Blogging and Writing – A Guide to Information

Let’s face it: much of book marketing is rather, well, static. Enter book trailers — much like the familiar trailers (previews) you see for movies and television shows, book trailers bring your book to life with visuals and a soundtrack. The best trailers build anticipation and encourage sharing by offering the viewer/reader something capitvating, unique and [...]
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1. If Professional Book Design Were Free, Would You Still DIY? [Discussion]
   One of the most common complaints we hear from self-publishing authors is that professional services to aid in their publishing…
2. How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? [Discussion]
   One of the most common questions we’re asked from authors looking into self-publishing is: how much does it cost? The…
3. Who Are Your Readers? [Discussion]
   If there’s one thing every author can use, it’s more readers! If you’ve followed our advice and found your target…

Continue Reading Book Trailers — What Do You Think? [Discussion]

Tags: book trailers, Discussion, Marketing & Promotion

It’s been a blast (and a whirlwind) trying to catch up with what the self-publishing world had to offer in my two-week baby-having absence. Our Google Reader is overflowing with great posts, and you know what that means: time for another edition of As the Self-Pub World Turns! Remember:  if you read something you enjoy, be sure [...]
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1. As The Self-Pub World Turns: Amazon’s Taking Over Edition
   At our weekly Duolit pow-wow, Shannon mentioned that she missed the Links of the Week posts from back in the…
2. As the Self-Pub World Turns: Unique Book Promo Ideas Edition
   We’ve heard you guys loud and clear: book marketing sucks, it takes up too much time, etc, etc. Luckily, the…
3. As the Self-Pub World Turns: Contests, Editing and GRIT!
   It’s a grabbag of topics on this edition of As The Self-Pub World Turns, but that just means a great…

Continue Reading As the Self-Pub World Turns: Sleepless Nights Edition

Tags: characters, indie publishing, Links & Resources, networking, reviews

Yes, we know, it’s right there in the name — “self” publishing. It goes with other terms like “do-it-yourself” and “self-confidence” and “self-employed.” But before you reach a point of utter frustration and begin belting out Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” you should know something; self-publishing doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Look at [...]
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Continue Reading The Self-Publishing Journey: You are not alone.

Tags: Links & Resources

Good news: the online writing community is, for the most part, extremely supportive of indie authors and self-publishing. Bad news: it can still seem like a very “every man for himself” world out there, even within that community. When’s the last time you gave a fellow indie author a shoutout on Twitter? Left a comment [...]
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1. [Discussion] How Do You Support Your Fellow Indie Authors?
   Let’s face it: self-publishing is a difficult path to take. Contrary to what we often hear, for those serious about…
2. [Discussion] How Do You Price Your Books?
   In the past couple of weeks, we have seen a lot of chatter on Twitter about how indie authors do…
3. [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…

Continue Reading Do You Read Indie Books? [Discussion]

Tags: Discussion

Although I’m writing this post on April 10th, by the time you read it, I’ll totally be a parent. Eek! Speaking as someone who has never even held a newborn (true story), this thought is both exhilerating and terrifying, although, at the moment, terrifying is winning out. As I know a lot of you out there [...]
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1. Easter Fun! [Friday Funday]
   Our favorite non-Irish drinking holiday of the spring is finally upon us! Easter is this Sunday and Toni and I…
2. [Friday Fun] Worst Plot Ever?
   Now that you guys have all downloaded our six super amazing plot, character and perspective templates we know for certain…
3. [Friday Fun] Most Obnoxious Twitter Spam…Ever?
   It comes in the form of a DM or a @mention…trying to lure you with links…and you know you love…

Continue Reading Give Toni Parenting Advice [Friday Funday]

