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Resources We Use and Recommend
Click on the name of the resource/service for a link to learn more.
Independent Book Publishers Association
Word Weavers International
Christian writers critique forum. Has local and online chapters, and hosts writers conferences.
Bowker Identifier Services
The U.S. ISBN agency. Purchase ISBNs and barcodes.
U.S. Copyright Office
Library of Congress Preassigned Control Number Program
Details on securing a Library of Congress catalog control number, which is important to have if you want to sell your book to libraries.
Create a barcode for free using Ingram Spark / Lightning Source’s cover generator
Complete the online form and Lightning Source will email you a template for your cover which includes a barcode. You can use the template to build your cover or cut the barcode from the template and place it in the cover file you have created.
Bookow Free Barcode Generator
Book Design Templates
Beautiful, professionally designed book templates that allow you to quickly produce a quality print book or ebook.
Mockupshots
Create professional product shots of your book quickly and easily.
Snagit (screen capture software)
Easy-to-use screen capture software lets you capture images and videos from your computer screen. Click here to read my blog on why and how I use this tool. Click here to download a free trial.
Grammarly
Online grammar checking, spell checking, and plagiarism detection platform
Draft2Digital
Ebook distribution service
IngramSpark
Print-on-demand and global book distribution for independent authors and publishers.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Self-publish ebooks and paper books for distribution on Amazon and other channels.
Real Fast Indie Book Marketing
Training and support on getting your books into independent bookstores.
Real Fast Library Marketing
Training and support on getting your books into libraries.
Amazon Author Central
A place on Amazon for readers to learn more about you, for you to list your books, make changes to book descriptions, track sales, and more.
MailerLite
Email service provider to use for your email marketing. Free for up to 1,000 subscribers. This link earns you $20 off your first payment if you choose a paid plan.
MailerLite
Email service provider to use for your email marketing. Free for up to 1,000 subscribers. This link earns you $20 off your first payment when you choose a paid plan.
Backblaze
Automatic cloud storage of your Mac or PC files. Access files from anywhere. Go here to read our blog on why and how we use Backblaze. Personal and business accounts available. Free trial.
Social Snap
A WordPress social media plugin that leverages the power of social media to drive more traffic and increase engagement. Features include click to Tweet, social sharing, social followers and more.
Creative Law Center
A resource for creative professionals (writers, artists, photographers) to learn how they can protect their creative assets, deter poachers and enforce rights.
Helen Sedwick, Author and Business Attorney
Helen Sedwick’s website has a range of legal and other information for writers.
The Write Conversation by Edie Melson
A top-ranked writing blog covering a wide range of topics
The Passive Voice
A lawyer’s thoughts on authors, self-publishing and traditional publishing
Writing for Theater and Film
Want to turn your book into a play or movie? This blog post explains the basics and includes links for more information.
Recommended Reading (Books)
Click on the book covers for more information.
Christian Writer’s Manual of Style
The definitive guide for anyone who writes, publishes or references religious materials.
Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook (Second Edition)
10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed
A realistic picture of book publishing
5-Minute Book Marketing for Authors
How to market a book in only 5 minutes a day, and what to do when you are ready to dig deeper and spend more time.
Your Guide to Marketing Christian Books
These strategies and tactics for promoting Christian books can be applied to any type of book.
How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon
A comprehensive, illustrated guide to increasing your Amazon sales dramatically
The Urban Setting Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to City Spaces
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma
Hurting Your Characters: A writer’s guide to describing injuries and pain from the character’s point of view
Learn the immediate effect of the trauma on the body, its physiologic response, and how injuries feel to the character.
How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method
Ten battle-tested steps that jump-start your creativity and help you quickly map out your story.
Focused Backstory: The Key to Writing Deep Character Journeys
Learn how to write characters readers will love.
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