In this ultimate 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know from recording options and pricing models, to AI narration and distribution channels so you can confidently make your move into the audiobook market. This post builds on two of our earlier guides from 2021 and 2022, refreshed for 2025 to include the latest tools, AI options, and distribution paths available to indie authors today.

Step 1: Decide How You’ll Produce Your Audiobook

There are three main ways to produce an audiobook:

Option 1: DIY Narration (You Read It Yourself)

Narrating your own book is a popular route for nonfiction authors, where your personal voice adds authenticity. But fiction authors can do this too—just know that accents, pacing, and character voices can require more performance chops.

What you need:

• A quiet recording space

• A quality mic and pop filter (about $100–$200)

• Recording and editing software (Audacity is free!)

• Time. Expect to spend 2–3x your book’s length recording and up to 4x that editing.

Example: A 70,000-word book (~7.5 hours finished) could take 45+ hours total from recording to final mastering.

Option 2: Hire a Professional Narrator

Want a polished, listener-ready audiobook without learning the ropes of sound engineering? A pro narrator might be your best bet.

Where to hire:

• ACX

• Findaway Voices

• Author’s Republic

• Lantern Audio

Typical rates: $225–$400 per finished hour (PFH), depending on narrator experience and platform.

Pro Tip: Some platforms offer royalty share options, where you pay less upfront (or nothing) and split future earnings.

Option 3: Use AI Narration (Yes, It’s a Thing Now)

In 2025, AI-generated narration is becoming a viable, lower-cost option—especially for nonfiction or short-form books.

• Google Play Books AI Narration lets you turn your eBook into an audiobook with text-to-speech tools.

• Apple Books also offers AI narration in select genres, with improving voice quality each year.

• AI narration is fast and affordable (many tools are under $50), but may lack emotional nuance or character voice depth.

Caution for Fiction Authors: If your book includes dialogue, accents, or multiple characters, AI narration might fall flat—stick with human talent.

Step 2: Choose Your Distribution Strategy

Once your audiobook is complete, you’ll need to decide where to sell it. There are two key paths: exclusive vs. wide distribution.

Option A: Exclusive Distribution with ACX (Audible/Amazon/iTunes)

• You’ll earn 40% royalties if you’re exclusive.

• ACX handles everything: production, publishing, and distribution.

• You’ll be locked into a 7-year contract (though some authors have had success opting out after 12 months).

ACX also offers:

• Royalty Share: No upfront cost, split profits with the narrator.

• Royalty Share Plus: Pay a smaller fee upfront, split royalties.

• DIY Option: Narrate yourself and keep full control.

Royalty Breakdown with ACX:

• Exclusive: 40% of retail price

• Non-Exclusive: 25% of retail price

You cannot set your own audiobook price on ACX—Audible determines price based on length.

Option B: Go Wide with Non-Exclusive Distribution

If you want your audiobook available on Spotify, Google Play, Kobo, libraries, and more—you need a non-exclusive distributor.

Top Non-Exclusive Distributors in 2025:

Hybrid Tip: Some authors publish to ACX non-exclusively (25% royalty) and use another distributor (like Findaway) to reach other retailers. This gives you more reach—without leaving money on the table.

Step 3: Set Expectations (Time, Cost, and Royalties)

Here’s what to expect depending on your path:

Don’t forget to promote! Use:

• Your author website

• Your email list

• Audio Thicket (Written Word Media’s audiobook promo service)

• Social media and podcast interviews

Final Thoughts: Which Path is Right for You?

• Bootstrapping a first audiobook? Try narrating it yourself or explore AI.

• Got a budget and want professional polish? Hire a voice actor through ACX or Findaway.

• Want total control and global reach? Go wide with Findaway, Lantern, or Author’s Republic.

• Need help choosing? Reach out to a fellow author or indie publishing group—they’ve likely been in your shoes.

Your Audiobook Journey Awaits

Creating an audiobook may sound intimidating, but in 2025, there’s truly a path for every author and every budget. Whether you’re ready to press record yourself or partner with a pro, the opportunities for reaching more readers—er, listeners—are better than ever.

Still deciding? Drop your questions in the comments or share your audiobook experience—we’d love to hear your story.

The post From Page to Play: Convert Your eBook into an Audiobook in 2025 appeared first on Written Word Media.

Writing might be a solitary act, but a great conference can turn your solo mission into a community-powered rocket boost. Whether you’re looking to pitch to agents, soak up craft wisdom, or just hang with your fellow word nerds (our people!), here’s a hand-picked list of upcoming writing conferences for the rest of 2025.

Quick note: This isn’t an exhaustive list (the literary world is wonderfully vast!), so if there’s a conference you love that’s not listed here, we’d love to hear about it. Send us a note at info@writtenwordmedia.com, and we’ll happily consider adding it.

Let’s map out your next literary adventure:

IBPA Publishing University

May 15–17 | Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Run by the Independent Book Publishers Association, this event is gold for indie authors and small presses. Expect actionable insights on book marketing, distribution, and the ever-changing publishing landscape.

NonfictioNOW

June 11–13 | Notre Dame, Indiana
Calling all nonfiction writers! This global conference focuses on essays, memoir, journalism, and literary nonfiction. It’s an intellectually rich space where fact meets finesse—and deep conversations happen.

