Learn about Amazon Algorithms for Free

“Amazon is more than just a retailer: it is a search engine as well as a book discoverability website. In fact, it’s the world’s leading search engine for books, where the majority of buyers go to find their next read.”

— Reedsy site

Reedsy is offering a short, free introductory course for those interested in using Amazon advertising for their books. The course covers the following topics:

• The fundamentals of how the algorithms work

• How to optimize your product page for the algorithm

• How to pick the right categories and keywords

• How to ascend the various lists on the Kindle store

• The right way to launch your book

Manuscript to Market: the life cycle of getting your book into print

by Susan Pierotti, writer, editor and proofreader.

Does a burning desire to write a book light a fire in your belly? Have you already begun to write but self-doubts have conquered your self-confidence? Do you have all the material ready to write but don’t know how to assemble it together?

I wrote Manuscript to Market to answer these very questions and more. I’m an editor who polished others’ books for publication. I never in a million years thought that I would write a book, yet I’ve now published four. I know what it feels like to write and then hand over my hours of inspiration (and perspiration) to someone else to get feedback from. Will they like it? Will they loathe it?

I wrote Manuscript to Market in response to a number of prompts.

The first came from a business colleague. He said if I was going into business as a book editor, I’d better write a book to show I knew what I was talking about. So, for all you businesspeople out there, let me tell you – writing a book is a business card on steroids! I have sold so many of my books to prospective authors and they now think I’m an expert.

Am I the only book editor around, or even the best? No, but I’m the only one they have met who can tell them what they need to know. This adds to my credibility and their reassurance. So, if you’re in business and want a product that does the marketing work for you, write a book. (How do you do that? Read mine!)

The second prompt came from my first-time author clients. They had great stories, engaging characters and dramatic plotlines, but few knew how to construct a good story arc with an appropriate pace, many didn’t know who they were writing for, and marketing ... well, isn’t that what the publisher does? Knowing how little some of these authors know about the book publishing world about understanding how they feel about their work motivated me to help them.

Every author I have worked with regards their book (rightly) as if it were their baby – precious, delicate, valuable. This gave me the structure for my book. From the birth of your baby (where the idea is in the head) to going to school (finding your editor) to dressing up (cover design, layout) and graduating (publishing), Manuscript to Market is a step-by-step guide to getting the idea in your head to a book in the hand.

Available at Susan’s website.

Australian Society of Authors Guide to the Australian Book Industry

The Australian Society of Authors (ASP) has just released their 2023-24 Guide to the Australian Book Industry. The book contains the following elements:

Industry organisations

• Industry newsletters

• Literary magazines and journals

• Literary podcasts

• Reading communities

• Sensitivity readers

• Literary agents

• Trade publishers

• International book fairs

• Literary festivals

Funding your work

• Grants

• Residencies and fellowships

• Competitions

• Literary Prizes

Publicising your work

• Book publicists

• Book review services

• Bookshops for events

• Speaker agencies

Understanding self-publishing

• Self-publishing service providers

• Custom publishers

• Print book distributors

• Printers

The book is free with an ASA membership, which is not cheap, but certainly worth considering if you are serious about your writing life. Another ASA title available in Kindle format is the Guide to Getting Published: Understanding and navigating Australia's book industry, available from Amazon.

Manuscript Assessment Agency

If you have completed a first draft of your manuscript, but are unsure of the next step and need experienced guidance, the services of the Manuscript Appraisal Agency are worth considering. Their menu consists of the following:

In the highly competitive world of publishing, getting your manuscript read, assessed and/or edited can be the first step to finding success. The Manuscript Appraisal Agency can help you take those first publishing steps, getting your manuscript ready for agents, traditional publishers, and self-publishing.

We offer:

• Manuscript Appraisals (assessments)

• Editing (structural editing, copy editing and proof reading)

• Publishing Consultancy 

• Author Mentoring

The MAA is an ethical service, not an entry point to a vanity press.

