Rowanvale Books
  • Home
    • Self Publishing Wales
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Not Sure Where To Start?
    • Rowanvale's Five Commandments
    • Meet The Team
    • Manuscript Guidelines
    • Meet Our Authors
  • Our Services
    • Pre-Publication Services >
      • Proofreading and Editing
      • Book Illustrations Service
      • Writing Advisor Service
      • Scanning And Typing Service
      • Editorial Assessment
      • Literary Agent Package
      • Beta Readers
      • Custom Book Cover Design Service
      • Developmental Editing
    • Publication Services >
      • Children's Book Publishing
      • Paperback/Hardback Publishing
      • eBook Publishing
      • eBook and Paperback Publishing Package
      • KDP Publishing Package
    • Post-Publication Services >
      • Amazon Analysis
      • ARC and Book Review Service
      • PR Services
      • Marketing And Aftercare
  • Blog
  • Bookstore
    • New Releases
  • Customer Reviews
  • Contact Us

Essential Advice for Writing a Christmas-Themed Story

30/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
From Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic A Christmas Carol to Terry Pratchett’s ’90s fantasy Hogfather, there is a long and diverse tradition of Christmas stories in British literature – and tackling one yourself is no easy feat if you want to walk in the footsteps of these giants. But never fear; we’ve honed down a practical list of tips for taking on this festive challenge.  
 
  • Think Carefully About Genre  
Christmas-themed stories don’t just have to be happy-go-lucky, cheerful tales of love and goodwill – and often the best ones aren’t. You could write a Christmas murder mystery, or transplant the holiday into a fantasy world, or even weave in some gory elements of the horror genre. Consider experimenting with the boundaries of genre to create something original and exciting that’s going to keep your reader on the edge of their seat. Some great examples of tales subverting festive expectations are Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Match Girl or Willa Cather’s The Burglar’s Christmas. It might just take breaking the norm to perfect your Christmas tale. 
 
  • Lose the Clichés  
We know Christmas is a time of tradition and ritual where we see the same clichés resurface year after year, but originality is the prime ingredient for a memorable narrative. You need to invigorate your readers by steering far clear of the predictable and banal; describing the snow like icing sugar or Santa chuckling with his potbelly and reddened cheeks is unfortunately something we have all seen before. Try and find imaginative ways of depicting the winter landscape using unusual and unexpected metaphors – or find a unique take on Santa’s characterisation! Maybe you could re-envision the familiar icon as a cantankerous postman, or even a promiscuous ladies’ man. The possibilities are endless, so have some fun with it. 
 
  • Don’t Overdo the Christmas Elements 
This one is going to seem a little counterproductive, but bear with us. Good writing is about precision – you don’t need to waste paragraphs and paragraphs describing decorations, snowflakes and how Mariah Carey hits that high note. Don’t worry, we know what a bauble looks like! Overdoing descriptive passages about those Christmas elements can detract from the overall meaning and intent of your story. Instead, you should use those elements as a way of embellishing and framing the central plot and characters of your story – the reader definitely shouldn’t drown in them.  
 
  • Question your Christmas Expectations 
It can be easy to forget that Christmas traditions vary not just from household to household but also culture to culture. Maybe an exciting way to approach your writing is to do some research into Christmas customs outside of your own bubble, whether that’s your aunt who lives in Lancaster, or looking even further afield to something like Austrian festive rituals. For instance, in Austria the figure of tKrampus is the demonic entity responsible for punishing badly behaved children during the festive period and is often portrayed in Christmas parades donned in terrifying carved masks and, once upon a time, animal skins. This is undoubtedly the perfect foundation for a Christmas horror! Either way, playing with the expectations of what Christmas should entail could be a stimulating way to bring some originality to a festive tale – whether that involves something quite as chilling as Krampus or not.  
 
  • What Do Your Characters Think of Christmas? 
We’ve certainly all seen the trope of the virulent Scrooge-esque Christmas hater, just as we’ve seen the trope of the dewy-eyed Christmas-obsessed dreamer. These two polarisations of characterisation have been done before time and time again, so let’s switch it up! Try and formulate a complex and layered relationship between your characters and Christmas. Did they lose a close family member around the Christmas period, bringing all those complications of grief and nostalgia? Is Christmastime the only time they get to see a certain person, so it’s a bittersweet sentiment? Or do they have specific obsessions and neuroses attached to Christmas rituals – and why?  
 
E. M. Forster wrote about the distinction between ‘flat’ and ‘round’ characters, the former being one-dimensional stock characters and the latter being multifaceted, fleshed-out characters capable of complexity and contradictions. It’s important to remember that a successful story, regardless of whether it’s festive or not, is reliant on those ‘round’ characters. Nurture them! 
 
