Contact: Info@steverodgersauthor.com
Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/steverodgersauthor/
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/steverodgers
Writerly Resources
This page is to help my fellow comrade-writer brothers/sisters with links and other minutia that I've come across over my writing adventures. It will include links to agent blogs, writer sites of various interest, FAQs, etc. This is a very ambitious mission statement. What you see here may fall well short of my chipper goals, because this is a process, dammit, not a destination. But if I build it, they will come.
General
Adding more categories to your books:
kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-the-best-kindle-ebook-kdp-category/
or just email: kdp-support@amazon.com and ask to be placed in categories kdkdpupport@amazon.com
kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-the-best-kindle-ebook-kdp-category/
or just email: kdp-support@amazon.com and ask to be placed in categories kdkdpupport@amazon.com
Agent Blog Links
For those who are seeking agents, or will be soon, perusing agent blogs is a good way to get a feel for what's required. I culled these from various sources, some of which were very old, then updated with the latest links. I've also weeded out agent blogs that don't really talk about writer topics, just book releases and such. And I've checked every one of these to make sure there is at least one blog post in 2016.
BookEnds (Jessica Faust, Jacky Sach, Kim Lionetti): http://bookendsliterary.com/index.php/category/blog/
Nathan Bransford (of Curtis Brown): http://blog.nathanbransford.com/
Dystel & Goderich: http://www.dystel.com/
Jennifer Jackson: https://arcaedia.wordpress.com/
Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency https://luciennediver.wordpress.com/
Laurie McLean (Larson Pomada Agency): http://www.agentsavant.com/
Kristin Nelson (Pub Rants): http://pubrants.blogspot.com/
Janet Reid (of FinePrint): http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/
Agent Sydney (Australian agent) [No updates since 2014, but some interesting topics]
http://callmyagent.blogspot.com/
Nephele: http://nepheletempest.com/
The Zack Company: http://www.zackcompany.com/zack-blog
Rachelle Gardner: http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
Carly Watters: https://carlywatters.com/blog/
Andy Ross “Ask the Agent”: https://andyrossagency.wordpress.com/
BookEnds (Jessica Faust, Jacky Sach, Kim Lionetti): http://bookendsliterary.com/index.php/category/blog/
Nathan Bransford (of Curtis Brown): http://blog.nathanbransford.com/
Dystel & Goderich: http://www.dystel.com/
Jennifer Jackson: https://arcaedia.wordpress.com/
Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency https://luciennediver.wordpress.com/
Laurie McLean (Larson Pomada Agency): http://www.agentsavant.com/
Kristin Nelson (Pub Rants): http://pubrants.blogspot.com/
Janet Reid (of FinePrint): http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/
Agent Sydney (Australian agent) [No updates since 2014, but some interesting topics]
http://callmyagent.blogspot.com/
Nephele: http://nepheletempest.com/
The Zack Company: http://www.zackcompany.com/zack-blog
Rachelle Gardner: http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
Carly Watters: https://carlywatters.com/blog/
Andy Ross “Ask the Agent”: https://andyrossagency.wordpress.com/
Beta Reader Sites
Legit Book Review Sites/Information/Marketing
Book review and book marketing sites. Use these links at your own risk.
Indie Book Review Site, contains websites and links to blogs that review indie books:
indiebookreviewer.wordpress.com/
Another Indie Book Review site with links:
www.theindieview.com/
Indie reviewers
http://indiebookreviewers.blogspot.com/
Kirkus Indie Reviews. This will set you back a pretty penny, but Kirkus is one of the leading names in the industry.
www.kirkusreviews.com/indie-reviews/
Books Butterfly. These guys will send your (discounted) book out to lots of readers. Good for getting initial reviews.
https://www.booksbutterfly.com/
Review of the differences between three major book marketing sites, BookBub, BookGorilla, and The Fussy Librarian:
www.standoutbooks.com/bookbub-bookgorilla-fussy-librarian/
Link for Netgalley, a book promotion tool:
netgalley.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/52866-what-is-netgalley-and-how-does-it-work
Advertising on Amazon KDP
https://janefriedman.com/using-amazon-kdp-ads-sell-ebook-amazon/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JaneFriedman+%28Jane+Friedman%29
How to use Amazon Sales Rankings
http://selfpublishingadvice.org/amazon-sales-rank-taming-the-algorithm/
Info on Amazon review policy
http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2015/10/all-about-reviews-and-amazon-a-quick-guide-and-rules/
Cameron Book Marketing (I've come across several positive independent reviews of their service):
http://www.cameronpm.co.uk/home/4590734182
Site which rates different promotion websites and methods:
www.jasonbladd.com/indielisters/
Great step-by-step book marketing info. Highly recommended.
