by Tom Ashford

Welcome to the SPF Weekly Write-Up, where each Wednesday we collect together the self-publishing news of the week so you don’t have to.

This week: an insight into the agent process, how to build a high-revenue writing business, and Ads for Authors is open again.

How to get Published (According to Lots of Traditional-Publishing People)

Never say never – there’s no right or wrong way to get your book out into the hands of readers. Whilst it’s possible for a self-published author to earn a lot more than the average traditionally published writer, if one isn’t the marketing sort then traditional publishing might be the better (if potentially less financially rewarding) option.

This article gives some insight into the literary agent process, particularly their priorities when it comes to existing clients and unsolicited manuscripts. It might surprise you to find out that they do get around to reading them… but the agent being interviewed was honest in saying that they do take lowest priority.

There’s plenty more insightful information about trad publishing in the original article, which you can read here… though of course, with the right know-how and hard work, self-publishing can be far more fruitful for most.

How to Build a High-Revenue Writing Business

There’s more than one way to make a living with your writing… though few as potentially lucrative or rewarding as self-publishing your own books. Copywriting, content writing, etc. etc. And if you’re freelancing you get to be your own boss.

Of course, making the jump to being your own boss (whether you’re working as a copywriter or an indie author) requires a change in mindset and business approach to a more usual, contracted form of employment. Here’s a good interview with Ed Gandia (the host of the High-Income Business Writing Podcast) with some tips for making the transition.

Ads for Author Opens Today!

The premium writing course for those wanting to learn all about Facebook, Amazon and BookBub ads (plus plenty more) is open again! But hurry – enrolment is only open for the next three weeks.

You can hear from some of our successful alumni and enrol for the course here.

Tom Ashford

Tom Ashford is a professional copywriter, author of numerous dark fantasy and sci-fi novels, and the Head of Content at the Self Publishing Formula Blog. His books include the Blackwater trilogy and the Checking Out series.

He lives in London with his wife, in an apartment that doesn’t allow pets. Find out more about Tom here.