From Our Blog
Jump Genres—but Not Into the Fire
Have you ever considered changing genres? Or did you try but it turned into an utter non-starter? As I head into my next major genre leap, I asked some fellow jumpers five basic questions about their ideas, successes, and fu—, uh, hard lessons learned.
The jumps Some say that writers’ brains are wild, entropy-driven vortices. Based on the jumps these folks have done, that is an accura…
19 Blog Content Ideas That Entertain Readers & Quietly Sell Your Backlist
Blogging used to be a popular way to connect with readers and share information about our books. Over time—and with the increased popularity of various social media platforms—blogging has come to be seen as optional, and even outdated.
Nonetheless, I believe it’s still a viable option for book promotion. Unless you remove them, blog posts live on your website indefinitely, allowing new visitors…
Estimates vary, but some industry trackers suggest that 5,000–7,000 new books appear on Amazon every day, and a growing number are mass‑produced or algorithmically generated. For working authors, differentiation isn’t just about craft anymore; it’s about visibility, connection, and trust.
Author‑entrepreneur Joanna Penn suggests we “double down on being human.” Here are strategies from NIN…
Beyond Goodreads: Exploring The Storygraph and Fable for Readers and Authors
If you’re a professional author, chances are you’ve had a love-hate relationship with Goodreads. Maybe it’s the clunky interface. Maybe it’s the Wild West of one-star ratings. Or maybe it’s just the nagging feeling that your beautifully crafted book deserves a little more … sparkle. The good news? New kids on the block—The StoryGraph and Fable—are offering fresh alternatives that are built w…
Substack as an Email Alternative
I was first introduced to Substack by Joanna Campbell Slan, who migrated her newsletter list there in December 2023.
“Substack has brought me 207 new subscribers,” she said. “Since I don’t pay Substack, I count that as a huge win. Previously, I was paying around $120 a month, and the other email list servers sure didn’t recommend me to anyone.”
Should you use Substack to deliver your newsletter…
What’s in a Book Title? A Rose By Any Other Name
In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare writes this line from Juliet to Romeo:
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.
Likewise, authors sometimes wish readers would judge our books purely based on prose, character, and plot. But let’s face it, readers are often swayed by an eye-catching book cover or a clever title.
The reality is that there are mil…