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 what happens -- from what we have seen -- when authors decide to go it alone. As publishers, we've witnessed a recurring pattern when working with aspiring authors. Many talented writers approach us with manuscripts that show promise but require developmental editing or platform building before they're market-ready. While many authors appreciate professional guidance, some find it difficult to receive constructive feedback. For those authors, the self-publishing route can seem appealing, particularly with platforms like Amazon Kindle offering free publication options. Authors gain complete creative control and high...

  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 continues the discussion of writing, publishing, and the law. The past two weeks, we have gone into detail on various aspects of copyright and the law. Today's post is much shorter. We simply wish to fill in all the "holes" by making readers aware of a very helpful organization (with a helpful newsletter): Copyright Alliance . The organization and website cover a much broader range of topics and activities than authors need, but authors do need its coverage of copyright law. Bottom line:  Go ahead. Sign up for the Copyright Alliance newsletter. Knowledge is protection -- and guidance. See more Publisher Conversations ...

  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.  Today's talk is about copyright (yes, again; it is an important topic). As an author, it's easy to think that knowing how to write and tell a great story is all you need to succeed, but understanding the law, particularly when it comes to intellectual property and copyright, is just as crucial. In a previous post, we discussed the basic concept of rights vs. copyright, but there’s so much more authors need to know to avoid legal pitfalls.  Consider: Copyright violations are more than just a risk for stealing someone else's work; they can happen accidentally. While it’s simple enough to avoid using someone else's written, visu...

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.  Many of our authors are active on various social media platforms. This week, therefore, look at ways to use tweets and posts more effectively. Visuals   Share visually appealing content such as book covers, quotes overlaid on images, and short videos discussing the book. Book Reviews Offer brief, engaging reviews of the books you read. Highlight what you loved about them and why others might enjoy them too. Author Spotlights   Feature authors and their journeys. Interviews, fun facts, or lesser-known works can draw interest. Reading Challenges:  Encourage your followers to join in on reading challenges or book clubs. Interactive...