SPS Live London

June 25–26 | South Bank, London
Self-Publishing School’s London conference is all about launching, scaling, and thriving as an indie author. Think practical tools, marketing know-how, and inspiration galore—with a side of tea and Thames views.

HNSNA Conference 2025

June 26–28 | Las Vegas, Nevada
Historical fiction fans, this is your jam. The Historical Novel Society North America’s event features panels, workshops, and bookish camaraderie—all wrapped in a bit of Vegas flair.

Midwest Writers Workshop (MMW25)

July 10–12 | Muncie, Indiana
A staple in the Midwest, this workshop blends top-tier instruction with friendly community vibes. Whether you’re starting your first novel or polishing your tenth, there’s something here for you.

RWA 2025 Annual Conference

July 16–19 | Niagara Falls, Ontario
Romance is in the air—and the water! The Romance Writers of America gather for panels, pitch sessions, and craft talks, all in a breathtaking location that could inspire your next love story.

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference

July 24–27 | Baltimore, Maryland
A flagship event for writers of all stripes. From keynotes to deep-dive workshops and pitch slams, this is where career-minded authors come to level up—and maybe snag that dream agent.

Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference

August 21–24 | Nashville, Tennessee
For crime, thriller, and mystery writers, Killer Nashville is a must. It’s equal parts networking, craft, and chills—plus, you’ll be in the company of authors who know how to plot a twist.

Craft & Publishing Voyage

August 27–September 3 | London to New York
Set sail with fellow writers on this literary cruise. With a unique mix of craft instruction, publishing advice, and onboard networking, it’s part retreat, part masterclass—at sea!

WriterCon Conference

August 29–September 1 | Oklahoma City, OK
A broad-ranging conference that covers fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and everything in between. Expect actionable sessions, publishing tips, and a supportive author community.

NINC (Novelists, Inc.)

September 17–22 | St. Pete Beach, Florida
This conference is for established, career-focused fiction writers. Think next-level marketing strategies, industry insider panels, and tropical beachside networking. (Bring your sunglasses and your elevator pitch!)

Moonlight & Magnolias 2025 Writers Conference

September 25–27 | Norcross, Georgia
Hosted by Georgia Romance Writers, this beloved event blends Southern charm with a sharp focus on publishing and craft. It’s intimate, fun, and full of helpful sessions for all levels.

2025 Colorado Gold Writers Conference

September 26–28 | Aurora, Colorado
Run by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, this long-running conference supports fiction writers with pitch appointments, hands-on workshops, and community spirit set against stunning mountain backdrops.

New Frontiers in Writing

September 27–28 | Amarillo, Texas
A newer entry on the scene, this conference is geared toward pushing boundaries—whether it’s through genre, form, or storytelling approach. Ideal for experimental or speculative fiction authors.

Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival

October 4 | Fredericksburg, Virginia
This one-day book fest is part community celebration, part networking event for authors. Set up a booth, meet readers face-to-face, and connect with fellow indies under Virginia’s autumn skies.

Gotham’s Fiction Writers Conference

October 4–5 | Location TBA
Brought to you by Gotham Writers Workshop, this two-day event includes pitch sessions, agent panels, and masterclasses. Perfect for serious fiction writers looking to break in—or break out.

Florida WritersCon 2025

October 17–19 | Orlando/Altamonte Springs, Florida
From beginner workshops to master-level intensives, this con has something for everyone. Expect industry guests, networking events, and plenty of writing-focused energy.

Author Nation

November 3–7 | Las Vegas, Nevada
Author Nation is a celebration of the independent author. You’ll find marketing sessions, tech demos, and loads of opportunities to connect with fellow pros. It’s like a Comic-Con for self-pub!

Pen-Worthy Plans Ahead

Conferences are a great way to fuel your author career, find your people, and get real about your writing goals. Whether you’re seeking craft growth, business savvy, or a new writing tribe, there’s a perfect event for you on this list.

And hey—don’t forget to stack your next promo before or after a conference appearance to keep that momentum going. ( You know who to call. Cough Written Word Media Cough).

Did we miss one? If your favorite conference isn’t listed here—drop us a line at info@writtenwordmedia.com. We’re always looking to support more events that help authors shine.

The post 2025 List of Author Conferences appeared first on Written Word Media.

Why Set Up Recurring Promotions?

Consistent book promotions are key to maintaining visibility and driving sales. By scheduling recurring promotions, you can:

• Maintain Steady Visibility: Regular promotions keep your book in front of readers, increasing the likelihood of sustained sales. This is especially useful if you have a number of backlist titles that you need to keep marketing on their own schedules.
• Save Time: Automating your promotional schedule frees up valuable time for writing and other tasks.
• Plan Strategically: By planning ahead, you can align promotions with key dates, such as holidays or book anniversaries, to maximize impact.

How to Schedule Recurring Promotions

Here’s a video that walks you through setting up a recurring promotion in your Written Word Media Member Portal:

Tips for Effective Recurring Promotions

•Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on your sales and adjust your strategy as needed.

•Vary Your Promotions: Mix different types of promotions to reach a broader audience.

•Stay Engaged: Interact with new readers gained from promotions to build a loyal fan base.

