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Book Review & Contest Insights from Real Reviews and Submissions
What separates great books from the rest? Below are articles with insights from real reviews and contest submissions—what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve your book. You’ll also find a wide range of articles covering writing, publishing, marketing, and more. Each article has a Comments section so you can read advice from other authors and leave your own.
Why Some Books Win Awards (And Most Don’t) — Insights From Real Contest Submissions New!
What separates award-winning books from the rest? After evaluating contest submissions across a wide range of genres, certain patterns become clear. Some books consistently rise to the top. Others, even with strong ideas and clear effort behind them, fall short. The difference is rarely dramatic—it...
What We’ve Learned From Reviewing Hundreds of Thousands of Books (And Why Most Don’t Stand Out) New!
After reviewing and evaluating books across thousands of submissions over the past two decades, certain patterns become impossible to ignore. Some books immediately stand out to reviewers. Others—even well-intentioned ones—fade into the middle or fall short. The difference is rarely luck. It comes down to...
5 Do’s and Don’ts for Self-Publishing
With the revolution that has taken place and continues to expand in the literary world, self-publishing seems the preferred route for many authors. Still, like any other venture, there are practices and tips to consider before heading fast into this attractive world.
One important tip to remember is that you need to write great content. The biggest selling point of any book is its content, regardless of the marketing strategy that is used. This is the first and most important point to remember. People continue buying because of what the book contains. Therefore, slow down and put out the best book that you can. You can read books from famous authors that belong in the genre you are interested in. Take note of what made their book a success and try to model your book to include these twists.
Market the book as much as possible by yourself. Take advantage of your social media platforms and let your fans know when your book is going to be released. Consider seeking book interviews on different media channels such as podcasts. Much of the self-publishing efforts lie with the author and the more you embrace the journey, the more fruitful it will become. Remember, writing is just the first part; marketing is the second. Still, the process does not have to be dull and frightening; it can be fulfilling when you get opportunities to speak about your own work.
Set specific time limits for the whole process. Envisage how long you want to take writing your book and when the marketing campaigns should kick off. The best thing about writing is the starting stage when the excitement kicks in. The worst thing is to give up too easily and stop midway. Having specific timelines for the writing process keeps you accountable and ensures you complete what you already started. Make the schedules flexible to avoid burnout and frustration. Make each goal specific for you to be able to keep track of your progress.
Even if you are a professional, you may benefit from not editing your own book. There could be mistakes you are overlooking or your knowledge in specific subjects may be limited. Having a third party go through your work not only helps in identifying errors but also in expanding your mind to have better ideas for the book. It also helps in ensuring that the book appears professionally written.
Do not ignore the impact of your cover page on a potential reader. Hire a professional graphic designer who will create a suitable cover page for your book. It may cost more but, in the end, it will pay off. Also remember the cover page’s image is also a marketing tool with regard to attracting readers. Go for uncommon images that are likely to build a reader’s curiosity after capturing their attention. Hire someone who understands your genre, listens to your concerns and wants you to win too. The image should have a professional feel to it and should exude creativity.
Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Edith Wairimu