The key to successful self-publishing is to leverage a writer’s platform, which is what I’ll cover in the next chapter. Beyond that, there is a lot to learn and master if you want to consistently sell your books. If self-publishing is something you’d like to try, then here are my favorite (free) resources where you can learn more about this business model:
Websites
Authority.pub is a website that I own. The goal here is to show you how to build an authority in a niche and publish a se- ries of quality books related to the topic. If you liked the content you found in The Miracle Morning for Writers, then you’ll love all the information we provide about the self-publishing process on Authority.pub.
• The Creative Penn (thecreativepenn.com) is run by Joanna Penn, a successful fiction and nonfiction author. In her blog and podcast, she covers every aspect of what it takes to start and run a successful author business.
• Writership has been mentioned a few times in this book. The website is a great resource for learning about the craft of writ- ing and editing your books.
• David Gaughran (davidgaughran.wordpress.com/) runs a website with current news and his insightful reflections on the self-publishing industry.
• Jane Friedman’s website (janefriedman.com) is full of action- able content and detailed strategies for the aspiring author.
board,60.0.html) is where a lot of smart self-published authors gather. Be sure to check out the most-viewed threads and ask questions whenever you’re stuck with any step in the process. You’ll find lots of insightful threads posted here, so be sure to check it out regularly.
• Mastermind.pub is my publishing-specific Facebook group. With almost 5,000 members, there are lots of great conversa- tions happening on this page.
Podcasts
Listening to podcasts is the best way to fully leverage routine activities where you can’t be hands-free, like driving, exercising, or doing chores. Instead of tuning out to music, you can use this time to fill your mind with publishing-related knowledge.
It’s not hard to check out podcasts. Simply download the iTunes or Stitcher app to your phone, type the names of the shows listed below in the search bar, and then subscribe to the ones that look interesting. Once subscribed, your phone will get automatic updates whenever a new episode is published.
If you’re interested in publishing-related podcast shows, then here are a few that I recommend:
• Authority Self-Publishing is the show that I host with my partners
Barrie Davenport and Ron Clandenin. In each episode, we cover one aspect of self-publishing and do a deep dive into that topic.
• Self Publishing Podcast is the first publishing-related podcasts that
I checked out, and it’s still one of my favorites. It’s hosted by three prolific fiction and nonfiction authors and is chock-full of infor- mation about what they’re currently doing to build their book- based business.
NOTE: This show is not safe for work because they curse a lot. I don’t feel this takes away from the quality of the content, but it might not be for you if you’re offended by certain language.
• Sell More Books Show, hosted by Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen,
tips. If you don’t have time to read blogs or forum posts, then this is a great way to stay on top of information you can use to grow your business.
• Rocking Self-Publishing focuses on in-depth interviews with suc-
cessful fiction and nonfiction authors. What I love about this show is that host Simon Whistler asks great questions that force the guests to provide more details instead of only basic answers. • There is also The Writership Podcast and The Creative Penn Pod-
cast, which were previously mentioned in the websites section.
Be sure to check these out as well!
Books
There are a lot of books on self-publishing, so it’s hard to know where to start. I suggest that you check out the books that tackle the specific problems and questions you might have about the pub- lishing process. Here are a few suggestions:
• Let’s Get Digital by David Gaughran provides a very detailed
overview of the self-publishing industry and why it’s the best option for almost every writer.
• Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant, and David
Wright is a call-to-arms for consistently writing books and taking control of your author business. They tell the story of their early publishing efforts and offer advice for people who are starting out.
• Iterate and Optimize (by the same authors) is a follow-up book
that maps out a plan for using your existing content to improve your sales and increase the value of your readership.
• 2K to 10K by Rachel Aaron details a step-by-step strategy for in-
creasing your word count and what you produce on a daily basis.
• Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker discusses the value of
plotting (instead of “pantsing”) your books. Not only does Hawker make an effective argument for creating in-depth out- lines, she shows you how to do it in a step-by-step process.
• Prosperity for Writers by our wonderful coauthor Honorée
and make real money from it. Here she debunks the “starving artist” myth, provides specific examples of successful writers who run passion-based businesses that are also profitable, and gives you the steps you can take to become a prosperous writer yourself.
• Business for Authors by Joanna Penn is a great starting point for
turning your writing into an actual business. In this book, she discusses the financial, legal, and business management deci- sions you need to make to build a successful author career.
• Dictate Your Book by Monica Leonelle explains how narration
can become a great way to increase your word count. This is the perfect guide for anyone who wants to “level up” their writing.
There are many more self-publishing resources, but these web- sites, podcasts, and books can give you a world-class education for under $100. My advice is to completely immerse yourself in this world and learn everything you can about the process. What you’ll discover is that, while the concepts are easy to learn, what’s import- ant is to go out there and make things happen!
With that in mind, let’s move on to the final chapter where I will share a concept that’s important no matter what type of busi- ness model you select. Whether you’re a blogger, freelancer, indie author or you’re looking to land a deal with a publishing house, all of these options require you to build a writer’s platform.
In the next section, I’ll give you a step-by-step strategy for getting started.