Jane Green on Being Authentic and Reaching Women Worldwide
Jane Green’s essay reframes what many call a “midlife crisis” as a silent, cumulative response to unmet emotional needs in marriage. She highlights how social‑media façades hide loneliness, belittlement, and the hormonal shift of menopause that push women toward separation. Green argues the decision to leave is less about a crisis and more about reclaiming self‑respect after years of self‑abandonment. The piece underscores the personal cost of staying in a relationship that no longer values a woman’s wellbeing.
Thoughts on Rebellious Romance & Indie Bookstore Marketing with M.J. Etkind
M.J. Etkind explores how rebellious romance narratives, like the witch‑centric vignette, can power indie bookstore marketing. The story showcases a protagonist using a clandestine potion to resolve a personal crisis, illustrating the genre’s blend of intimacy and supernatural intrigue. Etkind...
How (and Why) Not to Write to Market
The article argues that "write to market" is misguided advice for authors. While understanding market trends is essential, chasing fleeting fads leads to books that miss the publishing window and feel derivative. Instead, writers should align their genuine passions with...
4 Pro Review Services to Get Your Book Noticed
IngramSpark has teamed up with four established professional review services—BookLife, IndieReader, BlueInk, and Kirkus—to give self‑published authors a streamlined path to credible third‑party reviews. The partnership offers exclusive discounts, lowering fees by $25‑$100 compared with standard rates. These reviews provide...
5 Low-Stress Ways to Set Your New Series Up for Success
Launching a new book series requires more than a strong manuscript; the weeks before release are critical for building momentum. The article outlines five low‑stress pre‑launch tactics—crafting a concise value proposition, generating anticipation, securing strategic partners, maintaining a unified cross‑platform...
Melissa Wright on the Balance of Darkness, Wit, and Whimsy in Romantasy
Melissa Wright, a prolific YA and fantasy author, has launched “A Necromancer’s Guide to Grave Mistakes,” the opening volume of her “Grave Magic and Other Forms of Courtship” series. The novel reimagines Cinderella as a necromancer who accidentally raises the...
Defining & Developing Your Author Brand
The article argues that modern authors must treat themselves as brands, not reclusive creators. It stresses that an author’s name—real or pen—serves as a searchable trademark and should be chosen carefully. Consistency in genre, visual identity, tagline, and regular audience...
Jessica Brilliant Keener on Fostering Empathy and Connection Through Storytelling
Jessica Brilliant Keener releases her latest novel, Evening Begins the Day, exploring betrayal, family crisis, and the ancient Jewish ritual of Counting the Omer. The story follows two neighboring families whose secrets unravel, using multiple points of view to examine...
The United Kingdom Opportunity: Print, Distribute, & Grow with IngramSpark
The United Kingdom remains a powerhouse publishing market, with roughly 195 million print books sold in 2024 and a £1.82 bn retail value. Success in the UK often serves as a springboard to the U.S. library system and broader North American retail...
From Manuscript to Asset: Why Every Indie Author Needs an IP Strategy
Indie authors often overlook that a manuscript is a bundle of valuable intellectual‑property rights that can be licensed beyond the book itself. Copyright attaches automatically, but registration strengthens legal standing, while trademarks protect series titles, pen names, and distinctive characters....
How Readers Actually Search for Books (And Why Authors Sometimes Miss the Mark)
Authors often assume readers discover books through friends or shelves, but most start with online searches on Google, Amazon, or AI tools. Readers scan titles, descriptions, keywords, and categories before opening a book, making metadata the first point of contact....
Fredi Nwaka: Owning His Story and Building a Legacy
Award‑winning British filmmaker, actor and motivational speaker Fredi Nwaka has released *Boy*, the first volume of a planned memoir trilogy that chronicles his South‑London upbringing, trauma, and rise in the film industry. He frames the book as a legacy tool,...
7 Romance Sub-Genres Driving Reader Demand
Romance remains the commercial engine of modern publishing, consistently outpacing fantasy, sci‑fi, thrillers and literary fiction combined. Seven sub‑genres—contemporary, romantasy, billionaire, romantic suspense, historical, paranormal and LGBTQ+—are currently delivering the strongest sales velocity, social buzz and indie market share. The...