Author services site Reedsy conduct a semi-scientific test into the relative marketing merits of a better designed cover. The signal seems pretty clear, though one would want to make such tests on a much larger scale to fully quantify the effectiveness. But of course there is a reason mainstream publishers invest a lot of effort into eye-catching genre-appropriate cover designs — it very much works, and catches the segment of the buying public interested in that specific kind of title.
author2audio - audiobook and podcast production for independent authors
Dave Stokes writes regarding his excellent audiobook service to independent authors…
author2audio - audiobook and podcast production
We help independently published authors to create, record and publish their audiobooks to 20 plus international retailers including Amazon/Audible, Apple Books and Google Play - studio free, and you keep the royalties.
Our process takes you every step of the way - from setting up your home office recording environment and equipment, through narration technique, editing, production and to publication.
Rates start at AUD $500 (plus tax) per 10,000 words with an affordable minimum charge.
If you feel a narrator suits your needs, we can help with our experienced team of voice actors there too.
Please enjoy the following short (5 minute) video guide to recording. It'll give you a 'fly on the wall' perspective on your recording adventure:
I'll look forward to having an introductory chat with you on 0401 958 883 or at dave@author2audio. Oh - and if you like - on Zoom (and our website...)
P.S. Check out a sample from one of customer's audiobooks in the following link:
Tim Wood - Your amazing brand story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IebMcMlLGk
https://videos.files.wordpress.com/XW7N6hX1/a-river-divided-sample.mp4
Hybrid Publishing
Books + Publishing recently published a fairly lengthy and nuanced discussion on the state of ‘hybrid publishing’ in Australia. The article defines hybrid publishing as “a situation where ‘a writer pays money for publication, and grants the company a licence of rights or the company takes a share of any profits”. Hybrid Publisher Shawline Publishing is mentioned, along with their recent opening of a bookstore in Ballarat focused on promoting indie authors. Their Facebook page is here.
Books + Publishing also posted a useful checklist for authors considering signing on with a hybrid publisher. Reedsy’s take on hybrid publishing is here.
Independent authors and making a living
Book marketing guru Joanne Penn practises extreme financial openness, breaking down her book sales by format, genre and country… Her advice is always worth considering.
An Authors Report — A Winter Sowing
Adrian Caesar is a talented and experienced writer, the author of: Novels: The White: Last Days in the Antarctic Journeys of Scott and Mawson 1911-1913 (1999), The Blessing (2015), Collected poetry: Hunger Games (1996), Life Sentences (1998), The June Fireworks: New and Selected Poems (2001), High Wire (2005), Dark Cupboards New Rooms (2014).
He reports on the recent publication of A Winter Sowing under the Arcadia imprint with Australian Scholarly Publishing:
”I’m happy to report I’ve had some fabulous responses to A Winter Sowing in the form of twenty-odd personal emails, texts etc. Someone mentioned it on the ABC Book Club website and a small book club down here read it. All this is great, but it isn’t as yet translating into sales. I’m finding the contrast between reader response and sales frustrating but it was the same story with my previous book. My wife and I will plug on doing what we can. A couple of bookshops are interested in hosting events in late Feb and March and we’re thinking of hiring a student to do some marketing work via social media. I’ll keep you posted. I’m not giving up. I’m learning to live with the idea of ‘fit audience, though few’!”
Managing Your Expectations as a First-time Author
It’s often said that everyone has at least one book in them. Good. A thriving culture is loaded with storytellers of both fact and fiction. You don’t have to be a mega-seller to enrich yours and other people’s lives with your writing. If you have written your first book, then what should you reasonably expect in terms of publication and success?
The biggest myth to bust is that your book will sell itself. Yes, your words might be captivating; yes, you might have a stunning cover; yes, you are wrung out from the many months or years of effort to create a retail-ready book; but – and it is an important but – are you genuinely ready to promote your book? Promotion is a whole other game, which requires planning, strategy and many hours of intense work. Just when you thought you could sit back, relax and wait for the phone to ring!
Creating a print book, ebook or audiobook for a global readership has never been easier. That’s the good news. However, this also means there are millions more first-time authors around the planet competing for the attention of readers. It is often said in the book publishing industry that 95% of new titles will sell fewer than 100 copies. This includes traditionally published as well as self-published titles. A sobering statistic.
