singer/Songwriter, Author and Creative Entrepreneur <a href="http://www.charlotteeriksson.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte Eriksson</a> as this week’s guest. The intro music for this episode comes from a song called White Spaces, written and performed by Charlotte, who as you’ll hear during the interview has branded herself as The Glass Child. I Listened to her music while doing the research for this episode, and what I learned while doing that research is that she’s a talented marketer who has built an enormous audience for her work in both music and writing. In this episode, We’ll talk about what Charlotte does to build her audience and how it applies to authors, and even do a little comparing and contrasting.  Then we’ll close the show with another of <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/save-me/1102701314?i=1102701756" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte’s songs, titled Save Me</a>. <h3>Links</h3> <ul> <li>Charlotte’s Website- <a href="http://www.charlotteeriksson.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.charlotteeriksson.com/</a></li> <li>Charlotte’s Spotify Page <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6RzyY9jw5gyIPJ7UhEu05Q" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">(Listen to her music) </a></li> <li>Online Store Creator- <a href="https://www.bigcartel.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bigcartel.com/</a></li> <li>Book Printing Services- <a href="https://www.bookprinting.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bookprinting.co.uk/</a></li> <li>Blue Ocean Strategy – <a href="https://amzn.to/2sfMWeN" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Available at Amazon.com</a></li> <li>Ryan Holiday- <a href="https://ryanholiday.net/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://ryanholiday.net/</a></li> </ul> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/what-can-authors-learn-from-musicians-about-audience-building/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB138: What Can Authors Learn From Musicians About Audience Building?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB138: What Can Authors Learn From Musicians About Audience Building?

There are lots of stepping stones along the path to building a successful business, and one of those is making the decision to bring on help.  Hiring people to do the things you’re either not well suited for, or to free up time to do the things only you can do to build your business. For many authors that happens when we decide to hire a cover designer or an editor. But what about some of the other tasks that fill our non-writing time? Today’s guest is Chloe Adler. She’s still involved in the work world and she’s a romance author building her own thriving and sustainable author business. One of her strategies is to outsource certain aspects of her business to virtual assistants so that she has time to pursue her writing, her passion for learning, and her somewhat unusual exercise hobby. She wrote extensively about this process on her website, here and here. In this episode, we’ll get into the details of how she finds and trains her virtual assistants, what she expects of them, and what having them has allowed her to do.  She’ll share some of the benefits of finding the right people for your team, and the pitfalls of finding the wrong people. Links  Chloe Adler’s Website- http://www.chloeadler.com/ Chloe’s post on finding VAs (Part 1) and (Part 2) Chloe Adler’s Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/ChloeAdlerAuthor/ The Front Row Facebook Group (Jen Lehner) https://www.facebook.com/groups/InTheFrontRow/  Loom- https://www.useloom.com/  Screen Flow- https://screenflow.en.softonic.com/mac Trello- https://trello.com/ WhatsApp- https://www.whatsapp.com/ The Front Row- https://www.frontrow.com/ Last Pass- https://www.lastpass.com/ Hub Talent- https://talent.hubstaff.com/ Hub Staff- https://hubstaff.com/ Upwork- https://www.upwork.com/ Miracle Morning for Writers- https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Writers-Writing-Increases/dp/1942589050 Link to the facial expression page mentioned in the show.  http://www.bryndonovan.com/2015/04/05/master-list-of-facial-expressions/  Chloe’s Other Social Links  Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChloeAdlerWrite Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloeadlerauthor/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ChloeAdlerAuthor Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chloe-adler Author Page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Adler/e/B06ZZ838HR/ Email: chloe@chloeadler.com  Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB137: Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant to Help with Your Author Biz? appeared first on .

There are lots of stepping stones along the path to building a successful business, and one of those is making the decision to bring on help.  Hiring people to do the things you’re either not well suited for, or to free up time to do the things only you can do to build your business. For many authors that happens when we decide to hire a cover designer or an editor. But what about some of the other tasks that fill our non-writing time? <a href="https://amzn.to/2KPiv6f" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Today’s guest is Chloe Adler. She’s still involved in the work world and she’s a romance author building her own thriving and sustainable author business. One of her strategies is to outsource certain aspects of her business to virtual assistants so that she has time to pursue her writing, her passion for learning, and her somewhat unusual exercise hobby. She wrote extensively about this process on her website, <a href="http://www.chloeadler.com/forwriters/hiring-a-virtual-assistant-part-1-of-2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.chloeadler.com/forwriters/category/hiring-a-va" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. In this episode, we’ll get into the details of how she finds and trains her virtual assistants, what she expects of them, and what having them has allowed her to do.  She’ll share some of the benefits of finding the right people for your team, and the pitfalls of finding the wrong people. <h3>Links</h3> <ul> <li>Chloe Adler’s Website- <a href="http://www.chloeadler.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chloeadler.com/</a></li> <li>Chloe’s post on finding VAs <a href="http://www.chloeadler.com/forwriters/category/hiring-a-va" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">(Part 1)</a> and <a href="http://www.chloeadler.com/forwriters/category/hiring-a-va" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">(Part 2)</a></li> <li>Chloe Adler’s Facebook Page- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChloeAdlerAuthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ChloeAdlerAuthor/</a></li> <li> The Front Row Facebook Group (Jen Lehner) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/InTheFrontRow/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/InTheFrontRow/</a> </li> <li> Loom- <a href="https://www.useloom.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.useloom.com/</a> </li> <li>Screen Flow- <a href="https://screenflow.en.softonic.com/mac" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://screenflow.en.softonic.com/mac</a></li> <li>Trello- <a href="https://trello.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://trello.com/</a></li> <li>WhatsApp- <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.whatsapp.com/</a></li> <li>The Front Row- <a href="https://www.frontrow.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.frontrow.com/</a></li> <li>Last Pass- <a href="https://www.lastpass.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.lastpass.com/</a></li> <li>Hub Talent- <a href="https://talent.hubstaff.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://talent.hubstaff.com/</a></li> <li>Hub Staff- <a href="https://hubstaff.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://hubstaff.com/</a></li> <li>Upwork- <a href="https://www.upwork.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.upwork.com/</a></li> <li>Miracle Morning for Writers- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Writers-Writing-Increases/dp/1942589050" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Writers-Writing-Increases/dp/1942589050</a></li> <li>Link to the facial expression page mentioned in the show.  <a href="http://www.bryndonovan.com/2015/04/05/master-list-of-facial-expressions/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bryndonovan.com/2015/04/05/master-list-of-facial-expressions/</a></li> </ul> Chloe’s Other Social Links <ul> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ChloeAdlerWrite" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/ChloeAdlerWrite</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chloeadlerauthor/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/chloeadlerauthor/</a></li> <li>Pinterest: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ChloeAdlerAuthor" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.pinterest.com/ChloeAdlerAuthor</a></li> <li>Bookbub: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chloe-adler" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chloe-adler</a></li> <li>Author Page on Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Adler/e/B06ZZ838HR/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Adler/e/B06ZZ838HR/</a></li> <li>Email: <a href="mailto:chloe@chloeadler.com" rel="noopener">chloe@chloeadler.com</a></li> </ul> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/should-you-hire-a-virtual-assistant-to-help-with-your-author-biz/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB137: Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant to Help with Your Author Biz?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB137: Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant to Help with Your Author Biz?

When speaking with authors about GDPR, I get a variety of responses that range from a thoughtful what are you talking about to a sense of panic. If you’re in the “what are you talking about” category, GDPR is the General Data Protection Regulation rule in the EU that will govern data protection and privacy for individuals within the European Union. These new rules, which takes effect beginning May 25th, 2018, will impact nearly all authors.  Today’s guest is author B.L. (Barb) Berry, and as you’ll hear in the interview, her job forced her to take a hard look at GDPR, and then to take an even deeper look at how it might impact her career as a romance author. In today’s episode, we’ll take a look at the GDPR and what we’re doing to prepare for May 25th. Now for the disclaimer.  Neither Barb or I are attorneys. Not of what we’re discussing during this show is advice aimed at listeners.  It is instead a discussion of the steps we’re taking to be sure we don’t run afoul of these new laws. Every situation is different, but we hope this show gives you the insight you need to move forward confidently with your own plans for GDPR. In addition to the GDPR discussion, we also discuss Barb’s work as an author and how she uses audiobooks to spread the love.  Links BL Berry’s website: www.authorblberry.com Barb’s GDPR blog post Barb’s Amazon author page BL Berry’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BLBerryAuthor/ Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula Podcast on GDPR Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB136: Will you be ready for the GDPR on May 25th? appeared first on .

When speaking with authors about GDPR, I get a variety of responses that range from a thoughtful what are you talking about to a sense of panic. If you’re in the “what are you talking about” category, GDPR is the General Data Protection Regulation rule in the EU that will govern data protection and privacy for individuals within the European Union. These new rules, which takes effect beginning May 25th, 2018, will impact nearly all authors. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ioqk5O" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Today’s guest is author <a href="http://www.authorblberry.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">B.L. (Barb) Berry</a>, and as you’ll hear in the interview, her job forced her to take a hard look at GDPR, and then to take an even deeper look at how it might impact her career as a romance author. In today’s episode, we’ll take a look at the GDPR and what we’re doing to prepare for May 25th. Now for the disclaimer.  Neither Barb or I are attorneys. Not of what we’re discussing during this show is advice aimed at listeners.  It is instead a discussion of the steps we’re taking to be sure we don’t run afoul of these new laws. Every situation is different, but we hope this show gives you the insight you need to move forward confidently with your own plans for GDPR. In addition to the GDPR discussion, we also discuss Barb’s work as an author and how she uses audiobooks to spread the love. <h3>Links</h3> BL Berry’s website: <a href="http://www.authorblberry.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.authorblberry.com</a> Barb’s <a href="https://authorblberry.com/2018/03/12/what-gdpr-means-for-authors-and-bloggers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">GDPR blog post</a> Barb’s <a href="https://amzn.to/2L3yQ8g" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a> BL Berry’s Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BLBerryAuthor/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/BLBerryAuthor/</a> Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula <a href="https://selfpublishingformula.com/episode-117/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Podcast on GDPR</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/will-you-be-ready-for-the-gdpr-on-may-25th/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB136: Will you be ready for the GDPR on May 25th?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB136: Will you be ready for the GDPR on May 25th?

If you’re an indie author, how many books to do you have to publish each year to be successful? Obviously, success is different for everyone, and there is no hard and fast rule for achieving success as an author, especially an indie author.  But if that’s the case, why do so many people believe the only way to succeed as an indie is to publish a book a month? For some, it’s simply impossible to publish that quickly. For others, people like Michael Anderle, it’s impossible to publish that slowly.  One of the reasons I’ve focused two of the last three episodes on people who are not publishing a book or more a month is to highlight what we all intuitively know to be true. There are a variety of paths to success in the world of Indie publishing. The secret is to find yours, not to follow one carved out by someone else. This week’s guest is author Bobbi Holmes, who joined us on episode 82, almost two years ago when we discussed pre-orders.  At that time she had a fairly rigid publication schedule, and when I looked again at her Amazon author page, I see that she’s continued with the “new book every 90 days” plan over the past two years. It turns out her schedule hadn’t changed since August of 2014 when she published the first book in her Haunting Danielle series, and as you’ll hear in the interview, publishing four books a year is working out very well for her. We cover a lot of ground during this interview, going into some detail on Bobbi’s publication schedule, revisiting the rationale for her pre-order process, we discuss her marketing efforts, and we discuss the reason she works with an agent as an indie author.   Links  Bobbi’s webpage www.bobbiholmes.com Bobbi’s Amazon Author Page Haunting Danielle Facebook Page Bobbi’s Facebook Page Elizabeth Mackey Design website www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com/  Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB135: Finding The Publication Schedule That’s Right For You appeared first on .

If you’re an indie author, how many books to do you have to publish each year to be successful? Obviously, success is different for everyone, and there is no hard and fast rule for achieving success as an author, especially an indie author. But if that’s the case, why do so many people believe the only way to succeed as an indie is to publish a book a month? For some, it’s simply impossible to publish that quickly. For others, people like Michael Anderle, it’s impossible to publish that slowly. One of the reasons I’ve focused two of the last three episodes on people who are not publishing a book or more a month is to highlight what we all intuitively know to be true. There are a variety of paths to success in the world of Indie publishing. The secret is to find yours, not to follow one carved out by someone else. <a href="https://amzn.to/2jGGIQo" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>This week’s guest is author Bobbi Holmes, who joined us on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/two-different-approaches-to-successful-pre-orders/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">episode 82</a>, almost two years ago when we discussed pre-orders.  At that time she had a fairly rigid publication schedule, and when I looked again at her Amazon author page, I see that she’s continued with the “new book every 90 days” plan over the past two years. It turns out her schedule hadn’t changed since August of 2014 when she published the first book in her Haunting Danielle series, and as you’ll hear in the interview, publishing four books a year is working out very well for her. We cover a lot of ground during this interview, going into some detail on Bobbi’s publication schedule, revisiting the rationale for her pre-order process, we discuss her marketing efforts, and we discuss the reason she works with an agent as an indie author.   <h3>Links</h3> <ul> <li>Bobbi’s webpage <a href="http://bobbiholmes.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.bobbiholmes.com</a></li> <li>Bobbi’s <a href="https://amzn.to/2ru8QLb" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a></li> <li>Haunting Danielle <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HauntingDanielle/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a></li> <li>Bobbi’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BobbiAnnJohnsonHolmes" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a></li> <li>Elizabeth Mackey Design website <a href="http://www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com/</a></li> </ul> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/finding-the-publication-schedule-thats-right-for-you/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB135: Finding The Publication Schedule That’s Right For You</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB135: Finding The Publication Schedule That’s Right For You

Jami Albright

In today’s episode, we take close look at the process romance author, Jami Albright uses to keep her books tickling the Amazon algorithms, staying near the top of the sales charts, and generating around $5,000 in royalties each month. Jami manages all of this despite the fact that she’s published only two books, both in the last year. Jami is an active participant in the 20booksto50k Facebook Group, so when I saw that she’d come close to 50k with just two books, I had to talk to her, if for no other reason than to be able to title an episode 2 books to 43k. I’ve known and followed Jami, and this show delivers way more than just a great title. We also get some great laughs and insights from an author who gladly shares both the hits and the misses in this episode of The Author Biz. Links See Jami’s Amazon Author Page Jami Albright’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545/ Jami Albright’s Website: https://www.jamialbright.com/ Amazon Marketing Services: https://ams.amazon.com/ Sell More Books Show by Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen: http://sellmorebooksshow.com/ Become a Successful Indie Writer by Craig Martelle: Amazon Link Jami Albright’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545/ Jami Albright’s Website: https://www.jamialbright.com/ Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB134: Two Books to 43k (2BOOKSto43k) with Romance Author Jami Albright appeared first on .

<a href="https://amzn.to/2HOlqep" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>In today’s episode, we take close look at the process romance author, Jami Albright uses to keep her books tickling the Amazon algorithms, staying near the top of the sales charts, and generating around $5,000 in royalties each month. Jami manages all of this despite the fact that she’s published only two books, both in the last year. Jami is an active participant in the 20booksto50k Facebook Group, so when I saw that she’d come close to 50k with just two books, I had to talk to her, if for no other reason than to be able to title an episode 2 books to 43k. I’ve known and followed Jami, and this show delivers way more than just a great title. We also get some great laughs and insights from an author who gladly shares both the hits and the misses in this episode of The Author Biz. <h3>Links</h3> See Jami’s <a href="https://amzn.to/2FzrIw9" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> Jami Albright’s Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545/</a> Jami Albright’s Website: <a href="https://www.jamialbright.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.jamialbright.com/</a> Amazon Marketing Services: <a href="https://ams.amazon.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ams.amazon.com/</a> Sell More Books Show by Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen: <a href="http://sellmorebooksshow.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://sellmorebooksshow.com/</a> Become a Successful Indie Writer by Craig Martelle: <a href="https://amzn.to/2HI3BBG" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Link</a> Jami Albright’s Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545/</a> Jami Albright’s Website: <a href="https://www.jamialbright.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.jamialbright.com/</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/2booksto43k-with-romance-author-jami-albright/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB134: Two Books to 43k (2BOOKSto43k) with Romance Author Jami Albright</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB134: Two Books to 43k (2BOOKSto43k) with Romance Author Jami Albright

Actionable Information and tips on the business of being a published author.  Whether you are traditionally published, self-published or an aspiring writer, this weekly podcast will help you refine your skills as a writer, and as a business person.  We want you to  connect with readers and build your author platform so you can sell more books. You'll hear from interview guests who are New York Times Bestselling authors, marketing and branding experts, and indie authors who top the Amazon charts.

