Murdoch Books want to make sure their customers know where to buy their books. An excellent idea for independent authors when setting up their own sites…
The Theban Cycle -- A Review
Tony Whitefield’s excellent The Theban Cycle has been reviewed at some length in The Greek Herald.
“On this note, we could certainly raise a glass to Mr Whitefield’s grounding evaluation, which helps to bridge the gap between myth and reality… an iteration of the Theban Cycle that will only get better with age, just like a connoisseur’s favourite red or white.”
The Theban Cycle is available here, along with several other of Tony’s books exploring Greek history, myth and culture.
The Theban Cycle
Imagine a storyteller in ancient Greece who makes his living telling stories about recent events, sometimes only two or three generations after the events took place. How different might these stories be to the ones written down over 500 years later?
Tony Whitefield retells the well-known Greek myth of the Theban Cycle, using the voice of his storyteller Peter. By imagining these ancient stories without the direct influence of gods or supernatural events on the participants, Tony attempts to unravel mythological narratives explaining what might have occurred.
It is the year 1189 BCE, and a group of people have gathered to listen to Peter the storyteller. A Phoenician prince named Kadmus sets off to locate his sister Europa who has mysteriously vanished from their hometown of Tyre. On his journey to find his sister, he meets his wife Harmonia and presents her with two special wedding gifts. Who could have possibly imagined that these simple gifts could play such an important part for generations to come in the story of the city of Thebes.
Tony Whitefield is a retired teacher and academic who lives on the Greek island of Limnos for several months each year. The Theban Cycle is his fifth book.
Booktopia Book Distributor -- an Opportunity for Authors?
The new incarnation of Booktopia has a service that may be of interest to authors. The information below is taken from their website, and may be accessed directly here. In a world of limited distribution opportunities, this service may work for some authors, but read the fine print…
New suppliers
Booktopia has been inundated with enquiries and books from authors wishing to supply to Booktopia directly.
Over many years of perfecting our multi-million dollar Distribution Centre we are now able to offer publishers representation in the Australian marketplace. In 2017 we established Booktopia Publisher Services (BPS).
If you wish to have your books distributed by BPS, then please email bps@booktopia.com.au and our BPS team will respond shortly.
For all bookstores or businesses that want to set up an account with Booktopia Publisher Services to access supply of the books we distribute then please contact us by emailing bps@booktopia.com.au
Key benefits of distributing your books through Booktopia Publisher Services:
Supply into bookstores and business - BPS supplies product direct to bookstores, resellers and businesses. We offer unparalleled fast delivery to ensure bookstores and businesses can supply their customers seamlessly and efficiently.
Sell more units - Publisher's stock will be listed as immediately available for purchase and dispatch on Australia's leading online bookstores' websites and popular online marketplaces, ready for fast delivery to retailers, resellers and direct customers. Prices are constantly monitored to ensure they are as competitive as possible.
Bestseller lists - Sales via Booktopia and its customers are lodged with Australia’s Nielsen Bookscan. By being price competitive, this ensures that sales to Australians stay within Australia. Hence a Publisher’s bestselling titles are recognised as a bestseller which in turn influences the purchasing pattern of consumers and resellers in the Australian market.
Unique marketing opportunities - Direct access to over 4 million customers who have purchased from Booktopia and Angus & Robertson in the past decade of which 1.8 million are repeat customers.
Smart stock placement - Comprehensive access to the Australian market by holding Publisher stock in one of Australia's most sophisticated book distribution centres.
Better data - Partner with Australia's leader in book data expertise including Bibliographic content, optimising content for increasing sales and B2B+B2C digital/EDI ordering.
You do great content. We'll get it out there.
What to Put at the End of Your Ebook
Some very good advice from master editor and book promoter Dr Euan Mitchell re. ebooks (and print versions for some of the items)
a. Include your website's address as a clickable link.
b. Include the covers, blurbs and shout-lines for your other novels.
c. As part of intriguing your readers with blurbs, etc, also include clickable links to FREE SAMPLES of your other novels. (Kindle offers the first 10-20% of any novel as a free sample to any reader.)
d. Include clickable links to your socials.
e. Encourage readers to review your novel on Amazon and actually explain why it's so important.
f. Acknowledgments. This is more about your behind-the-scenes story that readers can really connect with, rather than a list of names that don't mean much to most readers.
g. Include a clickable link to your pages on Goodreads, the world's biggest book discussion/review forum.
