Public Speaking

The following is a guest post from Michael W. Roberts and an entry in February’s Self-Publishing Writing Contest. Voting for the winner will begin on Thursday, February 9th. Want to help out your fellow indie authors? Consider entering March’s contest! Why do you write? What is it that gets you out of bed in the morning or keeps you [...]
You might also like:

1. The Long Game of Self-Publishing [Guest Post]
   The following is a guest post from Merry Farmer and the first entry in February’s Self-Publishing Writing Contest. Voting for…
2. Grit City Emotobooks Revolutionize Fictional Storytelling [Guest Post]
   The following is a guest post by Ron Gavalik. Thanks, Ron! As a writer it’s always been a goal of…
3. Finding Writing Time and Working Smarter [Repost]
   The following was originally posted on March 28, 2010. Reclaiming Writing Time From Busy Modern Life I’m too busy. I…

Continue Reading Do You Still Enjoy Writing? (And What to Do if You Don’t) [Guest Post]

Tags: Guest Posts, Motivation, writer's block, writing a novel, writing process, Writing Tips

The following is a guest post from Merry Farmer and the first entry in February’s Self-Publishing Writing Contest. Voting for the winner will begin on Thursday, February 9th. Want to help out your fellow indie authors? Consider entering March’s contest! I once took a train trip from Orlando to Philadelphia. I was moving back home [...]
You might also like:

1. Grit City Emotobooks Revolutionize Fictional Storytelling [Guest Post]
   The following is a guest post by Ron Gavalik. Thanks, Ron! As a writer it’s always been a goal of…
2. You Can: Self-publishing Success – What it is and How to Achieve It
   The following is a guest post from author Carol Buchanan. If you’d like to be a guest poster, we’d love…
3. Reeling in our natural tendency to be long-winded…
   It’s a common problem: We like the concept of Twitter. We get how Twitter can help. But how in the…

Continue Reading The Long Game of Self-Publishing [Guest Post]

Tags: Guest Posts, inspiration, Motivation, Publishing, self-publishing experience

Last month, we announced a new feature: the reader mailbag! Here we take your questions about anything involving writing, design, publishing, marketing or any other self-publishing related topic and answer them here on the blog. Have a question? Tweet @duolit or give us a shout via our contact form!  From @JeremySenko: I have a great idea for [...]
You might also like:

1. [Discussion] Writing: Which comes first, the characters or the plot?
   In thinking about our cycle of blog topics (branding, publishing, marketing and design) it occurred to us that we left…
2. A writer’s dilemma: Characters versus Plot
   Yesterday, we asked you guys to share your opinions on which comes first in the writing process: characters or plot….
3. Getting Started with Self-Publishing
   Did you know that you can be a published author without having to wade through years of query letters, rejection and…

Continue Reading Reader Mailbag: Rushing Plot, Book Trailers, Getting Started

Tags: book trailer, getting started, Marketing & Promotion, plot, Publishing, Reader Mailbag

One of the most common questions we’re asked from authors looking into self-publishing is: how much does it cost? The truth is, the costs of self-publishing vary wildly and are highly dependent on which publishing route you take (eBook vs POD vs traditional printing), your personal skills and abilities (can you design your own cover [...]
You might also like:

1. How Much Do YOU Pay for Books? [Discussion]
   One of the most common questions we receive from authors is “how do I price my books?” The truth is,…
2. [Discussion] How Do YOU Feel About Book Cover Branding?
   In yesterday’s post, we presented twenty book covers with the author’s name removed — were you able to match up…
3. [Discussion] Do Professionally-Designed Book Covers Matter to Readers?
   During our Self-Publishing Basics Series, we got a response to 7 Things To Know About Book Design that got the…

Continue Reading How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? [Discussion]

Tags: cost, costs, Discussion, ebook, pod, Publishing

Hallelujah it’s Friday! By now you should be accustomed to the spectacular new Duolit posting schedule which includes not one, not two but THREE posts every week. (I know you guys are excited, but please try to keep the Beiberesque squealing to a minimum, we’re trying to run a business here.) If you missed our [...]
You might also like:

1. Links of the Month: February 2011
   To keep with our new once-weekly posting schedule, Links of the Week is now Links of the Month! We determine which…
2. Get Prompted in 2012!
   So far it’s been an extra special month of big announcements and new features to make Duolit even more awesome…
3. Send in Your Self-Publishing Questions & What’s New in 2012
   It’s a new year, and it’s the perfect time to jump start your writing career! What are you going to…

