d44a28f0efc64b608f0823ef5202200f

Writers’ Nook: The Joy of Creative Writing

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:01:08 GMT

This is an on-going class for young writers; it will help students to grow in the art of creative writing through study and practice.

Writers’ Nook: The Joy of Creative Writing | Small Online Class for Ages 10-15 | Outschool

Class Experience - US Grade 5 - 8

In this class students will expand their creative writing skills by looking closely at examples of successful authors to understand what they are doing and how they are doing it. Additionally, students will respond to writing prompts to discover and exercise their own creative possibilities.

Take a look online. Offered by OUTSCHOOL

Marketing on a limited budget

Tue, 28 May 2024 11:03:08 GMT

Tips for struggling authors

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Meet the Author Podcast

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 07:12:33 GMT

Looking for some new book inspiration

We are always looking out for ways to find out about new books and are delighted when we find someone who is helping indie publishers get noticed. so we are very pleased to announce that some of our authors will soon be appearing on the Meet the Authors Podcast - thanks to the good people over at Indie Book Source.

Check out their You Tube Channel and Website from the links below - and hopefully to see some familiar stories being told there soon.

YouTube: (89) INDIE BOOK SOURCE - YouTube or @MeetTheAuthorPodcast

Website: MEET THE AUTHOR PODCAST - Indie Book Source

Trying to find a good Illustrator?

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 05:33:45 GMT

We know it's hard to find a partner for your pride and joy.

Our authors often have issues finding a reliable illustrator. Many on sites like Fiver or social media can be a gamble,

will you get a fair price, a good representation of your characters or will you be scammed in some awful way.

Here at CAAB publishing we like to try and look after writers.

So here are a few tried and tested illustrators, in our experience (and that of our authors) they do a great job, charge

a fair price and are not scammers.

We still recommend checking them out thoroughly before using them and getting a solid contract in place. CAAB

publishing cannot guarantee that the following illustrators are still working, are taking on clients or that they will be

perfect for every writer. Always be wary and think hard before paying out any money. Use your common sense and

remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Jon Smith – Graphic designer

Website: www.studiosmith.co.uk

Sarah G Respall Rojas

Contact: sarahrespallrojas@gmail.com

Young talented illustrator and writer. Many children's books illustrated for authors all over the world. Varied

published books, one of bedtime stories, and one with colouring pages.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahgrespallart

Marié Rojas Tamayo

Contact: marierojastamayo@gmail.com

Award winner author and illustrator. More than 50 international awards. More than 20 books as a writer. Children's

books illustrated.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariewriter1963/

Ray Respall Rojas

Contact: rayrespall1987@gmail.com

Award winner author and illustrator. Teacher at the National Academy of Fine Arts San Alejandro. More than 30

books illustrated.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rayrespall/

Suzi White

Artist, Illustrator and author

Website: suziwhitesketches

CAAB Publishing take no responsibility and have no affiliation with the featured illustrators.

CAAB Publishing goes global

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 14:29:16 GMT

Since our launch in 2020 we have looked to help UK based writers to achieve their dream of seeing their work in print.

One of the main questions we are asked is "Why do you not accept submissions from other countries."

The simple answer was that as a new company and with all of our experience being based in the UK it was a natural fit for us to start by developing UK based relationships and helping UK based Authors. However as time has moved on we have been able to reach out and are now able to start looking at ways of working with authors outside of the UK.

To make sure that we are managing this exciting new development for the benefit of our family of authors we are going to be starting slowly so at present only our anthologies are going to be opening to Non-UK based authors however we already have other exciting developments in the works with a view to offering a full global publishing service which will enable us to push further with out mission to Inspire Writers and Support Authors.

This little piggy says, "how do I market?"

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 15:54:58 GMT

I have written my book, the hard work is over … or is it?

Marketing and promoting your work

A lot of authors feel that once they have finished writing a novel, they have put in the hard work and now they deserve to sit back and reap the rewards.

Yes?

Well, no actually.

After a book is written and edited and formatted, and checked, and triple checked, once the cover is designed and agreed on, the back cover piece is written, and added, and the dedication is finished. That is when the hard work really begins.

Marketing your book is vital.

Even if you have a huge budget and a big hitting publisher behind you, you have to get involved. You must work the circuit, visit the bookstores, sign and smile. You must do interviews and sit for hours in draft filled halls answering potential readers’ questions. No matter how big an author you are, the rules are the same. Promote your work, promote yourself, and get some sales.

If you are an unknown author this is even more important. Amazon has on average 7500 new books uploaded to Kindle every day (fact curtesy of justpublishingadvice.com), and yours will get lost in that sea of words. If you have a publisher that is helping with promotion, they can only do so much. Readers do not know that you exist, and you must show them that you are not only an author but a good one, as they have no basis for comparison. You must get your book under their noses, get reviews, get your voice, face and book cover out into the public consciousness. No interview is too small, no blog too unknown. If three people listen to the podcast, it is three people that did not know about you before, and who may talk about you or your book to others.