Book cover designs and drafts April 2023

Angela Dawson Reports on Promotional Activities

Author of Red, Angela Dawson reports on her recent promotional activities and opportunities:

ABC Radio Melbourne:  Angela Dawson publishes her novel Red - ABC 

Plus, as well as Readings bookstores, I managed to get books into Dymocks, Camberwell after being part of a panel of authors presenting to a packed audience at Rivoli Cinemas, Camberwell, for their 'First Tuesday Book Club'.  Catherine Deveny was one of them!  Fun, but quite nerve racking!  I got to speak for 15 mins, and afterwards we all sat in the foyer for book signings, like real authors!

 I've entered lots of competitions, and so far have managed to get short listed in the Santa Fe Writers Project 2022 Literary Awards (27 selected out of 2000!)  

This was their feedback:

Thank you for participating in the 2022 Literary Awards Program and, again, congrats on making it into the finalist lists! You beat out nearly 2000 manuscripts to get where you are. 
While you did not make the winners' circle, your manuscript showed strong promise and shined through a rigorous judging process. Congratulations!

I'm still waiting for a few more comp results, some of which come out at the end of the year. 

I have a few things I want to pursue - I've joined this FB page, which might help with getting some online traffic:

I even wrote a short blog today, after a massive hiatus!

There are definitely some great opportunities out there for writers to get their work critiqued. I found a few legitimate sites, including an American one which frequently has competitions with no entry fees - usually for short essays, poems.  I'm on their monthly list for the newsletter.  Their site states they are, 'One of the Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers'.

Contact Us - Winning Writers

Winning Writers, Inc.

351 Pleasant Street Suite B PMB 222
Northampton, MA 01060-3998
USA

Her website can be found here.

Independent author Maria Stefanides Interviewed

An excellent overview of Maria’s writing philosophy and background can be found here. Her book “The Invisible Thread” is available on Amazon.

““her writing story was carved by her immigration story. Her Cypriot heritage has been an integral part of her writing journey. Maria writes with the ink that drops from her heart.””

Banner Day for Kathryn Gauci

Independent authors appearing at author events sometimes need additional branded material. Kathryn Gauci wanted her banners to stand out, featuring the covers, an atmospheric background, a selection of her awards and her web address. She kindly sent us a few photographs taken at a recent event.

Angela and her book on ABC Radio

Radio is an excellent medium for authors promoting their work — there is a significant overlap between readers and listeners (and a perfect overlap when it comes to audiobooks). Author Angela Dawson conducted a ten minute discussion with ABC presenter Jacinta Parsons.

During the depths of the pandemic Afternoons listener Angela J Dawson rang the talkback line and told Jacinta Parsons about the novel she was working on. Now the book, Red, is finished and published. Angela dropped into the studio for a chat about her humorous tale of a Top Gun obsessed pilot, and how she published it.

Maximizing Your Reach: Using Podcasts for Book Promotion

Guest Post contributed by Farlyn Lucas, Podcast Advertising.

Promoting your book can be a challenge. With the abundance of content available online, it can be difficult to get your book in front of the right people and generate buzz. This is where podcasts come in.

Podcasts have become increasingly popular, and there is no shortage of listeners. In fact, the number of podcast listeners increased by 15% during the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia, and an estimated 424.2 million listeners worldwide.

This presents a unique opportunity for independent authors and self-publishers to reach a wide audience and promote their books. With the right approach, podcasts can be an effective tool in maximizing your reach and promoting your book to a wider audience.

Benefits of Using Podcasts for Book Promotion

There are several benefits to using podcasts for book promotion. First, podcasts allow you to reach a targeted audience. You can connect with listeners who are already interested in your subject matter. This makes it more likely that they will be interested in your book as well.

Second, podcasts offer a more personal connection than other forms of marketing. When you appear on a podcast, you have the opportunity to talk directly to the listeners and engage with them in a way that is not possible with other forms of marketing. You can build trust with potential readers and increase the likelihood that they will purchase your book.

