A novel's atmosphere—or emotional landscape—which colors every scene is also known as mood, and it’s one of the most effective tools a...

When readers dive into a novel, they’re not just seeking plot twists or compelling characters (though those are important!). They’re also...

Writing and publishing can feel like an uphill battle, filled with self-doubt and numerous hurdles. This weekend, I attended a local...

For writers navigating the often tricky terrain of revisions, a manuscript review can provide clear direction and feedback on how to...

In the expansive realm of publishing, there exists a sobering reality: the presence of scams that can exploit the hopes and dreams of...

I write a lot about marketing for authors because I don't enjoy marketing, and I know many authors feel the same way. Marketing doesn't...

Book reviews are crucial for the success of an author’s work. They’re so important that I’ve written about this topic before, though the focus of that post was on the differences between reader reviews and trade reviews . Reviews help a book gain exposure and visibility, as well as acting as a form of social proof and credibility for a writer. If the review is particularly constructive it can also be used to gather feedback and improve future writing. Reviews have a direct im

In today's digital age, understanding the power of lead magnets and reader magnets can significantly help writers boost their marketing...

A brand is more than just a logo or a catchy slogan. It’s the overall perception that consumers have of a product, service, business, or...

Book publishing has undergone significant transformations in recent years, offering authors a plethora of choices in how they bring their...

In this final post in the Elements of a Successful Book blog series, I'm talking reviews—what they are, different types, how to get them,...

Metadata feels like a nebulous term, and for many writers, it’s components seem hard to pin down. However, it’s vital that your book has...

You’ve written your book and edited the heck out of it, and you don’t want to deal with it anymore. Sounds about right? But then you...

Book titles and subtitles feel pretty basic—every book has a title (at least), and I don’t think it’s controversial to say that your book...

If you think no one is judging books by their covers, then you’d be wrong about this oft-underutilized aspect of book marketing. The book cover and spine or the book cover thumbnail will be the first aspects of your book that catch a potential reader’s attention. It’s pivotal that your book cover is professional and that the cover image file is sized appropriately. The last thing you want, before you even consider all of the other implications for book cover design, is a grai

Dive in with me as I explore the commonalities between successful books no matter how they were published, what genre they are, or...

Independent authors are faced with many decisions during the self-publishing process, not least of which is determining what type of editing their manuscript needs. The decision to hire a professional editor, in itself, introduces a whole host of choices that can lead very quickly to decision fatigue. The editing trend There is a temptation, especially if one frequents writer Facebook groups and other corners of the Internet, to skimp on editing and instead rely on the help o