Author Websites

Migrating Your Author Site from SquareSpace to WordPress: a Step by Step Website Guide

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You’re here because your built your author website on SquareSpace (maybe “just to get it over with,” I hear that alot) and now you feel stuck. You like how the site looks, but you feel trapped by the monthly fees and you don’t know what step to take next. Or maybe you were fine with your website (because you didn’t know it could be cheaper) until you read this article, and now you have buyer’s remorse and want to move it.

I get it!  I’m here for you.  I want you to have a website you like and are in total control of (meaning, it is your actual firstnamelastname.com) that is also budget-friendly.  While I do think your website is a super important part of your author platform, I don’t think you’re going to use it a ton (at least at first), and I definitely don’t want you paying something crazy like $30/ month for it. At the beginning of your writer career at least, you’re just putting your website in place as one of the puzzle pieces, mostly to take over that space in the search engines and to give people the opportunity to sign up for your email list. I feel like those requirements can be met for about $5/ month, honestly.

Where do you even start with this?

Good question. To be totally honest with you, migrations are always kind of a chaotic, frustrating mess. That’s a “you don’t know what you don’t know” situation, and the more built up the site is, the more loose ends you’ll end up having to chase down. It helps to keep reminding yourself that ultimately, the headache is going to be worth it to save all that money.

I would start with your domain. The first thing to do is transfer your domain away from SquareSpace so you can control the DNS (where the domain actually points to). SquareSpace counts on you not wanting to know that much about the inner workings of your website, so they maintain control over that part of it (and charge you a premium for that privilege, for whatever reason). If you’ve been exclusively in the SquareSpace world, you might not even be aware of the fact that you can (and should!) register your domain somewhere else for less money. My “best practice” domain registrar is NameCheap, and here’s the thing– once you transfer your domain over there, you can always point it back to SquareSpace if you decide not to do the migration.  So, let’s tackle that one first just to save you some money.

What we’re doing here is moving your website over from SquareSpace to NameCheap, with WordPress.org (a software) as the back-end.  Once your site is built out of WordPress (rather than SquareSpace’s technology), it will look completely different, so start mentally preparing for that now. I know you like the SquareSpace design, but you can’t take it with you (sorry!). This is about saving you money.

How to Transfer Your Domain from Squarespace to NameCheap

Before You Start

Make sure your domain meets these requirements:

  • At least 60 days old (ICANN rule)
  • Not expired
  • Domain lock is disabled
  • You have access to the email address listed on the domain

If your domain doesn’t meet all of these requirements yet (like, because you just registered it at SquareSpace), that is totally fine!  Bookmark this post and come back to this later.

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain in Squarespace

  1. Log in to your Squarespace account
  2. Go to Settings > Domains
  3. Click on your domain name
  4. Disable domain lock if enabled
  5. Request an authorization code (EPP code)
    • Click “Get Authorization Code”
    • Squarespace will email this code to you
    • Keep this code handy – you’ll need it for NameCheap

Step 2: Start the Transfer at NameCheap

  1. Go to NameCheap.com
  2. Go to Domains> Transfer
    3. Type in your domain name. It will give you some information about whether the domain is “eligible for transfer,” which is just referring to whether it is technically “old enough” to be moved. Do not let any of the language alarm or confuse you. You’re doing great!

4. Add the transfer to your cart

5. Complete the checkout process (transfers typically cost around $10-15)

Step 3: Enter Authorization Code

  1. After purchase, go to your NameCheap dashboard
  2. Find the domain under “Domain List” > “Transfer Domain”
  3. Enter the authorization code from Squarespace
  4. Follow the prompts to confirm domain ownership

Step 4: Approve the Transfer

  1. Check the administrative email address associated with your domain
  2. Look for an email requesting transfer approval
  3. Click the approval link or follow instructions to approve
  4. The transfer process will begin

Step 5: Wait for Completion

  • Transfer typically takes 5-7 days
  • Both Squarespace and NameCheap will send status updates
  • Don’t cancel your Squarespace domain service until the transfer is complete

Step 6: Update DNS Records (If Needed)

Once the transfer is complete:

  1. Log into your NameCheap account
  2. Go to Domain List > Manage
  3. Click “Advanced DNS”
  4. Add any necessary DNS records for:
    • Website hosting
    • Email services
    • Third-party services

Important Notes

  • Keep your Squarespace account active during the transfer
  • Save copies of your current DNS records before the transfer
  • The transfer fee typically includes one year of domain registration
  • Your website might experience brief downtime during DNS propagation

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If it seems like SquareSpace doesn’t want you to leave:

1. Stay positive and persistent. This is happening
2. Tell them “It’s fine, I’m just moving my domain over to a less expensive registrar. I still like you.”
3. Keep saying “No thank you” until they give you the damn code already.

