Indie Author Blueprint

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com If you’re writing nonfiction, footnotes aren’t optional—they’re essential. In this episode, we cover why citations matter, how to track them as you write, and the common mistakes indie authors make when it comes to sourcing. Plus, grab your free tip sheet for paid subscribers. https://indieauthorbluepri...

Are you getting ready to publish your first book and feeling overwhelmed by all the publishing options? In this episode, Michelle Rayburn explains why Amazon KDP is the best place for new indie authors to start. She shares her real-world experience on how KDP’s simplicity, user-friendly dashboard, and cost-free revisions can make your first self-publishing experience easier and more enjoyable. Des...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com You’ve written the book, published it, and now you’re ready to get it into more hands, but have you created a sell sheet? In this episode, we’re breaking down what a sell sheet is, why it matters for indie authors, and how it can help you pitch your book more professionally to bookstores, libraries, eve...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com For indie authors, setting the right price for your book can seem like a daunting task filled with unending variables and decisions. Whether you're aiming for maximum profitability or trying to attract a vast audience, pricing is an essential part of your publishing journey. Learn how to strategically s...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Master the art of selecting the perfect keywords for your KDP publishing journey. Discover why keywords matter, learn strategic selection formulas, and explore seven essential strategies in this episode. Boost your book's visibility on Amazon and beyond with up-to-date tips and insights from Indie Autho...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Learn how to navigate KDP categories with confidence! Discover effective strategies for choosing the right categories to boost your book's visibility. Avoid common pitfalls, understand the importance of ethical selection, and explore helpful tools like Publisher Rocket for optimal results. Perfect for i...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Today I’m exploring the art of writing captivating back cover blurbs for fiction and memoirs. If you missed it, last week I talked about nonfiction blurbs. Fiction is different, and they way we craft the back cover copy, which is also used for the book description, in a different way. Although you might...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Today, we’re tackling a crucial piece of your book marketing strategy—writing back cover copy for your nonfiction book. (We’ll cover fiction next time.) This little blurb on the back of your book has a big job to do. It’s what convinces readers to pick it up, flip through, and, hopefully, buy it. The ba...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Metadata is the secret sauce that makes your book discoverable, professional, and ready for readers to find and fall in love with it. In this week’s exclusive episode, I break down the first five decisions you need to make for your book’s metadata: your title , subtitle , author name , publishing imprin...

Metadata might sound like a dry topic, but it’s the key to making your book discoverable and reaching the right readers. In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint , we’re breaking down what metadata is, why it’s crucial for indie authors, and how optimizing it can lead to better sales, rankings, and visibility for your books. Learn how your book’s title, keywords, categories, and description all w...

In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint , we’re diving into the essential steps to prepare your book file for a seamless publishing experience. Whether you're uploading to KDP, IngramSpark, or another platform, having your files properly formatted is key to avoiding rejections and ensuring a professional-looking book. Here’s what we cover: * Key Technical Terms Demystified: Understand concepts l...

Today we’re continuing our journey into book interior formatting, exploring how to refine the finer details of your book to make it stand out. Whether you're self-formatting or hiring a pro, these tips will help you understand what goes into creating a polished, professional interior. Here’s a sneak peek of what we’ll cover: * Running Headers and Footers : Why they matter and how to make them work...

Have you ever picked up a book that felt "off," with text hard to read or an unprofessional finish? This is where interior formatting plays a critical role. A well-formatted book sets you apart from the competition and enhances the reader's experience. Here’s a summary of what I covered in this podcast episode. Be sure to listen to the audio to get the full content. Plus, there’s a bonus episode c...

Your book cover is your first chance to grab a reader’s attention, so getting it right is critical. In this episode, we dive into everything indie authors need to know about working with a professional book cover designer. Learn how to craft the perfect brief, set your budget, and navigate the revision process like a pro. Thinking of designing your own cover? We’ve got tips for DIY success, from m...

This week’s episode of the Indie Author Blueprint Podcast is all about mastering the technical specifications for book covers. In this episode, we break down the key aspects of book cover design, including: * How to calculate the right trim size and spine width. * The importance of bleed and margins for print books. * Ensuring high resolution and the correct file formats. * The critical difference...

In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, Michelle Rayburn explores the art of crafting visually cohesive book covers for a series. Ideal for authors who want their series to not only stand out but also feel connected, this lesson offers thoughtful insights. Using the analogy of an architect designing a cul-de-sac, Michelle guides you through the essentials of series branding. Tune in to explore...

Unlock the secrets to creating compelling book covers with Michelle Rayburn's latest episode of "Indie Author Blueprint." Discover the impact of design elements, avoid common DIY pitfalls, and learn how professional covers can enhance your book's marketability. Don't miss insights on best practices and future redesign examples. If your idea of designing a cover involves Comic Sans and a blurry sto...

In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, we're wrapping up our mini-series on editing, diving into what to do when you receive your edits back. We'll discuss the process of reviewing changes and comments from your editor, maintaining your unique voice while refining your manuscript, and the importance of learning from each editorial experience. Whether you're an experienced indie author or just...

One of the most important parts of the editing process for your book is knowing what to look for in an editor. Your editor makes a big difference in how your book turns out! In this podcast episode, we dive into what authors need to know when choosing the right book editor. We’ll briefly review different types of editing—from developmental to copy editing—and how to match an editor’s specialty wit...

In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, Michelle explores the nuances of self-editing your manuscript to make it shine before sending it to an editor. Learn essential strategies to enhance readability, improve structure, and fix common mistakes. No, it doesn’t replace hiring an editor, but you’ll discover valuable tools to help polish your writing and potentially reduce editing costs. Perfect f...

Listen to the latest episode of Indie Author Blueprint as we dive into the common slip-ups writers often make when planning their editing journey. Hosted by Michelle Rayburn, this episode is crafted to help both new and seasoned authors navigate the complexities of editing without stress. We’ll touch on crucial concepts that writers often overlook, providing insights that could make the difference...

Whether you're diving into self-publishing or just figuring out the whole editing thing, this kicks off a miniseries on editing and what indie authors need. After writing the rough draft, every editor needs editing, but where do you begin, and what do you need? Let’s review some of the key topics I covered in the podcast episode. The Editing Basics: * Big Picture Breakdown: Editing isn't just abou...

In this episode, we dive into the world of contracts and what they mean for self-published authors. No, indie authors won’t sign the same kinds of contracts that traditionally published authors do, but they DO sign agreements, and it’s important to understand what they mean. Contracts might sound intimidating, but they're essential for securing your rights and ensuring your publishing project gets...

Do you find royalties confusing? As an indie author, it’s a straightforward calculation. But you still want to know the compensation so you can plan for how to price your book. In the latest podcast episode, we demystify royalties for indie authors. Learn the key differences between traditional and self-publishing royalties, how royalty rates work on platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, and...

Dive into the essentials of ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers) for self-publishing authors. Learn why obtaining your own ISBN is crucial, the differences between ISBNs, barcodes, and ASINs, and get a glimpse of copyright basics. Set a strong foundation for your independent author journey today! Key Topics Covered: * Importance of ISBNs in self-publishing * ISBNs versus barcodes and ASINs...