 For authors new to self-publishing, book distribution can be an intimidating task. At Rowanvale, we understand the complexities of the process, which is why we’ve created A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing Book Distribution to guide you through. What is Book Distribution? Put simply, book distribution is the process in which books are delivered to wholesalers, retailers and bookstores, ready to be sold directly to the consumer. For beginners to self-publishing, book distribution can seem like an impossible hurdle. After spending tireless months writing, editing and redrafting your novel, worrying about how your book will be distributed is an added stress that many self-published authors fall victim to. Book distributors specialise in this operation, meaning much of the strain on self-published authors can be alleviated by the distributor’s expertise and know-how.  Distributors, Wholesalers and Aggregators: Self-Publishing Lingo for Beginners 1. Distributor A distributor, more often than not the key figure in book distribution, will manage the logistics of distributing your book to all the key areas, making your book readily available to consumers. Distribution can be wide-ranging or purposefully targeted, with bookstores, libraries and online retailers acting as the target market. While there are some companies that specialise in book distribution alone, with our self-publishing services at Rowanvale, we can ensure global distribution as simply a part of the package. 2. Wholesaler Not to be confused with a distributor, a wholesaler’s role is to purchase books on behalf of relevant bookstores, businesses and libraries. 3. Aggregator A term most often used in eBook distribution, an aggregator’s role is to provide and sell books to multiple distributors simultaneously, giving self-published authors scope for accessing online retailers. Having chosen an aggregator, authors can upload their electronic manuscript or eBook file and choose which networks they wish to distribute to. Typically, aggregators take a percentage of your royalties for the use of their service, which is generally estimated at 10-15%.  The Importance of Book Distribution Book distribution is a key element in the market success of most books. Without a thoughtful distribution strategy, some books are at risk of falling flat. For most authors, this can be a devastating blow. Knowing the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into writing and publishing a book, at Rowanvale we want to ensure that book distribution is a seamless process that allows our authors’ books to become accessible to readers across the globe. With our expert team and services, we aim to make this possible for all new authors. For self-published indie authors, eBooks are a fantastic starting point for getting your book out there. Distributing an eBook can be significantly less complicated than print, and with our eBook Publishing Package, authors can focus their sales on Amazon specifically or distribute to other major retailers like Apple and Kobo. For authors who wish to take a more traditional approach, or those who wish to combine both, some of our recommended packages are our eBook & Paperback/Hardback Publishing Package, as well as our KDP Publishing Package, which has been specifically designed to help your book stand out among millions on Amazon.  As professionals in the self-publishing industry, our expert team are on hand to ensure successful global eBook, paperback and hardback distribution. With connections to over 39,000 retailers worldwide and links to some of the biggest names in the industry, our unlimited book printing and distribution services can ensure successful book distribution for all of our self-published authors. While you’re here, why not check out a few more of our blog posts here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in the services we offer, our plethora of packages can be found here.
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 1. Read, write, then do it again If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut. -Stephen King Stephen King outlines the road to writing succinctly. Quite simply, you cannot be a writer if you are not a reader. While there are many ways to refine your writing further down the line, the foundation on which you will build your core understanding will come from those who wrote before you. Learning from this and interpreting it into your own work as you go along will aid greatly in developing your skills as an author. If you feel, however, that you’ve done all the reading and writing in the world yet still you’re missing the mark, our Developmental Editing services can aid in ensuring your writing is mature in its style, structure and characterisation.  2. Write for yourself My advice to ‘up and coming writers’ is, don’t write at first for anyone but yourself. It doesn’t matter how many or how few universities one goes to, what matters is what one learns, either at universities or by oneself. -T.S. Eliot A theory espoused by many successful authors is to write for yourself before you write for others. In a rare response to a fan letter, T.S. Eliot wrote of these beliefs and emphasised the importance of learning from your own experiences while writing for yourself. Through writing in a space that is purely orchestrated for your own purpose, you’ll allow yourself the opportunity to wholly focus on the work you produce. Eradicating external influence and enabling yourself to grow from your own mistakes will prove invaluable as you learn how to best write for yourself and begin to write for others.  3. There’s only one you Start telling the stories that only you can tell, because there’ll always be better writers than you and there’ll always be smarter writers than you. There will always be people who are much better at doing this or doing that – but you are the only you. -Neil Gaiman This tip is something of a classic, and is often a soothing remedy we tell small children to remind them of their brilliance. As adults, we are much the same. Sometimes we find ourselves needing that confidence boost that renews our self-belief, which is exactly what Neil Gaiman seeks to do with this tip. No matter how hard we try to replicate something or someone else, it will never be as good as the original. This is why writing as your authentic self, drawing from your own experiences and conveying your own style, will make for the best stories in the long run.  4. Character likability is optional Likability is a factor when you’re choosing a roommate, but it’s not necessarily a factor when you’re creating a living character. -Margaret Atwood Once you’ve familiarised yourself with your own writing and feel your story is ready to start, developing multidimensional and well-thought characters will demand much of your attention. Many authors might feel character likability is a necessary draw for audiences, though that is seldom the case. Margaret Atwood reiterates the importance of allowing your characters the scope to have some unappealing qualities, just like humans. This can be a difficult balance to strike, which is why at Rowanvale we provide our Beta Readers service that allows your work to be read by our specialist pool of readers. Through this you will receive thorough and constructive feedback that can provide insight into how readers respond to your cast of characters.  