Tag: Novel Writing

Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Using an author website, social media, and profiles to build your brand and promote your books

Mandy Webster

As an independent author, your online presence is one of your most powerful marketing tools. A strong digital platform helps readers discover your work, connect with you, and stay updated on new releases. This post will cover how to effectively use an author website, social media, and author profile pages to build your brand and sell more books.

Whether you enjoy using social media or not, readers these days enjoy connecting with their favorite authors online!

Why you need an author website

Your website acts as your home base—a professional hub where readers, journalists, and event organizers can find everything they need to know about you. It should include:

  • A way for people to contact you for interviews, collaborations, or event invitations.
  • Links to buy all of your books.
  • Any interviews you’ve done, either in print, podcasts, or video.
  • A list of upcoming events, such as book signings and launches.
  • Links to your social media profiles so readers can easily follow you.
Continue reading “Using an author website, social media, and profiles to build your brand and promote your books” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Setting up a mailing list to promote your independently published novels

Mandy Webster

A mailing list is one of the most powerful marketing tools an independent author can use. Unlike social media, where algorithms dictate who sees your content, an email list allows you to communicate directly with readers who are interested in your work. Over time, this can help you build a dedicated readership, generate book sales, and create a loyal fan base.

Your mailing list should include email addresses as well as any other identifying information you might be able to collect on your potential readers and other writing-related contacts.

How mailing lists work and why they matter

Mailing lists are a direct line to your audience. When readers sign up, they give you permission to send them updates, exclusive content, and promotional offers. This relationship-building tool helps you:

  • Build long-term connections with readers who are genuinely interested in your work.
  • Keep readers engaged between book releases.
  • Promote new books, special discounts, and events.
  • Share exclusive content like bonus chapters, behind-the-scenes insights, or personal updates.
Continue reading “Setting up a mailing list to promote your independently published novels” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Tips for writing an author bio that engages readers and promotes your books

Mandy Webster

An author bio isn’t just filler for the back of your book or website—it’s one of your most powerful marketing tools. When done right, it helps readers connect with you, understand what you write, and feel more inclined to explore your work. In this post, you’ll learn how to craft an author bio that showcases your personality, builds trust, and turns casual browsers into loyal fans.

It’s important to take time to think about what parts of YOU might help you sell your novels when writing your author bio.

An author bio isn’t just a quick blurb about who you are—it’s an opportunity to connect with potential readers and invite them into the world of your books. A well-crafted bio can spark curiosity, build trust, and even inspire readers to pick up your work. Here are some tips for writing an author bio that makes an impact:

Continue reading “Tips for writing an author bio that engages readers and promotes your books” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Successful strategies for selling your independently published novel

Mandy Webster

Publishing your novel is just the beginning—getting readers to actually buy it is the real challenge. As an independent author, you have full control over your book’s marketing and sales strategy, but that also means you must take an active role in reaching your audience. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective ways to get your book into the hands of readers.

Building your author brand, expanding your reach, and selling beyond online retailers are just a few of the strategies we’ll discuss in this series on selling your independent novel.

This post serves as an introduction to a series on successful book-selling strategies. In the coming weeks, we’ll dive deeper into specific tactics, but for now, let’s explore some of the key methods indie authors use to promote and sell their work.

Continue reading “Successful strategies for selling your independently published novel” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

The most overlooked step in the novel writing process (and why you shouldn’t skip it)

Mandy Webster

You’ve done the hard part—you wrote and published your novel—but unless you know how to sell it, your story might never reach the readers it deserves. This post kicks off a new blog series on the sixth and final step of the novel writing process: selling your book. Whether you’ve chosen the independent route or you’re still weighing your publishing options, understanding how books reach readers is a crucial part of your author journey.

Handselling your books at book festivals and vendor fairs is one of the most effective ways to find your readers.

In previous posts, I’ve covered everything from brainstorming and drafting to revision and publishing. I’ve also discussed the pros and cons of both traditional and independent publishing. But when it comes to book sales, the reality is this: traditional publishing handles much of the marketing behind the scenes (and how much promotion your book receives can vary widely). Since I don’t have firsthand experience with traditional publishing—and because those strategies are often dictated by the publisher—this series will focus on what I do know from experience: selling an independently published novel.

Continue reading “The most overlooked step in the novel writing process (and why you shouldn’t skip it)” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

How to set prices and earn royalties on your independently published novel

Mandy Webster

Setting the right price for your independently published novel is crucial to maximizing your earnings while ensuring your book remains competitive in the market. The price you choose not only affects your royalties but also influences readers’ perceptions of your book’s value. Here’s how to make strategic pricing decisions and understand how royalties work.