By leveraging our recurring promotions feature, you can maintain a consistent marketing presence without the need for constant manual scheduling. This “set it and forget it” approach empowers you to focus on what you do best—writing great books.

Happy writing!

The post Set It and Forget It: How to Automate Your eBook Promotions at Written Word Media appeared first on Written Word Media.

Connection and Collaboration Are Key

One of the biggest lessons from this year’s event is that authors succeed when they work together rather than compete. Whether it’s co-authoring projects, sharing marketing resources, or simply providing encouragement, collaboration opens doors to greater opportunities. Events like Author Nation highlight how relationships can fuel creativity, spark new ideas, and amplify each other’s reach.  

How to Apply It: Join writing communities, team up for email list swaps, or share expertise with fellow authors. For example, bundling books in your genre for a group promotion can expose you to new readers while benefiting your peers.

Engage Deeply and Authentically with Your Readers

Quality engagement stood out as a game-changer this year. Forget the vanity metrics—what matters is forming genuine connections with your audience. A small, loyal fanbase can drive book sales and provide valuable word-of-mouth promotion that sticks with you through your career. Readers want more than just your book; they want a connection to the person behind the story.

   How to Apply It:  

   – Leverage your newsletter! It’s a direct line to your audience. Share updates, personal stories, and exclusive content.

   – Respond to reader reviews or host virtual Q&A sessions to build relationships.

   – Use tools like email promos to find new readers and connect with readers who already love your genre.

Keep an Open Mind about AI Author Tools 

 Last year, AI tools sparked heated debates, but at Author Nation 2024, the consensus was clear: AI tools are here to stay—and they can make your life easier. From automating tedious tasks like ad copy to helping with creative marketing ideas, these tools can save time and help you focus on what you love most: writing.   That said, your unique voice remains the cornerstone of your work. Readers connect deeply with your distinct perspective, something no algorithm can replicate. 

How to Apply It:  

Experiment with AI for specific tasks like creating social media posts, refining blurbs, or generating new marketing ideas. Pair this with your personal touch to keep your engagement authentic.

Sustainable Success Requires Long-Term Thinking 

 It’s tempting to chase quick wins, but short-term strategies can derail your long-term author career. Author Nation emphasized the importance of building a sustainable author brand—one that resonates with your readers over time. This means prioritizing authenticity, consistency, and meaningful engagement over flashy but fleeting tactics.

How to Apply It:  

   – Develop a clear brand identity and stick to it across your books, website, and social media.  

   – Plan your promotions strategically, focusing on consistent, smaller steps that build momentum over time.  

The Right People and Vendors Make All the Difference

 Your support network—whether it’s other authors, mentors, or vendors—can make or break your success. Author Nation 2024 made it clear how valuable it is to build a team that you trust. Being a professional author doesn’t have to mean you’re going at it alone; find people that you trust and approach your business with a team mindset. 

    How to Apply It:  

   – Join writing groups, forums, or conferences to connect with other authors and learn from their experiences.  

   – Collaborate with vendors who are built to support specific parts of your author business (writing, marketing, distribution) to extend your reach and free up time to focus on writing.  

   – Invest in relationships with people who understand and support your goals, whether they’re industry veterans or loyal readers.

Final Thoughts

Author Nation 2024 made it clear that success in publishing isn’t about going it alone. It’s about connection, authenticity, and building a career with the long game in mind. By collaborating with others, engaging deeply with your readers, leveraging technology wisely, and focusing on sustainable growth, you can not only thrive but enjoy the journey.

Make 2025 your year to shine. Your readers, fellow authors, and the team at Written Word Media are rooting for you!

The post Key Takeaways from Author Nation 2024 appeared first on Written Word Media.

What are Series Promos?

Series Promos are targeted promotions that direct readers straight to an author’s Amazon series page. It is a highly efficient and effective way to drive readership of Book one AND to drive read-through of other books in the series. If your series is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, a Series Promotion will also drive KENP reads. Written Word Media offers Series Promos on Freebooksy and Red Feather Romance.

In order to qualify for a Series Promo, authors must have a series page on Amazon for their series. There must be at least three books in the series, and the first book in the series must be free on the day of promotion.

How do Series Promos work?

Your Freebooksy or Red Feather Romance Series Promo will include:

• The link directly to your Amazon Series Page where the readers can purchase the entire series with one click
• A display of your 3-cover series image in the email and on the website
• Continued exposure in the Series Discovery section on Freebooksy
• Optimal placement at the top of the book’s genre in the newsletter

Note: While Freebooksy links the entire series in the email and website, Red Feather Romance does not link additional books on its website.

What to Expect

On the day of your Series Promo, you’ll notice a surge in free downloads for the first book in your series. This kick-starts reader interest and paves the way for ongoing sales of subsequent books in the series as readers become hooked.

Through aggregated data, Written Word Media has found that Series Promos produce consistently strong results. By offering the first book for free, you create a low-risk entry point that encourages readers to dive into your story. As readers get drawn into the series, many will eagerly continue, resulting in more purchases (or KENP reads, for Kindle Unlimited series) for books 2, 3, and beyond.