5. Show, don’t tell Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. -Anton Chekhov Anton Chekhov famously spoke of the importance of descriptive passages with his perfectly apt use of imagery to capture the brilliance of its effect. While many authors advise against highly embellished language, rarely is there an argument that combats Chekhov’s. Readers seek to be captivated when picking up a new book, which means as an author, it’s your job to ensure they continue to turn the page. We suggest adopting this refined version of ‘show, don’t tell’ to bring life to the stories you write and allow your readers to become engrossed in your words.  While you’re here, why not check out a few more of our blog posts here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in the services we offer, our plethora of packages can be found here.
Can’t find what you're looking for? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200 where we are more than happy to answer any other questions.  If you’re new to the world of self-publishing, it can often seem overwhelming to look at the wealth of information and resources available to you. Self-publishing allows you to maintain full creative and legal control over your work while also learning the details of every stage of the publishing process. The journey from first draft to finished manuscript will be full of exciting decisions that you have complete power over, but we don’t want to lie to you—it’s not always going to be an easy process. We’ve put together this list of the top five self-publishing mistakes to avoid, so you can have a great experience with self-publishing! 1. Reckless Spending 2. Lack of Editing 3. Cheap Designs 4. Insufficient Market Research 5. No Marketing  Reckless Spending You’ve no doubt already come across endless blogs and articles telling you how to get started, and countless self-publishing companies claiming to know exactly what you need to find success. Don’t base your business model around those of established authors who can afford the most expensive cover designers and multiple rounds of editing. We’ll cover later why both of these elements are crucial in your self-publishing success story; however, it’s also important to remember your budget and stay within your means—especially for your first book. Our team at Rowanvale Books understand that each author is completely different and that there is no ‘one-size fits all’ guide to publishing. Unlike some companies, we offer flexible packages that are tailored to your needs so you only pay for the services you genuinely need. If you don’t yet know what these services are, our passionate and experienced team will work with you personally to help figure this out! Lack of Editing While you may not be able to afford multiple rounds of editing, it’s absolutely crucial that you are not the only person to read your book before you publish. This should be of particularly high priority if you are aiming to sell and market your book, rather than publishing solely for personal reasons. Poor editing will be what people remember your work for and can lead to a bad reputation for both you and your books. At Rowanvale Books, we have an editing team who can help guide you through the process and advise you on how much editing your book needs before hitting the shelves.  Cheap Designs Clichés like judging a book by its cover and the importance of first impressions have become clichés for a reason. In instances such as book design, they really are worth listening to. While the content of your book is always the most important aspect, it’s not the only important aspect. Again, while you may not be willing or able to hire out the most famous designers in the field, if aesthetics and design aren’t within your skill set then it’s important to recognise this and look for professional who can create a cover that they know will sell. The design team at Rowanvale Books has had incredible feedback over the years and so we know how to find that balance between realising your vision as an author as well as fitting your book to your target audience. Of course, you will maintain full creative control and ultimately be the one to call the shots; however, expert advice in area so crucial is always worth seeking out and listening to. Insufficient Market Research You should always love what you write. There’s no doubt about it. But when it comes to selling your book, it’s important to pay attention to what readers of your genre are interested in at the time. Remember that no one’s target audience is anyone and everyone, no matter how good your work. Having a clear target audience and reflecting this in all aspects of your book helps to create an identity for them and for you as an author. The best way to gain this kind of feedback is getting your book into the hands of readers as early as possible. At Rowanvale Books we offer a beta reading service where we’ll share your book with readers who have a registered interest in your genre. They’ll help give feedback about what worked in your book and what didn’t, as well as be among the first to leave reviews online!  No Marketing The final, but all too common, mistake we want to warn you about is assuming you don’t need any marketing to sell your book. Granted, few authors write books for the joy of marketing their work after, but this is how books are sold and ultimately what will allow you (financially) to keep on doing the thing you love: writing! There’s no use in just hoping that people who are interested will stumble across your book themselves—you have to tell them it exists and where to find it! Engaging with readers throughout the whole process is a great place to start. Set up some social media accounts dedicated to you, your work and perhaps books in general, and start having genuine conversations with people so you can build up a network of people who are interested in what you have to say. By the time your book is published, try not to just spam them with ads, but talk about it as something you think they’d genuinely be interested in. If all of this sounds too much, we have an incredible marketing team at Rowanvale Books who can guide you through the process and help develop strategies that you can use long-term in your career as an author.  While you’re here, why not check out a few more of our blog posts here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in the services we offer, our plethora of packages can be found here.
