You’ll find all of the course content and resources linked below.
I originally created this course for paid subscribers. After one year I decided to remove the paywall. If you’d like to support my work you can pledge as little as $5 a month. Paid supporters get snail mail zines from me (in your actual real life mailbox) once a month.
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This first half of the course will take you from the reflective space after writing a book through the publishing process for physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks.
Each module will have a short podcast. You can listen or tap transcript to read. I’ll also include a short summary with some reflection prompts and links to any resources I might have mentioned in the module.
I’m always reading and listening to content about publishing – both indie and traditional. I’ll keep this page updated with resources you might find helpful as you find your own way within the publishing landscape.
Books About Publishing
These books are from hybrid authors who have worked inside and outside traditional publishing and I find that perspective very insightful. Both pull back the curtain to how it all works.
From an independent publisher who is also a traditionally published author.
I don’t agree with everything Trubek writes – specifically her views about which books are “worth” being published (it’s a capitalist lens) so if you’re feeling imposter syndrome maybe don’t dig into this one yet. But I learned a lot about the nuts and bolts of how publishing and bookshops work from this book.
Catherynne Valente has been traditionally published, self published through a wildly successful Kickstarter, and then that self pub book was picked up and traditionally published. She is a great example of how authors can move between worlds.
It’s also worth listening to Catherynne Valente talk about her publishing journey on these podcasts. She wrote and published The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making as a marketing material for another book. Because it won awards before it was traditionally published it was never edited. 🤯
There are endless ways to approach self publishing so I’ve started an author spotlight series to help indie authors connect and share stories.
Part One
Part Two
Meet the Author
B. S. H. Garcia is the author of the epic fantasy series, The Heart of Quinaria. A household manager by day, writer by night, she graduated with honors from The University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in English Writing. To get into character for her stories, she trudges through the woods in cosplay with a mead-filled drinking horn and has traveled from Oregon to New Zealand seeking inspiration. Visit her online at www.bshgarcia.com. There, you can get your hands on a FREE copy of The Heart of Quinaria prequel novelette, From the Ashes. All she asks for in exchange is your soul.
People discover books through web search instead of browsing bookstores now. To help your book’s discoverability you want to use keywords (the words people might use to search for a book like yours) is as many places as possible.
There are a lot of feelings that come up with publishing a book. You’ll want to create a support system to work through them.
I’ve heard several published authors recommend having a therapist on hand during and after your book launch.
You can hear Cait Flander’s talk about this on Claire Venus’ podcast Sparkle on Substack. Cait also helpfully reflects on how you don’t have to say yes to every opportunity and how important it is to say “no” and protect your energies during launch.
Galley (historically something specific, but now often used interchangeably with ARC)
Both ARCs & galleys are uncorrected proofs that are not in the final form factor the book will take. They are sent out to reviewers and should never be quoted or sold for profit.
Printing physical ARCs can be a big investment. Consider going green and sending out ebooks or audiobooks when possible.
Prepare for Reviewers
You’ll want to make things easy for your reviewers by setting up a Goodreads and Storygraph page before sending our ARCs. This doesn’t mean you need to read reviews. But making your book’s page means potential reviewers will be able to find your book (and its cover) to review it. I have accounts on both, but I use Storygraph to track my personal reading. It’s vastly superior and also a black owned small business.
Asking for Blurbs & Reviews
Another reason to send out an ARC (pdf or print copy) is to ask your colleagues to write a quote or blurb. Or to leave a review on a platform like Amazon. It’s a good idea to do this before publication. You can even add blurbs to the book. Sometimes these are used on the cover and other times are included in the front of the book itself.
When you expand your reach you’ll want to point people somewhere. The best place is your own newsletter (even if you don’t send one out regularly you should start collecting emails.)
The reason you want a newsletter is that you can reach people directly (versus relying on a third party app like Instagram or Twitter.) There are lots of options out there, but Substack has a lot of features, it’s free, and you’re already here.
Newsletter Magnet or Freebie
Something you give away to encourage people to opt in.
Show up for your work and then take some time to recover. Again and again. Books are evergreen, so you don’t launch one time and it’s over.
After the initial launch, it becomes harder to talk about the book, but it’s still worthwhile. Weave your book into your normal content. Link to your sales page. Put a photograph in the bottom of your newsletter. Share photographs of your book in different seasons.
Keep showing up for your book, and your book will keep showing up for you.