Typical Series Promo Results Include:

• High Volume of Book 1 Downloads: A free first book significantly widens your audience by attracting new readers and boosting visibility
• Increased Read-Through and Sales for the Series: With a compelling first book, you’re likely to see a boost in sales or reads for the rest of the series within days of the promo
• Improved Amazon Visibility: An influx of downloads can enhance your visibility in Amazon’s algorithms, potentially improving your series’ rankings and organic discoverability

By “hooking” readers through the first free book, Series Promos help build a loyal readership for the long haul, setting up continued success beyond the promotion period.

How to Schedule a Series Promo

To schedule a Series Promo, you’ll first need to set up a free promotion day for Book #1 of your series if it isn’t already perma-free. 

1. Login to the Written Word Media Author Portal and choose the genre and date for your promo

2. Enter the details for Book 1 of your series during checkout

3. Scroll down on this page and click ‘add book to this series’ and enter the information for the next book in your series. Repeat this step until you have added all the books in your series

Once submitted, will change the link to the Series Page and make sure all promo details are ready for launch.

What Do Series Promos Look Like?

Freebooksy

Website:

Newsletter:

Red Feather Romance

Website:

Newsletter:

Series Promos Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have Series Promos for not free first books?

Unfortunately, at this time, our Series Promos are only available for free first books in a series!

How many additional books are included on Freebooksy’s website?

We can only include up to seven books on Freebooksy’s website.

Does my boxed set apply for a Series Promo?

Boxed sets do not apply for Series Promos.

When can I expect to see results?

Freebooksy emails go out at 9:30am EST and Red Feather Romance emails go out at 11:30am EST. Downloads for the first free book and the whole series will follow after those times. It’s important to note that read-through on subsequent books in a series can take place in the weeks and months following your Series Promo with us.

The post Running a Book Series Promo: What to Expect appeared first on Written Word Media.

What’s New?

You can now schedule a promo with us through Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, Red Feather Romance or Hello Books and include a direct link to your author store. This means readers can go straight from our newsletter to purchase your book on your website. 

Imagine this: Our carefully crafted daily reader email lands in reader inboxes, and with just one click, they’re browsing your entire collection, directly on your website. Whether you’re offering a free download, a bargain book, or the latest in your steamy romance series, this seamless experience is now just a click away.

What does it look like?

Why did we add this Feature?

You asked, and we listened. We know how crucial it is for you to have control over your sales and to build a direct relationship with your readers. That’s why we’ve added this functionality. By directing readers to your author store, you not only drive sales but also deepen your connection with your audience—on your terms.

How Does It Work?

Getting started with this new feature is a breeze:

1. Schedule Your Promo: Choose your preferred email promotion (or Reader Reach Facebook ad campaign!) through our platform.
2. Toggle On the Author Store Option: When prompted, simply toggle the option to include a direct link to your author store.
3. Input Your Link: Enter the URL to your author store. Remember, this should be a page where readers can directly purchase your books without another click to an outside retailer.

Voilà! Your direct link will now appear alongside other retail links in our newsletter, giving readers a straightforward path to your store.

FAQs: Answering Your Top Questions

What qualifies as an Author Store Link?

The link must lead to a retail page on your website where readers can transact directly. Links to Amazon or other retailers don’t qualify, as this feature is designed to bring readers directly to your store.

Do I still need an Amazon link?

Yes, an Amazon link is still required, but your author store link will be featured alongside it, offering readers multiple purchasing options.

Can I use this with promo stacks?

Absolutely! If a promo partner supports direct links, your author store link will be included in their newsletter.

Which promo partners currently support direct links?

Hello Books and Fussy Librarian support direct links.

What does this mean for me? 

This new feature is part of our ongoing mission to provide you with innovative, effective marketing tools that drive results. By giving you the power to link directly to your author store, we’re helping you create a more personalized and efficient path to sales.

At Written Word Media, we’re committed to supporting your success. This feature is just one of the many ways we’re working to make your promotional efforts more powerful and seamless. As always, your feedback is invaluable, so keep those suggestions coming!

Ready to give it a try? Schedule your promo now!

Happy promoting!

The post New Feature Spotlight: Direct Sales Links to Your Author Store Are Now Supported in Our Newsletters! 🎉 appeared first on Written Word Media.

There are two different types of book templates: story templates and layout templates.

A story template, or plot template, is essentially an outline for your book. Freytag’s pyramid (sometimes called a plot pyramid) is easily the most famous story template: Exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and denouement.

A book layout template, or manuscript template, includes all the formatting and styles that affect the way your book looks on the page. There are layout templates for formatting your manuscript in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Adobe InDesign, Pages, and pretty much any other word processor you might use.

Many self-publishing platforms like Lulu, IngramSpark, and BookBaby also include ready-to-use layout templates. These also help you format your book’s front matter, which includes the copyright and title pages, book dedication, introduction, prologue, etc.

Do you have to use a book template?

No. Many writers don’t use them, but it doesn’t necessarily hurt to use either one. In this post, we’ll examine the pros and cons of using templates for your writing and book design.

Story and plot templates

Story templates operate a lot like outlines. Book outlines can help you keep the overall plot structure and subplots organized and can help you break through writer’s block. 

There are an endless number of ways to outline your novel and manage your storylines. Here is a list of our favorites. 

Should you use a story template?

Where to find a story template

There are plenty of software options to help you outline your book. Some of the most popular are:

• Chapterly
• Plottr
• Dabble
• LivingWriter

Book layout templates

Book layout templates are ideal for people who aren’t natural designers. However, they can limit your creative vision for the project.

