Lit Lingo

13 Mar

Posted at 12:34h in Authors, Book Design, Book Marketing, General PR, Media, Resources, Self-publishing, Social Media by

It’s key to list your book on multiple platforms such as Indiebound, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, and Apple Books, but we cannot deny the importance of optimizing your book’s presence on the largest bookselling site in the world: Amazon. If you’ve ever wondered about specific ways to make your book stand out among the millions of books listed on Amazon, we’ve got you covered with a list of tips to make your page look optimized and professional! Book Description Your book description (after the book cover) is one of the first things people will see when looking at your book on Amazon, so here are some ways to make it pop. Make the first sentence of your description a quick, catchy blurb of your book, and put it in bold! Christopher Parker has a great example of this, with his short but gripping description of the book right off the bat, front and center. You can then go into a more detailed description of your book, after initially catching their attention with the first sentence! Add quotes to the end of your book’s description to give readers a taste of what is to come if they read the book! Editorial Reviews The Editorial Reviews section on your book’s Amazon page highlights reviews, usually from non-customers, such as other authors, media outlets, bloggers, or experts in the field (like an industry publication). However, if you don’t have as many reviews from that kind of outlet, you can start out by adding reviews you’ve received from Amazon, Goodreads, or NetGalley! Some examples of Books Forward authors that have Amazon pages with Editorial Reviews: The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker Read My Lips by Kelle Z. Riley As you can see on Christopher Parker’s listing, he uses quotes from other authors, Kirkus, and bloggers. And Kelle Z. Riley used reviews from readers on Amazon and NetGalley! Either way is beneficial. As the editorial review section is more eye-catching and closer to the top...

13 Mar

Posted at 12:29h in Audiobooks, Authors, Book Marketing by

Audiobooks are booming like never before. According to Deloitte, the U.S. audiobook market in 2020 was valued at an estimated $1.5 billion. Yes, that’s billion with a “b.” When 2020’s pandemic shuttered libraries and bookstores, and delayed postal deliveries, stuck-at-home readers browsed digital shelves instead, and audiobook sales kept growing. In the UK alone, the pandemic increased audiobook sales by 42% in the first half of the year according to The Guardian, while print sales plummeted. Audiobook listeners are readers. And the takeaway is this: There’s never been a better time to release an audiobook. Here are three reasons authors should jump on the audiobook bandwagon (as soon as possible): 1). Expose your work to more readers. By releasing an audiobook, you will reach an audience who have, by preference or necessity, transitioned away from print media. If you’re releasing a nonfiction book, you’ll be able to reach the growing market of 18-34 year old urban men who prefer audiobooks (particularly nonfiction), and who have traditionally not been known as a strong book-buying market according to Good E-Reader. If you’re releasing fiction, you’ll be able to reach the vast majority of busy stay-at-home moms who juggle kid-centric commutes with an endless list of household errands--but who still want to find time to read a book. You’ll be able to reach elderly readers who can no longer easily see the printed page, or readers who are homebound for a variety of reasons in 2021. Why wouldn’t you want to expose your work to the widest audience possible? Audiobooks substantially broaden your reach. 2). Bring your book to life in new ways. Gone are the days of clunky audio cassettes, scratched CDs, and uninspired narrators. Today’s technology can broadcast your story in vibrant color on the theater screen inside people’s minds. Audiobooks (such as the ones we produce through our sister company Books Fluent) are dynamic and engaging. Talented voice actors, multi-voice casts, sound effects, musical interludes, and other interactive and engaging elements can be...

08 Jun

Posted at 08:00h in Amazon Optimization, Authors, Book Marketing, Self-publishing by

When weighing distribution options, you may have noticed that Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offers an exclusive program called KDP Select. Essentially this means that your ebook is exclusively distributed through KDP, and that opens it up to additional promotional opportunities. But is it worth it, and what’s right for YOUR unique publishing path?...

10 Jan

Posted at 08:00h in Authors, Community, Conversation, Publishing, State of the Industry by

The pandemic has changed everything, including the publishing industry. In our new “State of the Industry” blog series, we’ll be breaking down exactly how the pandemic has changed the game for publishers, booksellers, authors, and readers. By understanding how the publishing industry has rapidly transformed in 2020 and 2021, writers and authors will be better prepared to navigate the new state of the industry in 2022....

10 Aug

Posted at 08:00h in Authors, Self-publishing, Writing by

One of the most important sales tools for your book is its cover copy. Your cover will catch readers’ eyes, but it’s your cover copy--aka the book summary that appears on your book jacket and on your online retail pages--that will actually persuade them to buy your book. Here are five hacks for creating brilliant, concise, and intriguing cover copy that will help you sell books....

10 Jun

Posted at 08:00h in Audiobooks, Authors, Books by

Audiobooks are booming like never before. According to Deloitte, the U.S. audiobook market in 2020 was valued at an estimated $1.5 billion. Yes, that’s billion with a “b.” When 2020’s pandemic shuttered libraries and bookstores, and delayed postal deliveries, stuck-at-home readers browsed digital shelves instead, and audiobook sales kept growing....

21 May

Posted at 08:40h in Authors, Resources, Writing by

As an author (or an aspiring author), you’ve probably felt the pressure to be “more disciplined” in your writing life at some point. Maybe someone told you you should get up every morning and write for two hours before work. Maybe you heard that you should carry a small notebook at all times, and scribble inspiration daily. Or maybe you’ve simply heard other writers wax poetic about their incredibly regular and productive writing schedules, and thought “I should be more like that.” ...

30 Apr

Posted at 08:06h in Authors, Book Marketing, Self-publishing, Writing by

Remember when the Twilight series became popular, and suddenly the world couldn’t get enough of vampires? Or what about when The Hunger Games took pop culture by storm, and shelves began overflowing with dystopian novels? Remember when zombies were everywhere--in hypothetical apocalyptic accounts, in retellings of myths, and in Jane Austen? There’s no denying that certain trends dominate the publishing world every few years--and, by extension, pop culture as well....

08 Mar

Posted at 21:54h in Authors, Resources, Writing by

Not sure if you’re ready for an editor? Get a manuscript assessment. You’ve completed your manuscript, and the hard work of writing your book is behind you. Now it’s time to take the “next step” and find an editor—right? While it’s true that your book—no matter how beautifully-written—does need an editor (trust me on this one), choosing the right editor can be tricky. ...