Write a little press release and send it to every local paper, radio or Facebook page. Use every contact that you have, do not be embarrassed to blow your own trumpet.

Then send the press release to any place even slightly related to the book, places mentioned, places that might want to promote your work.

Is it a book for kids? Try schools, pre-schools, mother and baby groups. Is it about a horse? Look for stables that could recommend it on their websites. Does it mention magic or the supernatural? Look for local magic shops, historical sites that are listed as haunted, they often have onsite shops, ghostbusting groups that would be interested in the book or might mention it on their website. The most important thing is to promote the angles, all of them. These can come in many forms, did you work on the book while you moved house or had a baby? Add that into the press release to show what a hard worker you are and to emphasis the struggle you had to get the book into print. Do you have a personal interest in a character, are they like you? Were you bullied like them? Did you have an annoying little sister? Did you write the book to help others in a bad situation or to highlight something? Think about every facet of your novel. Who might read it and why? Then aim your marketing in that direction. Some authors have been known to do crazy stunts to help promote their books, one well known author used actors to read their books in public places and laugh out loud as people passed by. It got people talking, so it worked. Another had a book that was only available for a few weeks and then it self-destructed (deleted itself from the device). Stunts can work, but so can original launch party ideas. A spooky book could have a launch event at a haunted house with a medium on hand and ghost walks in between readings. A book about fairies could be launched in the woods with people dressed as fairies and dolls dressed up and hidden in the branches to delight the young attendees, you can have fun stuff to do, and crafts based around the books theme. Anything to get people talking, buying and sharing your work.

So, if you have a book out there, take another look at it, could you be doing more? And if you are a reader, maybe look for an unknown author to pick up and read today, you could discover a diamond in the rough.

Supporting British Red Squirrel

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 13:54:03 GMT

National Squirrel Appreciation Day

To celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation day on the 21st January 2022 CAAB Publishing are pleased to announce that we will be supporting the work of British Red Squirrel, a working project of Red Squirrel South West, by donating 10% of all profits from the sale of No, Squirrel! via our website to British Red Squirrel throughout 2022.

British Red Squirrel is a forum bringing together everyone interested in Red Squirrel conservation in the UK which seeks to raise awareness of the situation of red squirrels in the UK and help the general public discover how to get involved.

To find out more about British Red Squirrel or Red Squirrel South West please follow the above links.

Purchase a copy of No, Squirrel

How to write a great press release for your book

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 12:21:32 GMT

Top tips for getting noticed against all the noise.

Keep it to about 350 words. Do not ramble and do not use the limited word space to explain the entire plot of your book. Instead, focus on how your book will connect with people, how it will help

people, where it is unique or what makes it special. You need to throw up a reason for the media outlet to care about

you or your book. Write about your struggles or your angle.

Remember that although this is major news to you it is not news worthy without something juicy. A media outlet is not trying to sell your book they are trying to sell newspapers or attract listeners. You need to do something that is news worthy or have an angle that is a hot topic.

With over 70 ebooks published every hour, it has become a saturated market out there, and you need to stand out from the crowd.

Find the hook that will drag people into your world. Does your book have a theme that is trending? Do you have something that you can push that is in the public eye at the moment? If you can show a link in your writing the media outlet will show interest.

Try to push your book as much as you can before release and if someone famous is talking about your book, mention it. Did you get feedback from a well-known author? A tweet about the book replied to by a television star? Use it.

Most importantly, if you want a positive response to your press release, it has to be well written, edited and formatted.

Reporters do not want to put in more effort than the article is worth and the less they have to do, the more likely they are to use the press release.

Be sure to write in Third Person. Read other press releases and use the ideas you find. Be sure that it sounds like a story or a news article and not just an advert for your work.

Title your piece.

Keep it short and snappy. Aim for less than 20 words. You need to grab the readers attention in that first sentence.

What grabs your attention?

Now write one sentence that gives some information about the book.

The title should grab them, but the next sentence needs to be sure not to disappoint. It must keep them interested. Remember your angle and keep it juicy.

Now add (in brackets) your name, town or city, country, and the date of the release.

Ok, start writing.

Media outlets receive many press releases every day. Yours must stand out, you have to give them a reason to keep reading and to want to use the piece.

What is the book genre? Is it a look at something from a different point of view? What problems does it solve? What will people get from reading this? Be sure it sounds like news and not a sales pitch.

You can use a quote if you like, this can be a quote from your book or from a reviewer.

Now you need a very short bio, because unless you are Dan Brown or a well-known author, people thinking about reading your book won’t know who you are. You have to tell them and make them care enough to take a gamble on your work. Now is the time to mention if you have a qualification or a unique insight into your topic, if you can be seen as an authority then media outlets will be much more interested.

You can mention your author website, but be sure it is well made and up to date, and any other books you’ve written.

