Marketing A Book - Ten Ways to Learn How

At Triskele Books, we've spent a lot of time and money on learning how to market our books. And as a collective, we share everything we learn with each other. So today, we're sharing with you. Here are ten of the books, sites, resources and courses that we've found most useful.

Books 

Your First 1000 Copies by Tim Grahl
A great place to start, especially if the word marketing brings you out in a rash. Solid, helpful advice and a wise approach to the author-marketing mindset.

Let's Get Visible by David Gaughran
The partner volume to Let's Get Digital (also recommended), Gaughran understands the workings of the Kindle store better than most and offers practical, clear advice on how to use it.

Write. Publish. Repeat by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant
This is a broader look at building a career from your writing, with a focus on craft as well as marketing.

How To Market a Book by Joanna Penn
Distilling her own experience and advice into one book, which is easy to read and useful for authors at every stage of the publishing process, Joanna is an inspiration.

How To Get Your Self Published Book Into Bookstores by Debbie Young
IN her typically approachable and friendly style, ALLi Publications Manager Debbie Young covers all the angles and some you hadn't even considered.

Websites

Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula
Mark and his team offer lots of free advice via podcasts and resource books, plus some powerful paid courses that have transformed many writers' careers.

Dave Chesson's Free AMS Ads Course
Very useful 5-day course aimed at digging into the nuts and bolts of Amazon Marketing Services.

Your First 10K Readers by Nick Stephenson
All kinds of helpful advice with a particular focus on growing a mailing list, Nick's blog and videos are an essential part of any author's marketing toolbox.

Anne R Allen's blog with Ruth Harris.
The pair are focused largely on craft, but have some excellent and easily digestible tips on marketing and self promotion.

Jane Friedman is always at the cutting edge of changes in the publishing world and offers weekly updates and insights into what's afoot. A must read.

SiteSeeing: Top Ten Sites for Indie Authors

One of the many things we love about the indie author community is the willingness to share. So much knowledge and experience is available and we have taken huge strides forward thanks to the generosity of others. So we’re passing it on. These are ten of the invaluable sites Triskele Books use, each with a recent, relevant post. If you have recommendations to share, please let us know. 

 

Publishing Perspectives

Global news on all things publishing, overviews of developments, markets, changes and opportunities. A great place to start.
http://publishingperspectives.com/2013/09/self-publishing-and-the-industry-implications-and-impact/

The Writing Platform

Free online resource for all writers and poets ­ emerging, established, not yet published, traditionally published and self-published ­ who are looking for neutral information about writing in a digital age. Rescue remedy for technophobes. http://www.thewritingplatform.com/2013/07/maggie-gee-making-at-the-mix-conferece-2/

ALLi (The Alliance of Independent Authors)

A non-profit, global, collaborative, collective of self-publishing writers, with vast resources of information. Lots of first-hand experience and a powerful force for the publishing community. Publishes daily paper with up-to-the-second news. http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/how-to-edit-your-own-work-before-you-self-publish-your-book/
 
Jane Friedman

Outspoken, opinionated and extremely well informed, Jane shares her knowledge on writing, reading and publishing in the digital age. http://janefriedman.com/2013/09/27/publishers-author-websites/

David Gaughran

As well as being the chief source of self publisher tax information via this post, David hosts his own blog. Hands-on, rolled-up sleeves and exactly what an indie author needs to know. Solid, realistic, practical and indispensable advice. http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/practicalities/

The Bookseller

British magazine containing the latest news from the publishing and bookselling worlds, in-depth analysis and features.
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/self-published-writers-get-online-resource.html

The Creative Penn

Joanna Penn shares her breadth of knowledge as an independent authorpreneur. Writing, publishing, marketing, speaking; she’s got it all going on. http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2009/08/14/3-steps-to-start-author-platform-building/

Joel Friedlander

The Book Designer provides a wealth of information on How to Make a Book, from cover design to typography, blogging and common errors. http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2013/06/laura-duffy/
 
Emma Darwin

Emma’s blog is a go-to site for all kinds of authors who care about their craft. She constantly encourages us to strive for better. http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2013/09/exercises-heroes-and-your-hat-check-girls-journey.html

Indie ReCon

This year’s virtual conference for indie writers provided advice and intelligence on EVERYTHING. Next one coming up Feb 24-26, 2014. Lots of great material in the archives. http://www.indierecon.org/2013/02/top-10-tips-for-successful-self.html

by JJ Marsh