The Writer Launch Pad

26/03/2023

Out and about. My first ever visit to Plymouth on a family outing. Hope your Sunday is going well. Goal setting later on.

21/03/2023

My new email course starts next week. If you want to receive that premium content, message me your email and name. Then you're in!

20/03/2023

Learn Lessons From My First Successful Launch in my video here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607/

19/03/2023

Welcome to The Writer Launch Pad -a unique online coaching program delivered by a writer with 10 years of experience in using a simple system to write, package and market self-published novels to readers who simply can't get enough. Monetize your talent today. Get 90 Days of Expert Coaching and Accountability To Achieve Your Writing Success! Message me now to book your free consultation.
The Writer Launch Pad online coaching course is a unique online coaching and mentoring program to help struggling writers crack the code of success - helping them monetize their talent by applying a simple and effective writing and marketing system to launch their own successful writing careers - all inside 90 days. With expert guidance on packaging, presentation, and marketing, this program can help YOU launch a new writing career now!
To learn how my coaching can help you launch inside 90 days watch the short video here: https://store.thewriterlaunchpad.com/

19/03/2023

Want a Tool To Break The Time Barrier? This Tool Will Help You! Watch here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607.

18/03/2023

WANT YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY A SUCCESSFUL SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR?
I have years of experience in writing, launching, and promoting self-published novels. In this Live event, I will take your questions and offer YOU expert advice to help move you forward to a new writing career.
To get targeted advice from a professional the group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607/ and let me know your preferred times. North American friends, please post a time between 2 and 6pm with your timezone included. European friends, please post an evening time. Thanks and see you very soon.

A Simple System To Make Great Income By Writing Novels - Without The Stress or Struggle! Join Today.

14/03/2023

There's a news article about how self-publishing is a great option for entrepreneurship. See it in the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607

13/03/2023

NEW! Marketing Your Self-Published Fiction: Strategies for Building an Engaged Audience and Boosting Sales. WATCH/LISTEN/READ here at the group. (remember to join for easy access to more articles like this one!) WATCH HERE https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607

Or here https://thewriterlaunchpad.com/marketing-your-self-published-fiction-strategies-for-building-an-engaged-audience-and-boosting-sales/

09/03/2023

Interested in asking a successful self-published author some questions about how to progress in your writing career?
Join the Group and respond by telling him to Get In the Chair, here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607

09/03/2023

Want to lay your hands on a free £10 Amazon voucher just for contributing to the group? Join us now to learn more :) See you there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607

08/03/2023

The Rise of Self-Published Fiction - A BRAND NEW 5 MIN TAKEAWAY.
Read, or listen here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607/

07/03/2023

https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607/permalink/931661108034525 Join the Group and get involved to enter the draw :)

06/03/2023

LEAVE THE STRESS AND BURNOUT BEHIND. WRITE PART-TIME, AND MOVE FROM PASSION TO PROFIT. Are you a hobbyist writer with a passion for fiction who dreams of making a living from your craft? While the traditional publishing industry can be a difficult nut to crack, self-publishing has revolutionized the way authors can bring their work to the masses. With the right strategy, self-publishing can be a lucrative and fulfilling career path. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of setting realistic goals and building a sustainable career as a self-published fiction author.

Setting Realistic Goals.

Before embarking on your self-publishing journey, it's important to set realistic goals. This means taking into account factors such as your financial needs, the time and effort required to write and promote your work, and the competition in your genre. Here are some practical tips for setting achievable goals and measuring your progress:

Set specific, measurable goals such as word count targets or sales targets.

Break down your larger goals into smaller, more manageable milestones.

Track your progress regularly and adjust your goals as necessary.

Building Your Brand

In today's crowded market, building a strong brand is essential for success as a self-published author. Here are some steps you can take to develop a brand identity that reflects your unique style and resonates with your target audience:

Choose a memorable pen name that reflects your genre and style.

Create a professional author website that showcases your work and personality.

Utilize social media platforms to connect with readers and build a following.

Build an email list to stay in touch with your readers and promote your work.

Crafting Your Work

Writing compelling fiction is both an art and a science. Here are some tips for crafting engaging stories that captivate readers and keep them coming back for more:

Develop well-rounded characters with unique personalities, motivations, and flaws.