Now pitch to the reader. Tell them why they need your book in their lives. Make it thrilling, make it eye catching. Be clear about the benefits of buying your book. Readers want a good reason to part with their cash. Keep it short and remember it is not a synopsis, it is a few lines to garner interest.

Lastly put your email, phone number, and any social media links that you regularly use. You can add your publisher as well or your agent.

An important thing to think about is what you want a reader or listener to do next? Buy your book, come to your launch party or contact you? What is the aim of the release?

Now it is ready, edited and reedited, you can send your press release to every news outlet that you can get details for.

Unfortunately, just because a press release is sent to a media outlet, it doesn’t mean it will be read. But, if you do not send it, it will 100% not be read.

If you are sure your book would be a good fit for a certain media outlet (maybe a publication for your specific genre) you might want to tweak the release and send it with a more specific, to them, angle or hook. Do not be ashamed to jump on any available band wagon.

Here are some links to more press release help.

How to Write a Book Press Release Like a Pro! (kindlepreneur.com)

How to really write a press release (that actually sells books), plus some free PR templates – Creativindie

20+ Press Release Examples to Draw Inspiration From in 2022 (prowly.com)

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - David Clegg

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 10:09:36 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author David Clegg

With thanks to our partner DJP Systems

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:49:01 GMT

"Zero to Hero" via easy to follow step-by-step instructions

At C.A.A.B Publishing we know how difficult it is to ensure that you are delivering consistently across your business, this is where it is key to ensure you have Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.Ps)

Standard Operating Procedures at a minimum give you the following:

Consistency
Reduction in Errors
Reduction in Mis-Communication

If you are looking for a partner to help you deliver then we recommend DJP Systems who will work with you to create easy to follow step-by-step guides, enabling anyone to complete a required procedure or task with ease, precision, and to your business's specifications.

DJP Systems offer bespoke solutions for all businesses from SMEs to Corporates and will work with you to measure and tailor their services to what you need.

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Dale Parnell

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 14:14:21 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author Dale Parnell

What to do at smaller literary/author events

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 13:31:40 GMT

You have managed to secure a place at a small festival or fete. Excellent. But, now what?

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Getting Reviews for your books

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 13:27:25 GMT

A few thoughts on what you should do and what you should not do, when asking for reviews.

Be nice , that is rule one.

You would think that would be obvious, but authors can get frustrated too. Just remember that this person, this reviewer, is doing you a huge favour, so, be nice.

When it comes to asking for and receiving book reviews, be polite and courteous.

Do send a free book copy. That is vital.

Do be flattering, not about them but about their site, their previous reviews and mention the good things you have heard about them.

Do read the reviewer’s genre likes and specifications for reviews. Learn what they accept and if they will do other pieces, like interviews or guest bloggers.

Do read some of their articles and their past reviews of books in your genre. If you want to write a piece for them, be interviewed by them or have them review your work then it helps to know a little about them and their style. What they like and what they do not like will help you to get the tone of your approach just right.

Do let them know how your book is right for them, and how you can help to spread the word of their review.

Never ask a reviewer to purchase your book. That is very cheeky and remember they are doing you a favour, it should not put them out of pocket.

Never waste a reviewer’s time. It is rude to ask a reviewer of kids books to take a look at your horror novel. And one day you may write a kids book and that mis-step could put the reviewer off dealing with you.

Never be unprofessional. This can work both with being pushy and rude and overly friendly. Be professional, keep it work related and do not stray into your personal life or make any comments that you would not feel comfortable making to your boss at work.

And remember that any publicity is good publicity. Do not dismiss a reviewer because the blog is small, or they have only a few followers. If those followers buy your book, then that is not only a sale, but it is people talking about your book, mentioning the review, knowing you exist. Every article, review, interview or piece in any format should be seen as a golden opportunity to widen the circle of people that know your book exists and that will buy it.

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - L. Stephenson

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 15:30:39 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author L. Stephenson

How To Pitch Your Book Or Script As A Movie

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:17:30 GMT

Quick Tips For Writing That Killer Pitch

Everyone dreams of seeing their characters on the big screen. But if you get a chance to pitch your work, how do you do it and get it right?

Here we will look at the ten finger pitch - short and pithy. Easy to remember and the best way to get your story across without droning on or not giving enough information.

Draw two hands - or draw around your hands

Then in each finger write -

in the little finger, put the story genre or genres, add a little more if needed but it must fit in the little finger.
the ring finger is for the main character/protagonist, the ‘somebody’.
the middle finger is given over to the end goal. what is your character after, what does he/she want/need?
in the index finger the conflicts to be overcome.
in the thumb, write your story’s unique idea, the selling point; Why should it be accepted?

Then you move to the other hand.

write the story’s main actions in the thumb.
then the change or lesson that needs to be learned/overcome in the index finger.
the crisis moment (when the protagonist is at their lowest) in the middle finger.
the final confrontation or how is the lesson learned.
and, lastly, the climax, the resolution, the payoff, in the little finger.

