I might be a bit late to the party on this one, but I’ve recently discovered the brilliance of Wikimedia Commons. This is a free, online resource that serves as a central location for photos, diagrams, maps and much more. It works by contributors uploading files, which must be freely licensed or in the public domain. Volunteers then review and categorise the content, and anyone can access the files and use them according to their licensing terms. If you are looking for a part

It’s always lovely when someone writes to you to praise your work, but we all need to be wary of how genuine these kinds of emails are. In this advanced AI culture, there probably isn’t a human behind the message at all, but a complex program reaching out to several recipients at the same time. Here are a few pointers on what to watch out for if you find yourself on the receiving end of an offer that seems too good to be true. EXAMPLE Here’s a typical approach I have receiv

This blog is designed to help if you’re setting up a Facebook Ad. It was recommended by ASPA member Kimberley at a recent Prose and Cons meeting, and it links to a YouTube video that explains the intricate settings you need to make the most of Facebook Ads, especially if you’re selling books. Facebook uses so many automated settings powered by AI, designed to make setting up an ad quick and easy and to provide a good user experience. However, that doesn’t always mean they are

When you first step into the world of publishing, you discover a whole range of confusing words that you have not come across before: ISBNs, metadata, trim sizes, distribution channels, to name but a few. One term that often puzzles new authors is “imprint.” It sounds quite technical, but in reality, it’s very straightforward. What is an imprint? An imprint is the publishing name that appears on your books. It is the name that readers, booksellers and libraries see on: ·

Advertising can feel overwhelming for authors with so many platforms, budgets and targeting options to choose from. It is so easy to spend money and yet not see much return on your investment. This is where the SMART process can help you: a simple and structured method designed to plan precise advertising campaigns and measure what works. SMART is used by businesses across the globe and not just by writers, but it can be very useful to you as an author if you are planning to

Most writers have an online presence for readers to explore their books and follow their work, and a favicon is a discreet and powerful part of this process. Literally short for ‘favourite icon’, a favicon is the tiny icon that appears next to someone’s page in browser tabs, bookmarks, and mobile shortcuts. You can design one however you want it to look, so that it reflects your genre or your personality. It is far more than a decoration, but a discreet way to build a brand a