http://nicholaserik.com/start/
Book Review Brokers
bookreviewbroker.com/
Kindle Reviews
http://www.kindlebookreview.net/
Indie Book Review Site, contains websites and links to blogs that review indie books:
indiebookreviewer.wordpress.com/
Another Indie Book Review site with links:
www.theindieview.com/
Indie reviewers
http://indiebookreviewers.blogspot.com/
Kirkus Indie Reviews. This will set you back a pretty penny, but Kirkus is one of the leading names in the industry.
www.kirkusreviews.com/indie-reviews/
Books Butterfly. These guys will send your (discounted) book out to lots of readers. Good for getting initial reviews.
https://www.booksbutterfly.com/
Review of the differences between three major book marketing sites, BookBub, BookGorilla, and The Fussy Librarian:
www.standoutbooks.com/bookbub-bookgorilla-fussy-librarian/
Link for Netgalley, a book promotion tool:
netgalley.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/52866-what-is-netgalley-and-how-does-it-work
Advertising on Amazon KDP
https://janefriedman.com/using-amazon-kdp-ads-sell-ebook-amazon/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JaneFriedman+%28Jane+Friedman%29
How to use Amazon Sales Rankings
http://selfpublishingadvice.org/amazon-sales-rank-taming-the-algorithm/
Info on Amazon review policy
http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2015/10/all-about-reviews-and-amazon-a-quick-guide-and-rules/
Cameron Book Marketing (I've come across several positive independent reviews of their service):
http://www.cameronpm.co.uk/home/4590734182
Site which rates different promotion websites and methods:
www.jasonbladd.com/indielisters/
Great step-by-step book marketing info. Highly recommended.
http://nicholaserik.com/start/
Book Review Brokers
bookreviewbroker.com/
Kindle Reviews
http://www.kindlebookreview.net/
Summary List of Book Promo Sites
In no particular order:
Awesome Gang
B Knights Fiverr
Book Bub
Ereader News Today
Free Kindle Books & Tips (FKBT)
ENT
Bargain Booksy
Free Booksy
Robin Reads
Digital Book Today
Booksends / eReader IQ
eBook Soda
Bookgoodies / authorad network
Book Barbarian
Books Butterfly
Riffle
eBooksHabit
BookRaid
Genre Pulse
Books Go Social
Fussy Librarian
Pixel Scroll
Booktastik
eBook Stage
Book Raid
Choosy Bookworm
eReader News
Book Runes
eBook Soda
B Knights Fiverr
Book Bub
Ereader News Today
Free Kindle Books & Tips (FKBT)
ENT
Bargain Booksy
Free Booksy
Robin Reads
Digital Book Today
Booksends / eReader IQ
eBook Soda
Bookgoodies / authorad network
Book Barbarian
Books Butterfly
Riffle
eBooksHabit
BookRaid
Genre Pulse
Books Go Social
Fussy Librarian
Pixel Scroll
Booktastik
eBook Stage
Book Raid
Choosy Bookworm
eReader News
Book Runes
eBook Soda
The Business of Writing
The invaluable Author Earnings Report (latest):
http://authorearnings.com/report/october-2016/
Tax information for authors: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Self-Employment-Taxes/A-Tax-Cheat-Sheet-for-Kindle-eBook-Self-Publishing/INF29515.html
http://authorearnings.com/report/october-2016/
Tax information for authors: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Self-Employment-Taxes/A-Tax-Cheat-Sheet-for-Kindle-eBook-Self-Publishing/INF29515.html
Writer FAQs
I actually don’t know how “frequently asked” these questions are. But they were asked by me at some point during the writing process. Some are related to agent submissions, and some are related to actual writing topics. All of these are links to things that other people have said on the topic, and do not necessarily reflect my opinion. But I’ve used many of these sites for my own writing development, and so am providing them here. Yes, I can easily Google all this again, but some of this may be things I wouldn’t think to look up again. Plus, since I like having things in one place, why not provide it to others too? This list will grow over time, and I will try to keep it up to date. But for those who use these links, if you find them stale or not what I listed them for, drop me a quick note at Info@steverodgersauthor.com. Thanks!
How many words should a query letter be?
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2008/09/query-stats-by-word-count.html
My opinion: Take these numbers with a grain of salt if writing Fantasy or Science Fiction, which often require more words.
Does the first novel in a series have to be standalone to be accepted by agents? What does standalone really mean?
https://ellenbrockediting.com/2015/03/30/ask-the-editor-how-do-i-make-the-first-novel-in-a-series-stand-alone/
What are some examples of good query letters?