In Australia, ABC Radio is the most accessible and effective network for publicising new books. Yes, TV would be even better, but good luck getting that level of exposure unless you are already a celebrity or well-connected with TV insiders. Perhaps you think a good review in a newspaper, magazine or journal should sell truckloads. Not really. Even though a review is typically more objective than listening to a radio interview of an author spruiking the wonders of their latest title, potential readers usually find the subjectivity of the author more engaging. And what about commercial radio? Yes, this can work, but more book buyers listen to the ABC.
But before you pick up the phone to dial your local ABC Radio station, you need to know that, as a rough average, they will be able to publicise only about 1 in 20 of the books they receive. And every day a particular show at a metropolitan station, like 774 (Melbourne) or 702 (Sydney), might receive 20, 30 or more books seeking an interview for their author. This includes traditionally published authors.
Believe it or not, you can beat these odds, like I did, and score interviews with ABC Radio stations in capital cities, if you write an engaging one-page media release with a headline that hooks your potential interviewer. You will need to post a copy of your book along with your media release addressed to a particular announcer or their producer, who you’ve researched online. You might even go that extra metre with a follow-up phone call a few days later to see if they received your ‘media kit’.
If this all sounds like too much hard work, then why not Google freelance book publicists? Yes, you can do this, but don’t be surprised if a professional’s publicity campaign costs $5,000 or even $10,000 with no guarantee of success. Yes, really. Unfortunately, even that amount of money cannot guarantee high-profile announcers at key radio stations will choose you and your book. You might receive some incidental publicity opportunities, such as a community radio interview, but these will be lucky to translate into significant sales.
The above is an outline of how to pitch your print book to the traditional media: radio, print, TV. Of course, you can also promote your book on social media. If you have only an ebook version of your title, then you can forget about traditional media (who expect your book is important enough to warrant a print edition to be worthy of broadcast time) and focus all your promotional efforts online. The best material I have found on how to promote your ebook is a free downloadable guide titled Let’s Get Digital by David Gaughran, an Irish writer living in Portugal. Google him and also sign up for his regular and very helpful emails.
Then there are paid-for ebook marketing services, such as BookBub and similar companies like Book Gorilla, The Fussy Librarian, Freebooksy and Booksends. They all have various terms and conditions that may or may not suit you and your budget. Or Google the website of Alessandra Torre Ink and check out her resources and courses that show authors how to use Goodreads to attract and retain readers. There are numerous other ways to promote your ebook and/or print book, but you get the idea: marketing know-how is crucial if you want to compete successfully.
The above suggestions all point to one difficult-to-escape conclusion: first-time authors need a solid marketing plan to compete in the marketplace. Yes, your launch might sell 40 or 50 copies of your book to family and friends, but how do you become one of the 5% of authors who sell more than 100 copies? A good marketing plan can take a year or more to create.
“That said, how do you measure success? Is it only through the quantity of public sales of your book?”
That said, how do you measure success? Is it only through the quantity of public sales of your book? In 1998 I had a self-published bestseller that was short-listed for a readers’ choice award and the screen rights were licensed by a film company (even though the movie didn’t go into production). However, now all the glitter from publicity and sales has well and truly settled, I can offer you another perspective on what success means. I’ve long since spent all the money I earned from that bestseller – a healthy five-figure sum – but when I calculated the total number of hours I put into writing and promoting that book, approximately one thousand, my hourly rate wasn’t much more than the minimum wage. Another sobering statistic.
With the advantage of more than two decades of hindsight, there are three enduring measures of success from my self-published bestseller experience – and it wasn’t the money!
Firstly, it was the satisfaction of actually finishing that book, because there are so many millions of writers who have half-finished manuscripts that never see the light of day. But I got mine done. I beat the odds against me completing that book. I didn’t die wondering. Not ‘I coulda, woulda, shoulda …’
Secondly, it was the legacy value for my children. My book offers them a snapshot of a time in my life that was so different yet so similar to their own, and the passing of time increases the value of that story to them. I still regret that my family had only just started recording the stories of my paternal grandfather when he died in 1977. It was like a library had burned down. His stories may or may not have been bestseller material, but the small number I heard revealed fascinating insights into our family history through two world wars and two depressions.