Can’t find an answer? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200 where we are more than happy to answer any other questions.  Royalties are one of the most difficult concepts authors need to grasp in the world of self-publishing. What are they? And how do you calculate them? This article provides a short guide for writers to understand everything about royalties. A book royalty is the percentage of the revenue an author receives on each book sold. Being a self-published author can be tough, just like setting up your own business. Without a traditional publisher backing your book, you have to pay for everything from cover design to editing and marketing. But one advantage of not depending on a traditional publisher is that you get paid a larger percentage in royalties (between 30% and 70%, as opposed to the 15% you would get with a traditional publisher on average) because there’s no intermediary. For example, at Rowanvale Books, authors receive 65% royalties on e-book and paperback sales.  It’s important for authors to learn how royalties work, because they usually are the author’s main source of income. By learning what your royalty rate is, you’ll be able to calculate roughly how much you will earn from your book sales (you can also check out this book royalties calculator, which does it all for you!). The royalties you’re paid will be affected by a series of variables, especially if you choose the traditional publishing path. In self-publishing, the most common variables are:
 The price of the book is particularly relevant when self-publishing e-books on a major platform such as Amazon KDP, which we will now look at in more detail as it’s currently the largest online retailer and self-publishing platform. Amazon offers two e-book royalty plans: the 70% option and the 35% option. In both plans, royalties are paid monthly starting 60 days after the first sale is made. Your ability to choose either plan will depend on the price you set for your book. To get 70% of royalties, you will need to price your book between £1.77 and £9.99 (check out Amazon’s list price requirements for more).  Image by Sofia Brizio for Rowanvale Books. Adapted, edited and translated from an original idea by Libroza Additionally, you will need to meet these conditions:
 For print royalties on paperbacks, Amazon offers two distribution tiers, with printing costs being deducted from your royalties. There’s a fixed 60% royalty rate if you sell exclusively on Amazon marketplaces. If you opt in for Expanded Distribution (i.e. you sell your book through other distribution channels alongside Amazon), the royalty rate is 40%. Your royalty is therefore determined as follows: Although we appreciate that it all sounds complicated, we hope this article helped you learn more about royalties. The key to understanding the ins and outs of royalties is to stay informed. At Rowanvale, we want to help you do just that and we value transparency.  While you’re here, why not check out a few more of our blog posts here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in the services we offer, our plethora of packages can be found here.