 
 
0 Comments

Christmas Gift Guide for Book Lovers

30/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
  • Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist 
For the classier book-lover in your life – the bibliophile who wouldn’t look out of place sipping from a crystal champagne coupe at one of Gatsby’s parties or stepping out from between the pages of an Ian Fleming novel preened for a game of baccarat and a martini – perhaps this volume of fine cocktail recipes with literary twists is the perfect gift. From something a little stiffer like a “Rye and Prejudice” to the more floral notes of “One Flew over the Cosmo’s Nest”, there’s really something here for any taste.  
 
  • Personalised Embosser or Stamp for Writing Supplies  
If you’re looking for a gift with a distinctly personal touch, this just may be the ticket! Whether they’re a messy librarian with books piled precariously high on shelves, or a meticulous curator who alphabetises their anthology, a book embosser is a lovely, personal way to bring their collection together. This is also a great choice for those who favour poetry or even keep a diary! You can find an assortment of customisable embossers and stamps on websites like Etsy, from independent businesses such as Fernbank Studio and Sweet Backflip.  
 
  • Bath Book Caddy 
For those in your life who struggle to carve out some quality alone time – maybe it’s a hoard of kids running rampant all day, or just a hectic work schedule – a bath book caddy is the perfect way to combine the relaxation of a soak in the tub at the end of a long, tiring day and the joyous escapism of a new book. And you could always pair it with a new bath bomb or bath salts to take that oasis of calm to the next level! This is another gift you can find a diverse range of options for on Etsy. Our stand-out choices are from Prosperous Way, Norfolk Bespoke Wood and Lux Bath Store. 
 
  • Amber Book Light  
Whether they’re too busy in the day or just a night owl by nature, this amber book light is the perfect companion for those with nocturnal reading habits. It allows them to read without straining or damaging their eyes in harsh blue light, and otherwise is just a nice calming light to provide a cosy ambience for night-time reading whilst they’re cuddled up with a cup of tea and a fluffy blanket. This night-time companion can be found here.  
 
  • Stylish New Bookends  
We all know the struggle of trying to find a home for new books, having to jumble about bookshelves and storage space just to squeeze in a few more titles – especially at Christmas. Why not buy your book lover some tasteful new bookends to help solve this problem in style? There are a plethora of designs available from a range of UK-based independent businesses, from this homely rustic style by Ivy’s Woodland Fairies, to these dazzling teal agate bookends by Sunset Crystalz, to this classic wood chic style(which can be personalised) by Mij Moj Design. This is truly the perfect book-lover gift, which you can tailor to their home and aesthetic whilst also being super practical.  
 
  • Bibliophilia: 100 Literary Postcards 
Christmas is, for some Phileas Fogg-esque wanderers, the precious brief time they get to spend quality time with friends and family. For the frequent flyers in your life, always off on some wild adventure around the globe with a suitcase full of books in tow, these literary postcards are a cute and fun way to stay connected year-round. Whether they’re navigating Parisian streets in search of Victor Hugo’s hunchback or chasing Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s stunning depictions of Nigeria, these literary postcards are an easy way to stay connected to their fellow book lovers at home and hopefully relay their own stories of adventure! These can be found at The Literary Gift Company, a business offering a fantastic range of literary themed gifts – an invaluable resource at Christmas. 
 
  • Literary-Inspired Board or Card Games 
A literary-inspired board or card game can be a great way to combine perfect gift giving and bringing together all the book lovers in your life at Christmastime! In that post-turkey daze, the perfect way to revel in chill quality time together may be getting out that new book board game and digging in. You can find a myriad of literary games in independent retailers such as The Literary Gift Company; from Trivial Pursuit’s Book Lovers’ Edition to Ex Libris, a game of writing prowess and bluffing combined, to something a little more frivolous like Bards Dispense Profanity, a Cards Against Humanity-esque game with a Shakespearian twist. The perfect way to fuse Christmas fun and a love of books!  
 
  • The Book Lover’s Cookbook by Shaunda Kennedy Wenger and Janet Kay Jensen 
Something a little similar to Tequila Mockingbird, but for the gourmand bibliophiles in your life, this cookbook that lifts recipes from passages in famous novels is something a little different, sure to catch their attention. It includes a sensational array of recipes. Examples include Mr Causobon’s Chicken Noodle Soup from George Eliot’s Middlemarch and a Turkish delight recipe plucked from C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.   
 
