Are you considering publishing your own writing? Maybe you write consistently and want to compile your thought pieces into a book. Or maybe you’ve got the perfect idea for a mystery or romance novel. But you don’t know how to get it out there—or how to make money self-publishing.

Perhaps you’ve already considered self-publishing rather than using a traditional publisher, but you’re unsure how to launch your endeavor. How do you find a publishing company who can help you make your book stand out? And how do you make a living as an indie author?

Look no further: read on to find out turning a profit doing something you love. Elite Authors has the tips to get you going.

Stand out from the competition

To keep your book from being just another spine on the shelf—or another e-book in someone’s Kindle library—you have to be unique. Tell a new story with your book, or an old story in a new way.

Think about your favorite author: what they are publishing, how they write, and what their book covers look like. Now, how can you put a completely new spin on that? That’s where you begin.

Differentiating your writing

One way to help your book stand out in a crowd is to differentiate your characters. Flat descriptions do nothing to paint a vivid picture. Instead, make bold strokes by giving characters strong action verbs and memorable details.

Consider their appearances, their mannerisms, their motivations. Do they shuffle across the room, or do they strut about with confidence? Do they speak simply or use a complex vocabulary? These thoughtful details can make a huge impact.

Another way you can separate yourself and your book from the pack is by producing polished material. The great thing about self-publishing is that anyone can do it. However, that doesn’t mean that every project is a diamond. Think about hiring a book editor, or a graphic designer to give you an eye-catching book cover.

Making yourself known by marketing your self-published work

In order to make a name for yourself, and therefore make money self-publishing, you have to first get your name out there: on social media, in the blogosphere, and in bookstores. Marketing your work is essential to success. There are many ways to promote yourself and your book—from low lifts to options that require more effort.

If you have a blog or personal website, announce your new venture. Drum up excitement with giveaways or guest reviews or by becoming a guest on a podcast. A tight and cohesive marketing strategy can go a very long way for the self-published author.

And more than anything else, as an up-and-coming author, you need an exciting and enticing description—both of your book and of yourself. Build your bio, and adapt it for use in a wide range of outlets. You can effectively keep a consistent image of yourself as an author while still adapting it to each situation. Include a snippet of your bio on your social media accounts, then post the full version on your blog or website.

And if you’re going to host a local or virtual book marketing event, create flyers to advertise it. Include the event details, a teaser for your book, and a short, snazzy version of your author bio. Then, ask to hang these flyers at your local library, café, or bookstore, and post them on your website and across your social media accounts.

Using professional services to stand out from the competition

When some people hear “self-published,” they may have a certain concept in mind: low budget, unedited, and perhaps unprofessional. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Professional services can take your words up and over the top—and help you stand tall among other self-published projects.

Hire a local designer or use design services from a publishing company to make your book cover really pop. Use book editing services that can turn your rough draft into polished, well-formatted prose. Having a professionally finished book can dramatically help you optimize book sales.

Spend money to make money

You’ve dreamed of making it big with your first book. No doubt you’ve thought about what sort of payday could be in your future. But even the most vibrant garden starts with a handful of unassuming seeds and a lot of time spent preparing the ground. Similarly, you’ll need to invest time, effort, and your own money to make money self-publishing.

Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, taking on necessary costs now could pay dividends when it comes to the success of your book.

Investing in professional editing and cover design

When it comes to investing in your own success, don’t skimp on professional touches such as editing and graphic design. You may think that self-publishing—unlike traditional publishing—is a solo job, but that’s entirely untrue.

There are plenty of talented experts to choose from who have perfected their craft and know their tools. Remember, you’re not a Swiss Army knife—and you don’t have to be!

A top-notch developmental or line editor can close plot holes in your book. A copyeditor can make sure you spell, punctuate, and hyphenate your words correctly. (Is it self publishing or self-publishing? Ask a copyeditor!)

When you’re nearing publication, a proofreader can make finishing touches on your manuscript. And a whiz at book design can create a book cover that will be the highlight of the display shelf.

The point is this: it takes a team! You don’t need a big-name publishing house to turn your work into a masterpiece. By engaging publishing experts, you can set your book up for success to make sure your finished product is professional. And as a result, it will be more marketable and more likely to earn you money self-publishing!

Planning for the typical costs associated with self-publishing

It bears repeating: sometimes you’ve got to spend money to make money. Embarking on a Kindle publishing or other self-publishing journey will entail a personal investment. But it’s just that: an investment.

To put your best foot forward, you’ll have to pony up for professional editing and design services. And as you plan ahead, know that you may also incur additional costs that you might not initially expect. For instance, you may have traveling expenses to promote yourself and your publication.

Other costs you can expect include printing (if you opt for a print book), distribution (yes, that includes a Kindle e-book), formatting, and marketing.

Making a smart investment in a self-publishing platform

One way to tap into professional services while saving time (and possibly money) is to work with a self-publishing platform. Many companies offer multiple services, so you can find editing, graphics, formatting, and other features for your first book all in one place.

It may seem like more than you’d have to spend if you implemented a do-it-yourself approach, but keep your eye on the prize. Many self-publishing platforms offer packages that include editing, graphic design, marketing efforts, mentorship, and more. This investment could make all the difference when you have hopes of becoming a bestseller.

Market your book effectively

Whether it’s a leather-bound anthology, a paperback romance novel, or an e-book on iguanas, the most amazing book would be nothing without the right strategy for book marketing. And it’s not just about how to get the word out locally. To become a successful author, you have to market your book (and yourself!) on wider scale.

So when you’re marketing your book, there are a few key things to remember:

• With a successful marketing strategy, self-publishing can be just as profitable as traditional publishing.
• Using social media effectively to standing out from the competition is vital.
• Managing your marketing budget effectively will help you capitalize on your investment and boost sales.

Developing a successful marketing strategy for your self-published work

First and foremost, you should decide on a marketing budget. Once you know what you’re able to spend, this will inform your marketing strategy. Push your book on your personal website and use exciting media like 3D video or interactive widgets or even a book trailer.

Successful marketing strategies for self-published books include maximizing metadata—that is, the information such as the title, author, description, genre, and so on. This will be how potential readers find your book when they search Google or online bookseller catalogs.

Using social media to market your book

Once you’ve taken the time to check out websites to promote your book, tap into your network: announce your new release on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Go beyond your personal circle, though: check out Facebook groups for writers and authors, and reach out to influencers (think “bookstagrammers”) who specialize in your genre of choice.

But don’t stop with the basic social media sites. Make use of other channels like Reddit and Goodreads. You’ll find many subreddit forums that may meet your needs. Additionally, you can seek out popular book reviewers on Goodreads who might enjoy what you have to offer.

Using a strong marketing campaign to boost book sales

Once you’ve found your audience and worked out a strategy, it’s time to launch your campaign. A strong marketing campaign can push you forward and pull your sales upward. Tailor your book marketing to your specific book (e.g., nonfiction book, children’s book).

Prerelease book reviews will get folks interested, and the tantalizing descriptions you wrote earlier—about your book and yourself—will be your sharpest hooks. Time and money spent on effective marketing can cause a significant increase in profits and give your book sale strategy an edge.

Get the word out locally

Everyone loves a community celebrity—and with your magnum opus in hand, you’ll be ready to walk the “read” carpet. You’ve already marketed yourself to your virtual circle. But don’t forget to take things offline too and get up close and personal with the people in your own backyard.

Finding the best locations where you can market your book

The strategies you can use to market your book locally will vary from the book marketing strategies you employ on a wider scale. Find people where they are, whether that’s the corner coffee shop, the local library, or the main street bookstore.

For instance, arrange for a reading at your local library or a speaking engagement at a community center. Set up a table at the farmers market or flea market in town. Bonus: you can even offer to sign copies of your book for adoring fans.

Building a local following

When you market your book to your local community, you have a greater opportunity to be present and lend your figurative and literal voice to the conversation. In addition, building a local fan base is a great place to start your path to fame. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth marketing—friends love to share their to-read lists.

And it’s not just your readership you can reach out to. Developing relationships with local booksellers and shop owners will increase your notoriety by word of mouth. Kindness doesn’t cost a dime, but it could be worth more than just pocket change.

Getting started with local marketing

Get acquainted with book clubs in your area and offer to attend a meeting. (Pro tip: try using the platform Meetup.) Reach out to your local newspaper to do some guest articles, host a writing seminar for aspiring authors, or go the old-school route with bulletin board flyers. Don’t forget to make a splash with a release shindig—everyone loves a party.

Make real money as a self-published author

So now what? You’ve figured out your niche and have determined how you’d like to stand out among other successful authors. As you get ready to take the next step in your publishing journey, Elite Authors can work with you and your budget.

Elite Authors offers a wide range of services that include formatting and editing services, book cover design, book marketing via social media, content creation for websites and social media, and even book trailers! Before you know it, you’ll be counting your monetary blessings—and possibly getting ready to write the sequel.

Making money as a self-published author doesn’t have to be an impossible code to crack. When you’re ready to explore publishing your first book—whether it’s a print book or a Kindle book—Elite Authors is your one-stop shop of publishing services that will help you drive sales.

Find out how Elite Authors can help you every step of the way, from editing to marketing your masterpiece.

The post How to Make Money Self-Publishing appeared first on Elite Authors.

It’s easy to use the words writer and author interchangeably. But are they really the same?