Can’t find what you're looking for? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200 where we are more than happy to answer any other questions.  Your book cover is your most powerful marketing tool. They say it’s not fair to judge a book by the cover, but that’s what we all do--the first impression is the one that really counts. A great design will help your readers take you and your book seriously, especially on the Amazon market. Amazon does not differentiate between self-published and traditionally published books, which means you’re very likely to find yourself up against the big 5 publishers. This is why your cover can really make it or break it. Today, we’re here to teach you how to get your book cover design right. There are two ways you can approach the task of designing your cover: you can either do it yourself or work with a designer. At Rowanvale Books we offer a bespoke cover design service to help make sure your cover is entirely unique. But whatever you decide to do, these are the steps to create the perfect cover design.  1. Find ideas It’s always good to keep an eye on your competition. Browse the bestsellers section on Amazon and see what catches your eye. Remember that your book cover should reflect its specific genre. For example, if your book is a thriller, you might want to go for a cover that conveys a sense of suspense. 2. Choose the right software If you’re taking the DIY route, any graphical software can be used to design a cover, but you might want to avoid InDesign and Photoshop if you’re not a professional. Programs like Canva make designing less daunting for non-professionals, as they provide templates for specific genres. The number of these templates is limited, which doesn’t leave much room for creativity, but there are alternatives such as DIYBookCovers.com and other free design services.  3. Choose the cover image If you have a knack for photography or illustration, why not make your book cover even more unique by using your own artwork? Again, do your research before starting: do popular books in your genre use illustrations, photography or just lettering? Most importantly, make sure you’re aware of licenses if you’re not using your own artwork. Do not use Google to find images, as you might unintentionally breach copyright. Sites such as Shutterstock or Unsplash offer beautiful, copyright-free images for free or for a few pounds. 4. Mind the size Especially if you’re selling an eBook, we recommend following the guidelines on the Amazon website, as most retailers now work with similar sizes. The ideal size is generally 2564x1600 pixels, but if you’re printing your book, you should also take into account standard book sizes within your genre. Don’t forget that the thumbnail also plays an important role, as most books are discovered online: make sure your cover works well on a phone or Kindle. The recommended dimensions for each online retailer can be found in their FAQs  5. What’s your type? Think carefully about the fonts you want to use on the cover, especially if your cover is focused on lettering as opposed to a photo or illustration. Keep it light and simple. The title needs to be readable to someone who’s browsing a bookshelf, but avoid fonts such as Comic Sans or Papyrus – they will make your cover look cheap and unprofessional. Do not use than two or three different fonts, and try to be consistent – overcrowding the design is never a good idea. The author’s name should generally be smaller than the title. If you want, you can also include a logline and/or a testimonial from a popular writer or publication. 6. Test your designs If you have two amazing designs and really don’t know which one to choose, why not let your audience be the judge? Create a poll on your Facebook page or expose two different groups of readers to two ads. It can help you make a choice based on what appeals the most to your readers.  7. Don’t forget the back cover and spine For printed books, the back and the spine deserve just as much attention as the front cover. Here you might need the help of a designer or typesetter, as you’re working with a block of text (i.e. blurb, author bio and potential testimonials). Remember to be consistent with the style of your front cover and display the information in a clear order – creating a visual narrative always gets your readers’ attention. For the spine, make sure author and title are clearly legible (think of your readers browsing shelves in a bookstore or picking your book from their personal shelf!). Finally, don’t forget to ask your printer if your back cover needs a barcode and ISBN. We hope this has helped you get a grasp of the basics of cover design, and we wish you the best with your book. However, we know that designing a cover all by yourself can be intimidating and can take your attention away from editing and perfecting the content of your book. Our custom book cover design service is there to take your worries away and ensure your book has the best cover you could ask for. A professional team of designers will discuss your ideas with you, providing one-to-one support. We’re here to lend a helping hand; just get in touch with us!
 What are eBooks, and how can you self-publish with Rowanvale? For authors in the modern era, eBooks have become an essential, mainstream component of the self-publishing process. But while this may be the case, some authors are perplexed by eBooks, neglecting to include them in their self-publishing journey and oftentimes missing out on a growing market. Considering this, our team has created A Beginner’s Guide to eBooks to help authors understand the whats, whys and hows of eBooks and the process of self-publishing them with Rowanvale.  What are eBooks? Noun (also e-book) 1. An electronic book which can be read on a small personal computer. Put simply, eBooks are just that: electronic books. Like much of modern technology, eBooks have advanced with the times to provide people with an easier means of accessing their much-loved books from e-readers (think an Amazon Kindle or Kobo), tablets and even mobile phones. Thanks to eBooks, customers have a quick, effective way of purchasing and downloading your book straight to their device. In fact, during the global pandemic, sales of eBooks have soared. Rising to prominence at the turn of the 21st century, eBooks have continued to gain traction in the publishing industry, with many independent and self-published authors earning much of their revenue from eBook sales. This isn’t the only benefit of eBooks, though. From their convenience and profitability to their environmentally friendly composition, eBooks are an incredible option for self-publishing authors looking to expand their audience reach.  