This can be used for many different pitches and can also be used when writing your book to stay on track.New paragraph

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Anthony J Ball

Tue, 18 May 2021 16:29:48 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author Anthony J. Ball

Setting up an Author Page

Thu, 06 May 2021 18:03:20 GMT

Do you need an Author page?

Well, yes.

You need somewhere to showcase your books, and your upcoming events.

You should have a way for fans to contact you and buy from you.

You may not be published yet, but that shouldn’t stop you. Agents and publishers could look around

at any information about you and a great author page will pique their interest.

Even if you are not particularly tech savvy you can take a good look around at what type of site will

work for you.

Many authors say they tried three or more sites before finding the one that worked for them. So,

there is no rush. Just find one that you understand and that offers all you need.

Here are a few links to some sites that might be the one for you -

AuthorPage

Square Space

Web.com

Some can cost a little money, some can be expensive, and some are free. It all depends on your

budget.

There are tutorials out there for most sites. Use them.

This link may help with how to set up the look of your page.

13 Author Websites That Get It Right

A great idea is to look at other authors webpages and see how they have set them up.

It gives you new ideas and you can see what sites they are using.

Here are a few to take a peek at.

Military author | Netley | Simon Daniels Books

Author | Andrea Hintz

Author Beverly Jenkins

By Emily Rae

Be careful not to put too much of your work on your author page, it may put off a potential agent or

publisher if your work is all over your site and free to read. But if you are self-publishing, go for it.

Do put on a picture and a way to contact you. A bio and any links to work that is available to buy.

Keep it updated.

Start a list for newsletters. You can make them bi-monthly or just send one out when you have fresh

news.

Good luck.

Get a virtual author visit for your school

Thu, 06 May 2021 17:55:14 GMT

Pick up a copy of Twisty Tales 1 or 2 Today and get a free Author Visit.

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - F.J. Beerling

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 15:31:02 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author F.J. Beerling

Promoting your book

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 14:05:59 GMT

You've published your book and had your launch party - Now what?

Now your book is published, and you have done the launch event.

Congrats!

What next?

The sales will not just come rolling in without your continued attention.

Here are a few ideas to keep you finding new readers.

Advertise, and keep getting reviewers to look at your book –

Submission Guidelines | BookPage

The Best Book Blogs That Do Free Book Reviews | BookSirens

Interview – offer to interview for everyone and anyone. Mention the book!

Podcast | The Writing Community Chat Show

Author Interviews - Interviews with published authors

Get on book lists – Try these to keep your book in the public eye.

Authors if You Have a Book and Want Free Promotion Submit Here (awesomegang.com)

Book Promotion (discountbookman.com)

Promotional Packages - Authors and Books promotion - Bookpraiser

Find your own as well, there are plenty more out there and lots that will be specific to your genre.

Write guest posts for other bloggers and if you have a blog offer the same in return. Tweet, post and write about your book.

Keep contacting local stores, radio, newspapers.

Think about what is trending and use it, see if you can find an interesting angle for the story that you are selling. You’re a writer after all.

Interview with David M. Donachie

183:818778829 (Adam Brown) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:40:38 GMT

Video of an Interview with David M. Donachie Author of The Drowning Land

For those of you unable to attend the recent launch of David M. Donachie's latest novel, The Drowning Land the interview with the author is now available on You Tube

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Charlie King

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:26:46 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author Charlie King

Video Review - David Walliams - Gangster Granny

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:58:00 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about David Walliams' Gangster Granny

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Available to buy from Amazon via the link below.

Alternative ways to get book sales

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:46:56 GMT

You've Written your book, Great! But how do you boost sales?

Promotion is great, obviously. But how to get some free promotion and get the word out there.

Start a competition or offer your book as a prize to companies already running competitions.

Get your book into local shops, cafes, hairdressers, etc. If you can not afford to put some books in each place, then get some flyers printed or some bookmarks. Put these in places for people to pick up.

Ask your library about running a writing workshop or starting a writing group. Hopefully, you can find a group of people that will support you and help you promote your work, and you can do the same for them.

Think outside the box…or even inside the box.

Christmas eve boxes were a big thing last year, what other gift opportunities are there.

Offer your book, or if you have a few different books that you have published in the box, with some hot chocolate, a mug (Book branded if you like), and things that work well with the age group you are aiming at. Kids – a teddy, some sweets, colouring book and pencils, adults – some items that fit in with your genre, sci-fi, horror, etc. Candles for relaxation books, dog treats for a book about dog care, seeds for gardening books…. the list goes on and on.

You can make it as expensive or as cheap as you like.

Include a voucher for money off a future book or offer a lower price for buying two or more boxes.

Start a Youtube or Tiktok challenge/dance. Make it relevant to your book, dance with the book in your hands or balanced on your head, throw it up and clap so many times before catching, read in a weird or scary place (be careful, don’t take risks).