If your transfer gets stuck:

  1. Take several deep breaths and remind yourself that this is going to be worth it.
  2. Verify your domain is unlocked
  3. Verify the authorization code is correct
  4. Ensure your contact information is accurate
  5. Contact NameCheap support if needed (they have wonderful chat support)

After the Transfer

  1. Verify your domain works correctly
  2. Update contact information if needed
  3. Set up auto-renewal if desired
  4. Save your NameCheap login information
  5. Go back and cancel your Squarespace domain service

 

Step 2:  Get (Cheap) Hosting, Install WordPress

Once the domain is settled (so to speak), your next move is to get some hosting and install WordPress on it. I would recommend just using NameCheap’s hosting because it is the easiest to set up, and frankly, you have enough to worry about right now and are probably just about over this process already.

So, go back over to NameCheap, click on “Hosting,” then “Shared” and choose one of these options:

I would love for you to pick “Stellar Plus” (the one in the middle) or “Stellar Business” (the one on the right) because those give you the option of hosting more than one website and I want you to leave your options open for growth, but honestly, if the $2/ month option is looking super appealing right now because of what you’ve been paying SquareSpace, I get it!  Do that!!

When that’s done (and remember, your site still “lives” at SquareSpace so it will look like it always did), that is all you can do on the NameCheap side, so you’ll need to go back over to SquareSpace and start packing up your virtual boxes in preparation for your big move.

 

Don’t stress!  This is going to work out!

Step 3:  Go to SquareSpace, export your site

The process of moving your content from Squarespace to WordPress involves several key steps. First, you’ll need to export your Squarespace content. Go to Settings > Advanced > Export in your Squarespace dashboard. This will create an XML file containing your pages, posts, and some basic content structure.

However, be aware that not everything will transfer perfectly. You’ll likely need to manually move or recreate:

  • Custom page layouts
  • Contact forms
  • Image galleries
  • Product listings (if you have an online store)
  • Email newsletter integrations

Now’s the time to really go through the site and go on a copy/ paste frenzy, man. Back that entire site up, one page at a time, and save it somewhere like Google Docs. That way, even if the XML import doesn’t work, you can rebuild by hand.

Step 4:  Set Up WordPress

Now, it’s time to get WordPress up and running so you can begin the import process.

  1. Install WordPress on Your Host: Most hosting providers have a one-click install option. Follow their instructions to set up WordPress.
  2. Access Your WP Dashboard: Typically, you’ll go to yourwebsite.com/wp-admin to log in. Enter the credentials you created during the install.
  3. Pick a Theme: While you can start with a default WordPress theme, you might want to explore themes specifically for authors. Look for something that’s responsive (mobile-friendly) and suits your brand. You can always switch themes later.

Note: Don’t sweat the design details too much yet. You can fine-tune your theme and layout after the content is in place. Just make sure to take a bunch of screenshots of your SquareSpace site so you can find a WordPress theme that looks vaguely similar.

5. Import Your Squarespace Content into WordPress

Now for the fun part—bringing your blog posts and pages to their new home.

  1. In WordPress, Go to Tools → Import: You’ll see a list of options for importing.
  2. Install the WordPress Importer Plugin: If you haven’t already, WordPress will prompt you to install this. It’s free and quick to set up.
  3. Upload Your Squarespace XML File: Select the file you downloaded from Squarespace, and hit Upload and Import.
  4. Assign Authors: If you’ve got multiple authors or want to assign a specific user to the imported posts, you can handle that here.
  5. Wait for the Process to Complete: Once it’s done, you’ll see a success message. Congratulations—your basic content is now in WordPress!

Warning: Some elements—like photo galleries, forms, or custom code blocks—won’t come through. Make a note of these so you can re-create them.

6. Rebuild and Tweak Your Pages

Time to roll up your sleeves and ensure everything looks good on your new WordPress site.