This show offers so much great insight to assist in helping my author business flourish!

Awesome show

One of my favorite writing business podcasts. A must listen.

Very helpful

Michael Anderle

Author Michael Anderle joins us this week to discuss the ways he’s found self-publishing success in his first year as an author. If you listen to this show on a regular basis, you know that there are several paths to success as an author.  One of those paths, the one that seems to give the author the most control over the myriad of variables that go into building a successful author business, is to write and publish books quickly and regularly. Of course, you can’t just write and publish crap. Your stories have to engage readers, your covers need to be good enough, and you need to be able to pivot, to use a startup world term when readers aren’t connecting with your books. Meaning, if something’s not working, say a series, for example, move on to the next series to find something that will connect with readers. Michael Anderle joined us in January of this year to talk about his first three months as an author, where he published multiple books. During that time we considered his goals, which were to write 20 books that would generate $50,000 in annual revenue. When we talked after those first three months, he’d gone from around $400 to over $10,000 in monthly income from his Kurtherian Gambit series.   Now that Michael has been self-publishing author for just over one year it made sense to touch base with him again, to see how his plan of publishing a book every five weeks had worked out. While he didn’t quite hit the 20 book target, his net revenue from Amazon, on the day we recorded the interview has already exceeded $400,000, with revenue growing each month.  In this wide-ranging 60 minute conversation, we discuss his progress towards the goal, the value he sees for participating in anthologies, and how his focus in 2017 will shift to improving his author rank. We get into a variety of other topics as well, including his 20 Books to 50K Facebook group and some self-publishing success stories members of that group have experienced during the past year, and the document he wrote after his first year in publishing, State of the Hack (PDF Download). Links: Michael’s latest book, DON’T CROSS THAT LINE at Amazon Michael’s Amazon Author Page 20 Books to 50K Facebook Group Download Michael’s State of the Hack document Book Report website  www.getbookreport.com/ Camven Media website www.camvenmedia.com Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Thanks to Michael Anderle for joining us this week! Creative commons image by TSP Dave Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. The post TAB096: Hacking Your Way to Self-Publishing Success, with Michael Anderle appeared first on .

Author Michael Anderle joins us this week to discuss the ways he’s found self-publishing success in his first year as an author. If you listen to this show on a regular basis, you know that there are several paths to success as an author.  One of those paths, the one that seems to give the author the most control over the myriad of variables that go into building a successful author business, is to write and publish books quickly and regularly. Of course, you can’t just write and publish crap. Your stories have to engage readers, your covers need to be good enough, and you need to be able to pivot, to use a startup world term when readers aren’t connecting with your books. Meaning, if something’s not working, say a series, for example, move on to the next series to find something that will connect with readers. <a href="http://amzn.to/2gdbNfY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Michael Anderle joined us in <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/zero-to-10k-per-month-in-90-days-with-michael-anderle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">January of this year</a> to talk about his first three months as an author, where he published multiple books. During that time we considered his goals, which were to write 20 books that would generate $50,000 in annual revenue. When we talked after those first three months, he’d gone from around $400 to over $10,000 in monthly income from his <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Anderle/e/B017J2WANQ/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kurtherian Gambit series</a>.   Now that Michael has been self-publishing author for just over one year it made sense to touch base with him again, to see how his plan of publishing a book every five weeks had worked out. While he didn’t quite hit the 20 book target, his net revenue from Amazon, on the day we recorded the interview has already exceeded $400,000, with revenue growing each month. <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/State-of-the-Hack.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> In this wide-ranging 60 minute conversation, we discuss his progress towards the goal, the value he sees for participating in anthologies, and how his focus in 2017 will shift to improving his author rank. We get into a variety of other topics as well, including his 20 Books to 50K Facebook group and some self-publishing success stories members of that group have experienced during the past year, and the document he wrote after his first year in publishing, <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/State-of-the-Hack.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">State of the Hack (PDF Download)</a>. <h3>Links:</h3> Michael’s latest book, <a href="http://amzn.to/2gdbNfY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DON’T CROSS THAT LINE at Amazon</a> Michael’s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Anderle/e/B017J2WANQ/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> 20 Books to 50K <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> Download Michael’s <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/State-of-the-Hack.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">State of the Hack document</a> Book Report website  <a href="https://www.getbookreport.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.getbookreport.com/</a> Camven Media website <a href="http://www.camvenmedia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.camvenmedia.com</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Thanks to Michael Anderle for joining us this week! Creative commons image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/west-virginia-new-river-gorge-89815/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TSP Dave</a> Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/hacking-your-way-to-self-publishing-success/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB096: Hacking Your Way to Self-Publishing Success, with Michael Anderle</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB096: Hacking Your Way to Self-Publishing Success, with Michael Anderle

Author Michael J. Sullivan and his wife/business partner Robin, are the guests on this episode of The Author Biz. Michael J. Sullivan Do you use Goodreads as an author? If so, do you feel like you’re getting the most you can from the reader focused platform? If you’re anything like me and find the many ways Goodreads helps authors to be cloaked in mystery, then you’re going to love this show. When I expressed my lack of Goodreads understand on an earlier episode, a listener told me she’d been at a fantastic presentation from Michael and Robin Sullivan on how to use the platform As you may remember, Michael &amp; Robin joined us on episode 55 for a fascinating discussion of Kickstarter, and how they’d used it to create the third most successful Kickstarter for fiction of all time, and raise over $70,000. Robin Sullivan Michael writes classical fantasy and science fiction with unlikely heroes on epic adventures. Robin, his wife/business partner, manages the “business side” of their publishing enterprise and is a wealth of information on all things publishing related. The Sullivans have a detailed understanding of how Goodreads can and should work for authors, and they share a lot of that information with us in this 75-minute episode. Goodreads Interview Show Notes  Robin began promoting Michael’s upcoming book, AGE OF MYTH over two years ago on Goodreads. As a result of that work, the book is the second most anticipated book on the GR platform for the month of June. Robin walks us through the process of claiming your Author Page and adding your books to the page. Michael shares some hard-won advice on the value of a professional author photo. We discuss the importance of keeping up with your reader activities on GR, even after you’ve activated your author profile. Robin believes Goodreads Groups were crucial to the growth of Michael’s career as an author. We discuss how to select AND get involved with the correct groups within Goodreads. We consider Goodreads giveaways, and how Michael and Robin have used them. Robin shares her thoughts on the value of the new Goodreads Digital Book Giveaway program and considers why we’ve both seen some pushback from the indie community. Robin explains the many ways being on a reader’s TBR shelf on GR can benefit authors. Goodreads announced Goodreads Deals on the day this show was recorded. We discuss the announcement and potential impact to both reader and writers. We discuss the different ways in which authors and publishers can advertise on Goodreads. Robin shares some sage advice on author marketing. “Until you have your third book out you should be spending 90 – 95% of time writing and only 5-10% of your time marketing.”  Links: Michael’s Website www.riyria.blogspot.com Michael’s Goodreads Author Page Get AGE OF MYTH at Amazon Get the audio version of AGE OF MYTH for free (with trial) at Audible Michael’s Reddit (Advice for authors) – Write2Publish Michael’s  Author Branding Article on Forbes Michael’s Reddit Post: An Author’s Guide to Goodreads Michael’s Goodreads Presentation from the 2014 Writer’s Digest Annual Conference Blue Host for WordPress Author Websites (Affiliate link – You’ll get the special price of $2.95 per month and your purchase will help to support the show!) Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Thanks to Michael and Robin Sullivan for joining us this week. Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but The Author Biz will earn a small commission.  Public domain image  Public domain image courtesy of Makunin.   The post TAB079:  How to Use Goodreads to Find More Readers appeared first on .

Author Michael J. Sullivan and his wife/business partner Robin, are the guests on this episode of The Author Biz. <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/michael_sullivan_portrait_high_resolution_square.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Michael J. Sullivan Do you use Goodreads as an author? If so, do you feel like you’re getting the most you can from the reader focused platform? If you’re anything like me and find the many ways Goodreads helps authors to be cloaked in mystery, then you’re going to love this show. When I expressed my lack of Goodreads understand on an earlier episode, a listener told me she’d been at a fantastic presentation from Michael and Robin Sullivan on how to use the platform As you may remember, Michael &amp; Robin joined us on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/kickstarter/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">episode 55 for a fascinating discussion of Kickstarter</a>, and how they’d used it to create the third most successful Kickstarter for fiction of all time, and raise over $70,000. Robin Sullivan Michael writes classical fantasy and science fiction with unlikely heroes on epic adventures. Robin, his wife/business partner, manages the “business side” of their publishing enterprise and is a wealth of information on all things publishing related. The Sullivans have a detailed understanding of how Goodreads can and should work for authors, and they share a lot of that information with us in this 75-minute episode. <h3>Goodreads Interview Show Notes</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/1U78iBH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Robin began promoting Michael’s upcoming book, <a href="http://amzn.to/1U78iBH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AGE OF MYTH</a> over two years ago on Goodreads. As a result of that work, the book is the second most anticipated book on the GR platform for the month of June.</li> <li>Robin walks us through the process of claiming your Author Page and adding your books to the page.</li> <li>Michael shares some hard-won advice on the value of a professional author photo.</li> <li>We discuss the importance of keeping up with your reader activities on GR, even after you’ve activated your author profile.</li> <li>Robin believes Goodreads Groups were crucial to the growth of Michael’s career as an author.</li> <li>We discuss how to select AND get involved with the correct groups within Goodreads.</li> <li>We consider Goodreads giveaways, and how Michael and Robin have used them.</li> <li>Robin shares her thoughts on the value of the new Goodreads Digital Book Giveaway program and considers why we’ve both seen some pushback from the indie community.</li> <li>Robin explains the many ways being on a reader’s TBR shelf on GR can benefit authors.</li> <li>Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/648-new-great-deals-on-ebooks-personalized-just-for-you-u-s-members" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">announced</a> Goodreads Deals on the day this show was recorded. We discuss the announcement and potential impact to both reader and writers.</li> <li>We discuss the different ways in which authors and publishers can advertise on Goodreads.</li> <li>Robin shares some sage advice on author marketing. “Until you have your third book out you should be spending 90 – 95% of time writing and only 5-10% of your time marketing.”</li> </ul> <h3>Links:</h3> Michael’s Website <a href="http://riyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.riyria.blogspot.com</a> Michael’s Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2063919.Michael_J_Sullivan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Author Page</a> Get <a href="http://amzn.to/1U78iBH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AGE OF MYTH at Amazon</a> Get the audio version of <a href="http://amzn.to/1XrfLxW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AGE OF MYTH for free (with trial) at Audible</a> Michael’s Reddit (Advice for authors) – <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/write2publish" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Write2Publish</a> Michael’s  <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2014/03/04/the-strongest-brand-in-publishing-is/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Author Branding Article on Forbes</a> Michael’s Reddit Post: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Write2Publish/comments/1aqlo5/an_authors_guide_to_goodreads/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An Author’s Guide</a> to Goodreads Michael’s Goodreads <a href="http://www.michaelsullivan-author.com/Michael%20J.%20Sullivan-Author-Goodreads%20Writer's%20Digest%20Annual%20Conference%202014.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Presentation from the 2014 Writer’s Digest Annual Conference</a> Blue Host for <a href="http://www.theauthorbiz.com/bluehost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WordPress Author Websites</a> (Affiliate link – You’ll get the special price of $2.95 per month and your purchase will help to support the show!) <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Thanks to Michael and Robin Sullivan for joining us this week. Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but The Author Biz will earn a small commission.  Public domain image Public domain image courtesy of <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/read-book-reading-literature-books-369040/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Makunin</a>. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-use-goodreads-to-find-more-readers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB079: How to Use Goodreads to Find More Readers</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB079:  How to Use Goodreads to Find More Readers

Martha Carr

Martha Carr is publishing six thrillers over the course of 91 days, and she’s agreed to share sales and marketing details with us after each book is released to discuss how the series is performing.  A fellow author, when seeing how calm Martha appears about all of this has given her the moniker, The Zen Killer of Thrillers, which seems appropriate. Book one in her Wallis Jones Series, THE LIST CONSPIRACY was published on December 2nd, and we examine the results of the release, as well as the pre-orders for book two in the series, TRAITOR’S REVENGE. Results for the first book have been positive and Martha is already making plans to add audio and paper releases for the series. We spend time talking about the marketing Martha has done, the growth of her email list in just a few short days, and what she has planned for the two weeks between the release of TRAITOR’S REVENGE and book three in the series, THE KEEPER RETURNS. Martha has also moved up the release of a short story to take advantage of an instafreebie opportunity, which you can check out here: Episode two of our case study will air in approximately two weeks. Please subscribe to be sure you don’t miss an episode: Wallis Jones launch schedule:   The List Conspiracy (Wallis Jones #1) on sale – December 1st The Trader’s Revenge (Wallis Jones #2) on pre-order Dec. 1st, on sale Dec. 8th The Keeper Returns (Wallis Jones #3) on pre-order Dec. 8th, on sale Dec. 22nd The Circle Rises (Wallis Jones #4) on pre-order Dec. 22nd, on sale Jan 9th The Watcher’s Revolt (Wallis Jones #5) on pre-order Jan. 9th, on sale Jan. 31st The Butterfly Project (Wallis Jones #6) on pre-order Jan. 31st, on sale Feb. 22nd   Links: Martha’s Instafreebie Promotion Martha’s website www.marthacarr.com Martha’s Amazon author page Martha’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries 20 Books to 50k Facebook Group The Author Biz Facebook Group Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. Creative commons image by PIR04D The post Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study – Episode 1 of 6 appeared first on .