Successful Launch of "Bouncing Back" by Peter Jerijian
Peter Jerijian’s entertaining memoir Bouncing Back was launched in June. Here is Peter’s report on the event:
We had a great evening at the Book Launch on June 21. A fairly good numbers of people attended, including some local councillors, members of parliament and the City of Greater Dandenong Mayor, Jim Memetti. Also the editor and illustrator who worked on the book.
We had a slide show and an MC who ran the event and interviewed me, followed by questions from the audience, and a nice supper so people could socialise. It was a fun and very pleasant evening.
Cameron Lucadou-Wells, the journalist from the Dandenong Star Journal, also attended and wrote an article about the book launch, (page 14 July 8) as well as doing an interview and an article about the book beforehand (page 15 June 10). You can find them on their digital website.
I was also contacted by Laurie Nowell, media manager at AMES who interviewed me and wrote an article in the AMES magazine. (See the link above)
Thomas McMahon's Search for Fame
Max Quanchi, author of Thomas McMahon’s Search for Fame, has been active on the promotional front…
I have been busy posting it around and my McMahon book has been getting an airing in the Newsletters of:
International Association for Small island Studies (ISISA)
Pacific History Association (PHA)
Pacific Arts Association (PAA)
And I sent copies for review to the following journals
History of Photography
Journal of Australian Studies
Australian Historical Studies
Journal of Pacific History
Journal of NZ and Pacific Studies.
Pacific Arts.
and to newspaper review editors (The Australian, The Age, SMH,and Courier- Mail)
ISBN: 978-1-922958-94-5
Blurb: Thomas McMahon’s photographs and reports from the southwest Pacific appeared in capital city and provincial newspapers in Australia and New Zealand, and globally in pictorial encyclopedia, books, magazines and postcards and in his own lantern slide lectures. He visited Papua and German New Guinea, the Solomons, Vanuatu, Fiji, Nauru, Banaba, Norfolk, Lord Howe Island, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands but the thousand photographs of the Islands that he published between 1915 and 1925, after self-funded expeditions across the region, failed to attract the coveted Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society that he wanted. In 1922, he turned to another career, this time as a paid journalist with a Brisbane newspaper, as their travelling back-country reporter and photographer.
He was probably the most recognized photographer of his day for both his Pacific and Queensland, Torres Strait and Northern Territory photography and certainly one of the best-informed journalists of the day who could say “I was there” when boosting Australia’s trade and commercial potential in the Islands, and in his later career, in Northern Australia.
After his death in Brisbane in 1934 he was forgotten and was rarely cited in studies of photography, journalism or Australia’s Imperial posturing after WWI. His published photographs can now be found in the bound periodicals section of libraries, and digitally through Trove, and in the works of colleagues who borrowed his images for their own books and articles. Thanks Tom, as he was known, for a wonderful archive of Australia and the Pacific in the early twentieth century.
Peter Wood and Book Promotion
Author of several excellent works of fiction for young adults, Peter Wood describes his marketing strategy as follows:
“As a self published author I choose to market my work by regularly setting up a stall at community markets and engaging personally with any interested readers. This is a slow and steady process but over time the sales mount up.
Once a year I travel to Clunes for the BookTown weekend.Thousands of people come from near and far and scores of authors get the opportunity to present their work.”
Peter is considering creating a large retractable banner for his market stall and the Booktown event.
Read more about Peter and his work here. His titles can be purchased from Amazon Australia.
10 of the Best Places to Find Beta Readers That You Probably Haven’t Tried Yet
Eleanor Hecks writes about places to assemble a team of beta readers…
Many writers already know about the beta reader groups on Goodreads or the online writer’s community Scribophile. However, there are many unique places for them to meet and connect with beta readers outside these mainstream platforms.
Underrated Beta Readers
These places can be a bit under the radar or require more searching, but they can also help writers connect with talented beta readers to review their manuscript.
1. Reddit
Reddit is home to tons of niche communities, including readers and writers. Authors can post a personal ad on relevant subreddits like r/BetaReaders and r/DestructiveReaders to find beta readers interested in reviewing their work. They can also browse existing threads and see posts from people advertising their services there.
2. Facebook Groups
Facebook has around 3 billion monthly active users, making it a viable place to find beta readers. Authors can look up writing or dedicated beta reader groups to find peers they may want to work with.
