Writing & Publishing

Some customers will be disappointed with what they purchase, regardless of what you offer. Admit it; you’re not happy with everything you buy. I don’t fret that somehow my books or content are bad if they are returned for a refund. Here’s why you shouldn’t worry about it either.

Google Play now enables authors and publishers to create audiobooks using text-to-speech (TTS) robot voices. Let’s talk about what these technological advances are, how they will impact audiobooks, and what that means for authors who are self-publishing audiobooks.

Do you always have to get professional photos for your author headshots? Can you use selfies? Are there any rules for using photos in books? I share what you need to know about author headshot photos for your books.

I'm known for saying that book covers aren't as important as authors think. But what if the book cover is the real value of the book and not the writing in it? I discuss the emerging and disturbing "books as decor" trend and what it means for authors.

Blogging has become a very popular way of making money, especially for those who want to work from home. Some bloggers earn seven figures annually. But how do they achieve so much success with blogging?

As you’re shopping on Amazon, you may have run across product pages that include additional photos and content to help promote the product. This is referred to as A+ Content on Amazon. It’s now available for authors who self-publish on KDP, Kindle Direct Publishing. I share my experience with it.

Authors are often confused and frustrated when using keywords to market their self-published books on Amazon and Kindle Direct Publishing. I explain why and how to approach this aspect of your book marketing.

Self-published authors need to understand that their books can have multiple sub-markets based on the book format. Markets for print books, eBooks, and audiobooks are discussed.

While the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting method is sound theoretically, it often has its flaws in practice. Let’s see how self-published authors get goals wrong.

An author asked if opting into KDP Select would affect paperback sales. Well, yes, it can. Here’s how.

I discuss what the PR game is all about. And now that social media has become even more of a force than mass media for smaller businesses and authors, I’ll talk about that, too, as it relates to promotions for your book.

To avoid getting disappointed or scammed, authors must understand the distinctions among publishing companies, publishers, and self-publishing platforms.

What authors need to know about trigger warnings for books and other content.

As authors, we have to be very careful about “aging” our audiences. And this goes in both directions of the age spectrum. Let’s talk about a few of the pitfalls to avoid in age classifications for your readers.

These websites and newsletters will promote your discounted ebook free of charge and help you attain that sweet spot on the top 100 list.

I share book-reading trends that could be impacting book sales for authors.

This article outlines seven key differences between articles and blogs (with original examples).

What does your book's Amazon Best Sellers Rank (BSR) actually mean? I explain Amazon BSR, category rankings, and NPD Bookscan reports for authors.

TikTok is a short video content-sharing social network that covers every imaginable topic, including a large community called #booktok. What is #booktok, and how can self-published authors take advantage of it?

You can earn passive income from easy-to-create low-content or no-content books and journals on Amazon.

Selling your self-published poetry is tough. I share why poetry is such a marketing challenge, and some tips to make your poetry more market-friendly.

There’s a lot of hype surrounding NFTs, or non-fungible tokens on the blockchain, for sales of creative work using blockchain technology. Let’s talk about what NFTs are and how they might be used by authors in self-publishing.

I've written for HubPages for over seven years. Here are reasons they're a great company to write for.

Is Webnovel legitimate? The short answer is yes. But that answer changes depending on your description of legit.

Figuring out how many potential book buyers you have is the first step in forecasting your self-published book sales. Learn how to do it.

Is self-publishing a book the best way to get your message or story to the world? Do you understand your motivations for wanting to write a book? I offer some food for thought on whether writing and self-publishing a book is really worth your while.

These are just two relatively easy ways for artists to make money on KDP.

Do you dream of seeing your self-published book on the shelves of your local independent (indie) bookstore? I bust some myths about indie bookstores and self-publishing, and I share what you need to know about the indie bookstore business.

What is a bad book? What is bad marketing? How can you know whether your self-published book or your book marketing is bad?

In 2021, Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) self-publishing platform introduced hardcover book printing. Here’s what you need to consider when creating a hardcover edition for your book on KDP.

Content creation is a popular and rapidly evolving field. Anyone can create content, but success requires skill, expertise, persistence, and adaptability. This article discusses the six main traits most successful content creators share.

Can merchandising incentives and displays incentivize bookstores to carry your self-published book? Probably not. I explain why.

Content writers can stay competitive by keeping their skills sharp and keeping up with what employers are looking for.

Big-name record labels and musicians sell box sets (or boxed sets) and bundles. So do big publishers and authors. Can small, self-published authors do it, too? Yes. But like anything else, there are some things you need to know before diving in.

I've unpublished a number of my Kindle ebooks. Unpublishing your books is an important decision. Here’s what you need to consider.

You can actually make money by writing for just a few hours a day, but it's not easy. Here's what I've learned as a freelancer.

Non-native English writers are often very gifted, but they may find it a bit harder to be successful in the competitive world of writing and publishing. An excellent command of the English language is a must. Experience and self-confidence are equally important.

"I’m going to donate all my self-published book’s profits to charity." I’d suggest simply making a cash donation to your favorite charity instead of sharing your book’s profits. Let me explain why.

Does self-publishing a book on one platform, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark, is it okay to publish it n another one, too? And does self-publishing your books on multiple platforms really increase book sales?

One question that I frequently receive (and that pops up regularly in author forums) asks what else can be used to market one’s self-published books other than social media. So, let’s look at book marketing without social media and discuss whether it’s even possible.

Authors who need book design or editing often consider bartering for these services, especially if finances are a concern. Learn when and how bartering works in writing and self-publishing.

This article looks at HubPages and Medium from a writer's perspective. It compares and contrasts their relative merits and draws conclusions as to which is the better platform for online authors.

Many writers aspire to write on a daily basis but just can't seem to make it happen consistently. This article draws on my 35 years of experience to provide 5 practical tips for those who desire to write every day.

The whole subject of fan fiction puts me into a panic. Let me explain why along with what you need to know about the legal and marketing challenges it entails.

Recently, a fellow author brought to light—or rather, created a drama about—something that touched on a topic writers deal with almost daily: the dreaded “bad review.”

Wondering why copywriters are so expensive? Should you just write it yourself? Here I'll let you in on why hiring writers costs so darn much and why it's worth it to you in the long run.

Let’s explore why authors may feel compelled to rewrite self-published fiction works and whether it’s advisable to do so.

It is normal to feel confused about how to earn from your blog. In this article, we explore a number of techniques newer bloggers can use to earn money with their writing.

Is the book-advertising process different for fiction and nonfiction? The answer is yes and no. I explain.

Blogging is not just fun; it's also very rewarding if you make the right choices. In this article, we take a look at the 10 main reasons why you should start blogging right now.