New Site! (Please Come Visit)

Over the past month I’ve been writing about my plans for revamping my self-publishing approach in several ways, including rebranding and creating an author website more suited for serious self publishing. I’ve just finished a big part of that effort – launching an entirely new author site, which you can find here.

Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out yet how to carry over my list of followers, so please drop by my new blog to read my first post there. While you’re there, I very much hope that you’ll decide to follow me at that location, as I won’t be using this site in the future. As you’ll see, you’ll have two options. At the Author’s blog, you’ll be able to read my continuing posts about self-publishing and related matters. But there’s also a new feature, called “Friends of Frank” where I’ll post chapters of my new book, and much more. You can find out about the “much more” and sign up to become a Friend of Frank here.

Thanks to all of you who have been loyal followers here over the past several years, and I do very much hope that we’ll be able to stay in touch through my new site.

Branding (and Re-Branding) for Authors

The desirability (or even the concept) of establishing a brand may not come naturally to many authors. Branding may appear to have nothing to do with authorship, or seem to cheapen the author’s craft, or represent an intimidating task to carry out – or perhaps even all of the above. But for non-fiction writers, and particularly genre authors, a brand is an important and unique tool to forge and to hone.

How to Build (and not Build) an Author Site

When I released my first book four years ago, I wasn’t convinced I needed an author site. After all, an Amazon Author Page includes most of the basic elements needed to establish a web presence, and it’s free to boot. I decided to build one anyway for the experience I’d gain in doing so, and now it’s time for a major rebuild. Here’s why.

Max Power Recommended Read Awards 2015

One of the great things that happened to me as a writer this year was being invited to join a great author’s support group on Facebook called the Indie Author Support & Discussion group. It’s chock-a-block full of great writers who are also great at sharing their experiences, recommendations and time. And some even give awards.

Myths, Mysteries and Coming of Age: An Interview with Author Julia Lund

Back in July, I reviewed a fascinating new novel titled Selkie, by English author Julia Lund. I’m now pleased to present an interview with the author, in which she shares the inspirations for her work, her thoughts on defining an audience (or not), balancing lyricism with action, and more.

A Happy Birthday Book Review

Notching another year in the metaphorical – and rapidly diminishing – stick measuring one’s life is not exactly a celebratory event. In fact, it’s right up there with performing your morning check in to confirm that you haven’t sold any books. Again. But every now and then, someone you don’t know leaves you a really nice review, and that can make your day.

Do Free Book Promotions Work (Part II)

Two and a half weeks ago, I posted a report on the initial results of a free copy promotion I ran, using four of the more effective book newsletter services. That campaign was successful in the near term, resulting in 4,360 downloads of my second book. In the conclusions, I noted:

I’ll need to collect further data before I can report back on whether a trial of this scale, duration and impact had the desired effect. The real test will be whether a week from now my base line of sales and page reads steps up from the base line before the sale.

And the answer is?… [drum roll]…No on sales, yes on reads. For the details, read on. As before, I’ll include specific figures and detailed sales charts.

Do Free Book Promotions Work? (Part I)

For years now, the prevailing wisdom in self-publishing has been that periodically pricing a book at free for a few days is a great way to build an audience. More recently, many authors are reporting that giving away thousands of free copies of a book has almost no ongoing positive impact on sales. Which view reflects reality?

It’s Free Promotion Week for The Lafayette Campaign

Over the last several months I’ve been trying, and reporting on, my success with various paid promotions. This week I’m running a blitz of promotions with the book available for free. Why not download a copy right now here? If you’re so inclined, I’d be most grateful if you would also Tweet the news or otherwise spread the word to your book reading friends. Here’s more on how the promotions will run, and on what I hope to achieve.

Book Review: Primed by the Past (Fiction; Barbara Speake)

I’m a bit behind in my reviews of other Indie authors, but am happy to get back in the saddle with this recommendation of the first book in Barbara Speake’s three book (to date) series describing the adventures of Annie Macpherson, a young Scots detective just beginning to make her way in the world of crime.