They are not! In fact, there are several differences between the two. The biggest distinction is that an author tends to be a full-time professional writer and often has multiple publications. The word writer encompasses a wider set of people, whether they publish books or blog posts, write professionally or scribble down musings.

Simply put: almost all authors are writers, but not all writers are authors. So how do you know whether to classify yourself as a writer or an author?

The difference between a writer and an author

There is an ongoing debate on how to use the terms writer and author. For the most part, a person who has created a formal literary work—and has published and sold that work—is an author. Many writers, on the other hand, often work behind the scenes as freelance writers or ghostwriters.

Characterizing an author

Authors are talented and dedicated writers. They tend to have more experience in the researching and publishing fields than those who consider themselves writers. And authors are professional storytellers who may specialize in writing any genre at any length, from short stories to full-length books.

Regardless of whether you work in fiction or nonfiction, to be an author, you must dedicate yourself to your creating and writing craft.

An author might also hire a literary agent, who can help boost the author’s career with book tours, marketing, and publishing. Since an author may need to make a living off creating and crafting works of literature, they often need an agent to help sell their books.

Defining a writer

The connotation of the word writer is that it is a more casual title than the title of author. But did you know that you can be a full-time professional writer without being an author? Ghostwriting, content writing, and even editing are all potential professions for a writer.

You can have a lucrative and fulfilling career as a freelance writer—and you’ll always be in demand! Businesses, periodicals, and other professionals consistently hire writers to help create content. Think of all the websites on the internet. Every blog and every page needs to be written.

As a professional writer, you can help clients create blog posts, website content, social media posts, and more! You may not be considered an author, but you will be a successful writer.

Consulting the dictionary

Merriam-Webster is one of the most trusted dictionaries available, so it makes sense to rely on its definitions of author and writer! It identifies the term author not only as a noun but also as a verb. For instance, you can author a book or even a law.

As a verb, author is simply a more distinguished term for write. A writer can be anyone who writes anything. An author is a distinguished and professional writer who has published and sold their work.

Your choice: should you be an author or a writer?

Authors write, and writers write. But which one is right—for you? Sure, you’re pursuing a career as someone who writes professionally. But will you consider yourself an author or a writer? You want to use the correct title. This isn’t just for accuracy—it will also help you find work. If you’re an author, you might already be hard at work on a new book. And if you’re a writer, you’ll need to market yourself to potential clients.

Considering your options as a writer

Not everyone can produce good writing. It is a specialized skill that requires hard work, practice, and experience. But many talented people earn a comfortable living as professional writers, and there are a lot of options available to you if you’d like to pursue this career path.

One of the best ways to earn a living as a freelance writer is to become a ghostwriter. A lot of companies—and the professionals that work within these companies—hire professional writers to create content. A ghostwriter might create anything—a journalistic article, a blog, a screenplay, or something else entirely.

Basically, your employer comes up with an idea and an outline, and you’re the wordsmith who ties it all together. As a ghostwriter you generally won’t receive credit for the content you create. But it’s a great way to make a living!

Another popular option for a professional writer is journalism. The news media and periodicals are always looking for fresh and exciting content. So try it out! Contact as many publications as possible to see if you can secure a consistent writing gig—or at least an occasional writing job.

Becoming an author

It’s difficult to become an author. It requires discipline, a lot of hard work, and true dedication to your work. A writer will finish one project and move onto the next. Conversely, an author might spend years on just one book. Here are a few of the aspects of creating a book as an author:

• Invent a story
• Determine whether the narrator will be first person, second person, or third person
• Develop the characters
• Make sure the story flows well

On top of all of that, the book has to be interesting enough to sell to the public! While writers can complete multiple projects in a month, an author is likely engrossed by one work for a year or more.

Classifying yourself as a professional writer

There are many different specialties in the writing world. As a professional writer, you’ll have many options for job titles to pursue:

• Author
• Short story writer
• Freelance writer
• Ghostwriter
• Blogger
• Journalist

And that just names a few! It really just depends on finding your specialty. Do you want to write fiction? Maybe you’ll end up as a published author. Or maybe you want to focus on creating strong content for your clients to post on their websites or in their publications.

Choose your focus, and your title will follow. And as a writer, you might wear different hats and therefore hold multiple titles. You can do whatever you set your mind to. So pick the path that you’re most comfortable with, and get writing!

The vast world of writers and authors

The world of writing is immense. And that’s a good thing! It allows writers to be successful in many different ways. You can really choose your own destiny as a writer. You can be a freelance writer or ghostwriter and work for companies across many different industries. Or you can make a living writing books and traveling the world on book tours.

Remember: there are different types of writers and authors, and each type has their own specialty. Together, they make up the wonderful world of writing.

Gaining authorship status

In general, writers receive authorship status when they publish a book or a manuscript. So when you as a writer successfully publish and sell your work, you will likely be considered an author. It doesn’t matter if you’ve created a work of fiction or nonfiction; it can even be a short story. If you are successful in publishing and selling your writing, you can call yourself an author!

Becoming both writer and author of a work

Very often, the same person both writes and authors a work. Think of the classic novels and short stories that you read in school. Renowned storytellers have been both the author and the writer of countless works of literature throughout history. And you can do this too!

First, in order to author the book, you’ll need to create and outline the story. You’ll determine your story’s voice and take great care in developing the characters. You might also want to bring in your literary agent and publishing company to make sure that your book idea will be a hit.

Next, you can begin the writing process. Use your wordsmith abilities to craft interesting sentences. And make sure the story flows together. You want a lot of people to read and enjoy your work. So make every word in your manuscript count!

Even if you play the roles of both author and writer for your book, you will need help editing. An editor will look at your manuscript with fresh eyes to make sure it’s ready for the public eye. They will put your work under a microscope and look for everything from plot holes to typos.

This is a good thing! You want your editor to catch any mistakes before you try to publish, print, and sell your book. You can’t do everything on your own, so let an expert help you.

Authoring a work without writing it

While we often think of a work’s author as being the writer as well, that’s not always the case. It’s quite common for an author to hire a professional writer to finish their work.

A professional and published author might add a writer to their team to ghostwrite an entire story. They also might ask a writer to start the editing process and look for ways to improve the language that’s already been written.

Some authors—particularly very famous people who have created multiple successful works—consistently hire professional writers to actually write the words that the public will read.

The continuing debate

Writing is an art. It continues to grow and evolve. And like all art, good writing is subject to debate. What makes a person a writer, and what makes a person an author? What are the differences and similarities between these two professions?

Observing the opinions in the writer versus author debate

It’s human nature to want to express your opinion. Because of that, there are countless opinions on what defines a writer versus what defines an author. This has been an ongoing debate for decades and will likely stick around for decades to come.

Many people agree that all authors are writers but that not all writers are authors. Some avid readers argue that a writer is similar to a student. A student wants to learn, and a writer wants to write. Conversely, they compare an author to a scholar. A scholar is wholly dedicated to their studies just like an author is wholly dedicated to their books.

Identifying the writers of biographies and autobiographies?

You’ve heard the terms biographer and autobiographer. These are common titles and household terms. A professional author can create a nonfictional book about a historical person. This involves a great deal of research because the literary work absolutely must be factual and accurate. But who else might put in the work on a biography or autobiography?

Authors sometimes hire professional ghostwriters to craft the language and verbiage throughout their manuscripts. Additionally, authors will need editing teams to make sure their books are ready for publishing and printing. The best authors know that they need assistance to perfect their book before it goes public—and they welcome the help of writers and editors.

Looking for the commonalities between writers and authors

You love words. You love reading. And you have a special talent for creating good content. That’s why you’re pursuing a career in professional writing! But there’s more than just a love of wordsmithing that writers and authors have in common.

One of the biggest commonalities that writers and authors share is their ability to accept constructive criticism. Whether you’re working on children’s books, novels, or freelance content creation, your writing will be scrutinized. Your editor and proofreader will point out mistakes. And not everyone who reads your work will like it.

But that’s okay! Writers and authors need to understand that constructive criticism is part of being a professional writer.

How to start your professional writing career—today!

Writers and authors have fun and exciting professions. And these professions will be around forever! People will always need to hire content writers, and readers will always want access to new stories.

Elite Authors is here to help you achieve success. Read here to find out how we can help you build your writing career!

The post Difference between a Writer and an Author appeared first on Elite Authors.

So you’ve written an article, self-help book, or novel—congratulations! Perhaps you’re in the process of marketing your book and are neck deep in the world of advanced review copy (ARC) reviews, blog posts, and book trailers. Soon your work will be out in the world.

But wait! Your writing journey isn’t over just yet. One crucial part to marketing your book and introducing yourself to your readers is your author biography. Writing a good author bio can seem like a daunting—if not tedious—task. After all, how do you condense a person’s life into a few short lines?

Elite Authors is here to help. Read on for some tips on writing the perfect author bio.

Keep it short and sweet

If you Google “How long should an author bio be?” you’ll find that the suggested word count changes depending on the source. One thing most people agree on, however, is that a good author bio should be short enough to avoid boring readers and detailed enough to entice your audience.

An author’s professional bio does three things. It establishes your credibility as an expert on the subject you’ve written about. It helps each reader get to know you. And it encourages people to check out more of your work.

A quality author bio looks deceptively simple. It may be just a few sentences long, but your bio is an important factor in marketing your personal brand.

