Social Media Posts Don’t Change Minds: Great Writing Does
By: Ginger | Posted on February 14, 2025
In our increasingly divided world, writers often get drawn into the trap of social media debates, using their words to challenge injustices, argue political points, or simply vent frustration about the overall state of society. But while the instant gratification of likes, shares, and comments can feel validating, is it really the best use of a writer’s voice? Or are we just feeding an algorithm designed to stoke division rather than create real impact? In today’s blog, Ginger argues that writers are far more likely to change minds through compelling, thoughtful storytelling than through fleeting social media posts. History has shown that books, essays, and fiction have the power to shift perspectives, shape ideologies, and even inspire revolutions. Instead of chasing the instantly gratifying yet quickly forgotten validation of social media, writers should instead focus on crafting narratives that stand the test of time and create stories that truly make… Read More >
The Five Stages of Writing a Story (According to Lucas)
By: Ginger | Posted on February 7, 2025
In their minds, I think most non-writers imagine all authors to be pantsers. That is, we simply sit down in front of a keyboard and start typing away until we arrive at a finished piece. Of course, the reality is very different. Even if you are a pantser by nature, there are still plenty of steps standing between initial idea and finished product. A successful author only makes it look easy! As Ginger explains in today’s blog, his own writing journey has evolved over the years to a more structured approach than when he first started. But regardless of your style—whether you lean more towards spontaneity or meticulous planning—he believes there are at least five essential stages to successful storytelling. And by using the evolution of the Star Wars saga as an example, he takes us through each stage step-by-step—explaining why each is crucial and how they all come together to tell… Read More >
Is it worth using Unreliable Narration in your stories?
By: Ginger | Posted on January 31, 2025
One of the most powerful tools in an author’s arsenal is the ability to shape a reader’s perception of reality—only to twist that reality on its head. Unreliable narration is one of the most effective ways to do this, drawing readers into a story where the truth is never quite what it seems. When done well, it turns storytelling into an immersive puzzle, compelling readers to read between the lines, question what they’re being told, and uncover hidden truths. Unreliable narrators make for some of the most gripping and memorable characters, as their motives, biases, or even their grasp on reality keep readers guessing until the very end. From psychological thrillers to literary classics, unreliable narration has long been used to create suspense, deepen character development, and deliver shocking twists. But how can you apply this technique to your own writing? In today’s blog, Ginger explores how to do just… Read More >
What can writers learn from Colleen Hoover?
By: Ginger | Posted on January 24, 2025
When it comes to staggeringly successful self-published authors, the name Colleen Hoover should top anyone’s list. Since publishing her debut novel in 2012, she has gone on to become a literary phenomenon with over 20 million books sold and named one of the world’s most influential people in 2023. Her rise to fame should be studied as a blueprint by other aspiring writers, which is exactly what Ginger aims to help with in today’s blog as he breaks down everything that Colleen does right. By analyzing her ability to craft emotionally impactful stories, foster deep reader connections, and navigate the ever-changing publishing world, Ginger uncovers strategies that resonate far beyond the page. Hoover’s career offers countless lessons, from the art of creating unforgettable characters to leveraging modern tools like social media to engage and grow a devoted readership. Whatever skill it is you need to grow, there’s plenty to learn… Read More >
Returns, Refunds, and Chargebacks: The Ugly Side of Direct Sales
By: Ginger | Posted on January 17, 2025
Whether it’s the promise of greater creative freedom, faster payments, more control over pricing, or the opportunity to build a deeper connection with your audience, direct sales is steadily gaining popularity within the self-publishing community. Yet, this entrepreneurial approach comes with a hidden cost: the responsibility of personally managing customer service issues like refunds, returns, and chargebacks. But while having a customer demand their money back for one of your books can feel personal, it’s rarely a reflection of your work or talent. Instead, it’s simply part of the cost of doing business—a challenge that every business owner must eventually navigate. Today, Ginger takes a closer look at these customer service challenges, sharing his personal advice on managing refunds and chargebacks with ease. From understanding why readers request them to strategies for minimizing their impact, he offers practical tips to handle these situations efficiently and professionally. It doesn’t matter if… Read More >
