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Non-Fiction Author Lab
1k members • Free
23 contributions to Non-Fiction Author Lab
Jul 1 •
Thought I'd Introduce Myself . . .
Hello to all my new non-fiction writer colleagues! I'm Lauriann and I live in Philly. My first book was published in 1995 by a small publisher in Seattle. The subject was injury prevention for massage therapists, and it was the first book ever on that subject. He was inexperienced and gave me progressive royalty rates: I think it was 15% for the first 5000 books sold, then 20% for 5-10,000 books sold, and 25% after 10,000 books sold. In the first six months, we sold 15,000 books. He never imagined the book would sell so well and he'd have to pay me so much money! So he started cheating me on my royalties, which led to an arbitration, which led to me getting the rights to my book (and half the money he owed me). I tell this story as a cautionary tale!! I started a publishing company, had the books reprinted, and started selling the book myself using a fulfillment company. I took other jobs, but I wrote articles for industry magazines, spoke at industry conferences, and sold my books at those conferences and also to many massage therapy schools worldwide who made it required reading (something to think about if you have the right book subject). In 2006, I met an ergonomist/massage therapist and together we worked with a professional association to create the first statistical study of injury prevalence among massage therapists. We then decided to write the second edition of the book together (see my bio for the name of the book), published in 2008. It started out well, then the financial crisis hit and I lost all my school and other customers. I sold the rights to someone else, and went into a different field. I worked in that field (wine and wine tours in Europe - I'm a French certified sommelier) until COVID hit, and that was the end of that. About 2 years ago, I realized that the person publishing my book had let it go out of print. After 6 months out of print, the rights reverted to me and I decided to write the third edition of the book, which I once again self-published last December. Except now, I'm doing POD - what a difference! It's on Amazon in all its countries, and I use Ingram and Bookvault for international distribution.
2 likes • 6d
@Joe Tyndall 🤣😂Yippee, we still have brains!
0 likes • 5h
@Lauriann Greene I was just thinking this morning about all that has "disappeared" from life in the last few years to be replaced by something else (or nothing) and how much "adjusting" we all are having forced on us.
Jul 8 •
Paying for it
I’m sure everyone has been in the position I am in, but I am so curious to know how all of you have been able to fund your writing and publishing projects? Are you your own bank? Are you waiting a decade and saving up? Are you taking out a loan? How are people paying for these expenses and steps to be successful? Do you have any regrets in the early stages of financing your projects?
0 likes • 2d
@John Francis BTW I love me some Aussies. One of my favorite clients of all time was Australian. I still think of him often. What you're saying makes a lot of sense. Particularly the idea of taking stock of where we do have expertise (so we don't have to spend any bucks on it). Darn, now you've got me thinking and wondering if the US has any kinds of such grants. Probably not. But now I'm adding another reseach topic to my overall To-Do list. So maybe a corollary is also to start with the book format where we do have expertise in production as you're mentioning (...an audiobook because "I have the necessary experience and skills for my own editing, and a son is a skilled designer.") Did that make sense?
0 likes • 5h
@John Francis Great tip. Thanks for that. What are you writing about? I get the idea that it's something that is useful to a certain population which makes the grant a relevant request. Is that correct?
6d •
Would Love Feedback On My Book Cover Design And Potential Titles
I would love to get input on this book cover design and my five potential book title ideas. There are 7 pages to this document. The first page is just the template. The last page is an alternate design that I still like. Pages 2 through 6 are exactly the same content except with different potential book titles. I'm looking for input on pages 2 through 6. When I research suggessful books in my genre, they have punchy short titles. Originally, I planned for "What To Say On Your Website To Sell Professional Services" to be the title, but it seems better as a subtitle. Here's the help I am requesting your opinion on: ► Your thoughts on the overall design. ► Does the design catch your eye? Would you notice it in the store? ► Is the cover image too bland and need to be changed? Any suggestions on what would catch your eye? ► Do any of the potential titles ( pages 2 through 6) make you feel like you want to buy the book? ► Your thoughts on the remainder of the text on the book cover (front and back). Does it work for you? Does it make you want to buy the book? Are the concepts all clear? Is there any confusion? Thanks in advance and I appreciate your ideas.