The goal of an author bio

Through your bio, you can show off your personality and put a human behind the words on the page. Moreover, it can establish you as an authority on the subject you’ve written about.

Additionally, a good author bio appeals to your current audience, keeping them interested in the things you create. And, of course, it entices potential readers to follow your work.

When writing your bio, ask yourself: How do you want people to perceive your work? Who is your target audience, and why? The answers to these questions will inform the tone you use and your writing style.

The power of concision

Maybe you’ve crafted a detail-rich fantasy novel that spans thousands of years and hundreds of pages. Maybe you’ve written a thorough how-to guide that every aspiring entrepreneur must read. Maybe you’ve perfected the art of essay writing.

There are many situations where long-form writing is necessary. This is not one of those situations.

A good author bio is short, sweet, and snappy. It fits on the bottom of a blog post or on an author page in the back matter of your book. It reads quickly, grabbing your reader’s attention and holding it for a precious few sentences.

Word count suggestions for a good author bio

You may need to write different author bios for different situations. In general, though, aim for under three hundred words.

For a short bio—good for online profiles, like on your Twitter account or at the bottom of guest posts on blogs—aim for about forty words.

A medium bio, which you might use in query letters for a literary agent, press kits, and other marketing material, should be from forty to 250 words.

Beth Barany, author of Henrietta the Dragon Slayer and other novels, suggests writing a variety of bios for different situations: bios that are ten words, twenty-five words, fifty words, and one hundred words.

Whatever you do, remember: three solid sentences can do wonders. Three pages will drag.

Avoid first person (usually)

First person is ideal for many things: diaries, letters, and text messages. But for a good author bio, you’ll generally want to stick to third person.

Pitfalls of using first person

Authors customarily write their bios in third person. This is because third person generally comes across as more professional. Conversely, first person can seem amateurish or even boastful. Moreover, if you use “I,” the focus ends up being more on you than on your book.

Times to use first person

Sometimes, though, you can bend or break the rules. You can get away with first person if it’s an important part of your author brand or if you’re writing for a personal blog. (Even so, many author websites use third person.)

With some publications, first person is standard for author bios. It’s important to stay flexible and keep your audience in mind.

Keep it updated

Consider this scenario: Annie Author comes out with an exciting new sci-fi series. When eager readers go to her author website to learn more about her, however, they come across a bio that reads like this:

“Annie Author has loved writing since 1987, when she won first place in her middle school poetry contest. Her latest novel, Vanished with the Breeze, comes out in September 2007.”

This is a prime example of what not to do. The information in this bio is far out of date and mostly irrelevant. Readers won’t be interested in a middle school poetry contest from two decades ago. Moreover, Annie Author has a new series out in the present day—but there’s no mention of it in her professional bio.

As your life changes, so too must your author bio.

Simple guide for keeping your bio up to date

You don’t need to update your bio every week (unless a major life change occurs between week one and week two). However, it’s important to make sure your bio stays up to date.

Consider updating your author bio at the end of each year. Additionally, when specific important events happen—you launch a new project, publish a new book, or win a new award, for example—you’ll want to update your bio to include that too.

Multiple bios for multiple audiences or pen names

Your author bio must be relevant to your work and your life. But there’s another reason to update your author bio: when you’re writing for a different audience.

If you write in a variety of genres, you’ll need to write multiple author bios to match the tone of each genre. This is important especially if you write under a pen name or use multiple pen names for different genres.

The author bio you create under your pen name for romance fiction will look vastly different from the bio you use for your articles on thermodynamics.

If you normally write nonfiction books about economics but pivot to children’s adventure stories, you’ll need to write a new bio to fit a tone that reaches your new audience.

Get personal

A good author bio balances professionalism with personality. You may want to be serious, but sharing too little personal info can strip your bio of appeal and result in a standard, boring text.

The difference between too personal and not personal enough

Your author bio is a chance for you to show your audience who you really are. So why not dive into the finer details? Surely the average potential reader is dying to know your favorite color, your least favorite cereal brand, or how you came up with your protagonist’s quirky middle name!

A common piece of writing advice is to kill your darlings. Indeed, sometimes you must trim down the more personal facts. Before you write about how you’ve always dreamed of becoming an author, consider that most authors share that dream. Many authors have written something to that effect. And many readers won’t particularly notice or care.

If you’re a first-time author (or self-proclaimed “aspiring writer”), you don’t need to say so. Readers generally don’t care if this is your first work. Phrases like “first-time” and “aspiring” can also indicate a lack of confidence.

If you don’t have any other published works out, draw on the experience that you do have to establish credibility.

While you should list some of your achievements, it’s not necessary to write about every last thing you’ve accomplished. Readers may skim or skip over your bio entirely. Worse, overlisting your achievements can come off as overselling, damaging your credibility.

Information to include in a good author bio

So you know what not to include. But what makes a bio appealing?

Information relevant to your book will help you establish credibility. This can include your career, your education, or any professional experiences you’ve had that relate to your book.

Maybe your love of marine biology inspired that sci-fi book about talking dolphins. Perhaps you’re interested in medieval history—a perfect fact to mention if you’re the author of a historical romance, for example.

If, however, your education doesn’t relate to your book—for example, if you’ve written a children’s fantasy novel and have a math degree—you can leave that information out.

To brainstorm, make a list of things that you believe encompass you. This list can include your hobbies and interests, education, memberships to any relevant organizations, achievements or awards, and qualities about yourself that you like. Then, narrow that list down to two to three that most relate to your book.

Write out a few different drafts of your author bio. In your initial draft, don’t worry about word count. Just get down all the information you feel is relevant. Once you have that, you can trim away wordiness. Ask yourself, “Does this information really matter? Does my audience (agents, publishers, and readers) need to know this?”

From there, you can whittle down your work to meet word count.

The importance of personality

A personal author bio gives readers a sense of familiarity with you. It shows them that there is a person behind the words they’ve read. Because of this, a quality author bio can make readers more interested in connecting with you.

Moreover, adding interesting details can help your bio stand out. Finally, a personal author bio can establish you as an expert on the topic you’ve written about.

Be mindful, however, that you don’t get carried away in trying to be as personable as possible. The information in your bio should be clear, unhindered by the jokes you crack. If you leave out important information for the sake of a humorous aside, the result can be off-putting.

Call your readers to action

An additional section to your author bio is the call to action (CTA). As the name implies, a CTA asks your audience to take a specific action. You might ask readers to email you, join a mailing list, visit your author website, or any number of things.

Moreover, a CTA connects to your readers’ desires and inspires your audience to take action.

Guidelines for writing a CTA

As with the rest of your bio, concision is key. Keep your CTA brief and clear. Match the tone of your author bio. You will throw off your readers if you suddenly shift from somber, poetic prose to “…and that’s why you should buy my book today!”

Your CTA should be simple, something readers can do easily. In an online publication, a CTA might be an invitation to click a link, visit your social media profile, or tag a friend in a social media post.

Times to include a CTA

CTAs aren’t always necessary. If you feel like you’re shoehorning a CTA in, it may be better to leave it out. Still, CTAs are a quick and simple way to further connect with your readers.

One way to include CTAs is to list your social media platform handles, your email, or a link to your website. This will allow readers to more easily find you online and check out your work.

Market your book with Elite Authors

Writing can be a lonely job, filled with early mornings or long nights over a keyboard or journal. However, marketing your book can be anything but lonely.

Here at Elite, our services help you with writing and editing your book marketing copy. This includes anything from blurbs to, yes, the elusive author bio! Get in touch today for a quote. Together, we’ll work to best meet your needs.

The post How to Write a Good Author Bio appeared first on Elite Authors.

If you’re a new writer just getting started in the professional literary field, you probably don’t have a literary agent. But if you want to make a big splash and earn a career as a serious author, you should consider partnering with a literary agency. Literary agents will show publishers that you are serious about selling your work. They will help you create a professional book proposal, earn a book deal, and market your book. Finding a literary agent can be difficult. But don’t worry! When you know what to look for, you’ll be able to find a literary agent. 

How to find your literary agent

You finished writing your manuscript. Congratulations! In order for your book to reach as many people as possible, you’ll want to hire a literary agent to represent you to the publishing industry and to help market your work. There are a few steps involved here.

First, you’ll need to assemble a submission package. Then, you’ll need to research some literary agents to find out which agencies fit your needs. For instance, one literary agency might specialize in children’s books; another might work with short-story authors; and another might focus on nonfiction.

Additionally, one agency might work only with a traditional publisher, whereas others have a network of indie contacts outside of the traditional publishing industry.

The next step is sending your submission package to a handful of literary agents. Once the agents have reviewed your work, you will basically interview each other to make sure you’re a good fit.

Be selective here—make sure that you choose an agent you’re comfortable with.

How does a writer find a literary agent?

There are a few steps involved in finding a literary agent. Each step is very important, so don’t cut corners during this process. You worked very hard completing your book, and it deserves the best attention and care throughout this phase.

Here is a quick look at the four main steps in finding a literary agent:

1. Write a synopsis of your book. This must be an engaging summary of what you’ve written.
2. Write a query letter. Think of this as a cover letter when you apply for a job. Your query letter should have some personal information about you as an individual, as well as why you want to work with the agent you’re targeting.
3. Research some agents. There are resources available all over the internet. Be sure to read reviews about the agents too! Reviews are firsthand accounts of how an agent works.
4. Send in your submission package. Altogether, the submission package includes your book synopsis and query. Many agents will also request a sample of your actual manuscript, so be prepared to submit that as well.

