Tag Archive | mark coker

Working With Beta Readers

Image result for smashwords logo

Episode 5 of Mark Coker’s Apple Podcasts is about working with beta readers – A very important part of every writer’s process. Or it should be.

In this episode you’ll learn how to recruit beta readers, how to craft your questionnaire to collect the right feedback, and you’ll learn time-saving strategies to complete the round with minimal hassle.

Here are links to access the podcast:

Apple Podcasts – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-author/id1298180300?mt=2
Stitcher – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mark-coker/smart-author
TuneIn – https://tunein.com/radio/Smart-Author-p1043483/
Google Play Music – https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Inyyeidlihl2vizh4cegieizsvu
Smashwords (Listen over your web browser) – https://smashwords.com/podcast

Happy writing and editing!

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Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

Everything You Wanted to Know about Self-Publishing But Were Afraid to Ask

Oct27

Mark Coker of Smashwords fame has come out with FREE, yes, FREE apple podcasts on self-publishing. I’ve had a sneak peek at the first 5 (he’s going to have new ones each month) and they are helpful to all authors, whether you have yet to publish or you already have a few books out there.

And who can’t argue with FREE education!

Mark has been working in the ebook publishing world for many years and he sincerely has the author’s interest in mind. This is just such an example of what he’s done to promote indie publishing. So click on this link: Apple Podcast, or the image above and take a listen. It is well worth your time.

my image CKBooks Publishing
Were Publishing Dreams Become Reality

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

Cuban Book Embargo

Mar14

Didn’t know if you were aware but there is a petition to convince our government to end the book embargo with Cuba. This would be good for us as writers and readers.

Mark Coker has given you all the details in the link below and the petition link is here as well. Please share!

Source: Smashwords

2015 Smashwords Survey Reveals Insights to Help Authors Reach More Readers

Dec8

Mark Coker shared his Smashwords survey results. Always good to read for any writer who wants to self-publish or is already in the thick of things 🙂

Source: Smashwords: 2015 Smashwords Survey Reveals Insights to Help Authors Reach More Readers

Disturbing Changes to Kindle Unlimited

Nov3

Wow! This post by Mark Coker of Smashwords lets all us indie authors on some very disturbing news – basically the devaluation of an already inexpensive way to read your book.

Amazon is decreasing the fee needed for readers to get into their book subscription service: Kindle Unlimited. Now in India, it has cut the cost of this service from $9.99 to $3! with hints of doing the same in other countries.

Read Marks post and see how some readers are responding. It is sad but not to surprising. And Mark gives us all a way to change this. Please read on!

Source: Smashwords

Why Jamie McGuire Returned to Self Publishing

Feb27

I am not a reader in the romance world, so I have not heard of Jamie McGuire, but it sounds like a lot of other people have. Regardless, her discussion on Mark Coker’s blog is very helpful to any author who wants to publish either the traditional way or through self-publishing or both! Thanks for sharing Mark and Jamie! Smashwords: Why Jamie McGuire Returned to Self Publishing. CKBooks Publishing Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

The Ebook as Annuity

Feb11

Mark Coker of Smashwords gives us an interesting thought about the book(s) you write.

Smashwords: The Ebook as Annuity.

10 Trends in Self-publishing

Dec9

Mark is in the know in the self-publishing world. He delivers 10 tends – some of which are good new for authors looking to self-publish, some not so good.

Smashwords’ Mark Coker deilvers keynote at Self-Publishing Book Expo « TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics.

How Authors Can Survive Among the Glut of Ebooks

Nov20

Mark Coker of Smashwords gives us some grim statistics, but also shares some very concrete ways to keep on keepin’ on.

I agree – looking at the long haul is the way to go. I first published in 2008 and I still get sales from that first book. For me, it’s never been about the big launch with big first sales – though there is some of that, of course. It has been more about staying the course, keeping up with my writing and publishing, picking and choosing my marketing strategies and learning new things with each new book I publish (Just published book #6 – Will the Real Carolyn Keene Please Stand Up). I don’t exclusively write and publish – I do have a day job (that I love, by the way, because it’s helping others publish!), but I am not tossing in the towel because there are a lot of others writing and publishing these days. In fact, I encourage people to write and publish (through the writing and publishing workshops I do for libraries and school children). I think there is room for everyone!