Do something strange with your book readings.

Read some excerpts of your horror book at midnight in a spooky old house, get other horror authors involved, hold a séance (if you are ok with such things) offer tickets, advertise the event and mention the house’s history and any rumours of ghosts, etc, you can set up a few books on the edges of tables that may topple and make people jump or check for drafts and be sure to sit people in them, a cold chill goes a long way.

Read a book about fairies out in the forest, offer a forest walk, a chance to see a fairy ring (set this up in advance, with either moving some already growing mushrooms or paint some pretend ones and plant them in a ring around a tree) mention the chance to see fairies, you can even set up some dolls high in the trees or other things to amaze the children, they will shout out when they spot them.

There are so many places you can do readings, if you think about it and get other authors of the same genre involved, the possibilities are endless.

Make a funny or scary book trailer if you can. If it is funny or scary people will share it. Do a magic trick (a good one) be entertaining, think of what goes viral, or what is popular on television.

Just remember to be proud of your hard work. Keep pushing it and the sales will happen, get people talking, get publicity. Let people know you exist.

G ood luck

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Liana Wall

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 09:54:56 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author Liana Wall

Being a writer whilst home schooling during a pandemic

183:818778829 (Adam Brown) — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:29:40 GMT

How to juggle your writing and teaching commitments

Here are a few tips for those of you trying to write while home schooling.

It is tough, there is a reason why we do not do this without planning, support and special training. Writing on its own is stressful enough, but now the children are home, and we are all pulling our hair out and feeling guilty for not being able to cope. Please, try not feel guilty and do not try to do too much.

We hope our tips help, if not there is always wine and a hot bubble bath!

Embrace a relaxed attitude towards teaching or alternatively plan out every moment of your day. Whichever works for you and your family.

You can roll with whatever each day might bring or have an action plan ready for each day. But remember, if things don’t go the way you planned, make the most of what you are able to accomplish and pick up any abandoned tasks the following day.

Break your writing/working efforts into manageable chunks – do not try to work for hours on end, it will not happen. Choose your moments and choose them wisely. If you manage to write a page, uninterrupted. Feel like a winner.

Set your priorities but do not worry if you have to change them. The sudden call of, “The internet isn’t working.” …. Or, “I don’t get it.” Will mean you need to rethink what you are doing. But try not to panic, take a deep breath and count to 10. Give older children a book where they can write down questions to ask later, then give them a time that they can sit down and chat with you. Let children know they are your priority but that you must try to get some work done as well.

Share tasks and ask for help. Children do not just learn from books, doing a wash, cooking a simple meal or even cleaning the bath is learning how to do things for themselves and helps them to be ready to be adults.

Schedule breaks for you and the kids. Go for a walk, a bike ride or just a wander in the garden for a few minutes. Open a book and read together, watch a show, play a game. Relax. It is important.

Make the most of online resources, they can be a life saver. YouTube, websites and even zooming with another family member can get you a few minutes of peace, without feeling like a neglectful parent.

Leave out things for them to do, in case they finish their work or need a break, put out playdough, paper and pens, Lego, a few toys or other things they like to do.

Plan stress-free meals. While you will try to do everything, clean, cook, teach, work, and be on top of all the tasks that need to be done. It is almost impossible, so freeze stuff, pre-cook things, use slow cookers, do not worry too much about how many snacks they are eating or that they are not getting enough fruit. You are doing your best, you are brilliant.

But mostly remember to communicate, let children know what is expected, what the day will bring and when you are able to help them. Do not be afraid to say, “I do not know,” and then look the answer up together. There will be tears, there will be tantrums and there will probably be arguments but there can also be laughter, smiles and fun. If you can go with the flow and realise this is an unprecedented situation. You are doing great!

Video Review - Charlie King - Lizzie's Dream Journal

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 09:39:32 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about Lizzie's Dream Journal by Charlie King

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Purchase your copy today from our store or follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Alexandria Brown

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 09:33:07 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author Alexandria Brown

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Christine King

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:45:14 GMT

Interview of the Month with Author Christine King

Alternative ways to increase book sales

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 15:24:24 GMT

Some hints and tips for getting those all important sales

You have written your book. Great.

You have published it. Amazing!

Now sales are flagging, how do you boost them?

Promotion is great, obviously. But how to get some free promotion and get the word out there?

Here are a few ideas.

Start a competition or offer your book as a prize to companies already running competitions.

Think outside the box…or even inside the box.

Christmas eve boxes are a big thing at the moment.

You can make it as expensive or as cheap as you like.

Include a voucher for money off a future book or offer a lower price for buying two or more boxes.

Do something strange with your book readings.

There are so many places you can do readings, if you think about it and get other authors of the same genre involved, the possibilities are endless.

Make a funny or scary book trailer if you can. If it is funny or scary people will share it. Do a magic trick (a good one) be entertaining, think of what goes viral, or what is popular on television.

