Author Services
Becoming a successful self-published author is no easy task and it wouldn’t be possible without a little help. In the Author Services section of my blog, I will provide links to incredible resources and services that will help you to get on the right path. Please feel free to comment and add any suggestions you may have.
Editing Software
Scrivener is the best writing tool on the market for aspiring authors. The license is a one-time purchase that is very affordable for all that it offers. I would go into the details here, but the functionality is so extensive that it fill the page. If you want to learn more, click on the hyperlink and check out the website.
Adobe is a trusted name and they have done it again with Acrobat DC Pro. Whether you want to create, view, edit or protect a PDF, this is the software that will make it all possible with style and ease. The cost is minimal for what you get.
I can’t say enough about this FREE editing software package; it does everything – text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, and even databases! Although I write my manuscripts in Scrivener, I do a little bit of everything in Open Office.
Image Editors
As a FREE application, GIMP is an incredible image editor with all the tools you’ll need to design your book covers, promotional material, or blog images. Like any good image editor, it is a bit complicated to use but there are many instructional videos out there and plenty of forums that will help you to master its use.
This choice may seem a little weird, but I use Microsoft Paint religiously. Simplistic and free, it’s perfect for editing screen captures and scaling images.
Stock Images
This website is an amazing resource of FREE for commercial use stock images with no attributions required. Most, if not all, of the images you see on my blog come from this website.
If you don’t find what you are looking for on Pixabay, you’ll find it on iStock. It is a paid service, but you can either buy images individually or sign up for a cheap monthly plan that allows you ten downloads per month.
Advertisement & Marketing
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon’s KDP service is an all-inclusive way to get your work on the ecommerce market. Not only will it give an effective way to sell your books, it also includes free or paid promotion options.
While goodreads doesn’t directly sell books, the website is a great tool for authors. On goodreads, you can create an author account that will list your books with links for purchase, publicize your author details, entice new readers and generate reviews. In addition, it is a great place to track your own reading goals and connect with other readers.
Readers’ Favorite is a great tool for aspiring novelists. They offer a FREE professional review of your books or, for a small fee, an express review with a critique and advertisements. Regularly, the hold contests for a variety of awards. My first two novels both received the Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal and I’ve used their reviews in the front matter of my books.
Book Promotion Websites
If you’re running a promotion, whether it’s a free giveaway or a reduced price sale, these websites are where you want to advertise. Some are free and a few charge a fee but all them can generate new sales.
By no means is this list all-inclusive, but it should give you a good start. I will continue to update the page regularly as new products and services are made available. Best of luck with your writing and keep at it!
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