My first DOS computer had no mouse. Its screen had two colors: green and white. Today, computers have mice and complex graphics, and there is no need to be a computer programmer in order to use a computer. Technology gets easier to use each year. Even though it's easier than it used to be, sometimes you still need help. Many authors find that the biggest obstacle keeping them from writing, publishing, or marketing is technology. Authors lacking technical sophistication often get pulled into overpriced schemes like hybrid publishing and struggle to succeed. So, how can you learn to learn techno ..read more

A few months ago, we released an episode called The Starving Author: How to Market Books When You Have No Money. After the episode aired, several authors asked me a similar question: “What do we do if we do have money to spend?” You see, not all authors are starving. Some writers have spent years saving money, and they want to know how to get the best return on that money when they invest it in book marketing. So, how do you supercharge book sales if you have money to spend? In this week's episode, we’ll discuss marketing opportunities available to authors with a sizable marketing budget. You ..read more

Author Media has a list of over 10,000 subscribers, and around half of them open our emails, which means our open rates hover around 50%. That’s a high open rate! It’s partly because new subscribers join our email list through webinars I present for writers and authors. By the end of each webinar, attendees know enough to want to open emails from Author Media and me. Plus, the comments, questions, and polls associated with the webinar allow me to get to know my audience better. If you want to get to know your “Timothy” and grow your email list by adding subscribers who want to open your emails ..read more

An Uber driver's most valuable asset is his car. A photographer's camera is critical. An Uber driver with a broken car can't make money, and a photographer with a cheap camera will slowly starve. What is the critical tool for an author? What tool will help you earn money and keep you from starving? Your laptop! You write, edit, and promote your book on your laptop. A reliable, compatible computer is key to your success. Put another way, an old, unreliable computer is a terrible liability. Investing in a good laptop is not just a smart move, it's a potential tax-deductible business expense for ..read more

When readers browse Amazon, they have already decided to purchase a book. The only question is: Which book will they choose? What if there was a way to reach readers at this pivotal moment and persuade them to pick your book from the list they're considering? There is! It is called Amazon Advertising, and it has become one of the most popular forms of book promotion for indie authors. However, many authors feel intimidated by the idea of running Amazon ads. In this week's episode, you'll hear from Alana Terry, a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 books and Amazon ads expert. You'll discov ..read more

The tools we use for writing have evolved over the centuries, from quill and inkpot to the printing press, to the word processor to AI. Recent developments in AI tools for writers have sparked everything from laughable images to controversy and fear. Is AI evil? Is it safe? In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss what you need to know about AI in our current day. You’ll learn How (and how early) it developed What threats it poses to writers What advantages it offers How to wield it for good in the world Listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to learn what to watch for and how ..read more

You’ve heard me talk about the Five Ps of Marketing, and in this week’s episode, we tackle the third P: Place. In other words, where should you sell your book? Many authors struggle to find the right place to sell their books. Whether you're an indie or traditional author, you must discover the best places to sell. So, how can you unlock the power of place for your book? In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the location where you sell your book is important and powerful Three case studies on authors who have maximized sales in the right places Online and offline places where you can sell your b ..read more

The term "self-publishing" doesn't mean that you sit in a cabin in the woods all by yourself and emerge with a published book as if you'd done it all singlehandedly. It's rare to find one person who has all the skills required to turn an idea into a physical book. We need cover designers, formatters, web designers, assistants, and more. You might be self-publishing, but you will need some help. But what if you don't know anyone who can help? Where can you find skilled professionals who can produce the high-quality work your book deserves? I asked Ricardo Fayet, the cofounder of Reedsy, a curat ..read more

This year marks the end of an era. The Book Launch Blueprint is entering its seventh and final year. Since we began offering it in 2018, it has been one of our most popular courses. Launching a book is one strategy that works well for indie and traditional as well as fiction and nonfiction. But why is a book launch so important? In this week’s episode, you’ll discover Who needs a book launch (and who doesn’t) Other methods that work for some authors What a successful book launch does for your book and your career What we'll cover in this year's final Book Launch Blueprint Registration for th ..read more

How much money does it cost to become a professional author? Any profession will cost you when you're just getting started. If you're broke, I recommend listening to my episode titled The Starving Author: How to Market Books Without Money. Assuming you have some money, you need a spending plan. But how much money do you need to budget for the first five years of your writing career? I asked Kent Sanders, host of The Profitable Writer Podcast and founder of the Profitable Writer Community, a membership group that serves writers and helps them become more profitable. In this week's episode, you ..read more