  • Book Subscription Service 
And finally, quite simply, books! Simple as it is, there’s no greater gift for the bibliophiles in your life than a good old book. Nowadays you can find a hugely diverse range of book subscriptions to choose from, from Queer Book Box, a service dedicated to the works of LGBTQ+ authors, to Rare Birds Book Club which celebrates the work of female authors, or simply The Willoughby Book Club which caters to all genres and all readers, you really can’t go wrong. These services tend to send out around four books per month, and some even offer tasty extras such as herbal teas, bookmarks, totes or even craft beers!  
0 Comments

Writing a Plot: Outlines and Obscurities

19/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Let’s be honest, plot outlines are kind of like Marmite: writers either love ’em or they hate ’em.  

Some writers like the fact that outlines structure ideas and help them get organised, yet others find them too constrictive, limiting their artistic flair. Here at Rowanvale Books, we can see both sides of the coin. We understand that plot outlines aren’t the magical cure to solve all organisational issues an author may have, but we also know that some authors simply wouldn’t get their novel off the ground without them. Heck, even the best authors can use a little structure sometimes! 
​

Picture
            Pictured above is part of JK Rowling’s plot outline for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. 
​This particular page  covers chapters 13 through 24.
​

Picture
C. S. Plocher of The FriendlyEditor.com and WriteLikeRowling.com has taken this transcription-to-legibility process further by creating this plot outline. You can read more about  ‘How Rowling Revised Order of the Phoenix‘ by clicking on the above image.

Plot outlines come in many shapes and forms, and it’s important that you as a writer don’t let them get out of hand. I recommend getting some sort of outline sorted in your head before starting to write your first draft. Start with a novel outline (a running summary of what happens throughout your book in as much detail as you like), then move on to condensing this into a briefer chapter summary (a few lines/bullet points of the main events, character developments, etc. that occur in each chapter). 
​

There are numerous benefits to writing a plot summary, which you may find outweigh the drawbacks. 

  • A plot outline can help disorganised or forgetful writers see where their story is heading, keep to a schedule to get their voice heard faster, and remember the key components and plot threads to their story. 
  • It can help writers to keep track of what’s important in their story so that they don’t stray too far from the main plot threads. It keeps their plot moving forward. 
  • A plot outline can always be changed along the way! Some writers may be discouraged by the regimented nature of an outline, but always remember that nothing is set in stone. A rough plot outline at the start may even enable you as the writer to see alternative plots that might have stayed hidden to you if you did not take such a structured approach. 
  • A plot outline is good practice for writing a synopsis for publishing houses – it is important that you can effectively sum up your novel to both yourself and other people. 
 
 What are your thoughts on plot outlines? We’d love to hear from you in the comments! 
 ​

0 Comments

Books to Add to Your Winter Reading Pile

19/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Long, dark mornings and evenings during the winter can be the best excuse to curl up in bed with a good book. Make yourself a nice, warm mug of coffee or hot chocolate, wrap yourself in your warmest blanket and snuggle up with one of Rowanvale Books’ winter recommendations.  


  1. Little Women  
  2. The Best Kind of Beautiful  
  3. The Ruins of War 
  4. A Whole Life  
  5. Harry Potter 

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott 
After the film’s success last year, many of us were reminded of the classic we read as children. If you were swept up in the usual business of Christmas festivities last year and didn’t have the chance to pick up a copy of the book after your trip to the cinema, this year is surely your chance. With multiple Christmassy and snowy scenes throughout, the book is a sure-fire feel-good trip down memory lane. No better way to spend the festive period, if you ask us!  

The Best Kind of Beautiful, Frances Whiting  
If you fancy getting swept away in a romantic novel you can’t put down, then Frances Whiting’s The Best Kind of Beautiful is the book for you this winter. With a storyline very fitting for our current uncertain times, Whiting writes in a manner that really allows you to get to know the characters and fully immerse yourself in their lives. Perfect for those days where you don’t really want to see anyone, but still don’t want to feel completely alone.  
​
The Ruins of War, Julian Armstrong 
One of Rowanvale Books’ own, Julian Armstrong’s compelling fantasy winter mystery will leave you struggling to think about anything else. The cover art alone is enough to transport you straight to the heart of a dark, snow-covered forest. A real page turner, Ruins of War is ideal for those rainy or snowy days where all you want is to curl up with a book you’ll never want to stop reading.  
Picture
A Whole Life, Robert Seethaler  
Robert Seethaler writes poetically about a life of isolation high up in the Alps. Despite only being a short book, you’ll find yourself with a real attachment to protagonist Andreas Egger as Seethaler elegantly discloses private moments from the character’s life, both past and present. A Whole Life can be easily read in a single sitting as--like with most books on this list--you’ll find yourself so wrapped up in the story that you won’t want to do anything else.  