What is the first step in the process of finding a literary agent?

The first step in finding a literary agent is writing a synopsis of your book. It might be a challenge to condense your masterpiece into just a few paragraphs. But keep in mind that literary agents and traditional publishing companies receive countless unsolicited manuscripts—and a synopsis is a way to set your work apart from other authors’ submissions.

Make sure that your synopsis is short and to the point. Give a high-level view of your story. This needs to be engaging—leave the agent begging for more!

How do you assemble a submission package?

Each literary agency that you contact will have differing requirements for how to submit your work for review. Most agencies will require a synopsis and a query letter.

Some of them will also require at least a portion of your manuscript as a writing sample, so be prepared to send in a chapter or two that really showcase your writing style. Pick the most captivating parts of your book.

Your submission package is your book’s formal introduction to each literary agent, so it has to be impressive!

How to write a synopsis

Writing a synopsis is a difficult task for many authors. It sounds simple enough to summarize what you’ve written.

You’ve spent a very long time working on your characters, plot line, subplots, and all other aspects of your book—so much time, in fact, that you can’t see the forest for the trees. But the synopsis is a crucial aspect of your submission package to each literary agency.

What is a synopsis?

A synopsis is a summary. It provides your audience with a high-level idea of what your full manuscript is about. The synopsis is your book’s first impression to your literary agent, your publishing company, and your potential readers. So it needs to draw people in.

When you begin writing your synopsis, ask yourself one question: Why should people read my book?

Many authors have trouble writing synopses. They’ve been buried within their manuscripts for so long that it can be nearly impossible to separate themselves from the details and provide an overall idea of their stories.

If this sounds familiar to you, you might want to consider hiring a professional ghostwriter to create your synopsis. They’ll be able to look at your book with fresh eyes and ideas and create a riveting synopsis for you.

What does a synopsis include?

A synopsis should include a brief description of the overall theme of your book.

If you’ve written a fiction novel, give a brief introduction to the main character and their struggle. If you’ve written a short-story anthology, explain how the different stories tie together. And if you’ve written a nonfiction work, provide a few facts that lead into your main thesis.

Make sure that your synopsis showcases your writing style as well—this must be a good indication of how your full manuscript is written.

Do not include any personal information in your synopsis. Save that for the query letter. Let your synopsis tell your book’s story.

How long should a synopsis be?

Your synopsis should be short and sweet. Literary agents and publishing companies receive a lot of unsolicited manuscripts, so the idea here is to draw them in with a quick overview. Let them fall in love with your writing and your story so that they can’t wait to dive into your full manuscript.

Less is more when it comes to synopses, especially for new authors. Your synopsis is your gateway to a book deal, so spend some time and resources creating the best summary!

How to query a literary agent

If your synopsis is your book’s first impression as a literary work, then your query letter is your first introduction as an author. The query is similar to a cover letter that you submit with a résumé to a potential job opportunity.

Your query letter will basically state why you want to partner with a literary agent and why the agent should want to partner with you.

What is a query letter?

Your query letter is an introduction of you as an author to a literary agency. First impressions are important, so you really want to perfect your query letter. To help get you started, here are a few questions that you can answer in your query letter:

• Why do you want to work with this particular literary agent? (To answer this question, you will of course need to tailor each query letter for each literary agency.)
• Why should this literary agent want to work with you?
• Why did you choose to write this particular book?

Although it might be tempting to include information about your past work in your query letter, try not to. Let this new masterpiece stand on its own.

How do you begin a query letter?

The best way to begin a query letter is to explain why you want to work with this particular literary agent or agency. Maybe you have met the agent previously. Maybe a friend or family member partnered with the agency for their manuscript. Or maybe the agency focuses on topics that are important to you.

Regardless of the reasons you choose to list, the first section of your query letter should discuss why you have chosen this agency to submit your work. You will have to customize your query letter each time you submit to a new literary agency, so be sure to set aside time for this.

How do you close a query letter?

The end of your query letter should provide some information about yourself. This can include a brief explanation of why you chose to write your manuscript on your chosen topic. Or it can talk about what in general led you to become an author.

Be creative! The query letter is another way to draw in an agent who can help you secure a book deal and a lot of book sales.

This should be the shortest section of your query letter. The majority of the letter should focus on why you want to work with the agent and why they should want to work with you.

Make your query letter mostly about the agent, and sprinkle in some information about yourself as you close the letter.

Final steps in the process of finding a literary agent

There is so much to think about after you’ve finished your manuscript! Will you print, produce as an ebook, or both? Was writing your book a hobby and a labor of love, or are you hoping to make a living as an established author?

Whatever your goals, hiring a literary agent will help you accomplish them. Once you’ve created your synopsis and general framework for a query letter that can be customized for each literary agency, what are your next steps?

How many agents should you submit to?

It never hurts to cast a wide net. After all, it’s better to at least have conversations with several literary agents than to put all of your eggs in one basket. In the process of finding a literary agent, it’s best to start general and then move on to the specifics.

As you research potential literary agencies to submit your work to, keep the following questions in mind:

• Do you want to send your book to a major publisher, or do you prefer an agent who will work with a local or indie publishing house?
• Are you looking for a major book deal that includes public appearances, a social media marketing campaign, and other ways to get your name out there?
• Does your manuscript require a senior agent, or are you willing to work with someone less established?
• Will you need your agent to walk you through the publishing process?

Once you’ve answered the general questions, move on to the specific. Are there literary agencies that specialize in your subject matter? For instance, some literary agents might excel in children’s literature, while others are leaders in the nonfiction world.

Start by submitting your work to three or four specialized agencies. After that, branch out and contact the more general agents.  

Why should you personalize your queries?

Each query letter must be personalized to the individual literary agency that you send your submission package to. If you just include a generic letter without any information geared toward each individual agency, the agents will see that you took a shortcut.

Your query letter is your first impression as an author to an agent.

When you personalize your query letter, the literary agency will see that you took the time to tailor the letter to its specific requirements. The agency will take you more seriously as a dedicated writer and give the rest of your submission package the benefit of the doubt.

You spent too much time writing your book to fall short during this phase. Set yourself up for success by putting your best foot forward to each potential agent.

What happens if you get rejected?

Rejections happen. They are a part of everyday life. All successful authors will tell you that their path to greatness is paved with setbacks and rejections. Writing is not an easy profession!

The important thing to remember is that a rejection is not necessarily a negative reflection of your work—sometimes an author just isn’t the right fit for a literary agent.

So get back on that horse! Keep submitting your synopsis, query letter, and a portion of your manuscript to multiple literary agencies.

Finding a literary agent is not an easy task, and both you and the agent have to be confident that the relationship will be mutually beneficial. You will find the best agent to represent you. But this will require some patience and hard work.

Your book deserves a literary agent

Your book is the result of your hard work. Both you and your manuscript deserve to be successful. And a literary agent can help you achieve that success!

Before you send in your submission package to any literary agency, let Elite Authors help perfect your manuscript. Visit our website today to find out how our range of services will help you put your best foot forward!

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An ISBN—international standard book number—is basically your book’s fingerprint. It’s the long, hyphenated series of numerical digits shown on the copyright page of every book. Each version of every published book has its own ISBN regardless of whether you’re printing your book, selling it as an e-book, or both.

In fact, ISBNs are so specific that an e-book, paperback, and hardcover version of the same work will each have its own ISBN. The ISBN is permanently tied to each version of your book.

ISBNs tell a story.

Just as its name suggests, the ISBN system provides each book its own unique number within a standardized international database. This allows people from all over the world to access each other’s work. Because of this, your book’s ISBN is perhaps the most important piece of information on your copyright page.

What information does the ISBN give?

Your book’s ISBN tells your book’s story. It’s a part of your book’s metadata. In 2007, ISBNs were changed from ten digits to thirteen because of the quantity of books being published.

ISBNs aren’t just a collection of random digits. In fact, each set of numbers in the ISBN has meaning. Here’s a brief explanation:

• The first three digits are called the global standard indicator. This will either be 978 or 979.
• The next set of numbers identifies the country in which your book is published. For example, books published in English-speaking countries are either assigned a 0 or a 1.
• After that comes the publisher’s code, followed by a number assigned to your particular title and publication method (i.e., paperback, hardcover, or ebook).
• The final digit is called the check digit. Check digits are used for validating a number or bar code.

Altogether, your book’s ISBN tells the story of its publishing life. And since each book has its own ISBN, if you publish an updated edition or volume to your original work, that book will get a different ISBN.

Who needs to pay attention to the ISBN?

The international standard book number is crucial to publishers and book retailers. It identifies where, when, and by whom the book was published. Publishing companies can look at a single ISBN and learn the book’s history.

But ISBNs aren’t only important to publishers and retailers. Your target audience might pay attention to them too. Avid readers might notice that two different editions of the same book have different ISBNs. This alerts them to the fact that there is some variation between the two copies of your book.

When did the ISBN system become commonplace?

The ISBN became commonplace in international publishing in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The international community realized that it needed a standardized system to keep track of all of the books that had been published around the world. This standardization made it easier for readers across the globe to access published works from other countries.

