self publishing - The Writer's Ally™

Serve Self-Publishing Clients! Learn How in this EFA Webinar – December 2016

Due to popular demand, I am thrilled the Editorial Freelancers Association is hosting me once more in presenting “Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides.” The presentation will address how editorial professionals can better attract and serve self-publishing clients and also how they can publish their own digital and print books to boost their freelance business or to launch a writing career.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to navigate your way to successful self-publishing. But if you want great results, you need to get real. You can’t just copy what the bestsellers are doing or upload your files and hope for the best—if you want to sell more than the 100-200 copy average where most indie books cap out, you need a plan designed for your type of book and your particular situation. You need to know about the unique opportunities and limitations of the industry that many indie authors don’t discover until it’s too late.

There’s still time to register if you act fast!

Come discover why so many people have thoroughly enjoyed this unique presentation and why the EFA keeps inviting me back to teach it again!

This special two-hour webinar is happening on December 8, 2016 at 3-5pm EST. Please register here.

For more details, you may contact Education Chair Jennifer Maybin by emailing her at education@the-efa.org.

Founder of The Writer’s Ally, Ally E. Machate is a bestselling book collaborator, award-winning editor, and expert publishing consultant who loves using her insider knowledge and experience with the publishing industry to lead serious authors toward success. She and her team live to help make great books happen, whether that means showing a writer how to improve a manuscript, get an agent, or self-publish; or coaching an author on growing her platform to sell more books. Since 1999, she has supported hundreds of authors on their publishing journey and takes pride in serving as their books’ best ally.

Ally Improves Your Chances at the FWC – October 2016

I just returned from the Florida Writers Conference 2016, hosted by the Florida Writers Association. This was my second time at this incredible event. With nearly 500 attendees and a couple dozen presenters, anything you needed to learn about writing or publishing or selling a book could be found somewhere during the three and a half days of the conference.

Held October 20-23, 2016 at Altamonte Springs, Florida, I delivered two talks: “Polishing Your Work for Publication,” which was well received in a room of 50+ people; and “5 Steps to Self-Publishing Success,” which was a late-night talk that attracted about half as many. We had excellent conversations and participants asked great questions, which always makes a presentation even better! Here’s what just a few attendees said:

I am so glad that I attended Ally’s seminars, which were in-depth and full of useful information. Not only did she expound the opportunities and pitfalls at every stage of self-publishing, but she was also able and willing to take the time to answer my follow up questions. Ally is a true professional, who teaches in a passionate and audience focused manner. – Margarita Ryerkerk, Writer

It was great to meet you at the Florida Writers Conference 2016 and I enjoyed your workshops. Your comments about formatting where the kick in the butt I needed. – Renia Carsillo, Author, Web Wonk

Your presentations were great. I am a new writer working on my first book. The conference provided information on where to go and what to do to find an agent and getting published. You were particularly helpful and gave great advice. I could not believe how friendly and willing to assist and give advice to newbies you were! – Gertrude Kehne

I was also honored to offer a Publishing Strategy Session to one lucky winner at the charity auction for the Florida Writers Foundation.

Whether an aspiring writer or a seasoned professional, a lot of attendees benefit from all the conference offered this year. They rubbed elbows with acquisition editors, publishers, editors, designers, book marketers and writers, into the wee hours. They also connected with old friends and made new ones. Fun and informative, the conference was packed from early morning until late at night with plenty of activities that kept the participants busy.

Post in the comments below if you enjoyed the presentations and especially if you have follow-up questions! I would love to hear from you.

Ally Teaching at Florida Writers Conference – Oct. 20-23, 2016

If you’re a writer and looking for an excuse to visit the Sunshine State, I have one for you: I’m so excited to announce that I’ll return this fall to the Florida Writers Conference, hosted by the Florida Writers Association.

The organization’s motto is “writers helping writers,” and never is this more evident than at their stellar multi-day event. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned professional, you’ll benefit from all the conference has to offer you this year. Rub elbows with acquisition editors, publishers, editors, designers, book marketers and writers, into the wee hours. Connect with old friends and make new ones. Fun and informative, your conference days will be packed from early morning until late at night with plenty to keep you busy.

The Florida Writers Conference is happening on October 20-23, 2016 at Altamonte Springs, Florida. Besides one-on-one sessions, I’ll be doing two presentations and sitting on one panel:

Friday, 2:00 – 3:00p.m. – Polishing Your Work for Publication
Friday 8:30 – 10PM – 5 Steps to Successful Self-Publishing
Saturday, 3:20 – 4:20 p.m. – Industry Update Panel

For more information, you may check the website here or register here.

I look forward to seeing you there! Post in the comments below if you will be attending, I’d love to say hello in person 😉

Ally Talks About Amazon, Goodreads, and Book Marketing on “Writestream Tuesday”

I was back again on “Writestream Tuesday” with Daria Anne DiGiovanni on July 12, 2016, talking about the power of Goodreads and Amazon as online book marketing portals. During this informative broadcast, I shared my knowledge for the benefit of authors seeking to grow their audience, connect with their readers, and sell their books. Daria asked me questions like:

What’s the first thing listeners should know about marketing their book on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads?
What are some of the ways they can maximize their book listings and accounts?
How else can they beef up their presence on Amazon and Goodreads?
How important is it to get reviews on these sites?
How can authors get more, better reviews and what will that do for them?

We covered a lot of ground and I offered loads of tips and tricks on how to make the most of the free tools these two websites offer to authors of all kinds of books. If you’re about to publish or have already published a book, carve out an hour and listen in, notebook in hand. You can thank me later. 😉

For more information, visit the “Writestream Tuesday” website. I return to the show once per quarter to talk about book publishing, and if you join us live you can ask questions, too. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming appearances. In the meantime, please share this with your friends and writers’ groups!

Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides: Learn with Ally on 2/25!

With so many options available, it can be difficult to navigate your way to successful self-publishing. But if you want great results, you need to get real. You cannot just copy what the bestsellers are doing or upload your files and hope for the best—if you want to sell more than the 100-200 copy average where most indie books cap out, you need a plan designed for your type of book and your particular situation. You need to know about the unique opportunities and limitations of the industry that many indie authors don’t discover until it’s too late.

The Editorial Freelancers Association will once again host my webinar, “Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides.” There’s still time to register if you act fast!

The presentation will address how editorial professionals can better attract and serve self-publishing clients and also how they can publish their own digital and print books to boost their freelance business or to launch a writing career. Come discover why so many people have thoroughly enjoyed this unique presentation and why the EFA keeps inviting me back to teach it again!

This special two-hour webinar is happening on February 25, 2016 at 3-5pm EST. Please register here.

For more details, you may contact Jennifer Maybin by emailing her: education@the-efa.org.

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