Here are my current go-to resources for writing and publishing.
[Please note, some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. Using an affiliate link will not cost you anything but it will mean I will earn a small percentage from the sale if you buy using my link. I only ever recommend tools and resources I use and appreciate.]
Writing
Scrivener. Scrivener is by far the best tool for writing that I’ve ever found. I would give up chocolate before I would give up Scrivener.
The thing that makes Scrivener so profoundly helpful is what they call the ‘binder’ on the left side of each page. The binder is an information collection and organization tool par excellence.
In the image at right you can see there are places for character descriptions (and photos), places for research, and lots of opportunity for notes to self. When I’m writing a novel I keep a list of To Dos so that I remember to close story loops and complete other creative tasks.
Having all this information in one place is invaluable.
Not to mention that you can drag and drop chapters, reordering them with just one click and drag.
Scrivener is a powerful tool and I probably only use 35% of its functionality. But that’s enough to make my writing life exponentially better than when I was keeping all my chapters in individual Word documents and then merging them when I needed to organize my thoughts. Ugh!
Publishing
Vellum. When a book’s manuscript is complete it needs to be formatted into the requisite files (EPUB and PDF) in order to publish. We can use very advanced tools like Adobe InDesign, but I prefer Vellum.
Vellum is super user friendly, although it does require a small bit of technical acumen. It does most of the heavy lifting for authors.
Vellum works with Apple computers or with MacinCloud on a PC.
When I publish a book I do so using some or all of the following platforms:
Ebook: Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital (for libraries and other smaller bookstores), Kobo, and GooglePlay.
Paperback: Amazon KDP and IngramSpark (for libraries and bookstores)
Large Print: Amazon KDP and IngramSpark (for libraries and bookstores)
Hardback: IngramSpark
Audiobook: ACX (Amazon’s audio arm), Kobo Audio and InAudio
Author Business
When I want to send a free reader magnet to a new follower I use BookFunnel.
BookFunnel delivers the book or file to the reader and helps walk them through loading it onto their tablet, eReader, or other device. BookFunnel also has an app where readers can read the book I’ve sent them.
They have an amazing help desk who can assist readers with any problems they have getting a book onto their device.
For newsletter service I use MailerLite.
It’s important to stay in front of those readers who are interested in our work. In my opinion, the best way to do that is by sending out an email newsletter. Social media has its place, but we don’t control the social media platforms. The algorithms can change overnight, to our detriment.
When we subscribe to a newsletter service, like MailerLite, that danger goes away.
