Publishing can be expensive, especially with all the writing tools, software, apps and platforms you may need to pay to access. Sure you can do it all for free with enough sweat and hard work…. but why?
Only writing and publishing courses can help you level up fast, and also commit to yourself and your writing. Tools and writing apps can make writing easier, faster and more fun. It doesn’t have to be SO hard, or so lonely. There’s no great reward in suffering for your art; nor does it make your work better.
The good news is, many valuable businesses offer discounts and deals – one time a year – and you can save hundreds of dollars. So I’m going to start with what I’m offering this year, and then post as many other offers as I can find from brands and sites that I know and trust.
I hope it helps you make 2026 your best year ever!
PS… if you don’t know me yet, that’s OK. I write books and make stuff to help authors. My most popular things have been my 3D book mockup and cover templates, and my 24-chapter plotting outline. I’m trying to put my fine art background and my PhD in Literature to good use, and I’m happy I’ve been able to help so many authors while continuing to work on my own books.
🔥 BLACK FRIDAY MEGA DEALS FOR AUTHORS
Everything you need to write, design, and sell your book — at a price you’ll never see again.
Each course is just $37 (normally $197–$297) through Nov 30 only.
1. Bestseller Blueprint (3-Course Writing Bundle)
(Regular $197 — today only $37)
📚 Your complete roadmap to writing and publishing a bestseller.
Stop guessing what makes books sell. This powerful 3-course bundle walks you step-by-step through planning, writing, editing, and marketing a book readers can’t put down.
You’ll learn how to:
- Build a compelling concept that hooks readers instantly.
- Structure your story or nonfiction book like a pro.
- Avoid the design mistakes that make self-published books look amateur.
- Launch with confidence using proven book marketing strategies.
👉 Everything you need to write, publish, and profit — in one bundle.
Check It Out »
Expert writing advice from a PhD In Literature
Why buy it now? Because it includes the latest writing tips and strategies I’ve used to write 24 novels in the last 5 years, with an absolutely new plotting system that people are still discovering. It’s so good, it even got stolen this year and put into a fancy writing software without permission. If you write nonfiction or memoir, there are two separate bonus courses that are packed with value.
“A MUST WATCH! As a new writer, it helped my first edit tremendously! Was on point with your outline (miracle) until the ACT III, was missing two chapters. It improved my story!! ❤❤ Thanks for your guideline. Best online template!”
“I have been struggling to figure out how to mesh Save the Cat 3 Act structure with the 27 Chapter Method and my god you did it!”
Reg: 197, today $37
2. Self-Publishing Basics & Book Design Mastery
(Regular $197 — today only $37)
🎨 Design your book like a professional — without hiring one.
This practical, hands-on course gives you templates, tools, and insider techniques for creating a stunning, market-ready book that sells itself.
You’ll learn how to:
- Format your manuscript for Kindle + print (the easy way).
- Design a beautiful, professional cover that looks like a bestseller.
- Set up your Amazon listing, metadata, and pricing strategy.
- Build your author brand so readers take you seriously.
💡 Perfect for indie authors who want to publish faster, look better, and sell more — without wasting thousands on outsourcing.
Check It Out »
DIY book design and formatting templates
Why buy it now? Because I’m about to finish a cool new online graphic design tool, that’s free (best online cover designer ever…) When it launches, I’ll have 100+ new templates (but I’ll also raise the prices).
“Your email changed my life. I have signed up for some of your courses which I’m really looking forward to, but I just wanted to say thank you. The free content you put out all the time is incredibly generous, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without having learned back in 2020 how to make a cover in Microsoft Word with one of your tutorials.“
“I’m a longtime follower; you helped me sell tens of thousands of copies of my debut self-published trilogy. So firstly, thank you for being a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.“
Reg: 197, today $37
3. 21-Day Author Platform Challenge
(Regular $297 — today only $37)
🚀 In just three weeks, build the platform that makes your books sell themselves.
