A year ago, I posted a two-part review of an online seminar called Self-Publishing School. Those reviews have begun to get new comments in the past few days, and sure enough. the seminar is back in action. Since it can be sometimes difficult for authors to weed out the good fiction advice from the non-fiction, I thought I'd gather up a few resources and articles to help those in their search ... and maybe throw in an article or two to boost your spirits. Ready? Let's get going!
Website: Self-Publishing Formula
This website has an ongoing series of podcasts with self-pubbed fiction authors, and the topics are wide and varied. One of the few folks I found worth my time at Self-Publishing School, Nick Stephenson, recently joined them as a guest. For those who do not care to listen to the podcasts. there are transcripts provided, as well.
Article: The Anatomy of a Book Blurb
While I do not use BookBub, they have a very fantastic article which breaks down the Achilles heel of so many fiction writers: the book blurb (or "jacket copy", if you feel like getting fancy). This is, of course, if you feel up to rolling up your sleeves and pulling your blurb apart yourself. I am happy to do that legwork for you, since I am a rare and magical bird in the world of fiction authors, and actually like this sort of thing. A lot.
Article: Reader Magnet Ideas
The term "Reader Magnet" is new to me as of, well, this blog post, but the concept is not: this article provides some fresh ideas which you can use on your website or social media of choice to get readers' attention and get them interested in not only your book, but you. There are some pretty fantastic ones here. if I do say so myself, and I may adapt a few for this September's release of In The Cards.
Encouragement: From Forbes, of all places
If you're deep down in the indecision hole that is "traditional publishing vs. self-publishing", or if, like me, you still wonder sometimes whether or not you should be sending out queries to traditional publishers ... Forbes Magazine has some interesting insight into what works best for fiction writers. There's a caveat, though: those of you with Ad Blocker will have to disable it to access the site.
Encouragement: From Alan Moore, epic graphic novel legend
If you don't know Alan Moore's name, maybe you know these graphic novels, or the films based upon them: V for Vendetta. Watchmen. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. From Hell. He's a hell of an author with an amazing ability to create detailed worlds and amazing characters that make his readers think, and challenge their own opinions about the world we live in.
And he's in favor of self-publishing. So we've got that going for us.
Website: Self-Publishing Formula
This website has an ongoing series of podcasts with self-pubbed fiction authors, and the topics are wide and varied. One of the few folks I found worth my time at Self-Publishing School, Nick Stephenson, recently joined them as a guest. For those who do not care to listen to the podcasts. there are transcripts provided, as well.
Article: The Anatomy of a Book Blurb
While I do not use BookBub, they have a very fantastic article which breaks down the Achilles heel of so many fiction writers: the book blurb (or "jacket copy", if you feel like getting fancy). This is, of course, if you feel up to rolling up your sleeves and pulling your blurb apart yourself. I am happy to do that legwork for you, since I am a rare and magical bird in the world of fiction authors, and actually like this sort of thing. A lot.
Article: Reader Magnet Ideas
The term "Reader Magnet" is new to me as of, well, this blog post, but the concept is not: this article provides some fresh ideas which you can use on your website or social media of choice to get readers' attention and get them interested in not only your book, but you. There are some pretty fantastic ones here. if I do say so myself, and I may adapt a few for this September's release of In The Cards.
Encouragement: From Forbes, of all places
If you're deep down in the indecision hole that is "traditional publishing vs. self-publishing", or if, like me, you still wonder sometimes whether or not you should be sending out queries to traditional publishers ... Forbes Magazine has some interesting insight into what works best for fiction writers. There's a caveat, though: those of you with Ad Blocker will have to disable it to access the site.
Encouragement: From Alan Moore, epic graphic novel legend
If you don't know Alan Moore's name, maybe you know these graphic novels, or the films based upon them: V for Vendetta. Watchmen. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. From Hell. He's a hell of an author with an amazing ability to create detailed worlds and amazing characters that make his readers think, and challenge their own opinions about the world we live in.
And he's in favor of self-publishing. So we've got that going for us.
Article: BookRiot on Where to Find Good Self-Pub Fiction
Finally, if you've finished your hard work and want to get out there and start supporting your self-publishing tribe, you're going to want to know where to find them! BookRiot has a great list of sites to get you started ... and of course, you may want to see about getting your work on some of those sites, as well.
In case you missed it last year, my cautionary tale of Self-Publishing School is in two parts: here and here. I hope you've find something of use in this post, and encourage you to share any links to other favorite resources in the comments! Facebook groups. blog posts, websites, you name it!
Happy writing, happy reading, and I'll see you all here next week!
Finally, if you've finished your hard work and want to get out there and start supporting your self-publishing tribe, you're going to want to know where to find them! BookRiot has a great list of sites to get you started ... and of course, you may want to see about getting your work on some of those sites, as well.
In case you missed it last year, my cautionary tale of Self-Publishing School is in two parts: here and here. I hope you've find something of use in this post, and encourage you to share any links to other favorite resources in the comments! Facebook groups. blog posts, websites, you name it!
Happy writing, happy reading, and I'll see you all here next week!
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