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Write and They Will Listen!

It’s all very well writing an article for a magazine, but how can you find out whether your message is engaging the right people and having the desired impact? Executive communications specialist Mindy Gibbins-Klein suggests that the first step to successful communication is accepting that writing very likely to be a one-way approach, at least…

The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity

We all know that book promotion (and life!) has changed since The Frugal Book Promoter was first published in 2004–particularly in ways that have to do with the Web, but in other ways, too. As an example, the publishing world in general is more open to indie publishing now than it was then. So, this…

Book Marketing Blog Carnival – January 25, 2012

Welcome to the January 25, 2012 edition of the book marketing blog carnival. Our next carnival will be posted on Wed., February 8, 2012. Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. CT on Mon., February 6, 2012. Submit your blog article to the next edition of the book marketing blog carnival using our carnival submission form….

Digital vs. Physical: Print Books and Physical Presence Being Replaced?

In the midst of the rise of ebooks, I’ve heard some buzz among authors lately, saying that print books are out. “Don’t bother getting hard copies of your books published! As long as they’re available electronically, you’re good.” I can’t say that I agree with that. Ebooks are great. They’re convenient, cost effective, and don’t…

Why We Sometimes Need to Go Back to Basics

I’m a professional author. I’ve written six novels, am currently writing my seventh, and have also published four works of non-fiction. All these books have been written for, and published by, big publishers – the likes of HarperCollins, Random House, the Hachette group and Bloomsbury. So I know what I’m doing. I’m a pro. But…

Tips to Succeed on Reality TV

Note from Cathy: Reality television is creating new stars and bestselling authors. Even Snooki has a book. Your book can lead to a spot on reality TV (I have been approached by reality show producers more than once as a result of my book.) or being on a television show can bring you the fame…

Writing the Breakout Novel

Take your fiction to the next level!Maybe you’re a first-time novelist looking for practical guidance. Maybe you’ve already been published, but your latest effort is stuck in mid-list limbo. Whatever the case may be, author and literary agent Donald Maass can show you how to take your prose to the next level and write a…

Write That Book Already!: The Tough Love You Need To Get Published Now

From the foreword by Maya Angelou:”[T]he joy they promise in their prose makes me glad that I and other writers have been willing to make good writing our aim, and even great writing our dream.” “How do I get my book published?”Good question. Lucky for you, publishing insiders Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark have…

Book Marketing Blog Carnival – January 11, 2012

Welcome to the January 11, 2012 edition of the book marketing blog carnival. Our next carnival will be posted on Wed., January 25, 2012. Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. CT on Mon., January 23, 2012. Submit your blog article to the next edition of the book marketing blog carnival using our carnival submission form….

Tell Your Story with Infographics

Are there statistics, processes or other information relevant to your book that could be presented visually? Have you considered using infographics to present this information in an easy to understand way? In this article, Dan Janal shares how one of his clients is using infographics on their website. As you read this article (and view…

Cathy Stucker's Publishing Blog

How to Send Kindle Ebook Review Copies

Reviews can help sell more copies of your books, including Kindle ebooks. However, many authors are unsure about how to send review copies of Kindle ebooks to potential reviewers. It turns out that Amazon provides a simple way to send copies of your ebook to anyone. The above video explains it in more detail.

To send a review copy, get the email address of the reviewer’s Amazon account. Go to your book’s page on Amazon and click on the “Give as a Gift” button near the buy button. Enter the email address of the person to whom you want to send the book. They will receive an email that the ebook has been gifted to them. When they accept it, the ebook will be delivered to their Kindle device or app. One caution: they can decline the ebook and elect to receive a gift certificate instead. Make sure you only gift books to people who have expressed a willingness to receive, read and review your book.

You will pay full price for the book, but you will receive a royalty. That means that your net cost is the sale price less your royalty. If your ebook sells for $2.99 with a 70% royalty, your cost will be just over $.90 (Amazon’s 30% plus a small download charge, usually a few cents). That is a small price to pay, especially when you compare it to the cost of printing and mailing a paper book.

There is another reason to choose this method instead of simply sending a file to the reviewer. When their review is posted to Amazon it will include the notation, “Amazon Verfied Purchase.” There are authors who post fraudulent or paid-for reviews on Amazon, so showing that the reviewer actually received the book from Amazon gives more credibility to their review.

(Note: Paying for reviews is against Amazon’s terms of service. However, providing a free copy to a reviewer is specifically allowed.)

Quotes About Writing

Here are some of my favorite quotations about writing, from writers and others. Writing is a solitary endeavor, but not a lonely one. When you write, your world is populated by the characters you invent and you feel those people filling your life. —Danielle Steel If my doctor told me I had only six minutes…

KDP Select – Get Your Share of $6 Million

Amazon.com has announced the KDP Select program for independent and self-publishers who offer their books for the Kindle. Let’s take a look at the terms of this new program and see if you might benefit from it. In a nutshell: Ebooks offered through KDP Select with U.S. rights will automatically be included in the Kindle…

Sell More Books This Holiday Season

The holidays are coming, and people are looking for great gift ideas for friends, family members and professional colleagues. Why not promote your book as a gift? Here are some ways you can make your book a hot gift idea for the holidays: Hold a sale. Everyone loves a bargain, especially around the holidays. Discount…

Get Quality Backlinks with Blog Commenting [VIDEO]

Blog commenting can be a good strategy for getting links and traffic to your blog. Commenting is most effective when (1) you comment on blogs in the same niche as your blog and (2) the links are do-follow, meaning that the search engines give you credit for the links. The problem is finding the blog…

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