Needs Updating
Some of these references are fine, but there are likely better resources now in 2026. A couple of things I wouldn’t recommend as a resource anymore, I’ve deleted from the list.
A list of references from the book plus additional books, websites and other resources that I have found invaluable on my own writers journey.
Websites
Author’s Guild of America. report https://www.authorsguild.org/industry-advocacy/authors-guild-survey-shows-drastic-42-percent-decline-in-authors-earnings-in-last-decade/
Book Launch. This is Tim Grahl’s website (author of Your First 1000 Copies). Some great articles and free tips. Social vs. Email stats are quoted in this article:
https://booklaunch.com/social-media-marketing-authors/
The Creative Penn. Author resources site created by Joanna Penn. Has some great free and paid content, although Joanna falls into the “post until your fingers bleed” camp, so use your own judgement.
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
Placeit. Phone and computer mockups.
PSD Covers. Book mockups (requires Photoshop).
Prolific Works. Book marketing and promotion.
https://www.prolificworks.com/authors
Freebooksy. Book marketing and promotion.
https://www.freebooksy.com/for-the-authors
Hidden Gems Books. Service for providing Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) to readers.
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com
Reedsy Discovery. Book marketing and promotion.
Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). ALLi have a huge library of resources for self-publishing authors, including guide books, articles and a range of support services for members.
https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org
Copy Blogger. If you want you outreach to be effective, it needs to adhere to good copywriting principles. There are hundreds of online resources for improving your copywriting skills, but Copy Blogger is my favorite. Membership is free.
Bowker Identifier Services. You should never accept free ISBNs from any publisher, as they will be listed as the publisher of the book. Bowker is the international broker for ISBNs. You can also buy barcodes for your ISBNs.
Books
A list of books I found helpful in my indie publishing journey. I have dozens more books on writing craft, but have only include the ones that help the publishing side of your business, for example, creating well-structured story outlines so you can write books faster and reduce editing time.
Authority by Nathan Barry
The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Grit: The Power of Passion by Angela Duckworth
Write. Publish. Repeat by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant
Discoverability by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Marketing for Writers Who Hate Marketing by James Scott Bell
How to Write Short Stories and Use Them to Further Your Writing Career by James Scott Bell
The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t by Steven Pressfield
Revision and Self-Editing for Publication by James Scott Bell
Your First 1000 Copies by Tim Grahl
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Hustle by Neil Patel, Patrick Vlaskovits and Jonas Koffler
How to Get Things Done by David Allen
Reinventing You by Dorie Clark
Stand Out by Dorie Clark
Wired for Story Lisa Cron
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
The One Thing by Gary Keller
Writing Fiction for All You’re Worth James Scott Bell
2K to 10K: Writing Faster by Rachel Aaron
1500 Words Per Hour by N.P. Martin
How to Make a Living as a Writer by James Scott Bell
Marketing Without Money by Tom Patty