How to Self-Publish with Rowanvale Rowanvale’s eBook Publication Package and eBook & Paperback/Hardback Publication Package assist our authors every step of the way on their journey to self-publishing. Working with specialists in the field, a personally assigned Account Manager can ensure your eBook is of the highest quality, appealing to some of the biggest retailers in the industry such as Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble. If you’re familiar with self-publishing paperbacks and hardbacks, you might have been led to believe that the process of self-publishing eBooks is much the same. While this may be true in part, eBooks come with their own challenges. For amateur eBook publishers, one of the most prominent and problematic of these challenges is in the coding. Poor coding and internal formatting is one of the greatest downfalls of many eBooks and often contributes to rejection from retailers. Our services (which include Internal Formatting, Conversion, Electronic Proof Production and many more!) will ensure your eBook is perfectly structured in ePub format to read flawlessly across e-readers and other devices.  Once you, as the author, have approved the finalised version, as part of our eBook packages, our team will legally register your work and prepare for global online retail distribution. Using leading industry software and extensive keyword analysis and category research, Rowanvale can target the best ways to market your book, increase sales and boost category rankings on Amazon. With our expert advice and guidance, we will make sure your book reaches as many readers as possible. As a great way of increasing the profitability of your book and expanding your readership, eBooks have largely become a necessity for self-published authors. Given the benefits of self-publishing eBooks with the team at Rowanvale, we hope any authors, new and old, will strongly consider the process on their next writing journey.  While you’re here, why not check out a few more of our blog posts here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in the services we offer, our plethora of packages can be found here.
Can’t find what you're looking for? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200 where we are more than happy to answer any other questions.  Maintaining full creative control over your book, higher royalty rates, a hand-picked publishing team. These are just a few of the advantages that stand out when it comes to assisted self-publishing. However, if the world of publishing is still relatively new to you, you probably have a long list of questions about this process. At Rowanvale Books we understand how important a decision this is; that’s why we’ve put together this post to give an overview of assisted self-publishing and all of the work our wonderful team does to help turn first drafts into final products. What is it? Self-publishing a book means that you are not working with a traditional publishing house but are instead going through the whole process yourself, from editing your manuscript and designing the cover to securing an ISBN and developing marketing strategies. Don’t worry if this all sounds overwhelming – that’s where assisted self-publishing companies such as Rowanvale Books come in! Assisted self-publishing just means that other people and services will be brought in to help you with the areas you need some support in. This is where it differs from vanity publishing, in which authors pay an often-extortionate fee for a company to publish their book, often losing out on making many of the decisions along the way.  How Does Assisted Self-Publishing Work? When you choose assisted self-publishing, there may be some areas you know nothing about and others where you’re already the expert. One of the main benefits of this route is that you can often pick and choose which services you need to pay for and which you would like to manage on your own. The team at Rowanvale Books is well aware of this and will never try to push something we don’t think is necessary for you. You will have the chance to choose from a wide variety of self-publishing packages and services that are tailored to suit you, all with the help of a professional and dedicated team. The services we offer can be arranged into three categories: 1. Rowanvale’s Pre-Publication Services
The sheer number of options just goes to show how flexible self-publishing a book can be! There are many self-publishing companies to choose from, but opting for Rowanvale Books will mean you retain full control over every part of the process while still receiving high-quality support at every stage. What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Assisted Self-Publishing? Like traditional and vanity publishing, assisted self-publishing also has its ups and downs. Many of the advantages have already been mentioned, such as complete creative control, higher royalty rates and maintaining the rights to your books. However, there are still even more that are not to be forgotten. Self-publishing will provide you with greater opportunities for niche publishing, as traditional publishing houses often find these kinds of books difficult to sell. You may even find that your books have a longer period of time in which to find an audience, particularly if you’re self-publishing on Amazon, as digital books can stay on Amazon’s shelves indefinitely. There are no confusing contract clauses when it comes to self-publishing, as well as much less deadline stress since you, the author, are responsible for the decision making. This means you can see your books on the shelves as soon, or as late, as you wish.  One aspect which can initially seem somewhat off-putting is the potential stress of having to find a reputable publishing team. This is especially the case if you have a longer list of areas you’re looking for support in. Luckily, when you decide to publish with Rowanvale Books, you’ll have a team of all the people you may need all under one (virtual) roof! Our team work hard to make sure they really get to know each individual author and ensure everyone involved is working to achieve the same goals. Another potential downside is the initial costs involved with self-publishing. This is actually why Rowanvale Books was started. Having seen the poor treatment her father received at the hands of one of the biggest assisted self-publishing companies in the world, our managing director, Cat, decided to set up her own company with some important key values at its core. This is why we place so much emphasis on ensuring that you only pay for the services you truly need! Is Assisted Self-Publishing Worth It? In a nutshell: yes, absolutely! Virginia Woolf, Mark Twain and E.L. James all started their journeys by self-publishing. If they can do it, there’s no reason why you can’t too. If you’ve been putting off making the decision to get started, then take this as your sign to just go for it. Yes, it might be scary to start with, and like any big decision, of course there are risks involved. But with the amount of help and resources available at the moment, there’s really never been a better time to give it a go! If you’re interested in the services we offer, our plethora of packages can be found here.
