When I first started my author journey, I knew nothing about self-publishing. I stumbled onto it through a Facebook ad for a class on how to self-publish. I watched the promo video and decided to check it out. I found other resources as well and decided to compile my favorites for you!
- Self-Publishing Formula. Mark Dawson is a self-published author who is making millions of dollars off of his books. He created a series of classes that cover all sorts of things you need to create your own business. I highly recommend his work, including the podcast.
- Reedsy. When you complete your work, you will need to hire some people to help you make it professional. Reedsy is a website that vets editors and proofreaders and cover designers. These people are all top notch. Reedsy also has a free formatting tool for authors to make ebooks as well as paperbacks look just perfect.
- Bookfunnel. This service is my go-to for delivering my reader magnet as well as building my newsletter list and boosting sales. They have a free version as well as a paid one. A reader magnet is a freebie you offer to people in exchange for their email address, so that you can start to build a following. Authors help other authors on here by doing group promos and newsletter swaps.
- Canva. This website is for creating promotional materials like fliers and bookmarks as well as designing your own covers. They have a free version as well as a paid one. You can make headers for emails, postcards, social media posts, all kinds of things.
- The Book Cover Designer. If you can’t afford to hire a cover designer, I recommend checking out these pre-made covers. They are amazing. I have used this source several times. The covers are posted on the website, and as soon as they are purchased, they are removed, so no one else can use them. The designer then contacts you and adds your title, name, and any other little touches you need. They are always willing to work with you to create a series of covers, too.
- Booksprout. You can’t just put your book on Amazon and expect it to start selling like hot cakes. Readers always look at the number of stars and the reviews. How do you get reviews if you are a new, unknown author? You use a place like Booksprout. You post your title here, and subscribed readers who enjoy that genre can upload the manuscript, read it, at review it.
- Written Word Media. How do you get the word out about your book? You have services like Written Word Media push it out to their readership on Bargain Booksy or Free Booksy when you have a sale. If you are a reader, you can get their notifications in your email for the genres you like at bargainbooksy.com or freebooksy.com.
- WordPress. You will need a website as an author. I have been using WordPress since I started and was able to build my own website. It is pretty simple, once you get the hang of it. I went on YouTube and watched several tutorials, which helped a lot. I am always fiddling with it, trying to make it look better.
These are my top eight resources as an author. The tabs for these stay open on my computer, almost all the time! If you would like more information about any of them, please leave me a comment down below. Several of these, like Canva, Book Sprout, and Bargain Booksy, are great for readers, too.