You are a blogger with an idea for a book. Maybe you even want to blog a book, but you know nothing about the publishing industry or how to become a successful author. So you begin to research online. Maybe you take an online course or read a few books. At that point, you think […]
How to Use Your Blog to Take Action and Create Change
Recent events in the United States have caused people all around the world to speak their minds, stand up for their beliefs, and protest things they don’t like. Some people, however, feel powerless. They complain and worry but do nothing. Everyone can become an activist—without ever marching, holding a sign, or writing letters to officials. […]
Is Blogging a Book Still a Good Publishing Strategy in 2017?
I’ve been talking about blogging books for almost seven years. That fact begs the question: Is blogging a book still as effective a publishing strategy in 2017 as it was in 2010? Unequivocally, my answer is, “Yes.” Why Bloggers Still Land Book Deals I began blogging about writing a book post by post on a […]
Essential Negotiation Skills for Bloggers and Writers
Negotiation. Bloggers and writers need to understand how to negotiate because this skill comes in handy in a variety of situation. Today Nick Rojas (@nickarojas), a start-up and online marketing consultant, explains the types of situations in which you might need to negotiate and provides tips on how to do so effectively. Read on if […]
How to Get Traditionally Published with Low Blog Readership
You started blogging to build a platform and land a traditional publishing deal. But you’ve got a problem. You’ve been blogging for while—a year or more—and you still don’t have a lot of readers. You’ve been sharing posts on social media sites, blogging often and in a focused manner, but your efforts just haven’t paid […]
How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Your Author Platform
A platform is a necessity whether you write fiction or nonfiction. It provides the foundation for your promotion plan, which you put to use when your book is released. Without a platform, your promotion plan won’t be effective. But how do you know if your author platform has the visibility, reach, authority, or influence in […]
What You and Your Blog Need to Land an Agent or Publisher
Maybe you dream of landing a traditional book publishing deal. You want your successful blog or blogged book to serve as a beacon to an agent or a publisher. Or, if you don’t get discovered, you want your query letter and book proposal accepted by a literary agency or publishing house. You hope the great […]
How My Blog Saved Me From the Publishers’ Slush Pile
For years—as in a lot of years—I tried to land a traditional book publishing deal. No luck. Not that I didn’t get great feedback on my ideas, writing, book titles, and book proposals. I did. Every bit of positive feedback, however, came with that dreaded word: “But.” It was followed by six more words: “But…you […]
How to Impress an Agent or Editor with Your Platform
When you submit your book proposal to literary agents or publisher, convince these publishing professionals your blogged book constitutes a viable product worthy of publication by showing them your blog analytics. Although your book idea is, of course, important, how well received it has been over time—how many readers or many fans it has garnered—provides […]
6 Things You Can Do to Make Your Book Proposal Stand Out
When an agent or acquisitions editor from a publishing house responds affirmatively to your query letter, you better be ready to go to the next stage of the publishing process. You need to have a book proposal written, edited and ready for submission upon request. I’ve written extensively about how to write a book proposal, […]