Just remember to be proud of your hard work. Keep pushing it and the sales will happen, get people talking, get publicity. Let people know you exist. They can not buy your book if they do not know about it.

Good luck

How to sell your books at events

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 13:00:23 GMT

Resources to help you sell your books at events.

Selling books at events can be daunting. It can be scary to engage with the public, but you can sell more books by approaching people than by sitting behind a stall and checking your phone very five minutes.

Here are a few links on how to sell, sell, sell.

https://www.amarketingexpert.com/2018/10/23/15-secrets-to-selling-more-books-at-events/

https://www.aer.io/blog-article/5-steps-to-sell-books-at-trade-shows-conferences

https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/05/book-sales-via-book-festivals-and-crafts-fairs/

If you believe in your book, then you can use that passion to get others to believe in it too. A positive attitude can make others want to read your work.

Launch parties – Daunting or fun?

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 12:57:53 GMT

Here are some top tips to help you have a successful launch party.

What do you do?

Where should you launch?

How do you get people interested?

Online of offline?

Offline.

(Please be aware of any restrictions or social distancing laws in your area before going ahead.)

If you have the time and a budget for an offline event, then great!

1. Try to be original. Book a strange place that fits with your genre, a haunted house for a horror, a charming wood for a children’s book, a stable if you feature horses, a roof party, a poolside party. You get the idea. An offbeat place will get the press much more interested than the local community centre, but if that is where you want to do it, then go for it.

2. Advertise it well, flyers, newspapers, radio, social media.

3. Ask other authors about their launch parties, get some hints and tips.

4. Plan a few readings.

5. Have activities. Pin the tail on the werewolf, decorate your own monster mask, a wine tasting, a quiz, a treasure or ghost hunt. See this article on how to wow your guests https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/10-tips-for-a-fun-book-launch-event-ds00/

6. Engage with people.

7. Have plenty of copies of your book for sale.

8. See if another author of the same genre wants to come along, sell their book and help with events.

9. Have some food and drink, if you can. It keeps people there for longer.

10. Have promotional items to give away.

11. Have competitions to win signed copies or other prizes that tie in with your book. https://writingcooperative.com/how-to-throw-a-successful-book-launch-party-43f91a842d71

12. Have a question and answer time but keep it short and be flexible with the times you do things. (Don’t block out an hour for questions when you only have 20 people and it will take about ten minutes or try to announce a question time when the room is packed.)

13. ENJOY your moment!

An online event

Online events can be run through social media like Facebook. They are cost effective, but it is harder to engage guests. On a plus you will get a wider range of people from around the world and not just locals turning up.

1. Arrange the date. Then start to advertise it all over social media.

2. Have promotions and giveaways

3. Use helpful extras that the social media site offers. Like prescheduling posts on Facebook events.

4. See if you can get another author or two to join you and help with adding some posts or engaging with readers. They can also help with advertising the event.

5. Put on questions, quizzes or activities like find your fairy name or how many of these books have you read? These can be found as gifs or meme formats.

6. Offer signed copies of the book. Look here for ideas https://insights.bookbub.com/virtual-book-launch-events/

7. Put on excerpts from the book, and teasers.

8. Ask for questions from guests.

9. Link to the book.

10. Link to your webpage.

11. Ask for likes.

12. Ask for followers.

13. Link to other sites.

14. Tell your guests about you and about your book.

15. Link to interviews etc. The article can be a great help. https://write2ignite.com/2018/04/18/how-to-host-a-virtual-book-launch-party/

And don’t forget to invite your family, friends, illustrator, publisher, agent or anyone else that has helped you with the book. They may also help with carrying some of the load, if you would like them to.

What are our distributor partners looking for? Meet Pete!

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:48:24 GMT

This is Pete

Pete is a distributor.

Pete is the person who decides if your book makes it to the book shop shelves.

What does Pete want?

He wants a professional book, cover, author.

He wants to see high book sales and a great social media presence.

He needs to know what genre your book is and who will buy it?

He wants to see a business invoice of your sales and know the discount bookshops will receive when

buying your book in bulk.

Pete wants to be sure that the book will sell.

Pete wants to see an ISBN number on your book.

He wants to see your book listed with Nielsens.

He wants to know your printers are able to send books in bulk and warehouse books for you.

Pete wants to see high levels of marketing, promotion and advertising.

Pete is only interested in a book that gets his attention and the attention of his readers.

He will not always say yes, he will often say no. BUT get him to take on your book and you can often

see your book sales skyrocket.

Help us to get Pete to say YES. Be professional, be involved, market your book, bother people, don’t

be afraid to ask anyone who can help to promote your work. Send copies to celebrities, papers,

reviewers, anyone who can get you sales. Put in the time and effort, we will too and together we will

achieve amazing things.

Where to find other kid's writing competitions.

