Indie Author Blueprint

Michelle Rayburn
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Indie Author Blueprint

Get your book from your brain to publication—with YOU directing the process. Are you ready to put in the energy, work, and focus to fulfill your dream of publishing your own books and managing your writing business as a professional? You don’t need gimmicks or high pressure to overspend. Here, you’ll find practical topics tailored for writers with a base knowledge of the writing craft, the curiosity to explore publishing, and the ambition to get it done. Walk through all the phases of the complicated indie publishing process. Author, editor, and book designer Michelle Rayburn shares valuable tips that she uses as she coaches indie authors through their projects. Topics: Industry News, Writing Business Tips, Publishing How-To and Tutorials, Design Principles, The Art of Editing. indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

  1. MAR 11

    Pricing Your Book

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com For indie authors, setting the right price for your book can seem like a daunting task filled with unending variables and decisions. Whether you're aiming for maximum profitability or trying to attract a vast audience, pricing is an essential part of your publishing journey. Learn how to strategically set competitive and profitable prices, navigate printing costs, calculate royalties, and maximize reader reach using KDP Select. Elevate your publishing game with insider strategies and expert insights. Get the full content at https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com.

    16 min

  2. MAR 4

    Choosing Keywords for KDP Publishing

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Master the art of selecting the perfect keywords for your KDP publishing journey. Discover why keywords matter, learn strategic selection formulas, and explore seven essential strategies in this episode. Boost your book's visibility on Amazon and beyond with up-to-date tips and insights from Indie Author Blueprint. Learn more on https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

    2 min

  3. FEB 25

    The Art of Choosing KDP Book Categories

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Learn how to navigate KDP categories with confidence! Discover effective strategies for choosing the right categories to boost your book's visibility. Avoid common pitfalls, understand the importance of ethical selection, and explore helpful tools like Publisher Rocket for optimal results. Perfect for indie authors looking to elevate their publishing success. Find more tutorials and bonuses at: https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

    5 min

  4. FEB 18

    Compelling Back Cover Blurbs for Fiction Books

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Today I’m exploring the art of writing captivating back cover blurbs for fiction and memoirs. If you missed it, last week I talked about nonfiction blurbs. Fiction is different, and they way we craft the back cover copy, which is also used for the book description, in a different way. Although you might be tempted to put nothing but endorsement blurbs on your fiction book’s back cover, that isn’t the best tactic for a fiction author who is self-publishing. Yes, you see it with traditionally published books. But those are from well-known authors. You’re establishing an audience, so readers won’t just commit without a description. You need to hook them into reading. If a blurb doesn't clearly convey what makes the story unique or compelling, readers may overlook the book in favor of others with more enticing descriptions. Why does it matter? A bad fiction blurb can deter potential readers, leading to decreased sales and diminished visibility in the market. Crafting a compelling, accurate, and engaging blurb is essential for attracting readers and boosting book sales. I’ll give specific examples of the key pieces that go into a blurb and review examples of before and after. Plus, for paid subscribers, you’re welcome to put your own back cover blurb into a private chat with me, and we will workshop it together a bit. I’d love to bring other paid subscribers into that conversation. https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

    5 min

  5. FEB 11

    Elevate and Refine Your Book Back Cover Blurb

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Today, we’re tackling a crucial piece of your book marketing strategy—writing back cover copy for your nonfiction book. (We’ll cover fiction next time.) This little blurb on the back of your book has a big job to do. It’s what convinces readers to pick it up, flip through, and, hopefully, buy it. The back cover of a book is not a letter to the reader with a “why I wrote this book” note. It’s marketing copy. An advertisement for the book. Topics covered in this week’s podcast and article: * The key elements of effective back cover copy, including a hook, benefits, and a strong call-to-action. * Common mistakes to avoid. * Real-life examples of poorly written copy transformed into reader-focused blurbs. * How AI can help you brainstorm, refine, and polish your back cover text. * Tools to help you with prepping this for publishing day. If you’ve already published a book, you can definitely update the cover with new back cover text and update the description on your publishing platform. We learn and grow. This week’s content is part of what I offer to my coaching clients, so you’ll find the full audio and article behind a paywall. Unlock exclusive insights and practical strategies to elevate your indie publisher journey—subscribe to access premium content tailored for your success. It costs less per month than one trip to the coffee shop. Find the full episode at Indie Author Blueprint on Substack. https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