Can’t find what you're looking for? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200 where we are more than happy to answer any other questions.  If you, like so many other writers, worry about getting to release day and finding that nobody is interested in a first-time, unknown author, then we have the answer to your problem! In just 5 easy steps, you can build up a dedicated fan base that will be anxiously awaiting the release of your book long before it is published. Creating a fan base before release day means you’ll no longer need to be stressed about disappointing sales or a lack of readership, because you know they’re already there!  You’ve spent countless days, months (or even years!) writing and redrafting your masterpiece, and you want it to receive the recognition you know it deserves. After all, you know the story is good, because you’ve probably written the book you’d want to read. And we completely agree – that much hard work deserves reward! Just think about it: if you’d love the book, there are definitely other people – and probably a lot of them – that would love it too! But these people don’t appear out of thin air – how can they read your book, and love it, if they don’t know about it? That’s where the easy steps come in! Follow these 5 stages to connect your book with its rightful readers! 1. Post sneak peaks and snippets The first thing anyone will tell you about marketing is to find your target audience and market primarily to them. That’s absolutely right – but how are you to find your target audience when you don’t have a finished product to test among readers? You have no market research because you don’t have a book to market yet! The answer to this? Samples! Whether it be online, among colleagues, friends and family or at events, you need to share extracts from the book (maybe the first couple of chapters, or a particularly strong set of scenes) as early as possible to see how your readers respond. Some people start with family and friends, but this often means you’ll get a biased ‘we have to gush about it because it’s Auntie Maureen’s sister’s cousin’s book’ approach. What you actually want is cold, harsh truths about who does and doesn’t like it. The key to honest feedback? Post your samples online! 2. Start a professional blog or website for uploading your snippets  Note we say professional here, because as an upcoming author, you don’t want to be penalized for having a haphazard website with a lengthy, hard-to-remember URL. And trust us, people do take note of this! It’s very easy to register a domain name (i.e. JohnDoeAuthor.com), so it’s best to snatch up your author name before somebody else does! This not only makes you look more professional and established as a writer, but is also far easier for people to remember, should they ever want to search for you. You can create blogs and websites through sites like WordPress or One.com, and once you’re all set up, you can regularly update your site with new extracts, interviews and sample chapters ready for potential readers to sink their teeth in to. Remember: always encourage feedback and comments! If the reader doesn’t already know you, they are far more likely to give an honest opinion – they will stick around (and maybe even comment) if they do like your writing, and they’ll disappear if they don’t. And that’s your first step towards understanding your target audience. 3. Include a newsletter  Alongside or underneath each post, have a very bold and visible newsletter sign-up for those who want to be reminded of new content being added or receive updates on the book’s release. If a reader is engaging with your work, chances are they’d like to hear about any additional chapters they could read for free – and eventually the chance to actually pick up a copy of the book. Advertise a quick and easy sign-up for updates on free content and let your target audience come to you. Once you have their email addresses, you can let them know each time a new extract is added (and get more feedback on your work) and give them updates on when the book is to be released, where it will be and how much it will cost. Again, always ask for responses and engagement so your readers feel involved and welcome! 4. Publish a free eBook on sites like Amazon and Kobo In the days of social media marketing and touch-of-a-button downloads, people generally expect to get a little something for nothing to pique their interest. If you want someone to sign up to your blog, read your book or listen to your album, they’ll want to try it out first, so they don’t have to take a risk and spend their money hastily. It makes sense, right? Why purchase something before you can guarantee you’ll like it? And you might be thinking that you’re already posting free content on your website, but in actual fact these are only reaching one section of your audience. You have to work hard to drive traffic to your website, but on sites such as Amazon and Kobo, the readers are already there, primed and looking for content! Don’t get us wrong, your website is still incredibly useful as it’s the only place you can get newsletter sign ups right next to your content, and so these platforms work in unison together – one without the other just wouldn’t be as effective!  Try writing a short eBook in a similar writing style to your upcoming release – perhaps you already have some short stories that you never did anything with? Many eBook sites require completed work rather than samples, so this is where a short story fits in perfectly. If somebody likes your writing style for one story, it’s very likely they will be interested in reading more from you. When it comes to your audience, they’re far more likely to stick around because of you and your style of writing than a certain plot or character. Later on, if you’re writing a series, you can try making the first book free for readers to test out before they commit to the next installments. 5. Promote Whenever you post anything, promote it on social media! It’s no good releasing a goldmine of free content if you’re not making readers aware of it. Follow readers of your genre and anybody you feel would be interested in your writing, and build up a network of people that might like the content you’re posting. Then, once you have a handful (and rising!) of followers, let them know about the free goods! But don’t just limit yourself to advertising your wares, because followers may tire of it. Try commenting on others’ posts, replying to people and really engaging with as many accounts as you can to help people understand why they would love your book. Remember, happy readers mean good reviews! And the more reviews you receive, the more new readers will be willing to take a chance on a book they’d previously never heard of. And so it goes on! Before you know it, you’ll have a dedicated fan base and a stream of passive income coming in that really takes the edge off when it comes to writing the next in the series.  That’s a wrap on our marketing tips this week – if you have any topics you’d like us to discuss or ideas for future posts then do let us know and we’ll have them up soon!