An effective book pricing strategy will keep your novel affordable without devaluing your work.

Royalties are the payments you receive for each copy of your book sold. Unlike traditional publishing, where authors typically receive a small percentage of sales (usually 5-15%), independent authors keep a much larger share of their earnings—often 35-70% for ebooks and 40-60% for print books, depending on the publishing platform and pricing model. However, royalties are calculated after subtracting production costs, platform fees, and any distributor cuts.

Continue reading “How to set prices and earn royalties on your independently published novel” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Beta readers vs. ARC readers: do you need both as an indie author?

Mandy Webster

For independent authors, feedback is invaluable. But when it comes to getting pre-publication opinions on your book, should you use beta readers, ARC readers, or both? While they serve different purposes, each plays a crucial role in refining and marketing your book before publication.

There is a major difference between a beta reader and an ARC reader.

What are beta readers?

Beta readers are early readers of your full manuscript draft. Think of them as workshop partners—people who help you shape your book before it reaches the final stages. They provide feedback that might lead to deep revisions, pointing out plot holes, character inconsistencies, pacing issues, or anything else that could improve the reading experience. Because of this, beta readers are typically used before the final proofreading stage, when there’s still time to make significant changes.

Continue reading “Beta readers vs. ARC readers: do you need both as an indie author?” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Is it wrong to use AI for book covers? Here’s why the answer isn’t simple

Mandy Webster

If you’ve spent time in publishing spaces lately, you’ve probably seen the heated arguments over AI-generated book covers—and the moral panic that sometimes comes with them. The core of the opposition sounds reasonable: artists deserve to be paid. Many AI image generators are trained on existing artwork without permission. Some argue that using AI is stealing from creatives and eroding the value of real human labor. In this view, choosing an AI cover over hiring a professional designer is not just a budget decision—it’s an ethical failure.

To be considered a new, copyrightable work, a derivative work must be substantially different from the original and reflect the artist’s own creative input. Where should we draw the line when the “artist” is AI? Should accessibility be a consideration?

It’s also true that AI doesn’t yet create perfect, consistent, or always-usable art. Many covers made with AI look slick on a screen but fall apart in print. Designers bring not just visual skill but marketing savvy, genre expertise, and an understanding of composition that a prompt can’t replicate.

And yet, the conversation around AI art often lacks nuance.

Continue reading “Is it wrong to use AI for book covers? Here’s why the answer isn’t simple” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Book cover design for independent publishers: making your book stand out

Mandy Webster

They say not to judge a book by its cover—but when it comes to indie publishing, readers absolutely do. Your book cover is often the first—and sometimes only—chance to grab someone’s attention, so it needs to make an impact. Whether you’re working on a shoestring budget or ready to invest in professional help, understanding your options for book cover design is crucial. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of designing your own cover, hiring a designer, or trading services to create a cover that does your story justice.

In this series, we’ve reviewed the planning, writing, evaluating, and revising steps of the novel writing process. Now it’s time to publish your novel!

DIY book cover design

Designing your own book cover can be a cost-effective solution, but it requires a solid understanding of design principles. Many publishing platforms offer cover generators, but these tools are often limited and produce generic-looking covers. I used them for my first couple of books, but I quickly realized that I wanted to represent my work more professionally. If you choose to design your own cover, keep these key factors in mind:

Continue reading “Book cover design for independent publishers: making your book stand out” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

How to select the right independent publishing platform for your novel

Mandy Webster

Once you’ve finished writing your novel, the next big decision is choosing the right platform on which to publish it. With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming to determine the best fit for your book. Before diving into the platform selection process, it’s crucial to define your publishing goals. Below are a few examples of goals you may wish to achieve.

In this series, we’ve reviewed the planning, writing, evaluating, and revising steps of the novel writing process. Now it’s time to publish your novel!

Maximum reach: If you aim to reach a global audience and prioritize sales, platforms like Amazon KDP and Barnes & Noble Publish are excellent choices.

Creative control: If you want complete control over your book’s design, formatting, and distribution, platforms like Lulu and IngramSpark offer more customization options.

Royalties: Consider the royalty rates offered by different platforms. Some platforms offer higher royalties, while others may have lower rates but provide additional services.

Continue reading “How to select the right independent publishing platform for your novel” →