Create a compelling plot with tension, conflict, and a satisfying resolution.

Master the art of dialogue and description to bring your characters and settings to life.

Publishing and Promotion

With your manuscript complete, it's time to publish and promote your work. Here are some tips for formatting and uploading your ebook to major online retailers such as Amazon and Kobo:

Set a reasonable price point based on your genre and competition.

Generate reviews by offering advanced review copies to readers and promoting your work through social media and email marketing.

Utilize advertising and promotional tactics such as BookBub ads and Kindle Countdown Deals to boost visibility and sales.

Building a Sustainable Career

Finally, here are some practical tips for building a sustainable career as a self-published author:

Diversify your income streams by offering other products such as audiobooks or merchandise.

Network with other authors and industry professionals to learn from their experiences and build relationships.

Continue to improve your craft through ongoing education and professional development. Reading is key here!

Self-publishing offers a world of opportunity for fiction authors looking to make a living from their work. By setting realistic goals, building a strong brand, crafting compelling stories, and effectively promoting your work, you can build a sustainable career that brings both financial rewards and creative fulfillment. With the right strategy and mindset, the sky's the limit for self-published fiction authors.

Don’t forget to Join The Facebook Group here Are you a writer with a passion for fiction who dreams of making a living from your writing? While the traditional publishing industry can be a difficult nut to crack, self-publishing has revolutionized the way authors can bring their work to the masses. With the right strategy, self-publishing can be a lucrative and fulfilling career path. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of setting realistic goals and building a sustainable career as a self-published fiction author.

Setting Realistic Goals.

Before embarking on your self-publishing journey, it's important to set realistic goals. This means taking into account factors such as your financial needs, the time and effort required to write and promote your work, and the competition in your genre. Here are some practical tips for setting achievable goals and measuring your progress:

Set specific, measurable goals such as word count targets or sales targets.

Break down your larger goals into smaller, more manageable milestones.

Track your progress regularly and adjust your goals as necessary.

Building Your Brand

In today's crowded market, building a strong brand is essential for success as a self-published author. Here are some steps you can take to develop a brand identity that reflects your unique style and resonates with your target audience:

Choose a memorable pen name that reflects your genre and style.

Create a professional author website that showcases your work and personality.

Utilize social media platforms to connect with readers and build a following.

Build an email list to stay in touch with your readers and promote your work.

Crafting Your Work

Writing compelling fiction is both an art and a science. Here are some tips for crafting engaging stories that captivate readers and keep them coming back for more:

Develop well-rounded characters with unique personalities, motivations, and flaws.

Create a compelling plot with tension, conflict, and a satisfying resolution.

Master the art of dialogue and description to bring your characters and settings to life.

Publishing and Promotion

With your manuscript complete, it's time to publish and promote your work. Here are some tips for formatting and uploading your ebook to major online retailers such as Amazon and Kobo:

Set a reasonable price point based on your genre and competition.

Generate reviews by offering advanced review copies to readers and promoting your work through social media and email marketing.

Utilize advertising and promotional tactics such as BookBub ads and Kindle Countdown Deals to boost visibility and sales.

Building a Sustainable Career

Finally, here are some practical tips for building a sustainable career as a self-published author:

Diversify your income streams by offering other products such as audiobooks or merchandise.

Network with other authors and industry professionals to learn from their experiences and build relationships.

Continue to improve your craft through ongoing education and professional development. Reading is key here!

Self-publishing offers a world of opportunity for fiction authors looking to make a living from their work. By setting realistic goals, building a strong brand, crafting compelling stories, and effectively promoting your work, you can build a sustainable career that brings both financial rewards and creative fulfillment. With the right strategy and mindset, the sky's the limit for self-published fiction authors.

Don’t forget to Join The Facebook Group for self-publishing tips, advice, and a community of writers learning to succeed, AND for more information on how my unique coaching program can help get you the success you deserve watch my short video here Are you a writer with a passion for fiction who dreams of making a living from your writing? While the traditional publishing industry can be a difficult nut to crack, self-publishing has revolutionized the way authors can bring their work to the masses. With the right strategy, self-publishing can be a lucrative and fulfilling career path. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of setting realistic goals and building a sustainable career as a self-published fiction author.