Third, podcasts can help to establish you as an expert in your field. When you appear on a podcast and share your knowledge and insights, you are demonstrating your expertise to the listeners. Through this, you can increase your credibility and build your reputation as an authority in your subject matter.

How To Get Started With Podcast Advertising

Podcast advertising can be a powerful tool for independent authors and self-publishers looking to promote their books and reach new audiences. Let’s cover the basics of how to get started with podcast advertising, including what you need to know, what to expect, and how to make the most of this promotional channel.

Step 1. Research Your Target Audience

The first step in finding the right podcasts for your book is to research your target audience. Consider who your book is written for and what their interests and hobbies are. What types of podcasts do they listen to? What topics are they interested in?

You can find podcasts that cater to their interests and may be more likely to feature your book.

Step 2. Research Popular Podcasts (or in your niche)

Next, look for podcasts in your niche or related to your book's topic. These podcasts are likely to have an audience that is interested in your book and may be more likely to share your book with their followers. You can use podcast directories such as iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher and search podcasts in your niche.

Another way to find podcasts for your book is to check out popular podcasts in your genre or niche. These podcasts may have a large following and a large reach, which can be beneficial for your book promotion.

Step 3: Determine Your Advertising Budget

Next, determine your advertising budget. Podcast advertising can range from a few dollars per episode to hundreds of dollars per episode, depending on the popularity of the podcast and the length of your ad. Keep in mind that podcast advertising can be more cost-effective than traditional advertising methods, so it's important to determine what you're willing to spend.

Step 4: Connect with Podcasters

Once you've identified a few podcasts that you're interested in advertising with, it's time to connect with the podcasters. This can be done through social media or email. Be professional and respectful in your approach and clearly explain how your book fits into their audience's interests. If the podcaster agrees to work with you, they will likely provide you with specific instructions on what you need to do next.

Step 5: Create Your Ad

Your ad should be concise, attention-grabbing, and memorable. Most podcast ads are around 60 seconds long, so be sure to make the most of that time. Consider using humor, storytelling, or a unique angle to make your ad stand out. If you're not confident in your ability to create an effective ad, consider hiring a professional to help.

Step 6: Launch Your Campaign

Once your ad is ready, it's time to launch your campaign. This is when you'll start hearing your ad on podcasts and reaching new audiences. It's important to track your results and make adjustments to your campaign as needed. This may include adjusting your ad, changing the podcasts you're advertising with, or adjusting your budget.

Popular Podcasts for Independent Authors and Self-Publishers

The Self-Publishing Show

Hosted by veteran indie author, Dave Chesson, this podcast is perfect for self-publishers looking to learn more about book marketing, book promotion, and book design. Dave covers a wide range of topics, from ebook formatting to advanced book promotion strategies, making it a valuable resource for any indie author.

The Creative Penn

Host Joanna Penn is a bestselling author and entrepreneur who shares valuable insights and advice on publishing, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She covers a wide range of topics, including book design, book marketing, and the business of self-publishing, making this podcast a must-listen for indie authors.

The Writer's Well

Hosted by multi-published author, Christine Stinson, this podcast provides tips and insights into the writing and publishing process. Christine covers a wide range of topics, including writing techniques, publishing options, and book marketing, making this podcast a valuable resource for any Australian author looking to publish their book.

 The Author's Journey

Hosted by best-selling author, J.A. Mellon, this podcast provides practical advice and inspiration for self-publishers. J.A. covers a wide range of topics, from writing and editing to book marketing and promotion, making this podcast a must-listen for any Australian author looking to take their publishing journey to the next level.

 Final Thoughts

Using podcasts for book promotion can be a highly effective way to reach new audiences and promote your book. With the right preparation and research, you can find the right podcasts and make the most of your appearances. The podcast industry has experienced substantial growth, providing numerous and dynamic opportunities for book promotion. Regardless of whether one is a self-published or traditionally published author, the integration of podcasts into a comprehensive book promotion strategy is highly recommended.

