Features | Self-Publishing Review

Publishing is the New Blogging

I recently discovered something that is pretty eye-opening about the state of media today, and into the future. Perhaps I’m late to the game, but I’ve found it pretty amazing. Basically, it’s possible to watch any movie you want for free. I’m not going to link to it because it’s illegal, or at least ethically dubious, but sites like this look like this:

Screen shot 2014-05-28 at 4.17.41 PM

I found it via Twitter. Netflix was trending one day and someone tweeted, “Why is everyone using Netflix when you can just use _____.” The answer is: I don’t know. If you’ve ever dealt with Netflix or […]

Henry Baum2014-06-18T06:37:36+02:00May 30th, 2014|Categories: Features|

Why Hiring An Editor For Your Book Is Unavoidable

reading a book

Many readers notice character and plot development in every story. However, editing ranks as an equally important aspect of the writing process worth mentioning. Some of you may be rolling your eyes. Why harp on about editing?

Because it matters.

Over the past few years, I’ve read quite a few self-published books. Most of the books have been wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Yet some have been painful to read. Others have been good, but could have been great with the assistance of an experienced editor. Too many self-published authors don’t think readers can tell if their novel hasn’t […]

T B Markinson2014-05-20T15:17:42+02:00May 16th, 2014|Categories: Features, Lead Story|

The Best Day to Discount a Book

Book Gorilla, an alternative to BookBub, who are actually pretty cynical about self-publishers (“We’re as tired as you are of emails stuffed with books by authors we’ve never heard of. Ho hum, who needs them?”), nonetheless has some very interesting statistics about when to discount a book.

Average Estimated Daily Open Rates

Monday – 48.21%

Tuesday – 47.56%

Wednesday – 48.01%

Thursday – 47.79%

Friday – 47.54%

Saturday – 47.12%

Sunday – 47.65%

But that’s not the end of the story. Although slightly fewer subscribers open their BookGorilla alerts on weekends, those that do open them are more

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Henry Baum2020-02-21T04:35:10+02:00May 12th, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: Amazon News and Tips, Newsletter Campaign|

Eight Most Common Editing Errors In Self-Published Books

As the editor here at SPR, I am in charge of editing and proofreading the self-published books that come into our tailored editing services department before they go on sale. A good edit and a lack of one can make all the difference to whether you sell your self-published book or not, so take a good look at my top eight errors as your starter guide.

Read the sequel, Six More Common Mistakes here

1. “Who”, “That” and “Which” Rules

By far the most common issue I find. 99% of all books I proofread seem to have at least […]

Cate Baum2020-02-21T06:11:13+02:00May 11th, 2014|Categories: Features, Lead Story|Tags: Book Editing Tips|

New Review Package Launched With BlueInk and SPR

: New Review Package Launched – BlueInk and SPR

Two Reviews Are Better Than One!

BlueInk and Self-Publishing Review are proud to announce a new review package

“One review is great. Two reviews are better. When it comes to establishing your book’s credibility, the more positive reviews you garner, the easier it is to attract readers.”

To that end, we have just forged a partnership with our friends at BlueInk to offer two reviews, one from BlueInk and one from SPR — all for one greatly discounted price of $595. BlueInk Reviews give new scope for authors especially when combined with

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Cate Baum2014-05-21T16:33:23+02:00May 6th, 2014|Categories: Features, Lead Story|

The Indie Author Manifesto

Courtesy of Mark Coker and Smashwords comes these by-laws:

I hold these truths to be self-evident:

I am an indie author

I have experienced the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from self-publishing

I have a right to publish

My creative control is important to me. I decide when, where and how my writing graduates to become a published book.

Indie does not mean “alone.” I choose my partners.

I shall not bow beholden or subservient to any publisher. In my business relationships, I seek partnership, fairness, equity and mutually aligned interests.

We indie authors comprise diverse writers unified by a

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Henry Baum2014-04-29T10:55:46+02:00April 29th, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: Smashwords Tips and Articles|

The Road to the Bottom: 99 Cent Box Sets

sp_3dcover_200 A guest post on David Gaughran’s site covers the new world of bundled box sets. A good idea on the surface, and very profitable, but also problematic. She addresses this in the post:

With the attention, of course, also comes the inevitable criticism: that 2012 was the year of the freebie, 2013 the year of the 99¢ book, and now 2014 is the year of the 99¢ box. All cheap marketing ploys that will devalue the written word and destroy an industry.

Pretty much. Next paragraph:

Our business ledger, of course, says otherwise. Despite having built our assisted-self-publishing micropress

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Henry Baum2014-04-22T16:29:43+02:00April 22nd, 2014|Categories: Features|

Ten things to do to win a writing contest

With so many entries to judge, what is it about your book that will win you a prize? Cate Baum, co-founder of the SPR Awards spills the beans on the best tips to get that award.

1. Enter properly. This year, we had around 5% of entries that entered the wrong category, didn’t pay the entry fee or didn’t send in their book! This immediately disqualifies you from nearly all contests out there, and you won’t get a refund. (We’re nice, we tracked everyone down bar one who remains elusive…)

2. Edit your book. If your book has spelling […]

Cate Baum2014-04-15T17:22:35+02:00April 15th, 2014|Categories: Features|Tags: Competitions|