Business & Publishing Resources

Figured I should start creating this. Splitting this into a few areas. One is generic business advice, the other is more publishing.

Before you read this though, realise that I have a general business degree and a marketing degree. I also ran a business for 12 years. 

I have read a LOT of books, many of whom were just meh to me - because they reiterated what I knew with a nugget of information inside - while others that are good (e.g. Blue Ocean Strategy) is less useful for authors. I built my business scaffolding over two decades, so... if there's things missing here, sorry. I sometimes can't see the water I swim in.

That being said, I'd be happy to add to this list. Send me your recommendations.

Business Resources

The E-Myth - for anyone running a business and looking to expand.

Harvard Business Review Book for New Managers - Learning the basics of business, leadership and how to read a financial statement

... I want to put a book in here about basic bookkeeping but since I learnt what I did in a more elaborate fashion, I have never read one. I'd love it if people could help. Basically, bookkeeping & cashflow analysis and forecasting would be perfect!

Contracts & Scams

Closing the Deal on Your Terms (Book) - This has more to do with dealbreakers in contracts that crop up. A very good primer on things to watch out for.

Writer's Beware (blog) - Up to date scams. ALWAYS check here before you do a deal with a publisher. Also, ask around - but check here first!

Writer's Beware (website) - common schemes & scams. Generic information to read and get used to.

Copyright

The Copyright Handboook - What Every Writer Needs to Know - read it. Understand it. Use it.

The Writer was Screwed but Didn't Have to Be - Very screenwriting / Hollywood focused. Also, I found it very basic. But if you're just starting out, this can be quite useful as it is an easier read than above, covers some copyright stuff and contract things. Dated so read with care.

Advertising (Generic)

Hey Whipple, Squeeze This - It's about ads but... guess what? Your cover is an ad. Read this to understand the basics of what a good ad is and the kind of things you need to think about.

The Copywriter's Handbook - On how to write copy. Like, for your blurbs? :)

And you should combine the above copywriting book with one geared towards online copyrwriting. Check around for online sites via google. The above book has some, but I found the online sites (especially those with how-to guides for long, one page copy) better. Sadly, I don't have those resources bookmarked anymore. 

That'll get you a basic understanding of generic advertising stuff. Not marketing, though a good book on marketing strategy might be useful to give you ideas...

Author Advertising (Specific)

Firstly, I don't recommend advertising till you have AT LEAST 3 books in a series. I'd prefer 5 and 9 books in general (i.e. not in a series or across multiple series). The reason for that is you aren't going to get a good ROI until you do. And yes, you can make money with just 1 book; but the amount of time you are putting into it is huge and the returns on your time invested suck. That doesn't mean don't market it (FB groups, reddit, etc.) but paid advertising is expensive.

Help! My Facebook Ads Suck - Great beginner work. It's cheap, easy to read and if you have used FB ads before, probably  nothing new. But some interesting tips and great for beginners.

Newsletter Ninja - (I haven't read this one yet. Need to read it to decide)

AMS - Mark Dawson's course is super popular. I haven't done it so I can't personally recommend it, but there's probably a good reason he's so popular. Felicia Beasely has a course, I'm taking that one right now. I've listened to her speak, she's good. But the course is expensive.

Authors with Book Series that I think You Should Read

Successful Indie Author (Craig Martelle) - to me, very, very basic stuff. If you're starting out, this is a great series. I particularly got a lot of use from collaborations because that, I never had to deal with. Other stuff (like pricing) was less useful, but I run my own tests. Generally, worth reading.

The Three-year, No-bestseller Plan For Making a Sustainable Living From Your Fiction (Patty Jansen) - Patty writes and distributes wide. Because of that, her viewpoint is different. If you're going wide, it's worth reading over.

WMG Writer's Guide Series - most of the content on these books can be found for free on Kristyn Kathryn Rusch's blog and Dean Wesley Smith's website.  In generally more complex form. I recommend reading both sites for on-going information.

Generic Author Sites & Groups

Kboards - The Writer's Cafe used to be more useful, but lots of answers to questions, editors, proofers cover artists offering services, etc.

20Booksto50k Group - Probably the best and most informative group. There are regularly posts with great information. Just temper your expectations when you see successes - sometimes, you won't be part of those. Also... consider if the recommendations work for you. As they say, there are multiple paths up the mountain. Choose yours and use what you can. 

6 Figure Authors - More podcast than site, but well worth checking in on.

Kriswrites  -  Kristyn Kathryn Rusch's Business Blog has been going on for years and has a TON of great information. Understand that she and Dean Wesley Smith have very clear and strong beliefs, Some, I don't agree with. But, realise they are also authors who have been writing for over 30 years, full-time. There's something there. 

Alright, that's my list. Do you have your own? 

No craft links here. Sorry. Personally, I think craft stuff is so subjective to an individual's needs that generic book recommendations might not be that useful.