  1. Compare Pages: Remember the content inventory you made in Step 1? Go through each page in WordPress and see what’s missing or needs updates.
  2. Set Up Navigation: In Appearance → Menus, create or edit your main menu so that it mirrors (or improves upon) your old Squarespace menu.
  3. Add Missing Images and Graphics: Some images may not have transferred. Re-upload them to your Media Library (via Media → Add New), then insert them into your pages/posts.
  4. Recreate Forms: If you had a contact or newsletter form, install a WordPress form plugin (like Contact Form 7, WPForms, or Gravity Forms) and rebuild those forms.
  5. Tidy Up Formatting: Check for any stray formatting quirks. Sometimes paragraphs or headings might need a bit of cleanup.

Pro Tip: If you had a newsletter signup on Squarespace, integrate a WordPress-compatible email marketing plugin or embed the signup form from your chosen email service provider so you can continue to capture subscribers.

7. Design and Branding

Your author website should reflect who you are as a writer and what visitors can expect from your books.

  1. Customize Your Theme: Head to Appearance → Customize to play with fonts, colors, and layout options.
  2. Install Essential Plugins:
    • SEO Plugins (Yoast SEO or Rank Math): Helps improve your discoverability on search engines.
    • Caching Plugins (WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache): Speeds up your site’s performance.
    • Security Plugins (Wordfence or Sucuri): Helps protect against hacks and malware.
  3. Test Your Site on Mobile: Make sure your new WordPress site is mobile-friendly. Most modern themes are responsive, but it’s always good to double-check.

Bonus Tip: Consider a page builder like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or Gutenberg blocks if you want more drag-and-drop flexibility in designing your pages. This can be particularly helpful if you’re not super techy but still want a custom look.

8. Point Your Domain to Your New WordPress Site

Once your site is looking good on WordPress, it’s time to make it live for the world to see. This is where you’ll connect (or “point”) your domain to your new hosting.

  1. Log into Your Domain Registrar: (in this case, NameCheap)
  2. Update DNS Settings: Change your nameservers (or A record) to the ones your new hosting provider gave you.
  3. Allow Time for Propagation: It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24-48 hours for your new site to appear under your domain across the internet.

9. Run Final Checks

Once your domain is pointing to your new site, do a thorough review.

  • Check All Pages: Is the layout correct? Are images showing up?
  • Test Links: Make sure internal links work properly and external links open as expected.
  • Review SEO Settings: Ensure you have the right title tags, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.
  • Enable Backups: Set up a regular backup system using a plugin or your host’s built-in backup service.

Reminder: This is the perfect time to share your new website with a few trusted friends or beta readers. Have them poke around and let you know if they spot any issues or typos.

10. Announce Your New Site

You’re live, so it’s time to celebrate—and let your audience know.

  1. Send an Email to Your List: Announce your new site to your mailing list, highlighting any cool new features (like a brand-new freebies section or updated book page). Dude!  This is why I am always going on and on (and on) about building an email list!
  2. Post on Social Media: Show off screenshots or a behind-the-scenes look at your design journey. Invite readers to comment on the new look.
  3. Update Links: Make sure all your social media bios (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) point to the correct domain.

Extra Touch: Offer a small giveaway or bonus chapter as a “housewarming” treat to encourage folks to stop by the new site and poke around.

11. Maintain & Grow

Your WordPress site is up and running (and you have hopefully stopped being mad at me for how difficult this process turned out to be), but your journey doesn’t end here.

  • Keep Plugins and Themes Updated: This helps protect against security issues.
  • Regularly Publish Blog Posts or Book Updates: Keep your content fresh and your readers engaged.
  • Monitor Performance: Use Google Analytics or a similar tool to track traffic and see how visitors interact with your site.
  • SEO & Marketing: Continue optimizing your site for search engines, and ramp up your marketing efforts to bring new readers on board.

Pro Tip: Consider installing a plugin like Broken Link Checker to make sure your site remains healthy over time. It alerts you if any links stop working, so you can fix or remove them quickly.

Final Thoughts

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress can feel like a big leap, but with a bit of planning and some careful execution, you’ll land on your feet with a shiny new author site that gives you more customization and control. Now, you can flex your creative muscles beyond what Squarespace offered—and really make your online author platform your own. Plus, think of all that money you’re saving!

Good luck, and happy building!