Should you use a layout template?

Where to find a book layout template

You can find both manuscript and layout templates downloadable online. Some writing software comes with preloaded templates. StoryShare and Ulysses will help you format the interior of your book, and sites like Lulu and Canva have templates you can use to design the outside of your book.

If you don’t want to bother with tinkering with a layout template yourself, you can find book designers on platforms like Fiverr, Reedsy, or Upwork. Want to try designing the cover on your own? Check out our guide to creating a best-selling book cover.

The post Using Book Templates: Advantages & Disadvantages appeared first on Written Word Media.

Click the links below to jump to the section you would like more information on, or scroll through to read them all.

What is Reader Reach?
How do Reader Reach Ads work?
Why Are Reader Reach Ads Effective?
What to Expect
How to Schedule a Reader Reach Ad
What Do Reader Reach Ads Look Like?
Reader Reach Ads Frequently Asked Questions

What is Reader Reach?

Reader Reach by Written Word Media is a data-driven all-in-one ad solution that allows authors to access thousands of readers on Facebook and Amazon as efficiently as possible.

Setting up and running ads can be time-consuming, costly and stressful. With Reader Reach, we do all the heavy lifting for you. The Reader Reach team handles everything, from ad creative and copy to audience targeting and bidding. Our goal is to help you find the right audience for your book, and let you focus on what matters most: writing your next book!

Reader Reach continues to deliver on the things authors have come to know and love about Written Word Media: great customer service, seamless and speedy scheduling, proven results. 

How do Reader Reach Ads work?

Facebook and Amazon Ads can be some of the most effective advertising tools for authors, but they also have a high barrier to entry. Running effective ad campaigns requires time to learn the Facebook or Amazon ads platform, an upfront cash investment for testing campaigns, design resources to create ads, and focused analysis on results. 

Reader Reach Ads are designed to make the advertising process as easy as possible for authors.

Schedule your ad campaign in 5 minutes

Just like our email promos, Reader Reach Ads are easy to book. Simply go through our checkout process, select your start date, enter your book information, and our team handles everything else. After you have scheduled your campaign, you will get an email for your records that will confirm your campaign.

The Reader Reach Ads team creates your campaign and ads

Once your campaign is confirmed, the Reader Reach Ads team gets to work. We’ll create the necessary ad images or copy, set budgets, pick the best audiences, and schedule your ads.

Your Reader Reach Ads run for multiple days

Your Reader Reach Facebook ads start on the day you selected during checkout and run for a period of 5, 10, or 30 days (depending on which ad campaign you purchased). Reader Reach Amazon Ads run for a period of 5-10 days based on optimal ad budget allocation and bidding conditions determined for your book.

During your campaign, the Reader Reach Ads team monitors your ads and optimizes the campaign to get the best results possible.

Why Are Reader Reach Ads Effective?

At Written Word Media, we pride ourselves on offering authors and publishers an effective way to find new readers. To do this we spend a lot of time finding the perfect audiences for your books. 

Data-Driven Targeting

While anyone can run their own Facebook or Amazon Ads, what sets Reader Reach Ads apart is our proprietary data-driven targeting. Our secret sauce lies in the audience data we already have from over 1 million email subscribers, our large social followings, and our data-driven experimentation. When we find the right mix of targeting, creative and bidding, we lock in that “marketing recipe” for the authors we serve. Because we serve multiple authors and publishers we are able to aggregate our learnings quickly and capitalize on our existing audience assets. 

We also have deep insights into the best converting Amazon genre targeting categories and use those when creating your Amazon Reader Reach ads.

Expert, Personalized Ad Creation

While there are a lot of automated solutions out there that provide Facebook or Amazon Ad services, Reader Reach Ads has real people who are expert marketers creating, running, and analyzing the ads.

Proven Results

Reader Reach Ads is focused on results. Before we open new genres to authors, we run test ads with multiple titles until we are confident we have a “marketing recipe” that delivers results. Reader Reach Ads is only available in genres that have proven results. If a genre is missing, that means we’re still working on finding a recipe that meets our results criteria.

The majority of the cost for Reader Reach Ads is spent directly on Facebook or Amazon. At least 50% of what authors pay goes directly to the ad budget.

What to Expect

One thing that is important to note about our Reader Reach Ads is that it works a little differently to Written Word Media’s existing email promotions. With an email promotion, your book is featured on one specific day in our daily emails to tens of thousands of readers. This usually results in a large sales or download spike on that particular day. In contrast, Reader Reach Ads provide slower, more consistent visibility across multiple days. 

More Than Just One Day

Reader Reach Facebook Ads run for a period of 5, 10, or 30 days and Reader Reach Amazon Ads run for a period of 5-10 days. The campaigns start small and build over time, therefore you’ll likely see more consistent visibility for your book across multiple days and not a single-day spike.

While all campaigns differ, especially since we run ads for free, discounted, and full-priced books in a variety of genres, we have found some general ranges for the results authors can expect from a Reader Reach Ads campaign.

For our Reader Reach 5-Day Facebook Ads campaigns we see the following range of results: 

For our Reader Reach Amazon Ads campaigns we see the following range of results: 

What are clicks and impressions? When it comes to Facebook and Amazon Ads, a click is how many people clicked on your ad and were directed to your Amazon book page. An impression is how many times your ad was shown to users on Facebook/Instagram or Amazon.