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:48:22 GMT

We love to discover the authors of the future, but we're not the only ones!

In case writing for our kid’s competition has whetted your appetite for more here are a few places to

find other competitions and places to get published.

Good luck.

School Reading List

Young Writers

Imagination Soup

Always check the terms and conditions and the competition or submission ending dates.

CAAB Publishing Ltd is not affiliated to any of the companies listed and has no responsibility for any

of the content of the sites or the links included within.

Video Review - Suzie W - Things Evie Eats

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 16:51:56 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about Suzie W's Thing's Evie Eats

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Video Review - Jacqueline Wilson - Tracy Beaker

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 16:47:52 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about The story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Video Review - Suzie W - Better Buckle Up

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 14:39:30 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about Suzie W's Better Buckle Up

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Writer's Block Help!

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 11:51:21 GMT

What is writer's block? Ideas to help you overcome the frustration.

The expression writer's block was coined and popularized by American psychoanalyst Edmund Bergler in the 1940s.

You are not alone, all writers struggle with it, from journalists to novelists.

Writer’s block is defined as a temporary failure to put words on paper. The blank screen or white expanse of paper can feel like a sucking void, writers can develop depression or stop writing altogether when writer's block hits hard. It can affect every writer, if only for a few minutes or even a day or two, but it becomes a real problem when the writer is not achieving targets and/or when they feel incapable of completing a piece of work.

Writer’s block is often caused by a lack of inspiration or being unsure of the path forward.

Sometimes it is brought on by disinterest in the subject, or stress, distraction.

Overcoming writer’s block can be a slow, subjective process that is dependant on each writer’s needs and individual motivation. But success is usually linked to overcoming self-doubt and finding inspiration. Here you will find some writing tips and tricks to get your creative juices flowing again.

Top Tips

Just keep typing - Hacking away at the keyboard seems pointless but it can be a help to see words appearing on the screen.

Run or exercise.

Change from the screen to paper or vice versa.

Ask for help.

Put aside the work and write something new.

Confer with other writers.

Go out with friends.

Read or listen to music.

Go to sites that specialise in character or story development.

Have a break and a coffee.

Change your writing environment, go to a coffee shop or a different room.

Remove distractions.

Clean or garden.

Write a letter or diary.

Take a shower or a long bath.

Ask unusual questions about your work. (What would my character do if he saw a ghost or if aliens landed?)

Anything you can do to clear up your mind and de-stress, eventually given the chance the creative juices will start flowing again and your writers block will be a distant memory.

Good luck.

Video Review - Jaqueline Wilson - Four Children and It

Mon, 11 May 2020 15:18:07 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about Four Children and It by Jaqueline Wilson (Now called Four Kids and It after the Sky TV Movie)

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Top Ten Tips for non-fiction writers

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 14:03:58 GMT

If you prefer your writing to be factual rather than creative then our Top Ten Tips for Non-Fiction Authors will help you set your book up right from the beginning.

1. Be an expert or at least know the subject well that you are writing on.

People buy non-fiction books because they are interested in your topic, they want to know interesting points and unusual facts and that requires an in-depth knowledge.

2. Link the work to everything you can that will help sales.

Most subjects of non-fiction books will have a devoted following and you need to make sure that they know about your book, so link to it everywhere and often.

3. Read books written on the same subject and make yours different, this way you can write a memorable book or story.

Starting your book with "Did you know Henry VIII had six wives isn't going to get you many readers, you should only write a book on something if you are adding something new to what is already out there.

4. Be interesting, no matter the subject.

No one wants to read a boring account or a dry piece of writing that puts them to sleep, however being interesting is subjective. Know your audience are you going only for people already interested in your subject or to try and get new people interested.

5. Love the subject, if you don’t love it or find it interesting neither will your reader.

People respond the most to passion, it is why they have picked up your book. If you don't have a love for your subject they will not bother listening to you about it.

6. Never guess, research and know.

As stated above your subject will likely have many fanatical followers, they will be reading your book and if they find a fact that is wrong they will be very vocal about it - you can not research enough.

7. If you are unsure, leave it out. One thing that is proved wrong can make the whole book look amateurish.

It is better to have less information than wrong information, if you can not prove your claims it is best to leave them out, even one out of one hundred facts being wrong can leave your book open for criticism.

8. Read it aloud, to another person if possible.

If your book can be read aloud and understood then it is likely to be written in an easily digestible format.

9. Get someone to read it that has no passion about the subject, if they can read it and enjoy it, you are on to a winner.

If you are targeting casual readers there is no point only having fans read your work, to target casual readers as well you need your work to be understandable to people who have no interest in it at all.

10. Add pictures, use references, explain well but keep it simple if possible.

Pictures bring things to life for most people quicker and easier than the text and adding references so interested readers can view more will also help engage readers - but make sure that they stay relevant and that the text is still king.

Top Ten Tips for when you have Published your first story.