BookTok is Booking It

Addictive short video service TikTok might look like another nail in the coffin of traditional publishing, but there is a corner of that frenetic online realm that celebrates a love of reading. BookTok is a very popular and active sub-community on TikTok, an aggregation of accounts interested in books and reading. Books that achieve ‘buzz’ on Booktok often go on to very respectable sales, a development that the big publishers are acutely aware of and attempt to exploit. There is room in BookTok for savvy independent authors and several examples of impressive success. Wikipedia has a good summary with plenty of links.

Queen of the Crop: ‘The King of Rhye’ An Exercise in Promotion

In April 2022, I released my debut novel, ‘The King of Rhye,’ after a productive six months working alongside Sid Harta Publishers. It entered the world to a fair reception (for an untested indie author); though as anticipated, it did not smash any records or win any Nobel Prizes. Nearly a year later, it will be receiving a shot in the arm, with the imminent release of an audiobook likely to find another modest reader base.

By my own estimation, the true success of ‘The King of Rhye’ has been its permeation into various corners of cultural awareness. It has moved sideways, into several other forms of media, both auditory and visual, to create not so much a story as a multisensory experience. There now exists an official soundtrack of original music, produced for songs lifted directly from the story. A rich (and expanding) gallery of bespoke ‘canonical’ art adorns social media pages, clothes, other merchandise, the cover of vinyl records and the walls of my house. It is also soon to receive its second language publication, having been diligently translated to French. It is anticipated that the French version will hit the market later in 2023.

Not too bad, for a book less than one year old.

I attribute this ‘lateral progression’ to a combination of two main factors. The first: a consistent and front-loaded assault on selected social media. The second: an awareness of target audience, and a reasonable understanding of how best to capture that audience’s attention.

For completeness, it is worth highlighting that Lady Luck certainly played a role (I should have included her in Acknowledgements). One or two steps of the journey came courtesy of the right people stumbling over my work at the right time. I guess that is something that may or may not happen to any author, in their fledgling career.

A few words, then, about my approach to social media. I am now a man in my early forties. I am well aware that a plethora of social media platforms exist these days; every time I turn around, the youth of today have launched a new one (most of which, I’ll be honest, I don’t understand). I am most active on Facebook (being somewhere on the cusp of Gen X and Gen Y). As it turns out, my target demographic also use this as their go-to place for doomscrolling. Of course, I did know this before I started, so it was no accident that I chose Facebook as the main place to launch my campaign.

I also started early, which I think a lot of wannabe authors don’t think to do. They write their book, then they start trying to sell it to an audience. I started over a year before the eventual release date. I told people what I was aiming to do, what I hoped to achieve with it, and what they might expect from it. From humble beginnings, I built a following. Slowly. It still isn’t huge, but it has grown consistently. That takes time – there are almost no ‘overnight sensations’, despite the illusion.

I don’t pay for Facebook ads. That worked, exactly one time, right at the beginning. Eventually, the algorithm only shows your sponsored ads to people who already follow you. So, it was necessary to use other platforms to increase exposure that way. I have a Reddit presence (useful), an Instagram page (quite useful), a LinkedIn profile (useless) and am dabbling in YouTube – which has the potential to be the most useful of all, if I actually had the time to produce a series of videos.

I’m aware that TikTok can work, but I’m horrible at dances, so I’ll leave it alone.

Next, to discuss target audience. One might say that I had the advantage of being able to ride on the coattails of one of the world’s largest rock music fandoms, in finding people who might pay attention to my book (‘The King of Rhye’ is an ode to the wonderful music of Queen). But it is more complicated than that: linking your work to an existing cultural phenomenon only works if you also know how to harness the connection.

It needed to be clear in my language, in my visual style, and in the way I presented my project, that I understand what fans love about the band. I also needed to reach for the stars themselves, and see just what support I might be able to garner from the inner sanctum. I contacted Queen, via the International Fan Club. Whilst guitarist Brian May has been too busy with the endless stream of commitments, I did learn that he is generous and willing to embrace the efforts of fans to further Queen’s legacy. He did offer to help promote ‘The King of Rhye’; an offer that was seen by many, and not only gave me a boost of confidence, but also gave the project credibility in the eyes of others.

