Published on March 7, 2021
author, author scams, book marketing, pod complaints, Print on demand, self-publishing, writing career advice, writing scams
Author Andy was so excited! His new book was finished and he’d just approved his print galley. It was time to start selling books! His publishing company put his book up for sale on their website and sent him the URL where he could send people who wanted to purchase his book.
Andy didn’t have his own website or blog, but he didn’t think that would be a problem. Unfortunately, it was, on several fronts. And, while Andy and the other authors below are fictitious, the scenarios are based on real complaints we’ve received from authors over the years. In every case, had the author had their own website or blog, he or she would have lost few, if any, sales.
Published on February 19, 2021
author, book marketing, book signing advice, bookstores, diversify your writing income, Networking, Print on demand, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing career advice
With lockdowns dashing plans for my book rollout, I had to come up with new marketing strategies. Creativity can overcome adversity in difficult times.
Published on February 13, 2021
Print on demand, self-publishing, traditional publishing
I was always a weird (um, naughty) kid. I never aligned myself with social norms. I recognized when something was ridiculous, even if “everyone else” was doing it. I would do things differently, despite the fact that…
Published on January 29, 2021
author, editing, Print on demand, self-publishing, writing career advice, writing tips
If I had a nickel for all of the authors who have told me they didn’t think readers would mind a few typos.
Published on December 10, 2020
Print on demand, promoting your writing, self-publishing, traditional publishing
Anytime an author pays to get published, it’s considered vanity publishing. But, many self-published authors earn more than their traditionally-published colleagues.
Published on December 4, 2020
BookLocker, Print on demand, self-publishing
Like everything else BookLocker has done so far, my book page is flawless! Thanks so much for providing this amazing service.
Published on November 25, 2020
author, book marketing, Book Reviews, book signing advice, diversify your writing income, Networking, Print on demand, promoting your writing, self-publishing, social media, storytelling, traditional publishing, write that book, writing career advice, writing tips
Tried-and-true methods for book promotion and ones of my own invention.
Published on October 23, 2020
author, legal, libel, Print on demand, self-publishing, storytelling, traditional publishing, writing career advice
“I’ve written a book that contains lots of stories about people I’ve know. A friend told me to set up an LLC and then can’t get sued. Is this true?”
Published on October 23, 2020
author, bookbaby, complaints, Complaints about specific publishers, Print on demand, self-publishing, writing career advice
We were recently contacted by an author who wants to move his book from BookBaby to BookLocker. He says it takes them too long to print and ship a book. We took a look at their current “terms of service” and this is what we found…
Published on October 15, 2020
amazon, author, Print on demand, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, writing career advice
One author wrote to me this week saying her book was ready but that she wanted to “hold” the book until December 1st to get more people interested in it. I told her, “That type of product hype only works for iPhones and celebrity authors like Stephen King…”
