Image: doodles of potential website home page layouts.

When Do You Need an Author Website?

A little planning and reflection will help your website be a project you sustain, rather than discard like a half-baked draft.
Image: a woman sits on a pier with her luggage, watching the cruise ship which has sailed away without her.

Why You Should Start Promoting Your Writing Before You’re “Ready”

When an author’s article went viral, she didn’t have the tools in place—a website, a social presence—to capture and leverage that audience.
Image: Sitting in front of a laptop computer, a smiling woman wearing earbuds gives two thumbs up to the computer screen.

Boost Your Book Launch by Perfecting Distribution and Metadata

When self-publishing be sure to determine a distribution strategy, avoid gotchas when using POD, and get pricing and metadata right from the start.
Photo of author Ann Garvin with the quote: While a good marketer tells a story, she doesn’t tell the whole story, and that’s where it can get complicated for someone who just wrote a book.

Describe Your Book in Two Sentences: Q&A with Ann Garvin

A book pitch requires an author to distill character, plot and stakes into one or two juicy sentences that entice a reader to ask for more.
Image: Four white corinthian columns stand against a partly-cloudy blue sky.

4 Pillars of Book Marketing, or How to Sell More Books in Less Time

Marketing strategically for 30–60 minutes per day can ensure your time, money, and energy go toward activities that move the needle.
Infographic summarizing the characteristics of upmarket fiction. It's primarily character driven; has universal themes everyone can connect to; its aim is thoughtful discussion; it blends lines of commercial and literary fiction; it's appropriate for book club discussion; has accessible and quality writing tackling a commercial plot; and has a concise and attention-grabbing hook.

What Is Upmarket Fiction?

Upmarket fiction is a blend of commercial and literary fiction, but how it gets blended is where writers and industry members can’t always agree.
Image: a garish antique storefront sign reads "Giveaway."

To Give It Away or Not to Give It Away

It’s hard to get someone to take a risk on an unknown author. A giveaway can make your book known to thousands of readers in one fell swoop.
The interior of a bookstore with large plate glass windows facing onto a city street.

How Authors Can Build Relationships with Independent Bookstores

Marketing your book to bookstores—like marketing your book anywhere else—requires research and shoe leather.
From an ant's-eye view, a pretty gazebo is surrounded by blooming rose bushes and festooned with lights on a clear summer day.

How Author Platform Connects to Author Brand

Every effective brand—even an author’s—has three essential characteristics: uniqueness, consistency, and authenticity.
Image: next to a roadway, a lighted traffic control sign displays the message "Keep Your Distance."

Promoting Your Book as an Introvert in the Age of TikTok

Planning a book launch can be daunting for introverts. But finding strategies that fit with your skills and personality can make it easier.
Image: a heavily-tattooed man in casual clothing sits cross-legged on a sofa and types at a laptop computer, while someone else sits beside him reading a book.

The Author-Creator Marketing Playbook

The key to creating successful content as an author-creator lies in the same ingredients that make your stories so great.
Image: an urban telephone pole on which someone has painted a smiley face and the words "You are the best".

Blurb Matters: A Quiet Manifesto

If we were to reposition blurbs as affirmations as opposed to marketing tools, would that also shift the way we traffic in them?
Image: a woman peers through the ornate opening in an antique door.

Unlock Better Reach: Bridge the Gap Between Online and Offline Activities

To build an audience, close the gap between your offline-self and online-self by showing up with consistent value on your core topics.
Image: a Little Free Library box on a post near the edge of a lake in late autumn..

5 Ways to Use Community Marketing for Your Book

It’s possible to create connections with readers by utilizing some fun and interesting ways for them to interact with your book.
Man POV looking at Amazon Prime Day shopping deals on Apple MacBook Pro laptop with Safari Internet browser open special discounts and online consumerism shopping

Amazon Ads: Step-by-Step Walk Through for Beginning Authors

Amazon ads are a valued (and sometimes expensive) tool for authors and publishers to drive book visibility and sales. Here's a guide to getting started.
Image: an urban brick wall on which are painted many colorful versions of the phrase "I like you".

