Author: Valerie Willis

Valerie Willis is a Dark Fantasy Paranormal Romance author based out of Central Florida. She loves crafting novels with elements inspired by mythology, superstitions, legends, folklore, fairy tales and history. In 2018, she received the Reader’s Favorite Bronze medal in ‘Fiction – Mythology’ and FAPA’s President’s Silver medal in ‘Fantasy/Sci-fi.’ You can find her hosting workshops or a guest speaker at many events sharing her expertise in self-publishing, novel writing, research in fiction, worldbuilding, character development, book design, reader immersion and more.
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Amazon Just Closed My Account! Where Do I Go From Here?

It appears stepping into 2023 with Amazon has gone from a cobblestone road with a few bumps to completely lost in the woods. Visually, it’s equivalent to riding in a carriage with an angry Violet Crawley from Downtown Abbey before teleported to the woods at night being chased in The Blair Witch Project. So what is happening? Authors who have been publishing for YEARS are waking up to closed accounts without warning, notice, or reasons to explain why. Since January there has been a huge wave of alarm rumbling through the community. Social media is exploding as the community shares similar stories. Authors who have been long-time KDP published sellers are finding themselves with closed accounts without notice. And worse, met with aggression, no reply, or nonsensical answers with little to no hope of recovering these accounts nor being able to open new accounts. 

A Snapshot of a Rocky Past

Amazon has always had a rocky relationship with independent authors and self-publishers for a while, long before they bought out and folded in CreateSpace. This includes policy changes in erotica that sent a wave of blocked, pulled, and closed accounts to book review changes that continues to plague and confuse authors and readers alike. In short, they have been notorious for the inconsistency in which how and why they take said actions has been a mystery thwarting authors for years.

During the mass closing and COVID pandemic in 2020, many of these same authors were met with their audiobooks being held back, frozen, rejected, or their submission clocks reset while big publishers were still being launched as normal. From March until mid-November anyone under a certain size or account type found themselves completely dead in the water and no path for getting scheduled audiobooks out as they normally had been. It forced many to abandon ACX or find other methods to reach these channels outside self-publishing methods.

Why is This Happening?

It can only be speculated as there hasn’t been any formal statements from Amazon on why not only accounts are being closed without notice, but even big publishers are having unreliable data entry on the product pages (including here at 4HP!). Other problems include misspelled author names, wrong product linking (a preorder book had reviews for a kitchen appliance!), wrong BISAC or keywords, and more. Regardless, the question is: WHY?

Several news reports have been flooding Forbes, NBC, and more on recent layoffs and positions being dissolved. Amazon’s new CEO has been, as he phrased it, “making the company leaner” and many tech-based positions have been completely canned. The first wave hit on January 18th and again in March, with reports stating remote work stops in May, and that he “looks forward to the remaining team’s creative solutions” and “re-establishing in-office culture.” What does it really mean? Who knows, but we are definitely seeing an impact as lack of communication, confusion, and chaos erupts in our latest Amazon encounters. Rejections vary including:

  • Your account is associated with another banned/suspended account (Despite no history of one from the author).
  • “During a recent audit of your account, we found content and/or activities that are in violation of our Terms and Conditions” which doesn’t explain exactly what it was. This could involve:
    • Erotica was too much or a scene reported in a book that triggered this.
  • Copyright infringement. Your book had a cover, title, content, or something similar to a title already published. This one is scary, because in the recent months those who reported someone for plagiarism or selling content that they didn’t own, they’ve simply suspended ALL ASSOCIATED ACCOUNTS instead of doing any investigation work.
  • You mentioned trademarked items, characters, or used them. Fanfiction falls into this category and you should refrain from selling such works without putting in the effort to trade out and revise it to be its own book.
  • Enrolling in KDP Unlimited with a book sold wide.
  • Multiple accounts with the same books listed.

What Do I Do Now?