Martha Carr is publishing six thrillers over the course of 91 days, and she’s agreed to share sales and marketing details with us after each book is released to discuss how the series is performing.  A fellow author, when seeing how calm Martha appears about all of this has given her the moniker, The Zen Killer of Thrillers, which seems appropriate. <a href="http://amzn.to/2h3rnXB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Book one in her Wallis Jones Series, <a href="http://amzn.to/2h3rnXB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THE LIST CONSPIRACY</a> was published on December 2nd, and we examine the results of the release, as well as the pre-orders for book two in the series, TRAITOR’S REVENGE. Results for the first book have been positive and Martha is already making plans to add audio and paper releases for the series. We spend time talking about the marketing Martha has done, the growth of her email list in just a few short days, and what she has planned for the two weeks between the release of <a href="http://amzn.to/2gbfvRF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TRAITOR’S REVENGE</a> and book three in the series, <a href="http://amzn.to/2hasgyk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THE KEEPER RETURNS</a>. <a href="http://amzn.to/2gbfvRF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Martha has also moved up the release of a short story to take advantage of an <a href="http://jlhendricksauthor.com/2016/12/06/potpourri-crazy-instafreebie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">instafreebie opportunity</a>, which you can check out here: Episode two of our case study will air in approximately two weeks. Please subscribe to be sure you don’t miss an episode: Wallis Jones launch schedule: <ol> <ol> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2ggmw7p" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The List Conspiracy </a>(Wallis Jones #1) on sale – December 1st</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2gbfvRF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Trader’s Revenge</a> (Wallis Jones #2) on pre-order Dec. 1st, on sale Dec. 8th</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2hasgyk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Keeper Returns</a> (Wallis Jones #3) on pre-order Dec. 8th, on sale Dec. 22nd</li> <li>The Circle Rises (Wallis Jones #4) on pre-order Dec. 22nd, on sale Jan 9th</li> <li>The Watcher’s Revolt (Wallis Jones #5) on pre-order Jan. 9th, on sale Jan. 31st</li> <li>The Butterfly Project (Wallis Jones #6) on pre-order Jan. 31st, on sale Feb. 22nd</li> </ol> </ol> <h3>Links:</h3> <a href="http://jlhendricksauthor.com/2016/12/06/potpourri-crazy-instafreebie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Martha’s Instafreebie Promotion</a> Martha’s website <a href="http://www.marthacarr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.marthacarr.com</a> Martha’s <a href="http://amzn.to/2h6pvhh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a> Martha’s Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries</a> 20 Books to 50k <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> The Author Biz <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. Creative commons image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/zen-stones-zen-stones-structure-1547783/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PIR04D</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/martha-carr-launch-strategy-case-study-episode-1-of-6/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study – Episode 1 of 6</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study – Episode 1 of 6

Scott Paul

Figure

Author Scott Paul is the guest in this week’s episode of The Author Biz. We first heard from today’s guest, Scott Paul in mid-May 2016 in an episode titled, “How to make real money in short stories.” At that time, Scott, who was writing only short fiction, had generated $10,000 in revenue in his first three months as an indie author, by writing several short books in his Athena Lee Chronicles series. Well, at lot has changed since May for Scott, who writes under the name T.S. Paul.  He’s launched a new series in a new genre, which is doing well, and he’s also writing longer. Each of the books in the new Federal Witch Series are novel length, which he launched by writing a short story to test the idea. Scott’s story is inspiring to me, and to many others as well, but you may hear some things in the interview that you disagree with regarding his thoughts on publishing. One of the great things about Scott’s story is that it is a great example of self-publishing success, but it is also an example that there is no one single path to indie publishing success. Show Notes for T.S. Paul Interview  Amazon exclusive author Founding member of 20 books to 50k group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/   Blogger  https://tspaul.blogspot.com/   Facebook author page  https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenEngineer/    February – April 2016   Revenue: $0 – $10,000 over 3 months writing short stories In the middle of The Athena Lee Chronicles  Put books out every 2-3 weeks  Published an in-between book  Advice to authors: leave space between your books, in terms of plot; let their be time lapse in the story between books       Wrote “Wednesday Stories” on blog  Packaged these stories into a book  Used an “anchor story” – a previously unreleased main story, and grouped it with the blog entries        May – September 2016   Revenue: $33,700 (total of ~ $43,000 so far) Made a choice for one of his main characters that opened up a few more niche markets he wasn’t expecting In early September, commissioned four covers in advance for a The Federal Witch, a paranormal series  He now has covers through book #8  Titles reflect the plot     Heather Hamilton-Senter created the art   Wrote a 10,000 word prequel to The Federal Witch series in 24 hours  Sold 3,000 copies in two weeks  9,979 copies sold to-date; 659,000 pages-read     Included this prequel in a friend’s free book promo over Halloween  Included it for three days; 6,500 copies were given away in those three days  This would bump the “sold” numbers to about 15,000; he still sells 30 copies a day at $0.99        October – November 2016   Revenue to-date: $90,000 in eight months Saw great success with The Federal Witch series, very quickly, in October  Sold $26,000 in October, JUST from Conjuring Quantico, (The Federal Witch #1)  Immediately dove into the second book To-date, Conjuring Quantico has made $53,300     Published and released two books in November:   War to the Knife, (The Athena Lee Chronicles, #10) Magical Probi, (The Federal Witch, #2)     Received Kindle awards for Most Sales for both books in this series     Was approached by four different audiobook publishers: Podium, Tantor, and a couple others; he turned them down, and signed with a company that offers 20%  Opinions on Reviews, Typos, and the Eras of Publishing  Reviews don’t matter!  Most people in the bookstore don’t pay attention to reviews   Typos also don’t matter  People will still buy and read your books The current texting culture has trained our brains to read what we know the word is, not how the word is written   The Four Eras of Publishing  Steve discussed the Eras of Publishing on a previous TAB broadcast with traditionally-published author, Harry Bingham  http://theauthorbiz.com/tab030-turning-away-big-5-publishing-harry-bingham/   The fourth and current era, is one where authors can consider for themselves what the best method of publication is for their book  offers options to both authors AND readers      Advice to struggling authors:  What does your cover look like? Does your book match the genre it’s supposed to be in? Are you advertising at all?  Start small with a Facebook ad  You may have to tweak it to find what works T.S. Paul spends $1,000 a month on advertising  Facebook ads, Amazon ads, BookBub ads, KU (gets 150,000 page-reads a day)     You HAVE to put it on social media!    Wrap-up  25 titles at the end of the year Made $180,000 from February 2016 – February 2017  Has made $91,000 this year alone   The Federal Witch series has made $131,000 Currently co-authoring a science-fiction novel with Michael Anderle  Released the cover 2/26    Links TS Paul Author Page at Amazon Scott’s website: http://tspaul.blogspot.com/ The Author Biz Facebook Group 20 Books to 50k Facebook Group Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission.   The post TAB107: Blowing Through the Six Figure Sales Level in Year One as an Indie Author, with Scott Paul appeared first on .

Author Scott Paul is the guest in this week’s episode of The Author Biz. We first heard from today’s guest, Scott Paul in mid-May 2016 in an episode titled, “<a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-make-real-money-selling-short-fiction/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to make real money in short stories</a>.” At that time, Scott, who was writing only short fiction, had generated $10,000 in revenue in his first three months as an indie author, by writing several short books in his Athena Lee Chronicles series. Well, at lot has changed since May for Scott, who writes under the name T.S. Paul.  He’s launched a new series in a new genre, which is doing well, and he’s also writing longer. Each of the books in the new Federal Witch Series are novel length, which he launched by writing a short story to test the idea. Scott’s story is inspiring to me, and to many others as well, but you may hear some things in the interview that you disagree with regarding his thoughts on publishing. One of the great things about Scott’s story is that it is a great example of self-publishing success, but it is also an example that there is no one single path to indie publishing success. Show Notes for T.S. Paul Interview <ul> <li>Amazon exclusive author</li> <li>Founding member of 20 books to 50k group <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Blogger <ul> <li><a href="https://tspaul.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://tspaul.blogspot.com/</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Facebook author page <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenEngineer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenEngineer/</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> February – April 2016 <ul> <li>Revenue: $0 – $10,000 over 3 months writing short stories</li> <li>In the middle of The Athena Lee Chronicles <ul> <li>Put books out every 2-3 weeks <ul> <li>Published an in-between book <ul> <li>Advice to authors: leave space between your books, in terms of plot; let their be time lapse in the story between books</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Wrote “Wednesday Stories” on blog <ul> <li>Packaged these stories into a book <ul> <li>Used an “anchor story” – a previously unreleased main story, and grouped it with the blog entries</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> May – September 2016 <ul> <li>Revenue: $33,700 (total of ~ $43,000 so far)</li> <li>Made a choice for one of his main characters that opened up a few more niche markets he wasn’t expecting</li> <li>In early September, commissioned four covers in advance for a The Federal Witch, a paranormal series <ul> <li>He now has covers through book #8 <ul> <li>Titles reflect the plot</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Heather Hamilton-Senter created the art</li> </ul> </li> <li>Wrote a 10,000 word prequel to The Federal Witch series in 24 hours <ul> <li>Sold 3,000 copies in two weeks <ul> <li>9,979 copies sold to-date; 659,000 pages-read</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Included this prequel in a friend’s free book promo over Halloween <ul> <li>Included it for three days; 6,500 copies were given away in those three days <ul> <li>This would bump the “sold” numbers to about 15,000; he still sells 30 copies a day at $0.99</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> October – November 2016 <ul> <li>Revenue to-date: $90,000 in eight months</li> <li>Saw great success with The Federal Witch series, very quickly, in October<a href="http://amzn.to/2mshW9J" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <ul> <li>Sold $26,000 in October, JUST from Conjuring Quantico, (The Federal Witch #1) <ul> <li>Immediately dove into the second book</li> <li>To-date, Conjuring Quantico has made $53,300</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Published and released two books in November:</li> <li> <ol> <li>War to the Knife, (The Athena Lee Chronicles, #10)</li> <li>Magical Probi, (The Federal Witch, #2)</li> </ol> <ul> <ul> <ul> <li>Received Kindle awards for Most Sales for both books in this series</li> </ul> </ul> </ul> </li> <li>Was approached by four different audiobook publishers: Podium, Tantor, and a couple others; he turned them down, and signed with a company that offers 20%</li> </ul> Opinions on Reviews, Typos, and the Eras of Publishing <ul> <li>Reviews don’t matter! <ul> <li>Most people in the bookstore don’t pay attention to reviews</li> </ul> </li> <li>Typos also don’t matter <ul> <li>People will still buy and read your books</li> <li>The current texting culture has trained our brains to read what we know the word is, not how the word is written</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Four Eras of Publishing <ul> <li>Steve discussed the Eras of Publishing on a previous TAB broadcast with traditionally-published author, Harry Bingham <ul> <li><a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/tab030-turning-away-big-5-publishing-harry-bingham/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theauthorbiz.com/tab030-turning-away-big-5-publishing-harry-bingham/</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>The fourth and current era, is one where authors can consider for themselves what the best method of publication is for their book <ul> <li>offers options to both authors AND readers</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> Advice to struggling authors: <ul> <li>What does your cover look like?</li> <li>Does your book match the genre it’s supposed to be in?</li> <li>Are you advertising at all? <ul> <li>Start small with a Facebook ad <ul> <li>You may have to tweak it to find what works</li> <li>T.S. Paul spends $1,000 a month on advertising <ul> <li>Facebook ads, Amazon ads, BookBub ads, KU (gets 150,000 page-reads a day)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>You HAVE to put it on social media!</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Wrap-up <ul> <li>25 titles at the end of the year</li> <li>Made $180,000 from February 2016 – February 2017 <ul> <li>Has made $91,000 this year alone</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Federal Witch series has made $131,000</li> <li>Currently co-authoring a science-fiction novel with Michael Anderle <ul> <li>Released the cover 2/26</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3>Links</h3> TS Paul <a href="http://amzn.to/1VXrzJg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Author Page at Amazon</a> Scott’s website: <a href="http://tspaul.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://tspaul.blogspot.com/</a> The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a> 20 Books to 50k <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/blowing-through-the-six-figure-sales-level-in-year-one-as-an-indie-author/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB107: Blowing Through the Six Figure Sales Level in Year One as an Indie Author, with Scott Paul</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB107: Blowing Through the Six Figure Sales Level in Year One as an Indie Author, with Scott Paul

Honorée Corder

Author and speaker Honorée Corder joins us for this episode of The Author Biz to discuss the launch process she uses for her books. Today’s guest is author and speaker Honorée Corder, who just published YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK, a nonfiction book that at first blush might seem unrelated to what we usually discuss on this show. The book provides professionals with the information they need to write and self-publish a book. We’re all writers here, so we KNOW that we should write a book, but we tend to think in terms of our fiction. According to surveys, roughly 75% of us haven’t seriously considered non-fiction yet. Should we? Well, Honorée thinks we should, but even if you don’t agree, yet, there’s plenty here for you in this 48-minute episode. We’ll take a deep dive into Honorée’s launch process as well as get into managing advance reader teams, choosing the right public relations firm, time management and even the importance of having a set of professionally done author photos. If you’re not familiar with Honorée or didn’t catch her on Author Biz episode 64, she’s the author of 20 books, including Vision to Reality, Prosperity for Writers, Business Dating, and The Successful Single Mom book series. She is also Hal Elrod’s business partner in The Miracle Morning book series, and that partnership recently published THE MIRACLE MORNING FOR WRITERS. Honorée coaches business professionals, writers, and aspiring non-fiction authors who want to publish their books to bestseller status, create a platform, and develop multiple streams of income. She also does all sorts of other magical things, and (I love this part) her badassery is legendary. Launch Process Show Notes Honorée explains why she began writing non-fiction and her reasons for writing her latest, YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK. We discuss the outline process for non-fiction and consider the ways in which that process is similar to plotting a novel. Chris Fox is an excellent example of a novelist who decided to write non-fiction and has developed a large following for his self-publishing and writing advice. We consider different ways of gathering market data and sanity checking non-fiction ideas. We discuss Honorée’s launch process for YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK and find ways in which her approach applies to launching novels as well. Honorée describes her Advanced Reader Team and the different ways they help in her launch process. We discuss the importance of a great author photo and Honorée shares her recent experience in updating hers for an upcoming Amazon event. We consider the value of public relations and Honorée shares her thoughts on finding the right firm if you feel you need one. The issue of time management is one that’s important to all of us. Honorée shares some of her tips for getting the most out of the time she spends working. Links Honorée’s website www.honoreecorder.com Purchase YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK at Amazon Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Thanks to Honorée Corder for joining us this week! The post TAB092: Managing the Launch Process for your Book with Honorée Corder appeared first on .

Author and speaker Honorée Corder joins us for this episode of The Author Biz to discuss the launch process she uses for her books. <a href="http://amzn.to/2d9Lzrv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Today’s guest is author and speaker Honorée Corder, who just published <a href="http://amzn.to/2d9Lzrv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK</a>, a nonfiction book that at first blush might seem unrelated to what we usually discuss on this show. The book provides professionals with the information they need to write and self-publish a book. We’re all writers here, so we KNOW that we should write a book, but we tend to think in terms of our fiction. According to surveys, roughly 75% of us haven’t seriously considered non-fiction yet. Should we? Well, Honorée thinks we should, but even if you don’t agree, yet, there’s plenty here for you in this 48-minute episode. We’ll take a deep dive into Honorée’s launch process as well as get into managing advance reader teams, choosing the right public relations firm, time management and even the importance of having a set of professionally done author photos. If you’re not familiar with Honorée or didn’t catch her on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/honoree-corder/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz episode 64</a>, she’s the author of 20 books, including Vision to Reality, <a href="http://amzn.to/2cIEYjV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Prosperity for Writers</a>, Business Dating, and The Successful Single Mom book series. She is also Hal Elrod’s business partner in The Miracle Morning book series, and that partnership recently published <a href="http://amzn.to/2dhtLdT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THE MIRACLE MORNING FOR WRITERS</a>. Honorée coaches business professionals, writers, and aspiring non-fiction authors who want to publish their books to bestseller status, create a platform, and develop multiple streams of income. She also does all sorts of other magical things, and (I love this part) her badassery is legendary. <h3>Launch Process Show Notes</h3> Honorée explains why she began writing non-fiction and her reasons for writing her latest, <a href="http://amzn.to/2d9Lzrv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK</a>. We discuss the outline process for non-fiction and consider the ways in which that process is similar to plotting a novel. <a href="https://chrisfoxwrites.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chris Fox</a> is an excellent example of a novelist who decided to write non-fiction and has developed a large following for his self-publishing and writing advice. We consider different ways of gathering market data and sanity checking non-fiction ideas. We discuss Honorée’s launch process for <a href="http://amzn.to/2d9Lzrv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK</a> and find ways in which her approach applies to launching novels as well. Honorée describes her Advanced Reader Team and the different ways they help in her launch process. We discuss the importance of a great author photo and Honorée shares her recent experience in updating hers for an upcoming Amazon event. We consider the value of public relations and Honorée shares her thoughts on finding the right firm if you feel you need one. The issue of time management is one that’s important to all of us. Honorée shares some of her tips for getting the most out of the time she spends working. <h3>Links</h3> Honorée’s website <a href="http://www.honoreecorder.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.honoreecorder.com</a> Purchase <a href="http://amzn.to/2d9Lzrv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YOU MUST WRITE A BOOK at Amazon</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Thanks to Honorée Corder for joining us this week! The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/managing-your-books-launch-process-with-honoree-corder/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB092: Managing the Launch Process for your Book with Honorée Corder</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB092: Managing the Launch Process for your Book with Honorée Corder

Kristi Belcamino

One of the great debates in the indie author community is the KDP Select versus selling wide choice that every indie author must consider. It’s easy to find success stories on both sides of the divide, but which direction is right for your author business? Mystery and thriller author Kristi Belcamino did her research when she transitioned from traditionally published to indie and chose KDP Select.  But she’s since changed her mind. In this episode, we discuss the thinking behind her decision and then spend some time discussing topics like making the switch from traditional to indie, the rapid release strategy for mysteries and thrillers, the goals she has for her new Facebook reader group, and more in this “welcome back” edition of the podcast.   Links David Gaughran’s Blog Post about Kristi and the rank stripping  Kristie’s website www.kristibelcamino.com Kristi’s Amazon page Kristi’s Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/CrimeCoffeeCannoli The todoist app Web Copy That Sells – By Maria Veloso Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB133: Making the Switch – Moving Away From KDP Select, with Kristi Belcamino appeared first on .

