How to write a bestseller the first time with no practice or professional editing or cover design or spending any money whatsoever

The author & The brain surgeon Jamie Foley

Writing books is fun, But Selling books is work Writing books is fun, But Selling books is work. About 5-10 years of Hard work to get started as a business. Wreck testimonial

MY FIRST DRAFT :D

My first draft on Amazon :-/

Are you a hobbyist or a professional? Wreck testimonial

Here’s how to make a real business out of your writing. Wreck testimonial Because I’m not going to tell a hobby writer how to have fun!

Fiction or non-fiction? Wreck testimonial

My books :)

Thomas Nelson [Harper Collins] Webmaster & digital marketing specialist Live Events division in Plano, TX

Authors Golden keyes Parsons Angela castillo Beth wiseman Audrey wick R.J. Metcalf Laura Zimmerman

Years 1-5: Perfect your craft Save up Choose a genre Write consistently Analyze the pros Read craft books Attend conferences Join a critique group Edit & re-write

Write consistently. “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” – E.B. White “I write every morning.” – Ernest Hemingway “Writer’s block is having too much time on your hands. If you have a limited amount of time to write, you just sit down and do it. You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” – Jodi Picoult

Years 1-5: Perfect your craft Save up Choose a genre Write consistently Analyze the pros Read craft books Attend conferences Join a critique group Edit & re-write

ME MY FIRST MANUSCRIPT <3

YOUR AUNT SUZIE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR BOOK.

Developmental edits: $400-$700 Line edits: $1,000+ editors Developmental edits: $400-$700 Line edits: $1,000+ Just Getting started? Attend conferences and purchase critiques of your first few pages from bestselling authors.

BUT THE PUBLISHER I WANT HAS EDITORS ON STAFF!

Years 5-10: Get published Get a website Do social media Decide: indie or traditional? Traditional: Find an agent Indie: Publish your book Gather reviews Market like a boss Write a series

indie vs. Traditional publishing You control everything. You pay for everything. You keep (almost) all the money. You’re a one-man show. Publisher controls everything. Publisher pays for (almost) everything. Publisher takes most of the money. Publisher has a team of pros.

“[publishers] want to find aspiring authors who are good business people.”  - NINA AMIR, WRITER’S DIGEST Your book’s idea, its fit in the market, and its competition Your author presence Your bio & author photo Website design, visits, and search page rank Non-fiction: Social media engagement (not necessarily your amount of followers) Non-fiction: Email list size, open rate, and engagement Your promotion plan for release day and a year beyond Your plans to write more books The quality of your writing craft & editing http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/do-you-have-what-publishers-really-want

Self-publishing? Save up for: A professional website & headshot: $1,000-$3,000 Professional editing from at least 2 different editors, or 1 professional editor and an army of beta readers Professional cover design (YES, people do judge books by their covers): $300-$1,000 ISBN: $100 per book (or $250 for buying 10 in bulk) Professional formatting Paperback: $300-$700 Kindle: $100-$300 Other ebooks (EPUB): $100-$300 Promotional materials & author copies: $200-$300 Self-publishing Estimate: $3,500 - $8,000 Your First book Traditional Estimate: $2,500 - $6,000

ThAT’S a lot of money! You’re starting a new small business. All businesses require an initial investment to get started.

THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A HOBBY WRITER.

Hobby writing is more fun! We treat artists and musicians differently. Just want your name on a book? Self-publish and don’t post to amazon. Give to friends and family. No deadlines, no costs, no stress.

Let’s do this.

the plan? Go hybrid! “The hybrid author is someone who has book deals with traditional presses, but also self-publishes, or publishes in some other nontraditional way.” – Huffington Post

Average annual income Self Traditional hybrid $500-$999 $3,000-$4,999 $7,500-$9,999 http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/23/authors-earnings-fall-350pa-survey

Well… that was depressing.

Marketing! YAY :D

BUT MY PUBLISHER WILL DO ALL THE MARKETING FOR ME! ANY PUBLISHED AUTHORS IN THE ROOM?

Traditionally published authors still: Run small ads alongside their publisher’s marketing schedule Attend events (book signings, festivals, library events, and conferences) Sell their signed copies on the side Connect with their fans (email newsletter, blogs, and/or social media) Interview with blogs, radio, and TV

Years 5-10: Get published Get a website Do social media Decide: indie or traditional? Traditional: Find an agent Indie: Publish your book Gather reviews Market like a boss Write a series

Ask for reviews from: Beta readers (not family) Book clubs & facebook groups Goodreads giveaways Amazon public giveaways Bloggers

Years 5-10: Get published Get a website Do social media Decide: indie or traditional? Traditional: Find an agent Indie: Publish your book Gather reviews Market like a boss Write a series

#1 way to market your book: Offer your book for free On paid marketing websites Who promote books to their audience (with either their website or an email list).

WARNING: GRAPH INCOMING. I am so, so sorry. Sales numbers from a promo-testing period with a newly-released novel without later books in the series.

WARNING: controversial topic INCOMING. I am super even more sorry.

Like a big online library, But when someone rents 90-day term Allows 5 free promo days per term No ebooks on other platforms Pays about $0.005 per page read Like a big online library, But when someone rents your book, You get paid.

Nook & Google play didn’t come close. Totals Free downloads: 4,414 Book sales: $319.85 Kindle Unlimited pages read: 55,735 Estimated KU profit: $278.68 Nook & Google play didn’t come close.

So what are these precious sites? We needs them!

The king: bookbub “BookBub [is] the cheapest on a per-sales giveaway basis.” – THOMAS UMSTATTD JR. OF ENCLAVE PUBLISHING Spend $65-$475, get thousands of sales 20% of books accepted

The Queens

The princes

Other marketing strategies speaking local bookstores The best way to sell non- fiction books Be excellent to bookstore owners and they’ll give your book prime treatment. Book signings Libraries & churches Join large events with multiple authors Get involved and help! People will talk about you bloggers giveaways Interviews Review other authors Amazon public or Goodreads Be awesome to people. Give freely.

Resources Author Media blog: www.authormedia.com/blog marketing Craft Author Media blog: www.authormedia.com/blog Novel Marketing podcast: www.novelmarketing.com Find active deal-landing agents at: www.publishersmarketplace.com Christian Indie Authors Facebook: facebook.com/ChristianIndieAuthors Writing Excuses podcast: www.writingexcuses.com Scribophile critiques: www.scribophile.com Realm Makers Conference: http://realmmakers.com ACFW Conference & groups: http://acfw.com

Questions?

Jamiesfoley.com Want to hire me? Publishing advice Marketing strategy Branding Website design Kindle formatting Jamiesfoley.com

The last 5 first-editions of Viper Sorvashti is a captive. Jet is a soldier. Both harness the primal power of aether.

Thank you! <3