There are options! And more than you realize. For the sake of sanity here are some links and advice on options to consider. There is information out there and remember you’re not alone in this! Many authors are sitting there foaming at the mouth and in complete devastation (or completely in tears). It’s like that time you thought you deleted that manuscript or the cloud server ate a file. We’ve been there friend, so here’s some sources and options to soften the blow:

  • If you haven’t found Amazon’s verbiage on this matter, here’s their answer to what to do and if you can appeal from the affiliate side. There was a link and verbiage on amazon and as I write this, I can’t locate it but many are using the KDP Contact form to reach out to start communications on appealing: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/node/topic/GACDBRFKVDTXSPTH  
  • Want to start fresh with a new account but worried you might do this wrong? No problem! Someone has recently written this how-to, but be mindful this one isn’t author centric but has a lot of insight and shows it’s not just authors being slammed by this: https://sellerinteractive.com/blog/opening-amazon-account-after-suspension/
  • Kindlepeneur is a great resource and they have a wonderful article on this topic with the difference between Suspended versus Terminated with insight on what options you have: https://kindlepreneur.com/amazon-account-suspension/ 
  • PUBLISH ELSEWHERE! There’s still ways to get your books back on Amazon without facing or dealing with Amazon directly. Consider using distributors or aggregators such as:
    • IngramSparks, Lightning Source, or CoreSource Plus is one of the largest distributors for self-publishers/IndieAuthors to big publishers.
    • Draft2Digital is a wonderful option for self-publishers and independent publishers. They aggregate and distribute widely and reach far.
    • Associations such as IBPA and others have a means for members to distribute through their own accounts and channels. Also, they often provide discounts and coupon codes for using services or list where to go.
    • Find a Small Press or Publisher who takes in previously published work! 4HP is one of those, so if this is something you want to give a try, head over to submissions or check out the details on other publisher sites to see what their policies are on accepting such works.
    • BookBaby is a great author services site that has expanded a lot in recent years and added distribution options for ebooks and more.
    • Author Services and groups are a great way and if there are issues they can spot them for you before publishing the content live and have no risk of suspension.
    • Vanity Presses have publishing packages and you can save on them by choosing to provide the files for the book (typeset and cover). Ask about special packages that simply give you access to their publishing channels and how much this would cost you per year to keep your book live on their channels (though this may be the most expensive route compared to the ones mentioned above).
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What’s the Deal with Word Counts?

Ah, a great mystery in the industry that will blow your mind by the time we finish having a chat about this. Coming from a background in typesetting (book formatting) there’s so much that can be told about a book via its word count and the patterns we see across genres, readers, platforms, and more. Have you seen The Author’s Accountability Planner we release here at 4 Horsemen Publications every year? In this wonderful planner we have front matter to help you set goals and it includes this amazing snapshot:

Genre and Reader Impact

At a glance, it’s amazing to see where these numbers fall when you look at the right column in the image above. Depending on the reader you are writing to can decide how low or high you can go with your word count. Please note it’s not uncommon for Epic Fantasy and Epic Science Fiction to push close to the 200,000 word count range! Mixing and matching genre types can make the word count grow beyond the initial genre’s limits. Interestingly enough, looking at word counts on best selling books or staples for your genre and readership can be eye opening. 

  • TRUE: Books selling organically are often over the 80,000 word count range. This is seen within our own numbers in-house as well as industry.
  • FALSE: younger readers read lower word counts.
    • Upper middle grade (5th to 8th Graders) ranges: 45,000 to 100,000 words.
    • Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is often read by 5th graders and has 87,223 words approx. 
    • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone starts at 76,944 words but as the series evolved they sky rocket to over 100,000 to 200,000 words! Peaking at Order of the Phoenix with 257,045 words.
  • TRUE: Best selling works often peak well over the 100,000 word count range.
  • FALSE: The modern reader doesn’t have time to read so shorter works are best.
    • With audiobooks and eBooks readers are having an easier time finding books at lower prices as well as reading longer works in piecemeal. 
    • Short stories sell better in collections over the 50,000 word range.
  • TRUE: First chapters shouldn’t be super long. Many best selling novels have shorter, more concise first three chapters with word counts falling between 1200 to 2500 words.
  • FALSE: Chapter word count doesn’t impact readers.
    • It depends on the reader. When writing webnovels and similar serializations you want to fall close to 1200-1700 words consistently every time. 
    • Some even push as high as a 2500 word count depending on genre.
  • TRUE: Readers are ok with series word counts getting higher. Oftentimes we see novels go higher and lower. As long as the books don’t fall too much lower than the initial work, readers tend to not notice and feel longer works as a type of reward.
  • FALSE: You can put a short story or novella within a novel series.
    • Readers will riot. These are best left as spin-offs independent from the core series.
    • You can often make a sub-series of short stories and novellas to keep them together.
    • Readers do enjoy spinoffs and shorter works from their favorite series, but if it’s implied as the next book in the main series that’s been novel length until this point, it will make them feel as if the author didn’t put their best foot forward.

