We live in a digital world of pressing a button to order anything, including books. Does that mean traditional bookstores are obsolete? Of course not. Bookstore owners/managers can be an author’s friend and advocate in the community, but we, as writers, need to do our part in fostering that relationship.
If you’re thinking about creating a website or blog to promote yourself and your work, you should seriously consider creating it yourself using WordPress. You can create a really lovely website with little or no technical ability and a miniscule budget.
We’ve purchased the rights to this step-by-step video course
Pubslush is a crowdfunding platform just for books, and one of our CBI literacy partners. Authors can use Pubslush to raise money for publishing and marketing their work. In this video, Laura explains some new features of Pubslush, and a book-giveaway project for December as well as a holiday charitable partnership with the Ronald
by Allison Pomenta
Editor’s note: Attending an international book fair is a terrific way to see what’s happening in publishing on a global scale, and also allows indie authors an opportunity to make connections with foreign publishers who might want to publish their books. Plus, it’s a tax-deductible trip! But
Find out about our new partnership with Pubslush, an impressive platform that allows authors to raise money to create, produce and promote their work. Laura takes you on a site wallkthrough, and then sits down with Pubslush VP Amanda Barbara.
Laura will even show you our own section on
Just as political candidates and parties need platforms, so do writers. We build those platforms through our online efforts and through public appearances/speaking. Many of us prefer using social media. It can be done within the privacy of our homes. If, however, you are ignoring using public speaking to promote
Imagine you’re the captain of the good ship D.I.Y. Book Promotion. You’re heading straight into the seas of indifference and your boat is chugging hard. Your author website should function like the prow of the ship, helping to cut through those vast and stormy
Starting in the 90s and continuing through the aughts, the music industry utterly imploded. The old ways (get a record deal, record in a high-end studio, depend on your label to distribute and promote) disappeared and the new ways (record it yourself, distribute it digitally, promote via social networks
Here’s a question from a Fightin’ Bookworm for our Social Media Expert Guide Melissa Giovagnoli (G) Wilson:
Dear Melissa,
I am a previously-published author who will be self-publishing an illustrated digital children’s book optimized for the pixel-dense iPad 3. An experienced artist from Sweden is collaborating with me, and
by Joan Stewart
Writers know the importance of outlining. A good book starts with a strong outline or plan. But do you know the importance of outlining your social media marketing?
Of course you have a website. You’re on Facebook, you tweet, you blog. You’re familiar with MySpace, YouTube, Tumblr, Linked In, and other social network sites. Do you have a plan to make your efforts work together toward your goal?
Just came a cross a brilliant “infographic” that can provide the perfect roadmap for those of you using Twitter to promote yourself and your work. This really hits all the bases:
64 Ways to Improve Your Twitter Marketing
Some things to add, specifically for children’s writers: [list style=”w”]
Portrait by Jonathan Worth http://jonathanworth.com
When it comes to publishing's future, there are two kinds of writers: those who shy away from change and those who embrace and benefit from change.
Among those in the latter group, Young Adult/Sci-Fi author Cory Doctorow is the undisputed king. His take on copyright,
You've sold a book. Congratulations! Your work is done. Right?
Wrong. Your work is just beginning.
Those who have been around in the publishing business long enough remember the old marketing methods. ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) were mailed to bookstore owners and reviewers. Postcards were sent to a reading list,
Laura chats with Terry Doherty of the Reading Tub about how to get a book reviewer's attention.
As a followup to this month's Children's Book Insider article, Laura sat down for another interview session with children's book reviewer Terry Doherty from The Reading Tub.
We all know that blogging is one of the best ways to get attention in today’s Internet world. A blog is a godsend to your website, bringing it traffic, fans, and more. But you have to post regularly: twice a week or more.
Are you like me and need a “Multimedia for Dummies” book? My children and my grandchildren typically regard me with pity when I ask for help with anything technological, including working the apps on my new cell phone.