<a href="https://amzn.to/2HtiBz5" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>One of the great debates in the indie author community is the KDP Select versus selling wide choice that every indie author must consider. It’s easy to find success stories on both sides of the divide, but which direction is right for your author business? Mystery and thriller author <a href="https://amzn.to/2qZ8URO" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kristi Belcamino</a> did her research when she transitioned from traditionally published to indie and chose KDP Select.  But she’s since changed her mind. In this episode, we discuss the thinking behind her decision and then spend some time discussing topics like making the switch from traditional to indie, the rapid release strategy for mysteries and thrillers, the goals she has for her new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/CrimeCoffeeCannoli/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook reader group</a>, and more in this “welcome back” edition of the podcast. Links David Gaughran’s <a href="https://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/new-year-old-problem-innocent-author-rank-stripped-for-third-time/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Blog Post about Kristi and the rank stripping </a> Kristie’s website <a href="http://www.kristibelcamino.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.kristibelcamino.com</a> Kristi’s <a href="https://amzn.to/2qZ8URO" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon page</a> Kristi’s Facebook Group <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/CrimeCoffeeCannoli/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/groups/CrimeCoffeeCannoli</a> The <a href="https://todoist.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">todoist app</a> <a href="https://amzn.to/2qO9h1p" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Web Copy That Sells – By Maria Veloso</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/making-the-switch-moving-away-from-kdp-select-with-kristi-belcamino/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB133: Making the Switch – Moving Away From KDP Select, with Kristi Belcamino</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB133: Making the Switch – Moving Away From KDP Select, with Kristi Belcamino

Author A.D. Starrling is the guest in this episode of The Author Biz. “Begin with the end in mind.” That’s a phrase made popular by Stephen Covey in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but the earliest recorded usage of the idea came from Aristotle. A.D. Starrling It’s an approach that’s been around for years, and it’s the focus of our show today. Author and physician A.D. Starrling wants to write full time. After several years of writing and publishing her work she realized she needed a more effective plan to achieve her goals. She hired Kate Tilton as her author’s assistant and the two of them mapped out a focused twelve-month plan to set her on the path to becoming a full-time writer. That plan included both production and marketing goals, nearly all of which have been accomplished over the past year. We’ll spend some time talking about her goals and her broad plans for achieving them, and then we get into specifics. In this 53 minute interview, we discuss the value of a focused production and marketing plan to your business. The we take an in-depth look at how A.D. Starrling used consistent publishing, contests and advertising to drive reader engagement, build her author platform and sell more books.   Show Notes:  A.D. developed several goals for the past year and hired Kate Tilton (Author Biz episode 37) as her author’s assistant to help achieve those goals. A.D. knew that working the way she’d been working for the past few years wouldn’t allow her to reach her goal of becoming a full-time writer. The production plan for the past 12 months has included short stories, novels, audiobooks and Book Tracks. A.D. has followed Nick Stephenson’s ideas for growing her email list with great success. She followed the plan set out by Rachel Aaron’s book 2,000 to 10,000  to train herself to write more quickly. A.D. describes a multifaceted marketing push she did to generate new email subscribers and additional sales for her books. The push featured two different contests, a BookBub campaign, and other advertising. A.D. used the King Sumo Platform to run a contest in support of the audiobook release of SOUL MEANING. She used Give Away Promote to help promote her giveaway with great success. A.D. ran a BookBub for a boxed set of her books. We discuss the cost and results of that campaign. A.D.’s first BookTrack, for Soul Meaning is being released today, with special pricing for the first 48 hours.  Links: A.D. Starrling website www.adstarrling.com A.D.’s Amazon author page BookTracks for Soul Meaning website page King Sumo Giveaway Platform website Give Away Promote website Kate Tilton’s website Nick Stephenson’s book marketing website Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes!  Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. Thanks so much to A.D. Starrling for joining me this week. Creative Commons image by Werni The post TAB054: Planning to become a full-time writer, with A.D. Starrling appeared first on .

Author A.D. Starrling is the guest in this episode of The Author Biz. “Begin with the end in mind.” That’s a phrase made popular by Stephen Covey in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but the earliest recorded usage of the idea came from Aristotle. <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AD-Starrling-Author-Pic-Small.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>A.D. Starrling It’s an approach that’s been around for years, and it’s the focus of our show today. Author and physician <a href="http://www.adstarrling.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A.D. Starrling</a> wants to write full time. After several years of writing and publishing her work she realized she needed a more effective plan to achieve her goals. She hired Kate Tilton as her author’s assistant and the two of them mapped out a focused twelve-month plan to set her on the path to becoming a full-time writer. That plan included both production and marketing goals, nearly all of which have been accomplished over the past year. We’ll spend some time talking about her goals and her broad plans for achieving them, and then we get into specifics. <a href="http://amzn.to/1NEsXLh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>In this 53 minute interview, we discuss the value of a focused production and marketing plan to your business. The we take an in-depth look at how A.D. Starrling used consistent publishing, contests and advertising to drive reader engagement, build her author platform and sell more books.   <h3>Show Notes:</h3> <ul> <li>A.D. developed several goals for the past year and hired Kate Tilton (<a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/tab037-is-it-time-to-add-an-author-assistant-to-your-team/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz episode 37</a>) as her author’s assistant to help achieve those goals.</li> <li>A.D. knew that working the way she’d been working for the past few years wouldn’t allow her to reach her goal of becoming a full-time writer.</li> <li>The production plan for the past 12 months has included short stories, novels, audiobooks and Book Tracks.</li> <li>A.D. has followed <a href="http://noorosha.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nick Stephenson’s ideas</a> for growing her email list with great success.</li> <li>She followed the plan set out by Rachel Aaron’s book <a href="http://amzn.to/1JtfLaq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2,000 to 10,000</a>  to train herself to write more quickly.</li> <li>A.D. describes a multifaceted marketing push she did to generate new email subscribers and additional sales for her books. The push featured two different contests, a BookBub campaign, and other advertising.</li> <li>A.D. used the King Sumo Platform to run a contest in support of the <a href="http://amzn.to/1Ptd1tV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">audiobook release of SOUL MEANING</a>.</li> <li>She used Give Away Promote to help promote her giveaway with great success.</li> <li>A.D. ran a BookBub for a <a href="http://amzn.to/1JeS5mz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">boxed set of her books</a>. We discuss the cost and results of that campaign.</li> <li>A.D.’s first <a href="https://promo.booktrack.com/soul-meaning" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BookTrack, for Soul Meaning</a> is being released today, with special pricing for the first 48 hours.</li> </ul> <h3>Links:</h3> A.D. Starrling website <a href="http://www.adstarrling.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.adstarrling.com</a> A.D.’s <a href="http://amzn.to/1fAV4Ny" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a> BookTracks for Soul Meaning <a href="http://promo.booktrack.com/soul-meaning" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website page</a> King Sumo Giveaway Platform <a href="https://kingsumo.com/apps/giveaways/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> Give Away Promote <a href="http://www.giveawaypromote.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> Kate Tilton’s <a href="http://katetilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> Nick Stephenson’s book marketing <a href="http://noorosha.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>!  Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks so much to A.D. Starrling for joining me this week. Creative Commons image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/users/Werni-54897/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Werni</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/planning-to-become-a-full-time-writer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB054: Planning to become a full-time writer, with A.D. Starrling</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB054: Planning to become a full-time writer, with A.D. Starrling

Elizabeth Mackey

Cover design whiz and graphics designer Elizabeth Mackey joins us on this episode of The Author Biz podcast. You can’t judge a book by its cover. Right? The old saying may be true, but unfortunately for authors, a great many readers won’t have the opportunity to judge your book unless your cover appeals to them. Today’s guest is cover designer Elizabeth Mackey. She’s a military wife, mom, and freelance graphic designer. She graduated with honors from the Art Institute of California, San Diego, with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Graphic Design and she has 14 years of experience in graphic design and over 20 years of experience in fine art. Elizabeth’s name came up during Author Biz Episode 82 when both guests of the show mentioned using her for their covers. I did some research and loved the work Elizabeth was doing for her many clients, which include past Author Biz guests, CA Newsome, Bobbi Holmes, and Russell Blake. This week’s show is also one that was recorded in video and I think the video enhances things a bit during the discussion because we’re able to bring some “show and tell” elements to the show. Elizabeth mentions several specific covers as examples, for both series and stand-alone books, and where available I’ve dropped those images into the video. You’ll still get 95% of the value from just listening, the way you normally do, but this might be one episode that you’ll want to consider watching.  Prior to the interview, I mention (in the podcast, not the video) two things that caught my eye over the past week.  The first, from author Bruce Cantwell, is a method of serializing a book to attract readers to your email list.  The second is a new Universal Book Link service for digital book sales from Draft2Digital called Books2Read. This new service is free and extremely powerful. Universal Book Links provide a single URL that an author, publisher, or fan can share online. Instead of linking to just one digital bookstore (or posting lots of links to lots of different stores and territories), you can share one Universal Book Link, and a reader can follow it to reach the book on her favorite store. In this 41 minute episode, we discuss her process for designing covers, the differences between designing covers for a stand-alone book and a series, the importance of fonts and even some of the resources she uses in her cover design business. Cover Design Episode Show Notes We walk through the information Elizabeth requests from new clients before beginning a cover design project. Elizabeth shares her thoughts on the importance of selecting the right font for your cover. We discuss the pros and cons of using a full face on your cover. Elizabeth tells the story of where the model came from for THE DAY AFTER NEVER series, from author Russell Blake. We discuss the difference between designing the cover of a stand-alone novel versus covers for a series. Elizabeth shares her thoughts on expanding the branding created with your cover design to your social media accounts. We discuss what it means when people say your cover needs to look as a thumbnail image. We specifically discuss a recent project Elizabeth did for author Jeff Elkins. Jeff had developed some cover ideas on his own for his first book, MENKEN AND THE MONSTERS and shared them with the Author Biz Facebook Group. Based on feedback from inside the group and elsewhere, he decided to hire Elizabeth.  You can compare Jeff’s possible covers with Elizabeth’s design below.  As a final interview note, we discuss Elizabeth’s choice for stock images.  She uses one of the monthly subscription options from Big Stock Photo. Links Elizabeth’s website www.elizabethmackey.com Elizabeth’s Facebook page Big Stock Photo website Books2Read website for free universal book links www.books2read.com An example of a custom universal link for THE MASK by Taylor Stevens.  hwww.books2read.com/themask Bruce Cantwell’s Mysterious News Newsletter www.brucecantwell.com The Author Biz Youtube Chanel Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Thanks to Elizabeth Mackey for joining us this week! The post TAB085: Cover Design Tips with Elizabeth Mackey appeared first on .

Cover design whiz and graphics designer Elizabeth Mackey joins us on this episode of The Author Biz podcast. You can’t judge a book by its cover. Right? The old saying may be true, but unfortunately for authors, a great many readers won’t have the opportunity to judge your book unless your cover appeals to them. Today’s guest is cover designer <a href="http://www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elizabeth Mackey</a>. She’s a military wife, mom, and freelance graphic designer. She graduated with honors from the Art Institute of California, San Diego, with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Graphic Design and she has 14 years of experience in graphic design and over 20 years of experience in fine art. Elizabeth’s name came up during <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/two-different-approaches-to-successful-pre-orders/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Episode 82</a> when both guests of the show mentioned using her for their covers. I did some research and loved the work Elizabeth was doing for her many clients, which include past Author Biz guests, CA Newsome, Bobbi Holmes, and Russell Blake. This week’s show is also one that was recorded in video and I think the video enhances things a bit during the discussion because we’re able to bring some “show and tell” elements to the show. Elizabeth mentions several specific covers as examples, for both series and stand-alone books, and where available I’ve dropped those images into the video. You’ll still get 95% of the value from just listening, the way you normally do, but this might be one episode that you’ll want to consider watching. Prior to the interview, I mention (in the podcast, not the video) two things that caught my eye over the past week.  The first, from author <a href="http://www.brucecantwell.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bruce Cantwell</a>, is a method of serializing a book to attract readers to your email list.  The second is a new Universal Book Link service for digital book sales from Draft2Digital called <a href="http://www.books2read.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Books2Read</a>. This new service is free and extremely powerful. Universal Book Links provide a single URL that an author, publisher, or fan can share online. Instead of linking to just one digital bookstore (or posting lots of links to lots of different stores and territories), you can share one Universal Book Link, and a reader can follow it to reach the book on her favorite store. In this 41 minute episode, we discuss her process for designing covers, the differences between designing covers for a stand-alone book and a series, the importance of fonts and even some of the resources she uses in her cover design business. <h3>Cover Design Episode Show Notes</h3> We walk through the information Elizabeth requests from new clients before beginning a cover design project. Elizabeth shares her thoughts on the importance of selecting the right font for your cover. We discuss the pros and cons of using a full face on your cover. Elizabeth tells the story of where the model came from for THE DAY AFTER NEVER series, from author Russell Blake. We discuss the difference between designing the cover of a stand-alone novel versus covers for a series. Elizabeth shares her thoughts on expanding the branding created with your cover design to your social media accounts. We discuss what it means when people say your cover needs to look as a thumbnail image. We specifically discuss a recent project Elizabeth did for author Jeff Elkins. Jeff had developed some cover ideas on his own for his first book, <a href="http://amzn.to/2aAZyRX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MENKEN AND THE MONSTERS</a> and shared them with the Author Biz Facebook Group. Based on feedback from inside the group and elsewhere, he decided to hire Elizabeth.  You can compare Jeff’s possible covers with Elizabeth’s design below. <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Cover-Design.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> As a final interview note, we discuss Elizabeth’s choice for stock images.  She uses one of the monthly subscription options from <a href="http://www.bigstockphoto.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Big Stock Photo</a>. <h3>Links</h3> Elizabeth’s website <a href="http://www.elizabethmackey.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.elizabethmackey.com</a> Elizabeth’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Elizabeth-Mackey-Graphic-Design-645570088787655/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> Big Stock Photo <a href="http://www.bigstockphoto.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> Books2Read website for free universal book links <a href="http://www.books2read.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.books2read.com</a> An example of a custom universal link for THE MASK by Taylor Stevens.  <a href="http://www.books2read.com/themask" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hwww.books2read.com/themask</a> Bruce Cantwell’s Mysterious News Newsletter <a href="http://www.brucecantwell.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.brucecantwell.com</a> The Author Biz <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theauthorbiz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Youtube Chanel</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Thanks to Elizabeth Mackey for joining us this week! The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/cover-design-tips-with-elizabeth-mackey/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB085: Cover Design Tips with Elizabeth Mackey</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB085: Cover Design Tips with Elizabeth Mackey

Carol Newsome and Bobbi Holmes join us to talk pre-orders on this edition of The Author Biz Do you use pre-orders as a part of your launch process? It’s an interesting and much-debated topic in the indie publishing world right now. In April, we covered the subject with Elizabeth Craig, who had a disappointing experience using pre-orders and doesn’t plan on using them again. That episode generated some interesting conversation inside The Author Biz Facebook Group from a number of authors, including two with much different, much more positive results when using them. Carol Newsome The two authors, C.A. Newsome and Bobbi Holmes, who are also good friends, agreed to come onto the show together to discuss their different approaches to pre-orders. Bobbi has found success with pre-orders in part because of an aggressive, four book a year publishing schedule, while CA, or Carol, combined contests and a larger email list to get the most out of the recent pre-order for her mystery series. Carol Newsome writes the Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries, a series of fun, romantic suspense/mystery novels inspired by and centered around her mornings at the Mount Airy Dog Park. Bobbi Holmes began writing stories in grade school and wrote her first book in high school. She writes mature fiction under her nom de plume, Anna J. McIntyre. Under her real name, she writes non-fiction and the Haunting Danielle series which we discuss during the show. In this 45 minute episode, we take a deep dive into pre-orders and delve into other topics like cover design, mailing lists, pricing, and launch strategies. Pre-Order Show Notes Carol and Bobbi agree on the importance of having an existing audience before trying pre-orders. Carol shares her strategy for combining a BookBub promotion with the pre-order as a way of driving pre-order traffic. Carol used her mailing list and a contest to generate reader interest in pre-ordering her latest book, MUDDY MOUTH. Carol’s recent pre-order allowed her to stay on Amazon’s Hot New Release list for an extended period of time. Bobbi began using pre-orders with book two of her Haunting Danielle series and she’s seen an increase in the number of pre-orders with each new release. Because of her aggressive, every 90-day release schedule, Bobbi always has one book available for pre-order. We discuss the ways in which Carol grew her email list by 1,500 names over a six-month period. We discuss cover design and the fact that both Bobbi and Carol share the same cover designer, Bobbi’s daughter Elizabeth, who brings 14 years of experience in graphic design and over 20 years of experience in fine art to her business as a cover designer. Links: Carol’s Website www.canewsome.com Carol’s Amazon Author Page Bobbi’s author websites, www.bobbiholmes.com and www.annajmcintyreauthor.com Bobbi’s Amazon Author Page Elizabeth Mackey Graphics Website www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com Sign up for Facebook Ads for Authors using The Author Biz affiliate link. Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Thanks to Carol Newsome and Bobbi Holmes for joining us this week! The post TAB082: Two Different Approaches to Successful Pre-Orders appeared first on .

