News for Authors

Tips and Tools: Getting the Most out of Microsoft Word and Office 365

by Phil Stamper-Halpin|July, 2018

Whether you’re a digital native or you picked up those skills later in life, you’ve probably noticed that extensive changes are made every few years to some of our most-used computer programs, though these changes aren’t always communicated or utilized. In this article, we take a deep dive into Microsoft Word and Office 365 to see how authors can get the most out of its features—new and old. Read more

Adding a Little Flair to DIY Videos

by John Clinton|July, 2018

Over the past decade, the emergence of platforms through which to broadly distribute any and all types of media has made video a major component of how businesses reach and engage consumers with products and services. Read further to learn how authors can use DIY video techniques to engage their readers. Read more

Twenty-First-Century Copyediting: Trends and Tips from a Longtime Copy Chief and Managing Editor

by Milena Schmidt|June, 2018

A book publisher’s ability to have a finger on the pulse of cultural trends, media, and technology is key to a successful strategy that affects just about every phase of the publishing process. Read more

New Pathways to Readers: Emerging Technology

by Milena Schmidt|June, 2018

Emerging technologies from chatbots to voice assistants are changing every aspect of our lives. As consumers embrace new tech, many industries, including book publishing, are using these mediums to connect with existing and new audiences. Read more

Using Social Media Interactively with Instagram’s Poll Sticker

by Casey Blue James and Neda Dallal|June, 2018

Authors who use Instagram are uniquely positioned to engage and interact with their followers in more ways than ever. In addition to racking up “likes” on posts and connecting via comments, you can communicate with followers using Instagram’s new poll sticker. Read more

Q&A with New CEO of Penguin Random House U.S.

by The Author Newsletter Team|May, 2018

Our newly announced CEO of Penguin Random House U.S., Madeline McIntosh, comes from a book-loving background. She has worked at PRH for more than twenty years in a variety of capacities, from editorial to digital and from sales to audio, from serving as chief operating officer to, most recently, overseeing the Penguin Publishing Group. Read more

Five Trends in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Authors

by Phil Stamper-Halpin|May, 2018

We’ve covered search engine optimization (SEO) before from a marketing perspective, but in this article, we go beyond the website and dig deeper into rapidly developing trends in SEO—such as voice search, secure links, and the rise of video—and how they affect how readers discover your brand. Read more

Anchor: Extend Your Author Brand with a User-Friendly Podcasting Platform

by Phil Stamper-Halpin|May, 2018

A podcast can be a great way to extend your author brand, but it requires a sizeable time and financial investment, and the process can be challenging. Enter Anchor, a new app that offers a user-friendly way to record and share your own podcasts. Read more

Protecting Our Authors’ Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression

by The Author Newsletter Team & The Penguin Random House Legal Department|April, 2018

The right to freedom of expression, and the protection of writers against censorship and unjust persecution, are indispensable to the development of society and culture. We at Penguin Random House are unwavering in our support of writers who seek out truth in their stories and stand with organizations that share in our commitment and devotion to free speech as a fundamental right. Read more

Working with Authenticity Readers

by Joanna Cárdenas|April, 2018

When authors are writing outside of their experience, feedback from experts within the communities they’re writing about is crucial. Read on to learn more about this important stage of the editorial process. Read more