WorkingType Design’s resources booklet has been updated with more author advice and resources. The booklet can be downloaded here. If you’d like to add your own experiences, advice or warnings, please let us know. The case studies in the booklet show that there are many ways to promote a new or existing book, on or offline.
The Publisher's Paradox, or, The Author's Dilemma
Some very good advice and an ansight into the publishing process from experienced editor Euan Mitchelle. Excerpted from his book “Your Book Publishing Options”
The Publishers’ Paradox
Publishers want a submission that is different yet has been done before.
A paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself yet contains a slippery truth. How can publishers expect something different – that is, new – but somehow it has been done before? This doesn’t seem to make sense. The answer is that publishers want evidence your genre or type of book is already selling in viable quantities, and your submission has at least one marketable point of difference from the existing competition.
Remember the example of the new atlas on page 31? If you think your book can’t be pigeonholed into an existing genre or combination of genres (cyborg-romance, gothic-crime), think again. This can be particularly confronting for fiction writers, as I found when my first manuscript was summed up by publishers as a coming-of-age/on-the-road tale. Up to that point it was my unique story that I didn’t like to categorise.
To a publisher it was just another text whose commercial potential could be guesstimated. Therein lies the key difference that your submission needs to overcome.
You are going to improve your chances of pitching to a publisher if you can put yourself in their shoes. But I have read too many submissions – in my later role as a publisher – that are self-centred (including a new writer’s career goals), rather than focused on how a book might fit with the publisher’s existing list of titles. The following alternatives aim to turn an ordinary submission into an extraordinary pitch.
Santosh Nambiar
Independent author Santosh Nambiar talks about Mindfulness. Santosh’s website does a great job of showcasing his books and services. Clean design, plenty of content and recently updated. And a clear introductory statement:
Liberation from your conditioned mind is Absolute Freedom
Are you ready to silence the unwanted mindnoise from your life?
The simple awareness of your conditioned mind will set you on the path to freedom from unwanted mindnoise, paving the way for peace, creativity, emotional wellbeing and clarity. Allow yourself to be free and live a more purposeful, grounded and conscious life.
Draft2Digital: a good idea for independent authors?
Draft2Digital offers a very cost-effective distribution route for ebooks (print on demand also, but that service is still in beta, for various reasons). Its sale channels cover all of the large ebook retailers. It has a very simple and attractive service proposition:
We are Self-Publishing with Support. Your book is your priority. Our priority is you. We build tools and services that let you focus on writing while we take care of layout, publishing, distribution, print-on-demand paperbacks, and more. Keep writing. We’re here for the rest.
In a long and very informative blog post, author services firm Reedsy describes them as “The gold standard for self-publishing aggregators, Draft2Digital distinguishes itself with excellent customer service and a user-friendly interface. They’re the best way to sell your book with dozens of retailers without tearing your hair out.”
Kindlepreneur also has a largely positive review that dives into the details of uploading a new title and how the royalty payments and update fees work.
Users discuss vcry specific pros and cons of the service on a reddit thread. Important note: the 10% Draft2Digital fee is charged on retail price, not on profit, and comes on top of the share taken by the end seller.
Writers Weekly has published a number of very negative user reviews that indicate some administrative problems.
Plenty of users had complaints about the non-payment of royalties.
Draft2Digital books cannot access Amazon advertising or other Amazon sales tools.
In summary, a service that will be useful to many authors, but go in with your eyes open and aware of the moderate drawbacks, especially the Amazon advertising issue.
Get Your Title Onto Borrowbox via IngramSpark
Bolinda Audio produces a book-borrowing app (Borrowbox) used widely by Australian libraries. An author client contacted them recently to see if there was a way of including their ebook title on the platform. They responded promptly with the following:
“We would be happy to distribute your titles to libraries via our digital lending solution BorrowBox, but we simply don't have the resources to deal direct with individual authors. If your titles are available from a digital distributor such as Gardners, Ingrams, IPG, or Faber Factory, then we could make them available via BorrowBox.”
Borrowbox is an excellent app with a very wide variety of audiobook and ebook titles, and represents an great opportunity for independent authors to get in front of new readers.