Carol Newsome and Bobbi Holmes join us to talk pre-orders on this edition of The Author Biz Do you use pre-orders as a part of your launch process? It’s an interesting and much-debated topic in the indie publishing world right now. In April, we covered the subject with <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/pre-orders-are-they-always-a-good-idea/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elizabeth Craig</a>, who had a disappointing experience using pre-orders and doesn’t plan on using them again. That episode generated some interesting conversation inside <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Author Biz Facebook Group</a> from a number of authors, including two with much different, much more positive results when using them. <a href="http://canewsome.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Carol Newsome The two authors, C.A. Newsome and Bobbi Holmes, who are also good friends, agreed to come onto the show together to discuss their different approaches to pre-orders. Bobbi has found success with pre-orders in part because of an aggressive, four book a year publishing schedule, while CA, or Carol, combined contests and a larger email list to get the most out of the recent pre-order for her mystery series. Carol Newsome writes the Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries, a series of fun, romantic suspense/mystery novels inspired by and centered around her mornings at the Mount Airy Dog Park. <a href="http://www.bobbiholmes.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Bobbi Holmes began writing stories in grade school and wrote her first book in high school. She writes mature fiction under her nom de plume, Anna J. McIntyre. Under her real name, she writes non-fiction and the Haunting Danielle series which we discuss during the show. In this 45 minute episode, we take a deep dive into pre-orders and delve into other topics like cover design, mailing lists, pricing, and launch strategies. <h3>Pre-Order Show Notes</h3> Carol and Bobbi agree on the importance of having an existing audience before trying pre-orders. Carol shares her strategy for combining a BookBub promotion with the pre-order as a way of driving pre-order traffic. <a href="http://amzn.to/1PTWNiq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Carol used her mailing list and a contest to generate reader interest in pre-ordering her latest book, <a href="http://amzn.to/1PTWNiq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MUDDY MOUTH</a>. Carol’s recent pre-order allowed her to stay on Amazon’s Hot New Release list for an extended period of time. Bobbi began using pre-orders with book two of her <a href="http://amzn.to/1sAZWJF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Haunting Danielle series</a> and she’s seen an increase in the number of pre-orders with each new release. <a href="http://amzn.to/1XPoUSW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Because of her aggressive, every 90-day release schedule, Bobbi always has one book available for pre-order. We discuss the ways in which Carol grew her email list by 1,500 names over a six-month period. We discuss cover design and the fact that both Bobbi and Carol share the same cover designer, Bobbi’s daughter Elizabeth, who brings 14 years of experience in graphic design and over 20 years of experience in fine art to her business as a <a href="http://www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cover designer</a>. <h3>Links:</h3> Carol’s Website <a href="http://www.canewsome.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.canewsome.com</a> Carol’s <a href="http://amzn.to/24JfIhp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> Bobbi’s author websites, <a href="http://www.bobbiholmes.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.bobbiholmes.com</a> and <a href="http://annajmcintyreauthor.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.annajmcintyreauthor.com</a> Bobbi’s <a href="http://amzn.to/1UtCepd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> Elizabeth Mackey Graphics Website <a href="http://www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com</a> Sign up for <a href="http://www.selfpublishingformula.com/stevespf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Ads for Authors</a> using The Author Biz affiliate link. <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Thanks to Carol Newsome and Bobbi Holmes for joining us this week! The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/two-different-approaches-to-successful-pre-orders/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB082: Two Different Approaches to Successful Pre-Orders</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB082: Two Different Approaches to Successful Pre-Orders

Robert Gregory Browne is the guest on this episode of The Author Biz podcast. Robert Gregory Browne What’s the secret to the success of your author business? I’ve been asking a version of that question to many of my recent guests and I love the way the answer to that single question sets the direction of the show. For today’s guest, screenwriter, turned traditionally published author, turned indie author, Robert Gregory Browne the answer was his unwillingness to give up.  To keep persevering when success didn’t fall upon him immediately, the way we all hope it will. Robert kept at it, taking 19 years to achieve his first real success as a screenwriter and reinventing himself a few times along the way. Since becoming an indie author in 2012 Robert has either written or been involved in the writing of a dozen novels. He’s written his own books, he’s co-authored books, and he’s launched a fascinating new project, THE LINGER SERIES, which combines a story idea he had several years ago with an epiphany he had while binge-watching House of Cards on Netflix. In this 53 minute episode, we get into the value of not giving up, Robert’s willingness to experiment and his thoughts on the craft of writing, which he’s expressed in his new book, CASTING THE BONES, An Indie Authors Guide to the Craft of Fiction.   Show Notes:  Robert began writing when he was 16 and didn’t see his first success as a writer until age 35 when he sold a screenplay to Showtime. He sold his first novel at age 50 and credits never giving up as a chief reason for the success of his author business. Robert explains how and why he transitioned from traditional to indie publishing in 2012. We discuss the LINGER Series – A fascinating experiment in trying to determine if the binge-watching habits people have developed through watching would transfer to reading. We discuss CASTING THE BONES, Robert’s new book for authors. One of the points Robert makes in the book is that the best way to write is the way that works best for you. A discussion of the “show don’t tell” rule beginning authors try so hard to follow. Robert believes “show AND tell” is a better approach for many of us. The value of getting some distance from your work as a way of helping  authors to determine if a book is ready to be published. The importance of making connections with other authors through conferences, events, and even social media. Robert shares his thoughts on the benefits and pitfalls of using Facebook as an author. Robert began using the “sign up and get a free e-book” technique that many authors are using to increase the size of their email list several months ago. He shares his experience using the technique. Robert shares his thoughts on what’s working now for authors and the value of publishing high-quality books and building your catalog.  Links Robert’s website, www.robertgregorybrowne.com Purchase CASTING THE BONES at Amazon Purchase the LINGER series at Amazon Braun Haus Media website Robert’s Facebook page Barry Eisler’s post on JA Konrath’s blog – Shocking WSJ Discovery: Higher Prices=Lower Volume! Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. Thanks to Robert Gregory Brown for joining us this week. Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but The Author Biz will earn a small commission. Creative Commons image by aatlas  The post TAB056: Refusing to Give Up as a Formula For Success, with Robert Gregory Browne appeared first on .

Robert Gregory Browne is the guest on this episode of The Author Biz podcast. <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Robert-Gregory-Browne.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Robert Gregory Browne What’s the secret to the success of your author business? I’ve been asking a version of that question to many of my recent guests and I love the way the answer to that single question sets the direction of the show. For today’s guest, screenwriter, turned traditionally published author, turned indie author, Robert Gregory Browne the answer was his unwillingness to give up.  To keep persevering when success didn’t fall upon him immediately, the way we all hope it will. Robert kept at it, taking 19 years to achieve his first real success as a screenwriter and reinventing himself a few times along the way. <a href="http://amzn.to/1IRIQr6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Since becoming an indie author in 2012 Robert has either written or been involved in the writing of a dozen novels. He’s written his own books, he’s co-authored books, and he’s launched a fascinating new project, THE LINGER SERIES, which combines a story idea he had several years ago with an epiphany he had while binge-watching House of Cards on Netflix. In this 53 minute episode, we get into the value of not giving up, Robert’s willingness to experiment and his thoughts on the craft of writing, which he’s expressed in his new book, <a href="http://amzn.to/1IRIQr6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CASTING THE BONES</a>, An Indie Authors Guide to the Craft of Fiction.   <h3>Show Notes:</h3> <ul> <li>Robert began writing when he was 16 and didn’t see his first success as a writer until age 35 when he sold a screenplay to Showtime.</li> <li>He sold his first novel at age 50 and credits never giving up as a chief reason for the success of his author business.</li> <li>Robert explains how and why he transitioned from traditional to indie publishing in 2012.</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/1IRJepx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>We discuss the <a href="http://amzn.to/1IRJepx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LINGER Series</a> – A fascinating experiment in trying to determine if the binge-watching habits people have developed through watching would transfer to reading.</li> <li>We discuss CASTING THE BONES, Robert’s new book for authors.</li> <li>One of the points Robert makes in the book is that the best way to write is the way that works best for you.</li> <li>A discussion of the “show don’t tell” rule beginning authors try so hard to follow. Robert believes “show AND tell” is a better approach for many of us.</li> <li>The value of getting some distance from your work as a way of helping  authors to determine if a book is ready to be published.</li> <li>The importance of making connections with other authors through conferences, events, and even social media.</li> <li>Robert shares his thoughts on the benefits and pitfalls of using Facebook as an author.</li> <li>Robert began using the “sign up and get a free e-book” technique that many authors are using to increase the size of their email list several months ago. He shares his experience using the technique.</li> <li>Robert shares his thoughts on what’s working now for authors and the value of publishing high-quality books and building your catalog.</li> </ul> <h3>Links</h3> Robert’s website, <a href="http://www.robertgregorybrowne.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.robertgregorybrowne.com</a> Purchase CASTING THE BONES at <a href="http://amzn.to/1IRIQr6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> Purchase the LINGER series at <a href="http://amzn.to/1IRJepx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> Braun Haus Media <a href="http://braunhausmedia.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> Robert’s Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/robertgregorybrowne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">page</a> Barry Eisler’s post on JA Konrath’s blog – <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2015/09/shocking-wsj-discovery-higher.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shocking WSJ Discovery: Higher Prices=Lower Volume!</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks to Robert Gregory Brown for joining us this week. Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but The Author Biz will earn a small commission. Creative Commons image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/users/aatlas-202748/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">aatlas</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/robert-gregory-browne/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB056: Refusing to Give Up as a Formula For Success, with Robert Gregory Browne</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB056: Refusing to Give Up as a Formula For Success, with Robert Gregory Browne

Martha Carr is publishing six thrillers over the course of 91 days, and she’s agreed to share sales and marketing details with us after each book is released to discuss how the series is performing.  A fellow author, when seeing how calm Martha appears about all of this has given her the moniker, The Zen Killer of Thrillers, which seems appropriate. Book five in her Wallis Jones Series,  THE WATCHER’S REVOLT was published on January 31st, and we examine the results of the release and discuss how things are going for the series. We also get into some adjustments she’s made to the series after really zeroing in on reader reaction to things like covers and the beginning of the first book. Episode five of our case study will air in approximately three weeks. Please subscribe to be sure you don’t miss an episode: Wallis Jones launch schedule:   The List Conspiracy (Wallis Jones #1) on sale – December 1st The Traitor’s Revenge (Wallis Jones #2) on pre-order Dec. 1st, on sale Dec. 8th The Keeper Returns (Wallis Jones #3) on pre-order Dec. 8th, on sale Dec. 22nd The Circle Rises (Wallis Jones #4) on pre-order Dec. 22nd, on sale Jan 9th The Watcher’s Revolt (Wallis Jones #5) on pre-order Jan. 9th, on sale Jan. 31st The Butterfly Project (Wallis Jones #6) on pre-order Jan. 31st, on sale Feb. 22nd   Links: Martha’s website www.marthacarr.com The Lost Mission on Instafreebie (the App) Martha’s Amazon author page Martha’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries Martha’s Cover Designer, Victoria Cooper 20 Books to 50k Facebook Group The Author Biz Facebook Group Michael Anderle’s Kurtherian Books website Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. Creative commons image by PIR04D The post CS04: Adjustment Time – Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study, Episode 4 of 6 appeared first on .

Martha Carr is publishing six thrillers over the course of 91 days, and she’s agreed to share sales and marketing details with us after each book is released to discuss how the series is performing.  A fellow author, when seeing how calm Martha appears about all of this has given her the moniker, The Zen Killer of Thrillers, which seems appropriate. <a href="http://amzn.to/2k6BzlL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Book five in her Wallis Jones Series,  <a href="http://amzn.to/2k6BzlL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THE WATCHER’S REVOLT</a> was published on January 31st, and we examine the results of the release and discuss how things are going for the series. We also get into some adjustments she’s made to the series after really zeroing in on reader reaction to things like covers and the beginning of the first book. Episode five of our case study will air in approximately three weeks. Please subscribe to be sure you don’t miss an episode: Wallis Jones launch schedule: <ol> <ol> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2ggmw7p" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The List Conspiracy </a>(Wallis Jones #1) on sale – December 1st</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2gbfvRF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Traitor’s Revenge</a> (Wallis Jones #2) on pre-order Dec. 1st, on sale Dec. 8th</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2hasgyk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Keeper Returns</a> (Wallis Jones #3) on pre-order Dec. 8th, on sale Dec. 22nd</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2jifz46" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Circle Rises</a> (Wallis Jones #4) on pre-order Dec. 22nd, on sale Jan 9th</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2k6BzlL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Watcher’s Revolt</a> (Wallis Jones #5) on pre-order Jan. 9th, on sale Jan. 31st</li> <li>The Butterfly Project (Wallis Jones #6) on pre-order Jan. 31st, on sale Feb. 22nd</li> </ol> </ol> <h3>Links:</h3> Martha’s website <a href="http://www.marthacarr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.marthacarr.com</a> The Lost Mission on Instafreebie (the App) Martha’s <a href="http://amzn.to/2h6pvhh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a> Martha’s Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries</a> Martha’s Cover Designer, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaCooperArt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Victoria Cooper</a> 20 Books to 50k <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> The Author Biz <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> Michael Anderle’s <a href="http://www.kurtherianbooks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kurtherian Books website</a> Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. Creative commons image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/zen-stones-zen-stones-structure-1547783/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PIR04D</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/martha-carr-launch-strategy-case-study-episode-4-of-6/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CS04: Adjustment Time – Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study, Episode 4 of 6</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

CS04: Adjustment Time – Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study, Episode 4 of 6

TAB091: Crafting a Welcome Email Sequence for your Author Email List

Show Notes In today’s episode, we’re learning from thriller author AC Fuller, who set a goal for himself to become a full-time writer in late 2016 and over the past year went out and accomplished that goal. There’s a lot to like about this interview as we get into subjects like being successful landing Bookbub ads and the value AC has found in running AMS ads for his Alex Vane media thriller series. We into the launch strategy he’s put together for a new series that’s coming out after the first of the year, and the mindset change that allowed him to achieve his goal of becoming a full-time author. Once a journalist in New York, A.C. Fuller now writes novels stories at the intersection of media, politics, and technology. Before he began writing full time, he was an adjunct professor of journalism at NYU and an English teacher at Northwest Indian College. Links   AC Fuller Amazon Author Page AC Fuller’s Facebook page  AC Fuller Author Website www.acfuller.com 20booksto50k Facebook Group Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the Author Biz Facebook Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post TAB130: Laser Focus as the Path to Becoming a Full Time Author with A.C. Fuller appeared first on .

