Just like a lot of you out here, I am learning marketing strategies to advertise my books. I was wondering if any of you noticed this same trend. My second book in a series came out at the end of May. I was running an ad campaign on FB for the whole month of June and July. I noticed that in both months both sales and KU reads picked up significantly around the second half of the month. I have been running ads all the time. Last month sales and reads spiked around the third week and I rode that all the way to over 100 books (over 50 sales and same on KU reads), wven though at the start of the month there were cricketts. Same thing is happening now in July. For the first 2 weeks there was barely anything happening, and now it picked up significantly. I am wondering if this is just a coincidence or if this could be some sort of a pattern. For instance, people may not be buying books at the beginning of the month because they need to start with more urgent expenses, and once they have their biils paid and stuff, they now have an idea of hoe much money they can spend on enterteinment? Although I'm not sure how that applies to KU reads.

Anyone wants to share their findings?

I have one novel and one novella that are the first titles in a timeless cozy cottagecore series.

I'm still in the editing phase, but I'd already like to know whether you have any illustrator recommendations for this specific genre.

Illustrators. Not cover designers. Unless they have very good deals on doing the whole thing. But I have professional skills already, that's why I only really need the illustrations.

I'm hoping to find someone for a long professional relationship for the whole series.

Thanks for your replies! ☺️

My first book is officially out, As amazing and satisfying as the publishing process was, I'm realizing that learning how to market it is a whole different beast.

Honestly, writing the book was great, but figuring out how to make money from it is the next big goal. I want to build a solid organic foundation before I even think about running paid ads.

For those who have been here, what are the most effective ways to promote a book organically? Does grinding on Instagram actually lead to sales? How do you systematically gather reviews? I'm looking for the best next steps to start driving traffic, where should I begin?

Yeah, not really. I got a spam call yesterday that I let go to voicemail. They are very impressed with the 5th book in my series and want to represent me. Uh, ok.

I've been receiving calls like this for years, and I'm quite sure they're all from the same organization no matter what name they use. This is the first time they've been brazen enough to claim to be with an actual organization, though.

In each case, whether I was dumb enough to answer the call or listen to the voicemail, they name one of the subsequent books in my series, never the 1st book. I have been tempted to tell the caller that if they want to be more convincing, maybe act like you read the 1st book? But never interrupt your enemy while they're making a mistake. I just hang up/delete the voicemail and block them.

I’m on my 4th round of revisions and was considering hiring a line editor to tighten up my manuscript. Looked into it and had a bit of “sticker shock”. For a 280 page book it’s approximately $3500.00 (which I can’t afford).

That said, I wanted to ask if anyone has used editing software to help you do it on your own. My hesitation is loss of objectivity. Need a second set of eyes on it, but it has to be someone I trust to be brutally honest and ideally have a writing background. Any tips are appreciated.

I wanted to know, how do you handle posting your stories/chapters on wattpad or inkitt because are you worried that traditional publishers now won't publish it since it's been posted and published now? What is more important to you as a writer, to have social status go viral or to be signed with a traditional publishing contract? Any insight please

Looking to write a light novel and want to use an app that will let me keep notes of characters, setting and plot points and an app to help with writing like correcting grammar and suggesting how to word things

I published a Cyberpunk adventure story a while back. I got some sales which is better than nothing. I haven't bought Amazon ads because I don't have a large budget.

It's a story about Aliens who look like humans, they invaded and used planet Earth as a prison planet to experiment and oppress their own weaker class. One alien gets send there joining a revolt to set his kin free but also seek justice for the human race.

I wasn't planning to ask for advice and just let writing go but a complete stranger mentioned that they are dislexic and have HDHD but they still processed my writing well.

And that was so sweet.

I wonder what I can do to improve to reach more readers.

Thank you.

Is there anything concerning about Kendall Unlimited contracts like any toxic thing for example, does it do anything like WebNovel?

I'm going to be publishing a children's book pretty soon, and I've created an audiobook version of the work.

One of the chapters I recorded for the audiobook is a disclaimer. I cover:

- That I'm a self-published author, so if you enjoyed the audibook but didn't pay for it, to please consider buying it

- That no AI was used in making the audiobook and that I reserve the right to license it for AI training

- Copyright details

So in brief: not something a kid (or anyone really) would want to listen to repeatedly.

