Features | Self-Publishing Review

Self-Publishing is Self-Correcting

With all the uproar about Kindle Unlimited (SPR included), there is one other major deciding factor that may be driving the self-published sales downturn. Publishers have finally gotten wise to lower prices, thereby eliminating a major tool used by indie writers. Russell Blake writes in The New Landscape:

I just looked at the Amazon top 100. #1 is a trad pub title at $2.99. #2 is a trad pub title at .99. #3 is an Amazon imprint pre-order at $4.99. #4 is Baldacci’s latest at $10.99, #5 is Michael Connolly’s latest at $3.99, #6 is Gone Girl

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Henry Baum2020-02-21T06:01:38+02:00December 15th, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon|

How To Publish a Book From Start to Finish in Six Months

Six months ago I quit my job to write a book.

Because I was blessed financially, I decided that if I were to get some roommates I could feasibly leave the job I hated and pursue my real dream—to write a novel.

And I did. My debut novel, a steampunk fantasy called “The Charismatics,” released on December 13^th on Amazon and my website.

How was I able to produce something in such a timely fashion? Well, I want to share my experiences and timeline with you.

Firstly—the main reason I was able to publish a book in six […]

Ashley R. Carlson2014-12-18T02:29:05+02:00December 13th, 2014|Categories: Features|

What Not To Write – Ten Book Boos For Indie Authors To Avoid

When writing a book, what are the turn-offs for a reader? SPR editor Cate Baum reveals some of the no-no’s she’s come across on her literary travels in self-publishing.

1. Epigraphs

The unnecesary epigraph, that is, the quote from the cheesy and cliched favorite writer gleaned from Goodreads to make the writer appear erudite and witty, is rife in self-published books. Unfortunately, most of these attempts only have the effect of looking cheap, snarky and tired, as well as having the potential to show up the author’s own writing on the very next line.

So many books open with Gandhi, […]

Cate Baum2014-12-08T06:34:34+02:00December 7th, 2014|Categories: Features|

How Claudia Must Die Was Born

I’m often asked how I come up with stories. This is difficult to answer considering I can’t pinpoint one moment in time. Usually, something plants a seed and then I’ll stumble onto a news story or overhear a conversation and an idea starts to grow. My upcoming release, Claudia Must Die, raises a few eyebrows when I mention the title. People want to know more right away, and I explain it’s about a wanted woman who plots to have her look-alike murdered in an attempt to escape her past. That spurs the typical question, “How did you come up […]

T B Markinson2014-12-08T02:42:31+02:00December 7th, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: Crime Fiction, Thriller|

Is Kindle Unlimited Killing Self-Publishing?

Over the weekend there was an explosive post by mega-seller H.M. Ward saying that her book sales have taken a 75% dive since joining Kindle Unlimited.

I had my serials in it for 60 days and lost approx 75% of my income. Thats counting borrows and bonuses. My sales dropped like a stone. The number of borrows was higher than sales. They didn’t compliment each other, as expected.

Taking a huge ass pay cut while I’m still working my butt off, well that’s not ok. And KU effected my whole list, not just KU titles. At the time of

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Henry Baum2020-02-21T06:01:48+02:00December 2nd, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon|

SPR and CreativIndie Announce The Bestseller Book Launch Package

Self-Publishing Review, the leading indie book review site, and CreativIndie, the brainchild of book marketing and design expert Derek Murphy, have come together to offer self-published and indie press authors a guarantee of reaching #1 in their category on Amazon.

The package combines platform-building exposure with solid, provable marketing techniques we are so sure about we will give you your money back if you do not reach the number 1 spot in your category.

The package is only available to ebooks that have not been launched yet, on application. You can apply here.

The Difference Between Platform and Marketing[…]

Cate Baum2020-02-21T03:53:58+02:00November 27th, 2014|Categories: Features, News|Tags: Book Marketing|

How To Edit Your Self-Published Book Like A Pro In 8 Steps

So you have decided you can edit your own book? It’s a notoriously dicey option, but SPR’s book editor Cate Baum has put together a quick guide to the professional process using digital techniques for proofreading and the general sweep edit needed to complete your book before market.

Firstly, I want to say I don’t condone this idea. Editing yourself is scary and dangerous, and usually starts and ends with a bruised ego. Many writers have done it, some have ended up abandoning it and hiring someone else to finish it, or worse, find out they need to have it […]

Cate Baum2019-04-12T14:02:50+02:00November 25th, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: Book Editing|

Is Marketing Now More Important Than Your Book’s Content?

With a slew of self-styled “marketing gurus” with all sales guns pointing to the vulnerable self-published author, who’s to be trusted in this newly-grown jungle of book “experts”? And now Chelsea Peretti is doing book signings without a book. Is this a trend for marketing over content? Does it actually matter if your book is good quality or not? SPR’s Naka Jackson, a lit postgrad, decided to take a look at the people behind the top five guides on Amazon today to see if their own advice is selling their own novels.

Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Reference […]

Naka Jackson2014-11-15T02:42:29+02:00November 14th, 2014|Categories: Features|