Blog Archives
Self-Publish & Succeed
Julie Broad’s Self-Publish & Succeed is a practical guide to creating a nonfiction book that actually connects with readers and has a shot at selling. What makes it work is that it’s not just a publishing manual. It’s a book about purpose, positioning, and audience. Broad keeps returning to one central idea: a useful book starts by serving the reader, not flattering the author. That ethos gives the whole thing a clear spine, and it’s why the advice feels grounded. As she puts it, “The book may be about you, but it’s not for you.”
The book is organized like a full publishing roadmap. Early chapters focus on finding the hook, defining the ideal reader, and pulling stronger stories out of lived experience. From there, Broad moves into structure, drafting, ghostwriting, and the mental blocks that keep people from finishing. Later sections shift into editing, cover design, interior formatting, audiobooks, distribution, Amazon, bestseller strategy, and the economics of actually making money from a book. That range is one of the book’s strengths. It treats publishing as a whole system, not a romantic writing exercise.
Broad’s voice is a big part of why the book holds together. She writes like someone who’s done the work, made mistakes, and doesn’t have much patience for vague advice. She’s direct, a little punchy, and often funny, especially when she’s warning writers away from lazy conventions and generic thinking. Her repeated push against bland nonfiction gives the book its personality, and the message works because she backs it up with stories from her own career and from clients she’s helped.
Self-Publish & Succeed is not a literary meditation on authorship. It’s a hands-on, business-aware guide for people who want to create a strong nonfiction book and get it into readers’ hands. Broad is especially good with the connection between content and marketing. She argues that the hook, the subtitle, the chapter titles, the opening pages, the cover, and the sales copy all need to work together. In her view, a book isn’t finished when the manuscript is done. It’s finished when the whole package can persuade the right reader to care.
Self-Publish & Succeed is a focused, energetic playbook for nonfiction authors who want to be intentional from page one to launch day. It’s strongest when it pushes writers to stop centering themselves and start thinking about transformation, clarity, and usefulness. Even when Broad is talking about ads, metadata, or royalties, the core subject stays the same: how to make a book that matters to a reader and can survive in the real market. That gives the book a satisfying sense of unity, and it leaves you with the feeling that writing and publishing well are inseparable parts of the same job.
Pages: 263 | ASIN : B0FVZNJR19
Eudaimonia
The Profitable Author is a roadmap and guide for turning writing into a real business by exploring mindset, marketing, sales, and income streams to help authors turn book sales into a career path. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I started writing the articles in this book as a way for me to find closure (!) in publishing and consider my post-publishing career path. It was the pandemic, I was closing down my primary publishing company (a traditional indie press) after 25 years, and I was using some of my spare time to process and dump everything I had learned into articles on Medium. At some point I realized I had a specialty that was different from others I knew in the book world, and not only that, it was something I was passionate about: Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship as the best path for most authors to reach their author goals―big and small, financial and non-financial. And, entrepreneurship as a path to “the good life,” eudaimonia as the Greeks called it―human flourishing.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about successful authors?
That success is one thing and looks the same for everyone
What are some key ideas authors should focus on to turn their published book into a multistream income opportunity?
Two things. First, start by shifting from “I’m an author who wrote a book” to “I’m a business owner who uses my books and authorship as foundational assets.” Your book proves your expertise and gives you credibility (true for fiction as well as nonfiction), but the money comes from what you build around it—volume sales, creative sales, sponsorships and other partnerships, speaking engagements, workshops, coaching, consulting, courses, licensing your content, creating tools or resources, and more. The authors I’ve worked with who build sustainable income don’t just sell more books; they leverage their books to sell higher-value services, events, and additional products.
Another perspective change is understanding that a business can be built on your distinctive combination of expertise, experience, preferences, and personality—not just the content of your book or books. Look for unexpected angles and partnerships. Maybe your thriller becomes the foundation for corporate training on crisis management. Maybe your cookbook leads to culinary tours or restaurant consulting. The most successful author businesses I’ve seen come from people who stop asking “How do I sell more books?” and start asking “What problems can I solve for people who would value what I know?”