The Harry Potter Series, J. K. Rowling  
Christmas and winter is often a time for familiar comforts, and there’s nothing more comforting for so many of us than the Harry Potter chronicles. With almost every book and film containing Christmas or snowy scenes, there’s no wonder so many people see them as December classics! They’re a great option for book and movie marathons alone, or for cosy nights in with friends and family. 

0 Comments

What Is a Reader Magnet and Why Do You Need One?

10/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
In one of our previous blog posts, we talked about how you can set up a mailing list to get more readers. We mentioned that it is a good idea to include freebies in exchange for your readers’ email addresses. That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. Here at Rowanvale, we’re with you every step of the publication process and we care about you and your book. So here’s our advice on how to create and make the most of a reader magnet.  
 
What Is a Reader Magnet? 
The role of a reader magnet is, by definition, to attract readers towards you and your writing. The term was coined by Nick Stephenson and is a catchy name for a free piece of content that you give to your readers when they subscribe to your mailing list. It can be a story, artwork, or perhaps a map of the world you describe in your books if you write fantasy or sci-fi novels. As long as it’s something you care about and that you are keen to share, we have no doubt your readers will love it. 
 
Ideas for Your Reader Magnet 
Do you have a standalone or a short story in your drawer that you don’t know what to do with? Time to turn it into a reader magnet! And if you need a hand to make it perfect, we can help with our proofreading and copyediting service. You can custom write something that you know your readers will like, or write different reader magnets to attract different people within your fandom. If you’re a fiction author, you can create a reader magnet for new readers when they sign up to your newsletter, and also something for existing fans to use further down the line in a newsletter or at the end of your book. If you specialise in non-fiction, you can create reader magnets on as many micro-topics as you want to explore, and include them at the end of your most-viewed blog posts. The possibilities are truly endless. 


3 Rules for the Best Reader Magnet 
When you’re creating your reader magnet, there are a few things you should always keep in mind to get the best results. Here are our three key points for you to create the best reader magnet: 
 
  • Answer a popular story question: Is there an aspect of your book that is left undefined and that your readers keep asking questions about? Answer those questions with a reader magnet! For example, if the plot includes a battle, but in the book you only talk about the aftermath, you could use your reader magnet to show your readers how the battle actually played out and exactly what happened. This gives your readers something unique that they won’t be able to get anywhere else to answer their burning questions. 
 
  • Make it about your readers’ interests: If you write fiction, remember to focus on the characters your readers love the most. A good example of this is the American novelist Cassandra Clare, author of the Shadowhunters series. Using her Tumblr page, she regularly asks her fandom about any particular spin-offs, side stories or drawings they want to see based on their favourite characters. This strengthens your relationship with your readers and keeps them coming back to your writing time and time again. Besides, reader magnets might sometimes spark new ideas for another book, so it’s a win-win!   
 
  • ​​If you write non-fiction, make sure you know your audience. Which questions do you find yourself answering most frequently in the comments on your blog or on social media? Did you receive feedback that made you think maybe you need to go more in-depth about a certain topic? That’s ideal reader magnet material. 
 
  • Create a self-contained story: Your reader magnet needs to be self-contained, meaning it has to make sense even, and especially, to those who have never read any of your books. If anything, the purpose of a reader magnet is to hook new readers, even more than your first book. But it also has to work for regular readers – someone who has read all of your books and is now signing up to your mailing list to get exclusive content is looking for a new story to answer their questions. So it is very important that the story you use as a reader magnet has an ending and doesn’t introduce any further questions. As we said earlier, generating ideas for new books from reader magnets is good, but just make a note of your ideas in a notepad and focus on the few, self-contained questions you want to answer in your reader magnet.  
 
Did this give you an idea of what to write for your reader magnet? If you feel like you need more resources, we can help! The great thing about a reader magnet is that you decide how and when to publish it. If your first reader magnet doesn’t work very well, you can swap it for a new one and just test out a few options until you find the one that really brings you readers. You can get in touch with one of our writing advisors to receive support tailored to your needs and become an expert in the art of reader magnets. 
 
How to Deliver a Reader Magnet 
Once you’ve decided the nature of your reader magnet and spent time creating it, you want to make sure to deliver it to your readers in a safe and easy way. There are various websites and pieces of software that allow you to do this for a fee. It’s worth spending some time researching the best option for you.  
 