How to use a Book ISBN

Your book’s ISBN is its unique fingerprint. No other published work can have your ISBN—it belongs solely to your book. And from the first digit to the check digit, each number within every single ISBN provides information about your book.

Your ISBN helps people to find your work. This helps drive up your book sales. Whether you’re printing or publishing as an ebook, an ISBN is a vital part of your book’s success.

What products are given an ISBN?

All books that are published for sale need an ISBN. Your book’s ISBN allows retailers of printed works and ebooks to identify and track your book’s sales. It also helps your target audience to find a specific edition of your book.

Your book needs its own ISBN to differentiate your work from other published books. Maybe you titled your book using generic, simple words in order to draw in as many potential readers as possible.

Or maybe you have a rather commonplace name as an author. Your book’s ISBN will let buyers and sellers differentiate your title and name from other similar titles and authors.

Additionally, the ISBN lends credibility to your work. It proves to retailers and readers that you are a serious author who knows that your book deserves to be published.

When publishing companies and potential readers see that ISBN bar code on your back cover, they are assured that they’re reading a legitimate piece of published writing. Everything about your book—from the title page to the actual content—is tied to your ISBN.

What does the ISBN facilitate?

The ISBN helps publishers, retailers, and readers identify, find, and track your book. Each country has a national ISBN agency that assigns all international standard book numbers.

Since ISBNs are assigned by a national-level body, you can rest assured that your book is formally published within your country. Each ISBN agency can only assign numbers within their own country—but since ISBNs are part of an international system, your book can be available worldwide.

Each and every published book gets is own ISBN. This means that your book is the only published work in the world with that number and bar code. You should be very proud of that accomplishment!

How do book ISBNs differ between editions?

Each new book gets a new ISBN. If you publish new editions to your original book, each edition will get its own ISBN. This is part of the fun for book collectors—they can compare each version of your book and see the different ISBNs.

Keep in mind that each version of your book—regardless of the edition—has its own ISBN. If you are printing some paperback versions and some hardcover versions, you will have two different ISBNs. When you choose to offer your work as an ebook, you will have a third ISBN.

How to interpret an ISBN

There are many benefits to obtaining an ISBN for your book. In fact, in order for you to sell your work and make a name for yourself as an established author, your book really does need an ISBN. But what exactly does your book’s unique international standard book number mean?

Each and every digit of each and every ISBN has a meaning. The numbers identify where your book was published and by whom. It also includes a unique identifier for your book and your book alone.

How many digits does a modern ISBN have?

Current ISBNs have thirteen digits. These digits include a location identifier, publisher identifier, edition identifier, and check digit that validates the ISBN as a whole. Each international standard book number is packed with information specific to your book.

What does the first string of digits signify?

The first string of digits of your ISBN signifies basic but important information about your book. These numbers create the foundation that the rest of the ISBN will build upon.

ISBNs go from general to specific, so the first string of digits involves high-level information, such as the prefix and the group identifier.

In 2007, ISBNs were increased from ten digits to thirteen. The reason was to include a three-digit prefix—either 978 or 979—to make the system compatible with the European Article Number (EAN) system. This prefix is the first three numbers in your thirteen-digit ISBN.

The next set of digits identifies where your book was originally published. Each country is assigned a number, similar to country codes when you make an international phone call. Here are a few examples:

• 0 and 1 indicate English-speaking countries
• 2 indicates a French-speaking country
• 3 indicates a German-speaking country

There are specific codes for each country and geographical region, so be sure to research what your book’s first ISBN digit will be.

What does the second string of digits identify?

The second string of ISBN digits tell your book’s specific story. After the group identifier (country code), your registrant number is listed. This points to the specific publishing company that you partnered with. This string tends to be about five digits long.

Getting even more specific, the publication number comes next. These digits identify the exact version of your book. This string of digits will differ for each edition of your book. They will also vary depending on whether the book is paperback, hardcover, or an ebook.

The final section of an ISBN is the check digit, which basically validates the ISBN as a whole. Many industries use check digits to verify coded numbers and avoid errors. Even your credit card has a check digit!

When you need an ISBN

If you want to sell your book, you need an ISBN. This unique number helps publishers, retailers, and your target audience to easily track and find your book. An ISBN lends legitimacy to your work because it means your book has been formally registered.

Books without an ISBN might not be taken seriously since they’re less official. That means that without this identification number on your copyright page, you’ll have a difficult time making a name for yourself as a serious author.

How much do ISBNs cost?

The price of an ISBN varies based on how you want to sell your book. For instance, if you’re publishing an ebook without printing, the ISBN will be less expensive. But if you’re going to publish your work in both ebook and print formats, you might need to spend a little bit more.

Your national ISBN agency is the best starting point for researching how to obtain an ISBN and how much it will cost. There are outside agencies that will gladly sell you an ISBN, a bar code, and marketing packages. But it’s best to begin at the federal level to make sure that any third-party agencies you’re considering are legitimate.

Where do you get an ISBN?

Most national ISBN agencies have applications that you can fill out online or via mail. However, if you’re working with a publishing company, they can also help with this. Many publishers offer this service to their authors, since assigning an ISBN to your work will also help the publisher make money off of your book sales.

In order to ensure that you’re getting the best price and service, always check the governmental agency’s website, and compare it with the information from your publisher. You worked very hard on your book, and it’s worth protecting during this phase.

How long does it take to receive an ISBN?

The time it takes to receive an ISBN will vary depending on the number of requests and the time of year. Just like so many things in life, it’s best to be as proactive as possible so that you don’t miss any publication goals or deadlines.

If you’re working with a publishing company, they might have a fast track to obtaining an ISBN for you. If you choose to go through your national ISBN agency by yourself, it could take several months for the copyright office to fully process your request.

An ISBN is critical to your book’s success

You worked hard finishing your book. And you’re excited to publish it! You now need an international standard book number to help publishers, book retailers, and readers find you.

Elite Authors can be your all-around partner in building a successful book sale campaign. We offer services from formatting service to book cover design—and everything in between! Check out our website to find out how we can help you establish yourself as a great author and ring up those book sales.

The post What Is an ISBN Used For? appeared first on Elite Authors.

You made it! You’re an indie author who published your paperback books with the help of CreateSpace. What do you do now that CreateSpace no longer exists? You may be concerned about your books and your future as a self-published author.

No need to worry! CreateSpace didn’t disappear. It just moved to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). If you worked with CreateSpace in the past, you can still access your work and continue to sell with KDP print. With CreateSpace moving to KDP, this is what authors need to know.

What happened to CreateSpace?

CreateSpace was one of the first programs for self-publishing paperback books. Operating out of South Carolina, CreateSpace was founded in 2000. As the need for self-publishing increased, CreateSpace books became known as a premier service and got the attention of Amazon.

Amazon purchased CreateSpace in 2005 and allowed it to continue functioning while they perfected KDP. In July 2018, CreateSpace merged with KDP, creating just one platform for publishing both e-books and print books.

Why did CreateSpace and KDP merge?

In 2007, Amazon introduced the Kindle, and the sale of digital editions of books took off. Suddenly, a Kindle e-book was a hot commodity, and indie authors had a new desire to publish each manuscript as an e-book and a printed book.

Originally, CreateSpace and KDP had two different functions. CreateSpace was the premier tool for developing a paperback book, and KDP was the go-to platform for creating an e-book.

KDP got stronger and stronger with added capabilities. One of those added capabilities was the ability to publish and distribute KDP print paperbacks. Now, any author can easily self-publish both a KDP paperback and a KDP e-book all in one location. Amazon combined the abilities of both programs into your single KDP account.

What does the merger of CreateSpace and KDP mean to authors?

Authors now can focus on publishing and distributing digital and paperback books through one KDP account. You don’t have to develop a CreateSpace print book in one place and e-books in another. If you had previously published on CreateSpace, you can transfer those files to KDP in a few steps.

Another thing authors need to know is that CreateSpace was intended to help prepare manuscripts, but KDP is not. KDP is more for publishing and distribution. When a book is sent to KDP, the expectation is that it has already been proofed, edited, formatted, and packaged, a process that can prove difficult for writers. There’s a lot to know about correctly preparing a professional-looking manuscript.

How does KDP work?

KDP is the self-publishing platform for Amazon. It allows you to bypass the difficulties of traditional publishing. You don’t have to send hundreds of queries to find an agent. And you don’t have to wait for an agent to find a big publishing house. Finally, you don’t have to split your proceeds with the agent and the publishers or negotiate rights and contract terms.

If you publish to KDP, you own the rights to your book while selling your book from the biggest book retailer in the world. You can also get an author copy for the cost of printing.

Publishing to KDP is a simple process. You simply upload your files to your KDP account. Then you publish them to the platform. Whenever you receive an order for an e-book, KDP will send your e-book immediately to anyone who orders it.

If the order is for a paperback, KDP print will publish it on demand and ship it to the customer. This is good news. You do the writing, and KDP will do the rest, taking care of the orders, the printing, and the shipping. All you have to do is wait for the royalties to roll in!

Why did CreateSpace close up shop?

CreateSpace had been in existence since 2000 when it was originally marketed as BookSurge. Amazon purchased it in 2005 and maintained it while they refined and bolstered the Kindle Direct Publishing service. Thirteen years after Amazon acquired CreateSpace, they announced that CreateSpace would merge with the KDP platform.

