Features | Self-Publishing Review

Most Common Self-Publishing Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)

When it comes to self-publishing your book, avoid the most common pitfalls to make the most of your opportunity to become a bestselling indie author!

Scrimping on the Book Cover

It may seem very easy to take a snap and use it as a cover, slotting it into one of the simple templates available on many of the book publishing platforms such as Createspace at Amazon. However, these templates should be used only as a very last resort. Why? Because these templates are truly only there for the most design illiterate of us all, and for those who don’t much […]

Cate Baum2014-08-26T07:13:06+02:00August 26th, 2014|Categories: Features, Resources|

Top 5 Paid Indie Book Review Services Compared

top5newchart

It’s difficult to know exactly what you’re getting when you shop for a professional review, so Self-Publishing Review decided to commission a study to look at eleven factors that have been brought to our attention by SPR clients most often, and compared our services to the competition.

Here at SPR, we consider that we are one of five review service big-hitters, and therefore we compared ourselves to each of those: BlueInk Review, Foreword Clarion, Kirkus Reviews, and Indie Reader. We chose these because they use professional writers, have good quality websites and a sizeable brand presence in the indie book […]

Cate Baum2020-02-21T05:35:29+02:00August 25th, 2014|Categories: Features, Resources|Tags: Book Reviews|

Why Self-Publishing Still Has Its Stigma

I don’t want to hold my tongue any longer. There’s a vibe in self-publishing that if it makes money, it’s OK. There’s also a desire on behalf of authors for self-publishing to lose its stigma. Unfortunately, point a is detracting from point b. Just because something is making money doesn’t mean it’s well-valued.

While many want to hold up self-publishing successes and declare “self-publishing has arrived” it is not entirely heartening to see the types of books that are becoming successful – any more than it is to see yet another Kim Kardashian story on my news homepage.

I’m well […]

Henry Baum2014-08-14T16:01:39+02:00August 14th, 2014|Categories: Features|

Self-Publishing Success Story: Barbara Freethy

Barbara Freethy Barbara Freethy is the author of such romantic novels as the Callaways series (On a Night Like This, So This Is Love) and the Wish series (A Secret Wish, Just a Wish Away, When Wishes Collide). Initially, her career flourished in a traditional publishing format, but in 2011, recognizing the potential for new development in electronic publishing, she began self-publishing with digital formats as a cornerstone as Fog City Publishing, and has continued to produce successful titles since.

What books has she written?

Freethy has written over 40 novels, with a focus on […]

James Grimsby2017-02-20T09:14:15+02:00August 14th, 2014|Categories: Features, Success Story|

Self-Publishing Success Story: Michael Bunker

michael-bunker Michael Bunker describes himself as an “accidental Amish Sci-Fi writer.” His latest book, Pennsylvania Omnibus went to #10 earlier this month on Amazon’s bestseller chart. Engrossed in all things self-published, with “The Bunker Plan”, his own strategy for launching a book in place, Bunker’s website is one of the most inclusive and inspiring blogs out there for writers. His fans have been accused of being a cult, but his sales are proving that engagement with readers is key when promoting your work.

What books has he written?
The Pennsylvania Omnibus is his biggest seller, but he’s written an immense amount […]

Cate Baum2017-02-20T09:14:26+02:00August 14th, 2014|Categories: Features, Success Story|

Self-Publishing Success Story: Deepak Chopra

Deepak Chopra Deepak Chopra is an Indian-American author and public speaker who rose to popularity due to his “new-age guru” teachings, which he has written on extensively in his published work. His break-out work, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, remained on The New York Times best-sellers’ list for 72 weeks in 1994.

What books has he written?
Chopra specializes in spiritual and self-help literature, exploring the ‘magic’ of the world with a warm, but scientific eye. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success in 1994 is considered one of his greatest works by readers, and the previous piece Ageless Body, Timeless […]

James Grimsby2017-02-20T09:14:39+02:00August 11th, 2014|Categories: Features, Success Story|

When Erotica Stops Being Erotic In Self-Published Books

This post contains graphic descriptions of a sexual nature. Because it needs to be written.

I am writing this post because something disturbing has been occurring in the world of self-publishing. I don’t know if it’s the male backlash to Fifty Shades of Grey, or if this has always happened, and it was just that before self-publishing was a possibility, certain books were turned away by agents and we never heard about them again, unpublished, hidden and secret, their words never to reflect in the eyes of readers, never to haunt and terrorize. What books are these? Let me […]

Cate Baum2014-08-08T14:27:11+02:00August 8th, 2014|Categories: Features|

Why Pay For A Book Review?

Cate Baum of Self-Publishing Review attempts to put some of the myths to bed about what it means to buy a book review.

I have seen too many forum posts where self-publishers vow to never pay for a book review. It’s still seen as sinister and icky, and somewhat dishonest. But there’s a touch of herdism about all of this naysaying. Let’s look at the facts.

There Are Two Types of Paid Review

There is a huge misunderstanding in the community about what paying for a review really means, and it’s about time the publishing community understood the differences. Not […]

Cate Baum2014-08-07T01:57:32+02:00August 7th, 2014|Categories: Features|