To broaden the potential reader base, I had to also emphasise that this is not just a book for Queen fans. It is at its heart, a fantasy epic in the ‘Hero’s Journey’ tradition. To that end, I became involved in a number of online fantasy author groups, getting involved in discussion as often as I could; helping other budding authors with editing, and taking opportunities to introduce myself and what I was doing in return. It all helped.

Once ‘The King of Rhye’ was finally released, I focused my attention in again, to invest some energy in my local community. I live in a town of strong social connections, so I found that pursuing radio interviews and a showing at the regional library was also beneficial. Word of mouth travels quickly.

To speak of ‘people stumbling over my work at the right time’: the Queen connection brought British illustrator Luc Hudson, and French musicians Louis Henry Chambat and Thibaut Sergeant (‘Fat Bottomed Boys’) into my sphere of awareness. They introduced themselves to me; gentlemen in completely separate walks of life, on the far side of the world, due to a shared interest and a united sense of purpose. They found me because I made my mission statement clear, and because I highlighted the strengths of my work – the worldwide love for a classic rock band.

Where has all of this gotten me? I travelled to Europe in late 2022, to present my book at a convention. I built more of an audience. Demand for a follow-up has swelled. Certainly, another story was in the offing; but now that promotion has produced momentum, I draft my second novel knowing that a hum of anticipation already builds.

I have loved this journey. It has been worth every moment of effort.

 Craig Mulhall

‘The King of Rhye’ © 2022 Sid Harta Publishers

Books Go Social service for Independent Authors

Books Go Social occupies a niche I have been interested in for a while — helping independent authors unfamiliar with social media to promote their books.

They offer:

• Assistance with Amazon advertising

• Editing of book descriptions

• Netgalley campaigns

• Assistance with email campaigns

• Facebook advertising

• Focus on the UK and US markets only, the two largest English speaking markets

According to their introduction: “Our Amazon and Facebook Ads for authors have received over three hundred million impressions (views) by readers. You will reach more readers with us. We advertise books on Amazon US and UK and have 11 Twitter accounts with 450,867 real followers (Nov, 2021 count). We also can email your book offers to 150,000+ readers. And our YouTube channel has 1,000+ followers who can see any book trailer or video interview you send us.”

“We know where the most effective places to run ads are for your book, and how to build your long-term monthly royalties and your career as a writer.”

Google Reviews are generally positive, and the business responds to comments. A representative sample: “I've used Books Go Social the past few years for a number of services, and they consistently over-deliver. The Books Go Social team is fast and efficient at helping authors figure out how to move their books into the marketplace and get them selling.”

The package prices are not exorbitant, and may be worth trying when you have done your due diligence…

A Directory of AI Tools

With the advent of ChatGPT and Midjourney, natural language AI tools are going seriously mainstream. Futurepedia does yeoman’s work of cataloguing the ongoing explosion of AI powered tools.

Prominent YouTuber Tom Scott thinks this may the beginning of a wave that transforms work and everything else.

Writer Event with Francesca Di Pietro

Author of Life with a Psychopath Francesca di Pietro will be speaking on a writers panel at Carrum Downs Library, Thursday, 16 February 2023 | 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM

“Each author from different genres, coming together to discuss their latest works, as well as answer questions about how they came to be writers, the publishing process and where their passions lie.”

“Franca DiPietro:

Francesca Di Pietro was born and raised in Melbourne where she continues to reside with her family. Francesca completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors in Professional Writing and Editing and Communication Studies. 

Francesca has a passion for storytelling, especially tales which highlight the dark side of human nature, manipulative and aberrant behaviour. Francesca is a night writer which is when her creativity shines.

Franca will be talking to us about Life with a Psychopath, her first full length novel.

