Latest posts from Amanda Luedeke
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Does Self-Publishing Lead to Traditional Publishing?
Many authors assume that self-publishing will lead to traditional publishing.But in reality, self-publishing rarely leads to a traditional book deal.
In this week’s podcast episode, we talk about the three things that publishers look at when considering a self-published …
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How to Handle Imposter Syndrome
If you ever think that you don’t measure up as a writer …
If you ever think that everyone else is so much better than you are …
If you ever feel like you’re just faking it …
You’re …
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Editors Uncensored, Vol 1
What ticks editors off?What makes them cringe?What do they wish their authors knew?We asked editors to share their uncensored thoughts about the book business.So buckle up. It’s gonna get uncomfortable.…
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Should You Sign with an Inexperienced Book Agent?
Your dreams are coming true. You’ve found a book agent who wants to work with you! The only problem? He’s only been agenting for a few months. What do you do? Do you take a chance on a newbie agent? … -
How Should I Spend Book Marketing Dollars?
What if you had $500 to spend on book marketing?Or $5000?
How should that money be spent?
…
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Book Marketing Ideas You Probably Haven’t Tried Yet
Post to Facebook.Grow your email list.
Write a blog.
Start a podcast.
We’ve heard these book marketing recommendations a hundred times. We’re tired of them. So let’s shake things up.
In this episode, we dish on book marketing ideas …
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When Authors Go to Court
How do you avoid going to court as an author?Don’t take someone else’s ideas or content (don’t plagiarize).Don’t fabricate stories about the past and claim they are true (don’t lie).…Don’t set out to make others look bad -
How to Run a Successful Book Launch Team (AKA Street Team)
Every author uses launch teams (or street teams) to promote their new books.And almost every author struggles to manage these groups.
This week, the Gatecrashers talk about how to run a successful launch team and get the results you …
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How to Use Influencers to Sell Your Book
Your publisher asks for your influencer list. They also want ideas for things that will excite your influencers.You panic.
You don’t know any celebrities.
You don’t have home addresses for the kings and queens of social media.
And you …
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How to Land a Book Endorsement
Most book endorsements come from people the author knows. But every once in awhile, you can snag one from someone you don’t know.In this episode of the Gatecrashers podcast, we discuss endorsement etiquette and how to chase after blurbs …
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The Difference Between Book Endorsers, Influencers, and a Launch Team
Each book launch relies on three very important groups of people:– Book Endorsers
– Influencers
– Launch Team Members (or Street Team, for those of us who grew up in the 90s)
But what are the roles of each? …
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When Agents Fight Over Clients
Sometimes multiple agents all want to work with the same client.This can happen to celebrity clients …
Or first-time novelists.
And it’s an interesting phenomenon to watch unfold.
Listen to the podcast episode on “When Agents Fight Over Clients.”…
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What Happens When Publishers Cancel Contracts
Yes, there are times that publishers cancel book contracts.
But it’s never an emotional decision. It’s always done for very specific reasons. So no, your publisher isn’t going to wake up one day and suddenly decide they don’t want to …
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What You Say Online Matters
What you say online matters.It matters when you’re trying to secure an agent.It matters when you’re trying to secure a publisher.It matters when you’re trying to win over readers.It matters and it can affect your publishing… -
Quick Tips for Self-Publishing Success
Self-publishing can feel like you’re entering a world you know nothing about.And so many enter that world and make mistake after mistake after mistake.
How do you avoid that? How do you do it well, right from the start?…
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When Is It Time to Self-Publish?
Self-publishing can be the greatest decision an author ever makes.So why does it feel like you’re giving up on your dream of being traditionally published?
It shouldn’t feel that way. There are certain situations in which self-publishing is your …
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Why Every Author Needs a Website
Yes, you need a website.Even if you’re unpublished.
Even if you write fiction.
Even if you don’t think anyone will ever visit it.
You need a website, and we talk about why on the latest episode of The Gatecrashers …
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How to Win Over an Agent
You can do what most people do. You can send queries and attend conferences and pitch agents face-to-face. You can put your projects in front of agents and walk away with a “yes” or “no” answer.Or you can get …
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Why Agents Don’t Always Respond
You send that query and then patiently wait for a response. And wait. And wait.Or maybe you meet an agent at a conference, hit it off, start emailing back and forth. And then they go dark. You just can’t …
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Self-Publishing Success
Most self-published authors rely on paid advertising and release strategies to sell their books. But not bestselling author Will Wight!Will has built his career with a focus on the writing craft instead of marketing strategies. It’s a breath of …