This Week in the Blogs, November 5 – 11, 2016

by Shelley Sturgeon | Nov 13, 2016

It’s been a long week, hasn’t it? So, why not put your feet up and relax and read through our latest roundup of interesting information and tips for self-publishing authors from some of the best writing and indie publishing blogs that the internet has to offer.

Dan Wagstaff on The Casual Optimist
Book Covers of Note November 2016
“I’m not sure anyone is paying too much attention to book design this week, but if you’re looking for a few minutes diversion from the awfulness of almost everything, here’s this month’s selection of quirky, beautiful, and otherwise interesting book covers…”

Greer Macallister on Writer Unboxed
Should You Get Litsy?
“The ability to connect directly with readers, and with other writers, is amazing and powerful. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But direct connection isn’t always pleasant — just ask an author what they think of unvarnished Goodreads reviews — and it’s far too easy to spend three hours on Twitter under the guise of “building your network” when you’re really losing three hours you would’ve otherwise spent writing.”

Frances Caballo on Social Media Just For Writers
Is It Time for Authors to Stop Using Google+?
“When Google+ first appeared on the virtual landscape on June 28, 2011, everyone wondered whether it would destroy Facebook’s popularity the way Facebook tossed a lance into MySpace. … Looking back, I can’t help but wonder how anyone could have thought Facebook would disappear from the digital world.”

John Doppler on Self-Publishing Advice Center
KDP Rules Roundup
“There’s a legal principle known as ignorantia juris non excusat: ignorance of the law excuses nothing. That principle is alive and well at Amazon, where an innocent mistake could remove your book from sale, or even banish you from Amazon entirely.”

Stephanie Chandler on Nonfiction Authors Association
How to Set the Retail Price for Your Nonfiction Book
“Setting the retail price for your book shouldn’t be an arbitrary decision; it’s one that requires a bit of research and planning. There is no single formula for calculating the price of a book because there are many considerations.”

Self-Publishing News You Can Use

By Amy Collins

Books a Million

Books a Million announced that they are partnering with Silicon Valley co-publishing company, Fast Pencil.

The announcement reads:

“Through the new partnership, authors won’t only be able to publish their own books, but to actually get them on shelves. FastPencil and BAM! Publishing offer a number of packages for self-publishers, like just physical books or e-book files. They also offer publishing services, like a basic edit or cover design help. They also offer distribution – you can hire them to send your e-book to Books-A-Million retail site or Amazon or others. Through the new partnership, you can choose a package that puts your book on bookshelves. This requires a book edit, and these packages start around $1,100.”

This announcement follows not far behind the B&N push into self-publishing with their Nook Publishing Program moving from just e-books to e-books into print. Just like B&N, BAM is holding out the carrot of in-store stocking for those that use their POD program. Only time will tell if the promise actually becomes reality.