While CreateSpace didn’t exactly close up shop or go out of business, it was rolled into KDP and is no longer available to authors as a separate entity. What this means is that authors must migrate their CreateSpace books to a KDP account.

What factors contributed to the closing of CreateSpace?

Twenty years ago, CreateSpace was the go-to program for authors ready to self-publish. The purpose of CreateSpace was to aid authors with the preparation of their book manuscript for printing.

Since KDP now allows for the publication of print books, there’s no need for a separate CreateSpace platform to publish paperbacks. Amazon owns both CreateSpace and KDP, and it was most efficient to roll the two services into one.

What services does KDP offer?

Kindle Direct Publishing offers extensive benefits to its authors. KDP allows you to do optimized book listings, adding in metadata that helps search engines find you. You can do book descriptions with keywords to get more hits on customer searches. KDP even gives you a free ISBN.

With KDP, you can create a cover design using Cover Creator to attract sales through Kindle Direct Publishing’s massive distribution service. If you’re patient and artistic, you may be able to create a professional-looking book cover design, but that often requires the help of a professional!

KDP takes the orders, sends the e-book, or delivers a copy of your KDP print book to your customer. The print-on-demand system eliminates the cost of expensive inventory since print books are published when they are sold.

Royalties with KDP authors’ earnings can be as much as 60 percent of the sale and are paid out after sixty days.

You can also order author copies at cost, but delivery time is running slow. Be sure to order ahead of time.

What other options for self-publishing do CreateSpace authors have now?

If you want to publish with a company other than Kindle Direct Publishing, there are options. Barnes and Noble has its own press, and then there’s Kobo Writing Life and IngramSpark.

Kobo Writing Life is a self-publishing platform that delivers books to 190 countries and does not require exclusivity. You own the rights and can set whatever price you want on your books. Kobo adds your book to their catalog within seventy-two hours, and they’ll send you reports on your sales.

IngramSpark is also a self-publishing service that will distribute your work to over 40,000 book retailers and libraries around the globe. IngramSpark provides 24/7 support, resources for authors, print-on-demand technology, and a free ISBN.

How do you move your files from CreateSpace to KDP?

If you are an author who formatted a CreateSpace book and have existing files there, don’t worry. Amazon KDP provides a process for transferring your books from the CreateSpace platform to KDP. After transferring, you need to check your books to make sure the formatting is correct before publishing them. Also check your keywords to make sure they haven’t been truncated.

Simply verify your CreateSpace account. If you don’t have a KDP account, create one. If you do, then log into your KDP account so that you can link your CreateSpace files. Once you’ve linked your files, you’ll be able to access your self-published books within minutes.

How do you make an account on KDP?

It’s not hard to get a KDP account. If you already have an Amazon account, just go to KDP and sign in. If not, create a new account. You’ll be asked to fill in your name and information about your publisher. Then you’ll set up an EFT payment method. Finally, you’ll provide information about taxes.

You’re on your way to sending your book out to the world.

How can you access your existing CreateSpace account?

When CreateSpace was moved to KDP, you may have worried about accessing your previously published books. Don’t worry. All of your previous CreateSpace books are still there and available to you.

You can access them by verifying your CreateSpace account. Once you’ve done that, you simply have to link your KDP account to your CreateSpace files. In a few minutes, your books will appear, and you will be able to access them on KDP.

How quick is the process of moving files over to your KDP Bookshelf?

One of the wonderful aspects of our modern world is that we get so much done in a short amount of time. Becoming a published author is no exception. Moving your CreateSpace files to Kindle Direct Publishing doesn’t take days or hours. In most cases, the files are transferred within minutes.

Get help moving your book from CreateSpace to KDP

While KDP has a built-in process for transferring files from CreateSpace, writers report that the process is not always as simple as it sounds. Moving books from one platform to another can be a bit tricky, and authors can get frustrated and overwhelmed with the hidden problems in transferring CreateSpace files to KDP.

What problems have authors encountered with the crossover from CreateSpace to KDP?

New systems are rarely rolled out without a glitch, and the merging of CreateSpace with KDP does present some problems. Authors have reported that the e-book version and the print version of their books don’t link correctly. Others have said that not all their books show up in their KDP account.

Occasionally, the metadata is missing, and sometimes there have been reformatting problems. The most worrisome problem is that some authors report that they have lost their original files or PDFs.

Since CreateSpace was focused on manuscript preparation, it allowed for more complex PDFs than KDP does. Because KDP doesn’t have the same ability to process complex images, some files don’t migrate correctly.

Much of the electronic side of self-publishing—like uploading files and processing customer orders—happen very quickly. Some elements of self-publishing don’t. Authors have reported that getting author copies from KDP takes longer than it did with CreateSpace.

In order to avoid printing delay and missing important dates for book signings, some authors have gone to outside publishers for faster delivery.

Here’s a great troubleshooting list for CreateSpace authors who are having issues transferring their books to Kindle Direct Publishing.

What should you look for in a publishing consultant?

Getting your book out into the world sounds great, but it does take expertise and effort. If you’re busy, you may not have time to plan for the marketing that launching a successful book takes.

You may have great ideas, but grammar and proofreading aren’t your strong suit. Let’s face it: after you’ve poured your all into a book, it’s hard to spot errors in it.

Do you have enough artistic vision to design a professional book cover design? How much do you really know about the ISBN?

Consider hiring professionals who can do those tasks that lie outside your expertise.

You should look for certain qualities in a publishing consultant.

First, find a reputable company with years of experience. The publishing industry is changing rapidly, and you need a consultant who understands what it takes to be successful now, not a year ago.

Secondly, research the scope of the consultant’s services. Find a firm who can help you in every area of the publishing process—or at least in the areas where you need help.

If you’re not a grammarian, find a consultant who is. Look for someone who offers book proofreading services. If you’re great at writing but terrified by translating your book via technology, get a consultant who can.

You want a publishing consultant who listens to your vision for your book and who is willing to collaborate with you, not control you. Look for a person who believes in you and thinks that together, you can create a little “book magic.” A good consultant must understand the industry completely and know what success means.

Remember that your books will be around for decades, not days. Make sure you work with a consultant who will be around for the long haul. Don’t settle for someone who believes that relationships are short-term. Find a firm that establishes lifelong bonds.

What are the benefits of working with publishing consultants to move from CreateSpace to KDP?

Consultants are skilled and experienced in every step of the publishing process. The advantage of working with a consultant is that you won’t risk losing your files in the transfer between CreateSpace and KDP.

A publishing consultant will know exactly how to fix formatting issues and how to access your original images. They will guarantee that your manuscript looks better in the new format than it did in the old.

It’s not just about the transfer of your files from CreateSpace to KDP. A good consultant will help make your book successful by offering expert advice in every stage of the process. They’ll improve your manuscript and help you successfully market your masterpiece.

If you’re not an expert on cover design, social media posting, finding reviewers, and developing a publicity strategy, a consultant will help. You’ll never be alone. You’ll have someone to guide and encourage you every step of the way. And they’ll cheer with you when your book reaches heights you never thought possible.

Success is waiting for you!

Self-publishing has come a long way from the early days of CreateSpace to the newer, streamlined KDP platform. While it’s easier than it used to be, successful self-published authors have gotten more sales and increased recognition with professional help.

EliteAuthors can help you with everything from proofing to publishing to packaging to marketing. Contact us to find the success that is waiting for you.

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Authors who want to sell their e-books through the Kindle store have a common question: what’s the average size of a Kindle e-book? Maybe you’re talking about the size of the files you submit to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Or maybe you’re concerned about meeting reader expectations for the page count of your book.

The average Kindle book size is about 300 pages, or 75,000 words of text, and the average Kindle e-book file size is 2.6 MB. But that’s not exactly a one-size-fits-all answer. The size of your Kindle book will depend on the genre you write in and how many words (or images!) you need to achieve your vision. Let’s figure out what size your Kindle book should be.

You don’t have to worry about your Kindle book being too big.

For starters, let’s clear something up: though having a book that’s too long can challenge readers’ attention spans, the size of your Kindle book file isn’t much of an issue. Take the 8 gigabyte (GB) Kindle Fire, which has 6 GB of available space to store e-books. This Kindle device can hold 6,000 books if each e-book file is 1 megabyte (MB). Of course, larger books take up more space than 1 MB. But suffice it to say that you probably don’t have to worry about your finished e-book being too big for readers to download.

That said, if you’re writing a very long book or one with lots of images, audio, or video, you might need to consider whether your book file exceeds KDP requirements.

Does Kindle have a maximum size for an e-book?

According to Amazon, Kindle supports file sizes up to 650 MB or 8,000 pages. Most authors don’t come anywhere close to exceeding this maximum page count.

But remember that images, audio, and video take up much more data space than text. For most e-books, images comprise the largest element. For example, a single high-resolution image size can be around 3.5 MB.

For your book cover, Amazon recommends a file size of 40 MB or less. That said, the 650 MB maximum file size applies to your book cover too. Either way, take care when choosing your cover image.

Handling e-books that are over 650 MB

Kindle cannot convert e-book files larger than 650 MB. If your book is over 650 MB, Kindle advises reducing your audio and video content, if applicable. You could also consider publishing your book as a series.

Download speed is rarely an issue.

You shouldn’t have to worry about how long your finished Kindle e-book will take to download. The KDP process optimizes your content, so even a long book will download quickly.

Can your Kindle book be too short?