Thirdly, my book is now permanently stored in the National Library of Australia (NLA) and also my state library. By law in Australia, a print or electronic copy of every published book must be sent to the Legal Deposit units of the NLA and your state/territory library. You can be fined if you don’t. But the pay-off is that your book becomes a permanent part of Australia’s cultural history collection, which can be accessed by anyone online via Trove. If you have never used the NLA’s Trove search engine, then use Google to see what treasures await your discovery.
“Now, with the advantage of perspective, I can see this type of commercial success is fleeting, yet a different sense of success can endure. What will be the enduring measures of your book’s success?”
In summary, if I hadn’t had a bestseller and I told you that personal satisfaction, family legacy and contributing to Australia’s cultural heritage are the three enduring measures of my book’s success for me, then you would probably dismiss these claims as rationalising my lack of success in the marketplace. But I did sell many thousands of copies of my book and enjoyed the publicity while it lasted. Now, with the advantage of perspective, I can see this type of commercial success is fleeting, yet a different sense of success can endure. What will be the enduring measures of your book’s success?
Dr Euan Mitchell is an author and former senior editor for a major publisher.
He can be emailed via mitchell.words at gmail.com
Birds of Prey by David Hollands
Eminent naturalist David Hollands has released his latest magnum opus and we highly recommend it to all lovers of Australian nature. David Hollands’ Birds of Prey Australia contains a beautifully written chapter on each of the birds of prey found in Australia. The photos were all taken by David in the field. Full of fascinating insights and amazing images, the book is available from his website, and from many bookstores. David has many earlier titles available such as Cranes, Herons and Storks of Australia, Owls, Frogmouths and Nightjars of Australia and Waders, the Shorebirds of Australia, among other titles.
Book Cover Designs for October 2021
The usual wide variety of topics and typefaces and approaches this month. Never a dull typographic moment…
Book Cover Design for September 2021
A few of our recent covers and cover drafts, covering the usual broad range of subject matter. Striving for high contrast and high impact and interesting type combinations.
Steve Nurse Discusses his New Book "Cycle Zoo"
Steve (right) with Jesse Heath, OzHpv Challenge 2021 Photo John Hagan
There is a saying in recumbent bike manufacture, “The best way to make a small fortune making bikes is to start with a large fortune” and the same thing can be said about self-publishing a book. Its hard to rely on self-publishing to make money. It might happen, but don’t bank on it! In the first instance self-publishing should be about wanting to get your message out.
To get to my book story, I have been building and designing bikes since about 1987, went on the first long-distance rides on bikes I’d built around 2000, and wrote the first version of my Cycle Zoo book in about 2009. Back then I wrote, edited, illustrated and laid out the whole book, and supplied finished pdfs to Publishing Solutions. They then organised the ISBN and printing of about 1000 copies.
After that it was up to me to sell and distribute the books but that was difficult. Sometimes I’d take books to bookshops to sell, and they’d never pay. It was impossible for me to sell all the books, so I still have boxes of books in the back of cupboards at home. However the first edition of the book helped with entry into an industrial design master’s degree which gave me paid work designing bikes for 2 years. Putting it out was worth it just for that.
I’ve stayed in touch with a couple of the contacts I made after the first book. I designed a cycling board game and Anki Toner put that on his cyclingboardgames.net website. Link here. And I was interviewed by Chis Starr at 3cr. I usually attend local recumbent bike gatherings and this didn’t stop. As well I’ve kept on building bikes, and became the editor of the Australian Human Powered Vehicle Magazine Huff.
Somewhere along the way I got the urge to write a book came again, and I had enough new material to add to my previous book so set about rewriting Cycling Zoo. Fairly early in the process I got editor Neil Conning and book designer Luke Harris on board. I conversed with and interviewed a few people involved in cycling to broaden the book’s appeal, and I’m happy how the stories came out. So Adam Hari about spoke about speedbikes, Gayle Potts about refurbishing bikes for refugees, Nell Sudano about electric bikes and teaching cycling, and Alyson Macdonald about boardgames and her cycling.
Publication for the new book is by print on demand, so the book is available anywhere in the world, and is printed in quantities as small as one in the nearest printing centre including Melbourne, the UK and the USA. I have ordered and sell or give away copies for myself, family, friends and reviewers. Normally I will give away books to reviewers. An example is Chris Starr who volunteers for and runs the Yarrabug Cycling show on 3cr.