Book Marketing Book Promotion

How to Use SlideShows on TikTok to Promote Self-Published Books

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TikTok (especially BookTok!) has become a powerful platform for indie authors looking to expand their reach and increase book sales. With the right strategies, you can leverage the platform’s unique features to build an engaged audience and boost your income. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating effective TikTok content and maximizing your results.

Why TikTok Works for Indie Authors

TikTok’s short-form video format is ideal for storytelling, sharing tips, and showcasing your books. Many authors have succeeded on the platform by creating engaging content that resonates with their target audience. While there may be an initial learning curve, TikTok’s potential to go viral can lead to significant exposure and earnings.

Step 1: Ensure Your Platform is Set Up Properly

Nope, I’m never going to stop harping on this! Before diving into TikTok content creation, make sure your platform is optimized to capture and engage potential readers.

This includes:

  • Linking to a Reader Magnet Inside Your Book: Include a link to a free bonus (e.g., a short story or chapter) that encourages readers to sign up for your email list.
  • Setting Up an Email Signup Form: Ensure your website prominently features a signup form to capture visitor information.
  • Creating a Strong Onboarding Sequence: Use automated email sequences to welcome new subscribers and guide them toward your other books or content.
  • Optimizing Your Website and Social Media: Ensure your website and social media profiles clearly encourage email signups with CTAs (calls to action) and compelling incentives.

Always focus on building your email list—it’s one of the most valuable tools for indie authors to connect directly with readers.  Remember, you do not own Tiktok or your followers on that platform!  TikTok (or any social media) can go away at any time, so make sure you’re just using them as a means to an end and not as your primary sales driver! I’m serious!

Step 2: Create Slide-Based Videos

Slideshow videos have proven to perform well on TikTok, especially for educational or storytelling content. Follow these tips to create effective slideshows:

  • Make Videos 20-25 Slides Long: Longer slideshows tend to perform better, as they hold viewers’ attention for more time.
  • Use a Consistent Background: Choose one background for all slides to ensure a cohesive and professional look. You can create slides directly on TikTok, make slides on Canva and upload them, or use a service like AuthorScale. Totally up to you and your budget!
  • Keep Slides Simple: Focus on delivering clear and concise information on each slide.

Step 3: Write Compelling Hooks

The first few seconds of your video are crucial for capturing attention. Use tools like AuthorScale to generate engaging hooks that draw viewers in immediately. A strong hook can make the difference between a viewer scrolling past or staying to watch your content.

Step 4: Post Consistently

Consistency is key on TikTok. Posting multiple times a day increases the likelihood of reaching different audience segments. A recommended schedule includes:

  • 2 Posts During the Day
  • 2 Posts at Night

This approach ensures your content reaches viewers across various time zones and activity levels.

Step 5: Use TikTok’s Built-In Features

TikTok’s algorithm favors videos that use trending audio and features. When uploading your slideshows, consider:

  • Posting directly through apps like AuthorScale to streamline the process.
  • Allowing TikTok to select the music for your videos to boost engagement.

Step 6: Drive Traffic to External Platforms

If you’re unable to sell directly on TikTok, use the platform to drive traffic to external sites like Amazon or your author website. Include clear calls-to-action in your bio and videos to guide viewers to your books.

Key Takeaways

  • Slideshow videos are an effective format for creating engaging TikTok content. Their visual appeal and simplicity make them easy for audiences to consume.
  • Posting consistently increases your visibility and engagement.
  • Strong hooks and trending audio can significantly boost your video’s performance.
  • TikTok is a powerful traffic driver for authors who strategically link their content to external platforms.

By following these strategies, indie authors can harness TikTok’s potential to grow their audience and achieve their publishing goals.

Social Media

What is BookTok and How Can It Help You Sell Books?

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BookTok has emerged as one of the most powerful forces in contemporary book marketing, transforming how readers discover new titles and revolutionizing the publishing industry’s approach to promotion. This deep dive explores what BookTok is, why it matters, and how authors and publishers can harness its potential.

Understanding BookTok

BookTok is the book-loving community on TikTok, where readers, authors, and industry professionals share content about books through short-form videos. What makes BookTok unique is its organic, authentic nature – it’s driven by genuine reader enthusiasm rather than traditional marketing strategies.