Setting Realistic Goals.

Before embarking on your self-publishing journey, it's important to set realistic goals. This means taking into account factors such as your financial needs, the time and effort required to write and promote your work, and the competition in your genre. Here are some practical tips for setting achievable goals and measuring your progress:

Set specific, measurable goals such as word count targets or sales targets.

Break down your larger goals into smaller, more manageable milestones.

Track your progress regularly and adjust your goals as necessary.

Building Your Brand

In today's crowded market, building a strong brand is essential for success as a self-published author. Here are some steps you can take to develop a brand identity that reflects your unique style and resonates with your target audience:

Choose a memorable pen name that reflects your genre and style.

Create a professional author website that showcases your work and personality.

Utilize social media platforms to connect with readers and build a following.

Build an email list to stay in touch with your readers and promote your work.

Crafting Your Work

Writing compelling fiction is both an art and a science. Here are some tips for crafting engaging stories that captivate readers and keep them coming back for more:

Develop well-rounded characters with unique personalities, motivations, and flaws.

Create a compelling plot with tension, conflict, and a satisfying resolution.

Master the art of dialogue and description to bring your characters and settings to life.

Publishing and Promotion

With your manuscript complete, it's time to publish and promote your work. Here are some tips for formatting and uploading your ebook to major online retailers such as Amazon and Kobo:

Set a reasonable price point based on your genre and competition.

Generate reviews by offering advanced review copies to readers and promoting your work through social media and email marketing.

Utilize advertising and promotional tactics such as BookBub ads and Kindle Countdown Deals to boost visibility and sales.

Building a Sustainable Career

Finally, here are some practical tips for building a sustainable career as a self-published author:

Diversify your income streams by offering other products such as audiobooks or merchandise.

Network with other authors and industry professionals to learn from their experiences and build relationships.

Continue to improve your craft through ongoing education and professional development. Reading is key here!

Self-publishing offers a world of opportunity for fiction authors looking to make a living from their work. By setting realistic goals, building a strong brand, crafting compelling stories, and effectively promoting your work, you can build a sustainable career that brings both financial rewards and creative fulfillment. With the right strategy and mindset, the sky's the limit for self-published fiction authors.

Don’t forget to Join The Facebook Group for self-publishing tips, advice, and a community of writers learning to succeed, AND for more information on how my unique coaching program can help get you the success you deserve watch my short video (here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607) for self-publishing tips and a community of writers learning to succeed, AND for more info on to get book sales and profit on repeat watch my short video here https://store.thewriterlaunchpad.com/

03/03/2023

HOW TO QUIT THE DAY YOUR JOB TO WRITE FULL TIME
If you’re earning any level of income from writing, there may be a part of you that can’t wait to take a leap and leave your job behind. If you’re not yet earning as a self-published author, but you’d like to transition to a writing career, the good news is it’s not that hard to achieve. Yes, it takes work and application, but if this is something you’d love to do, then this article could be for you.
Back in 2014, just as my own books were beginning to sell, I already knew that I wanted to leave my day job. I'd earned my first thousand in a month. It was the best I’d earned so far, but not good enough to replace a job. But I was prepared to go part-time in order to work harder to write harder, work smarter and make more sales.
As it turned out, by the time I did hand in my notice, my sales took off and replaced my salary with cash to spare.
That’s how this self-publishing business goes. When things rocket, they can really rocket – which is good news for all of us.
So, whether you’re at the early stages of writing or you’re already earning some money but would like to do better, here are some key recommendations to help you transition to really launch and take your career to the next level.
As these two different starting points, we’ll look at each in turn.
One: You’re just starting out and know you want to write for a living
At this point, your project must be all about your book(s).
• Set your destination – plan the kind of books you want to write, and the writers you’d like to emulate. Consider characters and types of plot. You may have stories you’d like to write, but what you need is a place in the market. Look at what sells and steer what you write towards that.
• My advice is to plot three books with a story arc that runs through them all. This is to help with sales and profitability. More on that another time. What matters is that you think along these lines. Find three books too challenging? Chunk it down. Think of one big story written in 50,000-word installments. That can work very well.
• Start writing, and while you’re working invest what you can afford in good covers, editing, and an ad budget. Launch your books, see how sales go, and reassess. If it looks promising, you’ll soon know. With certain key aspects addressed, you should be able to make a success of it.
• To get here will have taken plenty of time after working hours. Maybe a year, maybe six months, maybe less. People with jobs write 50k novels in Nanowrimo every year. This means 3 short books could be done in 3 months. Go for it. This work could be the foundation of your career.
Two: you’re generating some self-publishing sales, but you need more to go full-time.
• Look at your covers. Can you do better next time? Covers really do matter, and good covers will impact sales either way.
• Look at your blurbs. Tighten them up, ‘copy’ - or rather - emulate the styles of blurbs you find compelling.
• Advertising. Is your advertising working? Amazon ads can be hard to kick start and a long time before it pays off, but it can really work over a period of time, but there are other options. Consider Facebook ads and try them out. Try different ad types and images. If you’re not confident about this stuff, there are agencies to help, such as BooksGoSocial. Worth a look.
• Is your marketing strategy the right fit? There are other sales-generating strategies out there so look around and test them out. If you are looking to make positive changes to your earnings, I recommend a combination of all these techniques, particularly those above.

