Category Archives: Tips and Tricks

Audiobook Options for Indie Authors (and when it’s worth paying for production yourself)

I’m gradually getting my library of books out in audiobook form. Some of these books are being published through Podium Publishing, some I’m doing through ACX, and some of the older ones were done through an independent production company, Darkfire … Continue reading

Posted in New Author Series, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Putting Short Stories into Multi-Author Anthologies for More Exposure (and more money)

Anthologies have been around for a long time, and it’s no surprise that indie authors are editing and publishing them, along with all other types of fiction. We’ve talked before about how it’s tough to do well with short stories, … Continue reading

Posted in Advertising, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Are There Really “Secrets” to Self-Publishing Success?

If you visit the Writers’ Cafe on Kboards in any given week, you can find authors plotting ways to engineer a bestseller or asking if there’s a way to work the system in order to “stick” on Amazon. Everybody wants success — … Continue reading

Posted in Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

How to Increase Sales at Apple iBooks

Before I jump into this post, I have to disclose that Apple is my #4 earner and that while I always sell books there, I’m not a rock star by any means. (For me, sales at Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & … Continue reading

Posted in Book Marketing, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Pre-Orders, Sticking on Amazon, and Hitting Best Seller Lists

For a while now, you’ve been able to upload your ebook early on Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and some of the other sites, listing it for pre-order 90 days (Amazon) to a year (iBooks) ahead of time, as many of the … Continue reading

Posted in Amazon Kindle Sales, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

How to Get a Custom Book Cover for $5 Using Fiverr by JP Medved

I’ve got a few thousand things on the plate for February (as usual), so I was glad to accept a guest post from a fellow steampunk author for this week. J.P. Medved is going to talk to you about how he got … Continue reading

Posted in Guest Posts, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

3 Reasons to Bundle the Early Books in Your Series

For some indie authors, bundling is a no-brainer. If you have three or more books in a series and plan to write more, then it’s a given that you’ll box up the first three (at least). You’ll work out the numbers, give the reader … Continue reading

Posted in Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

6 Ways to Make Money as an Author (in Addition to Selling Books)

The “KU Apocalypse,” as some writers have called it, has cut into the bottom line for many independent authors, especially those who have refused to participate in Amazon’s KDP Select program, because they’re not willing to go exclusive with the … Continue reading

Posted in New Author Series, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments