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As the Self-Pub World Turns: Sleepless Nights Edition

April 27th, 2012 by Toni

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 to leave a comment for the author — we live for those things!

Now, it’s your turn! I know you guys have also come across some awesome posts/resources in the past couple of weeks — won’t you please share with your fellow authors (and this n00b mom)? Take a few moments to leave the link in the comments so we can all have some lovely weekend reading!

 

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The Self-Publishing Journey: You are not alone.

April 25th, 2012 by Shannon

You don't have to be a lone wolf in the self-pub game! Photo by ghetzu

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 it like this: Self-publishing is just like any other entrepreneurial endeavor. You might get the business off the ground by yourself, but to grow it into a prosperous investment, you have to hire help to cover the areas where you don’t have the time or expertise to give your product what it deserves.

But that’s not to say that you should go about hiring people all free and easy. If you were hiring someone to paint your house you’d have some questions before you made a decision. The same goes for hiring designers, editors and other consultants to help with your project.

Not sure what questions to ask? We’ve got you covered!

6 Questions to ask before you hire someone for your team.

1. What kind of experience do you have?

Your first priority is to identify what kind of credentials your potential team member brings to the table. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re looking for the most experienced person available, however. You just want to know that the individual you’re working with knows what they’re doing. You want your house painter to know how to handle a brush, right? (more…)

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

April 18th, 2012 by Shannon

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? 

photo by brandijordan

“Best thing she’s written since she scribbled her name in crayon on her bedroom wall.” - Dad

“It was the first book I read that wasn’t required for school, so I guess it was pretty good.” - Brother

“The book was great, but I knew it would be. She’s always been a talented child. Now if only she’d get married and give me some talented grandchildren.”  - Mom

While those are all moving endorsements, unfortunately our families don’t carry enough weight in the writing community to boost our sales with their honest opinions. Instead, we are forced to look elsewhere, to popular bloggers and news outlets whose opinions have value outside our household in order to let our potential readers know that we are every bit as good as we say we are.

But how do we get those reviews? What’s the secret to getting someone to write a review of your book? What hoops do you have to jump through? Who do you have to beg? Where is the key to the secret under world of book reviewers?

Don’t panic, the secret to getting a great book review is in fact very simple. All you have to do is ask! (more…)

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

April 16th, 2012 by Duolit

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 sure to leave a comment for the author — we bloggers live for those things!

Now we open the floor to you! I know you guys have also found some awesome posts/resources in the past couple of weeks — won’t you please share with the class? Take a few moments to leave the link in the comments so we can all have some lovely Monday reading!

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105 Author Blog Prompts: It’s Megapost Time!

March 28th, 2012 by Duolit

So, you started your author blog. It was so *exciting* at the beginning! Rainbows and sunshine poured down on you and the posts flowed freely from your fingertips. There was no shortage of ideas and you just knew this blogging thing was meant for you.

Fast-forward to a month later. You visit your blog and think, “has it really been *that* long since I’ve posted?” We understand — we’ve had our share of blogging lapses in 2+ years here at Duolit. How do we combat this? Ideas…lots and lots of ideas. We offered up 20 or so author blog ideas awhile back, but thought it was time for something more…dramatic.

Like ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE AUTHOR BLOG PROMPTS! *cue exciting, dramatic music*

Oh yes. We came up with idea after idea until we ran out of juice (read: passed out from exhaustion) — and here’s the results.

Self-Publishing Related Blog Prompts

  1. What do you love most about self-publishing?
  2. What’s the worst part of self-publishing?
  3. How has your impression of self-publishing changed?
  4. Would you recommend self-publishing to other authors?
  5. What will the self-publishing industry look like in ten years?
  6. Review your publisher and publishing experience. What did you like? What would you change?
  7. 5 Things you’ve learned about self-publishing.
  8. 4 Self-published authors you look up to.
  9. 3 Ways indie authors can improve self-publishing.
  10. 2 Self-publishing resources every indie author should use.
  11. 1 mistake you made while self-publishing your book. (more…)
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