Whether you’re launching your first book or relaunching your career, this intensive 21-day challenge helps you:
- Create an author brand that attracts loyal readers.
- Build your website, email list, and book funnel from scratch.
- Get visible on Amazon, social media, and search — without feeling salesy.
- Turn your book into a long-term business that pays.
📆 Includes daily action steps, templates, and personalized marketing strategies to help you grow your author career fast.
Check It Out »
Launch a powerful author platform in just 3 weeks
Why buy it now: it’s newly updated, so it’s my most cutting-edge thoughts on book marketing. This Black Friday deal is for the online course – which has dozens of hours of content – but without personal feedback or review.
Reg: 297, today $37
Guerrilla Publishing (doors closing!)
If you need a little more handholding and a professional editorial review of your first few chapters, my flagship course Guerrilla Publishing basically includes all of the three things above, along with a massive course on book marketing, and is the only place to get real feedback from me about your book, your audience and targeting, and your book design and marketing materials. Use this link for an instant $200 discount, only until the end of the month.
“I love you! Thank you for all your messages of hope and inspiration, for your consistence and persistence. I appreciate all your efforts. And I know I’m not the only one who appreciates you.”
Don’t ever take me off your email list. You are helping me tremendously with all the info on your website and videos. If it wasn’t for your help, It would have been impossible for me to self-publish my first book. Thanks so much!
“Derek, I’ve followed you for your author helps for forever. I can’t even begin to thank you for all you’ve done for the writing community, especially we Indies. You’re an amazing asset and I recommend you to all new aspiring authors. You are tremendously appreciated. Thank you!”
Reg: 497, today $297
These deals will give you access to a bunch of resources that I’ll be upgrading with the new resources soon (at a higher price). So if you haven’t bought anything from me before, this is a great time to get started and sneak in at the reduced rate.
Black Friday Manuscript Makeover – Developmental Editing
Book editing + manuscript critique + coaching
A lot of authors need a manuscript critique or overview: someone to read their whole book and point out all the big-picture stuff they can revise quickly for a massive boost in readability and reader satisfaction. That’s something I’m particularly suited for, so I thought I’d test the waters with a deal I’ve posted here: black friday manuscript critique editorial service.
- $997 manuscript critique – 65k
- $1997 manuscript critique – 130K
I’m letting 10 authors get a full manuscript critique for $997, and you can redeem it anytime in the next three years. It’s a quick way to save $2000 on developmental editing (rather than just using some cheaper, but lower quality editing service).
Or you can just grab my $297 “first chapter critique” service, where I’ll do a very heavy edit and commentary of your first 5000 words, identify all your bad writing habits and suggest ways to improve your writing. Spots are limited, but if you have a book and you need an expert to help you improve it, this is the most effective way to make sure your manuscript starts of strong.
Why is this a good deal? Developmental editing usually costs $3000 to $7000 – it’s too expensive for most authors even though it’s so important. And paying just for proofreading or copyediting is probably a waste, when there are cheap tools to handle simple mistakes for you. My developmental cost of .06/word is pretty standard, even most other editors don’t really understand the depth of story craft needed to give you solid constructive criticism and feedback.
I’m playing around with the idea of a brutal one-pass developmental editing service called “Death by 1000 cuts” – but since I haven’t set it up yet, this way you can sneak in early (this is even less than I plan to charge!) You’ll get the best quality developmental editing AND a round of proofreading and copyediting.
But it now and cash it in whenever you finish your next book – this also makes a great gift!
GhosttheWriter
Last year I had some fun building an AI writing tool where you could summon the ghosts of famous dead authors to write in their style. It’s mostly a gimmick – and other AI writing tools are improving too quickly to keep up – however the tools will only be as valuable as the prompts, and that means my custom models should work better and give better results.
I’d like to update it and add more features, but I’ll only invest more in developing it, if people are finding it useful. Ideally, it would be a one-click full developmental editor, proofread or line edit – to fix your rough draft fast and make it amazing.