Hybrid Publishing
Books + Publishing recently published a fairly lengthy and nuanced discussion on the state of ‘hybrid publishing’ in Australia. The article defines hybrid publishing as “a situation where ‘a writer pays money for publication, and grants the company a licence of rights or the company takes a share of any profits”. Hybrid Publisher Shawline Publishing is mentioned, along with their recent opening of a bookstore in Ballarat focused on promoting indie authors. Their Facebook page is here.
Books + Publishing also posted a useful checklist for authors considering signing on with a hybrid publisher. Reedsy’s take on hybrid publishing is here.
Book Cover Designs for September 2022
An interesting variety of topics covered in the latest round of cover designs in progress…
Publisher Services and Distribution from Booktopia
“Booktopia Publisher Services, the company’s distribution arm, has “over 500 bookstores and businesses as its customer base”.”
Market leading online bookseller Booktopia offers warehouse space to publishers on this site. Though oriented towards publishers, authors or small press publishers with a particularly compelling offering may wish to approach them. Bookstores can order titles from Booktopia and the titles are also listed on other sales channels. A short article from Books and Publishing here.
Creating an Ideal Writing Space
Guest Post from Teresa Siqueira of Porch.com
Whether you’re a long-time writer or just beginning to explore the possibilities of a writing career or hobby, you’ll need to create a writing environment that’s conducive to getting work done. You can transform a nook or room of your home into your ideal writing environment. With a comfortable space and a strong work ethic, you can build upon your writing skills and begin to accomplish your goals. Use the following tips to design your perfect writing space.
Benefits of Writing
Whether you choose to write as a profession or hobby, you can look forward to earning income or extra money from this pursuit. Good writers who possess the requisite skills are in demand today by numerous industries and the businesses within them. When you take up writing as a daily activity, you can look forward to benefits in addition to income, such as:
Improved concentration
More organized thought processes
Expanded vocabulary
Improved communication skills
Stress reduction
Creative outlet
Enhanced research skills
Learn new things
Writing can be both professionally and personally gratifying. While there are many types of writing and associated careers you might focus on, you can explore these different possibilities to find one that suits you.
Setting up the Perfect Writing Environment
To create your ideal writing space, you’ll want to consider the following:
Desk and Seating
Look for a sturdy desk or writing table that offers enough space for your laptop or computer, as well as a writing tablet (to make notes) and any research material you may wish to peruse. An ergonomic chair or furniture that’s both comfortable and supportive is perfect for those long writing sessions. You may also want to keep a bookcase nearby to house your reference materials.
Lighting
Many people prefer to work using natural light, but if you intend to write on dreary days or during the evening, you’ll need artificial light too. In any case, try to set up your writing space near a window; otherwise, ensure that you have plenty of bright light so you can ward off eye strain.
Writing Tools
Although some writers still prefer to write by hand, in order to submit your work, you’ll need a computer and writing program. No publishers, either traditional or online platforms, will accept handwritten manuscripts. Look for a computer with a decent processor and plenty of memory. You should also invest in a backup hard drive or save your files to the cloud.
Location
Choose a space in your home where you’re unlikely to incur distractions. You may want to limit distractions such as your phone when you’re working.
Ambiance
As you set up your writing space, choose paint colors that make you feel creative. Add in some artwork and plants. Surround your writing space with items that inspire you. Be sure that you try to keep your area neat, calm, and organized to maintain its pleasant ambiance.
Types of Writing
As you think about working in your space, take time to investigate the different types of writing you might pursue. Learning about the various types of writing will help you narrow them down to an ideal option for your interests and skillsets.
Blogging
Today, writers blog about nearly anything. Some blog for companies and publish material related to the business and its industry. Other writers blog strictly about subject matter Keep of interest to them, such as food, health, fashion, gardening, films, technology, etc.
Journalism
Many types of publications seek unsolicited manuscripts, including essays and articles. If you’re interested in non-fiction subject matter, this might be the ideal outlet for you.
Journaling
Keeping a journal is a great way to manage your stress or even a mental health condition like anxiety. Journaling about your life is a great way to record it for yourself or your family.
Fiction
You can devote your writing space to writing novels, short stories, or scripts. Try writing for a specific genre like mystery, psychological thriller, fantasy, or romance. You might even try your hand at writing children’s stories.
