The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #8)

This post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.

Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.

The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)

Unity and Independence

July 1st is Canada Day and I, along with my fellow ‘Canucks’, will be celebrating with BBQ picnics, parades, family and fireworks.

As many of my readers from the U.S. will also be frolicking in similar festivities–albeit a few days later-I thought I could squeeze in these helpful links before our productivity slides too far downhill! 🙂

Featured Articles

The Democratization of Publishing–Independence is Scary by Kristen Lamb at Kristen Lamb’s Blog

In her post, Kristen compares the changes in the publishing industry to leaving home for the first time. Is safety and comfort worth the limits placed on freedom and choice?

8 Important Questions to Ask Before You Publish Your Book by Carol Tice at Make a Living Writing

Carol outlines some basic questions every author should ask themselves before they publish, to help pinpoint when to publish and where to focus your marketing efforts.

What Do Self-Published Authors Need by Hugh Howey at Hugh Howey.com

Hugh’s post and interesting response to a reader’s question on what self-published authors need. My favourite part is actually a discussion in the comments. One commenter: “You would have to deal with the fear of people ‘stealing’ your idea…”

The response by another commenter (TJIC): “I’ve started two companies and I’ve written two novels, and I find that almost universally, people who WANT to do one or both of these things worry about ideas being stolen, and people who HAVE done either one of these things know the truth: ideas are cheap and competent execution is really really REALLY hard.”

How Self-Published Books Are Made: Start to Finish (PART II) by Catherine Howard at Catherine Ryan Howard.com

A monster two-part post on everything from book creation to marketing it after it’s made. Catherine even provides a a 32 point, self-publishing checklist to keep you on track.

“The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up: Don’t miss it!” (Click to Tweet)

How Can You Sell More Books Through Your Blog by Lindsay Buroker at Lindsay Buroker.com

Excellent tips by Lindsay, not only on the importance of tracking your book sales on your site, but how to increase the effectiveness of your site as a sales tool.

Amazon KDP Select: How I Got Over 20K Downloads by Liz Long at Liz C. Long

A great first hand account of the process and strategy Liz took to promote her novel using Amazon KDP Select.

How to REALLY Create a Popular Blog From Scratch by Ana Hoffman at Traffic Generation Cafe

Do you want to know what it takes to boost your blog from crickets chirping to fan engagement? Learn the hurdles you must overcome to grow your blog from zero to hero.

Find Your Voice: Get More Traffics, Clicks and Engagement (Video) by Chase Reeves at Think Traffic

A hilarious video by Chase Reeves that drives home the point that you and your work are best represented by authenticity. Trying to act, talk or write like someone you’re not, isn’t unique. You are. So share that.

12 Tips For Successful Book Launch Parties by Joel Friedlander at The Book Designer

Some important questions to ask yourself, plus great tips from Joel on planning and executing your book launch party.

How to Connect With More Readers in Just 5 Minutes by Toni Tesori at Jane Friedman.com

Great article by Toni on how to develop your ‘grassroots following’ by narrowing your target and creating your ‘#1 fan’ profile.

Habits: A Simple Change in Mindset Changes Everything by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits

This post is for those writers who dread social media, blogging or any other task involved in building their writer platform.

Maybe You Shouldn’t Be a Freelance Writer by Dana Sitar at A Writer’s Bucket List

In her article, Dana drops three big “truth bombs” as to why picking up some freelance writing jobs to make a little side money, may not be for you.

How I Created a Tiny Niche Blog That Earns Six Figures by Carol Tice at Write To Done

Another great article from Carol giving us the 10 key elements she incorporated–which we can too–to earn a comfortable income from a blog with a small audience.

Why Guru Strategies For Blog Growth Don’t Work… And What Does by Danny Iny at Firepole Marketing

In his post, Danny maps out the stages of blog growth and the steps and strategies you should be taking at each stage. Leapfrogging your way to success is not likely, but following a simple path can increase your blog’s success.

Just For Fun

Here are some interesting Canadian facts and tid bits:

Canada was named from the Iroquois word kanata, which means village.

More than 75% of the world’s syrup comes from Canada.

The largest mall in the world is West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta (my hometown and Your Writer Platform HQ). It has over 800 stores and services, and holds records for the world’s largest: indoor amusement park,  triple loop roller coaster, indoor lake with four working submarines, and the largest indoor wave pool. (wem.ca)

Many famous authors have come from Canada, including Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables), Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Alice Munro (Lives of Girls and Women). (The Canadian Encyclopedia)

The Loch Ness Monster? Nah! Canada has its own mysterious lake creature, Ogopogo, who reportedly lives in Lake Okanagan, British Columbia.

The average life expectancy at birth for a Canadian is 81.16 years, the eighth highest in the world. The United States ranks 46th, at 78.14 years. (“The World Fact Book: Canada.”) Umm, awkward 😉

Canadian James Naismith invented basketball to give his physical education students at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, an indoor team sport to play during the long winters. (Canadians.ca)

At 3,855,103 square miles, Canada is the second largest country in the world; Russia is first. (“The World Fact Book: Canada”)

A black bear cub from Canada named Winnipeg (or “Winnie,” for short) was one of the most popular attractions at the London Zoo after it was donated to the zoo in 1915. Winnie became a favourite of Christopher Robin Milne and inspired the stories written by his father, A.A. Milne, about Winnie-the-Pooh. (The Canadian Encyclopedia)

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Original photo by nasirkhan