You can try it out here, and use this coupon code for 20% off – but this week only:
coupon code: “GHOST20“
You can also earn an extra 30% from every referral, and everyone you sign up can grab that exclusive 20% off as well.
Discounted Book Cover Design Services
A stunning book cover can make or break your book’s success. These Black Friday deals on professional cover design services can help you stand out.
1. Miblart
- Offer: 20% off cover design packages with promo code MIBL20BLACK.
- Why It’s Great: High-quality, custom-designed covers with unlimited revisions to meet your vision.
- Dates: November 25 – December 1.
- Link: Explore Miblart Deals
2. Ebook Launch
- Offer: $50 discount on additional cover designs.
- Why It’s Great: Professional covers starting at $497, with both ebook and print options available.
- Link: Get Ebook Launch Discounts
3. JD&J Design
- Offer: Prices starting at $350, with promotional mockups included.
- Why It’s Great: A reputable service with a strong portfolio and competitive pricing.
- Link: Learn More About JD&J Design
Hardware & Accessories for Writers
Upgrading your tools can make a huge difference in your writing experience. These Black Friday deals on keyboards and accessories are perfect for writers.
1. Keychron K2 Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard
- Offer: Discounts available during Black Friday week.
- Why It’s Great: Compact, ergonomic, and customizable for a premium typing experience.
- Link: Shop Keychron K2 Deals
2. Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Keyboard
- Offer: Black Friday discounts.
- Why It’s Great: Smart illumination and a sleek design make this an excellent choice for long writing sessions.
- Link: Find Logitech MX Keys Deals
3. Apple Magic Keyboard
- Offer: Reduced prices during Black Friday.
- Why It’s Great: Lightweight and stylish, perfect for writers who use Apple devices.
- Link: Shop Apple Magic Keyboard Deals
Check out my favorite bluetooth keyboards for writers.
Upgrading your tools can make a huge difference in your writing experience. These Black Friday deals on keyboards and accessories are perfect for writers.
Tracking Book Sales
I mostly use BookReport to track my books sales and downloads because I’m in KDP, but Scribecount is better if you’re wide or use multiple publishing platforms and want to check your sales data and analytics – they’re having a 3 day sale.
You can also try TableScraps, another book sales tracking tool.
Make the Most of Black Friday Deals
I’ll tell you a secret. Although my publishing resources have helped thousands of authors, I keep them consistently cheap, maybe 10% of what other people are charging, because I want them to stay affordable to new authors – I remember what it’s like pouring your heart and soul into your writing, and taking big risks before you see any profit.
In fact that’s kind of my whole thing: sharing ways authors can self-publish on a budget without looking like an amateur. It’s not perfect, because an expert can probably do things better, but my tools make it possible to publish a book that’s clean, engaging, and professional – and my book marketing hacks have helped many authors hit the bestsellers list or launch their author career.
However, I have a TON of resources, and rarely promote them, which can make them hard to find. So this year, I’ve decided to discount two of my most popular book design and writing bundles, and I’ve also lowered the price for my latest book marketing course.
Check out the details, or skip down below to see ALL the black friday deals for authors. Most of them should be good through cyber monday at least but don’t wait too long or you’ll miss out.
2025 Black Friday Book Marketing Deals for Authors
New (Free) Author Tools!
I just picked up a pair of cool new tools for authors. I believe these discount codes should work, so you’d only be paying $1 a month. There’s also a free version available.
- Universal book linker tool for authors (try code “1dollarlinks“)
- 3D book cover creator widget for websites (try code “1dollar3Dbooks“)
Marlowe 3.0 (Authors A.I.)
Marlowe is your always-on, A.I.-powered editor — combining the expertise of a developmental editor, beta reader, and copy editor in one smart tool. With every manuscript analysis, Marlowe delivers deep, data-driven insights and clear, actionable feedback to help writers craft their strongest, most compelling stories. >>> www.authors.ai
Use the promo code BFDEAL for 25% off Nov 28–Dec 1 (Black Friday → Cyber Monday)
Hemingway Editor
Hemingway is really useful for editing and proofreading.
