Blog

How to Write a Book Proposal: A Comprehensive Guide For New Authors

By C.S. Lakin

At some point in your writing journey, no doubt you’ve thought about submitting your manuscript to an agent or publisher. Even if you’re on the self-publishing track, there may come a time when you want to pitch your manuscript or book idea with the hope of landing a traditional publishing contract. And you’ve probably heard that […]

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author website

A Comprehensive Guide to Building an Author Website

By C.S. Lakin

You know you need one. Or maybe you already have one. But is your author website everything it needs to be? What is the point of having an author website, and what does it need to accomplish? The answer seems obvious: your website is the place readers discover you and your books and, one hopes, […]

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how to copyright a book

How to Copyright a Book: A Step-By-Step Guide

By C.S. Lakin

As a writer, you’ve no doubt heard about copyrights. And maybe you’ve wondered if you need one to protect your precious writing from being stolen. While it’s unlikely your greatest worry is story theft, there are other reasons to copyright your work. And not every book needs to be registered with the Copyright Office. So, […]

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KDSPY Review: Get an Edge in Book Sales

By C.S. Lakin

There’s no worse scenario for an author than launching a new book out into the world and watching, waiting, and hoping for sales, week after week, and … nothing. Knowing how much competition there is for book sales, writers need every edge in getting their books discovered, and acquiring real-time data on what books sell […]

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How to Price your Self-Published Book: Everything You Need to Know

By C.S. Lakin

You’ve written your book and it’s ready to publish. Congratulations! You now upload your manuscript and cover files and put your keyword phrases. Just a few more items to complete before you click “Publish” and send your masterpiece out into the world. But … now you have to set a price for your book. At […]

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How to Build Your Author Brand

How to Build Your Author Brand: 5 Proven Steps

By C.S. Lakin

If you’re a writer, at some point you’ve daydreamed about success and what that would look like. Your book topping at #1 on the best-seller lists. Your name popping up on blog posts and news articles, along with praise for your masterpiece. Fans sending you emails and posting reviews daily, gushing with enthusiasm over your […]

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How to Market Your Book

How to Market a Book: 15 Proven Book Marketing Strategies

By C.S. Lakin

If you have just finished your book—or are in the process of finishing it—I have some bad news for you… Writing your book is the easy part.  Because here’s what comes next: Planning and executing your book launch Developing pricing strategies Marketing and promoting Selling and managing sales channels Advertising Building a fan base Assembling […]

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How to Choose a Pen Name

How to Choose a Pen Name

By C.S. Lakin

You’ve finished writing your first book, but you’re struggling with the idea of putting your name on the cover. Maybe you have a common name, and there are authors already publishing under that name. Or your name is so hard to pronounce, you worry readers won’t remember it. Maybe you want an author name that’s […]

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Book Cover Design Ideas: 7 Proven Tips for Creating Yours

By C.S. Lakin

No doubt you’ve heard the old adage: “A picture’s worth a thousand words.” This is so true—a singular image can inspire activism and outrage, trigger tears of pain or compassion, or make us laugh uproariously. Iconic images linger long in the collective memory of a society—and can even change us profoundly. As a self-publishing author, […]

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How to Write an Author Bio (with Examples)

How to Write an Author Bio: A Proven Guide with Examples

By C.S. Lakin

One of the important marketing tools a writer needs is an author bio. This descriptive bit of writing informs readers, in a few words, who you are, what you write, and what makes you unique. It’s the marquee announcing your author’s presence in the world of publishing. Think about your author bio as your “elevator […]

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