What’s the Best Launch Strategy? Part 1

The answer to “What’s the best book launch strategy?” is that a successful launch strategy depends on you. The only thing that won’t work is to have no launch plan. And, yet, that’s the situation most writers find themselves in. Tongue hanging out, they can’t wait to “get the book up on Amazon,” and then […]

Ten Questions for Jenny Wheeler

by Marylee MacDonald in Ten Questions

In this column I’m asking subscribers to share their knowledge about writing, publishing, and marketing their books. I’m calling it “Ten Questions.” Thank you, Jenny Wheeler, for allowing us to learn about how a late-in-life writer from New Zealand found inspiration and excitement in the gold fields of California! – Marylee MacDonald Author Tip: “Think […]

Your book launch simplified

by Marylee MacDonald in Book promotion

“A book without a book launch plan is just a fantasy.” Did I hear that someplace, or am I making it up? In any case, I’m launching a new book on April 17, 2020, and I thought it might be helpful if I take you through this journey with me. I am by no means […]

Ten Questions for James M. LaRossa Jr. | A Son’s Heartfelt Homage

by Marylee MacDonald in For Memoir Writers, Ten Questions

In this column I’m asking subscribers to share their knowledge about writing, publishing, and marketing their books. I’m calling it “Ten Questions.” Thank you, James M. LaRossa Jr., for allowing us to share in the excitement about your newly released book, Last of the Gladiators.–Marylee MacDonald James M. LaRossa’s Author Insight: “Not until I wrote Last […]

Find Readers and Get Amazon Reviews

by Marylee MacDonald in Book promotion, For Writers Who Need Readers

New authors need to find readers who will leave Amazon reviews, but if you’re a new author, how do you do that? Your friends may not understand why authors live and die by the quantity and quality of Amazon reviews. And, certainly, as a new author, you can’t be expected to have the name recognition […]

The Gurus of Author Marketing

by Marylee MacDonald in General

Self-published authors who wonder how to find readers for their books can learn a lot from these four internet gurus: Mark Dawson, Nicolas Stephenson, Joseph Michael Nicoletti, and Bryan Cohen.

Ten Questions for Haley Belinda

by Marylee MacDonald in Ten Questions

In this column I’m asking subscribers to share their knowledge about writing, publishing, and marketing their books. I’m calling it “Ten Questions.” Thank you, Haley Belinda, for allowing us to share in your excitement about your new book release, Amelia’s Autumn Trail.–Marylee MacDonald Haley Belinda’s Author Tip: “The most important lesson I learned is to […]

Scene and Summary | What’s the Difference?

by Marylee MacDonald in For Beginning Writers

Scene and summary are the key building blocks of any novel. Some novelists devote more of their page count to scenes. Other writers use fewer scenes and more summary. Sometimes, publishers want writers to cut a book’s length, and writers are forced to compress moments in the tale when they might have wanted to let […]

Could ARCs Help You Get More Amazon Reviews?

by Marylee MacDonald in Book promotion, For Writers Ready to Publish

Ever wondered how authors get tons of reviews the first week of their launch while you’re writing groveling emails to your family and friends, asking them to please, please, please read your book and write a review? The answer is that authors who get reviews provide free ARCs (Advanced Review Copies) to avid readers. Avid […]

Ten Questions for Robert J. Emery

by Marylee MacDonald in Ten Questions

In this column I’m asking subscribers to share their knowledge about writing, publishing, and marketing their books. I’m calling it “Ten Questions.” Thank you, Robert J. Emery, for giving readers insight into a writer who has successfully made the transition from writing for the screen to writing page-turning books. Read Midnight Black.–Marylee MacDonald Robert J. […]