<h3>Show Notes</h3> <a href="http://www.acfuller.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>In today’s episode, we’re learning from thriller author AC Fuller, who set a goal for himself to become a full-time writer in late 2016 and over the past year went out and accomplished that goal. There’s a lot to like about this interview as we get into subjects like being successful landing Bookbub ads and the value AC has found in running AMS ads for his Alex Vane media thriller series. We into the launch strategy he’s put together for a new series that’s coming out after the first of the year, and the mindset change that allowed him to achieve his goal of becoming a full-time author. <a href="http://amzn.to/2BOWTT0" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Once a journalist in New York, A.C. Fuller now writes novels stories at the intersection of media, politics, and technology. Before he began writing full time, he was an adjunct professor of journalism at NYU and an English teacher at Northwest Indian College. <h3>Links</h3> AC Fuller <a href="http://amzn.to/2AFru67" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> AC Fuller’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/acfullerauthor/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook page </a> AC Fuller Author Website <a href="http://www.acfuller.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.acfuller.com</a> 20booksto50k<a href="http://www.acfuller.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you’d like a deeper connection with the show, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Author Biz Facebook Group</a>. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/laser-focus-as-the-path-to-becoming-a-full-time-author-with-a-c-fuller/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB130: Laser Focus as the Path to Becoming a Full Time Author with A.C. Fuller</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB130: Laser Focus as the Path to Becoming a Full Time Author with A.C. Fuller

Michael Anderle and Stephen Russell are the guests in this episode of The Author Biz Efficiency experts tell us to focus on the 20% of our work that generates 80% of the results. Michael Anderle For author Michael Anderle, and probably for most of us, that means keeping your focus on the writing. Michael learned late last year that publishing without the aid of an editor wasn’t a great idea. His readers loved the stories, but many of his positive reviews included a note concerning the editing of the books. The editing process, as it operates for most of us, left Michael with a big problem. To reach the ambitious production goals he’d set for himself, he needed to average 37 days between releases of his Kurtherian Gambit science fiction series. That’s for everything. Writing, editing, cover design, marketing plan and publication. Michael, with his background in information technology, knew there had to be a better way, and that’s where today’s second guest, Stephen Russell comes in. Stephen is a voracious reader of science fiction, and after finishing Michael’s fourth book, he agreed to join the beta reading team, and that’s where the story gets interesting. Stephen Russell Stephen now serves as Michael’s Production Editor, managing an editing process that includes multiple editing passes and several beta readers, using free and low-cost technology.  This allows Michael to continue to please his growing legion of readers by publishing new books on a rapid and regular schedule. In this 55 minute episode, Michael, Stephen Russell and I take a deep dive into the 27-day writing and editing process for the 7th book in Michael’s series, KNEEL OR DIE, which hit multiple Amazon bestseller lists on launch week.  Hacking the Editing Process Show Notes    We discuss the way in which Stephen and the beta reading team edited the 6th book in the series, and improved on that somewhat cumbersome process to wind up with the much-improved process they used for the 7th book. We walk through the workflow that Michael and Stephen used to streamline the editing process.  We discuss the way Stephen interacted with the beta readers and how those beta readers interacted amongst themselves, using Google Docs and the private Facebook group that Michael created for the KNEEL OR DIE team. Michael explains what this “just in time” editing process is like for him as an author. We discuss the different skillsets Stephen uses in his role as Michael’s “production editor.” Their process Michael and Stephen use is still evolving. They consider the ways it may change with the next book. Michael shares his gross sales numbers for the first three months of this year. We discuss a short-story experiment Michael is running, that he hopes will bring new readers to the Kurtherian Gambit series. We discuss some technology that Michael’s team has developed, which allows authors to learn more from Amazon’s also bought data. While still in its infancy, Michael is happy to generate reports for interested authors. You can email him – mike at Kurtherianbooks dot com.  Links  Michael Anderle’s author website www.kurtherianbooks.com Michael’s Amazon author page Michael’s Facebook Author Page Michael’s email address is mike at Kurtherianbooks dot com Author Biz 2016 Survey   Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. Thanks to Michael Anderle and Stephen Russell for joining us this week. Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but The Author Biz will earn a small commission.   The post TAB073: Hacking the Editing Process appeared first on .

Michael Anderle and Stephen Russell are the guests in this episode of The Author Biz Efficiency experts tell us to focus on the 20% of our work that generates 80% of the results. Michael Anderle For author Michael Anderle, and probably for most of us, that means keeping your focus on the writing. Michael learned late last year that publishing without the aid of an editor wasn’t a great idea. His readers loved the stories, but many of his positive reviews included a note concerning the editing of the books. The editing process, as it operates for most of us, left Michael with a big problem. To reach the ambitious production goals he’d set for himself, he needed to average 37 days between releases of his <a href="http://amzn.to/1WBzadu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kurtherian Gambit science fiction series</a>. That’s for everything. Writing, editing, cover design, marketing plan and publication. Michael, with his background in information technology, knew there had to be a better way, and that’s where today’s second guest, Stephen Russell comes in. Stephen is a voracious reader of science fiction, and after finishing Michael’s fourth book, he agreed to join the beta reading team, and that’s where the story gets interesting. Stephen Russell Stephen now serves as Michael’s Production Editor, managing an editing process that includes multiple editing passes and several beta readers, using free and low-cost technology.  This allows Michael to continue to please his growing legion of readers by publishing new books on a rapid and regular schedule. In this 55 minute episode, Michael, Stephen Russell and I take a deep dive into the 27-day writing and editing process for the 7th book in Michael’s series, <a href="http://amzn.to/21OGx2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">KNEEL OR DIE</a>, which hit multiple Amazon bestseller lists on launch week.  <h3>Hacking the Editing Process Show Notes</h3> <ul> <li>We discuss the way in which Stephen and the beta reading team edited the 6th book in the series, and improved on that somewhat cumbersome process to wind up with the much-improved process they used for the 7th book.</li> <li>We walk through the workflow that Michael and Stephen used to streamline the editing process. </li> <li>We discuss the way Stephen interacted with the beta readers and how those beta readers interacted amongst themselves, using Google Docs and the private Facebook group that Michael created for the <a href="http://amzn.to/21OGx2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">KNEEL OR DIE</a> team.</li> <li>Michael explains what this “just in time” editing process is like for him as an author.</li> <li>We discuss the different skillsets Stephen uses in his role as Michael’s “production editor.”</li> <li>Their process Michael and Stephen use is still evolving. They consider the ways it may change with the next book.</li> <li>Michael shares his gross sales numbers for the first three months of this year.</li> <li>We discuss a short-story experiment Michael is running, that he hopes will bring new readers to the Kurtherian Gambit series.</li> <li>We discuss some technology that Michael’s team has developed, which allows authors to learn more from Amazon’s also bought data. While still in its infancy, Michael is happy to generate reports for interested authors. You can email him – mike at Kurtherianbooks dot com.</li> </ul> <h3>Links</h3> <ul> <li>Michael Anderle’s author website <a href="http://kurtherianbooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.kurtherianbooks.com</a></li> <li>Michael’s Amazon <a href="http://amzn.to/1WBzadu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">author page</a></li> <li>Michael’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheKurtherianGambitBooks/?ref=hl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Author Page</a></li> <li>Michael’s email address is mike at Kurtherianbooks dot com</li> <li>Author Biz <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/tab-survey/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2016 Survey</a> </li> </ul> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks to Michael Anderle and Stephen Russell for joining us this week. Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but The Author Biz will earn a small commission. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/hacking-the-editing-process/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB073: Hacking the Editing Process</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB073: Hacking the Editing Process

Martha Carr is publishing six thrillers over the course of 91 days, and she’s agreed to share sales and marketing details with us after each book is released to discuss how the series is performing.  A fellow author, when seeing how calm Martha appears about all of this has given her the moniker, The Zen Killer of Thrillers, which seems appropriate. Book Two in her Wallis Jones Series,  TRAITOR’S REVENGE was published on December 8th, and we examine the results of the release, as well as the pre-orders for book three in the series, THE KEEPER RETURNS. Martha’s mentor in the process, Michael Anderle joins us in this episode to give some perspective to Martha’s sales numbers and to compare the numbers to his first three weeks of sales, roughly one year ago. Episode three of our case study will air in approximately two weeks. Please subscribe to be sure you don’t miss an episode: Wallis Jones launch schedule:   The List Conspiracy (Wallis Jones #1) on sale – December 1st The Trader’s Revenge (Wallis Jones #2) on pre-order Dec. 1st, on sale Dec. 8th The Keeper Returns (Wallis Jones #3) on pre-order Dec. 8th, on sale Dec. 22nd The Circle Rises (Wallis Jones #4) on pre-order Dec. 22nd, on sale Jan 9th The Watcher’s Revolt (Wallis Jones #5) on pre-order Jan. 9th, on sale Jan. 31st The Butterfly Project (Wallis Jones #6) on pre-order Jan. 31st, on sale Feb. 22nd   Links: Martha’s website www.marthacarr.com Martha’s Amazon author page Martha’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries 20 Books to 50k Facebook Group The Author Biz Facebook Group Michael Anderle’s Kurtherian Books website Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. Creative commons image by PIR04D The post CS02: Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study, Episode 2 of 6 appeared first on .

Martha Carr is publishing six thrillers over the course of 91 days, and she’s agreed to share sales and marketing details with us after each book is released to discuss how the series is performing.  A fellow author, when seeing how calm Martha appears about all of this has given her the moniker, The Zen Killer of Thrillers, which seems appropriate. <a href="http://amzn.to/2gbfvRF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Book Two in her Wallis Jones Series,  <a href="http://amzn.to/2gbfvRF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TRAITOR’S REVENGE</a> was published on December 8th, and we examine the results of the release, as well as the pre-orders for book three in the series, <a href="http://amzn.to/2hasgyk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THE KEEPER RETURNS</a>. <a href="http://kurtherianbooks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Martha’s mentor in the process, Michael Anderle joins us in this episode to give some perspective to Martha’s sales numbers and to compare the numbers to his first three weeks of sales, roughly one year ago. Episode three of our case study will air in approximately two weeks. Please subscribe to be sure you don’t miss an episode: Wallis Jones launch schedule: <ol> <ol> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2ggmw7p" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The List Conspiracy </a>(Wallis Jones #1) on sale – December 1st</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2gbfvRF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Trader’s Revenge</a> (Wallis Jones #2) on pre-order Dec. 1st, on sale Dec. 8th</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2hasgyk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Keeper Returns</a> (Wallis Jones #3) on pre-order Dec. 8th, on sale Dec. 22nd</li> <li>The Circle Rises (Wallis Jones #4) on pre-order Dec. 22nd, on sale Jan 9th</li> <li>The Watcher’s Revolt (Wallis Jones #5) on pre-order Jan. 9th, on sale Jan. 31st</li> <li>The Butterfly Project (Wallis Jones #6) on pre-order Jan. 31st, on sale Feb. 22nd</li> </ol> </ol> <h3>Links:</h3> Martha’s website <a href="http://www.marthacarr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.marthacarr.com</a> Martha’s <a href="http://amzn.to/2h6pvhh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a> Martha’s Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/WallisJonesSeries</a> 20 Books to 50k <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> The Author Biz <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590497541266300/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> Michael Anderle’s <a href="http://www.kurtherianbooks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kurtherian Books website</a> Please note, Amazon book links on this page are affiliate links.  You’ll pay the same price for the books, but I’ll earn a small commission. Creative commons image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/zen-stones-zen-stones-structure-1547783/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PIR04D</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/case-study-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CS02: Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study, Episode 2 of 6</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

CS02: Martha Carr Launch Strategy Case Study, Episode 2 of 6

Do you remember your first year as a published author? How many books or titles did you publish? Today we take a deep dive into the first year of a blue collar author. Craig Martelle just concluded his first year as a published author, and it’s a been a busy one.  In his first year he’s published over a dozen full-length novels, and on the day we recorded the show Craig had an author rank of 99. But as mentioned, Craig is a blue collar author. Not one of those guys we love hearing about who hit it big right out the box. Craig’s first year was more about writing, publishing, and investing in his business.  In fact, after his first full as a published author, Craig lost money — only a little mind you, and primarily because he invested so heavily in things like editing and cover design.   That’s all changing, because of the momentum he built in 2016. I think you’re going to enjoy this 44-minute episode with Craig Martelle, who retired from the Marine Corps prior to going to law school and spending enough time in the business world to know he really wanted to be a writer, which he now does full-time from his home in the winter wonderland of Alaska. Show Notes for Craig Martelle Interview Craig Martelle  www.craigmartelle.com https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCraigMartelle/ Path to Craig Martelle becoming an author: retired from Marine corps, went to law school, acted as a business consultant, moved to Alaska, started writing   Published first book in January 2016  Wrote 100,000 words, came up with a cover,  and published it No marketing technique  His dad bought two of his first three copies sold Sold 56 ebook copies, 15-20 paperbacks 15,000 page reads total   Gave him exposure  Published Free Trader #1 and #2 in the series  Got slammed for having bad covers by KBoards  Hard to get good covers if you’re an unpublished author; no one wants to work with you.   Paul Egly gave him great feedback         Published three books in three months, before he even knew what genre he was in; he just liked to write    If he could go back, he would study and learn about the process, but “the learning process is not an overnight sensation…I like how I learned what I learned.”  Known for:  Free Trader series End Times Alaska series Terry Henry Walton Chronicles Cygnus Space Opera  Set in Free Trader universe     Often compared to Andre Norton  Support from 20 Books to 50K group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/  Looks at what successful writers have done right and tries to help each other succeed   Advice from Michael Anderle (“the Master Storyteller”), Kat Lind, Diane Velasquez, Doreen Johnson  Look at writing both technically and as casual readers   “Michael [Anderle] will tell you: the third book is the key; that’s where a lot of readers say, ‘okay, this is a real series,’ and a lot of readers come on board.” Diane and Doreen are “Super Readers,” or “Whale Readers,” and are very kind, dynamic, and engaging Kat Lind helped him be a better writer by giving great feedback   Gave positive, supportive, constructive feedback  After six months, took his 100,000 word book, made it 170,000, split it into a trilogy, and it became a best-selling series  The End Times Alaska series     New covers, custom-made by Tom Edwards  Released in May, along with the third book in the Free Trader series     Craig’s Four Pillars of Revenue to Make a Living Wage   Published through publishing house  Monique Lewis Happy with Winlock Press   Indie-published Ebooks Indie-published Paperback books KU Page-Reads  KU accounts for 47.8% of his total Amazon revenue         *If you do not have multiple avenues, you’re going to feel it* Kindle Unlimited  $10 for monthly membership Hook your reader; get them to download your book, and get them to read it  You get the author bump in your ranking for the download, but to make money, they need to keep reading   Gives you five days every quarter to release your book for free  Use this for advertising and exposure    Writing and Finishing Process  Makes sure to write every day  “You can’t edit a blank page, and you can’t earn from a blank page.”   He makes sure to read the comments in reviews of his books, and takes them into consideration when moving forward Sends first copies of books to friends Norman Meredith, Diane Velasquez, and Doreen Johnson to get first impressions and feedback Sends three of his four book series to be edited by Mia Darien  http://www.miadarien.com/ “The faster the better, is what Michael [Anderle] says, but it’s not just fast, it’s fast with a professional editor, a very professional cover…”     Publishing Algorithm    Publish a book a month, at least  He published two in July   The Terry Henry Walton Chronicles,  Part of the Kurtherian Gambit world     His initial goal was to publish ten books over the year Currently working on his nineteenth title in thirteen months, a project he is working on with Michael Anderle     Breaking into a New Market  Based on reviews and results, was urged to advertise the Free Trader Series to Young Adult audiences  Language style imitates old RPG games   Content  No swearing or adult language Some violence     Was defensive at first; didn’t match what he was going for Presents new challenges    Highlights of Craig’s Year  Writing quality improved Trying to do it himself did not work  Not good at editing his own work; needs third-party “You don’t learn anything better than learning it the hard way.”    Craig’s 2016 Year-in-Review:  January  published first book, Free Trader #1   February March  To-date, had three books published  First two Free Trader books  Edited by Mia Darien   The first End Times Alaska book  Published by Winlock Press – Monique Lewis Happy     achieved 100,000 words in his book Contracted Tom Edwards to customize new covers   April  started writing Sci-Fi series   May  first 4-digit revenue month!  Unveiled new Free Trader covers Released third book in Free Trader series Instated a real marketing plan  Put Free Trader out for free to readers on PermaFree to attract more readers       June  split 100,000 book into End Times Alaska trilogy   July  published two books  an End Times Alaska book a Free Trader book     August  Breakout month in sales Author rank was 2500 Published two books  an End Times Alaska book a Free Trader book     September  Making about $3,000/month at this point  Spending a great deal on covers, editing, etc     October  Cygnus Space Opera   November  Rolled out new advertising through several companies    December  Biggest month yet (he’s currently at $8,000 – $10,000!)    Links Craig’s website: www.craigmartelle.com Craig’s books on Amazon.com  20 Books to 50 K Facebook Group Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. Creative Commons image by SDNET01 The post TAB105: A Year in the Life of a Blue Collar Author, with Craig Martelle appeared first on .

