Features | Self-Publishing Review

Why 5-Star Reviews Aren’t Ideal for Self-Published Authors

For self-published authors, Amazon customer reviews are more than just nice-to-have — they’re essential. They influence how often your book is shown to readers, how it ranks, and whether someone clicks “Buy Now” or keeps scrolling. While racking up five-star customer reviews may seem like the goal, a wall of perfect ratings can actually hurt more than help.

In fact, readers today are savvy enough to recognize when a book’s reviews seem “too good to be true.” If you want sustainable success as an indie author, focusing on authentic feedback rather than perfect ratings is key.

Why High Ratings Help

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Cate Baum2025-04-28T10:22:38+02:00April 27th, 2025|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon News and Tips, Book Promotion Articles|

The Long-Term Value of Metadata: How to Best Choose Your Keywords, Categories, and Book Description

In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of self-publishing, the difference between a book that thrives and one that languishes in obscurity often comes down to something invisible to most readers: metadata. Like a hidden force, metadata determines how your book is discovered, who sees it, and whether it has a chance to claim a place in the hearts and libraries of readers worldwide.

For self-published authors, mastering keywords, categories, and book descriptions is not just an exercise in optimization – it is a necessity for survival in a marketplace where thousands of books are released daily.

Why Keywords and […]

Arthur2025-04-27T12:21:20+02:00March 22nd, 2025|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: Book Promotion Articles|

AI Book Cover Design is Here to Stay – Now What?

Since the early days of publishing, covers have evolved from simple, text-heavy designs to highly artistic and genre-specific illustrations. In the 19th century, book covers were often embossed with gold leaf and intricate designs to signal prestige. By the 20th century, technological advancements allowed for full-color printing, leading to the rise of illustrated covers that became marketing tools in their own right.

Similarly, in the music industry, album covers became a cultural phenomenon in the mid-20th century. Think of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon – iconic images that […]

Arthur2025-04-27T12:25:48+02:00February 18th, 2025|Categories: Features|Tags: Book Cover Design Tips|

How to Promote Your Book on Bluesky

The world of book promotion has always been tied closely to the latest trends in social media. In 2025, authors are grappling with major changes in the digital landscape, forcing them to rethink how they connect with readers, and how to convince those readers that their words are worth reading, their labors of love worth the scant price of a paperback. With ongoing controversies surrounding X (formerly Twitter) and the potential banning of TikTok in the United States, many authors are searching for reliable alternatives.

One rising star in this evolving space is Bluesky, a decentralized social platform that […]

Arthur2025-02-03T16:37:35+02:00February 3rd, 2025|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: Book Marketing Advice and Tips, Book Promotion Articles, Social Media|

How To Choose An Author Name – Eight Easy Tips

Choosing an author name, often referred to as a pen name, nom de plume, or pseudonym, can be an exciting and creative process. Here are some steps you can follow to help you decide:

1. Consider Your Genre and Audience:

Genre Fit: Some genres may benefit from specific types of names. For example, a name for a romance author might differ from one for a science fiction writer
Audience Expectations: Think about what your target audience might find appealing or memorable

2. Personal Meaning:

Family Names: Consider using a name that has personal significance, such as a family name or

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Cate Baum2024-08-30T11:54:17+02:00August 30th, 2024|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: Author Branding|

Four Ways To Prevent Unwanted Comments on your Facebook Author Page

We’ve all been there. You post about your new book on your Facebook Author page; maybe you paid to boost the post, or made an ad. And then the comments come in. Loads of scams, fake-commenting that your page is in breach of Amazon Terms. Some people decide your post is a great place to advertise their own book. Some hawk their own services. And then the trolls come along to tell you how utterly awful your book is. This is much more damaging to your campaigns than you might think.

What steps can you take as an author to […]

Cate Baum2024-07-24T18:44:10+02:00July 24th, 2024|Categories: Features|Tags: Facebook|

I was accused of using AI in my writing work. Here’s what I found.

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Cate Baum2024-06-07T16:00:00+02:00June 7th, 2024|Categories: Features|Tags: AI|

Five Ways To Self-Publish Your Book in 2024

Here are the main five methods in 2024 to self-publish, with advantages and disadvantages.

Amazon KDP

The easiest choice for self-publishing on both paperback and Kindle, Amazon holds the lion’s share when it comes to distribution and sales, meaning you will get the best platform and the quickest to reach readers, as long as you use the tools available to the maximum advantage when releasing your book. The advantages of using Amazon cannot be overestimated where stats show 70% of all readers buy their books from Amazon. To make sure you get the most out of Amazon, follow these steps:[…]

Cate Baum2024-05-15T17:24:01+02:00May 15th, 2024|Categories: Features|