Tags: Discussion, Randomness

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could sell thousands of copies of our books just by sharing the raving reviews we received from our family and friends? Can you imagine these gems on the back cover of your book?  “Best thing she’s written since she scribbled her name in crayon on her bedroom wall.” - Dad “It [...]
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1. 3 Ways To Make Your Media Kit Rock (Plus a Template for Ninjas)
   Anytime you request an interview, you use it. Anytime you contact a blogger, you use it. Anytime you solicit a…
2. [Discussion] How Should We Ease “Self-Publishing Gridlock?”
   Quick programming note: We mentioned on our podcast last week that we’d be discussing branding this week. Shannon had to…
3. Marketing: 9 Ways To Market Your Book [Self-Publishing Basics]
   Ahhhhhhhh. Breathe a sign of relief. You’ve planned, written, edited, designed and made decision after decision and now, finally, your…

Continue Reading 3 Do’s and 3 Do Not’s of Requesting Book Reviews [And a Ninja Template]

Tags: Links & Resources, Marketing & Promotion

It’s a grabbag of topics on this edition of As The Self-Pub World Turns, but that just means a great collection of posts and resources for indie authors! No matter where you are in the self-publishing process, there should be a post below that speaks to you. And, if you read something you enjoy, be [...]
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1. As the Self-Pub World Turns: Unique Book Promo Ideas Edition
   We’ve heard you guys loud and clear: book marketing sucks, it takes up too much time, etc, etc. Luckily, the…
2. As The Self-Pub World Turns: Amazon’s Taking Over Edition
   At our weekly Duolit pow-wow, Shannon mentioned that she missed the Links of the Week posts from back in the…
3. Editing: It’s not for sissies. [Self-Publishing Basics]
   Stop biting your nails and looking fretfully over your shoulder, it will be okay! I promise! I know that to…

Continue Reading As the Self-Pub World Turns: Contests, Editing and GRIT!

Tags: Links & Resources, world turns

By now you’ve surely heard that Apple and several major book publishers have been sued by the U.S. government this week because of their alleged collusion to raise eBook prices, a violation of antitrust laws. It’s really a pretty sordid story (as sordid as it gets when it comes to the topic of eBook pricing). [...]
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1. 7 Questions to Ask When Pricing Your Book
   This month in the land of Duolit, we are focusing on two post-writing, but pre-publishing issues that we frequently receive…
2. [Discussion] How Do You Price Your Books?
   In the past couple of weeks, we have seen a lot of chatter on Twitter about how indie authors do…
3. Decisions, Part III: 6 Details to Consider When Self-Publishing [Self-Publishing Basics]
   Grab your PT gear and head out to the parade deck, troops!  It’s time for another installment in our two…

Continue Reading Apple eBook Pricing Controversy: What do you think?

Tags: Discussion, ebook pricing

Anytime you request an interview, you use it. Anytime you contact a blogger, you use it. Anytime you solicit a review, you use it. Anytime you create an online dating profile, you use it. Okay, maybe that last one was a stretch…but the first three and a long list of others are all situations in [...]
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1. 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…
2. Do You Have a Media Kit? [Discussion]
   Picture it: you check your email and find a message from Matt Lauer! Jackpot! You’ve finally landed that big-time interview,…
3. [Discussion] What’s in YOUR Media Kit? How Have You Used It?
   We’re all about media kits this week! Yesterday, we shared what you should include in your media kit, including: Book…

Continue Reading 3 Ways To Make Your Media Kit Rock (Plus a Template for Ninjas)

Tags: Marketing & Promotion, media kits

Picture it: you check your email and find a message from Matt Lauer! Jackpot! You’ve finally landed that big-time interview, but there’s a catch: they’re requesting a bunch of info about you and your book before your interview. No biggie, just send over your media kit! You *do* have a media kit, right? Or do [...]
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1. [Discussion] What’s in YOUR Media Kit? How Have You Used It?
   We’re all about media kits this week! Yesterday, we shared what you should include in your media kit, including: Book…
2. [Discussion] How Do You Use Your Author Website?
   With a few posts related to author websites popping up on Twitter, we thought they’d be a great topic for…
3. 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,…

Continue Reading Do You Have a Media Kit? [Discussion]

Tags: Discussion, Marketing & Promotion