AllAuthor 

AllAuthor has it all: advice for writers, book promotion opportunities, social media exposure, book reviews, author interviews, book cover contests, and much more. Your featured books get mock-ups every week, which they send out all over the internet and which you can use in your own promotions. 

You can use much of what they offer for free, but the benefits really pay off when you pay to have your book(s) featured. All four of my Tetrasphere books are featured, and AllAuthor sends out tweets featuring each of them several times a week. I have seen my book sales increase as a result. 

  — Patty

Writers Helping Writers 

A one stop resource for writers, this site has many one-of-a-kind tools and resources for writers, editors and teachers. 

Sign up for their email list for informational blog posts, and check out the bookstore for their unusual and writing-geared Thesaurus guides. I use the Emotion Thesaurus regularly. Also check out One Stop for Writers on the About page.  

I enjoy their blog posts and have found this site helpful. 

    — Patty

Reedsy 

Reedsy is another site with all the information an author could ask for, including free training courses, hundreds of vetted service providers, editing, writing contests, short story ideas, book reviews, and so much more. Visit the site, and just look at the Tools list in the menu! 

Registration is free and so are many of their services. Judging from the quality of the information, and some interaction via email, I’d say their paid services will be worth the price. I intend to use their book review service, and I’ll let you know how that goes!

    — Patty

Pixabay

For free images and royalty-free stock images for your promotions, websites, newsletters, etc., Pixabay has hundreds of choices, and you can search for specific topics. 

There are other websites out there where you can get great images, but most charge a fee. Pixabay is free. I recommend you sign up for an account (also free). 

I’ve used Pixabay images and videos in websites, including this one, in trailers, and in newsletters. I use it all the time. 

    — Patty

Mockupshots

Here’s where I get some amazing mock-ups I can use anywhere! I’ve used mock-ups of our book covers in this website, and because I personally purchased the program for a one-time fee, I can use it for all my advertising, anywhere I choose. I’ve used it for headshots, book covers, series covers, and there are even animated .gifs. Their mock-up scenarios are different from the ones AllAuthor uses. I consider it an excellent resource, very little money well-spent.

    — Patty 

Build Book Buzz – Do-It-Yourself Book Marketing Tips, Tool, and Tactics

An award-winning site, Build Book Buzz resources help take the guesswork and mystery out of book marketing, promotion, and publicity.

Sandra Beckwith teaches authors how to reach more readers by creating training programs that take the mystery out of key book marketing tactics and by working one-on-one with them so they get over, under, or around book marketing and sales roadblocks or obstacles. (Read More)

 I’m on her mailing list and I’ve downloaded some of her free resources. I highly recommend this site!

— Patty

Kindlepreneur – Learn to Sell More Books Today

“Having spent years working with other self-publishing authors, I realized that the number one problem that people were having wasn’t writing the book, but marketing it once they had it published.” 

Dave Chesson offers many free resources, including podcasts and YouTube videos covering all aspects of book marketing.

 — Patty

Florida Writers Association – Writers Helping Writers

 Providing members with an incredible networking system, FWA is focused on beginning and advanced writers within a professional atmosphere.

Podcasts, Events, a magazine asking for submissions, classes… This is a great all-around resource center for writers. Members pay less for many of their resources, including conferences and workshops, but the cost of membership is not prohibitive and is well-worth it, particularly for Florida writers.

I’ve been a member for several years, and two of my books won Finalist and Bronze in their highly regarded Royal Palm Literary Awards competition.

 — Patty

A Writer’s Path – Sharing writing tips, information, and advice

Ryan Lantz offers a wide range of services, from book cover design to editing to manuscript evaluation to blurb writing and beyond. I’ve found the blog articles to be informative and helpful, and I’ve used his advertising in the sidebars of his site.

As a club member, you’ll get up to 50% off the services and some freebies, too. I’ve been a member for a few years, and it’s cost me a whopping $1 a month. As far as I know, he hasn’t increased the price.

Another great site for writers!

— Patty

Author Kristen Lamb – Author, Speaker, Professional Troublemaker

Kristen Lamb offers some of the best, most entertaining, advice for authors I’ve come across. I’ve taken one of her classes, where I learned a lot and enjoyed every minute of it. She’s knowledgeable, witty, and pulls no punches. Her W.A.N.A. Tribe (We Are Not Alone) offers a forum for writers, full of good advice and problem/solution sharing. 

Go…Explore! A great resource for writers!

— Patty

Jane Friedman – Author, Teacher, Speaker, Great Advice Giver

“Jane Friedman has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in business strategy for authors and publishers. She’s the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential industry newsletter for authors, and has previously worked for F+W Media and the Virginia Quarterly Review.

“Jane’s newest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press); Publishers Weekly said that it is “destined to become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in publishing careers.” Also, in collaboration with The Authors Guild, she wrote The Authors Guild Guide to E-Publishing.

“In addition to being a columnist with Publishers Weekly and a professor with The Great Courses, Jane maintains an award-winning blog for writers at JaneFriedman.com; her expertise has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, PBS, CBS, the National Press Club and many other outlets.”

Read more about Jane HERE, and then visit her website to see all she has to offer. She’s a wonderful resource!

— Patty