Writing & Publishing

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.

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.

Are you thinking about starting a blog or website? Here are some beginner tips to help you create one that works for you.

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I've unpublished a number of my Kindle ebooks.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 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.

Revising an article so that it stays fresh and current is important. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know how to revise your article or what specifically to change or update. Here are some of the things I consider when updating my work

Tips are very useful for newer content writers because it is easy to get lost as a beginner. In this article, we will look at nine key content-writing tips that you can apply to your work today to take your career to the next level.

At times, figuring out what to write about may be harder than writing. This article shares some ideas to help you find witing topics.

I have been an online writer for over 10 years and have written over 5,000 articles. Some of them have received thousands of views while others have not had as many. So, what are the reasons some articles get read often while others barely get read?

Getting mass media coverage for self-published books is really, really tough. As a former trade newspaper editor for 15 years, let me share why that is, along with some tips for improving your chances of getting media coverage.

If your goal is to get your message into the hands, hearts, and minds of lots of people you want to influence, self-publishing a book might not be the best way to accomplish that. I explain why.

A question about Amazon best seller rank (BSR) came in from one of my YouTube video watchers. He asked if my Amazon advertising made an impact on my Amazon BSR. Honestly, I don’t know. And, honestly, I don’t care. Let me explain why.

Low-content coloring books and activity books for markets of all ages represent a continuing opportunity for authors interested in self-publishing. Here's what you need to know about publishing them on Kindle Direct Publishing. Examples are included.

Multi-genre works can be likened to mixed-media art, which combines multiple materials or styles. They can be experimental and done intentionally to create new forms of expression. However, for some authors, a multi-genre book is a symptom of their awkward motivations and inexperience. I explain.

For authors, paid subscription email newsletters and content monetization platforms can be an additional non-book profit center or income stream. Some authors may even use them in lieu of publishing books or blogs. But are they really moneymakers? Let’s explore the facts and fictions about them.

Creating content with relevant keywords is the way to go for everyone in the world of online marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). In this article you will be introduced to some tools that will help you to identify beneficial keywords and useful topics for your content.

If you want to make more money writing for HubPages, follow these simple tips.

When I receive collaboration offers, I ignore most of them. Some of them are just not legit. Others just want too much. And some are just not a good fit. Let’s discuss how to evaluate collaboration opportunities because some of them are more trouble than they’re worth.

I’ve encountered self published authors who are interested in doing branded merchandise (or “branded merch”) for their books. While there are very economical and efficient ways to do that with print on demand these days, it still may not be worth the effort. I discuss.

There are many dubious opportunities on the Internet, but is Filthy Rich Writer's copywriting academy one of them?

Self publishers come in two varieties: self published authors and authorpreneurs. While they both publish books, there motives are completely different. Find out which one you are.

Readers who privately consume books to avoid judgment from other people about their book choices are "closet readers." Here's what you need to know about the challenges of marketing your self published book to them.

Almost anything is possible when it comes to book printing if money is no object. If you don’t have that kind of cash, then you need to consider your book printing options carefully. I provide insight on some frequently asked questions (FAQ) and comments about book printing for self publishing.

Authors often offer signed copies of their books for their loyal fans. But is offering them more hassle and expense than they're worth, especially for self published authors? I discuss the logistic challenges of offering signed copies.

While self published authors should choose Amazon categories for their books that align with their subject matter, some authors get overly concerned about them. I explain why they shouldn't be.