If any of our ideas about marketing have caught your eye, feel free to check out our Marketing and Aftercare service, which can be found here. You can also find more of our blog posts here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in any of our other services, our collection of packages can be found here. Can’t find what you're looking for? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200, where we are more than happy to answer any other questions.  In the cozy corners of Instagram can you find like-minded literary-obsessed individuals sharing all-things books with one another. If you didn’t already know, a Bookstagram is an Instagram page centred in sharing and discussing all of your favourite reads. That’s right, there’s a dedicated space for books on social media, and we love it! Although book blogging has a long history, Bookstagrams are unique in the way they combine today’s love for social media with the world’s well-established passion for literature. Just a quick search of #bookstagram brings up over 50 million posts worldwide, ranging from bookish quotes, a cover snapshot or an easy café-read. The beauty of Bookstagram, much like reading and writing books, is the sense of community that comes with it. Acting as a modern-day book club, running your own Bookstagram could just be the next step in growing your fan base.  As an author, it can be difficult knowing how to effectively market yourself, especially if you’re unfamiliar with social media. Our Marketing & Aftercare Services can provide you with the support you need to broaden your audience while establishing your brand. Doing so can enable you the opportunities as an author to build your following strategically and authentically. Whether you’re looking to expand upon your reading list or influence that of others, running a successful Bookstagram presents many opportunities to connect with authors, readers and writers alike. But where do you start? Well, this is Instagram after all, so, beginning with an aesthetically pleasing shot is definitely the first step forward. Getting the Perfect Picture
To make your feed more interesting, try and get some variation in the images you share. Yes, this is a Bookstagram and books need to be a central theme throughout, but don’t be afraid of incorporating different props or colours in your shoot. Whether you opt for a relaxing image featuring your favourite mug of tea or choose to have a pet as a special feature, the opportunities are endless. Engaging Videos Creating short and snappy video content for your Bookstagram is a great way of connecting with your followers on a more personal level. Whether you choose to invest some time in creating an Instagram Reel or prefer to check-in regularly on your Story, video content is a fantastic way of allowing your followers to meet the author behind the novel. Be sure to present yourself as approachable and bubbly and address your followers throughout. Establishing this human connection can help develop your brand and online presence as well as building a reliable fan base.  Participate in Challenges As authors, participating in social media challenges is a great way to expand your audience and grow your Bookstagram. One of our favourite challenges to date is #shelfie. A simple yet effective play on a selfie, shelfies allow you to show off your impressive bookshelf while encouraging your followers to share theirs. Interacting with your followers in this way helps cement that feeling of community while allowing your fan base to grow authentically. As part of our Marketing & Aftercare service, we advise authors on various social media campaigns. Starting your own challenge is a great way to encourage your followers to engage in community activity while gaining some free promotion. If your budget allows for it, you could even advertise a book giveaway, asking your followers to like, share and tag your post for an entry. This is a simple means of making your Bookstagram more visible to others on Instagram and can easily aid in expanding the reach of your page. Engage with Your Followers No matter how inviting your Bookstagram may look on the surface, your followers will come and go if you fail to make the effort to engage meaningfully with them on your social media. You’ll find a quick reaction, a comment back or a like can go a long way in boosting the relationship between you and your followers. Doing this will not only lead to a stronger human connection but a higher level of engagement with your Bookstagram, allowing your page to become more widely seen by others on the platform. Making your presence known in this way is a fantastic means of solidifying your online following as well as your literary fan base. As an author, this has the potential to directly correlate with the marketing success of any current or future endeavours. Running a Bookstagram takes maintenance, devotion and a good dose of passion, but keep in mind, this should be a fun and welcoming place for you and your followers to go. If you’re enjoying the content you share and engage with, it will translate to your audience. Through taking these simple tips on board, you’ll be perfectly placed to begin running your very own successful Bookstagram.  If any of our ideas about marketing have caught your eye, feel free to check out our Marketing and Aftercare service, which can be found here. You can also find more of our blog posts here.
