Hey, friends. I have heard from many of you that you are *quite eager* to hear how I became a USA Today bestseller, as an indie author. The process, while expensive and not guaranteed, is not complex, and I’ll lay it out for you here, step by step. Step One: Prepare to Invest As with any bestseller […]
Author: Pamela
Developing POV to Develop Voice
Recently an editor posed a question on Facebook: Do you think about and work on voice ahead of time for your novels? It was an interesting question for me, because when I think of voice, I think of the writer’s unique style, which, IMHO, the writer develops 15% through education, 35% through innate ability, and […]
Rev Up Your Book Release With Coordinated Social Media Promotion
The first time I heard of Thunderclap, I cringed. Sounded like a social disease to me, not social media promotion. But I overcame my initial reaction and checked it out. I am super glad I did. Thunderclap is a service that amplifies a message crafted by you with the power of the “crowd.” Think about […]
Cleaning UP During Your Bookbub Promotion, Part 2: Be Poised for Success
Last week I started telling you about my most recent Bookbub experiences and whether Bookbub pays for itself. You can read that post HERE. Today, I’m talking about “off the page” ways to monetize when you run a free or discount Bookbub promotion. More next week! Now, here’s the part where I start explaining new […]
Print on Demand Strategy: Where Does Nook Press Print Platform Fit In?
For the last few years, I’ve been recommending that the easiest print option with the best benefit for authors is Amazon’s CreateSpace (“CS”). Beginner: CreateSpace The reason? They have had the best wholesale price for authors to buy their books, they charge no fees other than the cost of books, they have the best margin on […]
Tips for Faster First Drafts and Better Plots
When the reality of the need to be more than a one-trick pony sinks in for an author, the pressure mounts. How can you write fast enough (and well enough at the same time) to make a living at it? Maybe you’re trying to fit writing in around a day job/life. Maybe you’ve given up […]
The Good in Bad Reviews
I’m sending this re-run back around, because the topic never grows stale. Every writer fears her first bad review. Face it: not everyone is going to love your book, and some people bring their own issues with them when they review. For instance, I’ve gotten several bad reviews on Amazon, from people who haven’t read my book […]
Top Five Tips for Authors to Build Opt-in Email List Subscription
Authors, you know you crave them: subscriptions to your opt-in email list. The people who willingly sign up to hear from you, who follow you and your books, who aren’t subject to the vagaries of Amazon, the fortunes of Barnes & Noble, or the flakiness of Google Play. The ones you can send exactly the […]
The Uncomfortable Silence
Time for the annual republication of this classic—I’d say “enjoy,” but really I’d rather it make you squirm a little bit. Also, if you find errors in my books, PUH-LEEZE email me at pamela at pamelafaganhutchins dot com. I fix them. And let my beleaguered copyeditor know, so we can both learn from the ones […]
Five Tips for Plotting a Mystery
Written four years ago, but still good food for thought: When I wrote my first mystery by the seat of my pants, I bought myself a year of heartache by winging it. It took me three more years and three more mysteries before the secret of mystery plotting revealed itself to me: plotting is […]