The last couple of years have seen increasing growth and interest in nonfiction for young readers, driven by the Common Core State Standards and publishing innovation. We talked to booksellers, librarians, and experts to get their perspective on trends in this increasingly vibrant section of the book market. (more…)
Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, you can become immersed in telling a story and lose sight of details such as character traits, plot, chronology, and more. We asked authors to share anonymously how they develop characters and maintain continuity within the unique worlds they’ve created. (more…)
From Reddit AMAs (“Ask Me Anything”) to Periscope, live content is becoming an increasingly popular approach to interaction on the web. Nowadays, it seems every social media platform is making a play in this space. For authors, this can be a valuable (and relatively easy!) way to powerfully engage with readers and fans. Below is a quick roundup of a few opportunities for dipping your toe into the live content pool. (more…)
A survey released last month by the Audio Publishers Association (APA) shows that the audiobook category grew disproportionately, in both titles published and unit sales, compared to the overall book industry in 2014. The APA’s annual sales survey revealed that sales in the audiobook category totaled more than $1.47 billion in 2014, up 13.5 percent from 2013, and the category also saw a significant increase in the number of titles published. The survey attributed that growth to the growing popularity of digital downloads and increased awareness of the audiobook format. (more…)
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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (more…)