And…if you really want to sell more books, it’s time to start thinking, who needs 2 or 3 copies of this book? Then, who needs 5–10? Then, who needs 50–100? Then, who needs 500, 1,000, 5,000 copies? Challenge yourself to keep thinking bigger…and to keep challenging yourself.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Profitable Author?
First and foremost that it is POSSIBLE for them to build a business they love around their books, authorship, expertise, experiences. And, not possible “in theory.” Possible for them. Others have done it and they can too. I like to take that one step further and emphasize: Others who are smarter—and let’s face it—dumber than you. Others who are richer and who are poorer. Others who are better connected and less connected than you. Others who are more talented—and again, true fact, less talented than you, brilliant reader.
Author Links: GoodReads | BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Substack
GOLD WINNER – 2025 International Firebird Book Award – Writing/Publishing
GOLD WINNER – 2025 Reader’s Favorite – Non-Fiction – Writing/Publishing
DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE – 2025 NYC Big Book Award – Non-Fiction – Writing/Publishing
Stop Dreaming About Making It as an Author and Start Building a Sustainable Business You Love
Are you tired of earning meager royalties or Amazon deposits? Do you dream of turning your passion for writing into a thriving business? In The Profitable Author, publishing veteran Sharon Woodhouse reveals the insider secrets to creating a multi-faceted author career that goes beyond book sales.
Drawing on over 25 years of experience as an indie publisher, Woodhouse provides a practical framework for building a sustainable and rewarding author life. This isn’t about chasing bestsellers or landing a movie deal (though those are nice when they happen). It’s about understanding the business of being an author, implementing proven strategies (over 1,001!) to generate multiple streams of income from your books, expertise, and experience, and empowering you to take charge of your author journey.
The Profitable Author guides you step-by-step through:Identifying 15 different author income streams, from ebook sales and events to services, merch, and rights sales.
Designing a customized author business model that aligns with your goals, values, and lifestyle.
Unlocking creative financing hacks to fund your dreams.
Finessing author events (and getting paid!).
Unleashing your inner entrepreneur and monetizing your expertise.
Embracing the power of non-bookstore and volume sales.
Mastering essential business skills (without losing your creative spark), including marketing, sales, negotiating, networking, and mindset.
Crafting a fabulous sales and marketing plan tailored to YOU and your books, whether you’re a fiction writer, a nonfiction expert, a cookbook queen, or a children’s book hero.
Cultivating a network of support to help you thrive as an authorpreneur.
Packed with real-world examples, actionable advice, and inspiring insights, The Profitable Author is your essential guide to creating the author life you deserve. Stop waiting for success to find you—take charge and build the profitable author business you love.
FREE WITH PURCHASE! Email author Sharon Woodhouse with your proof of purchase (sharon at conspirecreative dot com), and she will give you a free 3-month subscription to her The Profitable Author / An Author Business You Love Substack author business coaching community.
The ME Factor: Your Secret Weapon for Author Visibility
The ME Factor lays out a full system for authors who want to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Author Lisa Towles starts with a blunt look at the four-million-books-a-year problem, then walks through identity, market intelligence, branding, diagnostics, digital visibility, human connection, and a 90-day review rhythm. She anchors everything on the “ME Factor” formula of Goal + Audience + You, adds the idea of an “emotional promise” to readers, and closes with a disciplined approach to long-term differentiation instead of one-off launch tricks.
I enjoyed the writing more than I expected for a marketing book. The tone feels conversational and firm at the same time, like a good coach who has receipts and also remembers what it feels like to be scared. The chapters are broken into clear sections, with “Workroom” exercises and tiered “Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3” actions that make the material feel very hands-on rather than theoretical. The book takes its time, circling back to key ideas, and I found that this repetition actually helped the concepts sink in while keeping the same warm and encouraging tone.