(this first one is highly recommended--a free book on queries. What more could you ask?)
http://www.lukeman.com/greatquery/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-to-write-the-perfect-query-letter
http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/23-literary-agent-query-letters-that-worked/77310
There are a LOT of websites dedicated to this; I’m just showing three that were helpful to me.
What kind of novel beginnings do agents NOT want to see?
http://thewritelife.com/the-worst-ways-to-begin-your-novel-advice-from-literary-agents/
What are the traits of a good fictional protagonist?
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/06/10-traits-of-great-protagonist.html
What are the traits of a good fictional antagonist?
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/07/10-traits-of-strong-antagonist.html
What is a list of possible character traits?
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/character-trait-examples.html
What are some ways to physically describe a character?
http://writeshop.com/how-to-describe-a-person-descriptive-words/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/11-secrets-to-writing-effective-character-description
Creating conflict in fiction:
http://thewritepractice.com/creating-conflict/
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative1/crisis-vs-conflict/
http://www.nownovel.com/blog/therefore-keep-conflict-plot/
http://www.tameri.com/write/conflict.html
How do I start my first scene?
https://janefriedman.com/your-first-scene/
What are some tips for creating great stories?
https://www.fastcocreate.com/3019333/8-tips-for-creating-great-stories-from-george-rr-martin-junot-diaz-and-more-of-the-worlds-to
How many words should a query letter be?
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2008/09/query-stats-by-word-count.html
My opinion: Take these numbers with a grain of salt if writing Fantasy or Science Fiction, which often require more words.
Does the first novel in a series have to be standalone to be accepted by agents? What does standalone really mean?
https://ellenbrockediting.com/2015/03/30/ask-the-editor-how-do-i-make-the-first-novel-in-a-series-stand-alone/
What are some examples of good query letters?
(this first one is highly recommended--a free book on queries. What more could you ask?)
http://www.lukeman.com/greatquery/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-to-write-the-perfect-query-letter
http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/23-literary-agent-query-letters-that-worked/77310
There are a LOT of websites dedicated to this; I’m just showing three that were helpful to me.
What kind of novel beginnings do agents NOT want to see?
http://thewritelife.com/the-worst-ways-to-begin-your-novel-advice-from-literary-agents/
What are the traits of a good fictional protagonist?
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/06/10-traits-of-great-protagonist.html
What are the traits of a good fictional antagonist?
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/07/10-traits-of-strong-antagonist.html
What is a list of possible character traits?
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/character-trait-examples.html
What are some ways to physically describe a character?
http://writeshop.com/how-to-describe-a-person-descriptive-words/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/11-secrets-to-writing-effective-character-description
Creating conflict in fiction:
http://thewritepractice.com/creating-conflict/
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative1/crisis-vs-conflict/
http://www.nownovel.com/blog/therefore-keep-conflict-plot/
http://www.tameri.com/write/conflict.html
How do I start my first scene?
https://janefriedman.com/your-first-scene/
What are some tips for creating great stories?
https://www.fastcocreate.com/3019333/8-tips-for-creating-great-stories-from-george-rr-martin-junot-diaz-and-more-of-the-worlds-to
Craft
Writing Descriptions of People:
writeshop.com/how-to-describe-a-person-descriptive-words/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/11-secrets-to-writing-effective-character-description
Writing Scenes:
https://janefriedman.com/your-first-scene/
Fantasy Name Generator:
http://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/
Writing Fantasy Battles:
http://fantasy-faction.com/2016/writing-fantasy-battles-a-look-at-strategy
http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/writing-epic-battle-scenes/
Character gestures:
http://www.bryndonovan.com/2015/04/10/master-list-of-gestures-and-body-language-for-writers/
Writing emotion:
kidlit.com/2018/06/04/writing-emotional-meaning/?mc_cid=07362865e6&mc_eid=14440e30a7
writeshop.com/how-to-describe-a-person-descriptive-words/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/11-secrets-to-writing-effective-character-description
Writing Scenes:
https://janefriedman.com/your-first-scene/
Fantasy Name Generator:
http://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/
Writing Fantasy Battles:
http://fantasy-faction.com/2016/writing-fantasy-battles-a-look-at-strategy
http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/writing-epic-battle-scenes/
Character gestures:
http://www.bryndonovan.com/2015/04/10/master-list-of-gestures-and-body-language-for-writers/
Writing emotion:
kidlit.com/2018/06/04/writing-emotional-meaning/?mc_cid=07362865e6&mc_eid=14440e30a7