How to Revamp your Publishing Empire in 2024
By: Ginger | Posted on December 29, 2023
Self-publishing is essentially the same as running a business, with books as your product. That means you can’t just write a novel, hit publish, and sit back as the profits roll in on your publishing empire. Like any business, you have to watch the market and your competitors, improve your existing stock, and make sure that customers are aware of what you have to offer! As a new year dawns, there is no better time to start planning how to improve your publishing business, and to help with that, Ginger has put together a month by month plan of what to look at and what to take action on. The start of a new year leads many people to make “New Year Resolutions” – goals and promises intended to lead to a happier, healthier life in the months ahead. Personally, I’m a huge fan of New Year Resolutions – even… Read More >
The Twelve Writing Tips of Christmas
By: Ginger | Posted on December 22, 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, we thought it was a good time to reiterate some of the top tips that authors should be thinking about in terms of their books and marketing efforts. And since the holidays are upon us, it seemed appropriate to put them all together in a festive and familiar way. So with that said, here are Ginger’s twelve writing tips of Christmas. May they help lead you to happiness and success as you continue on your publishing journey in 2024! Snow has already started falling across much of the United States and Canada, leaving many of us with backyards and main streets that look something out of a holiday-themed small-town romance novel. (So be wary all you successful big-city girls heading back to spend the holidays with your family, because there might just be a flannel-wearing hottie handyman waiting there to sweep you off your… Read More >
Avoid these top 10 Grammatical Errors
By: Ginger | Posted on December 15, 2023
As authors, we all strive for perfection in our storytelling, yet sometimes, minor grammatical errors can overshadow our work. That’s why understanding the rules and making sure your book is properly edited is so crucial. You don’t want readers getting distracted by small mistakes, or even worse, having the more overly enthusiastic of the bunch listing the errors out in their review! To help you recognize and rectify these mistakes before going to print, Ginger has put together a list of the 10 most pervasive grammatical errors. From subject-verb agreement to the nuances of punctuation and the pitfalls of passive voice, he provides examples and advice on identifying and fixing a variety of issues. After all, mastering grammar is not just about avoiding criticism; it’s about refining your art and ensuring that your narrative shines in its fullest glory. Did anybody catch the fifth Indiana Jones movie this summer? While… Read More >
Amazon’s Virtual Voice poised to change Audiobook Industry
By: Ginger | Posted on December 8, 2023
This December, Amazon invited a number of self-published authors to beta-test Virtual Voice – a service that promises to make the production and distribution of audiobooks as easy, seamless, and accessible as Kindle Direct Publishing was for authors of the written word. However, many audiobook producers and voice actors are upset at this platform – arguing that it will devastate their business model, and ultimately diminish the quality of audiobooks being offered to the public. Today, Ginger takes a look at this service and why, while not the first of its kind, it is likely to become the most dominant. He also examines what it means to the industry, both from the perspective of authors as well as from the perspective of the human narrators and audiobook producers that it is poised to displace. Amazon revolutionized the publishing industry on November 19, 2007 with the launch of the Kindle, an… Read More >
What can writers learn from reading Freida McFadden?
