A little over a month has passed since we merged our Booktango authors into a new bookstore along with Book Country. While most of the move went smoothly, I wanted to take a few minutes to offer some clarity and answer some of the most common questions.

I’ve been gathering the questions that have come in the most to customer support both at Booktango and Book Country and compiled them below:

What do I need to do as a result of the bookstore move?
For the most part, absolutely nothing! The only recommendation we make is that if you have linked your book on websites, social media or otherwise that you update those links for the new store. However, if you wish to leave them as is we have automatic redirects in place to make sure your audience still reaches your book detail page.  The link change is simple.
If your book used to be available at http://bookstore.booktango.com/Products/SKU-000123456/My-Title.aspx then the new link would be http://bookstore.bookcountry.com/Products/SKU-000123456/My-Title.aspx

Do I have to redo all my books on Book Country?
Nope! There is nothing you have to do. We moved your books to the new bookstore and everything else stays the same. You can still view your dashboard, sales reports and even publish more books on Booktango just like you always have.

I tried to login to Book Country and received an error, why?
If you’d like to join the Book Country community (and we highly recommend you do!) you’ll need to create a separate login and password for Book Country. Your Booktango credentials still only work on Booktango. You can register for Book Country here.

Why aren’t my books on my dashboard when I log into Book Country?
Your books are still with Booktango. The only change we made is where your books are available for sale. You will still manage your books from the Booktango dashboard and should log in there to see your book status, make revisions, check sales, etc.

Why are there no sales showing when I run my sales report on Book Country?
Your sales information is still provided on Booktango (even your Book Country bookstore sales). Booktango is still your publisher and retains all your book information. Having your books for sale on the Book Country bookstore was the only change we made.

Do I contact Book Country support now when I have a question about my book(s)?
No. You should continue to contact Booktango customer support for any questions related to your book. Our representatives are also trained to assist you with any questions around your books on the Book Country bookstore. Be sure to reach out to us by email or live chat. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Can I still publish on Booktango?
Absolutely! Feel free to finish books in progress, upload new books, or edit and revise your existing books.

Can I publish with Book Country?
You have a choice. For new books you can publish with either Booktango or Book Country. Our toolsets are very similar. If you wish to move an existing book from Booktango to Book Country, you will first need to cancel your Booktango book and remove it from distribution. After this is complete, you can upload and republish on Book Country. Please be aware the terms and conditions between Book Country and Booktango are different and if you choose to switch publishers you will be subject to the terms and conditions of the new site.

Can you transfer everything over to Book Country for me? 
No, we cannot. Your books are automatically in the bookstore and any future books you publish with Booktango will also appear there. If you would like to distribute your books under the Book Country imprint you will need to register with Book Country. If you decide to cancel your books with Booktango and republish with Book Country you will be under their contract terms and rates.

Can I participate in the Book Country community and still remain a Booktango author?
ABSOLUTELY! Book Country is an excellent site for authors and they would welcome your participation with open arms! Check out their tools including discussion forums, peer reviews of works in progress, connecting with other, and much much more.

Have more questions you think I missed above? Let us know in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to answer!

Summer for me – as it is for most readers – is a time for long road trips, family vacations and weekends spent enjoying long summer nights. Thankfully these are all perfect opportunities to catch up on some reading. I own a Kindle Fire and am a member of Goodreads, so it’s usually easy to find and download the latest bestsellers or discover a new book or author off the beaten path.

During the summer I sometimes dive into the classics (I can never tire of reading Pride and Prejudice or Frankenstein) or pick up a romance novel (the plots are typically gag-worthy but an easy read) or return to my favorite series from my favorite authors (my copies of Harry Potter and Dark Tower are falling apart). I’m currently reading A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (yes, I jumped on the bandwagon due to the popularity of the HBO show) and Penpal by Dathan Auerbach (a relatively unknown author who got his start on a horror forum).

Here at Booktango we have hundreds of new titles published every month. So, it can be tough to sort through all of our options, but what a lucky problem to have, right? I’ll highlight a few titles that I think are a fun summer read while you’re lounging on the beach or, for those who are stay-vacationing like me, on your porch while enjoying an adult beverage, which happens to be one of my favorite summer pastimes:

Right to Kill: A Brooklyn Tale by Jim McGinty is an action-packed book following Sean Cercone, a Marine who fought in the Vietnam War only to return to the war fields soon after to carry out a vengeful mission.

