Amplify Your Conversion Rate With KDP’s A+ Content
By: Ginger | Posted on March 29, 2024
Self-publishing is no longer the disruptive newcomer fighting for recognition, but has matured into a viable alternative to traditional publishing. One sign of this is the fact that powerful marketing tools once reserved for the big names in the industry are now available to self-publishers as well, such as Amazon’s A+ Content section. This powerful tool allows authors to enhance their book’s product page with rich media elements, improving the professional appearance and, hopefully, the conversion rate of visitors into paying customers. Today, Ginger explores the nuances of A+ Content, providing insights and guidance on how authors can leverage this feature to amplify their book’s appeal and sales potential in a marketplace that’s more challenging than ever. In barely more than a decade, self-publishing has transformed itself from an industry-disrupting new innovation into a well-established, mature marketplace – and the “gold rush” that many early authors enjoyed is definitely over…. Read More >
Sci-Fi Novels To Explore This Year
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 26, 2024
We’ve compiled 5 out-of-this-world titles that took Hidden Gems ARC readers on a captivating journey to extraordinary dimensions. Explore this list and get ready to embark on your next exhilarating journey with these top-rated reads. The World Isn’t Ready by Kevin Mitchel It’s the year 1959, and Arnie Gibson, an amateur archaeologist, stumbles upon a mysterious artifact while walking his dog. Intrigued, he brings it home and, during examination, unwittingly activates it. Little does he know that the peculiar dust within the artifact, upon touching his fingers, triggers a profound transformation in his life. Enhanced eyesight, newfound mathematical prowess, and heightened physical capabilities all result from the powder, whose exclusive intent is to uplift humanity. “I wasn’t sure what to expect but decided to give it a whirl (this genre is far outside what I normally read) and I am glad I did,” wrote Jessica P. in her four-star review…. Read More >
Can You Use AI To Become a “Plotter”?
By: Ginger | Posted on March 22, 2024
Some authors like to plot out their novels before they start writing, and others like to fly by the seat of their pants, letting the characters direct the story as they go. However, it’s not always so black and white, with some author’s taking a more hybrid approach, and others switching from plotter to pantser depending on the project. Yet for authors who aren’t opposed to using AI for a bit of assistance in their planning process, it’s never been easier to be a plotter. As Ginger lays out in today’s blog (with some great examples), AI can not only help guide you through the plotting process of whatever genre or style of book you are writing, but it can even do so using the story structure you want your book to follow. So whether you’re using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or something else, plotting has never been easier! Traditionally, there… Read More >
Kids’ books for spring break reading
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 19, 2024
Do you have a young reader in your life? Or maybe you’re looking for a great bedtime story to enjoy with your youngest book lovers. Are you heading out for a Spring road trip? If so, we have a handful of kids’ books to add to your reading list! Our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the following titles, and we bet your young bookworm will, as well. When You Have a Brother by Debra Hewitt With 15+ ratings and a 4.4 average star rating, When You Have a Brother is a charming picture book recommended for children 2-8 years old, and describes the amazing adventures you can have with a brother. “This is the cutest book. An endearing look at the bond of brothers from early on. As a mom of 4 boys, this is perfect for little ones to enjoy the closeness of brotherhood and to encourage care, cooperation,… Read More >
Can the Hugo Awards Recover Their Credibility?
By: Ginger | Posted on March 15, 2024
For science fiction and fantasy authors, winning a Hugo Award signifies the pinnacle of achievement in the genre, a distinction historically bestowed upon literary giants such as Isaac Asimov, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Ray Bradbury. However, recent controversies involving allegations of bias, censorship, and manipulation in the voting process have tarnished the Hugo Awards’ credibility. Today, Ginger discusses the storied history of the Hugo Awards, tracing their evolution from their inception in 1953 through the genre’s golden ages, and confronting the present-day challenges that threaten their esteemed status. He examines the complex dynamics within the Hugo Awards and the debates these controversies have ignited among authors and fans, and considers the potential for the Hugos to reclaim their role as the definitive standard of excellence in science fiction and fantasy literature. Author’s Note, June 2024. Hi there! Ginger here. Back in March, I wrote an article entitled “Can the… Read More >
Best Mystery Novels to Spring You Into Next Season
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 12, 2024
Are you looking to read some of the best mystery novels that have come out lately? We have page-turning mysteries that will spring you right into next season, and we’ve rounded up some of the best that have recently been sent to our ARC readers. The Pike: A Lancashire Detective Mystery by JJ Richards DCI Walker and newly promoted DC Briggs investigate the death of a young girl at Pike Tower on Winter Hill. Initially perceived as a party gone wrong, the case unravels into something much darker, threatening the local community and Walker’s team. A cat-and-mouse chase takes them to Manchester, with more women attacked. As Walker escalates the manhunt, the grim urgency grows, and the team discovers a darkness closer than expected. “Couldn’t put it down!!!!” writes Anonymous in their five star review. “Rich plot (and a few twists I didn’t see coming lol), well developed team of… Read More >
The Author’s AI Toolkit – An Ongoing Series
By: Craig | Posted on March 8, 2024
After exploding into public awareness about a year ago, generative AI seems to be all anyone is talking about these days. First it was simply a really cool “chatbot” idea that seemed like a fun distraction and a way to get some quick answers versus having to do a traditional web search. Quickly, though, it became a looming threat hanging over virtually every industry, just waiting to take our jobs. But for authors, there is more of an opportunity to make our jobs easier than there is a chance we’ll lose them completely. AI can be used as a tool in a variety of ways to do just that, and for this reason, I’m launching a series of articles on this very topic starting with this first of the series. It’s no secret that I’ve been enthusiastic about Artificial Intelligence (AI) since I first discovered ChatGPT about a year ago…. Read More >
Romances to add to your 2024 TBR list
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 5, 2024
If you’re a regular on the Hidden Gems blog, you’ll know that romance is the most popular genre in our popular ARC program. Whether you enjoy paranormal romance, mafia romance or sweet contemporary romance, there’s a love story out there for you. So if you’re looking for a new read to sink into this month, or just add to your TBR, check out this collection of recent faves from our Hidden Gems ARC readers! Rough Score by Kenna King With over 375+ ratings and a 4.2 star average on Amazon, Rough Score is a marriage of convenience hockey romance with all the instalove vibes. South African Romance Junkie raves in their five star Amazon review, “I think Ryker is my new favourite! I loved the way they met and everything that follows. Juliet is really sweet but no pushover and together they are magic. Ryker’s family is the best and… Read More >
Exploring the Potential of Non-linear Storytelling
By: Ginger | Posted on March 1, 2024
Navigating the world of storytelling can sometimes lead us to question the rigidity of traditional narrative structures recently discussed on this blog. Not all stories fit neatly within those conventional frameworks, yet they can still captivate and resonate with audiences. One intriguing approach to this challenge is non-linear storytelling, where the sequence of events is intentionally shuffled, defying the expected chronological order. This technique has found a place in both popular literature and blockbuster films, albeit with mixed success. Adopting a non-linear timeline can be highly effective in some instances, but it also carries the risk of confusing the audience or disrupting the natural flow of the narrative. In today’s post, Ginger guides us through the nuances of non-linear storytelling to help us master this approach. He outlines the potential pitfalls and shares examples where this powerful storytelling technique can achieve maximum impact. By learning how and when to weave… Read More >
