Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks

Episode 074 Released on: August 1, 2024 In this episode, we talked with Emma Rosen, a nonfiction in children's book author and YouTuber who shares with us everything she knows about setting up a protective business structure like an LLC or an LTD. As a UK-based author she knows more about the cost, set up, and legalities surrounding an LTD, but she also shared with us her personal reasons for...

Episode 073 Released on: July 24, 2024 In this episode, we talk to fantasy author, Devon Gambrell-Clark, who talks to us about setting up an author platform with outside-the-box thinking. First, she shares her strategies about how to handle the flood of information available on the internet when it comes to writing, publishing, and marketing books. From her experience of going through that complet...

Episode 072 Released on: July 15, 2024 In this episode, we talk to Elayna R. Gallea, a fantasy romance author. She shares her strategies for success and how she purposefully used these strategies to keep two of her titles in the top 100 best seller lists on Amazon. She also discusses how she approached learning and succeeding at learning TikTok to leverage the platform for her successes. We also g...

Episode 071 Released on: June 15, 2024 In this episode, three self-published authors dive into Dale L. Roberts's insightful book, “Amazon Keywords for Books: How to Use Keywords for Better Discovery on Amazon.” YouTuber and historical and urban fantasy author, Nicole Pierman/Brona and YouTuber and nonfiction author Andy from the YouTube channel Self Pub With Andy join Shanon in this awesome di...

Episode 070 Released on: May 15, 2024 In this episode, Shanon is joined by YouTuber and contemporary romance and picture book author, Emma Bennet, BookTuber Rachel (R.K. Stumblingbear), and YouTuber and fantasy author Devon Gambrell-Clark. They discuss Lisa Cron's book, “Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writi...

Episode 069 Released on: April 15, 2024 On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, join Shanon, Ben, Andy, D.L. Tillery, and Adrian Santiago. Discover a wealth of free and frugal tactics to effectively market your book on a budget. Our expert hosts dive deep into leveraging free platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to build an engaged audience. You'll learn smar...

Episode 068 Released on: April 9, 2024 As a self-published author, have you considered getting a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) for your book? In this insightful episode, Shanon dives into the value of securing an LCCN and how it can open doors to greater visibility and credibility, especially in libraries. Discover the distinct differences between an LCCN, ISBN, and copyright registrat...

Episode 067 Released on: April 2, 2024 Are your email newsletters going unopened and unread? Don't let your hard work gather virtual dust! In this episode, you'll discover a surprisingly simple yet incredibly effective strategy to massively increase your email open rates. Shanon reveals an often-overlooked tactic that industry studies show can boost open rates by up to 30%, click-through r...

Episode 066 Released on: March 26, 2024 As an author in a rapidly evolving market, have you considered if your book's cover still has what it takes to captivate readers? Book covers, much like fashion, undergo trends that can make or break a book's packaging. In this episode, I explore the strategic reasons behind reinventing your book's cover design. From aligning with shifting genre...

Episode 065 Released on: March 19, 2024 In today’s digital age, authors need innovative ways to connect with readers and promote their books. Enter QR codes - those square barcodes that can magically transport readers to exclusive online content with a simple smartphone scan. In this episode, discover inventive strategies for using QR codes to bridge your print and digital marketing efforts. Unloc...

Episode 064 Released on: March 15, 2024 In this episode, we talked to Rachel D. Adams, a YouTuber and nonfiction and paranormal romance author. She shares so many insights about how her many years of writing Fan Fiction in a community lead to finding her writing partners and eventually creating their own worlds. Today, she writes with two different co-authors, and she explains how those relationsh...

Episode 063 Released on: March 5, 2024 Did you know the file size of your ebooks directly impacts the royalties you earn on Amazon? Unlike other retailers, Amazon charges authors a "delivery fee" per unit sold, deducted from your 70% royalty rate. These fees are based solely on your book's file size - the larger the file, the bigger the fee. For example, an 8MB ebook could cost you o...

Episode 062 Released on: March 1, 2024 In this episode, we talked to Heather Howland, a professional sensitivity reader. We start the episode with her explanation of what a sensitivity reader is and why one might be important for a writer’s work. She gave us wonderful tips and advice on where to find sensitivity readers, at what point in your manuscript you should seek a sensitivity reader, and ho...

