May 2022 Featuring Robyn Wideman
Robyn Wideman, Magicblood Media Producer
Data Driven: Magicblood Media Publisher Shares His Audience-First Approach to the Craft
One of the many things I admire about the indie author community is how they are of the mindset that there is enough pie for all of us. Because of
From the Industry
Attitude of Top Indies
I work with self-published authors across the entire spectrum of success, but the main thing I see from those who head to five-figures a month and beyond is confident persistence. They will
Dear Indie Annie...
Dear Indie Annie: Grammarless in Gravelotte
Dear Indie Annie, I’ve been criticized by teachers and even friends and family for my poor grammar. I know it’s bad, but does that mean I should give up writing anything at all? Grammarless in Gravelotte Dear Grammarless, Let’s start by changing your name, my sweet child. How about … Grammarfree? Think of grammar as you would the rules of the road, or as my friends in the UK would say, the Highway Code. These rules or codes provide guidelines that navigate road users safely to their destinations. Rules differ from state to state and country to country, as do the potential penalties for ignoring them. Throughout history, they have changed and adapted to new technology. At one time, a man with a red flag had to walk in front of an automobile to warn other road users of its approach—not a sight we see very often today. That said,
The Women of GameLit: Making Their Mark on a Male-Dominated Genre
According to a 2021 article in Forbes, women accounted for nearly 41 percent of the gamer population in the United States and up to 45 percent in Asia, which also
How Writers Write
Brian Murphy interviews successful writers “to decode their tips, routines, and motivations for producing best-sellers” on the How Writers Write show. Recent listeners have been privy to an insider’s glimpse
Book Marketing Tips and Author Success
If your book marketing plan needs work, check out Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell’s show. Their podcast is long on new ideas and easy-to-implement book marketing strategies. It’s designed to
Inbox Besties Podcast
Kate Doster brings you practical advice and tips for growing your email list in her show. She believes “email marketing can be fun and profitable when you treat people like
JPG vs. TXT: Are Newsletters Better When They Include Images?
Loads of articles compare the pros and cons of images or plain text in email newsletters. Let’s cut to the chase: They both have their pros and cons. Chances are
Is Your Email Service Provider Up to Snuff? Tips for Finding One Right for You
Congratulations! You’ve poured your heart and soul onto the page, and your book has come to life. You’ve planned the launch to end all launches and even built the perfect
A True ‘Slice of Life’ Story: How to Make Memoirs that Mean Something
In his essay titled “The Narrative Idea,” David Halberstam has a simple piece of advice for writers who want to succeed at their craft: “The idea is vital.” His words,
Four Tips for Preserving Your Energy and Streamlining Your Creative Process
Four R’s to Find Your Essential Work . . . Instead of Rabbit Holes! You’ve heard people talk about creating a minimum viable product. How about a minimum viable process?
Writing with Chronic Illness: Creative Ways to Keep Creating
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on chronic illnesses. Early estimates indicate anywhere from 5 to 80 percent of people experience lasting symptoms after contracting COVID-19,
It’s a Cinch: The Fact and Fiction of Corsets
Valerie Steel begins her study The Corset: A Cultural History claiming, “The corset is probably the most controversial garment in the entire history of fashion.” Considering its reputation as oppressive,
10 Tips for Email Subject Lines
Aside from writing and publishing a new book, email marketing is often touted as the key to many authors’ success. Whether you send regular emails weekly or monthly or use
What the Indie Author can Learn from the Sanderson Kickstarter
My dear friends greeted me at the door of their home, sat me down, placed a tablet in my hands, and pressed play. I got the e-book A Year of