Speeches
Consider writing speeches and pursuing a speech writing career. You can convey important messages on many different topics/issues to a wide range of audiences.
Poetry
There are many types of poetry. You can focus on a style that suits your preference. You can share your work online or submit it to poetry magazines for publication.
Handwriting/Calligraphy
Writing can be a visual art form. You can transform your writing space into a writing studio where you house all of your special implements and papers. You can sell your work on your own website or sites like Etsy. Writing can be both professionally and personally gratifying. While there are many types of writing and associated careers you might focus on, you can explore these different possibilities to find one that suits you. You will find there are endless benefits of handwriting.
Music/Jingles
You can combine your love of writing with music to write jingles or songs for commercials, television, and more. Be sure your space has plenty of room for your piano, guitar, or other instruments too.
Create a Writing Routine
Writers work. Even if you don’t expect a visit from your muse, write anyway. Establishing a solid writing routine will help you banish the idea of writer’s block and leave no time for procrastination. Here are some tips for setting up and maintaining your work routine:
Design a writing schedule (i.e., three hours in the morning/three hours in the afternoon or evening)
Use a calendar and set writing deadlines (or plugin deadlines established by your publisher or clients)
Set a daily word count
Create a weekly writing plan (i.e., your writing to-do list)
Schedule breaks (take walks or break for snacks to get a recharge)
Tips to Find Writing Inspiration
Inspiration comes in many forms. When designing your writing space, add features that will inspire your creativity. The following tips can help:
Prepare for Writer’s Block
Sticking to a writing routine is a highly effective way of working through writer’s block. Try using writing prompts or performing research related to the topic you want to write about.
Join a Writing Group
Consider signing up for a writing group. You can join an online or in-person group. These groups are ideal for sharing your work and obtaining helpful feedback. To learn more about a community for journal writers, visit The International Association for Journal Writing.
Rely on Art
You can find inspiration from other writers as well as film, television, music, and painting. Be sure to read the work of other writers, too, to gain insights into the craft.
Prepare for Feedback
If you’re writing intending to earn income, you’ll want to prepare for feedback. Remember that even the most renowned writers have racked up rejection letters. Consider feedback carefully. In some cases, you may wish to revise your work. At other times, you may simply want to submit your work to other potential publishers.
Use Motivation Writing Techniques
Various writing techniques and practices can motivate you to write regularly. Experiment with freewriting. Try the Pomodoro technique; set a timer and writer for 25 minutes. The goal of the technique is simply to work in short bursts. Remember, you can always revise later.
Develop a Writing Process
Developing a writing process will support your writing routine. When getting started, you may wish to experiment with different processes. Find a method that works best for you.
Make a Plan
While some writers prefer to sit down and start writing without much forethought, many others craft a plan, even if it’s just a mental one. Some planning tasks might include forming an article’s outline, writing a single chapter, revising an article, etc. When you sit down to work, have a clear intention about what you want to do for the morning or day.
Research
Even writers who prefer to write about topics they’re familiar with, need to conduct some research. If you’re writing about nonfiction topics or realistic fiction, research is simply a matter of course. These days, you can research online or spend time at your local library.
Prewriting
Some writers prefer to do some prewriting before attempting a formal draft. Prewriting helps you generate ideas, explore different perspectives and topic angles, and form a plan for your outline.
Drafting
Initial drafts allow writers to get their work written. Once your drafts are penned, you can make changes later.
Editing
Editing and proofreading are crucial for writers. When editing, you’ll want to focus on refining the content as well as checking for correct grammar and usage. You may want to share your work with your support group or another editor at this point to gain helpful feedback.
Monetize your Writing
Finally, consider outlets for publishing and selling your work. You might sign up with freelance writing agencies that can help you find clients. You can also begin to submit your work to little magazines or major publications. You can also search for an agent who can help you find a publisher for your manuscript.