3. Alumni Networks
Schools and universities boast vast alumni networks that include literature enthusiasts, writers and publishing professionals. For example, Harvard Business School has 90,662 alumni across 173 countries, making it the perfect place to look for beta readers and creative collaborators. Writers can reach out through alumni events, directories or mutual acquaintances and propose the arrangement.
4. Instagram Communities
Instagram has a growing community of readers and writers who can find each other through writing or genre-related hashtags. The platform hosts 2 billion active users, and some users advertise their services through hashtags like #betareaders or #betareaderswanted.
5. Twitter Hashtags
Twitter (now X) is a hub for real-time engagement for various niche groups, including the writing community. Writers can explore the search function and connect with beta readers and fellow authors through hashtags like #betareader and #writingcommunity.
6. Fiverr
A paid beta read is a good idea for writers who want a stranger’s opinion. Online gig platforms like Fiverr host hundreds of beta readers, whose prices range from $5 to over $500, depending on experience and expertise. When finding a beta reader on these platforms, it’s good practice to check their reviews or ask them about their experience to see if they are a good fit for the project.
7. Writing Workshops
Both online and in-person writing workshops establish an environment that welcomes feedback. Joining one, even for other forms of writing, helps authors connect and find potential beta readers. They can share excerpts of their work and receive feedback from fellow skilled wordsmiths.
8. Local Literary Events
Book fairs, conferences or bookstore readings are great places to meet other writers and readers. Conversations at these events can lead to beta reading exchanges or help authors find potential collaborators. For example, they can meet sensitivity readers, a type of editor specializing in promoting authentic representation of marginalized identities.
9. Fellow Authors
Some of the best beta readers are also writers. Authors understand story structure, pacing, tone and basic language rules. Writers can tap into their personal networks and find friends or acquaintances to beta read their work.
10. Friends and Family
Friends and family are some of the most accessible beta readers writers can access, especially if they’re new. They can provide helpful insights, especially if they form part of the book’s target audience. Writers may need to prepare specific questions relating to flow, clarity and other elements to guide their feedback.
Tips for Working Well With Beta Readers
Each beta reader is unique, bringing their own experience and perspectives to every manuscript they review. Here are some ways to make the most out of the writer-beta reader relationship:
1. Be Professional and Appreciative
Writers should be polite, professional and clear when approaching a potential beta reader. The first message should include a brief description of the work and some expectations. Being kind and appreciative is essential, especially since most beta readers perform this service for free.
2. Offer an Exchange
One way to secure a beta read from other writers is to offer an exchange, since it’s mutually beneficial. Beta read exchanges are also a great way to form relationships within the industry and gain expert writing insight.
3. Accept Their Critique
A beta reader might give negative feedback. As much as possible, writers should avoid arguing with their critique. They can clarify points of confusion, but accepting constructive criticism helps the writer understand other perspectives.
4. Send a Free Book
Sending a free book is good etiquette in beta reading, especially if the writer received a free service. Reading and critiquing an entire manuscript is hard work — giving away a free copy is the least a writer can do.
Thinking Outside the Box
Writers can find beta readers almost anywhere. Popular platforms like Goodreads are great, but smaller, niche or in-person communities also offer a wealth of talent to help authors refine their manuscripts and bring their stories to life.
Eleanor Hecks is a writer and web designer who is passionate about helping other writers grow their online presence. Her work can be found on her site Designerly, as well as publications such as IndependentPublishing.com and I Need a Book Cover.
Free Advice on Digital book Promotion
Ricardo Fayet of Reedsy has a well reviewed and free ebook full of advice on marketing your book digitally. Well worth a read on a topic that daunts many authors…
Writing a book is hard. Marketing it can be even harder.
Marketing a book can seem like a full-time job, what with the crazy number of things authors seem to be expected to do: social media, blog tours, advertising, price promotions, mailing lists, giveaways, you name it.
But here's a little secret: you don't need to do all those things to successfully set your book on the path to success. What you need is a solid plan to find the one or two tactics that will work, and start to drive sales… in a minimum amount of time. And that's exactly what you'll find in this book.
Instead of drowning you in information or inundating you with hundreds of different tactics and strategies that eventually prove fruitless, this book will guide you through a step-by-step framework to find the ones that actually work for you and your book, so that you can start marketing more efficiently.
