Publishing is slow to change, but when it does, it happens quickly. That’s why publishing terminology is so confusing! For the longest time, “indie” publishing meant any option that’s not traditional (independent from The Big Five Publishers). Then randomly one day, “indie” is changed to mean strictly self-published. When did that happen? Honestly, I don’t… Continue reading Publishing Routes for Modern Authors: Indie, Hybrid, and Traditional Publishing Models Explained
I hate to tell you this, but that email you got with intimidate details about your book, offering you special placement in ___, is probably a scam. It probably wasn’t even written by a human. Spam/Scam emails are nothing new, but AI has meant higher quality emails targeting authors. If you’re not sure if that… Continue reading It’s a Scam!: 5 Red Flags for Authors to Keep an Eye Out For
Alright, you’ve done the hard part of writing the book. Maybe you’ve even gotten through the tormenting rounds of editorial and production as well. Pat yourself on the back! This is the fun part, folks. Now that the book is ready, you can start sharing it with the world and getting feedback—exciting if you ask… Continue reading The 4 Types of Book Reviews: An Overview of Endorsements and Reader, Trade, and Media Reviews for Authors and Their Books
I feel I should preface by saying that Bookshop.org is in no way affiliated with this post. It’s just a fact that bookstores hate Amazon, and therefore, authors should use other retail links when pitching for distribution and events. I’m always shocked when authors who are also avid readers don’t know about the Amazon vs.… Continue reading Booksellers Hate Amazon: Best Practices for Authors Looking to Work with Indie and Chain Bookstores
As I take a much needed mental break in a quiet corner of the conference center at ALA 2026 in Chicago, I’m contemplating which of my authors I’ll recommend for next year. This is only my second year in attendance, and my first as a solopreneur. Last year, I was graciously invited to attend with… Continue reading Is Attending ALA Worth It?: How to Make The Most of Your Booth at ALA as an Author
The three areas of promotion are branding, publicity, and marketing. We often just lump all three together under the more general umbrella of “promotion,” or “marketing.“ It’s also possible you’ve heard them referred to as “owned, earned, and paid media,” as I’d been taught when I started in the industry. Any and every author needs… Continue reading The Book Marketing Trifecta: An Overview of Owned, Earned, and Paid Media for Authors