Features | Self-Publishing Review

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.

FINDINGS JAN 17 2022 – FEB 06 2022

Real data conclusions from Amazon promotions run in this period of various genres.

The main finding, and not always applicable, is that there is a general lag in ranking of about 18 – 24 hours right now on […]

Cate Baum2023-09-27T10:54:50+02:00February 8th, 2022|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon News and Tips|

Four Big Ways To Fail At Publishing Your Book

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Cate Baum2021-10-28T06:48:17+02:00October 28th, 2021|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: Book Marketing Advice and Tips|

Five Ways I Hate Your Dinkus

The dinkus. You know, the three asterisks beloved of a certain kind of fiction writer to split the chapter into some kind of sub-chapter. The three asterisks that boldly chop a book into TV scenes, as if watching it on a screen, and… DINKUS! FADE TO BLACK!

Here’s why, as a book editor and reader, Cate Baum can’t stand this beloved flowery operator, and why you should stop using it so lavishly in your book.

1. Formatting your book is suddenly a massive pain

When I receive manuscripts to format into paperbacks or eBooks, I cannot do what I would […]

Cate Baum2021-08-26T04:12:41+02:00August 26th, 2021|Categories: Features|Tags: Writing Tips|

Mythbusting – The Truth About Paid Book Reviews in 2021

Authors worry relentlessly about ‘paying for reviews.’ What are the concerns, and are they founded? What are the differences between the services offered online? Cate Baum, resident Amazon mythbuster steps in to calm your concerns.

When should I pay for a book review?

MYTH: NEVER! OR YOU AND YOUR BOOK WILL BURN!!

TRUTH: You should pay for a professional book review when you need a respected opinion to use as copy for promotional purposes. This is exactly what any author, from Stephen King to JK Rowling does when they hire a publicist. You then own the copy and can use […]

Cate Baum2021-08-03T07:25:11+02:00August 3rd, 2021|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon News and Tips, Book Reviews, Mythbusting Amazon For Authors|

2021 – How To Get Amazon Reviews Without Breaking The Rules

There are various discussions about getting Verified Amazon reviews for your book, but there’s only one sure way that works.

While the humble mailing list has been touted in many corners of the publishing world, it still rules as the only definite way of selling your book and getting Verified reviews.

But not all mailing lists are equal.

Amazon Rules

While it seems easy enough to add friends and family to your mailing list, here’s what to bear in mind: Once they bought your book, you can’t keep touting them for business.

The second issue is that Amazon does not […]

Cate Baum2021-07-21T02:11:16+02:00July 20th, 2021|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon News and Tips, Book Reviews, Newsletter Campaign|

How To Write A Good Book Review – The Beta Report

In this series, we take you through the anatomy of a book review.

What does it take to write a book review? What are the different types and uses of book reviews? In this final installment, we look at Beta reviews.

A Beta Reader’s Report (or Review) is written by an experienced reader with a good understanding of story, grammar, and style. A Beta read should be carried out on the final edited version of your book just before you publish it for sale. A Beta report is not a review, but a private assessment of your work as a […]

Cate Baum2021-07-20T07:30:20+02:00July 14th, 2021|Categories: Features|Tags: Book Reviews|