When we launched our first Shelf Unbound Writing Competition for Best Self-Published Book last fall, I was thrilled by the response (800+ entries), by the quality of the submissions, and by the sense of
Writing Competition
First, the call for entries for our second annual writing competition for
Notable Authors
Second, we’re launching a regular department that will feature notable books submitted to our competition that did not make it into the “winners” issue.
Blogging
Third, to provide a forum and community for self-published authors, I’m inviting self-published authors to be guest bloggers on the Shelf Media blog. I’m looking for 250- to 300-word essays on writing and/or self-publishing—talk about your book and give it a plug and include your website and/or links to your book. Just email me your text and I’ll let you know when I run it (margaret@shelfmediagroup.com). Please put “guest blog” in your subject line.
Finally, we have ad rates for self-published authors starting as low as $250 – shoot me an email if you’d like details – Margaret@shelfmediagroup.com.
I invite you all to be a part of the Shelf Unbound magazine community. I wish you all the best in the New Year. Keep writing.
Margaret Brown is the founder and publisher of Shelf Unbound book review magazine, a 2012 Maggie Award Finalist for Best Digital-Only Magazine. She is a lifetime member of the National Book Critics Circle.
A big problem with independent writing is the leeches that feed off of you – so-called publicisits, marketers, pr firms, you name it. They swarm on you like flies, but deliver little, if anything. I’ve had my share of blind alleys up that route.
Question, “Who can you trust?” Even though my first book was self-published, I still enlisted the services of a publishing company in order to get my library of congress number, the ISBN, get listed with Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other book sellers. My problem is, I have yet to receive any royalties even though I know books were sold. I am working on my second book and am in need of another publisher. Who can I trust?
This is a great opportunity for self-published authors to advertise their work. Blogging and letting everyone know about their book. Self-publishing is all about hard work and good work.