Once your campaign has ended, you will receive a results report via email that includes the clicks and impressions metrics for your ad.

Expanded Visibility

Reader Reach Ads are a way to access an expanded audience that is not accessible with an email promo from Written Word Media (or other promo sites). Reader Reach Ads provide a quick and easy way to get your book in front of thousands of new readers.

How to Schedule a Reader Reach Ad

Scheduling your Reader Reach Ads is quick and easy.

1. Select whether you want to run Facebook Ads or Amazon Ads and pick your genre
2. Select the start date of your campaign
3. Input your book information
4. Complete checkout, and our team takes care of the rest

Reader Reach Ads are currently available for titles in the following genres: 

• Cozy Mystery
• Mystery
• Thriller
• Paranormal Romance
• Sweet Romance
• Steamy Contemporary Romance
• Romantic Suspense
• Historical Romance
• Western Romance
• Romantic Comedy
• Science Fiction
• Fantasy/ Paranormal
• LitRPG
• Horror
• Literary Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Young Adult
• Children’s Books
• General Nonfiction
• Self Help and How To
• Business and Finance

What Do Reader Reach Ads Look Like?

Below are some examples of Reader Reach Ad campaigns:

Facebook and Instagram Ads

Amazon Ads

Reader Reach Ads Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book Reader Reach Ads?

You can book Reader Reach Ads like any other Written Word Media service. Simply select Reader Reach Ads, choose your genre, select the start date, input your book information, and complete your purchase. Our team handles the rest, and will contact you if any questions arise.

Which retailers does Reader Reach Ads support?

Currently, Reader Reach Ads promote Kindle eBooks available on the US Amazon store.

What are the book price requirements for Reader Reach Ads?

Books featured on Reader Reach Facebook Ads do not need to be discounted to be eligible. You are welcome to purchase a Reader Reach Ad for either full-priced, discounted, or free eBooks. While we do not have a price restriction for the books we accept, we do know that books priced at $4.99 or less show the best results.

Book featured on Reader Reach Amazon Ads must be priced between $0.99 and $4.99 to qualify.

Do Reader Reach Ads require more work from an author than running an email promo with a site like Freebooksy or Bargain Booksy?
No, Reader Reach Ads are extremely easy to use for authors. Simply pick your genre, your ad campaign start date, enter your book information, and you’re done! The Reader Reach Ads team handles the rest.

Can I set up an ongoing campaign with Reader Reach Ads?
Yes! You can extend a Reader Reach Facebook Ad in three ways: 

• Purchase a Second 5-Day Campaign: If you wish to extend your campaign, you have the option to buy a second 5-day Reader Reach Campaign. This allows us to run the same ads continuously, providing a total campaign duration of 10 days. After purchasing the second 5-day Reader Reach campaign, please send an email to support@writtenwordmedia.com notifying us you’d like to continue your existing ad campaign.
• 10-Day Reader Reach Facebook Ads: You can select a 10-day Facebook Ad if you would like to run a campaign for a longer period than our 5-day option.
• 30-Day Reader Reach Facebook Ads ads: Written Word Media Gold and Platinum Members have exclusive access to 30-day Reader Reach ad campaigns. These month-long ads provide your book with consistent, long-term exposure to readers on Facebook and Instagram.

What genres does Reader Reach Ads promote?

Currently, Reader Reach Ads can promote books in the following genres, Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Steamy Romance, Romantic Suspense, Sweet Romance, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, Fantasy/ Paranormal, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Horror, Young Adult, Children’s Books, General Nonfiction, Self Help and How To, and Business and Finance.

Stay tuned for more genres to be added in the coming weeks and months.

What type of Amazon Ads do you run?

For our Reader Reach Amazon Ads, we run Amazon Sponsored Display Ads. For these campaigns, Amazon utilizes similar categories to target your book to likely readers. Our team chooses up to 30 related genre categories to display your ad to readers who are likely to engage with your book. 

Reader Reach Amazon Ads run for a period of 5 days. Please note: based on ad budget allocation and bidding conditions, sometimes Amazon Reader Reach ads can run for up to 10 days (your cost stays the same).

The post Reader Reach Ads: What to Expect appeared first on Written Word Media.

So you want to publish an audiobook, maybe with ACX, but you’re not sure how. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for the answers to all of your questions about creating, publishing, and getting paid with ACX.

What is ACX?

ACX is a platform owned by Amazon that lets authors create and publish audiobooks and earn money from the sales. 

When you publish an audiobook with ACX, it’s automatically available for purchase and download on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. 

How does it work? 

1. You choose how your audiobook gets made: Either you record and produce it or you choose and pay for a narrator to produce it. 
2. ACX distributes it, meaning they make it available for purchase on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Depending on the rights structure you choose, you may be able to distribute on other audiobook platforms as well. We’ll discuss that later. 
3. Once your audiobook starts selling, you start making money. 

Before you start: Make sure you own the audiobook rights 

You can only publish an audiobook through ACX (or anywhere, really) if you own the audiobook rights. 

If you self-published your book, you own the rights. If you published your book through a publisher, you might own the rights. If you worked through a literary agent, you might own the rights. 