In particular, you'll learn:
How to change your mindset and sell more books with less effort.;
How to write books that guarantee a lasting, profitable career;
How to get Amazon's Kindle Store to market your book for you;
How to get thousands of readers into your mailing list before you even release the book;
How to propel your book to the top of the charts at launch; and
How to automate your marketing so that you can spend less time marketing and more time writing,
After helping over 150,000 authors crack the marketing code through a popular weekly newsletter, Reedsy's Co-founder Ricardo Fayet is sharing everything he's learned over the past few years in this beginner-friendly, jargon-free guide to book marketing.
Get your copy now and benefit from all the experience of a seasoned marketing professional.
The Nile and Booktopia Generally Sell IngramSpark Books for Less than Amazon
Many of my author clients have noticed that books uploaded via IngramSpark are priced much higher on Amazon than either Booktopia or The Nile. All take the same feed from IngramSpark and all three are hyper-modern business focused on efficient fulfillment, so one would expect very similar algorithmically driven pricing.
Let’s try a few specific examples:
John Dunlop’s excellent book The Wandering Pilgrim (ISBN 9781922958969) :
Booktopia: $43.90 plus shipping
The Nile: $38.96 plus shipping
Amazon Australia: $59.84 plus shipping
Or Garry Moore’s well-researched colonial history, Ridley Willians (ISBN: 9781764082846)
Booktopia: $38.75 plus shipping
Amazon Australia: $72.01 plus shipping
Balkarri Surfcats. Entertaining children’s illustrated fiction. (ISBN: 9781922958723)
The Nile: $20.32
Booktopia: $25.35
Amazon: $36.35
and finally, Tales of An Ancient Marathoner, the life of a long-distance runner (ISBN 9781763860179)
Amazon Australia: $38.12
The Nile: $38.12
Booktopia: $42.95
Some discussion of the possible reasons behind the often massive discrepancies may be found here.
Nominate Yourself for an IngramSpark Curated List
From IngramSpark, a service that may be of some interest to authors using their POD and ebook distribution service:
Nominate Your Book Today
Promote your book as part of curated lists sent to retailers, librarians, wholesalers, consumer-facing read and review sites, and more!
Upcoming promotional opportunities from IngramSpark Distribution
Click on the “Nominate” button to submit your books for consideration to be included in that month’s promotion.
IngramSpark Distribution will review all nominations. Not all nominations will be selected for inclusion in that month’s publication.
Regional Content & Authors
Nominate your book to be considered for regionally targeted promotions by author and content. Please specify the corresponding city/state to be considered, and note if your book is set in the specified area, the content relates to that area, and/or if the author is from that area.
Self Publishing Australia -- A Resource for Independent Authors
Sometimes authors need to be a part of a larger community, to support each other and share information. Self Publishing Australia is a worthy effort to create a venue where authors post frequently on a range of topics. To join the group, go here and apply
Ask Your Enemy: an AI's Opinion on Creating Content
With AI well on the way to global conquest, I find myself framing questions for our impending overlords. In this case, how human online content creators can hold their own against torrents of auto-generated filler.
My Question: If SEO is compromised and made ineffective by the explosion of AI content, how should content creators promote websites and have them rank well in search?
And ChatGPT helpfully suggested the following:
1. Focus on User Intent
AI has made search engines more adept at understanding the context and intent behind search queries. Instead of just targeting keywords, create content that answers the questions and needs of your audience in a natural, conversational tone1.
2. Optimize for Voice Search
With the rise of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, optimizing for voice search is crucial. Use long-tail keywords and natural language phrases that people are likely to use when speaking rather than typing1.
3. Leverage AI Tools for Content Creation
AI tools can help generate and optimize content, but it's important to balance this with human creativity. Use AI to assist with tasks like keyword research, meta tag optimization, and content suggestions, but ensure the final content is high-quality and unique1.
4. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
Instead of producing a large volume of content, focus on creating fewer, high-quality pieces that provide real value to your audience. This approach can help you stand out in search results and build a loyal readership.
5. Stay Updated with SEO Trends
SEO is constantly evolving, especially with the integration of AI. Keep up with the latest trends and algorithm updates to ensure your strategies remain effective1.
6. Build a Strong Backlink Profile
Backlinks from reputable websites continue to be a strong ranking factor. Focus on creating valuable content that others will want to link to and engage in outreach to build relationships with other content creators and influencers.
By adapting to these strategies, content creators can continue to promote their websites effectively and rank well in search results, even in the age of AI content.
SEO is Dead, So What Comes Next?
Online marketing firm Newfangled breaks down the current SEO situation, and it isn’t pretty.
