Because literary agents have connections to the top editors of the world, writers can believe that getting an agent is the key domino to fall on their path to a successful writing career—so they may sign with the first agent who says yes. But that’s not necessarily the wisest move. The relationship needs to be […]
August 12, 2015 by 25 Comments Marketing Your NovelNeed a Professional Book Cover? My Recommendations
Who does your book covers? I get asked that question a lot. With the ever-increasing influx of independent publishing opportunities, producing a high-quality, affordable, and professional book cover is a must. Book cover design is an art unto itself, and one that is integral to any author’s marketing efforts. Unless you happen to be an expert […]
December 28, 2014 by 49 Comments Marketing Your NovelHow to Pitch Your Novel: What’s the Difference Between Your Story’s Hook and Your Story’s Heart?
Quick! You’ve got less than a minute to convince me your story is worth my time. What do you tell me? You’ve got to pique my curiosity with mystery and potential, while still conveying the bulk of the plot, theme, and general tone. No problem! you say. But when you sit down to actually figure […]
October 10, 2014 by 31 Comments Marketing Your NovelHow to Choose a Book Title That’s Perfect for Your Story AND Good Marketing!
Like every author on the planet, I’ve spent endless hours mulling over creating the perfect book title for my work. One strives, of course, to be both memorable and honestly descriptive of the content. There are also marketing aspects to be considered. The marquee value cannot be neglected since the book, especially fiction, must compete […]
October 3, 2014 by 18 Comments Marketing Your Novel3 Reasons YOU Are the Most Important Selling Point for Marketing Your Book
There has never been a civilization that didn’t use language and tell stories in some form or another. Stories are primordial. We all want to know our lives have meaning, and connecting through stories accomplishes that. As a writer, you invest significant emotional energy in writing your book. You should take no less effort in marketing […]
September 19, 2014 by 11 Comments Marketing Your NovelIs Crowdfunding for Authors a Good Idea?
If it works for peanut butter and potato salad, does that mean it will work for writers and books? Crowdfunding is all the rage at the moment. You can’t open your email or sign in to Facebook without getting a (rather pushy) request from some far-distant acquaintance asking for contributions to a passion project or […]
June 27, 2014 by 14 Comments Marketing Your NovelWhy Authors Need to Talk to Their Readers
Sooner or later, authors need to talk to their readers. An author’s success in our digital age depends on two kinds of writing: first, writing your high-quality book, and second, writing content to motivate readers to press the “Buy” button. How do authors balance these two kinds of writing to create success? Successful authors can no […]
June 13, 2014 by 43 Comments Marketing Your NovelAre 5-Star Book Reviews Bad for Sales?
5-star book reviews have become a bane. They are everywhere you look. And it’s understandable—in this age of indie- and self-publishing and platform-building, what better way of garnering attention (and hopefully sales) than the come-hither testament of a glowing 5-star review? Everyone and his uncle seem to have written the next Great American Novel. Perhaps […]
May 23, 2014 by 41 Comments Marketing Your NovelGet Your Novel Noticed with a Power-Packed Title
Is a title an important way to get your novel noticed? With lame-titled bestsellers like Carrie and Beloved, why would it be? After all, it’s the story that really makes a book go viral, right? And before the story even gets read, the things that grab attention and hooks a reader are the beautiful cover art and […]
September 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment Marketing Your NovelHow Searchable Are Your Book’s Title and Subtitle?
Today, I’m guest posting on The Book Designer, with a post titled, “How Searchable are Your Book’s Title and Subtitle?” Here’s an excerpt: Who are we kidding? Readers will judge a book based on its title and subtitle. The book’s title, subtitle, and cover are our first (and, often, only) chances to hook readers’ attention. Readers look at […]