Check all the contracts your signed to determine whether you own the audiobook rights. 

Why use ACX?

ACX is a one-stop shop for creating, publishing, and distributing your audiobook. You can use the platform if you want to hire a professional narrator or if you prefer to narrate it yourself. 

How much does ACX cost and how much do I earn?

How much it costs to produce an audiobook and how much you earn depend on the production cost and royalty structure you choose. There are three options.

Pay for production 

In this model, you pay a one-time fee to produce your audiobook. How much that fee is depends on the narrator, or producer, you choose, but expect to pay roughly $50–$400 per hour. 

With the pay for production option, you can choose from two royalty structures: 

• For 25% of retail sales on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, you retain the right to distribute your audiobook elsewhere. 
• For 40% of retail sales on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, you give ACX exclusive distribution rights and you cannot distribute your audiobook elsewhere. 

Royalty share and royalty share plus 

In this structure, you pay nothing upfront to produce the book in exchange for a lower cut of the profits. You split your royalties with the audiobook producer, which means you get 20% of retail sales on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. 

You have the option to access a higher tier of producers for your project, but you’ll have to pay a one-time fee for that access. 

Note that some narrators choose to only work with the royalty share plus structure. 

DIY 

If you want to DIY your audiobook—in other words, you’re the narrator and audio engineer—you can do that on ACX. 

The royalty structure is the same as the pay for production structure, except it costs you nothing but your own time to create the audiobook. 

• For 25% of retail sales on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, you retain the right to distribute your audiobook elsewhere. 
• For 40% of retail sales on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, you give ACX exclusive distribution rights and you cannot distribute your audiobook elsewhere. 

Bounty payment 

Regardless of which structure you choose, ACX will pay you a $75 bonus if your audiobook is a new Audible user’s first listen. In other words, because you snagged them a new customer, they pay you a small bonus. 

How to create and publish an audiobook using ACX

Once you’re sure you own the audiobook rights, here’s how to get yours published.

1. Create an ACX account 

Get registered on the platform: Provide a little information about your book, the type of narrator you’re looking for, and, if you plan to hire a narrator, the excerpt of your book you’d like for them to read to audition. 

2. Choose a narrator/producer 

If you don’t plan to narrate your audiobook, you can find one through ACX. You can do this by browsing narrator profiles and listening to reading samples, or by inviting narrators to audition for your project. 

The platform lets you apply all kinds of filters to their catalog of available narrators: genre, gender, language, accent, cost, vocal style, voice age, location, and whether they’ve been “Audible approved.” 

Narrators charge different fees for their work, so it’s important to browse their profiles to check prices. Narrator profiles will also tell you about a narrator’s background and experience, other audiobooks they’ve narrated, whether they’ve received any awards or recognitions, and whether they voice characters, which is important for fiction writers. 

3. Negotiate a deal and sign a contract 

Once you’ve chosen your producer, it’s time to negotiate a deal. ACX will produce the contract for you, but you need to specify things like hourly rate (unless you’ve opted for royalty share structure), and a deadline for the finished product. 

Once that’s signed and you’ve provided your narrator/producer with the full manuscript, they can start recording. 

4. Do a quality check 

The narrator will record the first 15 minutes of the book and send it to you. You can approve the sample or provide notes. 

Once the narrator has produced the whole book, you can provide more notes, but you have just two rounds of feedback before the finished product. 

5. Pay your narrator/producer 

How you do this and how much you pay depends on the hourly rate you agreed to in your contract. If you choose the royalty share structure, you don’t have to pay your producer anything, and in exchange get a cut of the sales.

6. Distribute 

Once the final recording is done, you’re ready to distribute your audiobook. ACX does this on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes for all production structures, and if your distribution rights structure allows it, you can distribute on other networks/platforms as well. 

7. Promote your book 

Once your audiobook is live and available for purchase, promote it on your author website, Audio Thicket, in your email newsletter, and on your social media channels. Drive sales and start getting paid! 

How much to sell your audiobook for

When you sell your audiobook through the ACX platform, the cost to readers depends on the length. ACX provides this list of prices for titles available on Audible. 

• Under 1 hour: under $7 
• 1–3 hours: $7–$10 
• 3–5 hours: $10–$20 
• 5–10 hours: $15–$25 
• 10–20 hours: $20–$30 
• Over 20 hours: $25–$35 

If you sell your audiobook through other platforms, pricing may be different. 

How do I get paid by ACX?

Every month you’ll get a royalty statement and payment in the form of direct deposit.

The post How to Create and Publish an Audiobook with ACX appeared first on Written Word Media.

Picking Your Promo Price

Bargain Booksy accepts books that are priced between $0.99 and $5. However, most of our authors see the highest engagement from our audience on books priced at $0.99. Many authors use our services when they are running a price promotion, or marketing their book while it is discounted. This means that a majority of the books in the email on a given day are priced at $0.99. If your book is priced higher than that, it really needs to pack a punch in order to get sizeable engagement from our readers.

That said, books that are well reviewed, with professional covers and engaging book description can see success at the $2.99 and $3.99 price point. You can read more about the relationship between pricing and profit in our data-packed article on How to Price Your Book for Maximum Results During a Promotion.

Bottom Line: Price your book at 99c for best results.

