I often receive messages from new authors, lamenting the fact that they’ve written books and are struggling to get attention for their work despite repeated attempts to market their (one or two) stand-alone novels.
News flash: I have no secret formula to overcome this issue.
Neither does anybody else.
What I do have is a strong recommendation for newbies to keep writing, improve your craft, and get educated about what’s happening in the industry. If you do, you’ll find that the days of uber-success with a single book are pretty much over, and you’ll also find out how other authors are marketing, how reviews help sell books, how (free) beta reads and critique groups can help improve your craft, and that instead of spending too much time and energy marketing a single title, you should write more books. *scribble scribble scribble*
One effective way to stay up to date is to tune in to what successful self-published and hybrid authors are talking about. The list of authors below share the straight-up truth about what they think, what they know, what they’ve learned about writing, and their experiences with trad, hybrid, and self publishing. I follow all of their blogs. I think you should, too. And that’s the only secret I have. 😉
Follow the leaders!
- Anne R. Allen
- Chuck Wendig
- CJ Lyons
- David Gaughran
- Elizabeth Spann Craig
- Jami Gold
- Hugh Howey
- Joanna Penn
- Joe Konrath
- Lindsay Buroker
- Nick Stephenson
- C.S. Lakin
- Catherine Ryan Howard
Learn about the industry:
The Author CEO- Belinda Pollard
- The Book Designer
- Jane Friedman
- Passive Voice
- Your Writer Platform
- Where Writers Win
- Wise Ink
- BookBub Blog
- Indies Unlimited
Improve your craft!
- The Kill Zone
- Thrill Writing Blog
- Marcy Kennedy
Readers, which blogs do you depend on to stay up-to-date on self-publishing, industry trends, and the craft of writing? Please leave a comment and share your favorites!
Enjoy this article? Subscribe to my blog and you’ll never miss my weekly posts! Your email address will NOT be sold, shared, abused, or rented – that’s a promise. If you’re not already, please follow @mollygreene on Twitter! And last but not least, this original content by Molly Greene is copyright protected. Mwah! Thank you so much!
Hi Molly,
Great list of resources. One lady I follow is Catherine Ryan Howard (Catherine, Caffeinated). She’s got super info on her site – as do you 🙂
Love her, haven’t read her blog, heading over to do so right now! Thanks, Garry!
How very cool to see my name on the “leaders” list. Thanks for the shout-out!
That’s some very good company you’ve put me in! I’d add Kristen Lamb, the “WANA mama” to that list. I’ve learned a lot from her. I also read Bob Mayer’s blog, which is very sensible.
And of course this one!
Would you believe I didn’t know there was a BookBub blog? I’ve just signed up. Thanks a bunch!
My pleasure, Anne. I frankly do not know how you manage to come up with such great posts week after week. And although I’m not a regular reader of Kristen Lamb or Bob Mayer – Yes! I agree, I’ve added their links to this comment!
Molly, I hope you might also enjoy the Alliance of Independent Authors‘ advice blog – it’s packed with great posts by successful self-published authors from all over the world, sharing best practice and helping all indie authors strive for the highest standards. Topics include writing craft, industry news and information, marketing and promotion, plus lively opinions and debates.
Ok, I confess I’m biased – I’ve been its editor for the last year! But it’s a huge free resource that I hope you and your readers will find useful.
Thanks for the opportunity to share this!
Thanks, Debbie. I do visit the ALLi blog once in a while and yes, you do a wonderful job there … there are just only so many hours in the day, lol! But thanks so much for reminding us!
Aw shucks, thanks so much for the blog mention, Molly.
And wherever did you find that lovely photo of me???
My pleasure and ha ha … That’s a “straight from the horse’s mouth” image, as you well know.
Yes indeed, I got the visual pun, but the resemblance to my morning face is uncanny. 😉
LOL!
Thanks Molly, I’ll spend some time reading through all your suggestions.
I must say that people are after the freebies. I recently put a long short story on up for grabs and within two days 311 copies flew away, but the moment I put a $0.99 price tag on only a single copy went.
Readers seem to expect free stories and I don’t think they appreciate that even a short story takes ages to write, correct, re-write, upload and make a cover for. I think they imagine authors just wave a magic wand to produce something interesting for them to read.
