You’re Not Just a Writer—You’re a Business Owner
By: Ginger | Posted on March 28, 2025
Most authors just want to tell stories, not crunch numbers. But in the world of self-publishing, writing a great book is only half the equation. The other, less glamorous (but equally vital) part is knowing how to track what’s working and what isn’t. That means thinking like a business owner. And every successful business runs on data. That’s why today, Ginger is going through the steps needed to turn your sporadic writing side hustle into a more sustainable, full-time income. By tracking key metrics like word count, book performance and marketing results, you’ll gain the insight needed to make smarter decisions. Once you start acting on those knowledge, you’ll find it easier to grow your audience, boost your sales, and ultimately stop leaving your publishing success up to chance. I’ve mentioned before how I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was 9-years-old—but even back then, I had more of… Read More >
The One AI Use Writers Won’t Hate
By: Ginger | Posted on March 21, 2025
The soul of being an author is writing books—and no machine, no matter how advanced, will ever truly replicate that. But just because we don’t want AI handling our plot twists doesn’t mean it can’t serve us in other ways. In fact, when it comes to one of the biggest bottlenecks self-published authors face in selling more books, AI might actually be the perfect secret weapon. As Ginger points out in today’s blog, writing may be our passion, but publishing is a business. And buried in that business is a mountain of data—ad results, sales numbers, conversion rates—that most authors don’t have the time (or desire) to sift through. But AI was built to make sense of messy data, and in Ginger’s case, it helped diagnose the issues with his ads and pull him out of a recent slump. So if you’d like to stop crunching numbers and get back… Read More >
The Key to Selling Books: Find Your Hook
By: Ginger | Posted on March 14, 2025
If you want to sell more books, you need a hook that stops readers in their tracks. With thousands of new titles flooding the market every day, your book needs a way to stand out. A strong hook is what keeps readers from scrolling past your title and onto the next, as it compels them to stop and find out more! In today’s blog, Ginger breaks down what makes a killer book hook, how to identify yours, and why some of the most successful self-published books of all time owe their rise to a single, unforgettable concept. He’s sharing actionable tips to help you distill your book’s premise into a gripping one-liner that grabs attention, strengthens your marketing, and ensures your story doesn’t disappear into the void. A few months ago I wrote a blog post called “the only four ways to sell books” and I wanted to revisit one… Read More >
What Writers Can Learn From the James Bond Formula
By: Ginger | Posted on March 7, 2025
This past February, Amazon MGM Studios made a billion-dollar deal to take over control of the James Bond franchise. After five years without a Bond film, this seems to signal that the super spy is on the verge of a major comeback. But for many familiar with the studio’s history, there are legitimate concerns about this return. Will the online retailer turned movie studio stay true to the Bond formula that has kept the franchise running successfully for six decades, or will they fumble it like they did with The Rings of Power? Because there’s no doubt, the existing 25 films follow a well-established “Bond formula” that fans have come to know, love, and most importantly, expect. And that’s the lesson Ginger aims to teach us this week. The success of James Bond isn’t just about fast cars and shaken martinis, but about understanding audience expectations and delivering on them…. Read More >
Kindle Download Removal: A Warning Sign for Digital Ownership
By: Ginger | Posted on February 21, 2025
Imagine waking up one day to find that the books you purchased and thought you owned were no longer accessible, or had been altered from the versions you remembered. That’s not just a hypothetical fear, but the unsettling direction Amazon has begun to move toward. As of February 26, 2025, the eBook retailer quietly removed the Kindle download option, eliminating the ability to save purchased books to a computer. It may seem like a minor technical shift, but in reality, it signals a growing trend where readers don’t fully own their digital purchases, and authors are left more vulnerable to the whims of a single platform. What happens if access to a book you bought is later restricted or its content is modified? And what does this mean for self-published authors who have built their careers within these ecosystems? This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about control. As both readers and… Read More >
Is the Book Always Better Than the Movie?