Awaken: a Blood Angel Novel by Nina Soden is a part horror thriller, part tender romance where heroine Alee Moyer comes into the world under a cloud of mystery and death-defying odds only to struggle to find her purpose in life.

The Unearthly Travails of Gabriel McGregor by Brad Ulreich has been a Booktango bestseller for several months. It’d be a great addition to your pre-teen’s reading list!

My taste in books obviously won’t fit everyone’s personal preference, so make sure to browse through our New Releases (updated each week), Bestsellers and Noteworthy titles (both updated each month).

What are you reading this summer? Share your comments below! I’m always in search of a title that strikes my fancy.

With help from the boom of self-publishing in recent years, new genres and subgenres have popped up or have increased in popularity. For example, you can’t browse an online bookstore without seeing several YA paranormal romance titles, a subgenre that wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now following the release of Twilight.

Here are a few more genres that most readers might not be all too familiar with:

Space Opera

Usually set in outer space or on another planet, space operas emphasize adventure and are often sagas involving interplanetary politics or family conflict. Space opera is similar to military science fiction, but is not as focused on the military effort and is generally more romantic in tone. Well-known writers include C.S. Friedman and Frank Herbert.

Slipstream / Interstices

Slipstream, a subgenre of fantasy, is nonrealistic fiction that straddles the line between fantasy and mainstream fiction and is often more literary in tone. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is a great example. Unlike other subgenres of fantasy, slipstream is not identified by tropes as much as by an overall feeling of strangeness. Other well-known writers include Kelly Link and Jeffrey Ford.

New Adult

New adult books are geared toward readers 18 to23 years old in age tackling issues of adulthood. Several disputes among authors have risen from this recent trend on whether or not publishers and retailers will officially recognize this new genre. There is no doubt that the interest is there, but many argue this genre is simply a useless marketing tactic among publishers. NA titles contain mature themes usually focused around a steamy romance or a coming-of-age adventure. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger  falls into the NA genre.

Do you write or read a genre or subgenre that is a little less known in the reading world?

Successful people in every field join together in order to share advice within their industry, and writers are no different. Joining an online community is an increasingly popular way for writers to unite and hone their craft. But, is a writing community right for you? We think so! Here are four reasons why:

• It’s convenient. You can work in your living room, at your local coffee shop or while you travel.
• It offers priceless advice. Professionals and peers alike can help you fine tune your writing. Sure, you can ask your mom for her suggestions, too, but your peers (who most likely have more experience within the industry) will do you a favor by offering constructive criticism.
• It’s (usually) free – Many online communities are free! So, there’s really no reason for you not to join, right?
• It’s rewarding. Many of us sit in seclusion and type away without asking for much feedback as we create our new masterpiece. But, when you have interacted with the people on your selected community, it can become a very rewarding experience. You don’t have to wait until you’re finished with a piece in order to reap the rewards of your blood, sweat and tears! Plus, we all need a little motivation during those pesky writer’s block episodes.

Here are some great online communities we suggest you check out:

• Author Learning Center – Author circles allow you to interact with peers, plus you gain access to a plethora of educational and informative webinars and tools.
• Figment or Wattpad – Ideal for young writers or those writing for young readers.
• Book Country – Perfect for genre fiction writers who are looking to gain some feedback about their work, plus you can easily move it from review to publication.
• Absolute Write – Allows you to have conversations about your book if you don’t like the idea of posting your book for review.

We’re curious: What is your favorite writing community and why?

Video courtesy of the Author Learning Center

Rusty Shelton, who began his career in traditional publishing and is now the president and CEO of an author publicity firm called Shelton Interactive, discusses discoverability in terms of publicity. How do you connect with the right people in order to get PR?

The way that journalists and media in general interact with authors is very different than it was years ago. Writers are now tasked with getting above the noise of other writers. Journalists are now looking for books online instead of listening to direct pitches. They simply don’t have the time or the resources to review every single press release or phone message. So, think: What are the major stories that people are talking about right now and how does your book relate? Post a blog about it or snag an interview with an influential blogger.

Shelton goes into more details in this video courtesy of Author Learning Center.  Plus, watch some more videos about online marketing.

How do you encourage the media to cover your book?

If you want your book to appeal to the general public, you need to see what your fellow authors think about it before publishing it. Too often a writer’s ego (e.g. “My work is already perfect!”) gets in the way of this common-sense strategy. Don’t be that author! Ask your peers to review your work – whether it’s just sections or an entire manuscript – to ensure you publish your best work possible.