I liked the mix of hard-nosed strategy and real empathy for creative people. Towles treats the author as the CEO of a small but serious brand, yet she keeps pulling the focus back to human connection, self-care, and the reader’s emotional experience. The sections on defining an emotional promise and on quarterly 90-day reviews felt especially strong to me. The idea that your brand is not your genre but the feeling readers trust you to deliver hit home, and the practical rhythm of pausing every quarter to ask, ‘Is this still working? Does this still feel like me?’ felt realistic rather than idealistic. I also appreciated the emphasis on physical spaces like bookstores and libraries, as well as on boundaries and burnout prevention, not just on algorithms and posts.
The ME Factor turned book marketing from a foggy mystery into a clear plan that actually feels like something any author can accomplish. I would recommend The ME Factor to authors who are ready to treat their writing as a long-term career, not a lottery ticket. I think it will be especially useful for indie and hybrid authors, mid-career writers who feel stuck, and business professionals working on a first book who already think in frameworks and want help translating that mindset to publishing. Writers who are tired of random tactics and want a grounded, actionable, step-by-step playbook will find this book a solid companion.
ISBN : 978-1-64456-888-0
The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books
The Profitable Author lays out a huge and lively roadmap for turning a writing life into a real business. The book moves through mindset, marketing, sales, income streams, and the day-to-day actions that keep an author afloat and happy. It mixes tough love with encouragement, and it shows how an author can build a long game instead of hoping for sudden fame. It also pushes the idea that authors can be multipreneurs who stack skills, products, and creative ventures on top of each other. I found myself flipping pages and feeling the book widen the definition of what an author can become.
The writing is direct and warm. It never hides how hard this business can be, yet it never slips into cynicism. Woodhouse talks about overwhelm and disappointment in a way that feels honest. She also pushes readers to think bigger. I liked how she blends practical advice with a kind of grounded optimism. I could feel her long experience in the field. She explains ideas like daily promotional habits, diversified income, and using personal strengths in a voice that feels friendly.
What struck me most was the emotional undercurrent. The book believes in authors. Not in a cheesy way. More like a steady voice saying you can do this if you show up and keep showing up. I loved how she reframes marketing as something flexible and personal. I also liked the sections about commitment. They hit me in that spot where doubt hangs out. The mix of stories, checklists, and bite-sized reflections creates an easy rhythm. I drifted between curiosity and excitement. Still, the tone stays kind. It feels like a mentor talking at the right speed for someone who wants change but does not want to burn out.
I think this book is a strong fit for authors who want to treat their writing as a real business without losing their soul in the process. It is great for beginners who do not know where to start and for mid-career writers who feel stuck. It works for introverts, side hustlers, and people who like having a big menu of choices instead of rigid rules. I would recommend it to anyone who has a book and a dream and finally wants a plan. It left me energized and surprisingly hopeful.
Pages: 510 | ASIN : B0DJV96V29
Holistic Guidance
The Creative Composition Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing Children’s Books is a comprehensive guide that breaks down the entire process of self-publishing a children’s book. What inspired you to write this book?
I began my career as an illustrator, initially focused solely on drawing, but I soon found myself diving headfirst into other aspects of the book world—marketing, fundraising, developing supplemental resources, and booking events. Along the way, I had to learn about contracts, distribution platforms, print guidelines, and so much more. Supporting new authors over the years, I committed to learning as much as possible to provide them with holistic guidance.
I offered experiential advice in various online groups, and the most common question that came up was “I’ve written my children’s book, so now what?”. It hadn’t occurred to me at the time, but that would ultimately be the golden question to guide my writing process. It wasn’t until I booked my first multi-school, book tour and parent-teacher night when I thought to myself “There might be some educators and parents who may want to self-publish their own books … and I can help them.” From that realization, I began working on a 10 point 1-pager which quickly turned into a 10-page e-book, and gradually blossomed into the 10 chapters of The Creative Composition Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing Children’s Books: A 3-in-1 Reference Guide for New and Aspiring Authors.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One of the most important concepts I share in The Creative Composition Guide is preparing your mind for the expansive path of becoming a children’s book creator. It’s far more than just writing a book and putting it out there. As an independent publisher, you have complete control over how your book will be presented to the world. I cover this in Chapter 0: “Nurturing a CREATOR’s Mindset,” which I lovingly refer to as the “seed” of your creative expansion. Another concept I emphasize is the importance of doing extensive research before committing to hiring any contractor to support your project. Your creative team can either enhance and expand your publishing experience or diminish and delay it. Taking the time to understand their interests and experience with your topic and genre is crucial.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were starting out as a writer?