Writing can be a rewarding career on many different levels. It’s enjoyable but can also be lucrative. Think about your goals and make a plan for achieving them. Use the tips outlined here to help you create your ideal writing space and reap the benefits of writing.
https://porch.com/advice/create-ideal-writing-environment
Booktopia's Post-covid Woes
The Age newspaper has quite a long and interesting article on the post-covid slump in sales and earnings by Booktopia, Australia’s biggest online bookseller. A bookstore owner is quoted as gloating at Booktopia’s issues, but independent authors will be more ambivalent — Booktopia offers a real avenue for sales, and is much easier to get into than bookstores. There are very few viable options for distribution into bookstores for independent authors, post the demise of Dennis Jones.and Associates.
WorkingType Studio Publishing Information Pack updated for 2022
Please click here to download our updated client information pack, containing much practical information and advice from other authors.
The Secret of the Grand Hôtel du Lac audiobook
Accomplished local author Kathryn Gauci has dipped a toe into the audiobook world and recorded a version of her highly rated The Secret of the Grand Hôtel du Lac. The print edition has an impressive 877 reader reviews and her other books are very much worth checking out.
Book Cover Designs for October 2021
The usual wide variety of topics and typefaces and approaches this month. Never a dull typographic moment…
Book Cover Design for September 2021
A few of our recent covers and cover drafts, covering the usual broad range of subject matter. Striving for high contrast and high impact and interesting type combinations.
Email marketing your book — some practical advice
Some advice to authors planning to market their books via email, from experienced editor and author Dr. Euan Mitchell:
Email programs are getting better at detecting advertising material.
Especially if the salutation is not to a specific person's name.
Including an attachment also increases the chances of it being filtered out.
I suggest the best way is to first send an enquiry email to the organisation concerned without an attachment or any advertising copy in the email itself.
Simply ask who the editor of the organisation's newsletter is. This only takes a sentence or two. In that first email, do not explain why you are asking.
Let them ask. And even if you are starting by emailing the organisation's general email address, you should soon have a reply and a person's name to start with. Importantly, the current person, not someone from years past.
The pitch should not be: "Here's my fascinating book, please buy it." People get similar emails all the time and block the sender.
Start a dialogue with an enquiry email, not an ad. If the organisation has a newsletter then it has space to fill on a regular basis. The author might be able to help out : )
Depending on the organisation's main interest, the author might be able to contribute a few quotes or anecdotes to an article.
These contributions need to be customised to the organisation's interests according to the person who answers the emails.
Funnily enough the contributions can include a plug for your book, even if just a footnote at the end of the article. This subtle way of advertising the book should be more effective than a straight-out ad because the author has first been introduced to the reader by the organisation the reader subscribes to.
In summary, the approach shifts from generic inbox drops to personalised email enquiries (or phone calls) about organisations' newsletters without initially mentioning the title.
Don't lead with your chin. Get a dialogue going first. It takes time but the success rate is much higher.
Euan’s excellent practical guide Your Book Publishing Options is available from Amazon.
Steve Nurse Discusses his New Book "Cycle Zoo"
Steve (right) with Jesse Heath, OzHpv Challenge 2021 Photo John Hagan
There is a saying in recumbent bike manufacture, “The best way to make a small fortune making bikes is to start with a large fortune” and the same thing can be said about self-publishing a book. Its hard to rely on self-publishing to make money. It might happen, but don’t bank on it! In the first instance self-publishing should be about wanting to get your message out.
To get to my book story, I have been building and designing bikes since about 1987, went on the first long-distance rides on bikes I’d built around 2000, and wrote the first version of my Cycle Zoo book in about 2009. Back then I wrote, edited, illustrated and laid out the whole book, and supplied finished pdfs to Publishing Solutions. They then organised the ISBN and printing of about 1000 copies.
After that it was up to me to sell and distribute the books but that was difficult. Sometimes I’d take books to bookshops to sell, and they’d never pay. It was impossible for me to sell all the books, so I still have boxes of books in the back of cupboards at home. However the first edition of the book helped with entry into an industrial design master’s degree which gave me paid work designing bikes for 2 years. Putting it out was worth it just for that.
I’ve stayed in touch with a couple of the contacts I made after the first book. I designed a cycling board game and Anki Toner put that on his cyclingboardgames.net website. Link here. And I was interviewed by Chis Starr at 3cr. I usually attend local recumbent bike gatherings and this didn’t stop. As well I’ve kept on building bikes, and became the editor of the Australian Human Powered Vehicle Magazine Huff.