Getting Book Endorsements (Blurbs): What to Remember, Do, Avoid, and Expect

Seeking blurbs—quotes and endorsements—is a task that most writers absolutely hate. Here are some tips that can get you closer to a yes.
Image: a man at a book promotion event smiles while interacting with an audience member

Promote Your Book with Your Values

Thinking creatively about book events might allow you to align the things you care about with the time you spend on promotion.
Why So Many Blogs and Newsletters Aren't Worth the Writer's Effort

Why So Many Blogs and Newsletters Aren’t Worth the Writer’s Effort

Many writers are told to blog or send an email newsletter without much idea of how to approach it. Here are the most common mistakes they make.
Image: a woman's open hands holding a small, wrapped gift.

A Thousand New Email Sign Ups in a Week? It’s Possible.

You don’t need to start strategizing newsletter content or setting a delivery schedule in order to begin building your email list.
How to Plan and Host Worthwhile Online Book Events

How to Plan and Host Worthwhile Online Book Events

Learn best practices for online book events, regardless of the platform you’re using.
Image: young women looking at a smartphone on which the TikTok app is displayed.

BookTok: A Safe Haven for Young Female Readers

The key to winning BookTok content: authenticity.
Image: a pencil-shaped rocket launching into space

Launching a Book: Baby, Art or Product?

Promotion strategy for your book depends greatly on why you’ve written it, what it means to you, and its place in the larger context of your life.
Image: a tiger in an enclosure, looking at a paperback book standing nearby.

How to Secure Early Endorsements (Blurbs) for Your Book

Even the most high-profile influencers may be reachable if you make the right connections and take the right steps.
Image: woman standing in a field, with a large box over her head.

Does the Idea of Promoting Your Book Make You Feel Queasy?

As an author, marketing your work will always be your job, but it doesn't have to be a chore. To do it well, think beyond self-promotion.
Image: a megaphone placed on a chair

Choosing a Publicist (Again): Assessing Your Changing Needs

As an author’s career progresses, the publicity needs change—and what worked for the first book might no longer be appropriate for the third.
Illustration of Edgar Allan Poe sending an angry face emoji on a laptop computer.

How to Turn Trolling Into a Fine Art

Edgar Allan Poe was a 19th century troll, virulently critical of other writers—but also engaged in literary citizenship for work he admired.
Image: a row of light switches, with the first one turned off.

How to Market Your Book Without Social Media

One self-publishing author who opted-out offers a dozen other avenues on and off the Internet to help spread the word and drive book sales.
How to Harness Community to Build Book Sales and Platform

How to Harness Community to Build Book Sales and Platform

Traditional publishers often center marketing campaigns around community support—sometimes growing an author’s platform in the process
How to Develop a Marketing and Promotion Plan as an Indie Author

How to Develop a Marketing and Promotion Plan as an Indie Author

Self-publishing offers so many paths and options that it can seem intimidating. One debut novelist shares her journey, with valuable tips.
How Authors Can Leverage Facebook Ads to Sell More Books

How Authors Can Leverage Facebook Ads to Sell More Books

Facebook’s most valuable asset is data. As an advertiser, you can tap into this data and pinpoint the exact readers you want to reach.
Image: woman on sofa, speaking into microphone while looking at laptop computer.

How to Be a Great Podcast Guest: A Guide for Authors

Learning these basic skills will help you relax, enjoy the conversation, and hopefully turn a podcast’s audience into yours as well.
I’m Selling Books on TikTok, No Dancing (or Crying) Required

I’m Selling Books on TikTok, No Dancing (or Crying) Required

TikTok has evolved into an entertainment and educational hub, with a remarkably engaged community of book buyers.
Image: art installation on the side of a building, made of neon letters spelling the sentence "There are a lot of good people around."

