This is a short post re: GDPR which comes into effect on May 25, 2018.

Any cookies on my website are used to ensure normal website functions. These cookies cannot be switched off because the website wouldn’t function properly without them. However, it is my understanding that these identifiers do not store any personal data.

When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

But please rest assured that your personal information will not be sold or shared with any third parties under any circumstances. If you wish me to remove your data for any reason please get in touch.

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t…

on The Book Designer:

Intro by Joel Friedlander

Who doesn’t want to save a bit of money when they self-publish a book?

Today’s guest post by Val Breit offers many cost-saving tips and resources for authors editing their books before sending them to a professional editor.

If you’re not ready to have your book edited, you may want to bookmark the post and come back to it later. Enjoy!

Continue reading HERE

on Social Media Just for Writers:

If you aren’t using email marketing, you may want to rethink your book marketing strategy.

We know that social media is all the rage – and rightly so – but email marketing, according to Kissmetrics“crushes” social media.

Here are their findings:

1. There are nearly three times as many user accounts for email as there are on Facebook and Twitter combined.
2. Email is more personal. You can reach people right in their email inboxes and craft messages just for your readers.
3. Email gets more attention, and the messages are more targeted.
4. You can use your email marketing messages to sell books, services, and other products.

Continue reading HERE

Earlier in the week, I discussed the need to prepare for your first book signing event, but there are other ways to sell a signed copy of your book.

How about autographed, signed copies direct from your website?

That’s right. You can offer signed copies of your book to readers. This is something I hadn’t thought of until I read an article sent to me, from Janice Hardy written by J. Kathleen Cheney, @jkcheney . 

The biggest question I have now is…

Do people care about signed copies of children books?

I’m not sure. So, I haven’t set up a retail page yet. But, I wouldn’t hesitate to sell a signed copy if it was requested. Hint, hint.

Another thing that has held me back from setting up an online store, is time. Time away from writing. I don’t want anything else to take my attention from, blogging, and writing…

by Annmarie McQueen

In my last post, I looked at how to prepare yourself for self-publishing. This time I’ll be focusing on what to do once your book is already out there, and how to increase your sales revenue. Here are my top tips for marketing your novel on Amazon:

Of course, you’re a writer if you write. The act of putting words down on paper to create a story is the very definition of being a wordsmith, but what takes you from wannabe writer to writer, and then upgrades you to a serious writer?

Spoiler alert, actually writing is only a small part of it.

10 Signs You’ve Upgraded To Being A Serious Writer

1. You’re not afraid to show others what you’ve written.

2. Receiving rejections from agents and publishers no longer stings (as much).

3. Sending a query or submission doesn’t fill you with (complete) fear.

4. You’re happy to pass on the advice that you’ve learned to other writers.

5. You’re writing daily or regularly enough that actual pages are being added to your MS.

6. Ideas for stories come thick and fast. Your creative brain is always on.

7. You’ve started a social media account…

Words are powerful. They can move you to tears, evoke absolute joy, or comfort someone in time of need. As writers, we are always searching for the right words to express what we want to say. Here are a few tips to help make your words more powerful.

1. Use short words. Short words are more powerful and less pretentious than longer words. Rape is more powerful than sexual assault. Stop is stronger than discontinue.
2. Use dense words. Use fewer words to express the same idea. Instead of once a month, say monthly. Something new is novel. People they didn’t know are strangers.
3. Use familiar words. A word is familiar of if came easily to you. A word your reader doesn’t recognize has no power. Don’t call it a mandible. Use the more familiar word, jaw. Don’t write sclerous if you can…