Amazon does not set a lower limit when it comes to book length. A short book can satisfy readers as effectively as a long one. In fact, many readers love Kindle Short Reads, which take as little as fifteen minutes to enjoy.

That said, a recommended minimum is 2,500 words. That’s the length of a short-short story. And you’ll want to meet readers’ expectations for your genre. More on that in a bit!

What’s a typical word count for a Kindle book?

Typical word count for any book, whether it’s an e-book or print book, depends on the genre. According to Book Cave, the average nonfiction book runs between 50,000 and 75,000 words. That adds up to about 153 to 230 e-book pages. For fiction, the average book tends to be longer, at 80,000 to 100,000 words. That runs to about 246 to 307 e-book pages.

Children’s books are much shorter.

A children’s book should be shorter than a book aimed at adult readers. The size depends on the child’s age.

According to Writing World, books for very young children usually reach no more than 1,000 words. For readers at this age, illustrations take center stage.

Books for elementary readers run up to about 2,500 words. They often have some illustrations, but as children get older, these become less central to telling the story.

Middle schoolers have far longer attention spans and stronger reading skills. They can typically handle up to 12,000 words or so. A fiction book for this age group might not have any pictures at all, although a nonfiction book might have fewer words and more illustrations.

By the time children reach adolescence, they are ready for longer books. They’re interested in stories with delightfully tangled plots and complex characters. A young adult novel might run 35,000 to 50,000 words long–around the size of an adult novella.

What size e-book will your Kindle readers expect?

Readers’ expectations for the size of a Kindle e-book depend on the genre and their reasons for buying the book.

Nonfiction books are typically shorter than fiction books, averaging 50,000 to 75,000 words. Readers don’t usually curl up by the fire to read a cookbook or scientific textbook the way they would a novel. They read nonfiction books for the information and ideas they contain. As long as the facts and concepts are clear, a short book could be as good as a longer one.

That doesn’t mean all nonfiction books are short. If you’re covering a long period of history, writing an in-depth political treatise, or telling a particularly compelling life story, you’ll need more space. On the other hand, if you’re writing a how-to guide on a relatively straightforward topic, brevity is your friend.

Novels are different. Book lovers read fiction to immerse themselves in a narrative—or even a new world. So it’s no surprise the average fiction book runs 80,000–100,000 words. Unless the book is advertised as a novella, an eager book reader might be disappointed if it turns out to be shorter than expected. It takes a certain amount of words for a writer to develop the layered plots and complex characters that make novels so immersive.

Cost + length = the sweet spot

Can a very short novel or novella still tell a gripping story that transports readers? It sure can! But don’t forget to consider that the size of your Kindle e-book can impact what readers are willing to pay. While you could charge as much as $9.99 for a full-length novel, Book Cave claims that novellas priced higher than $2.99 tend to garner negative reviews.

Why? Because most Kindle users don’t check the word count before making an e-book purchase. If the book proves shorter than expected, readers may feel cheated. Again, that’s often less true for nonfiction books like how-to guides. Since readers see these books as information resources, size isn’t as important. Understanding these nuances is key to marketing your book to the right audience—and ensuring it meets their expectations for length and cost.

Is there a minimum word count for a poetry collection?

Word count usually doesn’t matter for poetry. After all, poems are meant to be read slowly and savored. One poem might have dozens of stanzas. Another might feature ten words and a lot of white space.

So it’s best to measure your poetry collection in pages rather than words. According to Writer’s Relief, a typical poetry collection might be as short as forty-eight pages or as long as ninety-six pages. Many poets publish their poems in the form of a chapbook—a much shorter collection with as few as twenty-four pages.

The perfect size for a graphic novel

Another type of e-book becoming more popular by the day is the graphic novel. According to the Author Learning Center, these can be anywhere from forty-eight to five hundred pages long. Graphic novels usually run far longer than comic books.

Of course, the size of a graphic novel depends on how many pages—or frames—you need to tell the story. But unlike with a regular novel, you might have to consider file size when formatting your graphic novel as a Kindle e-book. Because images take up a lot of space, you’ll need to take care not to exceed the 650 MB maximum.

Size isn’t the most important thing for your Kindle e-book.

Remember the story of Goldilocks? Keep it in mind when you think about the right size for your Kindle book: not too short, not too long, but just right. Your readers will appreciate that you took the time to edit your book to the size it needs to be. Most importantly, they’ll appreciate your well-crafted story, compelling argument, or page-turning biography. When your book’s that good, who’s counting words?

There is no “right” size for a Kindle book.

But we’ll help you find the right size for your book. Elite Authors is a comprehensive editing agency that offers a full suite of publishing services—everything you need to go from fledgling writer to published author—in one place. Whether you’ve just finished a book or you’re about to start one, we can ensure your manuscript is Kindle ready. Learn more about our services.

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If you want to get anywhere with your writing, it’s important to treat it as a job, even if you’re not necessarily earning any income from it yet. This is true whether you’re crafting the next Pulitzer-winning novel, a groundbreaking scientific paper on particle physics, or even your own private diary. It’s essential to learn how to get in the habit of writing every day.

The chances are that you have many other responsibilities in your day, so how do you go about getting the time to write? Well, there’s no chance of creating more hours in the day, so it might be a case of making some sacrifices to focus on what’s important to you. Let’s look at how.

Make the time.

Getting up an hour earlier in the morning, or spending an hour in the evening on your writing rather than TV or social media, can really up your work rate. To be truly productive and learn how to get in the habit of writing every day, you need to treat it as part of your routine and something that can’t be missed. If you commit yourself to writing five hundred words a day, then you’ll soon find that they stack up.

Get fit to burst.

If a single block of time isn’t feasible or doesn’t work for you, try writing in short bursts. Take ten minutes during your coffee break, just after you get home from work, or while waiting in the doctor’s office. This approach really suits some people and is good for keeping the ideas percolating throughout the day.

Sprint for victory.

If you really want to up your word count, then try engaging in writing sprints. Set a ten-minute timer, and then try to hit a certain target, or simply write as much as you can. Take a five-minute break, then get straight back into it. You can do this by yourself or even find others to “compete” against via hashtags such as #WordSprint, #SprintDaily, or #1k1hr.

A byproduct of that is you’ll connect with other writers, and it’s always helpful to have a sense of community and encouragement. You may end up with some results that need quite a bit of editing, but it’s a lot easier to work with something rather than nothing, and the good folks here at Elite are always on standby with a helping hand!

All in all, getting into a good rhythm and routine is key to excellent and regular writing. Time may be a finite resource, but the trick is knowing how to bend and shape it to meet our own needs. We hope you see rich fruit from these takeaways on how to get in the habit of writing every day.

Like this post? Check out this one on starting a blog, and this one on starting a ghostwriting career.

The post How to Get in the Habit of Writing Every Day: Treat Time like Putty and Squeeze It. appeared first on Elite Authors.

You’re at the Grand Canyon. It’s breathtaking in a way that makes you speechless but not wordless. Your hands begin to twitch with the need to capture what you’re smelling, tasting, hearing, seeing, and feeling. But you’re only off for a few days, and your office job is waiting for you come Monday morning. That’s when you find yourself wondering, Do any jobs pay you to travel and write books?

The light bulb goes off. Your distinct voice is ready to capture different parts of the world. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Let’s hit the open road toward that ultimate destination—getting paid to travel and write books.

Blogging—not grease—is the word

A great place to get started as a travel writer is via blogging. You can get paid to blog. Many travel magazines will pay a blogger to provide engaging content for their readers. Moreover, travel companies often pay for bloggers and social media influencers to take sponsored trips and write about their experiences on the company’s website.

You can also start your own blog and allow advertising on your site as well as connect to other social media platforms (like Instagram and Twitter) to get your words out into the world. (See the resource section at the end of this post for more information.) Though your blog will likely not pay the bills for a while, part of your job as an independent blogger is to grow your followers. Once you have built a platform, you can partner with like-minded brands, which will bring in money that will allow you to travel and write books.

The point of a blog, beyond a way for you to find and practice your distinct writing personality, is to make believers out of your readers. This may parlay into other paid travel-writing opportunities. Blogging builds your writing portfolio and your traveling experience, and those are tickets to more and better opportunities.

Journalism

Journalism is a job that often requires writers to produce material on assignment or, if you’re a freelance journalist, on a pitch you’ve created. The subject matter may not be travelcentric, but traveling is incorporated into the job description.

Of course, freelance travel journalism specifically allows a writer to travel and create articles about special interests or holidays or special events. Still, at first, freelance travel journalism may be a rough way to make a decent living. Keep building your brand and your writing voice throughout the process. Start a portfolio. Collect followers. Write and pitch your work to travel guides, magazines, and journals. Find a unique angle, like you would for any story, and go for it!

Newspapers are sometimes open to travel pitches from freelance writers. While they probably won’t pay for your travel expenses, they will pay for your writing. This is true of a lot of freelance travel journalism. At first, you’re paying for your travel expenses, but the publication is paying you for the words you write afterward. Once you’ve established yourself more fully, you’ll confidently be able to negotiate getting paid to travel and write books.

Travel-books

If a travel guidebook editor hires you, you can get paid to go to specific locations and report back, much like journalism. Guidebook writing allows you to get paid to travel and write books. You may not be going exactly where you want to explore, but you’ll be traveling and getting paid to write on your assignments.

