Category: Business of Writing

Embracing the Digital Revolution

Business of Writing, Uncategorized

By Kristi Belcamino, @hiresBADcover

Writers dream of the day when they walk into a bookstore, see a book they wrote on the shelf, and then hold that book in their own two hands!

But what if a debut author is offered a digital-only book deal? Even if it is with one of the Big Five? No print book. What then? What does she do about that offer?

Well, she takes it!

At least I did.

I was beside myself, thrilled that an editor at one of the “big houses” liked my book. loved it even. At the same time, I had to let go of my dreams— holding my book in my hands, signing a physical book, and going cross-country on a grassroots book tour.Continue reading

Walking Away from the Stress of the “Big Release”

Business of Writing, Promo Tips

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraigConference1

Kirkus Reviews interviewed me Tuesday for an author profile in the indie section they’ve got now.  I had a nice talk with Sarah Rettger, who is writing the story.

One question flustered me, though, and usually does whenever I’m asked it.  What type of promo has worked well for you? I answered, as I always do, that I don’t actually really promote.  I do build up my name as a platform online (Twitter, blogging), but that’s mostly to increase my profile in Google rankings so that readers can easily find me.  This strategy appears to work since readers seem to have no trouble finding me.Continue reading

The Power of Covers

Business of Writing

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraigQuilt Trip

I think by now most of us have agreed that, whether they should or not, covers have a tremendous impact on what readers purchase.

In a split second, a good cover indicates a book’s genre.  This is probably the most important role of a cover, in commercial fiction.

As Mark Coker of Smashwords states in his free ebook, The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success:

Your cover is the first impression you make on a prospective reader. It’s the visual embodiment of everything your book represents. Great covers, through their imagery alone, can communicate genre, topic, mood and setting. A great cover image makes a promise to prospective readers. It helps them recognize your book as one they’ll enjoy reading. Continue reading

Getting Our Work Out There (A Look at Wattpad)

Business of Writing, Promo Tips

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraigimages

Visibility and discoverability are words that I encounter time and time again on the industry blogs I follow.  There are a lot of books in the marketplace right now.  How can you make your book stand out…and find readers?

The best approach for obtaining visibility (in the current climate…things change rapidly) is to compose a lot of well-written books.

I’ve been pretty happy about my visibility on retail sites (90% Amazon, really), but I keep wondering how to reach more readers.  I’ve got avid readers who  I’m determined to keep  happy.  But how do I reach out to other demographics?  Can I reach other demographics?Continue reading

Transitioning from Fiction to Nonfiction: 4 Easy Steps

Business of Writing, Writing Tips

by Nina Amir, @NinaAmirATMcover 399 for web (1)

There are many reasons for novelists to enter the realm of nonfiction. However, moving into this unknown territory can feel hard and scary, especially for those who like to write fiction by the seat of their pants. For planners, it’s not quite so difficult.

Even though by nature I’m a seatser, I’m a huge advocate of planning. The reason why is simple: Planning helps a book succeed—no matter the genre. It provides a writing guide for a marketable book.

Here are four steps to take to plan out your nonfiction book and end up with a guide to take you from start to finish.Continue reading

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