Features

Articles, how-to’s, opinion and tips and tricks in the self-publishing arena

One Size Does Not Fit All for Self-Publishing

One Size Fits AllJohn Steinbeck famously said “In America…the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.”

I would substitute “The poor” with “Self-Publishers.” As if every author self-publishing is automatically a Hugh Howey in the making. Self-publishing isn’t a get rich quick scheme. For some it is, for most it isn’t.

Which means what worked for Hugh Howey will not necessarily work for every single writer. Recently on iO9 there was a post Why This Bestselling Author Decided To Start Self-Publishing. Often these kinds of posts are rallying cries for self-publishing – see, even the big […]

2020-02-21T06:34:33+02:00August 31st, 2014|Categories: Features|

Ten Tips For Entering Writing Contests Online (With Links)

Tips for writing contests

 

Have a look at our tips for entering writing contests online from SPR editor Cate Baum, with links to some of the best websites offering information on competitions.

 

 

 

  1. Make sure you follow the rules carefully. When we run competitions, there is a 5% hit rate of entrants who are disqualified because they haven’t read the conditions of entry properly. Rules such as ” do not send a hard copy” and writing length, “unpublished/published only” have to be adhered to.
  2. Is your book ready to compete? Be honest with yourself about your writing, and ensure you have
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2014-08-31T01:15:35+02:00August 31st, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: |

Most Common Self-Publishing Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)

When it comes to self-publishing your book, avoid the most common pitfalls to make the most of your opportunity to become a bestselling indie author!

Scrimping on the Book Cover

Createspace templatesIt may seem very easy to take a snap and use it as a cover, slotting it into one of the simple templates available on many of the book publishing platforms such as Createspace at Amazon. However, these templates should be used only as a very last resort. Why? Because these templates are truly only there for the most design illiterate of us all, and for those who don’t much […]

2014-08-26T07:13:06+02:00August 26th, 2014|Categories: Features, Resources|

Top 5 Paid Indie Book Review Services Compared

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It’s difficult to know exactly what you’re getting when you shop for a professional review, so Self-Publishing Review decided to commission a study to look at eleven factors that have been brought to our attention by SPR clients most often, and compared our services to the competition.

Here at SPR, we consider that we are one of five review service big-hitters, and therefore we compared ourselves to each of those: BlueInk Review, Foreword Clarion, Kirkus Reviews, and Indie Reader. We chose these because they use professional writers, have good quality websites and a sizeable brand presence in the indie book […]

2020-02-21T05:35:29+02:00August 25th, 2014|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: |

Why Self-Publishing Still Has Its Stigma

I don’t want to hold my tongue any longer. There’s a vibe in self-publishing that if it makes money, it’s OK. There’s also a desire on behalf of authors for self-publishing to lose its stigma. Unfortunately, point a is detracting from point b. Just because something is making money doesn’t mean it’s well-valued.

While many want to hold up self-publishing successes and declare “self-publishing has arrived” it is not entirely heartening to see the types of books that are becoming successful – any more than it is to see yet another Kim Kardashian story on my news homepage.

I’m well […]

2014-08-14T16:01:39+02:00August 14th, 2014|Categories: Features|

Self-Publishing Success Story: Barbara Freethy

Barbara FreethyBarbara Freethy is the author of such romantic novels as the Callaways series (On a Night Like This, So This Is Love) and the Wish series (A Secret Wish, Just a Wish Away, When Wishes Collide). Initially, her career flourished in a traditional publishing format, but in 2011, recognizing the potential for new development in electronic publishing, she began self-publishing with digital formats as a cornerstone as Fog City Publishing, and has continued to produce successful titles since.

What books has she written?

Freethy has written over 40 novels, with a focus on […]

2017-02-20T09:14:15+02:00August 14th, 2014|Categories: Features, Success Story|

Self-Publishing Success Story: Michael Bunker

michael-bunkerMichael Bunker describes himself as an “accidental Amish Sci-Fi writer.” His latest book, Pennsylvania Omnibus went to #10 earlier this month on Amazon’s bestseller chart. Engrossed in all things self-published, with “The Bunker Plan”, his own strategy for launching a book in place, Bunker’s website is one of the most inclusive and inspiring blogs out there for writers. His fans have been accused of being a cult, but his sales are proving that engagement with readers is key when promoting your work.

What books has he written?bunker_pennsylvania_omnibus_ebookedition
The Pennsylvania Omnibus is his biggest seller, but he’s written an immense amount […]

2017-02-20T09:14:26+02:00August 14th, 2014|Categories: Features, Success Story|

Self-Publishing Success Story: Deepak Chopra

Deepak ChopraDeepak Chopra is an Indian-American author and public speaker who rose to popularity due to his “new-age guru” teachings, which he has written on extensively in his published work. His break-out work, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, remained on The New York Times best-sellers’ list for 72 weeks in 1994.

What books has he written?
Chopra specializes in spiritual and self-help literature, exploring the ‘magic’ of the world with a warm, but scientific eye. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success in 1994 is considered one of his greatest works by readers, and the previous piece Ageless Body, Timeless […]

2017-02-20T09:14:39+02:00August 11th, 2014|Categories: Features, Success Story|
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