Why BookTok Matters

The impact of BookTok on book sales has been nothing short of remarkable. When a book goes viral on BookTok, it can lead to massive sales spikes, even for titles that have been out for years. The platform has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to create bestsellers, particularly in the young adult and romance genres.

What Makes Content Go Viral on BookTok

The most successful BookTok content typically falls into several categories:

  • Emotional Reactions: Videos showing genuine emotional responses to books, whether tears, laughter, or shocked gasps, tend to perform well. These raw reactions create curiosity and connection with viewers.
  • Creative Book Recommendations: Videos that recommend books based on specific moods, themes, or other popular media can quickly gain traction. For example, “If you liked this movie, you’ll love this book” or “Books that will make you sob uncontrollably.”
  • Aesthetic Content: Beautiful book photography, creative transitions, and appealing visual presentations of books often attract attention and engagement.

How to Leverage BookTok as an Author

1. Make Sure You’re Ready

Before diving into BookTok, ensure you have your author platform fundamentals in place:

  • A professional author website that’s mobile-friendly and easy to navigate
  • A compelling reader magnet (free book, novella, or exclusive content) to attract subscribers
  • An email signup system with automated delivery of your reader magnet
  • Links inside your published books directing readers to your website, reader magnet, and social media – don’t miss this crucial touchpoint with existing readers. Use BookFunnel for this!

These elements create a solid foundation that allows you to capitalize on any BookTok success by converting viewers into long-term readers and subscribers.

2. Understand the Platform

Before diving in, spend time watching BookTok content to understand the platform’s unique culture, trends, and content styles. Pay attention to what resonates with viewers and what falls flat.

3. Create Authentic Content

BookTok users value authenticity above all else. Focus on creating genuine content that reflects your personality and passion for books rather than obvious marketing attempts. Here’s a whole article about creating slides for your TikToks.

4. Engage with the Community

Active participation in the BookTok community is crucial. This means:

  • Responding to comments on your videos
  • Engaging with other creators’ content
  • Participating in trending hashtags and challenges
  • Creating content that adds value to ongoing conversations

5. Utilize BookTok-Specific Strategies

  • Create series of related content to keep viewers coming back
  • Use trending sounds and music appropriately
  • Incorporate popular BookTok hashtags
  • Time your posts for maximum visibility

Tips for Publishers

Publishers can capitalize on BookTok’s influence by:

1. Supporting Author Initiatives

  • Provide resources and training for authors interested in creating BookTok content
  • Help coordinate virtual events and challenges
  • Create shareable content that authors can use

2. Building Direct Presence

  • Maintain an active publisher account sharing behind-the-scenes content
  • Highlight upcoming releases in creative ways
  • Share reader reactions and testimonials

3. Influencer Collaboration

  • Partner with established BookTok creators for book launches
  • Send advance review copies to influential BookTok users
  • Create exclusive content or editions for the BookTok community

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  1. Don’t focus solely on selling. BookTok users can spot overly promotional content from miles away.
  2. Avoid forcing trends that don’t fit your brand or book. Authenticity matters more than jumping on every trend.
  3. Don’t neglect engagement. Success on BookTok requires consistent interaction with the community.
  4. Don’t expect overnight success. Building a following takes time and consistent effort.

Measuring Success

Track your BookTok efforts through:

  • Video views and engagement rates
  • Follower growth
  • Hashtag usage
  • Direct sales correlation
  • Website traffic from TikTok
  • Mention tracking

The Future of BookTok

As the platform continues to evolve, we’re seeing new trends emerge:

  • Increasing focus on diverse voices and representations
  • Growing influence in adult fiction markets
  • Integration with other social media platforms
  • Development of BookTok-specific marketing strategies

Conclusion

BookTok represents a significant shift in how books are marketed and sold in the digital age. Its power lies in its ability to create genuine connections between readers and books, fostering a community that celebrates reading in all its forms. For authors and publishers willing to invest time in understanding and engaging with the platform, BookTok offers unprecedented opportunities to reach new readers and build lasting connections with their audience.

Remember that success on BookTok isn’t just about following a formula – it’s about finding authentic ways to share your love of books with a community that’s eager to discover their next favorite read.

Book Marketing

Kindle Countdown: What’s the Deal?

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Just some further explanation for Kindle’s “Countdown Deal,” following Katherine’s excellent article.  We strive for complete coverage!

