Recently we had a Books & Such gathering in which several guest speakers spoke to our authors about marketing, social media, and the business of publishing. It all probably seemed a little overwhelming, and finally a writer asked, “What is the best way for us to build a business mindset? Is there a book you can recommend?”
It was an important question, and at the time I suggested the book To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink. I loved this book and highly recommend it for all authors.
A second must-read for authors is Your First 1000 Copies by Tim Grahl. It’s a guide to book marketing that covers all the bases and helps writers think of their career as so much more than writing.
Books are helpful, but they can’t keep up with changing times. It’s smart to supplement them with ongoing sources of information and motivation to stay sharp when it comes to thinking of your authorship as a business. There are quite a few good publishing blogs out there, but all are not equal, and you only have so much time. Therefore I’m hand-selecting a few that I think are most worthwhile.
1. This blog. We at Books & Such maintain this blog specifically for the purpose of keeping you informed and helping you maintain a business outlook, so if you don’t read anything but this, you’re still ahead of the game!
2. Social Media Examiner. This website, blog and podcast is NOT about publishing—it addresses social media for every kind of business. Some of the articles may be too technical and won’t apply to you, but if you read it as often as you can, you’ll soon find yourself much more savvy about the latest in social. I recommend you follow Social Media Examiner on Facebook, rather than subscribing to their blog. This way, you’ll see their latest articles in your regular feed and you can read the ones that interest you.
3. The Book Designer. Joel Friedlander writes one of the most helpful blogs available to assist writers with every aspect of their publishing career, whether they are traditional or self-published. It’s incredibly detailed and practical. Joel doesn’t offer a Facebook page but you can subscribe to the blog via email and follow him on Twitter.
4. The Steve Laube Agency. Yes, these are our competitors, but agents Steve, Tamela, Karen and Dan provide a well-rounded, ongoing publishing perspective. Of course, they steal all their blogging ideas from us, ha ha. (JUST KIDDING STEVE). You can subscribe to the blog via email or follow on Facebook.
Give yourself regular exposure to these resources, reading a few articles a week, and soon you’ll find yourself exceptionally savvy about the business of publishing.
What books and online resources have you found most helpful in your publishing education?
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2 books and 4 blogs to keep you informed and business-savvy as an author. Click to Tweet.
3 Steps for Making Copy Edits Less Dramatic
Shirlee Abbott
December 3, 2014 at 2:52 amNo time to chat, I’ve got serious reading to do! (Thank you, Rachelle for packing so much helpful information into one short post)
April
December 3, 2014 at 3:02 amI’ve heard good things about The Extroverted Writer, which is by an agent from MacGregor Literary. Apparently she has a marketing background and really knows her stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/Extroverted-Writer-Marketing-Building-Platform/dp/1492918105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417604375&sr=8-1&keywords=the+extroverted+writer
Jeanne Takenaka
December 3, 2014 at 6:23 amI found Amanda Luedeke’s (spelling?) book to be helpful too, April. She brought out some suggestions I hadn’t considered. 🙂
Leah Price
December 3, 2014 at 5:29 amThanks for the awesome resources!!!!
Jeanne Takenaka
December 3, 2014 at 6:28 amRachelle, what a helpful post! I just followed The Social Media Examiner on Facebook. And I read Steve Laube’s blog almost every day. Great resources!
I’ve just begun reading Seth Godin’s blog, and I’ve found that his posts can help with having a business mindset, in terms of how we view aspects of business–our own and others’. This is the link to his latest post (I couldn’t find the home page–and I”m off to get kids to school): http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/12/please-share-my-new-book.html
Rose
December 3, 2014 at 6:28 amI find that Writer Unboxed has an interesting mix of insight and advice on everything from writing to publishing. The diversity of contributors keeps it fresh and informative. http://writerunboxed.com/
Kristen Joy Wilks
December 3, 2014 at 7:16 amI got started on writing blogs by reading “Miss Snark” then when she quit I started reading Agent Kristin Nelson, referred to us by Miss Snark. Then when she stopped blogging I started reading Rachelle Gardner as referred to me by Agent Kristin. Then I followed Rachelle G. here. But before all of these I poured over Janet Grant’s website, back when it was just her even before Wendy L came along. I’ve also enjoyed Randy Ingerman’s blog and Sally Apokadek’s Blog back when she was blogging. I also like the Hartline Literary Agency Blog. Good times.
Wendy Macdonald
December 3, 2014 at 8:24 amThank you, Rachelle, for these wonderful links. I’ve added the two books to my wishlist.
Getting Published in the 21st Century by Carly Watters and How to be a Writer in the E-Age: A Self-Help Guide by C.R. Hydes and A.R. Allen are two e-books I have read and continue to read over and over as they are both filled with wonderful info on both traditional and self-publishing. These authors also have excellent blogs that I often read.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
NikkiFB
December 3, 2014 at 10:00 amHi–I’ve been lurking/reading this blog for awhile, and I wanted to say thanks for giving me so much to think about. I’ve been “a writer” since, well, forever, but I am not particularly business-minded. In the past year or so I’ve felt a strong pull to start treating writing as a calling and a vocation, but I have not known where to begin with the professional side. (Almost twenty years ago when I did my journalism degree and internships, things were rather different in the publishing/media industry!!!!!) So much to learn, but I’m feeling increasingly ready. I appreciate the info and encouragement you share here.
Jenni Brummett
December 3, 2014 at 8:16 pmNikkiFB, glad you commented today. This is a wonderful community to be a part of.
Steve Laube
December 3, 2014 at 12:05 pmRachelle,
It is called “research.”
Thank you for the referral!
Steve Laube
The Steve Laube Agency
Becky Jones
December 3, 2014 at 12:10 pmI’m actually reading To Sell is Human right now, per your recommendation!
Thanks for this list!
Karen Ball
December 3, 2014 at 12:49 pmRachelle, there you go, giving away all our secrets again! What, you expect us to come up with our OWN ideas? You are so demanding.
Thanks for the mention, and the giggle, today.
John Baur
December 3, 2014 at 5:03 pmI immediately ordered Grahl’s book and will be waiting impatiently for Amazon to send it through the blur of Christmas mai. Thanks for the tip. My favorite blogs are the Kill Zone, for mystery writers, and Chuck Wendig’s inimitable “Terrible Minds” blog. Chuck is definitely not for everyone, (language, bizarre references) but he cuts through the baloney and tells what’s what like no one else I’ve ever seen.
Roxanne Sherwood Gray
December 4, 2014 at 8:36 amRachelle,
Thanks, once again, for all the great information!
A book I’ve found to be extremely helpful is Edie Melson’s Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers.
Kelly Blackwell
December 7, 2014 at 7:05 pmYou have become one of my favorite resources online. I pour over your posts often and am so blessed. This post is invaluable. Thank you.