Best Selling Novels

  • Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes 345,390 words
  • A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens 146,500 words. Originally released in monthly installments of 18,500 words
  • The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 455,125 words
  • The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 38,421 words
  • The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 170,000 words
  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 45,000 words
  • Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery 39,500 words
  • War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy 561,304
  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 120,697
  • Watership Down by Richard Adams 156,154
  • The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 155,717 
  • Pet Sematary by Stephen King 142,664
  • Twilight by Stephanie Meyer 118,875
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 113,665
  • Divergent by Veronica Roth 105,143
  • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 145,719
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 99,750
  • Discover more here: https://brokebybooks.com/the-word-count-of-175-favorite-novels/ 

Publishing Snapshot

From seeing a word count, a professional in the publishing industry can speculate and predict a lot about a book’s end product. Granted, it’s not 100% accurate but it can be startling to see in action. The first thing we do is make sure the word count meets the genre and reader needs. From there, we start thinking in terms of the final product. Here’s some fun facts:

  • The average 5.25 x 8 to 6 x 9 book page holds roughly 300-600 words depending on the design and font choices.
  • Most 80,000 word novels land between 250-300 pages.
  • Every 10,000 words often translates into 1 finished hour of audiobook. For example, an 80,000 word novel will often be an 8-9 hour audiobook.
  • Digital typesetting a 100,000 word novel for print and eBook with no images when utilizing InDesign can take anywhere between 2-6 hours. 

Wait! Formula Writing!

Even then, many authors have found developing a formula for writing based on word counts can aid in productivity. This ranges from writing sprints, to chapter goals, or simply being aware of the final word count target can keep the mojo flowing. Keep in mind that these just some numbers to be aware of when writing that may help you manage writing as a whole:

  • A 20-minute sprint will produce 200-350 words on average.
  • Speech to Text apps like Otter can convert 1 hour of talking into 2,000-4,000 words.
  • The average web novel chapter is 1200-2500 words.
  • Revisions on a non-edited 80,000 word first draft can add 10,000 to 30,000 words on average.
  • The average novel contains 25 to 50 chapters. Each can range from 1000 to 10,000 words.
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Your Publisher Dissolved, Now What?

Let’s talk about the unspoken what if or even for many since COVID and other buyouts – WHEN YOUR CONTRACT IS NO MORE. That moment many authors may have already experienced when the Publisher or Press you signed on for is Dissolved. What does that mean? It’s a technical term for a company closing its doors permanently. The reasons can range:

  • Bought out and discontinued by a larger publisher/press.
  • Company filed and dissolved (sometimes filing bankruptcy or the owner unable to keep the company going for personal or business reasons).
  • Lawsuits or other legal action exposed royalties unpaid and other unsavory business practices.
  • Sometimes it’s a merger or buyout that doesn’t renew most of the contracts.

Where does the Backlist go?

First off, a backlist for an author or publisher is considered a book that was released 2+ years ago. These are the first books in a series or start of an author’s career in most cases. Prepare for the industry to refuse your backlist, a staple that is archaic and old as time (unless you’re a big author like Neil Gaiman and still considered ‘relevant’ on the market).

Regardless of the reason why you no longer have these books published, this often leaves authors midway in series and trilogies, or leaving books that once made money unable to reach readers, new and old. Many current publishers and presses will not consider previously published work and often this leads to feeling like you have to start all over again. This isn’t far-fetched from a new experience self-published authors are also feeling. Often self-pub authors will need to pull all their books and completely abandon them in order to sign with a traditional publisher or literary agent with a new book.