Setting your book in faraway lands

Most people have at least heard of Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love. Gilbert became one of the world’s most influential people (according to Time) for her work in traveling and writing. Her journey to India, Italy, and Indonesia after a bad divorce was so inspiring that many readers subsequently did their own versions of an “eat, pray, love” soul cleansing. Other writers like Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson have traveled and then written books about their traveling. Publishers are more likely to pay you to travel and write books if you have a preexisting platform and a reason for your exploration.

Persistence on the journey

So do any jobs pay you to travel and write books? You now know the answer is yes.
Enjoy the experience of building your brand, blog, or portfolio as you take on whichever job most fits your dreams. Even before you’re getting paid, you’ll be paid with memories that will transform you. You’re one of the lucky ones. You’re living life. These jobs often take years to offer steady income, but they’re worth it if you believe they are.

Furthermore, it doesn’t matter whether an article, memoir, blog, essay, or book remains your end goal—your words will inspire others when you share them. And people will be compelled to pay you to tell them a good story, which will often lead to even more job opportunities. As writers, isn’t that what we crave? Do any jobs pay you to travel and write books? Many do. Many will.

I can’t wait to read about the places you’ll go. That’s more than a Dr. Seuss saying.

It’s a mantra.

Resources:

https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/
https://30dayblogchallenge.com/
https://www.greatescapepublishing.com/
https://www.frommers.com/tips/miscellaneous/travel-writing-101-the-freelance-life

The post Do Any Jobs Pay You to Travel and Write Books? appeared first on Elite Authors.

Congratulations on finishing your book. It’s quite an accomplishment! Once you’ve typed the last words into your masterpiece, it’s time to start marketing your book.

Your book marketing strategy will depend on the type of book you’ve written and how you’re publishing it. Once you’ve developed the marketing plan and learned how to market your book, you can get to advertising. Then just wait for those book sales to ring up!

How to market different types of books

Different types of books require different marketing strategies. Of course you want to market to your particular genre. Additionally, though, it’s important to consider what type of book you’ve written, how you’re publishing it, and whether you’re creating a print book or an e-book.

Why is it important to consider the type of book when you develop your book marketing strategy?

When you develop your book marketing strategy, it’s important to consider what type of book you’ve written. This will help you identify your target audience so you can market directly to them. The easier you make it for people to find you, the more people will buy and read your book.

The key here is to consider the differences in marketing different types of books, starting with whether you’re self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher.

What is the difference between marketing a traditionally published book vs. a self-published book?

Traditional publishing companies usually offer their authors marketing support. Your publisher might have a full in-house marketing team. Professional book marketers know how to create buzz through methods like paid advertisements and book launch events. The contract you sign with your publishing house will likely include a marketing plan and budget so you know how much money the publisher is putting into your book marketing.  

Self-published authors don’t have the benefit of professional marketers at their disposal. If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to promote the book on your own. Fortunately, the internet makes it easy for self-published authors to get the word out there. It’ll take some hard work, but you can creatively—and successfully—market your self-published book.

What is the difference between marketing an e-book vs. a print book?

In a way, marketing an e-book can be more straightforward than marketing a print book. Since e-books are only published online, readers usually find their next favorite e-book by perusing the internet or the distribution channels like Amazon Kindle.

If you’re printing your book, the internet is still a fantastic place to market. However, in addition to promoting your book online, there are other methods to consider when you develop your book marketing strategy.

Developing a marketing strategy for your book

Regardless of your publishing method and type of book, there are things to keep in mind as you develop your book marketing plan. Once you’ve researched those elements, you can begin to start on the actual marketing strategy—and even learn how to market your book for free.

What should you consider when developing a marketing strategy for your book?

When you develop your book marketing plan, you want to consider two main things: your target audience and how other authors have successfully marketed their books.

Your target audience largely drives your book marketing strategy. You want to put your book in front of potential readers who will enjoy your story. So find out where readers who enjoy your genre find their books. Do they read online reviews? Are they part of Facebook groups that suggest new books? Or do they visit a local library or bookstore?

Additionally, you can use other authors’ success for book marketing ideas. Pick a few famous books in your genre. Did those authors market online? Did they hold book launch events? How did they get the word out about their new book?

Once you identify your target audience and learn from other successful book marketing strategies, your marketing job becomes much easier. And then, you can begin to develop your book marketing plan.

How do you develop a marketing strategy for your book?

You’ve already identified your target market and researched other successful book marketing strategies. So you’re ahead of the game! Now you can truly begin to develop your book marketing plan. Here are a few next steps to keep up that momentum:

• Design a great book cover.
• Create an author website.
• Promote your book on social media platforms.
• Host a book launch event.
• Consider paid advertisements for your book.

Pick the marketing methods that will work best for you. And if you’re marketing your book on a tight budget, you can find free book marketing resources available to you.

What free resources are available to an author who wants to market their book?

Self-publishing can get expensive—especially when you’re trying to market your book. Fortunately, there are some great ways to market your book for free.

In-person advertising is a great way to get the word out about your book. Search for a book club that might be interested in your work. Or ask your local library or bookstore to hold an author meet and greet. These events are inexpensive and a great way to get your name out there.

You should also establish a presence on social media. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are free to join and are great forums to talk about your book. You can even connect with book groups with authors and readers in your genre to plug your book.

In fact, social media marketing is only one of the great ways to market your book online.

How to market your book online

Many readers find their next favorite book online. The internet is one of the most powerful book marketing tours available to you. From your author website to social media, online marketing can put your book in front of more potential readers than you ever thought possible.

Why is it important to create an author website?

When you market a new book, you want to have a place to send your readers to learn more about you. The best way to do this is to create an author website.

Here are a few components that your author website should include:

• A list of where readers can buy your books. Regardless of whether you worked with a traditional publishing company, have a self-published print book, or used an e-book site like Amazon Kindle, let your website visitors know where they can buy your books.
• An author bio. Let your readers know a bit about you. Where are you from? What draws you to the themes that you write about? Give your readers a glimpse into what makes you tick.
• Your author photo. Remember that expression “A picture is worth a thousand words”? There’s some truth to it. Your author picture communicates your work’s tone and style to your audience.
• Reviews and testimonials. People love reading reviews. Be sure to include some online reviews and even a testimonial or two about your work—especially if it’s from a credible source like another author or a publishing industry professional.

So get your author website up and running. Then, log onto social media to continue building your online presence.

How can you use social media to market your book?

Billions of people—including your target audience—use social media every day. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are powerful marketing platforms for your book. You can even create a publications page or an author page so people can learn about you, your work, and where to buy your book.

Another idea is to launch a paid ad campaign platforms like Facebook Ads. When you allocate part of your marketing budget to paid advertising, you’ll put your book in front of a wider audience. And since more exposure often leads to more book sales, you should get some great return on your investment!

What other online tools should you use to market your book?

Social media is a fantastic marketing tool for any author trying to spread the word about their book. However, don’t restrict your online marketing to just those platforms. Use other internet-based resources to build your online presence.

For example, contact influencers to promote your book. This comes with an expense, but because top influencers have hundreds of thousands of followers, they can get your name out there with just a post or two.

Additionally, email websites that discuss your genre. Write a guest blog for them to post on their page. And don’t forget about the power of online reviews! Ask your family, friends, colleagues, and other authors or book industry professionals to write an online review about your book. The more reviews you have, the more interest you’ll create in your book.

Other ways to market your book

As great as online marketing is, there are a few other avenues to explore when you market your book. One great marketing method is even built into the book you’re publishing: your very own book cover.

How can you use your book cover as a marketing tool for your book?

You might not realize it, but your book cover itself is a powerful marketing tool. Your book cover doesn’t just show your author name and book title. The cover quickly gives your prospective reader an idea of what your book is about. And great book cover design draws people in so they can’t wait to dive into your book.

The book cover should include a brief description about your story, as well as a cover image that reflects the tone and theme of your book. For example, a children’s book with colorful illustrations should showcase the illustrated characters on the cover.

In addition, include a short author bio, a small author picture, and a couple of testimonials on the book cover. Let your reader get a sense of your writing style, what the book is about, and why people loved reading it. In other words, help your potential reader judge your book by its cover!

Why should you consider holding an event to market your book?

Readers like to learn about the person who’s telling the story. And what better way to teach them about who you are than to meet them in person?

First, create excitement online about your upcoming book launch, signing, or chapter reading. Post about the event on social media and your author website so people know where and when they can meet you. Start marketing your event as early as possible. Six to twelve months before the event is a good timeline. 

When the event finally rolls around, enjoy yourself! Chat with as many attendees as possible. The more people you connect with, the more positive buzz you and your book will get. A great event causes a ripple effect, as attendees spread the word after the event itself. Then you can sit back and wait for those book sales to ring up!

What are some examples of ways other authors have successfully marketed their book?

You already know that the internet is a great place to market your book. And it’s also great to help you find examples of how other authors have successfully marketed their books.  

Check out your favorite authors’ social media pages, author websites, and online reviews. These should tell a story of how they earned their fame. What worked for them? What methods seem to have failed? Use their positive and negative marketing experiences to determine how to market your book—and what marketing methods to avoid.

Use an Elite marketing strategy to market your book.

Successful book marketing doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and hard work.

Elite Authors is here to help. You did the heavy lifting by crafting a book that people want to read. Now let us get your book out there! Visit our website to learn about our book marketing services.

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