Throughout my writing journey, I did my best to be as informed as possible by attending writers’ conferences, hiring a business coach, and conducting extensive market research. However, one piece of advice I wish I had embraced earlier and with more consistency is outlining and committing to a strategic marketing plan. Writing and publishing a book are only small parts of the bigger picture. Building and expanding your community of fellow writers and aligned readers makes the process much more enjoyable and fulfilling.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
I’m always pleasantly surprised when people comment on how much they enjoy the design of The Creative Composition Guide. As publishing day approached, I was hesitant to commit to the interior design, but I had a very specific creative vision. I’m grateful that I was able to see that vision manifest in its full form, and I’m thrilled that readers have responded so positively to it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
“I’ve written my children’s book. Now what!?” First, celebrate yourself! Translating your bright ideas into the written word is a great accomplishment! Now, it’s time to transform your words into a published book. Not just any book, but a treasure that children and families will love and grow with! And How? Clarity, connection, consistency, and a sincere trust in your creative ability! Many writers with captivating stories often struggle to get their work published due to a lack of clarity throughout the publishing process. They may lack confidence in choosing the right professionals and tools to work with and may even have doubts about the success of their children’s book… Some get to publishing day and have no idea how to connect with families who will read or buy their book, so they give up, and their stories collect dust, either in their minds or on the mantle. The Creative Composition Guide to Self-publishing and Marketing Children’s Books is a practical and expansive 3-in-1 book, journal, and evergreen reference guide that, through reflection and direct action, supports new and aspiring authors throughout their publishing and marketing journey.
From my experience working behind the scenes as the contributing illustrator of 5 published books, attending and speaking at self-publishing conferences, plus supporting and learning from award-winning best-selling authors and illustrators in both traditional and self-publishing. With this guide, future authors will learn the essentials to take their book from rough draft to publication day and beyond by:
1. Researching and revising with your specific audience in mind
2. Establishing your author identity and brand 3. Connecting with your book buddies
4. Acquiring your dream team, editor, illustrator, and designer
5. Knowing your Publishing and Distribution Options
6. Booking Engagements and so much more
With invaluable insight from award-winning and bestselling children’s book creators and access to an online library, The Creative Composition Guide outlines how to plan, fund, and launch a meaningful and memorable children’s book that children and families will love and treasure for generations.
Minotaur’s Lair
Minotaur’s Lair – Servant of the Gods – Book Three by Luciana Cavallaro is the final installment in the trilogy, which follows Evan, who must face Queen Antioche and stop the Dark Master from becoming a deity. If the Dark Master successfully gains this power, Evan and his alliances face an uncertain future. There are many unexpected twists throughout his journey and fate, making this book an incredible read.
The story maintains a consistent pace that conjures excitement from the start. Cavallaro creates an action-packed tale with elements of ancient mythology and mystical places, contrasting with time travel and modern technology. Evan must quickly adapt and learn how his quest shifts from one challenge to the next, whether Queen Antioch attempts to entice him with tempting gifts and promises or he becomes face-to-face with a new enemy. He must also follow his father’s legacy by locating a sacred artifact while defeating his captors.
Cavallaro’s fantastic writing style is sharp and descriptive without slowing the story’s pace. The author thoroughly researches the architecture, landscapes, and scenarios in mythology. It’s a fantastic adventure full of exciting developments and lively characters. As the story delves into the thrilling mythology of an ancient world, Evan becomes eager to find a way home to his time in the future.
I found this book, and the trilogy, an excellent story that’s engaging and enjoyable from start to finish. The author does a fantastic job of creating an intricate world with layers of fascinating developments and characters that keep the reader moving from one chapter to the next. Minotaur’s Lair – Servant of the Gods – Book Three by Luciana Cavallaro is an excellent read for science fiction and fantasy fans. I recommend the trilogy and look forward to more books from this author.