Somewhere along the way I got the urge to write a book came again, and I had enough new material to add to my previous book so set about rewriting Cycling Zoo. Fairly early in the process I got editor Neil Conning and book designer Luke Harris on board. I conversed with and interviewed a few people involved in cycling to broaden the book’s appeal, and I’m happy how the stories came out. So Adam Hari about spoke about speedbikes, Gayle Potts about refurbishing bikes for refugees, Nell Sudano about electric bikes and teaching cycling, and Alyson Macdonald about boardgames and her cycling.
Publication for the new book is by print on demand, so the book is available anywhere in the world, and is printed in quantities as small as one in the nearest printing centre including Melbourne, the UK and the USA. I have ordered and sell or give away copies for myself, family, friends and reviewers. Normally I will give away books to reviewers. An example is Chris Starr who volunteers for and runs the Yarrabug Cycling show on 3cr.
Where to buy Steve’s book:
After a phone interview with Chris, she mixed the show and put up a podcast page for the show, a resource I can use to let people know about the book. She deserves at least a free book for her efforts. The weblink is here .
Anki Toner really only wants to document every cycling board and card game no matter how obscure, and a lot of these are based on European races such as the Peace Race, Tour de France, Vuelta D’Espana and Giro D’italia. An example is here, analysis of the games is well researched and concise. But he was happy to showcase a new game I had developed and put online, called Cycle Challenge. He’s included a link to my book page in his excellent coverage of my game which is all you can ask for.
Adam Hari features in my chapter about speedbikes, which are fully enclosed, highly aerodynamic cycles designed to break speed records. I was happy to mail him a book at cost, and he was happy to publicise it on his Instagram, showing a video of the book pages involving him and his machines.
Coming up in early October I will be part of the Laidbackbike report Youtube series but meanwhile I will continue improving websites, contacting potential reviewers, contacting those mentioned in the book, and working on ebook versions. I put a book poster on the side of one of my bikes yesterday and have already been asked about it (a mum and her kids caught up to me on their electric bike and were chattering furiously) so will work on improving that too.
Have fun promoting your book. Selling oodles of copies and making money might be your initial aim but you might come away with something more valuable..
Leaning trike with poster.
Amazon KDP now printing in Australia
After years of printing in the US and shipping all the way to Oz, Amazon has finally opened a printery in Australia to service print on demand customers. This is very good news for independent authors, especially that subset who want to concentrate on Amazon. IngramSpark’s service has many pluses, but it interposes a layer between the author and Amazon, and costs a good deal more, particularly when authors wish to upload updated book files. With the new printing facility, Australian authors will finally be able to order author proofs and copies.
With the new printery, postage costs will be reduced and turnaround times improved. Here is the Amazon page addressing the topic.
8 Steps to Self-Publish Your Book Like a Bestseller
Guest post contributed by Chloe Harris
If you have an idea under your belt that you genuinely believe should reach a wider audience, consider publishing your own book. Historically, authors need an agent who can convince a publisher to take a look at their manuscript. In fact, many publishing companies work only through established agents, which makes it difficult, especially for first-time authors.
Self-publishing may sound outlandish, considering all the work needed to be even noticed by readers. But with meticulous planning, creativity, resourcefulness, and proper implementation, your book can be the next bestseller.
1. Edit Thoroughly
Even you’re self-publishing, the book will go through the hands of people who will judge it. Minor errors can hinder its success. If you’ve never edited a book before, here’s a guide on how to edit a book.
Do the following to get you started.
Wait at least a week before editing so that you can look at the book with fresh eyes.
Review the plot and characters. Take note of significant structures. For example, do the characters have dynamic personalities? Is the conflict sensible? How is the audience going to feel about the ending?
If you’re not ready to edit the significant elements, start with line edits. Are you using the right voice?
2. Ask for Feedback
Feedback is invaluable. The book may sound perfect to you, but are you sure that’s how readers would feel? Share your manuscript with trusted individuals and ask for feedback.
To help them make more candid feedback, create an online form to share opinions on specific elements. Also, ask them how you can improve.
Feedback may be obtained from friends, family, book critics, and writing communities.