I got this awesome summary in a newsletter called “Self Publisher Daily,” which is put out by James Jones.  James is the inventor of eBook Niche Explorer, an Amazon-specific keyword tool that I can’t recommend highly enough, so I’m not surprised that he also has a super-awesome newsletter.

James gave me permission to reprint this article, which I super appreciate.  Enjoy!

Kindle Countdown Deals
By Ashley Zee

Want to entice potential customers to buy your book(s) with a great deal that only lasts for a limited time? Amazon recently announced the arrival of Kindle Countdown Deals, a type of sale that allows publishers to arrange for their books to be discounted for a set amount of time.

The Kindle Countdown Deals can last up to a week and are a very targeted kind of sale that is designed to boost conversion and purchases (the success of various flash-sales sites across the internet are testament to this sales model) but it has some stipulations. While the Countdown Deals definitely have the potential to be effective weapons in your marketing arsenal, here are some things to be mindful of…

First and foremost, there are two big KDP Select criteria your book must meet. The book MUST be enrolled in KDP Select for at least 30 days prior to the promotion. You can’t publish a book and then give it a Countdown Deal on the same day. The other KDP Select requirement is that the last day for your Countdown Deal must be at least 14 days before the KDP Select 90-day period ends.

Here’s your timeline…

Publish your book and enroll it in KDP Select. Wait 30 days. Out of your 90-day KDP Select enrollment period you now have 60 days remaining. For Countdown Select scheduling purposes completely disregard those first 30 days since you can’t do anything during that time. It’s like they don’t even exist….

Effectively, you have 60 days to use Kindle Countdown Deals when it is in KDP Select.

Your Countdown Deal must be over before the last two weeks of the KDP Select enrollment period, so out of those 60 remaining days 14 of those days must be subtracted immediately. You now have 46 days to utilize the Countdown Deal.

But wait! The promo must end on day 46, and since each Countdown Deal can last 7 days (it can be shorter, but let’s assume you want it to run the maximum amount of time), the latest you can initiate a week-long Countdown Deal would be on day 39 (of the remaining 60). If you want a shorter Countdown Deal you can initiate it after this time, but once there’s 14 days left in the KDP Select enrollment you cannot use Countdown Deals. So you have a total of 39 days to initiate a weeklong campaign for Kindle Countdown.

If you kept the first 30 days of Kindle Select in the equation, the last day to start a weeklong Kindle Countdown Deal would be day 69 of the 90 day period. If you want a shorter Countdown Sale these figures change a bit.

And one more curveball, just for good measure: According to Amazon, if “…you renew your book in KDP Select for another consecutive 90-day period, the latest end time of your Kindle Countdown Deals may be the last day of your current KDP Select period.” If this is your plan of action you can start your Countdown Deal with two weeks left to your current KDP Select period. You have a bit more freedom in when you want to initiate your Countdown Deal, but the trade-off is that your book will only be available on KDP Select for a longer period of time.

If you plan on continuously enrolling in KDP Select, keep in mind that you can only do one Countdown Deal every 90 days.

Here’s an informative example of how Kindle Countdown Deals work…

Let’s talk about the price criteria for Countdown Deals. To qualify for this sale, your book’s normal price must be $2.99 – $24.99. If your book is listed on the UK domain it must be priced from £1.99 – £14.99. Unfortunately only books listed on amazon.com or amazon.co.uk are eligible for Countdown Deals at this time. Don’t be surprised when Countdown Deals becomes available for Amazon marketplaces. It’s only a matter of time.

You cannot have a free promotion and a countdown promotion within the same 90 day Kindle Select period. Furthermore, the price of your book cannot have been changed for 30 days prior to the sale commencing, and you cannot change the regular price of your book for 14 days after the Countdown Deal has ended.

These are fairly strict rules but they are in place to prevent people from gaming the system – if a book is always on sale, it cheapens the perceived value of the book and of the entire Countdown Deal process. Once you set the parameters for the sale (duration and price changes) and start the sale you cannot stop or change it.

The minimum discount you can give your book is $1 (though if you are only offering a dollar off your normal price don’t expect to see a boost in sales. That’s stingy and it won’t be rewarded). You can arrange for 5 different prices over the course of your Countdown Deal, but each price must be “live” for at least one hour.

Yet despite these rules and quirks there are some huge potential benefits to participating in Kindle Countdown Deals.

