Fifteen books and one newsletter
These first four books were written by AuthorImprints founder David Wogahn. (They are profiled in more detail at DavidWogahn.com.)
My Publishing Imprint
Answers questions such as whether you need an imprint, how to research names, and what the legal and business considerations are. Other topics address the risks of using a free Amazon ISBN with ISBNs and KDP print and IngramSpark. Paperback, eBook, audiobook; all online retailers.
Register Your Book
Fundamentals on ISBN, copyright, Library of Congress, and barcodes. Includes detailed step-by-step instructions for registration and a timeline of the steps every author needs to take before publishing. Paperback and eBook; all online retailers.
The Book Review Companion
How to get Amazon reviews, how to use editorial reviews (blurbs), Amazon policies, and of course, pre-release book review strategies applicable to any author. Paperback and eBook editions; all online retailers. Listen to a free sample of chapter six, How to Get Endorsements for Your Book, here.
The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages
A directory of more than 250 book reviewers and book review resources. Slash hours of research time looking for book bloggers, blog tour organizers, review businesses, blogger directories, and virtual assistants. All listings are hyperlinked to each resource. 10th edition. Kindle eBook; Amazon only.
Business and strategy resources
Writing is a business, and these four resources are required reading if you want to succeed in the business of publishing.
The Business of Being a Writer
This book explains how the publishing world works. Ideal for early-stage writers and written by the former publisher of Writer’s Digest. Jane is also the editor/founder of The Hot Sheet newsletter.
Perennial Seller
Holiday breaks down the formula for creating art—books, songs, games, movies—that sell year after year. Examples include the work of Harper Lee, Churchill, Tim Ferriss, Seinfeld, and Robert Greene.
Online Marketing for Busy Authors
Fauzia Burke is CEO of FSB Associates, a marketing and publicity firm with a 25-year track record of helping launch both traditionally published and self-published books. If you want to do your own PR, read this book.
The Hot Sheet (newsletter)
A bi-weekly email newsletter described as “business intelligence for career authors.” For less than $5/month you’ll save hours of time trying to keep up with what’s happening in publishing. Get two issues free, then decide for yourself.
Platform building books
These books will help you refine and protect your author platform.
CA$HVERTISING
Considering virtually all self-published books are sold online, this book is a must. It will teach you how to write headlines, sales copy, and advertisements. You will put these skills to use on your website, your book’s back cover, your book’s sales page on Amazon (and in other online stores), and Author Central, and when writing Amazon, Facebook, and Google ads. Keep it handy.
Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead
A case study on how to build a platform. From the table of contents: Be Yourself, Experiment, Embrace Technology, Build a Following, Cut Out the Middleman, Be Spreadable, Upgrade to Premium, Give Back, and many more. Using one of the most iconic bands in history, two popular digital marketing entrepreneurs explain how to put these lessons into practice for your own benefit.
Making Websites Win
Modern book publishing begins and ends online, where virtually all self-published books are sold and certainly marketed. Making Websites Win helps you understand the mistakes most websites make, how to diagnose your website’s deficiencies, and what improvements you (or your website developer) should make to your own website. Who are some of their clients? Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google.
The Legal Side of Blogging
Even if you are not a blogger, all of the topics in this book are relevant to today’s author. Copyright, fair use, creative commons, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DCMA), writing for others, licensing your content, trademarks, defamation, writing or publishing guest blog posts, and much more, written by a practicing attorney and blogger herself. Stay out of hot water, and understand your legal rights, by reading this book.
Writing (and confidence-building) books
Three books that are as entertaining as they are useful, and a fourth that I suggest people read if they don't want to self-publish their book.
Draft No. 4
Draft No. 4 is arguably the most enjoyable book about writing nonfiction that you'll ever read. John McPhee, Princeton University teacher and a longtime writer for the New Yorker, shares his advice about writing long-form nonfiction. Fun and educational, you won't be disappointed.
Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott's wry humor and clever storytelling shine through the pages of her writing memoir. The stories she shares from the writing classes she teaches are as instructive to the reader as they are enjoyable to read. Even the book's title is a lesson on how to approach a writing project.
On Writing
No collection of books on writing would be complete without Stephen King's “Memoir of the Craft.” Learn how King grew as a writer, overcame challenges, developed habits, and rebuilt his life (not to mention his body) after his 1999 near-fatal accident. Part memoir and part master class on the fundamentals of writing.
Set the Page on Fire
Seven ways you can practice the craft of writing and other useful writing advice. But the main reason this book is recommended is the author's sage advice about how to pitch a book—any writing, really—for commercial publication. If you don't want to self-publish, read this book.
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