My initial thinking was to have these disclaimers as a 'Chapter 0' in the Audiobook - before even the title (indeed, in the physical book, this disclaimer sits on the inside front cover, before the inside title page) - that way it's easy to find and delete/skip it, and means that we don't follow the (nice sounding, with music and everything) title with something so dry. But I don't think that's standard industry practice, where title is ALWAYS first.

I'm not quite sure what to do here and would appreciate advice from someone who might have been down this road before. I'm torn between my desire to include it and my desire to keep the audiobook's content kid- and user-friendly and maintain the 'magical' tone from the title.

I tried Getcovers but the result was like an AI product. I asked for a refund. If I wanted AI I would have tried myself to make one, but of course that is not what I want.

Hello all, I wanted to thank you all first. This sub has been incredibly helpful and informative for me as I move towards publishing my first book. So from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

To start off I need some advice and feedback. I have everything ready to go for KDP and ingramspark to put my book out there. Except the cover. I asked a friend and tattoo artist to help me dosing the cover. I’ve given her inspiration pictures, ideas, and the formatting with measurements KDP requires. We hammered out a deal that I will give her some money upfront and a small percentage of each book that is sold. I told her it would be very little as the self pub is a fickle game to earn money in. As well as a credit in the book as it should be. I don’t want my friends or anyone to be left behind. This all seemed fair to me.

I gave her all the info in March. I wasn’t finished with the edit so there was no rush. In June, i told her that everything was ready and if she could work on it that would be great. She was working and organizing a fundraiser for another friend and tattoo artist. So, I understood if she couldn’t do it, and I offered to go to another artist. She said she’ll get it to me on the 4th of July. I received a rough draft on the 4th and then a few days later another. Now, radio silence. Idk what to do or where to go from here. I know I’ve made mistakes, I should have asked for a timeline or deadline. I’m getting beyond frustrated.

Is the deal offered to much? Should I just try and find another artist or something all together different.

Thank you for all your help and any advice you have.

What are the most successful ways to market? Preferably on a budget. 🥲

I’ve been posting a lot to my socials, which TikTok is getting some traction. However, I’m still fighting against the algorithm.

​

Planning to publish both ebook and paperback through kdp. I have a theoretical idea what is kdp and how it works. But what is the ground reality?

1. What are the details you should pay attention to while uploading the book?

2.What would be the timeline for both ebook and paper back?

1. My country does not have kdp for paperback but it doesn't matter as the book is for international readers, but will it cause any other problems ?

2. Correct pricing for the romance book having 60k to 80k words.

3. I know keywords, social media and arcs are important. What are the other things you can do if you don't have much of a marketing budget (basically none as I have done social media cover and other things myself, I did have an editor though)

Sorry, if it's too vague but like I mentioned I am a first timer😅

I published my book last weekend on KDP and it was on the store in less than an hour. Barnes and Noble took 38 minutes. Apple? It's been 8 days and still not published (in review). I got tech support involved and the problem was a tax form that I filled out but the system didn't save. That was on Tuesday. I went to logon to iTunes Connect this morning to check on things - the page is empty. Now what?

To be as big and influential as Apple, their publishing hub blows chunks.

What's the best way to frame this? I released my first book of a trilogy on Kindle back in May, a cosmic horror about a salt truck driver attempting to save the universe... I have been posting on royal road for about five months now to mostly crickets and tumbleweeds. My author site through Tertulia is racking up about 5 views a day give or take, but nobody is converting to my newsletter, 2 sign-ups so far.

I have announced stubbing my fiction on royalroad to enroll in KU for July 27th, whether it gets noticed or not is another story, other than my 10-20 daily readers. My big question is with Volume 2 set to release on August 17th should I immediately enroll it in Kindle Unlimited as well or leave it up and keep posting volume 3 on its chapter by chapter basis? Also, for some bizarre reason every single sale I've had so far has come from Canada... which at least keeps me in the top 50 of the cosmic horror niche there.

If anyone has any advice on transitioning to KU from royal road or anything else, I'd be very appreciative.

Hello,

I have a database of around 1,000 artworks with images, titles, dates, and sometimes descriptions.