Sure, it can be scary to put your work in front of your peers, but the benefits far outweigh any hesitations you may have:

• Casts fresh eyes on your work.
• You can always take or leave any suggestions – that’s the beauty of self-publishing; you make all of the final decisions regarding your manuscript.
• Your peers understand the genres, are knowledgeable about the publishing industry and (hopefully) have a better grasp on grammar than a non-writer friend.

So, now that you know why you should ask your peers to review your book, how do you go about getting fellow authors to review it? Approach a peer in your writing community – whether it’s through an online group or in person – and simply ask. Offer to review a chapter of their book first, and ask if they’ll return the favor. Who wouldn’t agree to that? It’s a free review, and it probably compliments that writer’s ego we mentioned above. You’re coming to them for help and returning the favor – it’s a win/win situation!

Some more food for thought if you’re still not convinced peer reviews are valuable: Can you imagine Jaws as a comedy? Yikes. Believe it or not it could have ended up that way had an editor or peer not intervened. Here are a few more famous titles that could have turned out drastically different if the author never consulted anyone outside of his or her own thoughts.

You’re not in this alone; it’s all about teamwork!

Did you ask a peer to review your work before you published your book?

Video courtesy of the Author Learning Center

His technique is the reverse of what most authors would do, but it shows us that there is more than one way to create new stories. It is also a great example of how to play on our strengths. He proves that you should do what works for you and you just might find success. So, try different techniques with your own story development and keep tweaking it until you find something that fits your style.

Watch some more videos with writing advice from R.L. Stine >>

What are some of your writing habits that defy what’s considered the norm in the writing world?

You worked hard to write a book, and now you’re ready to publish. Woo hoo! But, wait. Have you thought about your e-book cover yet? As an e-book author, you face unique challenges when it comes to designing that perfect cover since it will only be seen online. 

E-book design is way more important than most authors realize. If your e-book cover doesn’t grab a reader’s attention, you could potentially lose a sale or even several thousand. Your design must represent the book you’ve created, draw in readers and make your title stand out from the competition.

That might sound overwhelming, so here are a few do’s and don’ts to consider as you create (or hire a pro to create for you) your e-book cover:

• Do consider what your cover will look like as a thumbnail. Click to tweet >>
  The images used to represent your book in online bookstores are rather small thumbnails. Bold typographic design with a simple – yet powerful – image is typically successful because it is easier to view at a smaller size.
• Don’t think it’s all about you. Click to tweet >>
  Think about your audience, not just about what you like. Booktango makes it easy for you to get some feedback from friends and family before you publish your book by allowing you to post different versions of your book cover on social media. Clearly everyone has different opinions, but you might be surprised on some of the feedback you receive on a cover you thought was perfect.  Having other people contribute their opinions can help you gain some perspective.
• Do look at other covers from your genre. Click to tweet >>
  Make sure you research the trends in the publishing industry. You need to look at other successful books to see what visual standards have evolved to help identify specific genres to readers. Plus, it is important for book covers to be current. Just by walking through a bookstore or browsing an online bookstore trends will become apparent.
• Don’t add too much text. Click to tweet >>
  All text on the cover should be kept short and to the point. The front cover should only have a title, short subtitle (giving a little more detail to the book’s topic) and author/ pen name. A brief endorsement is also a possibility. A book cover serves as much as an ad for the book as it does as a cover, especially when it comes to e-books. Your title is a headline – not a full-blown sentence – on a billboard.
• Don’t over design. Click to tweet >>
  Authors tend to get stuck on an idea even though it is not the best way to market their book to a targeted audience. Typically, the author wants to depict a scene from the book or have their main character on the cover. Avoid using this much detail because the cover should draw a reader in without telling them too much. Reading is such a personal exercise, so authors should let the reader imagine the characters in scenery in their own minds as they read your words.

And, hey, we aren’t all cover designers, so Booktango has book cover services where you can get a professionally created cover that fits your book.

How did you decide on your book cover design?

It’s the perfect time of year to bust out the cleaning supplies and tackle some serious spring cleaning. What? You’re not excited? You should be! This is a great opportunity to boost your creative flow and write that book you’ve let sit all winter. Hey, I’m not a DIY Martha Stewart type of person either, but these goals are attainable.

You might be surprised how a little organizing can enhance your work ethic and lead to a clear head with new writing ideas. It may seem like an overwhelming task, but just set aside a weekend afternoon to spruce up your writing desk. You’ll see a clean desk in no time.