So where do all these books go? Nowhere. They return to a shelf or obscure place on a computer somewhere to collect dust meanwhile fans search in hopes of finding that book again in a thrift store someplace. 

Backlist are Vital to the Industry

This is the most confusing aspect of the industry. Why the stigma on backlist? What is it that has left a sour taste in the mouths of agents and publishers? After much toiling, it still doesn’t add up. Let’s review some things you should consider:

  • Ingram reported in 2021 that 78% of their overall sales came from their backlist. This was a distribution reach that included many of the big 20 publishers as well as independent publishers.
  • Written Word Media has reported time and time again, authors with 20+ more books published make more money.
  • New readers will always start at book one in a series, so publishing later books (i.e. 3, 4, 5+) without the rest defeats the purpose.
  • Marketing as an author has best results when you have 3 or more books already out in the series.
  • A large publisher contract is only 3 years long, so books barely hit into the “backlist” zone for a year before being dropped.

What Now?

Let’s discuss what to do. Because the majority of publishers will not accept your backlist, doesn’t mean there aren’t companies out there that will. 4 Horsemen Publications is one of those rare gems, but even some of these publishers will allow you to self-publish the backlist. In short, here are some things to beware of as you get files back, or to prepare in order to revive your backlist. This can even double for canceling a contract and pitfalls to avoid:

  • Don’t feel the need to pay for cover and typeset (especially if the price soars into the 4-digit and thousands of dollars range). Most publishers will want to do their own touch on the book and it’s rare that they keep these even when provided. Instead, focus on giving them the manuscript instead. 
  • Most contracts cover cancellation terms and in the case of dissolution where rights can be reverted. Many simply need a written notice while others might need a more detailed chain of events. Remember to review these sections in the contracts you signed and call upon legal help as needed.
  • Double check the copyrights. It should be in your name with the publisher as an agent. If you discover the copyright is listed under the publisher or another name, you should seek out legal advice on what the next steps should be on this matter. A dissolved company may allow you to change it to your own name, meanwhile a dropped contract may result in you needing to buy your book rights back!
  • Prepare for a complete relaunch and makeover. The best way to revive an abandoned or rocky situation is to take a huge step back and walk forward again. This is going to be the best method to handle a backlist when a publisher takes it on and even more so if you decide to self-publish it on your own.

Will 4HP Consider taking my Backlist? Previously Published Books?

In short, YES! But, as with any book we take on, it needs to be given to us via our submissions page and go through our process. We love to help authors and the community, but we have a quality and expectation to adhere to in order to maintain our values. Whether submitting to us or elsewhere be prepared to provide:

  • Proof you have the rights.
  • Book is no longer available at vendors or for printing.
    • Print versions will always be available as long as someone has it in stock, so this is just part of that used book market that will always show up.
    • eBook versions should be unpublished and unavailable completely.
    • Audiobooks should be unpublished and unavailable, but some distributors and contracts make this more complex. Some are locked in to be live for 5-10 years depending on the contracts the former publisher made. Be sure when you cancel your contract or the company dissolves that you reach out to make arrangements to still get your royalties accordingly!
  • Again, prepare for a complete makeover. New cover, new formatting/interior, and relaunch!
  • Don’t assume the publisher will be ok with the former publisher’s edits. Some might review and decide yay or nay, while others will say no and do it again with their standards applied.
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Endnotes: Restart Numbering by Chapter

Check out my quick walk-through on YouTube!

Based on Adobe InDesign CC 2020 edition.

I’ve tried everything I could think of, but at last, I found an answer. No, you don’t need to convert anything to static text. These Endnotes are linked and fully functional even when they com imported via a DOCX or RTF. This is perfect for authors and clients who want Endnotes that restart the numbering (both superscript and endnote listing) after each chapter. Leave comments below if you would like more tidbits like this from me!