Where to buy Steve’s book:
After a phone interview with Chris, she mixed the show and put up a podcast page for the show, a resource I can use to let people know about the book. She deserves at least a free book for her efforts. The weblink is here .
Anki Toner really only wants to document every cycling board and card game no matter how obscure, and a lot of these are based on European races such as the Peace Race, Tour de France, Vuelta D’Espana and Giro D’italia. An example is here, analysis of the games is well researched and concise. But he was happy to showcase a new game I had developed and put online, called Cycle Challenge. He’s included a link to my book page in his excellent coverage of my game which is all you can ask for.
Adam Hari features in my chapter about speedbikes, which are fully enclosed, highly aerodynamic cycles designed to break speed records. I was happy to mail him a book at cost, and he was happy to publicise it on his Instagram, showing a video of the book pages involving him and his machines.
Coming up in early October I will be part of the Laidbackbike report Youtube series but meanwhile I will continue improving websites, contacting potential reviewers, contacting those mentioned in the book, and working on ebook versions. I put a book poster on the side of one of my bikes yesterday and have already been asked about it (a mum and her kids caught up to me on their electric bike and were chattering furiously) so will work on improving that too.
Have fun promoting your book. Selling oodles of copies and making money might be your initial aim but you might come away with something more valuable..
Leaning trike with poster.
Amazon KDP now printing in Australia
After years of printing in the US and shipping all the way to Oz, Amazon has finally opened a printery in Australia to service print on demand customers. This is very good news for independent authors, especially that subset who want to concentrate on Amazon. IngramSpark’s service has many pluses, but it interposes a layer between the author and Amazon, and costs a good deal more, particularly when authors wish to upload updated book files. With the new printing facility, Australian authors will finally be able to order author proofs and copies.
With the new printery, postage costs will be reduced and turnaround times improved. Here is the Amazon page addressing the topic.
8 Steps to Self-Publish Your Book Like a Bestseller
Guest post contributed by Chloe Harris
If you have an idea under your belt that you genuinely believe should reach a wider audience, consider publishing your own book. Historically, authors need an agent who can convince a publisher to take a look at their manuscript. In fact, many publishing companies work only through established agents, which makes it difficult, especially for first-time authors.
Self-publishing may sound outlandish, considering all the work needed to be even noticed by readers. But with meticulous planning, creativity, resourcefulness, and proper implementation, your book can be the next bestseller.
1. Edit Thoroughly
Even you’re self-publishing, the book will go through the hands of people who will judge it. Minor errors can hinder its success. If you’ve never edited a book before, here’s a guide on how to edit a book.
Do the following to get you started.
Wait at least a week before editing so that you can look at the book with fresh eyes.
Review the plot and characters. Take note of significant structures. For example, do the characters have dynamic personalities? Is the conflict sensible? How is the audience going to feel about the ending?
If you’re not ready to edit the significant elements, start with line edits. Are you using the right voice?
2. Ask for Feedback
Feedback is invaluable. The book may sound perfect to you, but are you sure that’s how readers would feel? Share your manuscript with trusted individuals and ask for feedback.
To help them make more candid feedback, create an online form to share opinions on specific elements. Also, ask them how you can improve.
Feedback may be obtained from friends, family, book critics, and writing communities.
3. Format Your Book Properly
“A professionally-formatted book sends a good impression. This part can be a bit more complicated for self-publishing authors because your book must be 100% ready for publication after this. Many authors are anxious about formatting; after all, it’s an entirely different skill from writing.”, explains Direct Appliance Rentals CEO Karina Wolfin.
Here are some formatting options.
Free formatting software: Apple Pages and Kindle Create provide free templates. However, they also cater to their own platform, which means all or some formatting options will be discard when you upload to other retailers.
Paid formatting software: Vellum ($200) and Scrivener ($45) creates beautifully formatted print versions and E-books. Plus, you can format as many files as you want with a licensed account.
Professional typesetters: For print on demand, authors usually hire a typesetter to ensure immaculate formatting. This is the most viable option, especially for printed editions, because you don’t want unevenly spaced text and images.
4. Choose a cover that converts
The cover creates the first impression to the readers. A strong cover is attractive and lets those who see it know that the book was made for them.
