The Heidi Thorne Show

The COVID 19 coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone and everything for even self published authors. I share some observations and news, along with tips for adjusting your self publishing efforts during this time.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/S5kxnDsKiSQ

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:16 Amazon shipping delays due to COVID19

3:20 Book launch challenges during pandemic

5:02 Should you wait to publish until pandemic is over?

5:47 Pivoting and going virtual

7:14 How pandemic could impact your creativity and productivity

9:32 Why your fans may ignore you during the pandemic

Blog: Instagram Live and Facebook Live: What You Need to Know Before You Hit the Go Live Button https://turbofuture.com/internet/Instagram-Live-and-Facebook-Live-What-You-Need-to-Know-Before

Udemy Course, How to Self Publish an Audio Book https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-self-publish-an-audio-book/?referralCode=75A2310A555CB12AFE4C

Book: Understanding Your Creativity (on Amazon, Audible) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VYTDFYB

Libraries are a valuable community service. But that doesn't mean they're a great venue for your self publishing efforts. I rant on why that is.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VvFqd21sBkM

0:10 Am I anti-library?

1:32 You won't make a lot of sales to libraries

3:22 People go to libraries to borrow, not find books to buy

4:26 Authors get nostalgic about libraries

5:27 Challenges of selling books to libraries

7:18 Even donating your book to a library is challenging

Blog: Are Libraries Helpful for Self Published Book Promotion? http://hub.me/ankTG

Giving away a signed copy of your book sounds like such a great promotional idea, right? Wrong! I explain why, and offer an alternative, in this episode.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/1dJo4fK5sM8

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:24 Free book giveaways sound like a great idea, but they're not

1:15 Problems with giveaways on recorded presentations

2:20 Data collection issues with giveaway entrants

3:41 Logistics issues with book giveaways

5:05 Giveaways attract freebie seekers

5:57 Giveaways don't attract good sales leads

6:49 Gifting your book to special people

Blog: Why You Might Not Want to Do a Book Giveaway Promotion for Your Self Published Book http://hub.me/ankjd

Creating branded merchandise (also known as promotional products, branded merch, or swag) for your self published book could be a losing investment. I explain why and offer a print on demand alternative to consider.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/w6vU53Fe2EM

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:10 Why authors shouldn't do branded merch for their books

2:41 New print on demand option for branded merchandise

5:18 Why your author fans don't want your swag

Blog: Book Promotions Using Swag: What You Need to Know http://hub.me/amvPH

Are your sales and royalties dropping because your book or series needs some repackaging, like a new book cover? I discuss how to decide if that's the reason for your sales slump.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PC-t7SydNsQ

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:11 Is a refresh or repackage of your book needed?

1:07 What is a refreshed or repackaged book?

2:17 How to make a book refresh decision?

5:09 Will a refreshed book make more sales?

6:32 Author mistake that a book refresh won't solve

Audiobook news for authors! The Audible Captions case has settled (well, mostly). And the new ACX Audio Analysis Tool can help you publish your audio book more confidently.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/70VtJfBJaSo

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:10 Update on Audible Captions case

3:19 New ACX Audio Analysis Tool

Previous YouTube video for background on the Audible Captions case: https://youtu.be/QPXFYs7DH7Q

Udemy course, How to Self Publish an Audio Book https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-self-publish-an-audio-book/?referralCode=75A2310A555CB12AFE4C

Networking for Authors audiobook and Kindle eBook on Amazon, Audible and Apple Books https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084D4HZTR

This is a very special episode of the podcast! My fellow editor and author friend, Shayla Raquel, joined me for a conversation about author branding. She is the author of The Ten Commandments of Author Branding and the novel, The Suicide Tree. Links to Shayla's books and website--and her great resources!--is provided below.

Full YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PofTD3F--m4

Time-stamped show notes (click time-stamp to jump to that part of the video on YouTube):

0:10 Author Shayla Raquel joins the show

1:10 Shayla's book, The 10 Commandments of Author Branding

1:52 Shayla Raquel's writing, editing, and community service work

3:59 Does your book stink like rotten eggs?

7:42 Why Shayla loves constructive criticism

9:36 The First Commandment of Author Branding

14:02 Authors' privacy and social media concerns

22:48 Why Shayla no longer recommends book launch teams

28:13 How to connect with Shayla Raquel

Want to connect with Shayla?

Website (find her email newsletter signup & social media links there): https://shaylaraquel.com/

Books (Amazon author page): https://www.amazon.com/Curiouser-Editing/e/B0117S5DHS

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihql6U0atc_bmPB0H6RNRQ

Are sales for your self published book lagging? Is that just the natural falloff that happens with books? Or is it a sign that your book is no longer relevant and market-worthy? I explain how books can become irrelevant, and things you can do about it.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/n1uxJAR8S5U

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:38 Is your book topic outdated?

1:39 Does fiction become irrelevant?

2:48 How do you know if your book is irrelevant?

4:21 Why a book series can become irrelevant

5:27 Is a book the best way to deliver content?

9:30 Taking advantage of hot publishing trends

Blog post: Has Your Self Published Book Become Irrelevant? http://hub.me/anjsg

The Kindle Create ebook and print book formatting tool from Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) just keeps getting better and better... and it's free! I review some of the new features that I discovered and tried while creating my latest book, Networking for Authors (available on Amazon; link below).

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/wkc4hr31ysk

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:39 Kindle Create has been updated

1:51 Front matter features

2:11 New: Book manuscript file should be chapters only

4:10 Changes to chapter formatting

5:20 Back matter features

7:25 Changes to Kindle Create for print editions

9:11 Problems with Kindle Create for print

Udemy course, How to Self Publish a Nonfiction Kindle eBook Like a Prohttps://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-self-publish-a-nonfiction-kindle-ebook-like-a-pro/?referralCode=B0919FA7E454FEA26B72

Book: Networking for Authors: How to Build Your Fan Base and Book Sales through Networking (Amazon)

Your book idea isn't that original. There, I said it. But on the odd chance that your idea is "original," that doesn't mean your "unicorn" idea will make sales. Plus, you have the "no shoes" problem. I explain all of this in this episode.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/NLcZu_652OY

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:10 Revisiting the topic of original book ideas

1:48 Don't confuse originality with being first to market

2:21 Why your book isn't original

4:11 Amazon test for your book's originality

4:36 Original doesn't mean valuable

5:40 The "no shoes" sales problem