0 likes • 3d
@Sharon Foster Thank you so much for all the input. You nailed exactly the problem that has always been consistent with this content. My book is ONLY about what to say on your website. Yet, when someone hears "write a website", they automatically say, "Oh you build websites." or "Oh you design websites." That's why the lenghty and specific subtitle. No, the website has to say something. That's what this book is about. Ask any web designer how many people come to them wanting a website but have no idea what the site is going to say. You're right about the barcode. I learned that after I finished these samples. The template I had had the barcode there, but when I checked on KDP, it did say lower right as you say. ..............................."Winning Websites", "Websites That Wow", "Websites That Work", "Compelling Websites" I do have some version of these on my list, but they didn't excite me. I'll look at them again. Thanks. Sometimes we look at something so long that we don't see it anymore. ....................................."would actually move this verbiage to the top of the back cover and use it as the heading." That's a good idea. It probably fits better there. ......................................."You have "designed to help you have a finished business product". This language is vague and non-specific. You're talking about your series on the back when you should be talking about this specific book." Good point. The initial publication will be the book, workbook, and a template to type all content into. I'm a little confused as to the publication process of all 3 so...that's the confusion you're seeing there. Thanks for pointing it out. It's the beginning of a series of business books (each of which helps the reader complete a finished product). ...................................."You have "designed to help you have a finished business product". This language is vague and non-specific." The concept is that this is a different business book. Usually, you read a business book and get excited but you can't use the book to actually get the acitivity done (write a website, start a business, write a business plan). I want someone to be able to take this book (the 3 parts of the system) and actually have complete website content at the end of the process.
1 like • 3d
@Sharon Foster Maybe we need to request the ability to edit our posts after we post them. It's always so embarrassing to have to live with our typos forever when we see them right after we hit the reply button. Again, thanks for taking the time to give me your two cents.
8d •
THANK YOU to Our Leaders in JULY
Quick thank you to this community. Every time I pop in here, someone is answering a question, sharing what worked, or cheering on another author. That does not happen everywhere. It happens here because of you. Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." That is this group. To celebrate those that are really in here all the time, we drew one name from our 30-day leaderboard. Congratulations, Rob Cole! You've won an AI Discoverability Audit plus a 20-minute call with the Book Launchers team to walk through your results and map your next steps. That call is not something you can buy anywhere. Keep showing up for each other. It matters. Now a special note because you will see in the video Roger actually wins .. but Roger is a client of ours and we are doing something like this for him already. That said, Roger if you want this exact thing, you can let us know too. Rob, to claim your prize just email @Angela Jones at team@booklaunchers.com She needs a few details from you so we can complete your audit, and then we will get you scheduled to review the audit with someone on our team!! Congratulations, Rob, and thank you again to everyone who continues to make this such a helpful and supportive community.
3 likes • 8d
@Julie Broad It's true. You've attracted an amazing group. It's impressive. I feel like I found my peeps.
0 likes • 4d
@Stella Nahatis I'm new here, but I wouldn't disagree with any part of that assessment.
9d •
The Author Launch Kit
Hi, I have just published The Inspiration Of Words Poetry Book 2 Dynamic Christian Poetry on Amazon. com. I am writing this little note, because l used the the author launch kit to help me write a description for the 2nd Mum E-Book and the book l am working on. I was very, very surprised at the results for the descriptions. I was given for my current book. I answered all the questions it posed me, because l did not just want just any description. I am happy to use this kit again and the thing is l have only just got started on with it because it can do so much.
1 like • 6d
@Kevin Hall Question on the ALK. I'm researching it. Is it as good as the sales page makes it sound? I'm planning a series of books...so it sounds like it would have lasting value for me.
1 like • 5d
@Kevin Hall Thanks so much for the input. I appreciate your viewpoint.
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@suzi-elton-3667
I write content for websites for tech companies, consultants, and attorneys.
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Joined Jul 23, 2026
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