Pages: 396 | ASIN : B0BFGW1Z6S
Being Indie
Eeva Lancaster’s informative book clearly lays out all the steps an indie author needs to take when publishing and selling their book. Each chapter dives into a separate topic, explaining why the section is important first before moving onto the detailed how-to section. Sprinkled with anecdotes to help drive the points home, Being Indie is as fun as it is educational.
This book really impressed me with how quickly the author gets to the core of the problem or misconception that many authors have. The book then moves on to quickly dispel those flawed notions and proceeds to educate the reader on the proper way to go about tackling the variety of obstacles that indie authors face. Eeva’s driven personality and perceptive humor helps to make readers feel at ease, and drives home the fact that Eeva knows what she’s talking about.
What separates this book from others of its kind is that this book covers absolutely everything that an indie author needs to publish their book and sell it, and themselves, after it’s published. Many books will cover one topic of the other, but this book does both. While it comprehensively covers all the tasks authors must accomplish before and after publication, what truly makes this book stand out is how quickly we get to the heart of the matter on each topic. With only a few paragraphs to explain why things are important, readers will appreciate how quickly they get into the meat of solving the problem. With clear step by step instructions, and suggestions on further learning, it will be impossible to fail.
I needed to read this book before publishing my first book. It could have saved me so much time, money, and sleepless nights. Now that I know the solution to many of the problems authors face, reading Eeva’s book now makes me shake my head in amazement with how clearly she identified my previous problems and how quickly she resolved them.
While the self-publishing journey may be long, Eeva has formatted her book so that it works easily as a reference guide whenever you are ready to move onto the next step in your adventure.
Being Indie is a no-nonsense guide to self-publishing with a direct tone that delivers concise instructions in easily digestible segments. This is an effective crash course on being an indie author that I highly recommend to any aspiring or current indie authors that want to create a book that SELLS.
Pages: 211 | ASIN: B072BT3J37
Elysium Protocol
Elysium Protocol by C.A. MacLean is the third book in the Architects of the Illusion science fiction series. Following a species-diverse team known as the “Fireseeds,” Elysium Protocol picks up the shattered pieces left over from the devastating war in book two, The Great Scourge. In a time of interstellar conflict, multiple factions, some seen, some working from the shadows, are vying for power, control, and sometimes, just plain survival. Set in a distant future, the last remnants of humanity are part of an intergalactic organization known as “The Convergence,” an alliance consisting of “quintillions” of citizens.
The Fireseeds are pitted against a vast alien force known as the “hiven,” an insect-like species bent on zealous destruction and domination. Several science fiction tropes appear here, but they are executed skillfully; which ensures longtime fans of science fiction will find something familiar yet still intriguing. There are multiple alien races present: humanoid bird-persons (Arkerians), crystal people (Altaran), bug people (hiven), and more. The story is rife with many planet names and systems, such as Everan, Serrona, Vraunlith-3, etc. I feel this might make it difficult to follow at times but adds to the depth of a world that seems full of possbilites and begs to be explored further. I would have loved to have seen a map of systems in the book to look back on because this story reaches epic fantasy levels where readers will be completely immersed in a large world.
This is a robust novel, almost as long as the two previous entries combined. There is a lot of action going on with all of the characters and races. Readers have to be fully engaged in this story to keep up with who is who and what species is what; reminding me of the breadth of George R.R. Martin novels. However, the author effectively handles the task of keeping things straight, with the central characters being well developed with strong individual personalities. The Arkerian Engami sisters, Eva and Ashy, the tragic Altaran, Caleb Braze, the modest human, Daniel Byre, and many more fill this impressive work with relatable characters and a compelling story. Despite some massive decisions, the memorable characters and gripping action bring a universe of primordial planets, advanced spacecraft, and futuristic cities to life.
Architects Of The Illusion, Part III: Elysium Protocol is an action-filled science fiction space opera with memorable characters and planets. Readers will be able to escape into the world that has been created and feel like they are in the action.
Pages: 777 | ASIN : B09NPPJL1Q
