Most book marketing tips and strategies are for non-fiction authors. When publishing experts are asked, “well what about fiction writers,” the answer is usually, “um, I don’t have experience with that, but it should work too.” Here’s how to sell books: build a platform and an email list. BUT HOW?! Usually by giving away a lot of free stuff or some …

***2018 Update – FREE book marketing course!*** I first outlined this course 3.5 years ago and haven’t gotten around to fixing up my site to stop “promoting” it… here’s what’s going on: I actually launched an intro course to marketing “Reach Your Readers” which you can now get as part of the Epic Book Design Bundle. Recently I finished my …

This past month I’ve been thinking big and buying up online platforms related to publishing and book design. My little blog gets some traffic, and my book cover design business is doing fine – I just want to be a bigger player. A couple weeks ago I found a little blog network for indie authors – it had a website …

1. Get inspired. You’re trying to compete with millions of other hard working and talented artists, authors and entrepreneurs. Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive. That’s why, besides the insanely useful, practical and exclusive tips on how to build a small business around your own creativity, I’ll keep inviting you to stay motivated and optimistic, and encourage you to keep …

Easy fixes and insider secrets to Kindle publishing If you aren’t already selling lots of books, it’s one of two problems. #1: Visibility – if nobody ever sees your book, no other factor (covers, reviews, description) is going to matter. #2: Your sales page Maybe you are driving traffic, and even doing some advertising, but you can’t sell any books. …

EDIT: This article is based on the assumption that you get paid (via KU pagereads) for the free downloads you get on free promotion days with KDP select. In the comments, someone mentioned that you don’t get paid for free days. I checked KDP’s contract and they say “You will not receive any Royalties on your Digital Book during a free …

  Update: this content is a little dated, so I made some new videos on how to publish and market a book This blog was supposed to be about creativity, but somehow became about self-publishing. But every day I still get emails from people telling me they’ve just signed with Xlibris, or paid for a vanity publishing package, or published …

You may have heard of the idea of giving away free books. Yes, it works wonders if done correctly: you can giveaway a book for a short time and get lots of downloads – it’s a great way to gain new readers. You can offer one book (usually in a series) “permafree” to entice readers and get them hooked, and …

I’ve decided to run 12 days of giveaways, and give away cool and fun things that only a writer could truly appreciate. This is all the stuff I’d like to buy for myself, basically, but I’m giving it away instead. I’m also giving away a bunch of publishing and book design services. ‘Tis the season, after all. I’ll run the giveaways from December …

Most authors don’t know enough about business. While some savvy non-fiction authors succeed through grit, willpower and constant bullhorning, the majority of authors are making a mess of their book marketing and promotion, using decade-old techniques and advice, which will move few books off shelves and even worse, can be detrimental to an author’s professional reputation. So I’d like to …