3. Format Your Book Properly
“A professionally-formatted book sends a good impression. This part can be a bit more complicated for self-publishing authors because your book must be 100% ready for publication after this. Many authors are anxious about formatting; after all, it’s an entirely different skill from writing.”, explains Direct Appliance Rentals CEO Karina Wolfin.
Here are some formatting options.
Free formatting software: Apple Pages and Kindle Create provide free templates. However, they also cater to their own platform, which means all or some formatting options will be discard when you upload to other retailers.
Paid formatting software: Vellum ($200) and Scrivener ($45) creates beautifully formatted print versions and E-books. Plus, you can format as many files as you want with a licensed account.
Professional typesetters: For print on demand, authors usually hire a typesetter to ensure immaculate formatting. This is the most viable option, especially for printed editions, because you don’t want unevenly spaced text and images.
4. Choose a cover that converts
The cover creates the first impression to the readers. A strong cover is attractive and lets those who see it know that the book was made for them.
Consider these tips for the book design.
Striking yet sophisticated. Whether it’s a photo, an illustration, or typography, the cover should look professional.
Indicative of the genre. Some design elements are associated with specific genres. Your book cover must conform to these principles to reach the right audience.
Spine and back cover. This is only for printed versions.
Unlike formatting, the cover should be made by a professional. This is your most crucial marketing tool, and you shouldn’t take risks.
5. Maximize Your Book Description
The book description is another element that can attract readers. Here are the basics of writing a good description.
Hook the readers. Use a dramatic headline, such as a quote from a book or a strong review from a known critique. The point is to intrigue the readers.
Introduce the storyline. Don’t give away everything, though! Instead, give readers a sneak peek of what they’re going to find inside.
Create a cliff-hanger. End the description with a hint of a shocking twist or an intriguing question.
Read the descriptions of some bestsellers of the same genre, and you’ll definitely see a pattern.
6. Prepare the launching
The launch will raise awareness and jumpstart the hype about your book—just like a movie trailer.
Consider including the following in your launch plan.
Build a website. A large fraction of modern-day consumers rely on the internet for information; therefore, your book should be there. Hire a web designer to build a dedicated website for your book and follow the pointers we gave for the cover design.
Ask for the support of family and friends. People will be looking for social proof, so it would be beneficial if your family and friends promote your book on their social media accounts.
Ask for book reviews. Contact known book reviewers and politely ask them if they can review your book.
Organise a virtual launch party. Partner with influencers and send them party packages. Give a speech and ask attendees to share their thoughts about your book.
7. Publish
You’ll be glad to know that self-publishing can be fast on Amazon and other platforms.
For printed editions, the process is a bit longer. But you should have no trouble if all the materials are ready.
8. Market Your Book
The work doesn’t end after publication. The marketing campaign has started during the launch, but you still have more legwork to do.
Reach out to relevant blogs and ask if you could write a guest post to promote your book.
Organise events at bookstores. This can a signing, reading or Q&A.
Work with a third-party advertising agency. Self-marketing can be exhausting, especially if your fan base is still in its early stages stage. Instead, consider hiring the services of an ad agency that specialises in reading materials.
With so many titles being released each year in Australia, it can be hard for your manuscript to find its way to the publisher’s desk. If you think self-publishing is the best method for you, contact WorkingType for design and print solutions.
A Backpackers Progress
Jason Rebello’s excellent Red Earth Diaries about his travels around Australia as a newlywed is due to launch soon, and he has left absolutely no stone unturned in placing information on all the social media services and print on demand and ebook services. Here are some of the links…
The book is available for preorder on the below online bookstores (more will be added in the coming days):
Amazon, Kobo, and Booktopia, Barnes and Noble, Google Books and Apple
Travel and Inspirational Blog: https://theevolvingbackpacker.com/
Author Website: https://evolvingwordsmith.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theevolvingbackpacker/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEvolvingBackpacker
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordsmith_jason (wordsmith_jason)
Cracking Author Websites
Independent authors should have a place online where potential readers can discover more about them and their work. It might be a social media page or a website. Here are two websites that do an excellent job of providing information about the author in a professional and interesting way. Nic d Alessandro’s and Mary Garden’s respective sites are high impact, easy to navigate and provide extended information about their work.