Hemingway Editor Plus — 20% Off Annual (Code: BLACKFRIDAY25) • CTA Link: https://hemingwayapp.com/hemingway-editor-plus
Fix common writing issues in a click, run advanced spelling & grammar, get written feedback, and tune readability and tone. Perfect for teams, students, and professionals who need clear, concise writing. Limited time.
ProWritingAid 50% off Black Friday lifetime deal
50% Off ProWritingAid Premium: ProWritingAid is a great tool to help revise, edit and improve your manuscript. It’s worth picking up at a discount so you can compare and test on your own. This link should let you get half off the monthly or lifetime fee.
You can also check out prowritingaid’s list of black friday deals…
Top Writing Tools and Software Deals
1. ProWritingAid – Your Personal Writing Assistant
- Offer: 50% off annual and lifetime subscriptions.
- Why It’s Great: ProWritingAid is a powerful editing and writing tool that provides real-time feedback, grammar checks, and stylistic suggestions to elevate your writing.
- Dates: November 18 – December 3.
- Link: Get ProWritingAid Black Friday Deals
2. Scrivener – The Ultimate Writing Organizer
- Offer: 30% off all plans.
- Why It’s Great: Scrivener is a favorite among authors for its comprehensive organization tools, ideal for managing long-form projects like novels and screenplays.
- Dates: Available during Black Friday week.
- Link: Find Scrivener Deals Here
3. Novlr – Distraction-Free Writing
- Offer: 30% off all Pro subscriptions (including lifetime) with code BLACKFRIDAY24.
- Why It’s Great: Novlr offers a clean and distraction-free interface for drafting, combined with powerful analytics to track your writing progress.
- Dates: November 1 – December 31.
- Link: Check Out Novlr Deals
4. Atticus – All-in-One Writing and Formatting
- Offer: Free “Publishing for Indie Authors” course with every purchase.
- Why It’s Great: Atticus combines writing, editing, and formatting into one seamless platform, perfect for self-publishing authors.
- Dates: November 28 – December 2.
- Link: Discover Atticus Black Friday Offers
5. Dabble – For Writers Who Plan and Plot
- Offer: Up to 50% off subscriptions.
- Why It’s Great: Dabble makes it easy to outline and plan your stories, track word counts, and set goals.
- Dates: Available during Black Friday week.
- Link: Explore Dabble Deals
Best Black Friday Deals on Writing Courses
Take advantage of Black Friday discounts to upskill and learn from industry professionals. These courses offer everything from creative writing to self-publishing mastery.
1. MasterClass Writing Courses
- Offer: Annual membership discounted from $180 to $120 (33% off).
- Why It’s Great: Learn directly from bestselling authors and industry legends in genres ranging from fiction to screenwriting.
- Dates: November 24 – 27.
- Link: Join MasterClass
2. Writing Mastery Academy
- Offer: 20% off annual memberships or 50% off the first three months of monthly subscriptions with codes BLACKFRIDAY20 and BLACKFRIDAY50.
- Why It’s Great: Access a library of in-depth courses on everything from storytelling to marketing your books.
- Dates: Until December 2.
- Link: Sign Up for Writing Mastery Academy
3. Instagram for Authors by Write|Publish|Sell
- Offer: 40% off with code 40OFFIGBF.
- Why It’s Great: Learn how to use Instagram effectively to build your audience and promote your books.
- Dates: Until December 2.
- Link: Learn More About Instagram for Authors
Best Writing Software Deals
Personally, I still use MS Word to write my books, but I am excited about some new tools that make editing and revising easier. You can definitely get my writing course above to learn everything you need to, but it’s so much work, even if you know what you’re doing. Here are some of my top choices and something NEW…
- Sudowrite is the best for fiction, with the new story engine
- Quillbot is the best for straight proofreading, faster than grammarly.
- Jasper is built for sales and conversion, so it works best for sales copy, emails, blog content etc – this stuff gets really important for making an Amazon blurb or advertising copy.