By: Ginger | Posted on December 1, 2023
Physician turned New York Times bestseller Freida McFadden is a beacon of self-publishing success, not only for writing wonderfully addictive books, but for making all the right moves to promote them as well. Any author looking to up their own game need look no further than Freida as an example of what to do right, which is exactly why Ginger has been studying her work. In today’s blog, he’s taking us through what he’s learned with regards to what has made Freida so incredibly successful. Whether it’s her skillful use of suspense and masterful crafting of plot twists, or her domination of social media and marketing copy, McFadden’s methods offer a treasure trove of lessons for other self-published authors that are looking to leave their own mark in the world of literature. While many of us self-published authors struggle to find success with our books, there are a good number… Read More >
Successful Advertising Means Playing the Long Game
By: Ginger | Posted on November 24, 2023
If you’ve ever felt like your book ads aren’t converting as quickly as they should, it could simply mean that you need to adjust your expectations rather than your images or taglines. Successful advertising is usually more about building familiarity and trust over time, rather than via instant gratification. In today’s blog, Ginger discusses how advertising your book in the digital age requires patience, and why the customer journey often requires frequent exposure to your ads before any action is taken. That understanding, combined with some fine tuning and iteration, can lead you to long term success and a loyal fan base. Google ruined advertising. In the late 1990s, during what’s now known as the “Dot-Com Bubble”, the world was introduced to ecommerce. Before then, selling and advertising was a very different racket. Back before ecommerce, most businesses understood the importance of advertising, but often weren’t able to connect exactly… Read More >
10 Ways You Can Master The Art of “Show, Not Tell”
By: Ginger | Posted on November 17, 2023
The reason the advice to “show, not tell” seems so tired and overused is that you’ve likely been hearing it since you first picked up a pen. It’s arguably the most important technique in a writer’s arsenal, but it doesn’t come naturally. If you read stories written by children, they’re almost all telling and very little showing. That’s because it’s far easier to simply tell your reader what it is you want them to know than to try and show it to them through descriptions, actions, or dialogue, yet by doing so your story is left flat and lifeless. By showing the reader your world, you create an emotional connection, you engage their imagination, and you leave a lasting impression that persists far beyond when they’ve finished your book. Today, Ginger has put together a list of 10 different ways you can show, not tell – each one backed up… Read More >
What can writers learn from the works of Andy Weir?
By: Ginger | Posted on November 10, 2023
Certain authors create stories that captivate readers, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Andy Weir, known best for his self-published hit The Martian, is one such writer. His ability to weave compelling narratives set against the backdrop of space exploration has garnered widespread acclaim, and it leaves other authors curious – what secrets can be gleaned from Weir’s writings? Today, Ginger takes a deep dive into the writings of Weir in an attempt to uncover the elements that make his work resonate with readers. By dissecting his storytelling techniques, we can all learn to be better writers ourselves, and create works that will be as “out of this world” as The Martian. A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about the only four ways to consistently sell books, and one of the examples of a successful self-published author using one of these techniques was Andy Weir,… Read More >
5 Tips for Crafting Deliciously Memorable Villains
By: Ginger | Posted on November 3, 2023
As much as we know we’re supposed to root against them, there is something undeniably alluring to a well-crafted villain. Perhaps it’s because we’re drawn to these complex, competent, and often morally ambiguous antagonists who challenge our heroes and help intensify the drama in whatever type of story they appear in. But creating memorable villains is an art, so in today’s blog, Ginger is attempting to unravel some of the secrets that help make our bad guys truly unforgettable. From the complex backstory of Hannibal Lecter to the moral ambiguity of Jaime Lannister, these villains have distinct traits, personality quirks, and compelling motivations that make them uniquely suited to causing havoc in our stories. When done right, these characters will linger in the minds of our readers, which is the best way to keep them coming back for more! Whether it’s Lord Voldemort, Darth Vader, or HAL 2000, one thing… Read More >
Wait, is there a FIFTH way to sell books?
By: Ginger | Posted on October 27, 2023
When Ginger posted his blog last week, at least one reader took exception to his stance that there were only four ways to effectively sell books, pointing out that a well-crafted book with effective marketing can also lead to success, even if it doesn’t result in overnight stardom. This question led Ginger to wonder whether there was a fifth way to sell books, and in today’s article he explores this topic by delving into the nuances of book sales, the definition of success and the effect of multiple factors working together to help build your career as an author. Last week I wrote a blog post entitled “The ONLY Four Ways to Sell Books” and not everybody was thrilled with it. One of our wonderful readers, Bonnie Bonaduce, had this to say about it: I have to say, this post was quite upsetting. As a new author recently published last… Read More >
