Setting Goals for authors

Setting Goals: Are you Doing it the Right Way?

If you take the step of setting a big goal that excites you, you’ll at least be putting it into your vision. But some stab at a goal without really considering all the factors. Are they aiming correctly? In 2003, I had two goals:  meet a man and write a book. I had a list of desired attributes and my write a book goal was written on a piece of paper, taped to the wall. Since dating and this blog have little in common, let’s quickly move to the book goal. What happened? By 2005 I was madly writing it. The resulting book was tiny; just 46 pages, but the underlying goal motivated me to bumble along the path. I wanted to finish and quickly; I had our baby crawling around, getting into things!  With a cover by a local…
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Author Assist Packages Comparison Review

Author Assist Packages Comparison

If you’re part way into writing your book, it’s time to think about who is going to help put together your book and administrate it. This is a giant step but is often left to emotion and chance. So read our Author Assistance Package comparison review (Australian based). Check down the bottom for DIY administration + freelancers option, which is the model for intrepid independent types. Most author assistance packages leave out the most important service—editing (and writing support). Book publicity and launch planning is usually either an add-on or ‘find your way in the darkness’, but really important for you, the author. Remember, no matter how little you may know about the publishing process, you are in control of the path before you. Let’s make it a good one. Publicious: Package 3 + Editing added Gold Coast, Australia. Book…
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Royalties for authors

What Can I Expect to Make in Royalties as a First-Time Author?

“The time has come, the Walrus said, to speak of many things.” (Lewis Carroll) Today’s unspeakable thing is what all new authors want to know: how much money will I make as a self-published author?  Will it give me the freedom and riches I truly deserve? The quick answer to the first question is, not much… and the second one is, no, not on its own! Bestselling author Federico Pistoni (of Robots will Steal your Job) agrees with me, and I quote: “Most people don’t make any money writing books, and chances are, you won’t be part of the 0.01% that makes it”.Federico Pistoni Derek of CreativeIndie worked out that only the top .06% of authors actually sell 1,000 books over a period of three months at Amazon – so Fed’s supposition is pretty darn close to statistical averages. Even…
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book attention and publicity

Use your Talents to get Book Attention

You have talents, no doubt. There’s no point in struggling away with the wrong media type when you can use your talent to attract a new, relevant audience for an upcoming book, otherwise known as Book Publicity. If your skill is a visual one especially, perhaps you have clear and large book pictures, then you’ll love this new partnering idea. Not only relevant to securing partnerships, you may use your innate talents to get publicity by: talking about your subject (podcast guest)writing short how-to pieces (guest blog, articles in magazines)making creative short videos to relay a conceptmaking cartoons signifying ideas of yours to put on Instagram Want Publicity? Check this First. If you’ve been only heard of ‘Social Buzz Club’, BookBub and BookBuzz, then this is the level up from that, and just chock-full of Australian ‘cool’. Also, it’s not…
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creative nonfiction book writing
Book Writing

Revealing Truth in Creative Nonfiction Writing

There’s a certain kind of authentic voice and language that connects to your emotions, that you might find in outstanding creative nonfiction books and some self-help books. If you want to know what creative nonfiction is, it is the gripping, narrative style of writing but telling a factual story. Like any other skill, I believe you can learn to write in a more ‘raw and real’ way. Although at times I struggle with this myself. So push aside the academic ‘balanced view’, stamp down your prim English rules (occasionally), and let’s get to their hearts and minds. Raw and Revealing Recently, I was critiquing and editing a spiritual self-development book which contained many unconventional ideas. The author was obviously well-read but there were few references or evidence to back the ideas. This was more of a choice rather than an…
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Balance book - Author interview
Selling eBooks and Media

Life’s Now an Adventure: Book Launch Interview

This is an author interview with Leanne Blaney of Adventure School. What tactics did you use to attract people to your book and listing? Many people have connected on my Podcast, Ignite your Life, so many of the guests were happy to help. I also have a big network of coaches and people I’ve networked with. I did an Amazon Kindle campaign – over a 2-day period, I sent many emails and messages to gather support. The book was not discounted, it was priced at AU$11.99. With the aid of an Amazon expert, we listed in 5-6 categories. It went #1 in two categories (bestseller status) for those days. The categories are: 1. New Age: Mental and Spiritual Healing 2. New Age: Religion and Spirituality It is important to go into the lower niche categories, but the book was also…
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