- I’ve been playing with a new tool called ghostthewriter.com – for rephrasing a rough draft in a better style.
I stumbled on Scribble by accident, but it’s pretty amazing; I’ve kept it hush hush, but since I’ve already heard some authors talking about it, I thought you’d better check it out before it gets more expensive. It does a lot of things, and is basically a Scrivener replacement with some cutting edge tools I haven’t seen anywhere else. Plus, it’s based on my 24 chapter plot outline templates, so I’m obviously biased (but hey, my shit really works).
Check it out here and sign up for a free trial.
FYI: I talked a little earlier about AI writing tools, and someone just asked for something to help them expand or revise their writing… Jasper is the best so far and you can pick a specific tone of voice or writing style. You can start with a prompt or very short scene summary and it will flesh it out in surprising ways. Prowritingaid focuses more on style, while Grammarly catches more actual typos in my experience. But Quillbot might be quicker for simple proofreading; you can copy+paste in a section or chapter and choose a style (creative, simple, expand) and click the button and it will rewrite it. Sometimes this is enough to turn mediocre prose into well-written prose (especially for stuff like nonnative English). Makes editing and revision a lot faster.
Vellum Deal – save 30%
For book formatting, Vellum is the best and this is a rare deal to get it a lot cheaper. It’s meant for Macs, but I use a ‘mac in cloud’ service to run Vellum on my pc windows desktop, and it’s still the easiest way to get books ready to publish.
Vellum lets you format books, and just added some great featured like full-bleed backgrounds on title pages (this is really tricky to DIY, but the tool makes it easy). You can use mac in cloud to “rent” a virtual mac, even if you’re using a PC… I do that even though it’s a pain in the ass because Vellum just works and saves me time. All packages are now 30% off!
A massive list of Black Friday deals for authors
These are just a few of the best deals and offers, but you should check out Kindlepreneur’s 2024 mega-list of deals, including software discounts, writing and publishing tools, and book marketing courses. It’s a good way to figure out who’s who and who’s offering what. Almost everything comes with a money back guarantee, and now is the cheapest time to purchase all year so save some money and see what you need. There’s a good chance you’ll find a discount link for something you’ve already considered buying.
Shopping on Amazon (kindle deals)
Need a new writing device or keyboard? Grab a kindle fire productivity package… I’ll add to this list as I spot new deals… personally I love the magic keyboard/ipad but am always looking for a new fun bluetooth keyboard.
A few of my favorite things…
- sony wireless bluetooth headphones. I wore these out so much I had to replace the cushion padding. If you’re someone easily distracted, noise cancelling headphones are a gamechanger for productivity. 35% off
2. my favorite keyboard. I have a few of these and keep buying them. Reliable, tough, quiet, perfect… recently I’m playing with a fancy Razer gaming keyboard, which has cool light effects and stuff to gamify writing a bit more. But I may switch back.
3. M1 macbook… if you’re looking for a new writing device, or you want to pick up an M1 macbook *just* so you can use Vellum, which is amazing for book formatting, you can save 20% and pick one up now.
4. and it’s never a bad time to pick up a Kindle Paperwhite, which you can use for a giveaway prize. In my new course I talk about using AI art for specialty book-art kindle covers, which is a pretty neat idea too.
5. if you suffer from eye fatigue or migraines…. I’m picking up one of these. Not sure how well it works yet but I’ll try anything to relax and unwind, especially when I desperately need to restore myself and keep working towards a deadline.
And you should definitely pair it with this absolutely massive cushion…
6. if you want to get serious about your writing space and try a standing desk, this one is pretty cool. Mine is a huge slab of wood, and I haven’t figured out how to stand and type/work at the same time, though I’m curious about it since sometimes I can’t sit still or my butt goes to sleep.
Derek Murphy has a PhD in Literature, is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and has spent over a decade helping authors write, publish, and sell books through Creativindie. When he’s not critiquing manuscripts or building writing tools, he’s probably in a castle somewhere with cats.
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