MSI Press Blog

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week we discuss free books. Are they worth it? Let’s talk about the word “free.” It’s seductive, isn’t it? BookBub swears by it. So do Freebooksy, Written Word Media, Goodreads, and a host of platforms that thrive on zero-cost promotions. They say free books are your best sales tool. And they’re not wrong—if your goal is downloads. But here’s the rub: downloads aren’t sales. And they certainly aren’t readers. The Psychology of Free: Why It Works (Sort Of) According to Written Word Media, “free” triggers a powerful emotional response. It lights up the brain, bypasses risk aversion, and creates urgency through FOMO (fear of missing out). Rea...

  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week we discuss print on demand (POD). What are the advantages? Disadvantages? Who does it? Should you? 📦 Print-on-Demand: Freedom, Friction, and the Fine Print Print-on-demand (POD) is the indie author’s secret weapon—and sometimes, their surprise nemesis. It’s the promise of publishing without pallets, of reaching readers without warehouses. But like all tools, it works best when you understand its edges. 🟢 The Advantages No upfront printing costs. You don’t have to guess how many books you’ll sell. POD lets you print one copy at a time, only when someone orders it. No inventory management. No boxes in the garage. No shipping l...

  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week we discuss why a print cover may not match the screen version of it. We also talk about what to do about it. 🎨 Why Your Printed Cover Doesn’t Match Your Screen—and What to Do About It You fell in love with your book cover on the screen. The colors popped, the mood was perfect, and it felt like your story had found its skin. Then the printed proof arrived—and something was off. The teal looked muddy. The sunset lost its glow. The whole thing felt… flatter. You’re not imagining it. This mismatch between screen and print is a common heartbreak for indie authors, and it’s rooted in how color works across different mediums. 🖥️ Scree...