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.  Last week we discussed the uncertainty of the publishing business for publishers. This week we look at the flip side of the coin: authors. The publishing industry is one of the most exciting—and unpredictable—places to build a career. For authors, it can feel like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. You know the track is out there, but you can’t quite see the twists, turns, or sudden drops ahead. Whether you’re traditionally published, self-published, or exploring hybrid paths, here are some of the biggest uncertainties that shape the landscape—and how you can stay grounded through the chaos. 1. Market Volatility Trends are fleeting....

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 seeks to point authors in the direction that so many ask about--how to maximize book reach and sales. There is not one easy answer, but the following considerations may help. Maximizing your book’s reach and sales involves a combination of strategic planning, marketing, and engagement. Here are some effective steps you can take: Build Your Author Platform Website: Create a professional author website with a blog, contact information, and links to purchase your book. Social Media: Engage with readers on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interact ...

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 looks at the difference between book marketing and book promotion, two terms that are frequently confused. Leading to the confusion is that some of the same activities are needed for both. In fact, good marketing is dependent upon good promotion. Perhaps the essential difference is that marketing focuses on sales, and promotion focuses on awareness --  noting that without awareness, sales generally do not happen. Book Marketing Book marketing includes promotion, sales, and increasing awareness of the availability of the book. It generally starts with a marketing plan that identifies the target audiences and selects marketing ...

  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 topic is, again, marketing. We address the question: What should authors be doing for marketing?  There are a couple ways to answer that question. There is an expensive answer and there is a hard answer. As with anything else in life, the choice is between money and time.  Choosing money, marketing efforts can be delegated to paid support: Hiring a full-time or full-fledged publicist is the most expensive and the most expansive. While some publicists are less expensive than others, hiring knowledge, experience, and contacts is never cheap. (And, often, like other things in life, you get what you pay for though bargain...