By: Ginger | Posted on February 21, 2025
We’ve all watched a movie adaptation of a book we love, only to walk away shaking our heads, muttering that “the book was better”. It happens so often that it feels like an unshakable truth—and as authors, let’s be honest, there’s a little satisfaction in knowing that a novel’s depth and nuance are hard to replicate on screen. But every now and then, a film or TV show not only gets it right but actually improves on its source material, capturing the essence of a book while also fixing its flaws. Writers spend countless hours crafting intricate worlds, shaping unforgettable characters, and fine-tuning every detail—so why do some stories translate brilliantly to film while others lose some of their magic? And perhaps more importantly, what can authors learn from these successes and failures? With the small screen version of Reacher returning for Season 3 this week, there is no better… Read More >
Social Media Posts Don’t Change Minds: Great Writing Does
By: Ginger | Posted on February 14, 2025
In our increasingly divided world, writers often get drawn into the trap of social media debates, using their words to challenge injustices, argue political points, or simply vent frustration about the overall state of society. But while the instant gratification of likes, shares, and comments can feel validating, is it really the best use of a writer’s voice? Or are we just feeding an algorithm designed to stoke division rather than create real impact? In today’s blog, Ginger argues that writers are far more likely to change minds through compelling, thoughtful storytelling than through fleeting social media posts. History has shown that books, essays, and fiction have the power to shift perspectives, shape ideologies, and even inspire revolutions. Instead of chasing the instantly gratifying yet quickly forgotten validation of social media, writers should instead focus on crafting narratives that stand the test of time and create stories that truly make… Read More >
The Five Stages of Writing a Story (According to Lucas)
By: Ginger | Posted on February 7, 2025
In their minds, I think most non-writers imagine all authors to be pantsers. That is, we simply sit down in front of a keyboard and start typing away until we arrive at a finished piece. Of course, the reality is very different. Even if you are a pantser by nature, there are still plenty of steps standing between initial idea and finished product. A successful author only makes it look easy! As Ginger explains in today’s blog, his own writing journey has evolved over the years to a more structured approach than when he first started. But regardless of your style—whether you lean more towards spontaneity or meticulous planning—he believes there are at least five essential stages to successful storytelling. And by using the evolution of the Star Wars saga as an example, he takes us through each stage step-by-step—explaining why each is crucial and how they all come together to tell… Read More >
Is it worth using Unreliable Narration in your stories?
By: Ginger | Posted on January 31, 2025
One of the most powerful tools in an author’s arsenal is the ability to shape a reader’s perception of reality—only to twist that reality on its head. Unreliable narration is one of the most effective ways to do this, drawing readers into a story where the truth is never quite what it seems. When done well, it turns storytelling into an immersive puzzle, compelling readers to read between the lines, question what they’re being told, and uncover hidden truths. Unreliable narrators make for some of the most gripping and memorable characters, as their motives, biases, or even their grasp on reality keep readers guessing until the very end. From psychological thrillers to literary classics, unreliable narration has long been used to create suspense, deepen character development, and deliver shocking twists. But how can you apply this technique to your own writing? In today’s blog, Ginger explores how to do just… Read More >
What can writers learn from Colleen Hoover?
By: Ginger | Posted on January 24, 2025
When it comes to staggeringly successful self-published authors, the name Colleen Hoover should top anyone’s list. Since publishing her debut novel in 2012, she has gone on to become a literary phenomenon with over 20 million books sold and named one of the world’s most influential people in 2023. Her rise to fame should be studied as a blueprint by other aspiring writers, which is exactly what Ginger aims to help with in today’s blog as he breaks down everything that Colleen does right. By analyzing her ability to craft emotionally impactful stories, foster deep reader connections, and navigate the ever-changing publishing world, Ginger uncovers strategies that resonate far beyond the page. Hoover’s career offers countless lessons, from the art of creating unforgettable characters to leveraging modern tools like social media to engage and grow a devoted readership. Whatever skill it is you need to grow, there’s plenty to learn… Read More >