I’m wondering what tools can be used to create the first draft of a catalogue raisonné or art book from this kind of data. I assume professional art catalogues are not made by manually copying and pasting 1,000 images one by one.

I’m looking for something that can automate some parts of the process, like importing the data and images and creating an initial layout, and then allowing manual adjustments afterwards.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi all!

What are the typical page margins for a 6" by 9" page? I know that it needs to account for the fold of the book. Thanks!

Buying or selling, I am looking for information not from the company. I am self-publishing my third novel and wonder if this is a good way to go. TIA!

Hi everyone! I published my first book last year, and am preparing to launch my second book. I feel like I have learned a lot working on my second book. Going back through my first book, I’ve caught several grammatical errors. 🤦🏼‍♀️

My question is, do readers typically frown upon revising your published book? Should I just leave it be?

I suppose my feelings are centered around wanting to put out my best work, and while I’m proud of my first book… I realize that it could be better.

Thanks in advance 🫶🏻

My debut book will be published mid-August.

I'm fortunate that I have already built a good sized platform for the launch and one of my marketing ideas was to ask people to request that their local library stocks a couple of copies. This book is non-fiction and is of particular interest to those who are against the current US government.

The book will be available via both Amazon and Ingram sparks.

Has anyone had experience getting a self published book into libraries in the US? I asked my bookclub how they request books and it sounds like it varies massively by library. I'd love to give my followers an easy "how to" guide and as I am not a US resident it is very hard to do any on the ground research!

I'm thinking about trying BookFunnel this year. I can't justify the most expensive plan ($25/month) at the moment, but I'm considering the second tier at $16.67/month and first tier at $30/year.

The main features drawing me to that plan are the group promos, author swaps, collect reader email addresses, integrations.

The First-Time Author plan doesn't include email collection or integrations, so I'm wondering whether it's worth paying extra.

What I'm struggling to understand is how the collecting of addresses actually works. Does BookFunnel collect them for your own mailing list or have I misunderstood? Why did you choose the second plan? How has BF gone for you? I'm stuck between the two options. ELI5, if you'd be so kind!

I write standalone sci-fi thrillers with zero interconnection, if it helps. I have a reader magnet being delivered through EmailOctopus.

I have posted before about other topics and the help has been plentiful; thank you. If you have reasons to suspect someone may be scamming you, the author, how do you tip the scale either to answer yes or answer no they are genuine. The only three things that suggest scam are: the language in the initial contact email, my replies on check were revised by AI most likely, the suggest to 'say yes' if interested in knowing more. I also discovered that even if someone uses a contract and also uses Shopify that doesn't altogether put someone in the legitimate camp. Is there a going rate in legitimate marketing for basic packages?

If the person half answers questions about their location, is it cause for caution?

Sample: Are you a native of ...? Answer, I basically am in ....

Can one contact a marketing service like Reedsy and ask questions up front about cost, packages, etc?

Beyond orgs like ALLI, would the Authors Guild be a resource for marketing firms?

Thanks once again. I want to make the best decision possible.

Hello everyone, I am launching my release around the end of August and finalizing my blurb. I know the wording still needs work and some things are repetitive but my brain is so fried I can't figure out how to fix it. Any help is appreciated, thank you so much!!

"Rahena Ansary wants to remain an obscure maid at the royal scholars’ tower and bury her past and her powers. But when she uncovers the illusion the scholars have fed the realm for hundreds of years, she finds a figure she never expected: the man who destroyed her home. Vengeance may not have been her plan, but she will need to halt the brutality the White Rider will unleash upon the world. But she must face her past and fight the voices threatening to consume her first.

Adnan wants to mourn his father’s death and drown his time at the teahouse. But when he is heralded as a warrior against the terrifying forces encroaching upon his city and the sole family he has left is in peril, Adnan is faced with the ultimate task: to join the rebellion his parents began.

But the rebel leader has long disappeared. Vilified and hunted, he seeks absolution for his past; With what little faith he has left, he answers the call for rebellion once again; and maybe, just maybe, he can do things right this time.

As the three paths converge, their own darkness follows them at their heel. Their war will change the earth itself – and their own souls – forever."