By Shelley Sturgeon

It can be such a busy time of year with holiday preparations, and trying to meet business deadlines and obligations for one year while planning for the next. Try to find a quiet moment to read this week’s selection of articles if you can. I think you’ll enjoy them–and appreciate the break. :-)

Don’t forget to submit:

• your ebook cover to our e-Book Cover Design Awards contest for December by New Year’s Eve. All the information you need can be found here.
   
• your articles to our Self-Publishing: Carnival of the Indies blog carnival by midnight today (December 15th)

Check back here next Sunday for our 111th edition of Self-Publishing: Carnival of the Indies, followed the next day, Monday, December 23rd, by November’s e-Book Cover Design Awards. You won’t want to miss them!

Dan Wagstaff on The Casual Optimist
Notable Book Covers of 2019
“When it comes to books, I’m fortunate enough to work in the industry. But what hope do casual readers have of finding the good stuff when the same few titles dominate the conversation and there is so much else competing for their attention?”

Sandra Beckwith on Build Book Buzz
Social media tips from the pros
“I recently polled experts for their top small business social media strategy success tips for a client assignment. … I received more excellent advice than I could use in my assigned article, but there’s no need for it to go to waste, right?”

Dan Brotzel on Funds for Writers
Review Copies, Freebies, and Author Copies: Q&A
“Think the author of a new book is entitled to unlimited copies? Think again. Here we look at author copies, review copies, and giving away freebies.”

Martin Cavannagh on Indie Reader
6 Sure-Fire Gift Ideas for Your Writer Friends
“With work deadlines and the thought of having to organize events with friends and family, there’s also the added worry of buying gifts for your nearest and dearest. If like us, you have friends who happen to be writers, then here are some suggestions that could end up saving you countless hours.”

Jay Artale on How to Blog a Book
3 Proven Ways to Grow Your Blog Audience
“To broaden your reach and make sure your target audience knows your blog exists, you must create a proactive outreach plan. The following methods have increased visitors to my blogs, and I’m sure they will work for you, too.”

 
Photo: BigStockPhoto