The most popular tool to deliver reader magnets is BookFunnel. The website allows you to set up a giveaway page which you can link to on your own website. Readers will be directed to your BookFunnel landing page and will be prompted to subscribe to your newsletter in order to download your reader magnet. The great thing about BookFunnel is that it allows for direct email integration and download monitoring. Plus, you can upload your reader magnet in common formats such as PDF and BookFunnel will optimise it for a variety of devices. Last but not least, you can customise your reader magnet’s landing page to convey all the uniqueness and awesomeness of your writing. ​

Picture
If BookFunnel just isn’t for you, there are alternatives worth exploring, such as Book Cave, ProlificWorks or StoryOrigin. There’s really something for everyone! Alternatively, if none of these platforms suit your needs, you can simply upload your book and set the price to free on traditional commercial outlets like Amazon, Kobo or iTunes. 
 
Finally, Don’t Forget the Looks! 
Just because your reader magnet is free, it doesn’t mean you can overlook the appearance. Your cover design is especially important if you decide to use BookFunnel to deliver your reader magnet. The cover will be the central point of your landing page and will be displayed prominently across the BookFunnel website. Besides, a cover can really help to convey how deserving of your readers’ attention your writing is. Are you stuck on how to design a cover? We’re here for you! Check out our bespoke cover design service and start working with our amazing team of designers to create the best cover you will ever see.  
 
We hope this was useful to understanding the importance of reader magnets and how to create and deliver one. Just remember that reader magnets are often a matter of trial and error. The success of your reader magnet doesn’t define your worth as a writer. Keep doing what you love, and get in touch with us. We’re here to support you! 
 
0 Comments

How to Start a Mailing List to Entice Your Readers

10/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
As a self-published author, marketing your own book in this day and age can be daunting to say the least. The guidance available on the internet is confusing and, more often than not, useless. Many advisors and self-proclaimed marketing experts point to social media as the only possible source of profit, but that’s not always true.  

As David Gaughran wrote in his marketing guide to author platform, “the advice seems to be as basic and useless as this: 

Step One: Get social media followers somehow 
Step Two: ??? 
Step 3: Profit! 


Even if step two were more detailed, this is still a pretty bad plan.” 

Does this sound familiar? Fear not. Today, we’re here to guide you through the first step to get readers to buy your book: a mailing list. A mailing list is the most effective way to build a relationship with your readers that lasts over time. Here is what you need to do to create one: 

  • Buy your domain name and start a website: First of all, you need a website to establish your online presence. Investing in your own domain name is key.  
     
    Make sure you choose a platform that is straightforward and easy to use. WordPress is probably your best bet, but there are alternatives such as Wix or SquareSpace. If you’re a beginner, you might prefer an inexpensive solution that’s easy to put together and maintain so as not to take too much time away from writing. In this respect, it’s important to point out that you do not need a blog if that’s only going to be a hindrance, detracting from the book you’re working on. 
     
  • Get a hosting package: There are plenty of hosting packages available to suit your needs; just find the one that works for you! If you have a WordPress website and you’re looking for a stress-free hosting solution, we recommend Bluehost, SiteGround or GreenGeeks.  
 
  • Start a mailing list: You can now set up a mailing list. There is an abundance of software to help you manage the messages you want to send your readers. The most popular is Mailchimp (or Tinyletter), an easy and free drag-and-drop e-mail builder, but there are options. Alternatively, you might want to use a hosting package such as Constant Contact that offers you both a website and a mailing list for a complete marketing solution. With GetResponse, you can also create landing pages and sales funnels to further promote your book. Always keep in mind, though, that your main focus always has to be your book. Marketing is important, but don’t get carried away! 

    Dos and Don’ts of a Mailing List
Picture
One of the advantages of e-mail marketing is that you are in full control of what your readers get, and that’s precisely why you need to learn how to get the most out of it. Here are a few dos and don’ts of email marketing: 
 
  • DON’T treat your readers simply as customers. Try to build a meaningful relationship with them to make them stay. A welcome e-mail when they subscribe to your mailing list is a good first step.  
     
  • DO share personal insights. In the age of social media, following someone on Twitter is much less of an investment than letting someone into your inbox. You have to make it worth their while.  
     
  • DON’T write emails only when you need to promote your new book. Stick to a schedule (e.g. a monthly newsletter) and get creative. 
     
  • DO advertise exclusive events and freebies. This is a great way to keep your current readers and entice new ones to subscribe. Freebies might include prequels, deleted scenes or Spotify playlists you use while writing.​
​
Creative Ideas for Your Newsletter 
Picture
Here are a few ideas to get you started on your first newsletter. Nothing is off-limits, but remember to monitor what your readers want and ask them for feedback, especially in the beginning.  
 