    4 min
  6. Metadata: Titles, Bylines, Imprints, and ISBNs

    FEB 4

    Metadata: Titles, Bylines, Imprints, and ISBNs

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Metadata is the secret sauce that makes your book discoverable, professional, and ready for readers to find and fall in love with it. In this week’s exclusive episode, I break down the first five decisions you need to make for your book’s metadata: your title, subtitle, author name, publishing imprint, and ISBN. These aren’t just boxes to check—they’re key pieces of your book’s foundation that can set you up for success on publishing day and beyond. Want to know how to craft a title that makes your book discoverable, decide if you need a publishing imprint, or decide if you really need to buy your own ISBN? I’m covering it in the first in-depth look at metadata. Upgrade to paid to unlock this episode and get the answers you need to level up your author game. https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

    2 min

  7. JAN 28

    Metadata 101: What It Is and Why It Matters for Indie Authors

    Metadata might sound like a dry topic, but it’s the key to making your book discoverable and reaching the right readers. In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, we’re breaking down what metadata is, why it’s crucial for indie authors, and how optimizing it can lead to better sales, rankings, and visibility for your books. Learn how your book’s title, keywords, categories, and description all work together to create a strong online presence—and avoid common mistakes that can hold you back. Tune in to get practical tips and start making your metadata work for you. Plus, stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we’ll do deep dives into choosing keywords, categories, and crafting killer book descriptions. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: · What metadata is and why it’s important for indie authors. · How metadata affects your book’s discoverability, rankings, and sales. · The most common metadata mistakes and how to avoid them. · Why updating and refining your metadata over time can make a big difference. Action Step: Take a look at the metadata for one of your books. Ask yourself: Is it clear? Specific? Does it reflect what readers in your genre are searching for? A few small tweaks can make a big impact! If you haven’t yet published a book, look for three books that are comparable to yours, meaning they target the same audience in the same genre. Study those books to see how they did the title, description, and categories. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps other indie authors discover the show and build their publishing success. Connect with me on Indie Author Blueprint on Substack at: https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com Don’t forget: Metadata is your book’s secret weapon. Let’s make it work for you! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min

  8. JAN 21

    Prepping a Book File for Publishing

    In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, we’re diving into the essential steps to prepare your book file for a seamless publishing experience. Whether you're uploading to KDP, IngramSpark, or another platform, having your files properly formatted is key to avoiding rejections and ensuring a professional-looking book. Here’s what we cover: * Key Technical Terms Demystified: Understand concepts like trim size, bleed, 300 DPI images, CMYK vs. RGB, and PDF/X-1a formats. * Layout and Design Essentials: Learn about margins, gutters, safe zones, and why page count matters. * File Testing Tips: From proofing your PDF to printing a test copy, ensure your file meets all requirements before uploading. * Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Avoid rejected files by embedding fonts, flattening transparencies, and ensuring proper color settings. * Practical Version Control Tips: Keep your files organized with clear naming conventions for drafts, final versions, and revisions. As a bonus, Michelle has created a downloadable checklist to guide you step by step through the process. By the end of this episode, you’ll have the confidence to prepare a print-ready file that meets industry standards. Download your free checklist here: https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com/p/tips-for-prepping-your-files-for More resources: https://indieauthorblueprint.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indieauthorblueprint.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min
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About

Get your book from your brain to publication—with YOU directing the process. Are you ready to put in the energy, work, and focus to fulfill your dream of publishing your own books and managing your writing business as a professional? You don’t need gimmicks or high pressure to overspend. Here, you’ll find practical topics tailored for writers with a base knowledge of the writing craft, the curiosity to explore publishing, and the ambition to get it done. Walk through all the phases of the complicated indie publishing process. Author, editor, and book designer Michelle Rayburn shares valuable tips that she uses as she coaches indie authors through their projects. Topics: Industry News, Writing Business Tips, Publishing How-To and Tutorials, Design Principles, The Art of Editing. indieauthorblueprint.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Rayburn
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michelle Rayburn
  • Show Website
    Indie Author Blueprint

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