The better and more professional you can make your covers, blurb, and your marketing – and the bigger and more effective your ad budget is, the greater chance you have of success. This career is waiting for you. You can be successful; all you need do is keep plugging away and tightening up so your great books can reach the readers who are waiting for them.

For more useful advice and motivation grab a copy of my Free eBook Get the Edge in Self-Publishing here:https://thewriterlaunchpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Get-The-Edge-In-Self-PublIshing-Fiction-from-The-Writer-Launch-Pad-0223.pdf and don't forget to join the Facebook Group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607 See you soon.

02/03/2023

STARTING OUT IN YOUR WRITING CAREER - REVIEWS and MARKETING. Let's demystify these two areas today.
I know. I was the same. All you want to do is write stories and sell books and then go out to a coffee shop or go for a walk or have some fun. Writing stories is fun. That’s who we are as writers, we love the fun stuff. The trouble is that some of the other parts of the business seem too hard to master, but we need to master them if we are going to create the kind of success we’d love, and the lifestyle we deserve.

So, what are the challenging parts of this business?

If you’re just starting out, they look enormous. Mountainous. They are marketing. Building your audience. Getting reviews as soon as you need them. Having a system in place that helps you filter out and clean up the typos and junk in your manuscripts. Keeping the costs low to max your profit, and keeping the whole thing driving forward.

Sounds like a lot, right?

But it is all doable.

Writing, Marketing and Building your audience are all linked. If you write your best books, and get great covers, you’ll have an instant advantage over many others out there.

Covers cost money, I hear you say! But not if you’ve got a good eye and are willing to test a few different cover designers first. There are lots of options, such as Upwork and Fiverr to name just two.

REVIEWS

Getting early reviews doesn’t need to be impossible, either. There are a few sites where you can ask for your books to be reviewed. The Indie View is one you might want to check out. You can also contact bloggers and ask them. Some may ask for a fee, but many will not. But even better is to put the word out on social media that you need some help with advance reviews, and some helpful people – provided you push a little – are bound to jump on and say yes. Make sure they’ve read the book when you publish and then contact them to get a review or two in place.

Key strategies:

Join FB reader groups for your genre - post a request for reviews. You can send them a PDF.

Ask people in your network - online or otherwise to review your book, and be ready to post it as soon as the book goes live. Prod them by email when the time is right.

Advertise on Social Media by offering a free book in return for a review. It doesn't have to cost much!

Getting those reviews will help you market the book because promo sites can use your star rating to push your book.

MARKETING

And when it comes to keeping marketing costs low, a good mix of self-managed social ads and some low-cost promo sites like EreaderIQ and Freebooksy are well worth a look.

Key Strategies:

Look at author resources to find low-cost marketing opportunities. Dave Chesson at Kindlepreneur has a great list of promo sites. Test each of them once, keep a note of sales/downloads and see what works best.

