At Yorkshire Publishing, we truly love our authors. They’re passionate, creative, hopeful, and deeply invested in their books. And because it’s April Fools’ Day, we thought we’d have a little fun with a few questions authors absolutely, positively never ask when starting their publishing journey. Can I use AI the illustrate my book? No; while… Continue reading 10 Questions Authors Definitely Don’t Ask Us (wink, wink)
Authors ask me all the time: Do I really need a newsletter? My answer is always a resounding yes! Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or children’s books, building your author newsletter and email list isn’t optional—it’s essential for your long-term career. Here are six reasons why every author should have a newsletter (and how it helps grow your… Continue reading Should Authors Have a Newsletter? Yes! And Here’s Why
You’ve written the book. Maybe you’re still writing it. Either way, someone gave you advice you probably brushed off: start building your author brand. Here’s why that advice matters more than you think, and exactly how to do it. Why Your Author Brand Directly Impacts Book Sales Readers don’t just buy books. They buy into… Continue reading Author Branding 101: How to Build a Platform That Sells Books
If you are an author, there is a good chance you have received one of these calls. The phone rings. The person on the other end says they discovered your book online and have an exciting opportunity to help it reach more readers. They may claim to work with bookstores, reading programs or national book… Continue reading Don’t Answer the Phone: New Scams Targeting Authors
The publishing world has changed. The publishing industry is evolving rapidly. Traditional publishers are becoming increasingly risk adverse, tightening their acquisition purse strings and focusing on a tried-and-true formula. They want to see a profit, and for an industry that generates up to $6 billion dollars in revenue (PublishersWeekly), a modest ten-thousand-copy print run isn’t… Continue reading WHAT IS HYBRID PUBLISHING? (and is it a scam?)
If you are an author who dreads social media, you are not alone. Over the last decade, social media has shifted from a casual networking tool to a perceived requirement for authors. Writers are told they must build a brand, post daily, master video, understand algorithms, and grow an audience before their book even launches.… Continue reading Social Media For Authors Who Hate Social Media
Your book birthday—also known as your book launch anniversary or publication anniversary—is a holiday that should be celebrated. Whether you’re marking launch day, a one-year book anniversary, or realizing your book has quietly been out in the world for a few years, this moment matters—so make it count. A book birthday is a built-in excuse… Continue reading 7 Ways to Celebrate Your Book Birthday
One common writing mistake we see when evaluating manuscript submissions is that many authors don’t know how to write for their target audience. But writing with a clear reader in mind is one of the most important things you can do for your book’s success. We’ve talked about how to identify your target audience before—if… Continue reading How to Write for Your Target Audience (and Why It Matters for Book Success)
First and foremost, I hope young readers develop a love of reading that will remain with them. My goal for my books is to open the door to learning…
So you’ve finished your manuscript. Congratulations! That is a huge milestone—one that deserves celebration. But you might also be asking yourself, “What’s next?” You’ve spent countless hours crafting your story, your characters, your message, your world, and now, you are ready for the world to read your words. Now, you need to learn how to… Continue reading How to find beta readers (and why every author needs them)
You’ve poured your heart into writing a novel, and now you want to get it published! The first step? Learning how to write a query letter. Whether you’re pitching an agent, a small or hybrid publisher, or an acquisitions editor, you need a strong query letter—one that will stand out in a sea of submissions.… Continue reading How to Write a Fiction Query Letter that Stands Out
So, you have a great book idea—whether it’s a memoir, a nonfiction deep dive, or a fresh take on a familiar topic—and you’re ready to get published! But how do you convince a publisher (or a literary agent) to take a chance on it? You write a book proposal. It might seem daunting, or maybe… Continue reading How to Write a Book Proposal That Actually Gets Noticed
For authors, landing an interview or a guest post on a blog can feel like striking gold. But here’s the reality: while those are fantastic for gaining access to a broader audience, it doesn’t always translate directly into book sales. If you’ve successfully pitched your book for media exposure, the next step is learning how… Continue reading How to Leverage Media Exposure to Boost Book Sales
Getting media exposure for your book through reviews, interviews, and bylined articles is an important part of marketing your book. A guest post on the right blog can lead to hundreds of sales. And it’s free! However, getting that valued exposure can feel impossible. With a saturated market, it’s hard to stand out from the… Continue reading How to Get Media Exposure for Your Book
Knowing your target audience is one of the most important things you can do for the success of your book. Ideally, this should happen even before you start writing, or at least in the early drafts. Yet, when I ask authors who their target audience is, 90% of the time they say, “My book is for everyone!”
The problem is, if you try to write a book for everyone, you end up writing a book for no one—or worse, a book only for yourself.
They might not ask for money, at least not right away. Scammers are sneaky. Keep an eye out for these 5 author scam red flags.
Today, we’re excited to chat with author Pamala Kennedy about her journey from pen to screen, making her book into a movie. In a world where film rights scams are on the rise, Pamala’s experience offers valuable insights for all authors.
Pamala Kennedy wears many hats: international conference speaker, teacher, life coach, counselor, and the author of three books. She recently sold the film rights to her heartfelt memoir, which details her profound journey with her husband’s terminal illness. The movie releases this year, and you can watch the trailer here.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into the interview!
Author newsletters are vital.
They have an exceptionally high conversion rate, which means they turn fans into buyers. Plus, they give you direct access to your readers. In a world where social media can go through a drastic re-branding (think Twitter) and their algorithms change all the time, you don’t want to rely completely on third parties to communicate with your readers. That is why it is so important to strategize the best way you can create a successful author newsletter.
