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's conversation addresses the fate of older books. Is it possible to bring them back into the world of active books? Sure - and, it depends.  Some of our oldest books are among our best sellers. However, other older book simply fall by the wayside, and that does not have to be. After all the effort put into writing it and, assumedly, marketing it when the book first came out, it is a shame when older books are allowed to languish in the boneyard. Here are some CPR strategies authors have used. Do  something , anything. If you forget your book, it is likely others will, too, and new folks will not find out about it. So, whatever

  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's conversation addresses the ups and downs of book sales. Great one week, dead the next. Great one month, dead the next. So, what can an author do? Typically, books (no matter who publishes them) have heydays for short periods of time and incognito moments for long periods of time. For books to be seen frequently by potential readers, purchasers, and fans, they heydays need to outlive the incognito moments. Making the most of any high-ranking appearance on any Amazon bestseller list can make a difference between a long-term viable book and a short-term fizzle. When your book is in its glory moment, promote, promote, promote! It

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 post addresses an issue that is a pet peeve: financial advice columns and articles that advise on side hustles to develop passive income, with the case in point being "publishing" books through Amazon. Now, you do want your book on Amazon. We want our books on Amazon. Amazon is a strong source of sales for us. However, this is not really a passive sources of income, one that you sent up once and then sit back and rake in money. The following realities need to be considered to avoid major disappointment. Amazon will fulfill orders, but Amazon will not sell your book for you. You need to do your own marketing. Marketing is

  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 post talks to those who use social media and explains the importance of predictability for effectively promoting your book. Specifically, how do we know? Most-Read Posts Our most-read posts come from our regular columns; other posts may be looked it, but the statistics show us that, with some exceptions, it is the regular columns that readers looks forward to and come back to. Here are some of them: The Story behind [a particular book, a different one each time] Sundays Cancer Diary Mondays A Publisher's Conversation with Authors Tuesdays (yeah, today) Posts dedicated to achievement of high levels of foreign language proficie