Book Distribution For Self-Published Authors Beyond Createspace & Kindle

May2

I agree with Steven Spatz in this post – putting books (ebook or print) is a must for Amazon, but don’t stop there. The other company that has made it very doable is IngramSpark. They are not as user friendly or free (as compared to Amazon), but their distribution options, known name and quality of product make it worth the small investment and time needed to set your book(s) there as well. Though I would not use IngramS. for your ebook – there are many more and less expensive options – my favorite being Smashwords, since they put you ebook on ibooks, B&N, Kobo, library distributors and more.

The #1 mistake made by self-published authors! Here is a list of book distributors for worldwide book sales in addition to Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

Source: Book Distribution For Self-Published Authors Beyond Amazon & Kindle | BookBaby Blog

Setting up an Author Facebook Page

Apr30

Marketing Tip for Selling Books on Facebook With No Personal Information Shared

Great blow by blow setup of a Facebook Author Page. I’d recommend naming it by your author page not your book title, since, hopefully, you’ll be writing multiple books.
Thanks Vicki!

CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

The Page Turner

I wanted to share with you a few options for marketing on Facebook even if you do not want to have an active Facebook account for yourself.

Facebook is a huge opportunity for authors that are looking for just one more book sale, one more reader and that elusive one more fan. Many people do not trust Facebook as a platform where they want to spend their time and do not enjoy sharing their personal information with the powers that be like Zuckerburg and other corporate entities. I have the perfect solution for you as an author.

Create a Facebook account. A master account as it were. You do not need to have friends, photos, locations or any of the other more intrusive information listed. It is enough to say Your name or Pen name and your occupation as Author.

Once you have that created you are able to build pages. These…

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Midwest Book Award – finalist!

Apr17

ckbooksblog

Wanted to share with all my blog friends that Intrigue in Istanbul: An Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure is a finalist for a Midwest Book Award!

As I probably already told you, it received a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, so a Midwest Book Award would be icing on the cake, as they say.

The “Gala” – aka the event where they announce the awards – is set for Friday, May 12th, in St. Paul, so I’ll keep you posted how it does.
Keep you fingers crossed for me 🙂

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Your Author Bio–Does it Help Sales or Stop them Dead?

Mar31

If you’re like me, the first time you write your author bio, you’re in a hurry so you don’t really take the time to scrutinize it carefully. And then there is the point about making sure it’s up to date. I’ve been forced to do this on a few different occasion because of events I’ve been speaking at, where they always ask for your picture and bio.

If you haven’t looked at your book bio in a while, Anne R. Allen has some good things to think about.

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No matter how great a book’s cover and blurb, one thing can stop me from buying yet another ebook for my Kindle: an author bio on the buy page that screams “amateur.” I spent some time as an editor, so when I pick up a book for relaxation, I want to […]

Source: Your Author Bio–Does it Help Sales or Stop them Dead?

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CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

ALLi Author Fringe Book Promotion Opportunity

Mar17

I’m a bit late coming to this party, but I just found out about this today. The Alliance of Independent Authors yearly online conference starts tomorrow and today is the last day you can add you book(s) to what they call their “Book Description Contest.”

It’s not clear to me what one wins, but it is a way to get you book cover and description “out there.” And the process to enter is pretty painless.

Just click this link and fill in the short form.

Best of luck – and while you’re there, go ahead and sign up for the conference. There is usually a few people I want to listen to each year.

my image CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

New Glarus School Author Visit

Mar14

img_20170228_095226192 I recently visited three 5th grader classes at the New Glarus Middle School after they read my book: Intrigue in Istanbul: An Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure.

I showed them some pictures of the places in Istanbul where the story takes place, explained a bit about my writing process (and how those pictures help me in that process), then answered some of their questions.

It was a very attentive and polite group and they came up with some really good questions. They even wrote up some ideas they had where the story might go next, so I’ll be interested to read those ideas! Book II of the Agnes Kelly Series is currently in the hands of my competent beta readers and I’m working on the chapter illustrations, so I hope to have it out in a couple months. I have yet to come up with a title, though. I know it will come to me, but it’s getting down to the wire. I need to get the cover done soon!

Ah, the joys of being a self-published author!

Donate a Book to a Worthwhile Cause #MARCHingBookstoKids #PBPiO

Mar2

This is a wonderful idea. I’m in! Thanks Millie and Michelle!

The Literate Lurcher

pbpio-badge11 We are delighted to be donating a book to the Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa Storybook Project. This March, a signed copy of ‘The Slapstyx’ will be winging its way across the pond for parents (and grandparents) in prison to read to their children.

Want to join in? You don’t need to have written a book – all children’s books are welcome as long as they’re in good condition.

Visit author Michelle Eastman’s page for details – and while you’re there, you might like to check out her tales of the Dust Fairies. We suspect they could be distant relatives of the Slapstyx dirt-goblins!

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Smashwords Read an Ebook Week Promotion

Mar1

For authors out there who have an ebook(s) and you would like to promote it, every year Smashwords does a big ebook promotion week. This year it is March 5th – 11th.

If you’d like to participate, you can go here to easily add your books to this promotion. If you’re not on Smashwords, there is also a link on this page to set your book(s) on Smashwords. I’ve been on Smashwords for years and think they are a very good company that really looks out for author’s interest. Mark Coker – the owner of Smashwords – has also given you different ideas on how to use this promotion.

I’m discounting all my books – why not, it’s only for a week!

my image CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

Publisher cancels Milo Yiannopoulos book ‘Dangerous’

Feb21

Don’t know if you saw this interesting bit of news, but since we were discussing Milo’s book earlier, I thought you might like to know.

And who said your voice doesn’t matter?

Though he’ll either self-publish or find someone else who will publish it for him, I’m sure. It was ranked 83 on Amazon’s overall book list, after all.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos’ publisher has cancelled his planned book, “Dangerous.”

Source: Publisher cancels Milo Yiannopoulos book ‘Dangerous’

NetGalley Book Review Program: A Case Study

Feb15

I thought this was an interesting and helpful post about the NetGalley Review Program. If you’ve ever considered using NetGalley, this is a post worth reading. I’ve heard many people say “Never pay for reviews.” I’m not sure “never” is always accurate but before you pay for a review from anyone, do your homework to try and find out if it’s worth the money you will be spending.

There are many companies out there willing to take advantage of the struggle authors have with getting their name and books out there. That’s why there are so many different things (and people or companies offering those things) out there telling you their thing is THE thing you need to do, or one of the most important things to do.

I do agree that increasing the number of reviews you have is one of the first things you need to do as an author, but do you need to pay for those reviews. Maybe or maybe not.

See what David Kudler did with his book.

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Most publishers (large and small) struggle with making their titles visible. In the trackless jungle that is the modern book-buying world (the Amazon?), getting your book reviewed is an essential part

Source: NetGalley Book Review Program: A Case Study – The Book Designer