  • Have different sections or stick to one topic – you can have some permanent sections in your newsletter such as a short bio, latest blog posts or events, or you can write a proper letter to your readers exploring a different topic each time.  
     
  • Share fun facts of your life as a writer – readers love to know what’s going on behind the scenes! 
     
  • Share what inspires you – whether that’s your Pinterest board or the story of how you became a writer.  
     
  • Discuss your research process and provide downloadable resources – chances are that many of your readers are also writers. Why not share the nitty gritty of your writing process with them? 
     

  • Make sure your readers know where to find you –share your schedule of public events and interviews. 
     

  • Give book recommendations – readers are always looking for the next book to read, so sharing what you’re reading is always a good idea. You might also want to start a book club to create your own community! 
 
Hopefully, now you know how to get started with your very own author newsletter. Want to find out what the next steps of promoting your book are? At Rowanvale Books, we offer a variety of services to help you build your audience of readers. You can find out more here about our Marketing & Aftercare services or get in touch with us.  ​

0 Comments

5 Key Steps for Aspiring Authorpreneurs

7/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
It was once the case that traditional publishing was the only viable option for authors, but today the rise of self-publishing has allowed authors to take full control of their work. Authors often receive higher royalties by this method and no longer have to wait years until their book is released, and the increase in freelance cover designers and editors means that self-publishing is no longer a last resort after a long process of submissions and rejections. It’s a first choice. 

With the rise of self-publishing and the shift of the market to the web, authors have to work hard to build their own platform. They’re no longer just expected to write, but have to sell, and in most instances authors must now be prepared to work harder at marketing than at writing. As a result, writers are no longer just authors, but are becoming ‘authorpreneurs’.

It may feel unnatural at first, especially following such a creative process like writing a book, but it’s becoming essential for authors to adapt to the savvy ways of an entrepreneur, building their book as they would a business. Thinking like an authorpreneur is essential in becoming a success, and will help to make your writing no longer just a hobby but a full-time living.
 
1. Determine your audience 
Establishing your target audience is essential in becoming an authorpreneur. What is your book about? Who would enjoy reading it? It’s really important to know as much as you possibly can about your potential fans, as this will make it much easier to reach them. Once you narrow down your target audience perfectly, you’ll find sales so much easier. 

Marketing to anyone and everyone, posting on social media to anyone who will listen, and advertising your book on Google, etc. can be a very laborious and time-sucking method for finding your buyers. Finding your target audience, as a tiny little niche, and marketing directly to them, means you are hitting that target. You’ll have a much higher success rate with marketing if you focus on growing a very specific fan base and marketing only to them.

 2. Build a brand 
When thinking like an authorpreneur, it’s important to keep in mind that you are a business, not just a writer. A key part of this is branding yourself. Focus on building an author brand by establishing how you want to be seen online. Like any successful business, you’ll need a well-designed website and a strong online presence across social media platforms. Sticking to consistent topics, using consistent keywords, and even using consistent colours (e.g. red and yellow – did someone say McDonalds?), can show a huge level of professionalism, which is invaluable when attracting a readership. So, just as a company has consistent branding, using strong colours, fonts and images, authors should emulate this to give off a professional air. 

For help in setting up your own author website, visit our website page.

3. Plan a launch 
As with any business, promotion needs to be considered well in advance of release-day. Authors should take advantage of the pre-publication months by planning a launch event in the lead-up to a book release. Launch events can build momentum, excitement and a real buzz around your work at a critical time. Not only do you deserve to do a bit of celebrating after all that hard work, but it will kick-start your marketing campaign in style.

Picture
4. Forming a friendship circle 
By following step #1, it should be much easier for you to find potential readers online. Let’s use Twitter as an example. Assuming you follow (and receive a follow back) a hundred or so people that come under your target audience on Twitter, you then need to start reading over the tweets from your followers. What you’re looking for here is the potential for conversation, and for a mutual relationship. You don’t need to juggle too many at once – try aiming for a small and comfortable amount of correspondents, and gradually build it up. These friends become your loyal marketing team. They will endlessly promote you – they will be your brand ambassadors  – and all because we always love to help out a friend. 

Just as businesses gain loyal customers, you have the opportunity to build a loyal following online, and it’s important to remember to give and take. Social media is a conversation, not a lecture, so always be sure to respond to your followers and take an interest in them. Keep your new circle of readers happy by giving them an inside look – run free giveaways and show them sneak peaks of the inner workings of your writing to create a feeling of exclusivity for your followers.

5. Enjoy! 
Most important of all – have fun! Enjoying the marketing process will allow you to be a resilient authorpreneur, and you’ll become more proactive, more knowledgeable and more satisfied with your writing. 