Do you remember your first year as a published author? How many books or titles did you publish? <a href="http://www.craigmartelle.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Today we take a deep dive into the first year of a blue collar author. Craig Martelle just concluded his first year as a published author, and it’s a been a busy one.  In his first year he’s published over a dozen full-length novels, and on the day we recorded the show Craig had an author rank of 99. But as mentioned, Craig is a blue collar author. Not one of those guys we love hearing about who hit it big right out the box. Craig’s first year was more about writing, publishing, and investing in his business.  In fact, after his first full as a published author, Craig lost money — only a little mind you, and primarily because he invested so heavily in things like editing and cover design.   <a href="http://amzn.to/2lj9vt9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>That’s all changing, because of the momentum he built in 2016. I think you’re going to enjoy this 44-minute episode with Craig Martelle, who retired from the Marine Corps prior to going to law school and spending enough time in the business world to know he really wanted to be a writer, which he now does full-time from his home in the winter wonderland of Alaska. Show Notes for Craig Martelle Interview Craig Martelle <ul> <li><a href="http://www.craigmartelle.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.craigmartelle.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCraigMartelle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCraigMartelle/</a></li> <li>Path to Craig Martelle becoming an author: retired from Marine corps, went to law school, acted as a business consultant, moved to Alaska, started writing</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Published first book in January 2016 <ul> <li>Wrote 100,000 words, came up with a cover,  and published it</li> <li>No marketing technique <ul> <li>His dad bought two of his first three copies sold</li> <li>Sold 56 ebook copies, 15-20 paperbacks</li> <li>15,000 page reads total</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gave him exposure <ul> <li>Published Free Trader #1 and #2 in the series <ul> <li>Got slammed for having bad covers by KBoards <ul> <li>Hard to get good covers if you’re an unpublished author; no one wants to work with you.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Paul Egly gave him great feedback</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Published three books in three months, before he even knew what genre he was in; he just liked to write</li> </ul> <ul> <ul> <li>If he could go back, he would study and learn about the process, but “the learning process is not an overnight sensation…I like how I learned what I learned.”</li> </ul> <li>Known for: <ul> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2kia8W6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free Trader</a> series</li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2laiT6p" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">End Times Alaska</a> series</li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nomad-Found-Kurtherian-Gambit-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B01N4G6YA3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Terry Henry Walton Chronicles</a></li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2kidXeg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cygnus Space Opera</a> <ul> <li>Set in Free Trader universe</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Often compared to Andre Norton</li> </ul> Support from 20 Books to 50K group <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/</a> <ul> <li>Looks at what successful writers have done right and tries to help each other succeed</li> </ul> </li> <li>Advice from Michael Anderle (“the Master Storyteller”), Kat Lind, Diane Velasquez, Doreen Johnson <ul> <li>Look at writing both technically and as casual readers</li> </ul> <ul> <li>“Michael [Anderle] will tell you: the third book is the key; that’s where a lot of readers say, ‘okay, this is a real series,’ and a lot of readers come on board.”</li> <li>Diane and Doreen are “Super Readers,” or “Whale Readers,” and are very kind, dynamic, and engaging</li> <li>Kat Lind helped him be a better writer by giving great feedback</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gave positive, supportive, constructive feedback <ul> <li>After six months, took his 100,000 word book, made it 170,000, split it into a trilogy, and it became a best-selling series <ul> <li>The End Times Alaska series</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>New covers, custom-made by Tom Edwards <ul> <li>Released in May, along with the third book in the Free Trader series </li> </ul> </li> </ul> Craig’s Four Pillars of Revenue to Make a Living Wage <ol> <li>Published through publishing house <ol> <li>Monique Lewis Happy with Winlock Press</li> </ol> </li> <li>Indie-published Ebooks</li> <li>Indie-published Paperback books</li> <li>KU Page-Reads <ol> <li>KU accounts for 47.8% of his total Amazon revenue</li> </ol> </li> </ol>     *If you do not have multiple avenues, you’re going to feel it* Kindle Unlimited <ul> <li>$10 for monthly membership</li> <li>Hook your reader; get them to download your book, and get them to read it <ul> <li>You get the author bump in your ranking for the download, but to make money, they need to keep reading</li> </ul> </li> <li>Gives you five days every quarter to release your book for free <ul> <li>Use this for advertising and exposure</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Writing and Finishing Process <ul> <li>Makes sure to write every day <ul> <li>“You can’t edit a blank page, and you can’t earn from a blank page.”</li> </ul> </li> <li>He makes sure to read the comments in reviews of his books, and takes them into consideration when moving forward</li> <li>Sends first copies of books to friends Norman Meredith, Diane Velasquez, and Doreen Johnson to get first impressions and feedback</li> <li>Sends three of his four book series to be edited by Mia Darien <ul> <li><a href="http://www.miadarien.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.miadarien.com/</a></li> <li>“The faster the better, is what Michael [Anderle] says, but it’s not just fast, it’s fast with a professional editor, a very professional cover…”</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Publishing Algorithm</li> </ul> <ul> <ul> <li>Publish a book a month, at least <ul> <li>He published two in July</li> </ul> <ul> <li>The Terry Henry Walton Chronicles, <ul> <li>Part of the Kurtherian Gambit world</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>His initial goal was to publish ten books over the year</li> <li>Currently working on his nineteenth title in thirteen months, a project he is working on with Michael Anderle</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </ul> Breaking into a New Market <ul> <li>Based on reviews and results, was urged to advertise the <a href="http://amzn.to/2kia8W6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free Trader Series</a> to Young Adult audiences <ul> <li>Language style imitates old RPG games</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Content <ul> <li>No swearing or adult language</li> <li>Some violence</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Was defensive at first; didn’t match what he was going for</li> <li>Presents new challenges</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Highlights of Craig’s Year <ul> <li>Writing quality improved</li> <li>Trying to do it himself did not work <ul> <li>Not good at editing his own work; needs third-party</li> <li>“You don’t learn anything better than learning it the hard way.”</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Craig’s 2016 Year-in-Review: <ol> <li>January <ol> <li>published first book, Free Trader #1</li> </ol> </li> <li>February</li> <li>March <ol> <li>To-date, had three books published <ol> <li>First two Free Trader books <ol> <li>Edited by Mia Darien</li> </ol> </li> <li>The first End Times Alaska book <ol> <li>Published by Winlock Press – Monique Lewis Happy</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>achieved 100,000 words in his book</li> <li>Contracted Tom Edwards to customize new covers</li> </ol> </li> <li>April <ol> <li>started writing Sci-Fi series</li> </ol> </li> <li>May <ol> <li>first 4-digit revenue month! <ol> <li>Unveiled new Free Trader covers</li> <li>Released third book in Free Trader series</li> <li>Instated a real marketing plan <ol> <li>Put Free Trader out for free to readers on PermaFree to attract more readers</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>June <ol> <li>split 100,000 book into End Times Alaska trilogy</li> </ol> </li> <li>July <ol> <li>published two books <ol> <li>an End Times Alaska book</li> <li>a Free Trader book</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>August <ol> <li>Breakout month in sales</li> <li>Author rank was 2500</li> <li>Published two books <ol> <li>an End Times Alaska book</li> <li>a Free Trader book</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>September <ol> <li>Making about $3,000/month at this point <ol> <li>Spending a great deal on covers, editing, etc</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>October <ol> <li>Cygnus Space Opera</li> </ol> </li> <li>November <ol> <li>Rolled out new advertising through several companies</li> </ol> </li> <li> December <ol> <li>Biggest month yet (he’s currently at $8,000 – $10,000!)</li> </ol> </li> </ol> <h3>Links</h3> Craig’s website: <a href="http://www.craigmartelle.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.craigmartelle.com</a> Craig’s books on <a href="http://amzn.to/2leT7dd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com </a> 20 Books to 50 K <a href="http://amzn.to/2leT7dd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining us again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Please note:  Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. You’ll pay no more for buying through these links but the show will earn a small commission. Creative Commons image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/closet-clothes-blue-clothing-912694/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SDNET01</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-blue-collar-author/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB105: A Year in the Life of a Blue Collar Author, with Craig Martelle</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB105: A Year in the Life of a Blue Collar Author, with Craig Martelle

Today’s show is all about the effective use of keywords to improve discoverability for your books. Dave Chesson, who many of you probably know as The Kindlepreneur is our guest. Dave is a 9 year veteran of the US Navy, who developed a side hustle in online marketing while serving. Now that he’s out, he describes himself as a husband and a father, who when not playing dress up or chasing the Bogeyman out of the closet, is an online entrepreneur specializing in Kindle e-book marketing. In this week’s 40 minute episode, we discuss several specific keyword examples that you can use as guidelines for your research, consider why narrow keywords are often better than broad keywords generating thousands of results, and even get into blogging for novelists. Using Keyword Show Notes: Dave Chesson, “Kindlepreneur”  Personal Background Side-hustle in online marketing   Specializes in Kindle e-book marketing www.kindlepreneur.com  https://kindlepreneur.com/contact-me   Developed KDP Rocket www.kdprocket.com $97 for lifetime access     9 years in U.S. Navy Now an online entrepreneur    Keywords  Do your keyword research first! Three Questions:    1) Do people type “____” into Amazon? 2) Do people buy the books that a search for “___” returns? 3) Is competition too big for you to benefit by using the “___” keyword?  When you know there’s a website you like that’s equal to yours, or brand new, www.semrush.com will tell you the top 10 keywords your competitor is using to bring people in  Amazon  Keyword search Better sales conversions Happier customers More exposure   Important for book-marketing plan   Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) Authors can pay to have their book rank for certain keywords for advertising purposes   Rankings Purchases Positive reviews   It comes down to what makes them the most money    Marketing criteria *These all make Amazon more money and will help rank your book higher  Keywords Book cover image  Title Title should reflect the story, not pander to marketing numbers   No “keyword stuffing”     Description Should be seen as a sales-copy converting “machine”    Genre Examples  How to niche genre into keywords to improve conversions information collected by using KDP Rocket, www.kdprocket.com       “Sci-Fi” 137,000 competitors for “Science Fiction” Top 5 books are making an average $84,000 / month Average of 18,000 people /month using “Science Fiction” keyword Competition: 90%   -&gt; “Sci-Fi Military” 17,000 competitors Top 5 books make an average of $3,800 / month 7,0000 people / month search keyword Competition: 62%   -&gt; “Sci-Fi Military Space Marines” 2,900 competitors Top 5 books make average $847 / month 765 people / month search keyword (higher conversion rate!) Competition: 40%   “Wizard” A lot of free books show up at top, and that’s hard to beat   19,000 competitors Top 5 books make average of $18 / month High competition   -&gt; “Warlock” More than “science fiction”! Popularity due to book titles including keyword in title   1,800 competitors Top 5 books make average $1,500 / month 22,000 Amazon searches / month Competition: 96%   -&gt; “Mage” Most opportunity for the statistics   2,200 competitors Top 5 books bring in average $3,200 / month 1,800 searches / month Competition: 67%   “Mysteries” Top 5 books make average $947 / month   -&gt; “Florida Mysteries” (multiple mystery stories) Top 5 books make average $1,800 / month 7,800 searches / month Competition: 58%   -&gt; “Florida Mystery” (single story) Top 5 books make average $1,500 / month 3,200 searches / month Competition: 90%   -&gt; “Key West Mysteries” Top 5 books make average $369 / month 390 searches / month Competition: 40%      J.K.Rowling  Wrote highest-grossing book Got rejected by a lot of publishing companies! The publisher that finally took it on didn’t even read the book; he passed it on to his adolescent niece, who loved it, and her reaction convinced him to give it a chance    Book Sales    Amazon’s Current market when starting out, try to use Amazon’s preexisting traffic, then choose a traffic skill and learn and grow that one thing over time Long-term plan     Find people on the internet and “drag” them over Facebook Ads Pinterest Email list Blog      Links:  Dave’s Kindlepreneur website:  www.kindlepreneur.com Dave’s KDP Rocket: www.kdprocket.com/ How to choose keywords, non-fiction:https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-kindle-keywords/ How to choose keywords, fiction:https://kindlepreneur.com/kindle-ke  Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates.   The post TAB102: Using Keywords to Improve Discoverability for Your Book appeared first on .

