News for Authors

Updating your Amazon Author Page may not be top of your to-do list on a sunny September afternoon. However, these are some of the highest-traffic author-related pages on the Web. Ten minutes spent updating your page could well pay dividends in terms of discoverability for you and your titles. We show you why and how to optimize your page using Amazon Central. Read more

Relationships can be hugely important in book publishing, and often these relationships begin with the author. Whether it’s an author’s relationship to his or her followers, a group of influencers, or particular brands, these connections can significantly impact the success of a book. This article explores some of these connections, citing examples of  relationship-driven campaigns that worked. I should note that although these strategies were used for cookbooks, the ideas are applicable to all genres, with a bit of creativity and flexibility. Read more

Helping parents raise lifelong readers and book lovers is what Brightly is all about. That’s why Brightly is partnering with Save the Children to donate books to families in need. Read more

The widespread availability of copyrighted works on the Internet sometimes gives the impression that using or reproducing that material without permission is fair game. But despite its ostensible availability, not all content is free for the taking. Over time, U.S. courts and Congress have developed standards for determining when a use is “fair” and does not infringe copyright. Read more

At some point, every author has grappled with the question of how to know when you’re done writing your work-in-progress. From obsessing over the last few lines to getting lost in endless revisions, it’s hard to know when you’ve crossed the finish line from manuscript to final book. We asked Penguin Random House authors and editors to share how they know a book is truly done. Read more

When we think about how authors can promote their books, we often think about their websites and social media reach. But did you know that some of your biggest assets may be closer to home: your friends, family, acquaintances, and other connections? We caught up with Christina Foxley, senior marketing manager for Harmony Books, to find out what advice she typically offers to help authors build their networks and create ambassadors for their books. Read more

We’re delighted to announce a significant upgrade to the Author Portal, which includes a better tool for tracking sales, new ways to connect with other authors, and an improved design that’s optimized across tablets and smartphones. Here’s what you need to know about the new portal.

Please note: if you had already registered, then your previous credentials will work on the new portal. You do not need to re-register.  Read more

Thousands of our authors use the Author Portal monthly, weekly, or even daily to check sales of their titles. We’ve completely rebuilt the Author Portal Sales Tool to make it easier to use, even while on the go. We’ve also amped up the tool’s analytical capabilities, making it simpler to compare titles and export information. Read on to learn all about our new enhanced Sales Tool. Read more

A popular feature of the Author Portal is our Connect with Readers section. Here, we’ve been gathering tips from Penguin Random House and external experts about how to connect with fans and market your titles. Now, take a whirlwind tour around the best content that Connect with Readers has to offer.  Read more