If you’re writing nonfiction, footnotes aren’t optional—they’re essential. In this episode, we cover why citations matter, how to track them as you write, and the common mistakes indie authors make when it comes to sourcing. Plus, grab your free tip sheet for paid subscribers.

https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Are you getting ready to publish your first book and feeling overwhelmed by all the publishing options? In this episode, Michelle Rayburn explains why Amazon KDP is the best place for new indie authors to start. She shares her real-world experience on how KDP’s simplicity, user-friendly dashboard, and cost-free revisions can make your first self-publishing experience easier and more enjoyable. Despite "helpful" advice, you do NOT need to "go wide" with your book distribution.

Discover how starting simple with KDP helps you avoid technical hurdles, surprise costs, and stress—so you can focus on launching your book with confidence. Tune in and take your first step toward indie publishing success!

Be sure to check out all of the tutorials on Indie Author Blueprint on Substack.

https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

You’ve written the book, published it, and now you’re ready to get it into more hands, but have you created a sell sheet?

In this episode, we’re breaking down what a sell sheet is, why it matters for indie authors, and how it can help you pitch your book more professionally to bookstores, libraries, event organizers, and media outlets. From boosting your marketing game to simplifying your outreach, a well-designed sell sheet is a powerful tool you don’t want to overlook.

Plus, I’ve created a free Canva template to help you build your own. Paid subscribers can grab the link at the end of the episode or in the show notes on Substack. Look for Indie Author Blueprint.

For indie authors, setting the right price for your book can seem like a daunting task filled with unending variables and decisions. Whether you're aiming for maximum profitability or trying to attract a vast audience, pricing is an essential part of your publishing journey.

Learn how to strategically set competitive and profitable prices, navigate printing costs, calculate royalties, and maximize reader reach using KDP Select. Elevate your publishing game with insider strategies and expert insights.

Get the full content at https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com.

Master the art of selecting the perfect keywords for your KDP publishing journey. Discover why keywords matter, learn strategic selection formulas, and explore seven essential strategies in this episode. Boost your book's visibility on Amazon and beyond with up-to-date tips and insights from Indie Author Blueprint.

Learn more on https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Learn how to navigate KDP categories with confidence! Discover effective strategies for choosing the right categories to boost your book's visibility. Avoid common pitfalls, understand the importance of ethical selection, and explore helpful tools like Publisher Rocket for optimal results. Perfect for indie authors looking to elevate their publishing success.

Find more tutorials and bonuses at: https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Today I’m exploring the art of writing captivating back cover blurbs for fiction and memoirs. If you missed it, last week I talked about nonfiction blurbs. Fiction is different, and they way we craft the back cover copy, which is also used for the book description, in a different way.

Although you might be tempted to put nothing but endorsement blurbs on your fiction book’s back cover, that isn’t the best tactic for a fiction author who is self-publishing. Yes, you see it with traditionally published books. But those are from well-known authors. You’re establishing an audience, so readers won’t just commit without a description. You need to hook them into reading.

If a blurb doesn't clearly convey what makes the story unique or compelling, readers may overlook the book in favor of others with more enticing descriptions.

Why does it matter? A bad fiction blurb can deter potential readers, leading to decreased sales and diminished visibility in the market. Crafting a compelling, accurate, and engaging blurb is essential for attracting readers and boosting book sales.

I’ll give specific examples of the key pieces that go into a blurb and review examples of before and after.

Plus, for paid subscribers, you’re welcome to put your own back cover blurb into a private chat with me, and we will workshop it together a bit. I’d love to bring other paid subscribers into that conversation.

https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Today, we’re tackling a crucial piece of your book marketing strategy—writing back cover copy for your nonfiction book. (We’ll cover fiction next time.) This little blurb on the back of your book has a big job to do. It’s what convinces readers to pick it up, flip through, and, hopefully, buy it.

The back cover of a book is not a letter to the reader with a “why I wrote this book” note. It’s marketing copy. An advertisement for the book.

Topics covered in this week’s podcast and article:

* The key elements of effective back cover copy, including a hook, benefits, and a strong call-to-action.

* Common mistakes to avoid.

* Real-life examples of poorly written copy transformed into reader-focused blurbs.

* How AI can help you brainstorm, refine, and polish your back cover text.

* Tools to help you with prepping this for publishing day.

If you’ve already published a book, you can definitely update the cover with new back cover text and update the description on your publishing platform. We learn and grow.

This week’s content is part of what I offer to my coaching clients, so you’ll find the full audio and article behind a paywall.

Unlock exclusive insights and practical strategies to elevate your indie publisher journey—subscribe to access premium content tailored for your success. It costs less per month than one trip to the coffee shop.

Find the full episode at Indie Author Blueprint on Substack.

https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Metadata is the secret sauce that makes your book discoverable, professional, and ready for readers to find and fall in love with it. In this week’s exclusive episode, I break down the first five decisions you need to make for your book’s metadata: your title, subtitle, author name, publishing imprint, and ISBN. These aren’t just boxes to check—they’re key pieces of your book’s foundation that can set you up for success on publishing day and beyond.

Want to know how to craft a title that makes your book discoverable, decide if you need a publishing imprint, or decide if you really need to buy your own ISBN? I’m covering it in the first in-depth look at metadata.

Upgrade to paid to unlock this episode and get the answers you need to level up your author game.

https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Metadata might sound like a dry topic, but it’s the key to making your book discoverable and reaching the right readers. In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, we’re breaking down what metadata is, why it’s crucial for indie authors, and how optimizing it can lead to better sales, rankings, and visibility for your books. Learn how your book’s title, keywords, categories, and description all work together to create a strong online presence—and avoid common mistakes that can hold you back.

Tune in to get practical tips and start making your metadata work for you. Plus, stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we’ll do deep dives into choosing keywords, categories, and crafting killer book descriptions.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

· What metadata is and why it’s important for indie authors.

· How metadata affects your book’s discoverability, rankings, and sales.

· The most common metadata mistakes and how to avoid them.

· Why updating and refining your metadata over time can make a big difference.

Action Step: Take a look at the metadata for one of your books. Ask yourself: Is it clear? Specific? Does it reflect what readers in your genre are searching for? A few small tweaks can make a big impact!

If you haven’t yet published a book, look for three books that are comparable to yours, meaning they target the same audience in the same genre. Study those books to see how they did the title, description, and categories.

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps other indie authors discover the show and build their publishing success.

Connect with me on Indie Author Blueprint on Substack at: https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Don’t forget: Metadata is your book’s secret weapon. Let’s make it work for you!