Skip to main content

Laura Resnick, Author at NINC | Page 4 of 7

Author: Laura Resnick

Generational Cohorts: Applying Gen Z Insights to Your Writing

If your contemporary fiction features teens and young adults, and you’re part of an older generation, you may benefit from insights into Gen Z. Here, we’ll define current generations (specifically in the U.S.), what makes each unique, and how that can relate to your characters. As with all generational insights, it’s important not to stereotype, or lump all people within a generation together. However, it is instructive to consider the events that shape a particular generation’s world view. First,...

characterization, craft, dialogue, market research, readers, Writing

Continue reading

Authoring Authenticity: Best Ways to Research Diverse Characters

Although often attributed to Winston Churchill, the origin of the phrase “history is written by the victors” is unknown. Nonetheless, the sentiment is true and something to consider when writing about diversity, past and present. It is a fundamental tenant of the mindset one should have when diving into the scholarly record. I wish to take you into my philosophy of how I approach history, people, and research. I hope you’ll glean a way to enhance your writing methodology to bring more diverse...

characterization, craft, DEI, diversity, resarch, self-editing, Writing

Continue reading

Beyond the Booksellers: Alternative & Ancillary Ways to Sell Your Books

Most indie authors focus on selling books through the major book distributors. We study ads and agonize over how to get visibility and traction on these sites. We watch our numbers go up and down with pride and alarm. But, as we’ve been doing that, a few pioneer authors have been forging other paths to readership: Wattpad Patreon Kickstarter Serial apps If you find them all tempting, no worries. You can avoid overwhelm by reminding yourself you can do one of these—or none of them. They are extra,...

business, crowdfunding, Distributors, indie, Marketing, sales, serial apps

Continue reading

Resolutions for Marketing Books in 2023

We made it through 2022! A round of applause and therapeutic chocolate for everyone. Now it’s time to look forward to 2023, and I’ve put together a list of resolutions based on trends I suspect will drive book marketing throughout the new year. Where does this list come from? My own extensive research and experience running a small marketing think tank. I’ve been tracking data and trialing different ideas all year and this is what that work has revealed. 1. Peak click farms The organic reach on...

business, Discovery, Marketing, organization, promotion, sales, social media

Continue reading

Self-Publishing Your Audiobook: Royalty Share or Not? (The $26,000 Lesson)

Of my 16 self-published books, only half are in audiobook format. This is mostly due to the significant underwriting cost of bringing each to market (from $1,500 to $3,000 each). I have tried various methods for getting these to market, including selling my audio rights to a traditional publisher and self-publishing—either by underwriting the cost myself or royalty sharing with no up-front cost. When self-publishing your next book, here is why I learned it is best to retain your audio rights (instead...

audio production, business, Publishing, sales, self-publishing, Tools

Continue reading

How to Avoid LGBTQ+ Stereotypes

It would be impossible to sit down and list every LGBTQ+ stereotype that might pop up in a work of fiction. For one thing, stereotypes change as society changes, and they can be hard to pin down, it’s more a feeling you get while reading than a specific image. A stereotype might only be noticeable to someone from the group being depicted, which means that authors writing outside their own experience need to take steps to make sure they won’t hurt or alienate their readers. Is this my story to...

characterization, DEI, LGBTQ+, professionalism, Publishing, self-editing, Writing

Continue reading