10 Best Practices For Writing & Publishing Your Book Series \\ Video #7

[@HeartBreathings]

Welcome back to the next video in the "how to plan & write a series" series! Next week will be our final video, so fill out the google form in the description box to submit your question for the Q&A! I hope you enjoy these 10 tips, and by the way, THANK YOU for 34,000 subscribers!!!

[@DrBlockBooksForKids]

I decided to list the 10 tips and my reactions to them. A great video! 1. Be consistent I totally agree with this. Once I started publishing on a schedule where books started coming out at consistent intervals, I saw a massive increase in readers. Also, my initial books were quite short. Once I increased the length by 2x or 3x, I also saw an increase in readers. 2. Continue to learn Agree. I note that when I read fiction by top genre authors, my writing improves by osmosis. 3. Know your readers I learn so much from my Instagram interactions and from reading reviews. I ask my readers to leave character and plot ideas in their reviews, and it is amazing what fantastic ideas they give. So grateful. 4. Focus on a single genre or series in the beginning I am trying to juggle three series right now, and it is tough. 5. Keep detailed notes about the series and publishing Yeah, totally did not do this at the start and regret it hugely. 6. Have consistent branding Agree. 7. Publish as consistently and frequently as possible Strongly agree, especially with idea that quality is paramount to speed. 8. Use a loss leader to attract readers Thanks for discussing how this applies to wide but not so much to KU. 9. Make it easy for readers to buy next book Yes. The power of back matter and a good website (unfortunately, my website needs work). 10. Stay true to yourself And, get some sleep! :) Thank you for another great video.

[@HeartBreathings]

Love this reaction and to hear your experience with it! Thank you for sharing!

[@Charlotteapaige]

How short were they? I’m so confused about book length.

[@DrBlockBooksForKids]

@@Charlotteapaige They were under 10,000 words (few were closer to 5,000), but they were children's books and priced at 99 cents. Now, most of my books are from 20-40k words, still in the children's book space.

[@Charlotteapaige]

Dr Block Thanks, Dr. Block!

[@LindaDeeTee]

I swear, any author who does a reading order list gets an automatic gold star! It can be hard to track it down and the Kindle app often cuts off the subtitle so you can't easily tell which is the next book.

[@HeartBreathings]

🌟🌟🌟

[@carolstrickland616]

Just want to add to the importance of that Series Bible! When Covid quarantine began, I thought, "Now's the time to do that bible," before I begin work on Book 5 of a long series. Well vols. 1-4 were really, really long books and I kind of got away from things somewhere around early May, but now I'm about four pages of notes away from the end (there will be ice cream when I finish!), and have been surprised at some of the inconsistencies I found as well as the great details I've forgotten about! Also, I've learned stuff along the way, so "facts" and cultural references need to be corrected/updated. Going back now to make adjustments in those books so they're PERFECT. As I'm writing vol. 5 I can check details easily. (Of course after I get through there I'll have to add all that new stuff to the bible.) Series bible is important!!! (PS: I'm doing it in Scrivener, so everything's in neat folders-within-folders.)

[@carenwhite7954]

This series has been massively helpful so far. I'm all over the place genre-wise, and learning how to focus and streamline my ideas will make for better books, I think. Can't wait to see what you have next!

[@extra_vitali_wellnessisforus]

Yap, putting on your Student Hat is the key to success in life! There's always something new to learn daily. I definitely learnt a lot from this video as I put out 3 books in my first 2 months of my writing career which started this very year.

[@bobbiecarlton-hess9322]

Thank you for this list. It was super helpful. I'm loving this playlist.🤓🤓🤓

[@DeeBlaregold]

Great stuff! Thanks! The most valuable for me was to stay consistent with getting books out and staying true to yourself and values.

[@vesnakurilic2303]

Stopped 'pause' and went to add the keywords & categories columns in my metadata spreadsheet, thanks for the tip! :)

[@denisedodge]

Thank you Sarra for this great video and the wonderful resources you've provided us. Great advice!

[@sarahhays3503]

thanks for the tips. very useful!

[@PlannerNerdPlans]

Hi Sarra! I am not writer but creator and publish planners and inserts. But your advise on marketing is awesome! I need to find my lost leader too. I watch your videos for your entrepreneur spirit and love of planners. Thank you for sharing I always find something helpful for my business. :)

[@kit888]

Thank you. I watch a lot of AuthorTube. Your advice on writing a series is unique and invaluable. The five book threshold idea is especially useful.

[@christielrich]

Sarra, the be consistent thing is the hardest thing for me, but I'm working on it. I love being able to get a positive boost every time I watch one of your videos. I love Publish and Thrive! It really is the best money for publishing I've ever spent! I could have used your advice when I was first publishing in 2011, but better late than never! You are such a great example.

[@ldfm-z5r]

More excellent advice Sarra.

[@shawnaoulch9866]

Very informative! Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@dianagarland4907]

I can't wait for you to discuss the books on the craft of writing you just got. I look forward to your take on them.

[@bergfridskaaradias2071]

Thanks for being honest and inspiring!

[@bluovalgal]

Currently reading Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. Trying to apply everything I've learned so far...

[@gwenjks-1272]

I love all the books! But not all at the same time🙂

[@nikkiguerlain]

💖💖💖

[@Superlysuperfluous]

What's your opinion on author photos/portraits? Necessary?

[@ninamimi6622]

Would you advise to go into kindle unlimited if you're releasing your very first book? I've heard that advice from a few authors even some who are on wide release.

[@nildam.bonilla5849]

♡

[@therogueeducator8452]

Currently reading Inner Demons and just started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Safe to guess you loved that show? Lol

[@monikarudnicka9721]

Listening to your advice, tips or experience feels always like feeding my soul. Another great content, thanks Sarra!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you so much. That means a lot!

[@Gaia_Gaistar]

How do you sell a book in a genre that isn't very large, like the superhero genre of books?

[@HeartBreathings]

I think there is a good readership for superhero books! Check out Robert Crane's Girl In the Box series. That has a superhero type vibe and has sold over a million copies! I think it's all about finding the right categories and keywords for each vendor and then following the other tips here like consistent branding, using a loss leader, and so on.

[@aikrandadynasty8920]

What is her accent??