Book publishing is one of the most competitive fields, especially so for self-publishers. Selling original material is challenging when the industry has saturated significantly in the past decade. This list of books will help guide aspiring authors in the right direction, inevitably welcoming success as they navigate the press and targeting audiences that suit favorable genres.

We hope you enjoy our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all have been independently selected by our editors. FYI: PR ON THE GO and its publishing partners may earn a commission and/or other compensation from links on this page.

Book publishing made easy: easy steps for self publishing authors by Ullhas PR

This short book reveals the required preparation and basic steps for self-publishing authors. Explaining the many components to publishing in simple terms, Ulhas writes in casual language, summarizing the process of publishing a book for first time authors.

PR Secrets for Savvy Authors: A definitive guide to DIY career publicity by Louisa West

Shares concealed secrets for authors trying to make a name for themselves. Publishing is an overwhelming process and this guide shares how to determine where authors should focus their energy, plans for expansion, and how to navigate the next steps after publishing a book. Covering self-doubt, the mysteries of cyberspace, branding, managing platforms, PR channels, content creation, media kits, and more, “PR Secrets” aids authors tackle their publicity in a professional manner that yields monumental results and guarantee success.

Secrets to Effective Author Marketing: It's more than "Buy My Book" (Career Author Secrets) by Maggie McVay Lynch

Reveals how the publishing landscape fluctuates vastly with more and more competition each year, and how to survive as it grows. The key to success is to define your audience. This book provides specific techniques to focus on the top three proven techniques that sell books, such as understanding your competition, creating and implementing a consistent brand throughout all marketing efforts while sticking to a budget of less than $100 per book campaign, and develop a long-term online marketing plan.Advertising a successful book takes more than saying, “Buy My Book.”

The Author's Marketing Bible by Andrew Wood

Authors will learn techniques they have never seen or heard before: Why authors should write the landing page before a page in their book and how to utilize LinkedIn and email to sell hundreds of books. The author with the biggest database always wins. This book shares why creating a private social network is essential for sharing news with fans along with the seven big mistakes made on the author's website. Wood provides helpful tips on dealing with negative reviews and the formula used to sell lots more books.

Author Marketing Playbook #2: The Charity Effect, Being Socially Networked, and Keeping Your Marketing Momentum Alive by Deborah Riley-Magnus

The Author Marketing Playbooks focus on creative marketing solutions that clear the path between authors, loyal fans, and book buyers. Marketing is not a complete enigma, it's simply a system about creating awareness, making connections, building loyalty, and generating sales. “Author Marketing Playbook #2” focuses on understanding real publicity, trying and succeeding with old and new social media for the best marketing mix, building the perfect Author Career Business Plan, and solving the day-to-day challenges of building serious sales success.

Top Ten Mistakes Authors make Marketing Their Books by B Alan Bourgeois

Offers solutions to authors struggling to make a name for themselves in the crowded world of book publishing. In this insightful guide, Bourgeois shares the top 10 common mistakes authors make and advice on how to avoid them. This is an essential guide for taking your book marketing to the next level. Readers learn how to identify their target audience and build a strong online presence that allows authors to engage with readers.

Top Ten Marketing Materials an Authors Should Use by B Alan Bourgeois

Includes advice to increase visibility, generate buzz, and boost book sales. Readers discover how to create eye-catching bookmarks, business cards, and posters that reveal a book's cover, title, and author brand. Readers learn how to manipulate the power of book trailers to grasp readers' interest. Additionally, readers receive unique tips on how to write an attention-grabbing press release. Bourgeois explains how to build an author website that attracts readers and covers social media marketing, author blogging, email newsletters, and swag creation. Readers will understand how to use online tools to connect with readers, build their author brand, and create a loyal fan base.

Book Marketing Success: 101 Ways to Promote Your Book (Author Journey Success Toolkit) by Amelia Griggs

Book Marketing Success provides strategies and suggestions for building a sophisticated brand after publishing your book. Whether you are a new or seasoned author, most of the methods in this book are low-cost and no-cost, allowing published authors to break even sooner. Griggs provides secrets to succeed in the competitive world of publishing, including the truth about bestseller banners, book re-release strategies, ways to promote your book, and how to create book mockups.

Book Marketing Fundamentals by Hank Quense

Famous fiction and nonfiction author, Hank Quense, advises young authors to find a mentor before creating a marketing plan. This book provides techniques to earn more positive book reviews, how to effectively engage in marketing activities, and overall how to get publicity. Quense explains what kinds of events earn positive ratings and how to use advertising to your advantage. Creating an author’s platform is one of the most important things to do when marketing a published book, and this book executes the steps needed to thrive. Other authors also give their two cents on the enigma of book marketing.

BOOK MARKETING: Transform Cold Clicks into Raving Readers by Victoria Pinder

Includes great advice on setting up an author email list and utilizing free giveaways to gain a larger following. Organize your marketing plan to find your goals, new readers, the benefits you offer, and marketing options that work for you without driving yourself crazy. Pinder reveals how to communicate the importance of having a newsletter and describes the process of creating one in an understandable manner using a soup-to-nuts guide. A newsletter is one way of handling and making sure follow-up contacts are done on a timely basis through the use of automated emails. Provides tips to start blogging, an essential component to building an author brand, and explains why newsletters are beneficial.

Book Marketing Secrets: The 10 fundamental secrets for selling more books and creating a successful book publishing career by Albert Griesmayr

Book Marketing Secrets uncovers the underlying secrets applied by the most successful authors and publishing houses today. Discover what famous authors like J.K. Rowling, Russell Brunson, and Mark Dawson are doing differently to celebrate breakthrough success in book publishing. Hone your skills with more than 25 practical exercises and checklists throughout the book. You will learn how to create a perennial bestseller that brings in passive income every month, how to market your book in a way that is guaranteed success, the system that summons positive reviews and reader feedback, and how stunning book covers outperform the market. Book Marketing Secrets also exposes what the big publishers do not want you to know and how to find the 20% effort that results in 80% of your book sales.

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