For help with your book marketing, check out our Marketing Advisor page and learn more about how to use these methods to improve your book sales and become an authorpreneur! 


0 Comments

Keeping Your Readers Interested: Action, Dialogue and Narrative

7/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
When writing a story, authors have to strike a balance between action, dialogue and narration in order to be effective. They need to keep the reader guessing, pace their novel properly and mix things up a bit.  

There are no actual rules about how to blend action, dialogue and narration. You have to experiment a little, weave them together and find your story’s unique rhythm. However, there are a few questions you can ask yourself about your story to help with this — especially during the redrafting stage — that can help you to strike the right balance.


  • Do you need to give the reader some background information on the characters at a certain point in the plot so they can connect with them more? If so, it may be best to use narration, dialogue or a combination of the two in order to do this. 
  • Are your characters providing too many background details in conversation with each other? If so, maybe try using narration to explain these details to the reader. 
  • Is the plot moving a little slowly? Do you need to speed things up? If so, it may be worth inserting more dialogue or action to introduce a new conflict. 
  • Do you have too many dialogue-heavy scenes in a row? If so, you should consider using action or narration to break up long stretches of conversation. 
  • Do you find that your characters are constantly confiding in others things they should only be thinking to themselves? If so, the best course of action may be to insert more narration. 
  • Likewise, are your characters alone in their heads when conversation would be more effective and lively? If so, perhaps consider using more dialogue in your scene. 
  • Is your story unbalanced in any way? For example, do you have too much action, too much dialogue or too much narration? If so, try adding more of the elements that are missing.

We hope that these tips help when writing or redrafting your novel. Remember: pace your work, mix it up a little and, above all, just write! 


0 Comments

KPD Promos: All You Need to Know About Advertising Your Book Deals

1/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
In recent years, Amazon has captured the majority of market share in the self-publishing industry when it comes to online sales. We’ve discussed how to choose the right keywords to ensure your book gets the best possible Amazon ranking in a previous blog post [include the link to previous blog post when published], but how about advertising your book deals when your book has already started to gain some traction? This article will walk you through the book deals available on Amazon, the best strategies to promote them, and the ways in which you can make the most out of KDP deals. If you’d still like some help from our professional and friendly marketing team here at Rowanvale, make sure to check out our Amazon Analysis service. But for now, let us guide you through the basics.

What are KDP deals? 
Before we teach you how to promote your book deals, it’s good to have an overview of the services offered by KDP. If you’re already familiar with KDP Select and promo programmes, you can skip to the section on how to promote them.  
 
Amazon KDP offers a programme called KDP Select that grants them the exclusive right to sell your eBooks in exchange for a few perks. These are:

  • Kindle Countdown Deal – This is a promotion which allows you to put your book for sale in the Kindle store at a discounted price for a limited timeframe that you will select. At the end of the period you selected, the price will rise again, which will convince customers to buy your book while the price is lower.  
     
  • Free promotion - KDP Select also gives you the opportunity to set your book to free for a limited time. Anyone who downloads the book during the promotion period can leave a verified review, which boosts your ranking in the Kindle store.  
     
  • Kindle Unlimited (KU) – KU lets readers download unlimited free eBooks for a monthly fee. KU books aren’t given any preferential treatment and don’t necessarily have more visibility in the Kindle store, but KU readers are more likely to choose KU books (free) as opposed to non-KU books (paid). For authors, every KU download has the same impact on rankings as a sale. 

    Now that you know what KDP deals and promos are, let’s look at how to promote them!​
Picture
Advertising KDP deals 
There are different ways in which you can advertise your KDP deals to get the most out of them and let your audience know you have an ongoing promotion. Here are a few strategies that might help: 
 
  • Set up a Facebook group - This can be a great way to put yourself out there, especially if you’re an emerging author. You can create a space for like-minded fans and writers in your genre to come together and discuss common interests/what they expect from you and your writing. It’s a nice means of two-way communication, as opposed to the one-sided nature of a Facebook page, which is more suited for marketing purposes if you’re already a fairly established writer. A group has more chances of being always up-to-date because members will post frequently, which will always attract new readers. However, it will require a lot more time because as the founder author, you’ll need to mediate and keep the group clean and on target. Groups can be useful to advertise KDP deals whenever you have an ongoing promotion, as members (unless they decide otherwise) are automatically notified of any new post. If you think managing a group will detract too much from the time you spend writing, you can always join existing Facebook groups and advertise your promotions there (but be mindful of each group’s rules on advertising and spamming!) 
     
