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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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Creating a Publishing Timeline for Your Next Release

By Becca Puglisi

Publishing your own book is a lot like juggling—and not those harmless little balls either. It’s more like juggling a couple of balls, a chainsaw, a set of Ginsu knives, and a litter of kittens. There are so many things to remember, and they’re all vital to getting your book into readers’ hands in a […]

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How to Succeed as a Writer: 3 Essential Steps

By Ginny Yttrup

I sat at my desk, heart pounding, as I opened the email from a best selling author I’d long admired.           “I have looked you up on Amazon and see how successful you are…” I read the line once. Twice. An author who’d achieved the pinnacle of success when Oprah chose one of his novels […]

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7 Steps to Building a Writer Platform from the Ground Up

By DiAnn Mills

Writers who build a platform from the ground up lay the foundation for a vibrant career. The process begins with the decision to view writing as more than an interest or hobby but as a serious pursuit.  Dedicated writers accept the challenge of learning the craft, which is a lifelong pursuit, and they also embark […]

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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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8 Proven Steps to a Successful Book Launch

By C.S. Lakin

If you thought writing “The End” meant you were done with your book, I’m sorry to tell you that it’s only the beginning. You might spend months, even years, building a beautiful fishing boat, but if you leave it docked once you’ve finished, how will you catch any fish? The fish are out at sea, […]

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23 Top Writing Podcasts That Help You Improve Your Craft

By C.S. Lakin

Writers have so many online resources these days to help them hone their writing skills, but there are never enough hours in the day to take advantage of them. And when it comes to podcasts, you would need a thousand lifetimes to listen to all the great content that will help you on your writing […]

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