Best regards,
Joy
Thanks, Joybelle. Yes, readers are used to “free,” but the good news is that if they like your free work, they will so often move on to a paid purchase of something else you’ve published. And that’s a win for the author!
Thanks Molly.
Great list, Molly, and pleased that you put yourself on it!
Thanks, Michael!
YAY!! I made the list. What an honor to be included with such great company!!
My pleasure, Naomi – Author CEO is doing a great job of helping to keep self-published authors informed. We appreciate your work!
As always, an excellent post, Molly. Kudos.
Thanks, Christine! xo
I posted a list on my new Indie Catholic Authors site of the Top 10 Resources for Indie Writers. I’ll be checking out Debbie’s site as well.
Thanks, Connie!
I would also highly recommend Dean Wesley Smith and Kris Rusch.
Thanks, Netta! Both are great – I appreciate the reminder!
I’m a fan of K.M. Weiland’s site: HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com – I will have to check out the others on your list!
Thanks so much Meg! Lots to choose from here …
Great list of resources! Thank you so much for putting it together!
And I’m included with all those incredible names in the list of leaders? Wow, thank you so much for that honor. 🙂
My pleasure, Jami – and thanks so much for all the valuable information you put into your blog posts … We appreciate it!
Some great information here, thanks Molly for sharing. As you say, there’s no magic formula, just work hard, stay off social media when you should be writing, and keep your ear to the ground in this ever changing world of self publication. Joanna Penn and Catherine, caffeinated helped me get my first book to publication, and I’m going to tweet this list in the hope it can help others.
Thanks, Caroline! I agree about social media – that’s actually where I waste my time on those procrastination-prone days. Sometimes I have to turn off the WiFi so I won’t be distracted!
Thanks, I’m definitely bookmarking this post! Lots of good resources here — many of which I knew about, but some were surprises. 🙂
Thanks, Julie! There are so many great resources for self-pubbers nowadays. The industry has changed, and we’re lucky so many successful authors are giving back. Thanks for stopping by!
Great list! For craft advice, I’d add helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com and writershelpingwriters.net
Great suggestions – thank you so much, Connie!
Hi Molly, I wanted to acquaint you with my website for writers. It’s won many awards, including The Write to Done top ten blogs for writers, the last two years running. My blog has intense instruction for writers, as well as insight, tips, advice, and guest posts for indie authors about publishing, marketing, and the writing life. I hope you will take a look and include it in your list the next time around! Cheers! Susanne – livewritethrive.com
Hi Suzanne, thanks so much for reminding me! I’ve visited your blog in the past and I’ve just added it to my personal list. I appreciate that you took the time to stop by, and we will keep our eyes on you going forward! … And P.S., have fun at the Central Cal Conference coming up later this month!
There is one important spot missing from this list. Indies Unlimited has a high Alexa rating and is, in my mind, the top source of information and support for self-published authors there is.
Thanks so much, Yvonne!
Woohoo! Thanks a bunch for including Your Writer Platform on such an exclusive list, Molly. 🙂
Your list, as well as your commenters’ recommendations, provide an excellent “cheat sheet” for writers looking to flatten the learning curve.
I’m certain that by us sharing what we learn with others, we’re increasing the odds that we all might find our way to a successful writing career. *fingers crossed*
Thanks, Kim! There is so much valuable information out there for authors – including your website – that I fear the only real issue is having enough time to read and absorb it all, much less implement. What a great problem to have, eh?
Bookmarked them all! Thanks!
Thanks, Patricia!
Great list, Molly! I’ll put in another plug for Indies Unlimited. Tons of great information there. 🙂
Thank you so much, Lynn!
This is a very timely post for me Molly as while I’m about to approach agents, I also know that may not be the path I end up on. I really appreciate such a great set of resources you’ve provided. Thank you:-)
My pleasure, A.K., and best of luck to you as you query agents!
I’m a little late to the party, but I wanted to thank you for creating such a great resource list and for including me on it. I love helping other writers improve in the craft 🙂
My pleasure, Marcy – I love your posts!
Great list! I’d heard of many of these but certainly not all. I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting websites to follow so this was just what I was looking for.
Hi Lauren, thanks so much – enjoy!