Story Splitter Script

First, I recommend downloading StorySplitter.jsx script: https://indesignsecrets.com/how-to-split-long-story-into-smaller-pieces-unthreading-middle-story.php

You can simple copy and paste the JavaScript coding into a text file, save it with the “.jsx” ending to make it readable. Drag and drop this into your InDesign Scripts folder. An easy way to find this folder is to open InDesign, open the Scripts window/panel, right-click the folder you wish to add it into and click Reveal In Finder (MAC) or Show In Folder (PC). Simple drop it into this folder and it should immediately appear in the Scripts panel within InDesign.

Not only does it give you more control, it helps you be more concise on how you will be splitting the story. This is vital to make this work!

You can also take advantage of sample Javascripts that come with InDesign called BreakFrame and SplitStory.

Endnotes Setup

Unlike Footnotes that relies on the Paragraph Styles system, Endnotes relies on the story and threading features of InDesign. I recommend having Show Text Threads on so you can see how you are breaking and changing the textflow (View > Extras > Show Text Threads)

First, open TYPE > Document Endnote Options and make sure to change the drop down from Continuous to Restart Every Start.

Find the first page of the Chapter and using the Selection Tool, select the text frame.

Double click StorySplitter in Scripts Panel. Select Break Before.

Viola. That’s it. Every time you break the book like this, it will restart the counting of the associated Endnotes and updates instantly.

Happy designing and typesetting!

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Making an Author Bio with 7 Simple Questions

Whether you are new to the realm of publishing, writing your first book, or even launching under a pen name, the one element we often pain over is writing that Author Bio. No worries, 4HP has your back! Here are some things you should keep in mind to make this easier to write and maintain. Anytime you are asked for your bio, take a moment to look it over and freshen it up. It’s by far one of the most important introductory tools between an author and their readership. It’s okay to dive into your favorite authors and look at their bios and pick apart what connects with you and doesn’t work for you as a reader. So, let’s talk about making your own author bio with some simple questions and what they should be doing for you and your readers.

How Long Should A Bio Be?

There’s some art and marketing sense that needs to go into it. Every author should be keeping a GDOC or Document on their system with their bio written in three formats. The idea is to be concise and limit fluff while maximizing keywords. Here are three types of bios I’ve been asked for and recommend having ready:

  • Long bio (300-350 words)
  • Regular or Short bio (100-150 words)
  • Snippet (50 words)

Having these prepared beforehand will make your life easier when you need to update them and meet all the social media, conference, and blogging needs. The most common one used is your regular or short bio of about 100-150 words.

What goes into a Bio?

You are trying to do a lot of things with a bio with a very small word count. The 100-150 bio is the backbone commonly used for book blurbs, about the author sections within your books, and serves as a foundation for the long bio and snippet. Here are SEVEN simple questions to amp up your bio and ability to increase marketing and searchability :

  1. Who are you and where do you come from?
    • This is your pen name and where doesn’t mean you have to say Florida. Feel free to make something up, or if you’re a memoir or non-fiction writer, you can say, “I come from a long background in game development” or “A skin cancer survivor” as an instant way for someone to connect with you.
  2. What genre do you write?
    • It may seem silly to announce this, but you do! You want the reader to have a clear expectation of what kind of stories to associate with your brand name. Often, authors have several pen names to differentiate between genres and readerships. Loyal readers are less likely to dive into a book in a disliked genre, and clarity can prevent confusion in your brand/genre, limiting unnecessary bad reviews. Declaring genre optimizes your ability to include keywords for SEO or Search Engines. Keywords will connect your brand with books and authors of a similar readership.
  3. Why do you write this genre &/or what are some favorite books that inspire your writing?
    • Again, this is a great opportunity to connect with the right readership. Let’s be honest, we all geek out when an author has similar taste in books!
  4. What is something a little personal or a hobby you enjoy doing?
    • It doesn’t have to be unique. There’s nothing wrong with saying you enjoy playing video games or binge-watching Supernatural on Netflix. It’s a chance to share a little of yourself without getting too personal.
  5. Is there anything you want readers to know about you or your books, or something you hope they gain from reading your work?
    • Often this element is missing from Author Bios. Here’s your opportunity to make yourself and your books unique. You can let readers know how you craft your writing, what kind of research you do, or using Question 3 and 4, WHY those books and WHY that hobby.
  6. Are you active in your local writing community, or have you won awards?
    • I call this the closer. Most authors tend to place this first in the bio, but I find it has a better hit on the back end. If the readers have gotten this far in your bio, now you’re about to close the deal with them liking you or having more confidence and faith in what they’ve read about you so far. For example, I mention I am “an award-winning fantasy author” to answer question 1, and by question 5, I have supported this with what I read, what I enjoy doing, and the fact I pack mythology and fantasy in my books. Now, with question 6, BAM! I won bronze in Mythology fiction in 2008 for my debut book. That says a lot! And it supports who you are and how well you do it. Other ways to close is to share community involvement, show that you’re passionate, whether you volunteer at the animal shelter or library, or even participate in NaNoWriMo for the last two/ten/last year, or host workshops online. This all adds agency to you as both a person and a writer.
  7. Where can we find you?
    • This is more of a MUST HAVE for any author that wants to grow on social media, expand newsletters, and give readers better access to them. Here is where you list all the ways a reader can get in touch or keep up to date with you and your books. Some authors simply have a website link here ( www.willisauthor.com ) which in turn, has all the links and access to all the other social media and newsletter stuffs. It’s completely up to you whether to provide them with a link to your Amazon Author page, list all the social media, sign up newsletter link, or even just a Facebook page/group link. No matter what, your bio should be driving traffic and interaction by the end of it after convincing them how amazing you are!