Continue Reading February 2012 Writing Prompts

Tags: Blog Prompts, Duolit Indie Inspirations, February 2012 Prompts, Writing Prompts

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller It seems like we blinked and the first month of 2012 passed us by in a blur of annoying political ads, above average temperatures and boxes of Christmas decorations headed back to the [...]
You might also like:

1. How to Make Sure Your Book Marketing Goals are SMART
   Have you written a blog post about your personal goals/resolutions for 2012? Be sure to add it to our Self-Publishing…
2. What are your thoughts on goals/resolutions? [Discussion]
   The new year brings renewed commitment to goals for many, and writers are no exception. The flipping of the calendar from…
3. Writing Review & Resolutions: 2011
   Well, my lovely Duoliters (Duolitians? Duolettes? Duolitites?) it’s that time of year again. The dawn of a new year is…

Continue Reading Writing Goals: Don’t Just Make’em, Meet’em!

Tags: goals, Motivation

Today’s post is a bit unscheduled, but still wonderful news for all our indie author friends. You see, one of our own, the very awesome John Betcher, had an idea. He decided to give away one of his books for free over a two-day period in hopes he could (perhaps) crack the Kindle Free Top 100 [...]
You might also like:

1. Writing and Self-Publishing Links of the Week: October 8
   The following is a post in our continuing series of writing and self-publishing links of the week. Writing and Editing…
2. Five (Easy) 5-Minute Marketing Ideas for the Unmotivated and/or Lazy Author
   The post below is an example of what you’ll receive when you sign up for our Marketing Motivation e-mail list….
3. What a *novel*idea: Sorting through publishing options
   The following is a guest post from author Amanda from The Drive. It was first published on her blog on…

Continue Reading How One Indie Author Increased Kindle Sales 3600% in ONE WEEK

Tags: ebooks, Marketing & Promotion, sales

So far it’s been an extra special month of big announcements and new features to make Duolit even more awesome in 2012 (I know, we didn’t think it was possible either!). We’ve got our first Reader Mailbag in the works (be sure to send in your questions!), a guest post contest (friendly reminder: the deadline [...]
You might also like:

1. Send in Your Self-Publishing Questions & What’s New in 2012
   It’s a new year, and it’s the perfect time to jump start your writing career! What are you going to…
2. 4 Ways NOT to Find Your Writing Motivation
   The ultimate remedy for writing motivation is a topic many have blogged about before. We all know the things that…
3. Happy New Year! [Meeting Report]
   We’re back from vacation and wishing all of our readers and fans a wonderful (and productive) 2011. Is this the…

Continue Reading Get Prompted in 2012!

Tags: Announcements, Blog Prompts, blogging

Have an awesome idea for a post that’s not related to social media? Consider entering it in our Self-Publishing Writing Contest for a chance to win Amazon.com gift cards and much more! Thanks to everyone who participated in our first Self-Publishing Linkup on New Year’s Resolutions/Goal-Setting (note: you can still add your link at any time). [...]
You might also like:

1. New Year’s Resolutions/Goal-Setting [Self-Publishing Linkup]
   Have an awesome idea for a post that’s not related to goals/resolutions? Consider entering it in our Self-Publishing Writing Contest…
2. More Useful: Facebook or Twitter? [Discussion]
   Without a doubt, Facebook and Twitter are king and queen of the social media world. As you dive in, however,…
3. 11 Quick & Easy Ways To Share The Love With Your Social Media Family
   By:stevendepoloWith Mother’s Day coming up, everyone’s busy buying cards and flowers, but it got me thinking about another way to…

Continue Reading Social Media Resources [Self-Publishing Linkup]

Tags: blogging, facebook, Links & Resources, linkup, Marketing & Promotion, social media, twitter

Have you written a blog post about your personal goals/resolutions for 2012? Be sure to add it to our Self-Publishing Linkup! The start of a year new year often means setting new goals – but how can you be sure you’ve set proper goals? Aiming too high or too low can be detrimental to the success of [...]
You might also like:

1. What are your thoughts on goals/resolutions? [Discussion]
   The new year brings renewed commitment to goals for many, and writers are no exception. The flipping of the calendar from…
2. Improve Book Marketing with NaNoWriMo Principles
   NaNoWriMo is in full swing! Even if you’re not involved in the caffeine-fueled word count addiction that goes along with…
3. Marketing Review & Resolutions 2011
   Note: This is our last post of 2011! We’ll see you all back on the blog on January 9, 2012!…

Continue Reading How to Make Sure Your Book Marketing Goals are SMART

Tags: evaluation, goals, Marketing & Promotion, Motivation