  • Mailing list – You can also add a section to your mailing list [possibly link to previous blog post on mailing lists] highlighting any ongoing promotions, or send out a special email every time you have a promotion going, but again, be careful not to spam and annoy your readers! 
     
  • Newsletter swaps with other authors – Promote another author’s book in your newsletter and agree for them to do the same with your book in return. This applies to ongoing KDP deals too, as most readers will be looking to purchasing from the Kindle store anyway. If you need a place to start, here’s a nice Facebook group for newsletter swaps. 
     
  • Facebook ads – Whatever your opinion on Facebook marketing, it is undeniable that the ads are a writer’s dream. To start with, Facebook has about 1.4 billion users across the world, so even the smallest audience or niche market will be there. Secondly, every Facebook user gives away information about their likes and dislikes, which makes for the most targeted advertising that has ever existed and is a goldmine for fiction authors especially. To create Facebook ads, you need to have a Facebook page, but you do not need to have an author website [possibly link to previous blog post about mailing lists and author websites]. This can be particularly useful as there’s a feature on Facebook ads that allows you to get your readers’ email addresses when they click on the advert and automatically add them to your mailing list, if they give consent. We’d recommend spending some time exploring Facebook advertising tools to find the one that works best for you! 
     
  • Amazon ads – Many book marketers contend that Amazon has taken over Facebook for advertising in the past few years. The greatest advantage with Amazon ads, compared to Facebook ads, is that you only have to pay when you get a click. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when setting up your book ads on Amazon, such as your target, your bid (the maximum amount you’re ready to pay for each click – your ads won’t show up if that’s too low!) and your ads’ performance. Here is a useful step-by-step guide to Amazon ads for authors. If you’re still in doubt, our Amazon Analysis service can help you make an informed choice.  
     
  • Backlist – And of course, don’t forget your backlist! In online stores, there is unlimited space for your books, and the more books you have, the more doors your readers have to get to you. When you plan and advertise your KDP deals, don’t forget about your older books, and if one of them is particularly successful, ride the wave to promote your new book! 

These are all great strategies to promote your KDP deals that will hopefully keep you out of trouble. You should be aware that Amazon treats sudden spikes in sales as suspicious and will penalise you if you try to advertise your KDP deals in ways they deem unfair. For example, you should avoid ‘book bombs’, i.e. asking your Twitter followers to buy your promoted book at a particular time on a particular day. Amazon will detect the spike in sales and might cut off your promotions. Whatever (fair) strategy you choose, just remember that here at Rowanvale we care about our authors and aim to offer the best services. Check out our Amazon Analysis service within our KDP Publishing package as well as our Marketing and Aftercare service for more advice from our marketing experts.  

0 Comments

    Archives

    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    January 2021

    Categories

    All
    Book Distribution
    Marketing
    Royalties
    Self Publishing Guide
    Self-publishing Guide
    Social Media
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Services

Children's Publishing
Paperback Publishing
eBook Publishing
KDP Publishing
All Format Publishing
Book Illustrations
Writing Advisor
Scanning & Typing
Editorial Assessment
Proofreading & Editing
Literary Agents
Beta Readers
Custom Book Cover Design
Developmental Editing
Amazon Analysis
ARC Review Service
PR Service
Marketing & Aftercare

Company

Meet The Team
Accessibility
Contact Us

Support

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Rowanvale Books is the largest and one of the longest running self-publishing companies in Wales.
Visit us on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn below.
UK: 02921 280 895
International: (+44) 2921 280 895
e: info@rowanvalebooks.com
Picture

© Rowanvale Books Ltd 2021
Registered in Wales | Company Registration No. 8820249
Website Powered By Digitally Brilliant
  • Home
    • Self Publishing Wales
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Not Sure Where To Start?
    • Rowanvale's Five Commandments
    • Meet The Team
    • Manuscript Guidelines
    • Meet Our Authors
  • Our Services
    • Pre-Publication Services >
      • Proofreading and Editing
      • Book Illustrations Service
      • Writing Advisor Service
      • Scanning And Typing Service
      • Editorial Assessment
      • Literary Agent Package
      • Beta Readers
      • Custom Book Cover Design Service
      • Developmental Editing
    • Publication Services >
      • Children's Book Publishing
      • Paperback/Hardback Publishing
      • eBook Publishing
      • eBook and Paperback Publishing Package
      • KDP Publishing Package
    • Post-Publication Services >
      • Amazon Analysis
      • ARC and Book Review Service
      • PR Services
      • Marketing And Aftercare
  • Blog
  • Bookstore
    • New Releases
  • Customer Reviews
  • Contact Us