Today’s show is all about the effective use of keywords to improve discoverability for your books. Dave Chesson, who many of you probably know as The Kindlepreneur is our guest. Dave is a 9 year veteran of the US Navy, who developed a side hustle in online marketing while serving. Now that he’s out, he describes himself as a husband and a father, who when not playing dress up or chasing the Bogeyman out of the closet, is an online entrepreneur specializing in Kindle e-book marketing. In this week’s 40 minute episode, we discuss several specific keyword examples that you can use as guidelines for your research, consider why narrow keywords are often better than broad keywords generating thousands of results, and even get into blogging for novelists. <h3>Using Keyword Show Notes:</h3> Dave Chesson, “Kindlepreneur” <ul> <li>Personal Background <ul> <li>Side-hustle in online marketing</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Specializes in Kindle e-book marketing</li> <li><a href="http://www.kindlepreneur.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.kindlepreneur.com</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://kindlepreneur.com/contact-me" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kindlepreneur.com/contact-me</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Developed KDP Rocket <ul> <li><a href="http://www.kdprocket.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.kdprocket.com</a></li> <li>$97 for lifetime access</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>9 years in U.S. Navy</li> <li>Now an online entrepreneur</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Keywords <ul> <li>Do your keyword research first! <ul> <li>Three Questions:</li> </ul> </li> </ul> 1) Do people type “____” into Amazon? 2) Do people buy the books that a search for “___” returns? 3) Is competition too big for you to benefit by using the “___” keyword? <ul> <li>When you know there’s a website you like that’s equal to yours, or brand new, <a href="http://www.semrush.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.semrush.com</a> will tell you the top 10 keywords your competitor is using to bring people in</li> </ul> Amazon <ul> <li>Keyword search <ul> <li>Better sales conversions</li> <li>Happier customers</li> <li>More exposure</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Important for book-marketing plan</li> </ul> </li> <li>Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) <ul> <li>Authors can pay to have their book rank for certain keywords for advertising purposes</li> </ul> </li> <li>Rankings <ul> <li>Purchases</li> <li>Positive reviews</li> </ul> <ul> <li>It comes down to what makes them the most money</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Marketing criteria *These all make Amazon more money and will help rank your book higher <ul> <li>Keywords</li> <li>Book cover image</li> <li> Title <ul> <li>Title should reflect the story, not pander to marketing numbers</li> </ul> <ul> <li>No “keyword stuffing”</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Description <ul> <li>Should be seen as a sales-copy converting “machine”</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Genre Examples <ul> <li>How to niche genre into keywords to improve conversions</li> <li>information collected by using KDP Rocket, <a href="http://www.kdprocket.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.kdprocket.com</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li> <ul> <li>“Sci-Fi” <ul> <li>137,000 competitors for “Science Fiction”</li> <li>Top 5 books are making an average $84,000 / month</li> <li>Average of 18,000 people /month using “Science Fiction” keyword</li> <li>Competition: 90%</li> </ul> </li> <li>-&gt; “Sci-Fi Military” <ul> <li>17,000 competitors</li> <li>Top 5 books make an average of $3,800 / month</li> <li>7,0000 people / month search keyword</li> <li>Competition: 62%</li> </ul> </li> <li>-&gt; “Sci-Fi Military Space Marines” <ul> <li>2,900 competitors</li> <li>Top 5 books make average $847 / month</li> <li>765 people / month search keyword (higher conversion rate!)</li> <li>Competition: 40%</li> </ul> </li> <li>“Wizard” <ul> <li>A lot of free books show up at top, and that’s hard to beat</li> </ul> <ul> <li>19,000 competitors</li> <li>Top 5 books make average of $18 / month</li> <li>High competition</li> </ul> </li> <li>-&gt; “Warlock” <ul> <li>More than “science fiction”!</li> <li>Popularity due to book titles including keyword in title</li> </ul> <ul> <li>1,800 competitors</li> <li>Top 5 books make average $1,500 / month</li> <li>22,000 Amazon searches / month</li> <li>Competition: 96%</li> </ul> </li> <li>-&gt; “Mage” <ul> <li>Most opportunity for the statistics</li> </ul> <ul> <li>2,200 competitors</li> <li>Top 5 books bring in average $3,200 / month</li> <li>1,800 searches / month</li> <li>Competition: 67%</li> </ul> </li> <li>“Mysteries” <ul> <li>Top 5 books make average $947 / month</li> </ul> </li> <li>-&gt; “Florida Mysteries” (multiple mystery stories) <ul> <li>Top 5 books make average $1,800 / month</li> <li>7,800 searches / month</li> <li>Competition: 58%</li> </ul> </li> <li>-&gt; “Florida Mystery” (single story) <ul> <li>Top 5 books make average $1,500 / month</li> <li>3,200 searches / month</li> <li>Competition: 90%</li> </ul> </li> <li>-&gt; “Key West Mysteries” <ul> <li>Top 5 books make average $369 / month</li> <li>390 searches / month</li> <li>Competition: 40%</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> J.K.Rowling <ul> <li>Wrote highest-grossing book</li> <li>Got rejected by a lot of publishing companies! <ul> <li>The publisher that finally took it on didn’t even read the book; he passed it on to his adolescent niece, who loved it, and her reaction convinced him to give it a chance</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Book Sales <ul> <li> <ul> <li>Amazon’s Current market <ul> <li>when starting out, try to use Amazon’s preexisting traffic, then choose a traffic skill and learn and grow that one thing over time <ul> <li>Long-term plan</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Find people on the internet and “drag” them over <ul> <li>Facebook Ads</li> <li>Pinterest</li> <li>Email list</li> <li>Blog</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3>Links:</h3> <ul> <li>Dave’s Kindlepreneur website:  <a href="http://www.kdprocket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.kindlepreneur.com</a></li> <li>Dave’s KDP Rocket: <a href="http://www.kdprocket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.kdprocket.com/</a></li> <li>How to choose keywords, non-fiction:<a href="https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-kindle-keywords/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-kindle-keywords/</a></li> <li>How to choose keywords, fiction:<a href="https://kindlepreneur.com/kindle-keywords-fiction-author-strategy/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://kindlepreneur.com/kindle-ke</a></li> </ul> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/using-keywords-to-improve-discoverability-for-your-book/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB102: Using Keywords to Improve Discoverability for Your Book</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB102: Using Keywords to Improve Discoverability for Your Book

This week’s program is a look at the benefits and drawbacks of writing in Kindle Worlds. Our guest is Tracy Sharp, who in addition to the several novels she’s written in Kindle Worlds is the author of the Leah Ryan thriller series. Tracy has written multiple books in J.A. Konrath’s Jack Daniels and Associates Kindle World, including her most recent, DOUBLE SHOT, which was released a few weeks ago. The rules of the Jack Daniels and Associates World allow authors to use their own characters, so Tracy builds her books in that particular world as collaborations between Leah Ryan and Jack Daniels. In this 41 minute episode we’ll get into benefits and drawbacks of writing in Kindle Worlds as well as the four different worlds in which Tracy has written, the revenue splits and pricing for Kindle Worlds, and the ways in which writing inside different worlds can vary, depending upon the rules set by the owner of the original world. Note: There is also a video version of the interview portion of this show.  Show Notes for Kindle Worlds Interview Tracy explains that her first collaboration with J.A. Konrath came as a result of a guest post she did on his hugely popular website in July 2013. Her first collaboration with Joe was JACKED UP, which was done before the Joe adding his Jack Daniels series to Kindle Worlds. JACKED UP was eventually added as a Kindle Worlds title. Joe’s work with Tracy during their collaboration brought about several changes to Tracy’s Leah Ryan series, including a reduction in the number of sex scenes and swear words. Tracy shares her varied publishing history and how she got the rights back for her Leah Ryan series. We discuss what it means to publish in Kindle Worlds and the differences in rules for the various worlds in which Tracy writes. We discuss pricing and the revenue splits within Kindle Worlds. There are multiple benefits to an author writing in Kindle Worlds. For Tracy, those benefits include the exposure of her writing and characters to a new audience, increased sales of her existing work and the ability to meet new authors who also write in the worlds. We discuss the pressure an author may feel when writing about characters and worlds with huge fan bases, some of whom may know the characters and the world better than the original author. Tracy has also written KW novels in the worlds of Chandler (for J.A. Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson), Carley Phillips and Cat Johnson. Tracy shares some of her favorite books on writing craft, which include her favorite, Screenwriting Tricks for Authors by Alexandra Sokoloff. Tracy shares her thoughts on the importance of writing the next book to an author. Links  Tracy’s website Tracy’s Facebook Page Tracy’s Amazon Author Page Author Marketing Club Submission Tool Tracy’s original post on J.A. Konrath’s blog A to Z of Self Publishing – Course Website The Taylor Stevens Show website Bluehost WordPress Hosting one day flash special (affiliate link)  Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher to get automatic updates. Thanks to Tracy Sharp for joining us this week! The post TAB086: Exploring Kindle Worlds with Tracy Sharp appeared first on .

This week’s program is a look at the benefits and drawbacks of writing in Kindle Worlds. Our guest is Tracy Sharp, who in addition to the several novels she’s written in Kindle Worlds is the author of the <a href="http://amzn.to/2aP2RWc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leah Ryan thriller series</a>. <a href="http://amzn.to/2bdcv9b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Tracy has written multiple books in J.A. Konrath’s Jack Daniels and Associates Kindle World, including her most recent, <a href="http://amzn.to/2aS2NrL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DOUBLE SHOT</a>, which was released a few weeks ago. The rules of the Jack Daniels and Associates World allow authors to use their own characters, so Tracy builds her books in that particular world as collaborations between Leah Ryan and Jack Daniels. In this 41 minute episode we’ll get into benefits and drawbacks of writing in Kindle Worlds as well as the four different worlds in which Tracy has written, the revenue splits and pricing for Kindle Worlds, and the ways in which writing inside different worlds can vary, depending upon the rules set by the owner of the original world. Note: There is also a video version of the interview portion of this show. <h3>Show Notes for Kindle Worlds Interview</h3> Tracy explains that her first collaboration with J.A. Konrath came as a result of a <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2013/07/guest-post-by-tracy-sharp.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">guest post</a> she did on his hugely popular website in July 2013. Her first collaboration with Joe was JACKED UP, which was done before the Joe adding his Jack Daniels series to Kindle Worlds. JACKED UP was eventually added as a Kindle Worlds title. <a href="http://amzn.to/2b5kx2y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Joe’s work with Tracy during their collaboration brought about several changes to Tracy’s <a href="http://amzn.to/2aP2RWc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leah Ryan</a> series, including a reduction in the number of sex scenes and swear words. Tracy shares her varied publishing history and how she got the rights back for her Leah Ryan series. We discuss what it means to publish in Kindle Worlds and the differences in rules for the various worlds in which Tracy writes. We discuss pricing and the revenue splits within Kindle Worlds. There are multiple benefits to an author writing in Kindle Worlds. For Tracy, those benefits include the exposure of her writing and characters to a new audience, increased sales of her existing work and the ability to meet new authors who also write in the worlds. We discuss the pressure an author may feel when writing about characters and worlds with huge fan bases, some of whom may know the characters and the world better than the original author. Tracy has also written KW novels in the worlds of Chandler (for J.A. Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson), Carley Phillips and Cat Johnson. Tracy shares some of her favorite books on writing craft, which include her favorite, <a href="http://amzn.to/2bdcrGm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Screenwriting Tricks for Authors</a> by Alexandra Sokoloff. Tracy shares her thoughts on the importance of writing the next book to an author. <h3>Links</h3> <ul> <li>Tracy’s <a href="http://tm-sharp.wixsite.com/tracysharpthrillers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a></li> <li>Tracy’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tracy-Sharp-Thrillers-560767087368164/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a></li> <li>Tracy’s <a href="http://amzn.to/2b0WIJU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a></li> <li>Author Marketing Club <a href="http://authormarketingclub.com/members/submit-your-book/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Submission Tool</a></li> <li>Tracy’s <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2013/07/guest-post-by-tracy-sharp.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">original post on J.A. Konrath’s blog</a></li> <li>A to Z of Self Publishing – <a href="https://azofselfpublishing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Course Website</a></li> <li>The <a href="http://www.theshow.taylorstevensbooks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Taylor Stevens Show website</a></li> <li>Bluehost WordPress Hosting <a href="http://www.theauthorbiz.com/bluehost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">one day flash special</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-author-biz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> to get automatic updates. Thanks to Tracy Sharp for joining us this week! The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/exploring-kindle-worlds/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB086: Exploring Kindle Worlds with Tracy Sharp</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB086: Exploring Kindle Worlds with Tracy Sharp

Chris Syme joins us to discuss Social Media Marketing on this episode of The Author Biz. What role does social media play in your author business? Is it a way to connect with friends, readers, family, and friends? Is it a marketing platform? Is it an outpost that you use to draw readers to your website? Or maybe you’re like most of us, where it’s a mixture of all of these. I’ve been following today’s guest, Chris Syme’s blog some time now, and I think you’ll appreciate her common sense, business-like approach to social media. Chris Syme is a principal of CKSyme Media Group in Bozeman, Montana with 25+ years of experience in communications. Among other things, Chris’s company helps self-published authors and small publishing houses use social media strategically to broaden platforms and sell more books. In this 47 minute interview, we dig deep into Chris’s philosophy of using Social Media to market and sell books, spend time talking about matching your marketing efforts to the reality of your writing career and spend some time talking about social networks that aren’t Facebook and Twitter. Show Notes from Social Media Marketing Interview Chris shares her thoughts on the part social media plays when building a solid author platform. As authors, we should approach social media marketing as a business function, something that should be on our schedules regularly. Chris uses the terms Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 to define the stages of an author’s journey and the types of marketing tactics each type of author should use. We discuss different social media platforms, and Chris suggests that authors stay focused on the ones that have sales and reporting tools built in. Chris provides specific advice for authors writing in different genres. We discuss the reasons why some authors, specifically, those writing YA, should consider using YouTube as a social platform and makes suggestions on how to engage within YouTube. Chris shares her advice for how quickly we should jump on new social media platforms. Chris shares her “Big Three” for authors when it comes to building a platform. We discuss her recent blog post on Email List Building for Fiction Authors. Chris is offering a Free webinar on building your email list on May 17th: How to Build an Email List That Sells More Books. You can register for free here:  Links: Chris’s Website: www.cksyme.com Chris’s Free Webinar on Email List Building http://freewebinarforauthors.instapage.com/ Chris on Social Media: Facebook and Twitter Buy Steve’s new book, FOUR SEASONS OF RENO on Amazon Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions here. Thanks to Chris Syme for joining us this week! Creative Commons image bykropekk_pl   The post TAB077: Putting the SMART into Social Media Marketing appeared first on .

Chris Syme joins us to discuss Social Media Marketing on this episode of The Author Biz. What role does social media play in your author business? Is it a way to connect with friends, readers, family, and friends? Is it a marketing platform? Is it an outpost that you use to draw readers to your website? Or maybe you’re like most of us, where it’s a mixture of all of these. I’ve been following today’s guest, Chris Syme’s blog some time now, and I think you’ll appreciate her common sense, business-like approach to social media. Chris Syme is a principal of CKSyme Media Group in Bozeman, Montana with 25+ years of experience in communications. Among other things, Chris’s company helps self-published authors and small publishing houses use social media strategically to broaden platforms and sell more books. In this 47 minute interview, we dig deep into Chris’s philosophy of using Social Media to market and sell books, spend time talking about matching your marketing efforts to the reality of your writing career and spend some time talking about social networks that aren’t Facebook and Twitter. <h3>Show Notes from Social Media Marketing Interview</h3> Chris shares her thoughts on the part social media plays when building a solid author platform. As authors, we should approach social media marketing as a business function, something that should be on our schedules regularly. Chris uses the terms Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 to define the stages of an author’s journey and the types of marketing tactics each type of author should use. We discuss different social media platforms, and Chris suggests that authors stay focused on the ones that have sales and reporting tools built in. Chris provides specific advice for authors writing in different genres. We discuss the reasons why some authors, specifically, those writing YA, should consider using YouTube as a social platform and makes suggestions on how to engage within YouTube. Chris shares her advice for how quickly we should jump on new social media platforms. Chris shares her “Big Three” for authors when it comes to building a platform. We discuss her recent blog post on <a href="http://cksyme.com/email-list-building/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Email List Building for Fiction Authors.</a> Chris is offering a Free webinar on building your email list on May 17th: How to Build an Email List That Sells More Books. You can <a href="http://freewebinarforauthors.instapage.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">register for free here: </a> <h3>Links:</h3> Chris’s Website: <a href="http://www.cksyme.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.cksyme.com</a> Chris’s Free Webinar on Email List Building <a href="http://freewebinarforauthors.instapage.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://freewebinarforauthors.instapage.com/</a> Chris on Social Media: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cksyme/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Faceboo</a>k and <a href="https://twitter.com/cksyme" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="http://amzn.to/1Orbhk0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Buy Steve’s new book, <a href="http://amzn.to/1Orbhk0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FOUR SEASONS OF RENO on Amazon</a> <h3>Thanks for Listening!</h3> Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the left of the post. Also, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-author-biz/id893213680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please leave an honest review for The Author Biz Podcast on iTunes</a>! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and mean a great deal to me. They matter in the rankings of the show, and I read every one of them. If you’re not sure how to leave an iTunes review, you can follow the step-by-step instructions <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review-at-itunes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks to Chris Syme for joining us this week! Creative Commons image <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/social-communication-social-media-1319756/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bykropekk_pl</a> The post <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com/putting-marketing-social-media-marketing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TAB077: Putting the SMART into Social Media Marketing</a> appeared first on <a href="http://theauthorbiz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>.

TAB077: Putting the SMART into Social Media Marketing

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