Consider these tips for the book design.
Striking yet sophisticated. Whether it’s a photo, an illustration, or typography, the cover should look professional.
Indicative of the genre. Some design elements are associated with specific genres. Your book cover must conform to these principles to reach the right audience.
Spine and back cover. This is only for printed versions.
Unlike formatting, the cover should be made by a professional. This is your most crucial marketing tool, and you shouldn’t take risks.
5. Maximize Your Book Description
The book description is another element that can attract readers. Here are the basics of writing a good description.
Hook the readers. Use a dramatic headline, such as a quote from a book or a strong review from a known critique. The point is to intrigue the readers.
Introduce the storyline. Don’t give away everything, though! Instead, give readers a sneak peek of what they’re going to find inside.
Create a cliff-hanger. End the description with a hint of a shocking twist or an intriguing question.
Read the descriptions of some bestsellers of the same genre, and you’ll definitely see a pattern.
6. Prepare the launching
The launch will raise awareness and jumpstart the hype about your book—just like a movie trailer.
Consider including the following in your launch plan.
Build a website. A large fraction of modern-day consumers rely on the internet for information; therefore, your book should be there. Hire a web designer to build a dedicated website for your book and follow the pointers we gave for the cover design.
Ask for the support of family and friends. People will be looking for social proof, so it would be beneficial if your family and friends promote your book on their social media accounts.
Ask for book reviews. Contact known book reviewers and politely ask them if they can review your book.
Organise a virtual launch party. Partner with influencers and send them party packages. Give a speech and ask attendees to share their thoughts about your book.
7. Publish
You’ll be glad to know that self-publishing can be fast on Amazon and other platforms.
For printed editions, the process is a bit longer. But you should have no trouble if all the materials are ready.
8. Market Your Book
The work doesn’t end after publication. The marketing campaign has started during the launch, but you still have more legwork to do.
Reach out to relevant blogs and ask if you could write a guest post to promote your book.
Organise events at bookstores. This can a signing, reading or Q&A.
Work with a third-party advertising agency. Self-marketing can be exhausting, especially if your fan base is still in its early stages stage. Instead, consider hiring the services of an ad agency that specialises in reading materials.
With so many titles being released each year in Australia, it can be hard for your manuscript to find its way to the publisher’s desk. If you think self-publishing is the best method for you, contact WorkingType for design and print solutions.
A Backpackers Progress
Jason Rebello’s excellent Red Earth Diaries about his travels around Australia as a newlywed is due to launch soon, and he has left absolutely no stone unturned in placing information on all the social media services and print on demand and ebook services. Here are some of the links…
The book is available for preorder on the below online bookstores (more will be added in the coming days):
Amazon, Kobo, and Booktopia, Barnes and Noble, Google Books and Apple
Travel and Inspirational Blog: https://theevolvingbackpacker.com/
Author Website: https://evolvingwordsmith.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theevolvingbackpacker/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEvolvingBackpacker
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordsmith_jason (wordsmith_jason)
Useful Texts for Independent Authors
Independent authors face a tough road promoting their work, but there is a huge amount of information out there to assist them. The following four titles bring order to that information — I highly recommend all four:
Recommended texts for Independent authors:
Euan Mitchell's Your Book Publishing Options
How to Be an Author from Fremantle Press
Let's Get Digital by David Gaughran
Ricardo Fayet's How to Market an ebook
Move Over Murakami...
A recent cover design for Mundaca, an accomplished work of fiction combining Generalissimo Franco, the Basques and Australian surf culture. Spotted on the shelves of the Village Bookshop in Noosa.
Proofreading Services Available
Dianne Wadsworth of Gumhill Proofreading offers a comprehensive proofreading service for independent authors. We asked her to summarise the full extent of her services, which we reproduce below:
I provide proofreading for Australian publishers, self-publishing authors, businesses and ESL students. To date I have over 11 years’ experience proofreading an extensive range of written material, including more than 140 books for independent Australian publishers, publicity material and reports for small to medium-sized businesses, quarterly newsletters for not-for-profit organisations and assignments for university students. I save my clients’ time and money through providing a quality service. I also proofread website copy material for businesses and website developers.
