Self-Publishing
Funny You Should Ask: When to Nudge an Agent
Literary agent Barbara Poelle answers readers questions about when to nudge an agent and what to do with a book you've published through a hybrid scam in this Funny You Should Ask column from the Sept/Oct 2022 issue of Writer's Digest.
Pamela Samuels Young: How Indie Publishing Chose Me
This Indie Author Profile shines a light on NAACP Image Award-winning legal thriller author Pamela Samuels Young and how she found indie publishing success.
Jeff Adams: Publishing Advice for Indie Authors
In this Indie Author Profile, romance novelist Jeff Adams shares his path to independent publishing and his advice for others considering that path.
Nikesha Elise Williams: On the Power of Self-Publishing
In this indie author profile, novelist Nikesha Elise Williams shares her path to self publishing and the creative marketing strategy that's led to her success.
Channel Your Inner Authorpreneur for Your Writing Labor of Love
As self-publishing continues to become an attractive and popular options for writers, it’s important to know what you’re getting into and to have the right expectations. Here, author and entrepreneur Tom Vaughan shares how to channel your inner “authorpreneur” to help your book find its readers.
How to Crowdfund Your Book
Crowdfunding in publishing has received a lot of attention in recent months. Successful crowd-funder and author Chris Stollar shares his tips for realistic and practical tips to make crowdfunding work for you.
9 Ways Self-Publishing Changed My Life (and Will Change Yours Too)
Part encouraging and part cautionary, author Kim Catanzarite lays out everything you can expect to change in your life when you self-publishing your novel.
3 Things I Learned From the Best Self-Published Books This Past Year
WD competition judge AJ Wells shares what was different, unique, and special about this year's best self-published books.
On The Business of Self-Publishing: So, You're Self-Published, Now What?
In the third of a three-post series on the business of self-publishing, AJ Wells shares his experience of reading hundreds of self-published books, as well as tips and advice on what self-published authors should do once their stories are finished.
On the Business of Self-Publishing a Novel: Finding and Engaging Your Audience
In the second of a three-post series on the business of self-publishing, AJ Wells shares his experience of reading hundreds of self-published books, as well as tips and advice from other indie authors on how to find and engage with their audience as they venture into self-publishing.
On the Business of Self-Publishing: Claiming Power Over Your Novel
In the opening round of a three-post series on the business of self-publishing, AJ Wells shares his experience of reading hundreds of self-published books as well as feedback from other successful indie authors in relation to self-publishing as a way to claim power over your novel (as opposed to being a "last resort").
How I Broke Into the Traditional Publishing World as an Indie Author
Learn the process indie author Amanda Aksel went through in getting her novel Delia Suits Up traditionally published, including questions she asked herself and weighing one strategy against the other.
Lessons Learned From Self-Publishing My Picture Book
Author Dawn Secord shares her journey toward self-publishing a picture book featuring her Irish Setter named Bling.
How I Sold the Cover of My Latest Book as an NFT and What I Learned
When faced with the difficult task of promoting his novel Catch 42: A novel about our future, writer Felix Holzapfel had a wild idea: Why not use non-fungible tokens?
Writing With Intention: On Hiring a Sensitivity Reader
Whether you're looking to pitch your work to an agent or are setting out on your self-publishing journey, author Melissa Scholes Young has some tips for hiring a sensitivity reader to up-level your work.
Lessons Learned for Narrating the Audiobook of My Novel
Author Mary Dixie Carter explains how she prepared herself to narrate the audiobook for her debut novel The Photographer.
Three Crucial Changes to the Book Publishing Industry
The new book Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing documents in detail the changes in the book publishing industry in recent years. Author John B. Thompson gives a glimpse of three crucial changes.
By Any Means Necessary: Finding Unorthodox Ways to Break-In
Novelist D. Eric Maikranz gives advice for how to get your readers to sit up and take notice of your work in untraditional ways.
John B. Thompson: On Researching Changes in the Book Publishing Industry
John B. Thompson, author of the new book Book Wars, shares the research that went into his account of how the digital revolution changed publishing for readers and writers.
5 Tips on Writing a Standout Self-Published Book From Someone Who's Read Hundreds of Them
WD competition judge AJ Wells breaks down what will make or break your self-published book, from cover design to plot construction.
Gary F. Bengier: Indie Publishing Philosophical Speculative Fiction
Former eBay CFO Gary F. Bengier shares his journey to self-publish his debut speculative fiction novel based on his nonfiction philosophy book.
4 Tips for Transitioning From Self-Publishing to Traditional Publishing: How I Found Writing Success After a DIY Start
Mystery novelist Robert McCaw shares how he went from self-publishing his novels to getting an agent and traditional publication, including why the transition made sense for him.
Using Recipes in Your Non-Cookbook Manuscript: What You Need to Know
Want to make your story more savory? On The Market author Audrey Wick suggests including the recipes your characters devour.
In the Chorus That Surrounds Every Writer, Listen to the Voice That's Your Own
It is easy to get lost in the flurry of feedback you get after sharing your writing for critique. Lorraine Devon Wilke shares how not to lose track of your own voice in the process.