Features | Self-Publishing Review

How To Choose An Author Name – Eight Easy Tips

Choosing an author name, often referred to as a pen name, nom de plume, or pseudonym, can be an exciting and creative process. Here are some steps you can follow to help you decide:

1. Consider Your Genre and Audience:

Genre Fit: Some genres may benefit from specific types of names. For example, a name for a romance author might differ from one for a science fiction writer
Audience Expectations: Think about what your target audience might find appealing or memorable

2. Personal Meaning:

Family Names: Consider using a name that has personal significance, such as a family name or

[…]

Cate Baum2024-08-30T11:54:17+02:00August 30th, 2024|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: Author Branding|

Four Ways To Prevent Unwanted Comments on your Facebook Author Page

We’ve all been there. You post about your new book on your Facebook Author page; maybe you paid to boost the post, or made an ad. And then the comments come in. Loads of scams, fake-commenting that your page is in breach of Amazon Terms. Some people decide your post is a great place to advertise their own book. Some hawk their own services. And then the trolls come along to tell you how utterly awful your book is. This is much more damaging to your campaigns than you might think.

What steps can you take as an author to […]

Cate Baum2024-07-24T18:44:10+02:00July 24th, 2024|Categories: Features|Tags: Facebook|

I was accused of using AI in my writing work. Here’s what I found.

[…]

Cate Baum2024-06-07T16:00:00+02:00June 7th, 2024|Categories: Features|Tags: AI|

Five Ways To Self-Publish Your Book in 2024

Here are the main five methods in 2024 to self-publish, with advantages and disadvantages.

Amazon KDP

The easiest choice for self-publishing on both paperback and Kindle, Amazon holds the lion’s share when it comes to distribution and sales, meaning you will get the best platform and the quickest to reach readers, as long as you use the tools available to the maximum advantage when releasing your book. The advantages of using Amazon cannot be overestimated where stats show 70% of all readers buy their books from Amazon. To make sure you get the most out of Amazon, follow these steps:[…]

Cate Baum2024-05-15T17:24:01+02:00May 15th, 2024|Categories: Features|

Is Amazon Censoring Customer Reviews? Seems Like It.

Lately, there has been much said about censorship of writing in the United States. But now it seems Amazon has got on the morality bandwagon with the slashing of customer review content.

Amazon has rightfully always had its standards when it comes to customers writing product reviews. But now it seems that words used in reviews are being judged as “hate speech” when they are simple criticism or review of a subject discussed in a book.

Mary, a reviewer from Colorado, says, “I bought and reviewed a book about hitting fifty and reaching the Menopause. I was pleased to have […]

Cate Baum2023-10-03T16:47:26+02:00October 3rd, 2023|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon News and Tips|

Twelve Must-Read Books on Self-Publishing for 2023

It’s hard to know where to start with such a wide range of books out there claiming to be written by experts for self-published writers. Here are our picks from Amazon for writing, marketing, and publishing your book.

“The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook for Surviving the Writer’s Journey” by Joanna Penn

Joanna Penn is a veteran self-publisher who has made a decades-long career in writing and speaking about her journey.

“On Writing” by Stephen King

Yes, that Stephen King. King used to be a writing teacher, and he was a fabulous one. Here, he imparts […]

Cate Baum2024-07-24T21:03:14+02:00September 26th, 2023|Categories: Features|

How To Rank in Amazon Kindle Categories

SPR’s Cate Baum takes a look at what methods work and don’t work this spring for ranking higher in Amazon’s Best Seller charts with your Kindle eBook.

Amazon has been messing about with its categories quite extensively, but does this mean ranking is going to become more difficult? Yes and no.

Genre is relevant

Now categories are expanded with search terms, it’s more important than ever that you stay in your genre and categories.

Indie romance books will still be able to gain very high ranking when they make sales due to advertising within a niche market. However, without […]

Cate Baum2023-09-27T10:54:59+02:00April 21st, 2022|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: Book Marketing Advice and Tips|

What’s Happening With Amazon’s Ranking Right Now?

There’s something going on with ranking on Amazon again, and there’s been lots of speculation this week without much real evidence being posted on various blogs for authors. So we’ve done some real-life tests on ranking, and here’s a set of live findings so far on real book promotions, offered without too much speculation.