The biggest reason is that you get the full 70% commission, even on books that are discounted to 99 cents (which is the lowest price you can discount to, by the way). That’s a nice commission rate for a deal which should generate lots of traffic and conversions.

Furthermore, Amazon will make sure the Countdown Deal is clearly visible on the sales page. One of the best buying-triggers for potential customers is to see the sale “countdown” price in relation to its normal retail value. It forces people to act quickly.

Amazon has also mentioned that some of the books featured on the Kindle Countdown Deals page will have automated Amazon campaigns too.

Stay tuned for more information regarding this – Amazon hasn’t said too much more on the subject yet, but if it is possible to increase your chances of getting your book featured in this way we at Self Publisher Today will definitely let you know.

Until next time!

Ashley Zee

http://www.SelfPublisherToday.com

https://www.facebook.com/SelfPublisherToday

Book Marketing

Interview With an Agent: Vicky Bijur

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headshot-1-200x300First of all, here is a little bit about today’s interview subject, agent Vicky Bijur:

Vicky Bijur runs the Vicky Bijur Literary Agency, which she started in 1988. Vicky has served as president of the AAR (Association of Authors’ Representatives) and is currently chair of its Ethics Committee.  Among her clients are NY Times bestseller Laura Lippman, whose novel EVERY SECRET THING was just filmed with Dakota Fanning, Diane Lane, and Elizabeth Banks; NY Times bestseller Lisa Genova, author of STILL ALICE, chosen for 2013 World Book Night; James Sallis, whose novel DRIVE was the basis of the film starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan; NY Times bestseller Larry Gonick, who created THE CARTOON HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE; food blogger Ed Levine of Serious Eats.com; food blogger Kenji Alt of The Food Lab; Stella Parks of Bravetart.com; Steven Greenhouse, NY Times labor reporter; Margaret Maron, just chosen as Grandmaster by Mystery Writers of America; and the Estate of Patrick Dennis, whose AUNTIE MAME was just optioned for film by Tilda Swinton.

Q:  When taking on a new author, how important is their internet/ social media presence?   Is this now a “make or break” thing for you?

Whether or not a new client has a blog and website and Facebook Fan page and Twitter account is important.  I need to know how internet-savvy the writer is.  Is he or she aware of how much an author today has to do on his or her own?   Is he or she up for, if not tweeting and blogging and posting, then at least one or two of those activities?

Q:  When taking on a new author, do you look at sales/ reviews of their self-published books on Amazon? 

If someone has self-published of course I’m going to see what the book’s rank is on Amazon.  And ask the author about the sales.  I am less interested in readers’ comments on Amazon, although perhaps I should pay more attention.

 Q:  How much do you work with authors in the digital space?   That is to say, if an author can’t find a publisher, do you now consider it normal to help them put a book out themselves, or do you (like some agents) help your authors with that now?

 We are all doing more and more of this:  either working with digital publishers or advising authors on digitizing or sending out books ourselves to be digitized.

Q:  How has agenting changed in the past five years?

 Actually, I am not sure agenting has changed.  We still strive to represent our writers to the best of our abilities. What has changed is the rate of change of information an agent has to keep up with, whether it’s the DOJ suit against publishers or ebook pricing or the effect on authors of the shrinking number of brick-and-mortar stores or the constant evolution in internet marketing. 

 Q:  Are you seeing your authors selling more electronic books or print books?

 I am seeing the whole range:  fiction with surprisingly low ebook sales and fiction with more copies sold digitally than in print.  Ebook sales of non-fiction depend so much on whether a book is mostly text or is heavily illustrated or is design-intensive that it is harder to generalize about non-fiction.

 Q:   For the most part, are you finding that authors are being more business-like in their approaches?    That is to say, when authors come to you, do they already have their websites and networks in order, or do you help develop this?

 I think most authors have become much more savvy. Most have websites, many of them blog.  A lot of them tweet.  They mostly have Facebook pages.

 One thought:  I think authors have to educate themselves about metadata.  A useful exercise for authors:  plug in relevant keywords (whatever themes/subjects your novel discusses) to Google and see if the Amazon link to your title comes up.  Yes, other bookstores are important, but the Amazon link seems to be the litmus test.  If it takes more than two pages to reach the Amazon link to your book you need to talk to your publisher about updating the metadata.   Another exercise: plug in those keywords on Amazon to see if your book pops up.