Services
I provide a proofreading service
assist and work with you to ensure that your work is clearly understood by any reader
ensure your work is free of embarrassing mistakes
providing quality, accurate proofreading is my business
Special interests
Health and wellbeing, Oracle and Tarot cards, self-help books, biographies, business books, the environment, aged care and Australian plants.
Dianne can be contacted via her website.
Tips for Marketing Your First Book
Guest post by Chloe Harris.
Marketing your first book is never easy. And it so much harder for self-published authors these days. Thousands of titles are published in Australia each year, and Amazon alone offers around 30 million books on their website.
But don’t despair! With the right blend of marketing techniques, you could become the next best-selling author.
1. Start Marketing Months Before You Launch the Book
Creating a buzz just two weeks before the book launching won’t build the momentum you need.
According to Alister Clare, Credit Capital’s senior financial planner, the marketing should start at least 6 to 12 months before the book is released to the public. He says, “This way, you have sufficient time to build momentum. You need months to collect followers and earn their loyalty. There should also be intervals between marketing stunts so that your book can properly permeate the mind of the audience.”
2. Establish Your Brand
Figure out the persona that you want to portray. Do you want to be a mysterious whodunnit writer or an all-smiling romance novelist? Ensure that your persona reflects on the book cover, website, teasers, emails, social post, etc.
Consider asking the guidance of a branding expert on effectively building a persona.
3. Ask for a Review
Many readers base their decision on what they should read next on the reviews. Approach a respected journalist or book critic for their insights. You can also find Australian book reviewers and bloggers here.
It might take a while before they get back to you, consider thousands of other writers are also asking for their review.
4. Build a Website Dedicated for Your Book
Did you that, as of January 2021, there are already 22.31 million internet users in Australia? So, if your book still doesn’t have a dedicated website, it’s probably losing many potential readers.
Solidify your book’s online presence by investing in a professionally designed website. Make sure it has the necessary plugins to allow sharing through social media platforms.
You don’t have to load the website with information; just input the following:
● Your biography with a recent photo
● Summary of the book and a few teasers
● Links to your social media profiles
● Links to online stores where the book will be available
5. Intensify Social Media Presence
Engage more with potential readers through social media. Tell them to drop questions, and you’ll answer as much as you can. Reply to their comments on your post. Share the posts where you’re tagged. Create a unique hashtag. It’s only essential to maintain your brand voice.
6. Consider Paid Advertising
Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, Amazon Ads, Bookbub Ads, etc.
Calculate if you can afford daily paid to advertise. If yes, it’s advised to hire an expert on these types of ads to maximise your investment.
Various factors can affect the performance of your ads. These include the targeted audience, relevance score, ad copy, social proof, and timing. All of these should be aligned to get the best cost-per-conversion.
Working Type is an established provider of design + layout and print solutions. Through our expertise, creativity, and passion, we’ve helped numerous authors reach the right audience.
Essential Marketing Tips for New Authors
A Guest Post from Chloe Harris
Despite the bells and whistles of computer games and streaming platforms, 95% of Australians still read for pleasure or interest.
But with thousands of titles released each year, how can you make it to their shelves?
Naturally, new authors need to work harder in marketing because they still lack an audience. Whether you’re backed by a traditional publisher or working on your own, it’s unlikely to get morning show interviews, TV commercials, or full-page ads in renowned literary magazines. The important thing is to be discerning with your marketing methods—no matter how small.
Here’s how to increase readership for new authors:
1. Create A Brand Identity
Effective branding is the foundation of any audience-building strategy. It is even more critical when you’re about to release your first book.
A brand is a concept that captures your uniqueness, relevance, and significance. To put it simply, your brand is your promise. And because this is a promise, you need to be consistent with the tone, design, colours, etc., to be recognisable.
Cultivating a persona is also an effective way to establish a relationship with the audience.
2. Approach Newspapers and Magazines
“Newspapers and magazines are still deemed as trustworthy sources of information. Having your book reviewed by an established critic or journalists can be a good start in drawing the readers' attention. They’d think that if the critic or journalist took time to read your work, there must be something about it.”, recommends Shane Perry, a financial consultant at Max Funding.
Remember not to push too hard and not to expect an instant response.
3. Create a Website
According to a survey, 60.8% of Australians say their primary source of news is the internet. As a new author, you must seize this opportunity and create a website through which the audience can find important information about you and your book.