Writers: Ask for What You Want

Your community might be all too willing to help promote your book. The hard part is overcoming the fear of asking.
Image: deep end of a swimming pool

A Debut Novelist in a Pandemic: How to Navigate a Launch Through Social Media

When the pandemic thwarted a debut author’s launch plans, she had no choice but to jump into the deep end of social media.
Image: statue of Thomas Paine holding book and quill pen

What Every Writer Needs to Know About Email Newsletters (They’re Not Going Away)

Even a small email list is better than no list at all, because it likely represents your most devoted, true fans.
Image: silhouette of one hiker helping another up the cliff face

Sometimes Better Than Blogging: Guest Blogging

Guest blogging allows you to leverage someone else’s existing audience as a way to reach new readers and grow your own audience.
Image: a small bottle full of gold metal stars

Get Reader Reviews Now to Drive Sales Later

Whether you use giveaways, blog tours or paid ads, generating reader reviews will drive sales and create opportunities for further marketing.
The Importance of Finding Your Marketing Sweet Spot

The Importance of Finding Your Marketing Sweet Spot

There are hundreds of ways to market. The secret isn’t to do them all—it’s to find the few that work for your product and focus on just those.
Image: woman at laptop with 'special deal' advertised on screen

Using Book Promotion Newsletters to Increase Sales

Book promotion newsletters are a dynamic component of the overall book industry, but their focus—and results—can vary dramatically.
Image: Melissa Storm

Maximizing Book Sales with Facebook and BookBub Ads: Q&A with Melissa Storm

The bestselling author discusses best practices for ads, how to keep your spending in check, the top three mistakes authors make, and more.
Image: a crew of four schoolgirls, sitting with their backs to the camera

What You Can Learn About Platform From a 12-Year-Old

Building a platform is akin to making friends at a new school: invite, engage, be helpful, share and, most of all, be your best self.
Online Book Events: A Necessary Pivot in 2020, But How Do You Compete?

Online Book Events: A Necessary Pivot in 2020, But How Do You Compete?

It's now possible to fill every lunch hour and evening with book clubs and book festivals and live readings and more. Thus, even if you offer a creative and enticing online event, it’s hard to sell when so much content right now is available for free. Before you decide to run an online event, consider the following.
Image: six-sided die with the number four positioned at the top

4 Lessons from 4 Years of Self-Publishing

It’s hard work and there’s no magic formula to boost sales, but you’ll also find a passionate audience and a strong sense of accomplishment.
Building Your Career-Long Marketing Foundation

Building Your Career-Long Marketing Foundation

However you decide to publish, it’s unwise to rely on someone else to build your career, or to be responsible for growing your readership.
How to Do Honest and Legal Giveaways as an Author

How to Do Honest and Legal Giveaways as an Author

Whether using a third-party service to conduct a giveaway or managing it on your own, it’s important to protect the rights of your entrants.
Amazon Editorial Reviews: Are You Using This Incredible Section?

Amazon Editorial Reviews: Are You Using This Incredible Section?

Editorial reviews are one of the most underrated tools in a self-publishing author’s arsenal. Learn what they are and how to manage them.
Image: 'Welcome on board' sign made from nautical lifebuoy

6 Tips to Create a Memorable Virtual Book Launch

Online or in person, the basics of public speaking are still what matters most: be captivating, interactive, and take your audience on a journey.
Image: three runners

Marathons, Sprints, and Pounces: 3-Tiered Approach to Book Launches

Promoting a book isn’t a one-off event. It’s a series of actions: long-lead strategies, mid-range tasks, and sudden opportunities.
Ed Cyzewski socially distant book event

How I Hosted a Socially Distanced Book Event

One author’s experience with the pros and cons of promoting a new book to his community in the era of limited social gatherings.
Image: Like and Love icons on Facebook

How to Throw a Virtual Book Launch Using Facebook Live

Your friends and fans want to celebrate with you. When public gatherings aren’t an option, you can take the party online at virtually no cost.