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When approached by self-published authors for help with book promotion, I used to ask a single question: “Do you have blurbs from at least two established authors?” If the answer was no, I’d suggest they gather some before we speak.  Blurbs are an essential piece of the vetting process and vetting is crucial to gaining the media’s interest. All the more so for self-published books, which don’t have the benefit of a publishing house’s stamp … Continue reading Why You Should Query Agents For 6 + Months Before Promoting Your Self-Published Book

“What can I do to get my book onto a bestseller list?” If I had a dime for each time an author has asked me this question, I wouldn’t need to be a bestseller myself to be rich. Until recently though, my answer has always been a disappointing, “I have no idea.” Or, “There’s nothing anyone can do.” Then I had a fascinating conversation with the team over at Greenleaf Book Group, an independent publisher … Continue reading The Secrets of Trying For A Bestseller List: Interview With Greenleaf’s Magdalene Thomas

Your manuscript is finished and the agent submissions checklist is all set: Target list: check. Killer elevator pitch: check. Brief bio including previous literary accomplishments: check. SASE ready to go to those agents who still request one: check. Or perhaps you’ve decided to self-publish and everything’s ready, including a cover designed around a gorgeous image you’ve found that perfectly captures the spirit of your book.   It’s time to pull the trigger. But wait.  Isn’t … Continue reading The Skinny On Blurbs