Books will be available to purchase on the night. “

The author also has an account on Instagram.

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.

Jenny Wellington on ABC Radio

Jenny Wellington, author of the very entertaining novel Damengin, was interviewed on ABC Sunshine Coast — audio below.

“Damengin is a country town in Queensland weighed down by the worst drought in living memory and its inhabitants are all desperately waiting for government drought relief.

The bad news is that the funds have been sent and spent by Council's Shire Clerk Shifty Grey and his corrupt cohorts.

This is a rollicking fast-moving story about political skulduggery, greed, love and lust. It features outrageous characters, blossoming romances, pathos and importantly, has an incredibly happy ending.”

“A lovely Aussie story that everyone can relate to. Loved reading the book right from the start. I could hear the author reading the story to me at the start and as I got further into the book, wrapped into the characters of the story, I couldn’t put the book down as I sat in on the edge of my chair wondering what was going to happen next.”

— Christine, Queensland

An Amazon Tale: He Fought for His Royalties, and (Eventually) Won ....

A very dogged author relates his trying experiences with Amazon KDP and organising the payment of royalties. He does arrive at a solution, but only through sheer persistence:

“Amazon is probably the best outlet for Indie authors, but manage your expectations when dealing with their customer service.

Their help/assistance/advice to me was either inconsistent, vague, given in Amazon’s internal technical speak, incomplete, or simply wrong.

I put my latest novel up on Amazon as I did with my previous two, only this time, I put both eBook and paperback on all markets, not just Australia.

When sales started occurring, I followed those on my KDP account site.  I found their reports informative and helpful.  They gave me statistics for each marketplace and the estimated royalties.

When my Australian royalties started arriving in my Australian bank account by EFT, I thought I would find out why my sales in the other markets were not reaching me.

I then discovered those royalties could not be paid by EFT into my Australian bank account, only by cheque or wire.  Then I found that not only could an EFT transfer not happen, but that Amazon had a withdrawal threshold of 100 units for each market, e.g. US$100, CA$100, €100, or £100.

None of my book royalties in any market outside Australia is ever likely to break these thresholds, e.g. Canada royalties were CA$2.88, Eurozone (Germany)  €7.80.  So, I put the question to Amazon – how do I ever get paid these royalties?

Amazon suggested I open an account with Payoneer for each marketplace, which I did.  So, Amazon from each marketplace could now transfer my royalties to those Payoneer accounts.  However, my problem then became twofold:

1. Payoneer does not have a banking arrangement with UK or Canadian banks. So these royalties could not be transferred to my Payoneer accounts.

2. Then I discovered that Payoneer also has a withdrawal threshold of US$50 per transfer.

Finally, a solution:

1.  In your KDP account go to the Getting paid tab.

2. In your non-US/non-Australian accounts, change your payment method to your US$ account and transfer any outstanding royalties in those other non-US accounts to the US$ account.

3. Under your Amazon US account, click and highlight every tag except Amazon.com.au.

4. All royalties from sales in all those other marketplaces will now be currency converted into your US$ account.

5. If or when your US$ account balance reaches above US$100 you can transfer to your Australian bank account.

6. In my case, I have my Amazon US$ account balance transferred to my Payoneer US$ account (lower withdrawal threshold). Amazon’s US$100 withdrawal threshold does not apply here.”

Barbara Canin Stirs the Pot

Feisty independent author Barbara Canin decided to make her aged care home the focus of her latest book. The resultant book is trenchant, witty and somewhat controversial.

“I’m trying to show the funny side of living in an old age home. There’s a funny side too. It’s hilarious, you have no idea how hilarious it is, Canin said with a smile.”

— Barbara Canin

Mary Garden on Cults

Author Mary Garden writes about her experiences with gurus in the 1970s.

“I don’t know what it was in me that had the courage to write my book well before its time ‒ to expose the little bastard and others like him, to warn others ‒ but that’s the one good thing that came out of it all. ”

— Mary Garden