Welcome to The Publishing Performance Show, the quintessential podcast for both budding and veteran self-published authors! Join your host, Teddy, as he sits do...
Rebekah Haskell - The Art and Science of Book Cover Design (+ How to Find Amazing Done-For-You Covers)
Rebekah Haskell is the owner and lead designer at Vivid Covers, specializing in speculative fiction book covers. With expertise in both illustration and photo manipulation, she helps authors create genre-appropriate covers that connect with their target readers.In this episode:Genre-specific cover design principlesDifferences between traditional and indie publishing coversResearch methods for effective cover designPre-made vs custom cover optionsVisual tropes and genre expectationsWorking process with authorsThumbnail visibility importanceResources mentioned:Vivid Covers: https://www.vividcovers.com/Pre-made cover collections: https://www.vividcovers.com/shop/"Cover Your Book" by R. Haskell - https://www.amazon.com/Cover-Your-Book-Designer-Maximize/dp/B08Q6NGRSJ/Amazon bestseller lists: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Books/zgbs/booksBook recommendations:Never Check Email in the Morning by Julie Morgenstern: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Check-Mail-Morning-Unexpected/dp/0743250885Mage Errant series by John Bierce: https://www.amazon.com/Mage-Errant-7-book-series/dp/B07PHPLHX5Connect with Rebekah:Website: https://www.vividcovers.com/Email: [email protected]: https://www.rebekahhaskell.com/fb-groups/Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/Support the show
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46:31
Sarah Bullen of The Writing Room - Literary Matchmaking: How Books Find Their Perfect Publisher with a Book Agent
Sarah Bullen is a multi-published author, writing coach, and literary agent, leading international writing mentorships. She is the author of Write your Book in 100 Days and works with authors as a book coach and agent. Over the last two decades, she has had over 180 books published by writers she has mentored. She has held editorial roles across books, magazines, and literary agencies. Her expertise in writing and publishing provides invaluable guidance to aspiring authors, helping them develop their craft, structure their stories, and navigate the publishing world.In this episode:The insider secrets of literary agent selectionDifferences between fiction and non-fiction manuscript submissionsHow to create a compelling book proposalUnderstanding the publishing industry's inner workingsStrategies for becoming a successful published authorThe importance of online presence for writersNavigating the traditional publishing landscapeResources mentioned:The Writing Room mentorship: https://www.thewritingroom.co.za/author-mentorshipInternational writing retreats: https://www.internationalwritingretreats.com/Online author platformsBook proposal guidelinesGenre-specific writing conventionsPublishing industry networkingBook recommendations:The Ghost Ship by Colleen Dolan: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Ship-Fire-Colleen-Dolan/dp/1637776365The Authority Gap by Marianne Seacart: https://www.maryannsieghart.com/the-authority-gap/Connect with Sarah:Website: http://www.thewritingroom.co.za/Alternative Website: https://www.internationalwritingretreats.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahbullenwritingroom/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbullenwritingroom/LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/sarahbullenwritingcoachConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/Support the show
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52:38
Lucy McCarraher of Book Magic AI - The $100,000 Book: The AI-Powered Secret to Writing Your Business Book in Record Time
Lucy McCarraher is the Founder of Rethink Press, BookMagic AI, the book-writing app, and the Business Book Awards. She also hosts the ABOO – A Book of One's Own – women writers' network. She is the author of 13 books including three novels, four self-help books and six books on writing books. Lucy mentors non-fiction and fiction authors through planning and writing their books and is the UK's most experienced business book mentor. She recently won a Stevie Award for Women Helping Women in Business; and the Great British Businesswomen's Award for Creative Industries Businesswoman of the Year for her work supporting more women to write and publish their business books.In this episode:The journey from idea to published business bookUsing AI tools to support (not replace) writingCreating authentic business booksHybrid publishing vs self-publishingBook positioning strategiesWriting habits and routinesDistribution and marketing approachesResources mentioned:Book Magic AI: https://bookmagic.ai/Rethink Press: http://www.rethinkpress.com/KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing): https://kdp.amazon.com/Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/Key Person of Influence: https://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/Book recommendations:The Authority Gap by Mary Ann Sieghart: https://www.amazon.com/Authority-Gap-women-still-seriously/dp/0857527568Connect with Lucy:Get your Free Trial for Book Magic AI: https://bookmagic.ai/Rethink Press: http://www.rethinkpress.com/Personal Website: https://www.lucymccarraher.com/Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraherConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/Support the show
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43:51
Ellen Erikson - How to Make Money from Classic, Public Domain Books
Ellen Erikson is a publisher of over 30 books, combining self-authored works and public domain publications. Her expertise lies in identifying, updating, and successfully marketing classic works for modern audiences.In this episode:Understanding public domain books and copyright lawsGuidelines for publishing on Amazon KDPStrategies for standing out in the marketFinding and selecting profitable titlesFormatting and production considerationsMarketing and advertising approachesCommon pitfalls and how to avoid themResources mentioned:Project GutenbergMany BooksWikipedia copyright tablesKDP publishing guidelinesConnect with Ellen:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenerikson/Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/Support the show
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28:14
Tom Wilde of ProWritingAid - Why Your Grammar Checker is Holding You Back from Writing a Best Seller
Tom Wilde is the Head of Partnerships at ProWritingAid, a comprehensive toolkit for storytellers that helps authors improve their writing through advanced analysis and AI-powered features. With a background in English teaching, he brings deep insight into how writers can elevate their craft through technology.In this episode:Evolution of ProWritingAid from grammar checker to complete writing toolkitUnderstanding passive vs active voiceKey reports and features for writersAI-powered tools for story developmentIntegration with popular writing platformsPrivacy and security considerationsResources mentioned:ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com/Writers Week events: https://prowritingaid.com/art/1163/learn-with-prowritingaid-this-month.aspxIntegration with Scrivener, Word, Google Docs: https://prowritingaid.com/integrationsYouTube channel tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIgBook recommendations:Go As A River by Shelley Reed: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Go-River/Shelley-Read/9781954118232Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: https://www.amazon.com/Fingersmith-Sarah-Waters/dp/1573229725Connect with Tom:Website: https://prowritingaid.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prowritingaidX.com: https://twitter.com/prowritingaidInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/prowritingaid.insta/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prowritingaidYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIgConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/Support the show
Welcome to The Publishing Performance Show, the quintessential podcast for both budding and veteran self-published authors! Join your host, Teddy, as he sits down with with successful indie authors and top experts in the publishing world, who generously share their unique journeys, creative inspirations, and future aspirations in their writing careers and the wider industry.Immerse yourself in a trove of valuable insights and actionable advice on writing, essential tools, and practical tips to elevate your self-publishing prowess. Whether you’re just beginning your literary voyage or seeking to refine your craft, this show brims with wisdom and inspiration to help you thrive in the self-publishing realm.Each episode promises listeners at least one actionable tip for their self-published books and a must-read recommendation from our esteemed guests.Tune in for an inspiring, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the indie author experience!
New Zealand