Month: December 2023

How to Revamp your Publishing Empire in 2024

By: Ginger | Posted on December 29, 2023

Self-publishing is essentially the same as running a business, with books as your product. That means you can’t just write a novel, hit publish, and sit back as the profits roll in on your publishing empire. Like any business, you have to watch the market and your competitors, improve your existing stock, and make sure that customers are aware of what you have to offer! As a new year dawns, there is no better time to start planning how to improve your publishing business, and to help with that, Ginger has put together a month by month plan of what to look at and what to take action on.  The start of a new year leads many people to make “New Year Resolutions” – goals and promises intended to lead to a happier, healthier life in the months ahead.  Personally, I’m a huge fan of New Year Resolutions – even… Read More >

Best Romances Novels to Keep You Warm

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on December 26, 2023

Are you looking for the best romance novels to keep you warm as the weather chills? We’ve got you covered. Today we’ve brought a variety of recent romance novels to tickle the fancy of whatever it is you’re into, from age-gap to dark mafia romances. These books were popular with our ARC readers, which means you’ll probably love them as well. Ruthless Possession by Zoe Delaney Despite Bianca Carlotti’s disdain, Gregorio is bound to marry her to fuel his vengeance against those who threaten him. Kidnapping her is simple, and as his wife, he’ll tame Bianca, introducing her to the luxuries she missed and molding her into a woman suited for his world. Whether she approves or not… “Ruthless Possession was my first foray into mafia romance, and wow. Just WOW. I devoured the book in a day and my head is still spinning from the suspense. I never thought… Read More >

The Twelve Writing Tips of Christmas

By: Ginger | Posted on December 22, 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, we thought it was a good time to reiterate some of the top tips that authors should be thinking about in terms of their books and marketing efforts. And since the holidays are upon us, it seemed appropriate to put them all together in a festive and familiar way.  So with that said, here are Ginger’s twelve writing tips of Christmas. May they help lead you to happiness and success as you continue on your publishing journey in 2024! Snow has already started falling across much of the United States and Canada, leaving many of us with backyards and main streets that look something out of a holiday-themed small-town romance novel. (So be wary all you successful big-city girls heading back to spend the holidays with your family, because there might just be a flannel-wearing hottie handyman waiting there to sweep you off your… Read More >

Books for Young Adults on the Winter Break

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on December 19, 2023

Are your middle-grade or young readers looking for books to fill the winter break? Our Hidden Gems ARC readers recently loved the following titles, and we bet these books for young adults will satisfy the younger readers in your life, as well. Who knows – you may find yourself a fan of the following titles, too.   10 Minute Stories From Greek Mythology – Gods, Heroes, and Monsters by Joy Chester With 35+ ratings and a 4.8 average star rating, 10 Minute Stories from Greek Mythology is just that – short stories to get your child excited about reading with quick, thrilling stories of Greek Mythology. Todd A raves in his five star Amazon review, “…Perfect for modern, busy lifestyles, it offers an ideal balance of education and entertainment. The innovative format makes these legendary tales accessible for a quick bedtime story or as an educational tool. The thoughtful omission… Read More >

Avoid these top 10 Grammatical Errors

By: Ginger | Posted on December 15, 2023

As authors, we all strive for perfection in our storytelling, yet sometimes, minor grammatical errors can overshadow our work. That’s why understanding the rules and making sure your book is properly edited is so crucial. You don’t want readers getting distracted by small mistakes, or even worse, having the more overly enthusiastic of the bunch listing the errors out in their review! To help you recognize and rectify these mistakes before going to print, Ginger has put together a list of the 10 most pervasive grammatical errors. From subject-verb agreement to the nuances of punctuation and the pitfalls of passive voice, he provides examples and advice on identifying and fixing a variety of issues. After all, mastering grammar is not just about avoiding criticism; it’s about refining your art and ensuring that your narrative shines in its fullest glory. Did anybody catch the fifth Indiana Jones movie this summer? While… Read More >

Spirituality Themed Books to Expand Your Mind

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on December 12, 2023

Spirituality themed books encompass a diverse array of subjects. Individual beliefs and sources of inspiration vary from person to person of course, but we’ve curated a selection of books on faith and spirituality that received high praise from Hidden Gems ARC reviewers. Explore the list to discover your next enlightening read. Christ vs Satan – The Second Coming of Christ: Lucifer Rebellion. The Real Matrix Series by Trinity Royal Have you ever pondered the eternal conflict between God and the Devil? Have you questioned the origins of the War in Heaven or delved into the significance of Lucifer’s Rebellion? Do you find yourself wondering about the connection between the celestial battle and its manifestation on Earth, as well as the persistent presence of darkness? Author Trinity Royal will take you on a journey beyond space and time to find the answers. “I absolutely loved this book and am convinced only… Read More >

Amazon’s Virtual Voice poised to change Audiobook Industry

By: Ginger | Posted on December 8, 2023

This December, Amazon invited a number of self-published authors to beta-test Virtual Voice – a service that promises to make the production and distribution of audiobooks as easy, seamless, and accessible as Kindle Direct Publishing was for authors of the written word. However, many audiobook producers and voice actors are upset at this platform – arguing that it will devastate their business model, and ultimately diminish the quality of audiobooks being offered to the public. Today, Ginger takes a look at this service and why, while not the first of its kind, it is likely to become the most dominant. He also examines what it means to the industry, both from the perspective of authors as well as from the perspective of the human narrators and audiobook producers that it is poised to displace. Amazon revolutionized the publishing industry on November 19, 2007 with the launch of the Kindle, an… Read More >

Mystery Novels to Add to your Holiday Wish List

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on December 5, 2023

One of the most amazing things about the mystery genre is that there truly is something for everyone. No matter which side of the spectrum you prefer, we can all agree that page-turning intrigue is a must. If you’re looking for a gripping mystery to read over the holidays, this list is for you. Naked Came the Detective by Glendall C. Jackson III With 50+ ratings and a 4.7 star average, Naked Came the Detective by Glendall C. Jackson III is an award winning novella that isn’t your typical murder mystery. Celine describes in her five star Amazon review why you should add this to your TBR list, “…This book stands out as a refreshing and thought-provoking addition to the world of fiction. What immediately strikes the reader is the novel’s ability to subvert traditional expectations. It weaves a compelling narrative that isn’t bound by the conventional rules of the… Read More >

What can writers learn from reading Freida McFadden?

By: Ginger | Posted on December 1, 2023

Physician turned New York Times bestseller Freida McFadden is a beacon of self-publishing success, not only for writing wonderfully addictive books, but for making all the right moves to promote them as well. Any author looking to up their own game need look no further than Freida as an example of what to do right, which is exactly why Ginger has been studying her work. In today’s blog, he’s taking us through what he’s learned with regards to what has made Freida so incredibly successful. Whether it’s her skillful use of suspense and masterful crafting of plot twists, or her domination of social media and marketing copy, McFadden’s methods offer a treasure trove of lessons for other self-published authors that are looking to leave their own mark in the world of literature. While many of us self-published authors struggle to find success with our books, there are a good number… Read More >