“Even if you are an exemplary student, play exactly by the rules and do every single thing right and start publishing this week, it’ll take you at least 18 months (or longer) before you could have any hope of seeing real results from organic Google rankings.”
The writer argues that two of the main reasons are Google’s decision to index AI content (and there is a lot of it) and that users simply do not scroll anymore. If they do not get the result they want, they change the search term rather than scroll. Bottom line: content creators are going to have to find new routes to user engagement.
“The rules of great content have not really changed at all in the past 20 years — great content engages people, builds trust and credibility, and educates the specific masses. Those are the rules and what you should do to achieve your goal of lead generation. That’s what’s changed a lot over the years.”
All of this illustrates that authors setting up their websites should not rely on automatic engagement. They will only be found by someone searching very specifically, probably for their name, or the title of their book. It is good to have a website that showcases an author’s work, but it is important to have other strategies to garner attention.
Newfangled have another interesting article on the kind of content you should put on your site, and in social media posts, to rise above the generic.
Tips and Resources for Independent Authors, 2025
WorkingType Design’s resources booklet has been updated with more author advice and resources. The booklet can be downloaded here. If you’d like to add your own experiences, advice or warnings, please let us know. The case studies in the booklet show that there are many ways to promote a new or existing book, on or offline.
What is a Business Book For
Business coach , author and social media expert Andrew Ford gives his take on the purpose of a business book:
“A book is a great resource as it establishes the author as an expert on the topic and someone who has a lot of intellectual property. The books we create with clients are all to support their existing businesses and not to sell as a way to independently make revenue. The amount of book sales necessary to get a return on investment of your time, effort and money to create a book, isn’t worthwhile. We make the returns from speaking, consulting and coaching clients based on the materials in the book. “
Andrew’s latest book detailing his 12-step e-ttraction method is out now.
Ampersand Prize is open to Self Published Titles
If you write or publish in the YA or middle grade space, you might be interested in entering Hardie Grant’s Ampersand Prize. Details below. Dates are for 2024 — no doubt the 2025 dates will be similar.
Eligibility
We accept submissions from any person who has not previously had a young adult, middle-grade or graphic novel published by a trade publishing house anywhere in the world. If you have had a picture book, general fiction (for adults), educational or non-fiction title published, you are still eligible. Submissions must be entered at Submittable.com (link will become live July 1) and all required fields must be completed before submission. Writers will be required to submit a one-page synopsis with their manuscript, as well as a 100-word explanation of why they wrote the book (used only for context).
If you are a self-published author, you are eligible to submit a manuscript provided you follow submission guidelines, and note in your cover letter whether the submitted manuscript has been self-published already. If it has, please remove it from sale for the duration of the Ampersand Prize (from 1 July 2024 until the shortlist is announced). By entering your manuscript, you agree to contract all publishing rights, including print and digital, if selected as the winner. Note that we do not accept ePub or Mobi files as submissions.
Key dates:
Submissions open: 1-31 July 2024
Shortlist announced: November 2024
Winner announced: December 2024
Web Vision Solutions -- online marketing for Authors
Independent authors often lack a plan for promoting their books and author brand online. Vanity Press publishers and others charge exorbitant fees for very uncertain results in this space. We approached local online marketing expert Ilana van Geijn and asked her if she could put together some affordable marketing packages designed for authors. She obliged and the results were as follows, with the associated introduction:
At Web Vision Solutions, we’ve been assisting our clients for over 10 years to create and establish a strong online presence to enhance brand recognition, elevate business and personal profiles, and drive sales of services and/or products.
As authors, we understand your specific needs. Our Book Marketing Professional team member has over 15 years experience, and teamed with my passion of creating and enhancing clients' online businesses, we combine our knowledge to craft a tailored strategy for you as an author. With a proven track record of collaborating with self published, traditionally published, USA Today and New York Times Best-Selling Authors, as well as small publishers, we ensure that every project we undertake meets the highest standards.
Ilana van Geijn
Founder, Web Vision Solutions
Some of the packages available are:
Book Launch and Marketing Strategy Packages — full and half
Amazon Publishing Package
NetGalley Promotion
Information For Ingram Spark Users
Websites, Social Media & More...
The full document can be downloaded here.
To get in touch with Web Vision Solutions:
To book in for a Discovery Call with Ilana, please click here.
Alternatively, please email us at info@webvisionsolutions.com and we will
connect with you within 24-48 hours.