Now Where Do I Put My Bio?

There’s a lot of places where you will find the bio helpful in your journey as an author. If you’re not sure where this crazy thing goes, here’s some ideas and commons uses to keep in mind as you craft your bio and fine-tune it to bestsell you and your writing:

  • Author Bio Page on Website
  • Description/Bio on Social Media Pages
  • Amazon Author Page
  • Back of every book you write as your Author Bio or About the Author Bio
  • Back Cover of your book (More common for Non-Fiction and Memoir)
  • Conferences and Conventions when they ask
  • Book Blog Tours
  • Author Interviews (Though I recommend shifting them to be more personal for each place that interviews you. For example, if this is with a paranormal website or magazine, you may want to add more paranormal related flair to the bio.)
  • Press Kit or Media Kit (and include all three versions for optimal results)
  • Email Signature (Seems weird, but this works well with snippet bio!)
  • Introducing yourself online anywhere! (Forums, Social media takeovers, and more!)

Did You Write Your Author Bio? Share it in the comments below!

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Top 5 Ways to Use Those Damaged Books!

Slightly damaged books happen sometimes. I love CreateSpace because the few times this has happened, they’ve overnighted a replacement! Another thing is that when we setup and breakdown for events, or leave our stock in the trunk of our cars, or kids… kids… well, books get dented, corners and spines fray, but they’re still good!

What now?

1 A giveaway! Author Harper Sloan is a great example of taking advantage and turning this into a promotional tool. Everyone loves contests and freebies, so use those dents and dings as a way to bring attention and excitement. Link to Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/harpersloanbooks/posts/995123670649486 

2 Donate your book! Give your book to a library, donate it to a school, or leave it on the community shelf at a coffee shop. Don’t forget to slide in some signed bookmarks. I love to leave a copy of my book in these places and often sign the book, date it, and write the location. You never know when it will come back into your life again!

3 Discount special! This works great if it happened while setting up your table or on the ride there. DISCOUNT. Sell these limited few damaged copies for a steal, driving people to grab them up and most likely another book along with it.

4 Special Gift or Limited Time Offer – Don’t be afraid to even pull a “First 5 buyers get a copy of SAIDBOOK: dents are free” or even “Buy 2 books and get a copy of SAIDBOOK–only 5 in stock!” Always try to use these to your advantage. Make them a marketing tool to bring in readers.

5 ARC or Review copies – I don’t know if it’s me, but most of the giveaway books arrive dented despite how I package them. With that in mind, use these expendable copies to send to book reviewers who prefer paperbacks. Don’t forget to sign the book and say thank you for their time to review inside! If all else fails, book art is trendy and makes a great eye-catching centerpiece for your convention table!

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5 Ways to Grab Free Reads!