Try Organic. It takes leg work, but plenty of authors get traction this way. Get ready to post frequently if you go this route. Twitter may be an option, but there are others.

Better still, investigate Social Media marketing. You can test and scale these from the start, enabling you to control your budget easily.

These are a few excellent strategies any new or aspiring self-published author can use right off the bat, and if you use them, they will definitely give you a marketing boost. For audience growth, remember to consider creating a lead magnet, and offering it to readers for free via a link left in all your books. Every book then becomes a tool for audience growth.

None of this is rocket science, but it can sometimes feel like it. The key is to start where you are and keep pushing on.

You won’t always feel uncomfortable with every task on your list, they do get easier – and once you’ve sent a few emails, set up your ads, and built that lead magnet, you can soon get back to the task you love most – having fun writing.

For more great help in tackling the five big challenges you'll need to master to build a high-profit self-publishing career I invite you to watch my short video - you can access it via the WATCH NOW link at the top of this page. If you subscribe at https://thewriterlaunchpad.com you'll also receive a FREE ebook packed with even more tips.

24/02/2023

TOOLS, IDEAS, MOTIVATION AND FUN! JOIN NOW! 🙂https://www.facebook.com/groups/823203632213607/

24/02/2023

There are two key challenges which most newly published writers obsess over. And its easy to see why. They can make or break any new series. Discover what they are and how to deal with them here:

How To Get Good Reviews and Market Well in Self-Publishing Let’s demystify these two areas today. I know. I was the same. All you want to do is write stories and sell books and then go out to a coffee shop or go for a walk or have some fun. Writing stories is fun. That’sContinue reading "How To ...

26/11/2022

I’ve been quiet on the page and group this week as I put continue to write my next trilogy of books, start work on a separate series, and put together some content for budding authors on how to launch their first series. That content is not finished yet, but just working on that has got my juices flowing again!
Writing: this is a brilliant, beautiful and mad profession. As writers, we get to write the stories we would love to read. And as self-published authors in charge of our whole business, we get to enjoy the thrill of when a marketing campaign that we designed works well. We get to interact directly with our readership by virtue of the internet. These readers can write to us, Facebook us, whatever – and we get to hear their views. Ninety-five percent of the time readers will reach out and tell you that they love your work. Love it! Which help a writer no end. It’s what we write for! To write and connect, to encourage, share, empathise with and inspire people all over the world. To enjoy building a relationship with readers who will support you as you keep providing the goods to entertain them.
It's a virtuous circle, and I just love it.
This career as a self-published author is nourishing in so many ways.
There can be days when your head goes down, and for whatever reason we can forget how lucky we are.
But one positive reader message in your inbox – even just one – can change all of that in a heartbeat, and remind you why you love the job so much.
Yes, you can earn great money doing this. Better than most professions. And with determination, the right packaging and the right marketing, you can go far further.
But at the heart of it, that motivating reader/writer relationship is the key thing that will drive you on each day.
If you haven’t yet taken the plunge into this wonderful world of self-published writing, you've just got to give it a go.
Once you’ve launched the best books you can write, you will never look back.
Have a great weekend and catch up soon.

19/11/2022

If you’re stuck in your writing, or can’t face writing a scene, there’s usually a reason for it. Maybe you need a break, but just as likely is that you can’t visualise the scene, and therefore can’t get anything down on paper. When this happens to me, I use the WHO WHAT WHERE WHO WHY questions to find my way back. All you need to is write a very brief answer to that question (in relation to the thing you’re about to write) and voila, you now have the basis to write. Once you’ve answered those foundational questions, you can write. It takes minimal effort. If you don’t even want to answer those simple questions, take a break, and come back when you do!

