The Recently Read posts are not typical book reviews. As a writer, I do not believe I should be reviewing the hard work of other writers. These posts are simply books I have recently read and enjoyed and will share with you. They will not always be crime books as I am trying to widen my reading selection. I hope you enjoy some of these with me.
Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant and David Wright
In 2013, Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt published 1.5 million words and made their full-time livings as indie authors. In Write. Publish. Repeat., they tell you exactly how they did it: how they created over 15 independent franchises across 50+ published works, how they turned their art into a logical, sustainable business, and how any independent author can do the same to build a sustainable, profitable career with their writing.
Write. Publish. Repeat. explains the current self-publishing landscape and covers the truths and myths about what it means to be an indie author now and in the foreseeable future. It explains how to create books your readers will love and will want to return to again and again. Write. Publish. Repeat. details expert methods for building story worlds, characters, and plots, understanding your market (right down to your ideal reader), using the best tools possible to capture your draft, and explains proven best practices for editing. The book also discusses covers, titles, formatting, pricing, and publishing to multiple platforms, plus a bit on getting your books into print (and why that might not be a good idea!). But most importantly, Write. Publish. Repeat. details the psychology-driven marketing plan that Sean and Johnny built to shape their stories into “products” that readers couldn’t help but be drawn into — thus almost automatically generating sales — and explores ways that smart, business-minded writers can do the same to future-proof their careers.
This book is not a formula with an easy path to follow. It is a guidebook that will help you build a successful indie publishing career, no matter what type of writer you are … so long as you’re the type who’s willing to do the work.
My Thoughts;
This book is geared towards the self published author, but I found that there is a lot of information inside the cover, that any author, planning to publish, either independently or otherwise, could find useful.
If you are planning on self publishing then this is a great book to read. If you are intending to go the traditional route then you still wouldn’t do yourself any harm in reading this because there is plenty in there that you can benefit from.
They discuss using Beta readers during their writing process and how to be specific with them rather than just handing over your work and getting random stuff back. And they also discuss the dreaded “platform”.
One quote I highlighted from the book was – “The harder I work, the luckier I get,” That kind of says it all doesn’t it?
Yes, there is information inside specific to the self publisher, but these writers are prolific and if you want a career in writing, you need to write and if you like to read writing books, then this is a great one.
Irish writer Mel Healy says
Thanks Rebecca – I’ve put it on my Kindle’s TBR list…
– Mel
Rebecca Bradley says
You’re welcome Mel. That’s the problem with book posts isn’t it – our TBR lists just keep growing! This is an interesting writing book though.
Elizabeth Hein says
Thanks, Rebecca. I will look for the book. I am struggling with the whole platform thing these days, so it would be very timely.
Rebecca Bradley says
I enjoyed it but the authors are very full on anyway (I listen to their podcasts sometimes) Let me know what you think if you read it.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Not self-published, but might be a good book to read. Can use all the help I can get!
Rebecca Bradley says
That’s why I read it Alex. I’m aiming for the traditional route but there was plenty in it for me to take from it.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – Thanks for this. I always find it very useful to read about what other authors have done. It may not always work for me, but I think we can learn from each other.
Rebecca Bradley says
That’s it Margot, as shown in the first draft posts, we all work very differently but any snippets of ideas that help me in some way, I’m always up for reading.
Jacqui Murray says
Sounds like a great book. The title sure says it all–write, publish, market, sell, repeat.
Rebecca Bradley says
It is a, does what it says on the tin, book π
diannegray says
This sounds really interesting. I’ve never been able to gauge ‘my ideal reader’ – but I’m sure they’re out there somewhere (I just have to find them!) π
Rebecca Bradley says
They’re the sweet spot aren’t they! π