Whether you are a lover of books, book-addict, voracious reader, and just a lover of stories, we can spend a lot of money fast satisfying this thirst. We are the ones who grab up a series and devour it, we love many authors, and can’t wait to get our hands on the next new release. Here’s FIVE ways not only to get your hands on free books, but a chance to get to be among the first to read the new releases! You will discover very fast most of these require a little time from you, such as leaving book reviews so you become more visible and available to these amazing opportunity.

Author Newsletters & Mailing List

First, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign up for the mailer lists and newsletters of your favorite Authors. Often they give out freebies, ask if anyone wants to be part of a “street team” or “launch team” (help push new releases and read them), and even open you to where else to grab free books from other authors in their genre. For example, readers signing up for Valerie Willis’ site get a Free Review copy of the first installment to her on-going The Cedric Series, Cedric the Demonic Knight (www.WillisAuthor.com). Other authors giveaway exclusive novellas, novels, short stories, and other fun tag-a-longs to their series or books.

The best part is being connected with them lets you know if they change up the freebie or are in need of proofreaders or Beta Readers. These opportunities usually involve getting the ARC, or Advance Reader Copy, which means you have a chance to make the book stronger and help the author catch mistakes or issues. Not only do you get to see it before it’s a final edition, but influence the outcome of the release.

Sign up for your Favorite 4 Horsemen Publication Authors!

NetGalley

NetGalley is how Publishers and Authors gain those early reviews. As a reviewer, it’s free to sign up on the site (www.netgalley.com). Not only do you gain access to fiction books, but you can dive into comics, cookbooks, and non-fiction. Some of these are pre-release while others are looking to boost reviews. As you grab books to read, you start to develop a rank, so be sure to write those reviews. The higher your rank, the more likely you get the books you want. On the Author and Publisher side, most regulate who they give the book away to, so make sure to build a good profile and develop a habit of posting reviews.

Become a Book Reviewer!

There are a few ways to do this. You can make sure on your Amazon Profile (yes, this is a thing) you have an email available for Authors and Publishers to be able to reach out to you about reading their book. To make yourself more visible to these direct connections, be sure to start leaving book reviews on the books you like. Often Book Review Targeting means finding readers who like books in the same genre or story type, which means this is a great way to have similar reads find YOU first!

Another way to establish yourself is creating a Book Review Blog or join an existing one that you like or focuses on your favorite genres. If you decide to do this with your own blog, know that the larger your following, the more enticing you become. Make sure to list requirements of file type, genre preferred, and even a “do not send me this type” listing to make your submissions are more in-line to what you enjoy reading. If you want to be a book blogger with little work, join an existing review blog as a reviewer. Some may want to see existing book reviews or have specific expectations on how you should be writing your reviews. A great place to find existing blogs is: bookbloggerlist.com

The LibraryThing & GoodReads

GoodReads (www.goodreads.com) connects with Amazon Kindle and is often a great way to see ratings and reviews that weren’t left on Amazon. They often have giveaways and this can be a great way to grab books. But, there is another site you might be missing out on!

Much like GoodReads, LibraryThing often has book giveaways. You also can build a library and follow your favorite authors in a similar way as GoodReads, but they have an awesome section for readers: “Early Reviewers” (www.librarything.com/more/freebooks). This is a lot like their own version of NetGalley or being part of the “launch team” for an Author. You get access to books before they are released and have a chance to be the first to review them.

Grab the Kindle App

A lot of Authors take advantage of Amazon’s KDP Select program, which means this is a limited time offer for a Free Kindle Book! But, wait! You don’t have one? NO PROBLEM! Amazon makes sure everyone can access and have a reason to want a Kindle by providing a free app for tablets, phones, and even your computer. Simply head over to their site and download it. Best part, any books you grab this way will update across several platforms on where you last left off reading. Better yet, when you cave and get that Kindle device, your books will all be there waiting for you! Many of these freebies are classics from the ‘Jungle Book’ to ‘Tale of Two Cities’, but don’t be afraid to check out author profiles to see if they are running specials, discounts, or limited time freebies.

You can grab the App here: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/fd/kcp

Check out current Free Kindle books here: https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=2245146011