1.) Clear off everything. That’s right, you heard me – everything. Make sure you have labeled baskets set aside to separate all of your knickknacks, utensils, trash, etc., as each item is pulled off. Once you sort through the items, the hard part is done.
Now place those clearly marked containers back on your desk. This will help you keep the clutter at bay with materials close by so you’re not wasting time searching for an item. And, make sure you have a file cabinet nearby with clearly marked folders to easily organize miscellaneous papers. If storage is an issue preventing you from staying organized, think vertical! Hang shelves; tack containers to your wall for your utensils. Get creative and figure out what works for your space. I’ve seen writers turn closets into workspaces – it is possible to stay organized even in a tiny space.

Photo from Pink Eggshell blog.

2.) Add inspiration. Whether it’s some flowers or a picture of your kids, make sure what’s near and dear to your heart is clearly on display. Some of us work well facing a window with natural daylight streaming inside. Or, you might be like me and find yourself daydreaming while looking out, so I’m forced to turn my back on the beautiful outdoors if I want to get anything done. I love the idea of having a corkboard covered in an eye-catching fabric so I’m not just staring at a bland wall – it can double as a space to post inspirational quotes/pictures and a space to pin notes in an easy-to see area.

Photo from Pinterest.

3.) Indulge in comfort. Invest in a nice computer chair. Your behind should be occupying that chair several days a week as you work on your manuscript, so make sure you curb discomfort with a nicely padded chair. And, make sure your room is set at a comfortable temperature – not too hot where you’re falling asleep and not too cold where your chattering teeth prevent you from focusing. Space heaters and fans are a writer’s best friend especially if your work area is in the basement or attic.

Bonus tips: Keep disinfectant wipes close by to clean up any coffee spills or dust. Create a shopping list on your phone in case you run out of staplers, working pens, etc.  That’s an easy system to help you remember which supplies you need to purchase the next time you’re at the store.

Share some cleaning tips with your fellow authors in the comments below.

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from authors is “how can I effectively market my e-book?” There is no million dollar answer that works for every single author. It’s kind of like weight loss – don’t fall for quick-fix gimmicks, and if you put in a committed effort into working toward your goal, you’ll eventually see some results.

You already know that Booktango is unique for offering free e-book publishing. We also offer some marketing services and opportunities specifically catered toward our digital-only authors. Let’s look at a few and see why each one might work for your marketing strategy.

1.) Check out BookStubs – one our snazziest and most affordable marketing tools. It’s like a business card for your book that you can easily distribute at author events. Watch this one minute video to get a better idea of how BookStubs could be right for your marketing goals.

2.) Get your book featured in the Booktango bookstore. This increases your book’s visibility and it’s FREE publicity. We even offer a few tips on how to increase your chance of being selected.

3.) Interact with us on social media. We’re not trying to brag (okay, maybe we are just a bit), but we have close to 10,000 followers on Twitter and more than 1,000 Facebook fans. Mention us in a tweet (please don’t spam us!) or post a comment on Facebook. We love connecting with our authors online, and it’s an easy way to get a re-tweet or a Facebook like. Plus, it’s also a great way to network with fellow authors.

4.) Be the star of your very own digital book signing. You might think you can’t have a book signing with your e-book. Wrong! The Book Signing with Author Chat marketing service allows you to interact with readers through an hour-long digital event. It really is a neat opportunity exclusive to e-book authors.

5.) Get featured in a Booktango blog post. One of our most popular blog posts was from Booktango author William L. Weaver. Tweet or share on Facebook links to your blog posts that are relevant to our blog topics – e-book publishing, marketing and writing – and we just might feature the post.

6.) Rock out during your blog tour. What the heck is a blog tour? It’s a book tour with a modern twist – a way to connect with readers in the digital age by being featured on the blogs they’re already reading. We’ll set up four interviews with influential bloggers – we’re talking blogs frequented by more than 100,000 combined readers each month – and you’ll be featured on their blogs.

7.) Encourage your readers to leave reviews. Not many authors take advantage of this feature, but they should! You have a Customer Review section on your book’s detail page. Remind your readers to take a few minutes to leave an honest opinion about your book. It will most likely encourage future readers to check out your book if you have several four or five star reviews. How many times have you checked out reviews from customers who have already purchased a product? Plus, we review and approve every single comment, so it might peak our interest if we see a book getting favorable reviews. Please note: You will be penalized if you try to spam your review section with fake comments.

How have you effectively promoted your book through Booktango?