Episode 061 Released on: February 20, 2024 In this week's Self-Publishing Tip or Trick of the Week, Rachel D. Adams shares her tips for how to find low-cost and free ways to advertise your books. IMPORTANT LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE: 🌟 Rachel D. Adams's Ream: https://reamstories.com/magicalmischief/public 🌟 Rachel D. Adams's Website: https://racheldadams.com/ 🌟 Drop us a line at selfpub...

Episode 060 Released on: February 15, 2024 Romance writer, nonfiction writer, hybrid publisher, and YouTuber Emma Bennet joined us to share her experiences and knowledge. She gives great tips about romance writing, especially if authors are pursing traditional publishing. She also discloses the differences in marketing her trad published work and her indie published work. She also gave us some gre...

Episode 059 Released on: February 6, 2024 A book's cover design is crucial for making the right first impression on potential readers. But it can be challenging to evaluate your own cover objectively before publication. In this episode, Shanon discusses tips and a cool new AI-powered tool from eBook Fairs that analyzes book covers to grade their overall effectiveness. She tests out the free Bo...

Episode 058 Released on: February 1, 2024 In this episode, freelance writer, author, editor, and the education lead for Plottr, Troy Lambert talks about his long career of publishing books through multiple publishing paths and how he became knowledgeable about SEO. We got a chance to talk about his newest nonfiction release, The Pocket Guide to SEO for Authors. During our talk with him, he explain...

Episode 057 Released on: January 23, 2024 When setting up product pages and advertisements, keywords are crucial to being discovered. But should you use broad, generic terms or niche, tailored ones? In this episode, we dive into the ongoing discussion around broad versus niche keywords. We'll look at insights from Kindlepreneur's Dave Chesson to help unravel which is better for search visi...

Episode 056 Released on: January 15, 2024 In this episode, Esther Marie Andújar, YouTuber and paranormal romance author, shares with us how she uses subscription platforms like Kindle Vella, Kofi, and Patreon. She also gives us insight into the best tips when it comes to publishing on these platforms, plus why and how she includes bonuses for her followers on Kofi and Patreon. Last, she gives insi...

Episode 055 Released on: January 9, 2024 Do you want to maximize visibility and sales for your next book launch? Promotion stacking lines up multiple marketing activities around your release date to compound visibility and propel you up the charts. Tune in as I explain promo stacking, resources for strategy planning, and how this launch strategy can take your book release to the next level. I'...

Episode 054 Released on: January 2, 2024 Are you looking to take your indie author game to the next level in 2024? In this podcast episode, Shanon shares her top podcasts that provide an invaluable education on all things self-publishing. She highlights the key shows that have helped her navigate the world of independent publishing, from writing craft to marketing tactics. Whether you're just...

Episode 053 Released on: December 26, 2023 An author's welcome email to new newsletter subscribers represents a valuable opportunity to make a great first impression. In this week's episode, Shanon share tips for crafting an effective and engaging welcome email to help build relationships with readers. She discusses why newsletters are so important for authors and explains how to tailor yo...

Episode 052 Released on: December 15, 2023 Previous podcast guests D.L. Tillery, Sako Tumi, and A.F. Stewart turn the tables on Shanon, Ben, and Morgan, asking them the questions they normally ask their guests. LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR HOSTS! D.L. TILLERY ▶ Website: https://www.authordltillery.com/ ▶ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D-L-Tillery/e/B09CRDP37H ▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AuthorDL...

Episode 051 Released on: December 12, 2023 Drawing in an invested audience is vital for any author, but expensive marketing shouldn’t be the only path to reach more readers. This week’s podcast episode covers creative strategies from leveraging your own platforms to collaborating with fellow creators in order to grow your mailing list with compelling yet zero-cost reader magnets. You’ll learn why...

Episode 050 Released on: December 5, 2023 Creating an audiobook is no small feat, but ensuring quality audio that meets industry standards is essential before release. In this podcast, Shanon shares an invaluable free tool from ACX that acts as an audio quality control lab for DIY authors. Their Audio Lab allows you to upload a file and receive an automated report checking specs against ACX’s rigo...