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Non-Fiction Author Lab
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8 contributions to Non-Fiction Author Lab
5d •
And now I wait
All - my 5th book is now with the editor. Well, it's been with the editor since the beginning of September, and he is just now getting to it. This is the part I do not like. It's like taking a test in school and waiting to see what grade you got (how many answers were wrong). But this 5th book is so much different from my other books as its 120 pages, 4700+ words, and will be my first hardcover book. Also, I changed up the book size, and this one will be 8.5X5.5. I was hopeful for a soft launch this year, but we will see. I'll keep you all posted.
1 like • 5d
That waiting period is probably one of the hardest parts 😂. Especially when it’s a different format and your first hardcover. There are actually a few things you can do during that stage to make the final publishing process much smoother. Your 8.5 × 5.5 format caught my attention too. How are you planning to handle the interior and cover setup?
1 like • 4d
@Kevin Hall That makes sense. Setting the page size from the beginning was a smart move too, especially when you already knew the final format you wanted. It must be nice having an editor who understands the vision rather than just handling the technical side. How long did it take you to get the manuscript to the point where you felt ready to send it to the editor?
5d •
What’s one thing you wish you knew before publishing your first book?
I’ve been thinking about how much of self-publishing happens after the book is finished. Writing the book is one thing, but getting the right people to actually discover it is a completely different challenge. For those of you who have already published, what’s one thing you learned about marketing, visibility, reviews, Amazon, social media, or getting readers that you wish you had known before launching? I’d be interested to hear what actually worked for you and what turned out to be a waste of time or money.
2 likes • 4d
@Joe Tyndall 😂 10 hours a day for 20 years sounds like a full-time job on its own. I think that’s the trap a lot of authors run into though, spending more time creating content than actually getting it in front of the right readers. The real challenge is figuring out what deserves your time and what doesn’t.
9d •
My weekly shout-out about Shane's Monday Group
We are getting some new folks; however, far too many people are missing out on this excellent opportunity to ask questions and have them answered well by someone with tons of experience.
0 likes • 4d
@Joe Tyndall That makes sense. Staying ahead of what’s coming can probably save a lot of time, especially when the marketing landscape keeps changing. What’s something coming up that you’re paying particular attention to right now?
0 likes • 4d
@K J Absolutely. That sounds simple, but it’s one of those small things that can easily get overlooked. If someone discovers the book through the website, making the path to Amazon obvious matters. Are you also tracking which pages or links are actually sending people through?
5d •
Look we've been noticed by scammers
We’re pleased to inform you that your book has been selected for the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair 2026. The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is the 3rd largest fair in the world, attracting more than 2 million visitors annually. The fair brings together authors, readers, publishers, and industry professionals through exhibitions, author appearances, workshops, talks, and professional networking. It provides authors with an opportunity to showcase their work within a major international literary environment and reach audiences beyond their existing readership. Registration Deadline: 5th October To confirm your participation, simply reply to this email with “YES.” We’ll then send you the next steps and registration details. We’re excited about the opportunity to showcase your work at Sharjah International Book Fair 2026 and look forward to hearing from you. Warm regards, Christian Garcia Senior Book Consultant Kindle Publishing Professionals 📧 christian@kindlepublishingprofessionals.com Ph: (888) 825-0190 🌐 https://kindlepublishingprofessionals.com This is what I got when I put the email address into Google. christian@kindlepublishingprofessionals.com appears to be a direct email address associated with Kindle Publishing Professionals, an independent book production and ghostwriting agency. [1] The company provides formatting, cover design, marketing, and self-publishing assistance. They notably published the workbook version of "God's Masterpiece and the Devil's Hues" in early 2026. (Note: Despite their name, they explicitly state they are not affiliated with Amazon or Amazon KDP). [1, 2, 3, 4]
0 likes • 5d
😂 The “you’ve been selected” approach is definitely designed to get an author excited before they start asking for something. I’m curious what their next message would actually look like.
0 likes • 4d
@K J Good catch on the date. That wrong November date would definitely make me suspicious too. It’s interesting how these scammers seem to know enough about an author to make the message feel legitimate. I wonder how many authors they’ve contacted fro
8d •
US Review of Books and the like
Hi there! Is it worth it to get a review from the US Review of Books or other services like them, particularly for a nonfiction book? US Review costs about $100. Anyone have experience with getting these professional reviews ? Sorry I couldn’t make it on Monday I would have asked then. Thanks!
0 likes • 5d
I think the interesting part is what happens after you get the review. A positive professional review can become much more valuable when it’s used strategically across the book page, website, media outreach, social content, and author materials rather than simply being listed as another review. I’d be curious to know how other authors here have actually repurposed theirs.
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