A professionally-designed website with a brand persona gives an impression that you’re serious about your craft. With specific plugins, the audience can easily share your website through social media platforms.
The site doesn’t have to be elaborate; it simply has to contain relevant information, such as:
Your biography
Your photo
Summary of the book
Excerpts from your book
A link to sites where they can purchase the book
Links to your social media profiles
Reviews or a short clip of you talking about your inspiration
4. Book Launching and Signing
Book launching and signing is a traditional way to gain traction for new authors. You’ll have to bring out some cash for this, but a well-thought event can be effective in stirring the audience.
Start by setting a budget for an invite-only or an open house event. Then, choose a venue that’s accessible for your expected audient. Consider partnering with bookstores and libraries where many readers are always on the lookout for new authors. If you want a more casual event, strike a deal with a local bar or café.
5. Join Literary Events
As a new author, it is essential to connect with industry professionals. Taking part in literary events is an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives and get to know other emerging authors.
Working Type has been helping authors create deep emotional connections through customer-focused design and layout. Using our experience, expertise, and attention to detail, we ensure that your book correctly represents its content and reaches the right audience. Contact us now to know more.
Bookstore Profile: Blarney Books and Art in Port Fairy
For tourists and book lovers alike, a trip to Port Fairy should include a visit to Blarney Books and Art. Don’t be fooled by the somewhat ordinary outside of the ’60s brick building. Entering is ‘like walking into a rainbow’ as one young visitor has described it.
In 2004, Jo Canham was a young graduate with a dream of opening a bookshop in the country. She and her partner did exactly that. Their choice of Port Fairy for their enterprise turned out to be brilliant.
The bookshop is pumpkin coloured, has fairy lights, strobe globes, billowy curtains, comfortable old couches, nooks and corners. And of course books everywhere. Behind her desk Jo is a serene, friendly presence, always ready to talk books, art or anything at all. Need I add that cats, dogs and kids are most welcome. As second hand as well as new books are available one can often pick up bargains and hard-to-find gems.
Books range from coffee table heavy weights to paperbacks. Australiana, Philosophy, Art, travel tales, environment, history, contemporary fiction, the best of children’s stories are all there to browse through. Prominently displayed are regional and local writers. She flies rainbow pennants and has a large shelf of LGBTQI writers and their stories represented. Jo is also happy to provide display space for all kinds of local talent. Strewn around Blarneys are bright and cheerfully upholstered chairs, the kind that would be perfect to curl into in one’s own reading nook. These are by Liz Gannon. She re-upholsters old chairs in quirky ways, bringing to life well-loved stories with inserts, embroidery and recycled fabric. The charming Alice in Wonderland chair is to die for.
When the bookshop first opened Jo had lots of damaged ‘vintage’ books, long past their read-by dates. Nothing if not inventive, she introduced the ‘Biblio Art’ prize in 2009. The prize encouraged innovative ways of using these old books in art. Biblio Art has since become an important event in the Art world. The 2020 competition initiated the referencing in art of contemporary fiction. Entries were received from all over Australia and overseas, including New Zealand, The U.K. and the U.S.A. The dedicated gallery space now hosts exhibitions throughout the year.
Book launches, poetry readings, author interviews, workshops, musical gigs and more are now on offer on a regular basis. Visiting authors have included Helen Garner, Geoffrey Robertson, Bruce Pascoe and Abe Nouk. Brian Nankervis, Reg Mombasa, Shane Howard and Mick Thomas have performed at Blarney’s. Leunig the cartoonist and Richard Weatherly the birdlife artist, are both due to appear here this March.
With passion, imagination and hard work, in a little under two decades Jo’s dream has come full circle. Blarney Books and Art has become a much-loved icon and cultural hub for this little country town and is getting known well beyond the South-West and Victoria.
To check out her website, go to www.blarneybooks.com.au
Article kindly contributed by Ganga Powell. See also our post on her excellent book.
Mutton Birds are Go!
Ganga Powell’s lovely children’s book “Do Mutton Birds Have Maps and Other Poems” (brilliantly illustrated by Eileen Curd) has been selling very well at Blarney Books and Art in Port Fairy. Here’s the Facebook post from the bookstore in question. If you can’t make it all the way to Port Fairy, the book is also available on Amazon and Booktopia.