11/11/2022

As well as being a writer, I like to run on a regular basis. I haven't always been a regular runner, which can be frustrating when I look back, because if I'd kept up the routine as I could have, I would still be a lot faster and fitter than I am now. But, starting from this 'less than perfect' baseline, I still get up and go out, still train, and I still fight the battle of the bulge five or six times a week, because although it can sometimes seem a hardship, overall I know it's good for me, and I know if I keep going I'll get the results I'm after: a faster, leaner, fitter me. You probably know where I'm going with this.
Writing is very much like running. To get any kind of result we have to keep at it. Whether that result is getting better at our craft, learning how to make ads that work, crafting better book covers (if that's your bag) and ultimately, how to make our self-publishing careers a success.
You may see writers who are streets ahead of you. But please forgive me while I state the obvious. They only got there by starting the journey and keeping on until they got there. You will never get there UNLESS you start right where you are and keep going. Whether that is launching your first series, reaching bestseller status, or breaking a book sales/income target for the first time. The ONLY way to get there is to begin, make it a daily practice (weekdays only maybe) and keep going all the way. The relentless ones are the ones who get there in the end. Why? Because they never gave up. The ones who did fall by the wayside.
Last thoughts. I recently found a video by a life coach, a man I used to see in face-to-face meetings when I was in my twenties. In the video, he mentions the career of British stand-up comic, Michael MacIntrye. MacIntyre slaved for ten years before he got a break and became a star. That's ten years of effort before success. Can you do that? It will be worth it if you do. Don't give up.
Last thought. Matthew Syed's book Bounce provides proof that putting in the hours trumps tons of other factors in success: opportunity, talent, contacts, you name it. They all help, but if you build it they WILL come. Happy Writing!

19/10/2022

Book cover design is a big issue for self-publishing authors. If you choose a cover that doesn’t reflect your book – because it doesn’t match the genre or subgenre you are selling in, or because it looks old-fashioned, cheap, or amateur, you will be hamstringing your potential sales and harming your fiction writing career. So does that mean you have to spend – as many authors do – literally hundreds of pounds per cover on each of your books? No. That’s not true, either. A professionally designed cover will certainly help you in appearing to match your traditionally published rivals, but how much will it help in real terms? One author colleague of mine told me that when he updated his book covers to a professional standard, it did impact his level of sales in a positive way. But I have to say, I was not bowled over by the difference in sale ratios when he compared the old covers with the new ones. As I say, professional style covers can help, but they may not be the magic bullet you are looking for to kick-start your career.
So what is the answer for a writer who is just starting out? Easy. You can make your own covers, and if you are a creative person who enjoys working with visuals as much as writing you may well do a very good job. There are some caveats with that statement, and they are important ones: Here they are.
1. Your book cover must look like the covers of the books you are trying to compete with, or else you will alienate your target market. Research the style of your rivals. Get a feel for it. Match it if you can.
2. Your covers must look as good as you can reasonably make them. Slapping something together and saying ‘that will do’ won’t do the job if you’re serious about selling books. You need to go as far as you can in making a good job of it.
3. Consider the positioning of your titles, author name, and typeface. Consider the composition of images and text relative to what your competitors are doing. Can you make a cover that is comparable?
If you really think you can’t do it well yourself, you still have some budget-range options that will produce a good result. Among them is trawling Fiverr.com for the best covers you can find on a budget. You may have to try (and spend out on) two or three different cover designers before you can find the cover you want, but it will be worth it. You’ll need to measure the cover by the same criteria, above, as you used on your own designs. Until you’re happy, either ask for revisions or try someone else.
Case in point, I recently tried out some Fiverr designers. One of them produced an average cover. One produced a cover that was basically for the wrong genre (horror! I don't write horrors) and one produced an excellent cover, but the typeface was not quite ‘on point.’ They did a revision and made it better.
But, in the end, after I looked at the overall composition and match it against the books in my genre, I decided MY own covers were better. Were they perfect? No. Were they good enough? Yes, they were.
There is a word used by success coach Michael Neil (excuse me if you don’t like life coaches, etc, please indulge me a second) called satisficing. That is finding a sweet spot that is satisfactory – not perfect, but a lot better than adequate or sufficing. That is what you are after. And you can do it.
Lastly, if you’re not sure about your designs, you can always seek constructive feedback at The Writer Launch Pad Group.
Do your best. Forget the rest. Because once you’ve done your covers, you need to get back to the real job – writing your next great book. Catch you later on the page, or in the group – and if you’d like to know more about me or how I can help you launch and build your writing career, stay tuned for more help and information in the Group.