Amazon’s Latest Ad Change Goes Too Far
By: Ginger | Posted on January 10, 2025
While Amazon can be credited with starting the self-publishing boom, it’s been a long time since it served as a true safe haven for independent authors. What was once a platform where organic discoverability thrived has slowly devolved into a pay-to-play system ruled by corporate greed. With product pages increasingly cluttered with ads, the “Also Bought” ribbon was the last hope an author had of being discovered without having to break open their wallet. But with this latest change, even that final refuge has been corrupted. As Ginger argues in today’s blog, this latest change to a book’s product page crosses a line at a time when fair play was already hanging by a thread. It’s arguably one of Amazon’s most brazen tactics yet, and not only erodes consumer trust but also signals that a company so fixated on profits over quality of service may be on the brink of… Read More >
How Bad Ad Creative Can Hurt Your Sales
By: Ginger | Posted on January 3, 2025
When it comes to book marketing, your ad creative—images, headlines, and taglines—plays a critical role in the success of your campaigns. Even the best advertising strategy can fail if the creative doesn’t resonate with your audience. Ads are often the first impression of your book for potential readers, and if that impression falls flat, no amount of targeting or budgeting can make up for it. Poor ad creative doesn’t just hurt your clicks, it can actively drive up your advertising costs. That’s why this week, Ginger is laying out exactly how the quality of your ad creative can make or break your book’s marketing efforts, and the strategies you can use to identify what works and what doesn’t. More importantly, he also shares some practical tips for creating engaging, high-performing ads that not only drive traffic but also connect with your readers. A few weeks ago I wrote a post answering… Read More >
Splitting Your Ad Budget When Doing Direct Sales
By: Ginger | Posted on December 27, 2024
Direct sales are gaining traction among self-published authors, offering not only higher profits but also faster access to your well-earned revenue. Yet questions still remain with regards to balancing the advantages of direct sales with the invaluable perks of driving traffic to Amazon—like boosted rankings, increased reviews, and organic visibility. Especially if this means having to split your ad budget to cover both cases. Is it worth it? That’s why today, Ginger is examining ways in which we can balance these two competing strategies. What if you could run ads that effectively drive traffic to both your direct sales site and your storefront listing without sabotaging one for the other? It’s a tactic with the potential to deliver the best of both worlds—and one that he’s personally tested. So whether you’re already selling direct or just considering it, these strategies will help you maximize every marketing dollar you spend. Recently,… Read More >
How To Set Up Defensive Advertising
By: Ginger | Posted on December 20, 2024
When it comes to advertising your book, few things are more frustrating than seeing your hard-earned customer traffic redirected to someone else’s work. Defensive Advertising is a strategy that makes sure your product pages showcase only your books, protecting your readers from clicking off to another author’s titles. Even better, it supercharges your marketing efforts by leveraging Amazon’s algorithms to your advantage. So, how do you set it up? Today, Ginger is breaking it all down, step by step, complete with handy screenshots. From gathering your book details to navigating campaign setup, this guide has you covered. Plus, he’s sharing personal tips to boost results while keeping costs low. If you’re running ads for your books, it is essential that you are familiar with the concepts below to ensure you’re keeping readers engaged and maximizing sales. Whenever I mention “Defensive Advertising” in one of my blog posts, I receive emails… Read More >
What Can Writers Learn by Studying the Novels of Jilly Cooper?
By: Ginger | Posted on December 13, 2024
For fans of romantic fiction, the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel Rivals is a long-awaited celebration of an author who has been shaping the genre for decades. If you haven’t yet discovered the work of this British writer, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. The fact is, Cooper is more than just a successful novelist. She’s a trailblazer whose wit, charm, and unforgettable characters have earned her a devoted following across generations. Ginger counts himself among those fans, which is why he’s taken a closer look at the glitz, glamor, and steaminess of her novels to uncover the invaluable lessons they offer to other writers. From her expert use of character and pacing to her sharp dialogue and picturesque settings, Jilly Cooper’s books are a masterclass in storytelling and thus the perfect study choice for for authors looking to hone their skills. One of… Read More >