Tag: Step Six of the Novel Writing Process

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Supporting fellow indie authors: real strategies that benefit you too

Mandy Webster

As an independent author, it’s tempting to see other writers as competition—but that mindset can hold you back. The truth is, supporting fellow indie authors can be one of the most effective and rewarding ways to grow your own audience. By building genuine connections and promoting others, you not only foster goodwill in the writing community, but you also create opportunities to expand your reach and visibility in return.

Collaboration, not competition—indie authors grow stronger together.

Promoting other authors doesn’t just benefit them. It benefits you, too. Here’s how:

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Sending publication slips to bookstores and libraries: a guide for independent authors

Mandy Webster

As an independent author, getting your book into bookstores and libraries can significantly expand your readership and increase sales. One way to achieve this is by sending publication slips to bookstores and libraries that may be interested in carrying your book. Here’s what you need to know about publication slips, how to create them, and how to strategically send them out.

The publication slip for my novel, If You Didn’t See it Coming follows the guidelines listed in this blog post for creating a publication slip for your independant novel.

What is a publication slip?

A publication slip is a one-page marketing sheet designed to introduce your book to bookstores and libraries. It provides key details that help book buyers decide whether to stock your book. Think of it as a quick sales pitch in print form.

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Hand selling your independent novels: meeting readers and making sales

Mandy Webster

For independent authors, meeting readers face-to-face is often the best way to sell books—especially before you gain widespread recognition. While online marketing is essential, there’s no substitute for personal interactions. Readers are more likely to buy a book when they meet the author, hear about the story firsthand, and form a connection. Here’s how to maximize your success with hand selling your books at events.

Check with your local bookstore to find out if they host authors for book signings. It’s a great way to connect with readers right in your local area!

To get started with hand selling, look for local events where you can set up a table and interact with potential readers. Consider:

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Using Goodreads to connect with readers and promote your independently published novels

Mandy Webster

Goodreads is one of the most powerful platforms for authors looking to connect with readers and promote their books. As a social networking site dedicated entirely to books and reading, it provides a unique opportunity for independent authors to gain visibility, interact with potential readers, and boost book sales. While there are other book-focused platforms, Goodreads remains the most prevalent and widely used.

Readers use GoodReads to keep track of the books they’ve read and want to read, books their friends are reading, and authors whose books they want to read more of!

Goodreads is an online community for book lovers, launched in 2007 and acquired by Amazon in 2013. It allows users to track the books they read, post reviews, participate in discussions, and discover new books through recommendations. With millions of active users, Goodreads is a go-to platform for readers searching for their next read.

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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.
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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.
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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:

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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.

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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.

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