Resources

for book publishing, book marketing, writers, writing

Books  (There are 100’s of worthy books on book proposals, book deals, editing, traditional publishing, self-publishing, digital sales, marketing, publicity, and more. See Goodreads and Reedsy favorites on their websites. I am a huge fan of the Reedsy picks. Here below are a few others that may be helpful).

1001 Ways to Market Your Book by John Kremer  I am fortunate to have had the ever so wise and amusing John Kremer as a teacher and guide long ago. He has spent 35+ years learning and sharing what he knows about the traditional book trade. This basic handbook, found as an e-book on Amazon (2016 edition) for under $8 USD, has some tips that apply to indie authors as well.

Heal Yourself with Writing by the ever so evolved Catherine Ann Jones, an accomplished playwright, Emmy award-winning screenwriter, and writing consultant. “She fuses solid writing craft with intangible inner dimensions,” writes one of her clients. Also see her book Way of Story. I am blessed to know her.

The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press, 2018; 2nd edition 2025) by academic, author, blogger Jane Friedman who seamlessly bridges the worlds of traditional and indie publishing.  She will share with you practical advice about publishing and how it ties into the digital world. Also see on her website http://www.janefriedman.com/books for her free 39-page pdf The Future of Publishing.

Blogs, Newsletters, et altri

A Marketing Expert  Colleague Penny Sansevieri is perky and fun. She blogs about book promotion. She loves novels and novelists and is an author as well. See http://www.amarketingexpert.com .

Electric Speed  Jane Friedman (mentioned in books above) teaches publishing and has a hip newsletter delivered weekly by e-mail, plus a web site with digital tools and other resources for authors. Sign up at https://janefriedman.com/category/electric-speed  Free subscription. I am a Jane Friedman fan.

Monkey C Media  San Diego-based colleague and graphic designer Jeniffer Thompson is a branding and marking queen who thrives on creating your platform. Her free monthly newsletter is thoughtfully written. See http://www.monkeycmedia.com to subscribe.

http://www.publisherslunchdaily.com  latest and greatest book deal announcements, NY publishing house updates, job board   Free subscription

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com  offering a database and tools for the daily book business. Subscription fee

http://www.shelf-awareness.com   My favorite daily reading. A compilation of independent publishing news vignettes featuring bookstores, personnel changes, and job possibilities plus photos (authors, book covers, bookstores), book reviews, videos and more. I have happily promoted indie client books on this site. Free subscription

http://www.writersdigest.com   If you go to the website and sit on the first page eventually there will be a pop-up to subscribe to their free newsletter dedicated to your writing.

Organizations

Association of Publishers for Special Sales  http://www.bookapss.org   Brian Jud is the Executive Director of this association which will assist you if you have a niche market book. Educational events.

Independent Book Publishers Association  www.IBPA-online.org  An extremely well-managed organization helping authors and indie presses. Super exposure if you place your book with them at the American Book Association’s annual congress. Excellent articles, resources. Educational events.

Independent Writers of Southern California  www.IWOSC.org   Monthly workshops and seminars on subjects of interest to all, smart and fun. Obviously, for writers living in southern California to enjoy but also for anyone from anywhere as most seminars are Zoom gatherings.  Now linked for joint seminars with the Writers & Publishers Network based in Ventura County, California.

Websites

http://www.amazon.com   you know what this is  😉

http://www.bookbaby.com  a digital book publishing company with a commitment to posting worthwhile articles to download and/or read

http://www.bookcoverarchive.com  study other book covers first, see what works at the best publishing houses

http://www.Bowker.com (www.isbn.org)  register your ISBN numbers and buy bar codes, another fine resource for authors, publishers, bookstores, etc.

http://www.everywritersresource.com  lists over 700 publishers to research

http://www.fundsforwriters.com  deemed “thoughtful and conscientious” by users, you can also subscribe to their newsletter and learn about crowdfunding, contests, agents, employers and more

http://www.Goodreads.com  ask other authors, readers to post their reviews of your book here. Note: Amazon-owned Shelfari, a similar site, merged with Goodreads in January 2016

http://www.kindlepreneur.com  Dave Chesson provides a worthy service dedicated to following the ever increasing changes on Amazon and Amazon’s Kindle and how to navigate them as an indie author.

http://www.LinkedIn.com  once you are listed as an agent, author, publisher, etc. you will have access to excellent book publishing groups that post informative articles or group chats.

http://www.PublishersWeekly.com if you want to know everything going with NY publishing (and publishing in a few other places), worth subscribing to.

http://www.Reedsy.com  Co-founded by tech smart investor Emmanuel Nataf (CEO) and tech smart author Ricardo Fayet (and two others) in 2014 to create an on-line community for publishing. Emmanuel is from France and Ricardo from Spain. They live in London and employ almost 50 creatives around the globe. This is my kind of organization as I have worked internationally my entire adult life.  One million authors and more than 3,700 freelance professionals have collaborated to bring over 25,000 books to market each year. They have a plethora of You Tube videos to guide you.  Their goal, like mine, is to create reader-friendly, quality books with fine editing, appropriate and distinguished book covers, and marketing strategies that make sense.

http://www.writersdigest.com  another excellent resource that offers a weekly newsletter

http://www.writersuplugged.com   New Zealander Gary McLaren’s guide for self-published e-books and other forms of publication.