Book Marketing

Interview with an author: Stephen Elliott

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Today we’re talking with author Stephen Elliott. In case you don’t already know his work, here’s a little about him:

urlStephen Elliott is the director of the movie About Cherry. In 2013 he will direct an adaptation of his novel Happy Baby.

He is the the author of seven books including The Adderall Diaries and the novel Happy Baby. His writing has been featured in Esquire, The New York Times, The Believer, GQ, Best American Non-Required Reading 2005 and 2007, Best American Erotica, and Best Sex Writing 2006.

He is also the founding editor of the popular online literary magazine The Rumpus.

For up to date information follow Stephen on Twitter or sign up to receiveThe Daily Rumpus, an email newsletter from The Rumpus.

BP:  How did you get your first book published?   How did you promote your first book?   I think it was out through a small publisher, so did you set up a tour?

My first publisher, Boneyard Press, didn’t really promote my first book. It was a very small publisher and the book, Jones Inn, was mostly only available in comic book stores. I did two or three readings, mainly as a featured reader at open mic nights. Also a radio interview at KUSF.

SE:  When did you feel like you were gaining traction as an author?

I had written three books— Jones Inn, A Life Without Consequences, and What It Means To Love You. I’d published Jones Inn with Boneyard but they’d misspelled my name so I was treating A Life Without Consequences as my first book. I sent them to the slush pile at MacAdam/Cage and they offered me $18,000 for each book. So that was a big deal. A month or two later I was awarded a Stegner Fellowship for emerging writers at Stanford. So it all really happened very quickly. Suddenly I thought I was a writer and this was something I could do with my life, which I had not thought before.

BP:  Any noteworthy successes/ roadblocks in your career?  For instance,  if you got rejected a lot of times or when your publisher went out of business, or if people said mean stuff to you about your writing.

You can’t publish a book without people saying mean things about it. If nobody says anything mean about your book then very few people are reading it. Since I didn’t use an agent and I didn’t do an MFA I wasn’t well connected and was frequently rejected. I had to rely on/have faith in the slush pile.

The biggest success might have been Happy Baby, my fourth novel. It was edited and designed by McSweeney’s but distributed by MacAdam/Cage. That turned out to be a really bad idea. The book was basically not marketed at all, with very few reviews. You couldn’t purchase it at Borders if you wanted to, you couldn’t even order it (that used to matter). To make matters worse I was writing a book about the 2004 election and wasn’t available to do readings or really promote the book.

But it kept gaining momentum. There weren’t many reviews but the one’s that ran were pretty over the top. People that liked the book really liked it. At the end of the year it made a bunch of best of the year lists. I learned so much. I learned the importance of writing someone’s favorite book, and how that’s different from writing a book that people like. And I learned that if you do that you can break through the noise.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t work to get their stuff out there, but you’ve got to create a piece of art that at least some people love. If you don’t do that then all the marketing in the world won’t help. I’ve written books that a lot of people like but nobody is deeply passionate about. Those books have a limited lifespan.

BP:  You have an organized presence online: a website, stephenelliott.com, Facebook fan page, twitter account, the Rumpus daily email. What’s your overall philosophy on marketing? 

I think you should approach marketing the way you approach writing. You have to be creative. There’s no point in doing something that everyone else is doing. Also, play to your strengths. Don’t start a twitter account if you hate twitter. Don’t try to sell your book to people you don’t respect.

Q:  Advice to authors just getting started?

Write every day, but don’t beat yourself up. If you write every day for at least 20 minutes you’ll become a good writer and people will want to publish your work.

Q:  Any advice to people going it alone, i.e. self-publishing or going with an indie publisher so they’ll need to do all of their marketing themselves? You seem to do a lot of readings/ signings. Do you set those up yourself?

I’ve set up a lot of readings, definitely. Mostly because I like being on a stage. On my last book, The Adderally Diaries, I chose a smaller publisher, Graywolf, over a larger publisher, Norton, because I liked the editor at Graywolf. He seemed very real and he wanted the book more and we had similar viewpoints. Graywolf gave me $10,000 less than what Norton was offering ($20,000 instead of $30,000). But if I believe the book is the best it can possibly be then I don’t regret leaving money on the table. I do think The Adderall Diaries is a better book for having worked with Ethan at Graywolf, though part of me feels he owes me $10,000.

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