I just sent out an email with a broken link; click here or on the images below to watch the first video to my book writing video and the first week’s lesson of my writing summer camp. Thanks! Derek SELL MORE BOOKS (without spam). I wrote a free book with all my best book launch and marketing tips - if …
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A FREE book marketing crash course for launching or reviving book sales
Yesterday I had a long Facebook conversation with an author who had previously done a strong physical book launch (hard book copies to influencers at events). After the launch, the sales dried up, because: 1. You can’t count on humans to do things 2. Physical book launches at events are expensive 3. No long-term, ONLINE platform for organic visibility 4. …
Read More »The joy of personal branding – be someone worth following
I’ve never put much thought into personal branding – I had a bunch of stuff I liked, but I couldn’t put them all together in way that made sense. My first header logo was a dumpster fire. I’ve had to learn to withhold enthusiasm, and add more space, because less is more. I’ve always focused on simple, minimal WordPress websites …
Read More »Dear BookBub, I’m breaking up with you
When I first started writing fiction, I needed someone to believe in me. I was ecstatic to get my first BookBub deal – a deal that helped me get 20,000 downloads for book one in my series and earn $8,297 in the same month. I thought I’d made it. Together, we were unbeatable. But now you’re always busy with other …
Read More »Nanowrimo Prep: accountability and motivation for authors
For years I’ve been wishing for some kind of automated, daily accountability to keep me inspired and motivated – and I’ve heard a lot of other authors asking for the same thing. The problem is, writing can be a very personal goal, and sometimes it’s hard to self-motivate, especially if nobody else really cares about what you’re trying to do. …
Read More »Can you really write a GOOD book in a month?
Almost always, if an author isn’t selling, it’s because their page isn’t converting. You need 3 things to succeed, a great blurb, cover, and enough reviews to offset skepticism. I can help you fix those things; I can also help craft your pitch or hook – which is critical for your amazon page. I can also do keyword and category …
Read More »Facebook changes rules for book promotion – [ACCOUNT SUSPENDED] :0
I’m reposting this news to give it a signal boost – concern was raised by author Katie M. John who shared this image: This is alarming, since so many of us use Facebook as part of our book marketing and promotion strategy. Katie wrote a great summary so I’m posting it here: Okay, I’ve seen the beginnings of a wildfire and …
Read More »The Letter of Lord Chandos
I’m sharing this because I enjoy it: the struggle of putting down feelings into words. Hugo von Hofmannsthal The Letter of Lord Chandos THIS is the letter Philip, Lord Chandos, younger son of the Earl of Bath, wrote to Francis Bacon, later Baron Verulam, Viscount St. Albans, apologizing for his complete abandonment of literary activity. For it is, …
Read More »Pick my brain: random ideas on art, business and creativity from my former self
I was taking a look on my blog for early posts and discovered I have HUNDREDS of saved drafts for post ideas I began but never finished… I started this blog in 2011 and didn’t actively start using it until 2014 – what’s interesting is that my focus and ideas haven’t changed much, but I was surprised to have 90% …
Read More »How to write a non-fiction book that changes lives
I’m editing a non-fiction book today and making notes on what went wrong. Unfortunately, some of the things missing are things I also don’t do in my own non-fiction books, so here’s a short list. #1 – Make it a community effort The easy way to publish a bestseller is to include stories by other people. The more people you …
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