Planning the Frequency of your Promotions

We allow authors to promote a book once every 30 days. This allows us to build our list and acquire more readers who will want to read your book! There is no limit on how frequently an author can promote different titles with us.

Different authors have different strategies for promotion. Some want to get their books out there as much as possible. These authors often promote each of their books with us once every 30 days.

Some authors want to get big spikes of engagement out of all of their promotions with us. These authors often promote their books with us on a 90 day cycle. By waiting 90 days, these authors know that we have added tens of thousands of readers to our lists between promotions, so they know they’re going to reach a larger number of new readers.

Some of our authors run promotions on both Bargain Booksy and our sister site, Freebooksy where we promote free eBooks. While the Freebooksy and Bargain Booksy lists are made up of different readers, there is some crossover. We do not require a wait time between running Freebooksy and Bargain Booksy Promotions but due to the moderate amount of crossover, we recommend waiting at least 30 days. If you do plan to run promotions on both Freebooksy & Bargain Booksy within a shorter period, we urge you to run the Bargain Booksy Feature followed by the Freebooksy Feature for optimal sales.

Bottom Line: Once you have run a promotion on Bargain Booksy you will have to wait 30 days before you can run the same title again. Promo slots do book up in advance so plan your promotions and book repeating promotions for the same title on a 30-90 day cycle.

Review Requirements

Getting your book reviewed can be one of the most challenging parts of self-publishing. For this reason, Bargain Booksy does not have a minimum review requirement for standard features. We want to make sure that all authors can use our service, no matter how far into their author journey they’ve traveled.

However, it is important to keep in mind that reviews have a substantial impact on reader engagement. A book that has zero, or less than 5 reviews will see fewer sales than a book that has 10+ reviews. When you promote a new, unreviewed title, keep in mind that it may not see optimal engagement.

As we’ve tracked the effect that reviews have on a promotion we’ve honed in on a few strategies that help authors get their first reviews. One of the best ways we’ve found for authors to gain reviews is to promote your book for free with a service like Freebooksy. You can click here to learn more about how and why Freebooksy helps you get reviews.

Bottom Line: The more reviews you have, the better your book will perform. Running a book with little to no reviews may not be immediately ROI positive but it will still result in sales and can still be an effective marketing technique to help your book rank, increase pages read if you are in KU and build your following.

Kindle Unlimited Availability Impacts Results

Is your book available on Kindle Unlimited? If so, the success of your promotion will be gauged not only by book sales, but also by KENP reads and their resulting Amazon payouts. A portion of our Bargain Booksy readers are Kindle Unlimited subscribers, so you’ll see a bump in KENP reads in the days and weeks after a promotion. Some authors have reported that their earnings from KENP reads after a promotion match the revenue they made through direct sales. We’ve recently added a call out tag in our email for books that are enrolled in KU so our readers who are devoted KU members will know that your book is available to them.

Bottom Line: Your promo results will be even better if your book is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. Remember to factor in your increased KENP reads when calculating the efficacy of your promotions.

Genre Choice

Getting your book in front of the right audience will make a huge impact on the success of your promotion. We offer a wide variety of genres and the list is growing! Check out our genre guide to find the best fit for your book. If you feel your book can crossover to multiple audiences, you can book a feature in multiple genres on the same day to heighten the impact of your promotion. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Our editorial team reviews every book we feature and if we feel you’ve picked a genre that isn’t the best fit, we’ll reach out to you within three days of your booking.

Bottom Line: Promote your book in its genre to get best results. Our editorial team will check your genre choice and let you know if we think there is a better genre fit.

Book Cover Matters

The first impression that readers get about your book is the cover, so having a professional, eye-catching cover that makes sense to your target readers is extremely important. You’ll want to make sure that your cover fits the content and genre you are trying to reach. Stay away from covers that are too dark, hard to read, or that may confuse readers. Check out books in your genre on the bestseller lists to see if your book has similar qualities.

Bottom Line: Don’t overthink your book cover. Your book covers should look similar to other books in your genre. Having a book cover that is off-genre or hard to decipher will confuse readers and impact the success of your promotion.

Plan Ahead To Set Your Price

Bargain Booksy Promotions last for 24-hours and we require that books are at their discounted price on all sales platforms until 11:59 PM EST on the day of the promotion. If your book is enrolled in KDP Select you may choose to discount your book using a Kindle Countdown Deal. If you do, please schedule the countdown to start at 5am or earlier on the day of your promotion.

If your book will not be discounted with a Kindle Countdown Deal you may want to consider setting up your price drop a day before your promotion. Amazon can be very tricky and we’ve worked with many authors whose promotion plans were foiled because they were waiting for Amazon to approve their price change, and we would hate to have that happen to you!

Bottom Line: Amazon can be finicky if you are not using the Kindle Countdown feature. Reduce your price at least 24 hours before your Bargain Booksy promo date to ensure that your price is correct on the day of your promo.

Book Your Bargain Booksy Promo Today

Contact Us

We are here to help. If you have any further questions about how to prepare for your Bargain Booksy promotion and the best way to promote a book, don’t hesitate to contact us. We generally will respond to your email within 2 business days or quicker.

The post The Best Way to Promote a Book on Bargain Booksy appeared first on Written Word Media.