Introducing My Writing Network: A free web platform for writers!

my writing network free websites for writersSo, you’re a writer. Me, too! And if you’re anything like me, that probably means you want to get your words out there in front of as many people as possible.

These days, that means having an online presence.

You’d love your own website, but the idea feels overwhelming… and you’re worried it might turn out to be expensive, with hidden fees dinging you when you least expect it. In fact, just thinking about it makes you anxious, and so you put the idea aside yet again… even though you know you might be missing out.

How does a free website sound? No strings, no hidden fees, no credit card info required? Continue reading “Introducing My Writing Network: A free web platform for writers!”

Amazon Author Central Refresher Course

Author Central LikefestMany authors are unaware of the excellent resource provided by Amazon.com: the Author Central page. If you can’t afford, don’t have, or don’t want a website – your Author Central page is a great substitute. You can send people there to read more about you, see and hopefully buy your books, watch videos, read tweets, blog posts, and more.

Amazon Author Central pages are free. Each time we vet a book, we check to make certain a book is linked to one. If it’s not, you’ll be advised to make that happen before we run your feature. After all, if people can’t see all your books in one place and/or get to know you a little better in their book purchasing process – that sort of defeats the purpose of running a feature, doesn’t it? That’s akin to running an advertisement and listing a disconnected phone number. Epic fail.

Getting your own Amazon Author Central page is fast and easy. We have a number of tutorials here on Indies Unlimited to help authors take advantage of all the features Author Central offers. And now, here they are – in one convenient place just for you. Continue reading “Amazon Author Central Refresher Course”

Amazon.com: Author Central Pages

Whether you think Amazon.com is too big for its own good, or not, doesn’t matter. As Indie authors, we’re all on it, and we all need it. One thing Amazon does do well is providing authors with tools to get the word out about their work(s). You’ve got to give them that.

But not all authors are taking advantage of the free tools offered by Amazon.com. Today, we’re going to start with Amazon Author Central pages – because this is the FIRST thing an author should do.

One way Amazon makes Author Central pages convenient is that you don’t need to set up a special author account. You can use your existing customer account log-in (if you’re already a customer). If you’re not, you can set up an account. This account is NOT linked to your Kindle Direct or Createspace accounts, if you have those. This is completely separate.

Before I show you how to claim and set up your author page, you’d probably like to know why you need one. #1 – they’re free. It’s like having your own multi-media website from which people can also buy your books. #2 – you can post your biography, video trailers and even rss feeds from your blog(s) and twitter there. #3 – you can post upcoming events, signings, appearances, etc. #4 – potential readers can post questions directly to you in the “discussions” forum. And lastly #5 – All your books will be linked to one page where people can see everything: how many books, how many reviews, and the cost. Here’s a screen shot of my Amazon.com Author Central page to give you an idea (click on it to enlarge): Continue reading “Amazon.com: Author Central Pages”