Alternatively, if you’re interested in any of our other services, our collection of packages can be found here. Can’t find what you're looking for? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200, where we are more than happy to answer any other questions.  Being new to any job can leave you feeling unnerved and perhaps unsure of yourself, so just because you might not necessarily have a new office to frequent doesn’t mean some of those first-day jitters won’t be following you around as you embark on your journey as a new author. Here at Rowanvale Books, we spare no effort in supporting our new authors throughout the writing process and offer a selection of Pre-Publication Services to help guide the way. Our utmost priority is always to help authors reach their full potential, which is why we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for those new to the job. 1. Read widely
Be sure to take plenty of notes as you go along, learning what you like and don’t like when it comes to style, narrative and characterisation. A useful practice to utilise in your early days could be to keep a record of your favourite passages, giving you a literary goldmine to draw from when you’re feeling low on inspiration. 2. Find your own method Making it in the literary world is no easy feat, and for new authors, it can be a daunting experience to simply start writing. Because of this, writers can often find themselves yearning for a step-by-step guide to becoming an author. As convenient as this may be, a one-size-fits-all blueprint to writing doesn’t exactly exist, which is why we strongly believe in the importance of following yourself to find your story. Trust your instincts and use them to discover your own method when it comes to getting your ideas on paper. Having said this, that doesn’t mean you have to go the journey alone. Our Writing Advisor services can offer you the support you need, regardless of what stage of writing you’re at. Whether you’re just figuring out the plot or approaching a final edit, our professionals are here to help guide and perfect your story. 3. Take a creative writing course
When you feel you have thoroughly reflected on your own work, our Editorial Assessments are here to help take your work one step further as we delve into your manuscript, seeking out any fundamental issues before you progress into your next draft. Just as you evaluate your peers’ work, we can offer an advanced and professional service that allows your work to be thoroughly examined through a fresh and experienced lens. 4. Write from experience As a new author, it can be overwhelming deciding which story to give life to first. Even if you have your whole plot mapped out, it can feel like an impossible task to fill in the blanks in a meaningful and well-thought-out manner. Choosing to write from your own experiences in life, be that love, grief or even fear, enables you to capture real human emotion, making your story all the more captivating and engaging. This isn’t to say you must stay strictly within the confines of what you know, but primarily that you can apply personable and relatable facets to your story, allowing your readers to fully immerse themselves in your writing. 5. Write often to write well As the age-old saying goes, practice makes perfect, and it’s no different when it comes to writing. From everyday journaling to short stories, the more often you write, the more familiar you become with your own style and narrative. As well as improving your overall tone and grammar, writing often can help cement your unique voice throughout your career as an author.  High-quality writing is a vital component in a successful career as an author, which is why at Rowanvale Books we place an emphasis on a thorough and rigorous Proofreading & Copy-Editing process to uphold your reputation. Ensuring you’re writing often alongside any services you seek out will only develop the standard of your work, allowing your stories to be the best they possibly can be. While you’re here, why not check out a few more of our blog posts here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in the services we offer, our plethora of packages can be found here.
Can’t find what you need? Not to worry! Feel free to contact us at info@rowanvalebooks.com or call us on 029 2128 0200 where we are more than happy to answer any other questions. |
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