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:44:33 GMT

So you have written your book and had it published, job done! or is it? Read our top ten tips to after you have your book published to see what you should be doing now.

1. Use every social media site known to man. Join, get active, share, post, spread the word.

2. Use hashtags and send messages to everyone to help you to get your links to published work out there.

3. Do giveaways, book excerpts, readings online.

4. Contact bookstores, local library, schools, colleges, conferences, museums, local places of interest. Anywhere that you can link your book too.

5. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

6. Go to bookfairs, local fetes, craft fayres. Anywhere you can get a stall and sell your book.

7. Give out leaflets, contact the local press, let everyone know about your work.

8. Get promotional material, book marks, fridge magnets, anything that you can give away with a sale. Sweeten the pot.

9. Get a supportive network behind you. People who will help, online or in person.

10. Sell yourself, take every opportunity. Blogs, reviews, retweets. Use them all.

Top Ten Tips for New Creative Writers

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:32:56 GMT

Being a writer can be hard but very rewarding, many people start writing without thinking about the full process and where they are going. These ten tips are designed to give you something to think about before you start on your journey.

1. Write for yourself.

2. Pick a tense and stick with it.

3. Find help online, Facebook groups, articles and software.

4. Find your voice.

5. Write what you know and what you like to read.

6. The start of your story must hook the reader.

7. Enjoy it. Love it. Do it often.

8. Edit and find others to help you edit.

9. Share your work.

10. Keep going, don’t let little setbacks stop you.

Remember the only difference between writers and non - writers is putting words on paper. Opinion is that you are a writer when you start writing and an author once you publish your first work.

Keep going and have faith in your abilities, you will need a very thick skin because rejection is part of a writers life.

Top Value Software To Help You Write

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:28:12 GMT

Legal Notice: These packages are recommended by our authors, we do not receive any affiliate fees or commission for recommending them, these are personal opinions so please ensure you make sure that any tool you buy works for your personal needs before signing up.

Find software that will make your writing the best it can be, then when you send it to publishers or agents they will not be turned off by bad grammar and simple mistakes.

Here are our top three for a writer on a budget.

Prowritingaid – Free and Premium

free version of ProWritingAid.

Easy to use. It can help you write more accurately online using a Chrome extension to check your spelling and grammar.

Ginger – Free and Premium

Ginger Grammar

This is a very good free grammar checker.

There is also a sentence re-phrase tool and help with vocabulary enhancement.

Lastly…

Hemingway Editor – BEWARE THIS MAY NO LONGER BE A FREE PRODUCT

View options

Very quick and easy, it checks readability.

But be aware it will often tell you to simplify your writing. It hates the passive voice.

It is one of the handiest tools a writer can have.

Top Ten Tips for Aspiring Authors

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:09:11 GMT

1. Keep writing, keep trying.

Writing can often be demoralising, but like any skill you get better with experience. Keep writing and you will improve.

2. Read as much as you can. Keep reading, read the genre you want to write.

Like the above tip, reading other authors writing will help you to hone your skill and identify techniques you may not have thought of.

3. Stop procrastinating.

It is said that authors are professional procrastinators and it can be hard with so many things to distract us just a few clicks away, but by making sure you work on your project everyday you should avoid losing your way.

4. Get beta readers who will be honest with you. Have a thick skin.

You will not learn anything from only selecting readers who will praise you, whilst it can be hard to hear negative comments on your work, these comments are the ones that will improve your writing the most.

5. Edit, edit and edit some more.

There is an old saying that a novel is a piece of prose with something wrong with it, no matter how well you think you have finished your writing every time you reread it you may find more things to improve, you can never over edit your work.

6. Rule of little finger

If you can touch the same word on your screen with the length of your little finger. Change one.

7. Join a writers group.

Writing can be a lonely occupation, often it seems like it is a battle between you and the keyboard. Having a support network of people who understand how you are feeling can be invaluable when things get tough.

8. Have a space that is yours to write in.

There is no right answer to where you should write; for some it is a garden shed, for other a coffee shop. The important thing is that you have a place that you can go to get away from distractions and where you feel comfortable.

9. Use free writing guides and apps to improve your writing.

There are many resources available on-line and in books that will help you in writing your story as well as dealing with writers block, editing and anything else that could derail your efforts.

10. Listen to criticism and be ready to change things.

When you put a lot of effort into a piece of writing any criticism can feel personal, but you need to remember that it isn't. People who give you feedback are generally trying to help so just remember it isn't personal and even the best writers have had to listen to criticism to get their books written.

Video Review - Jan Dean - Funny Poems

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 12:03:05 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about Funny Poems a collection of humorous poems collated by Jan Dean.

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Video Review - Christine King & Alexandria Brown - The Gem Masters Search for the Unicorn Tears

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 21:30:17 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about Gem Masters Search for the Unicorn Tears by Christine King and Alexandria Brown.

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Video Review - Roald Dahl - The Witches

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 08:29:42 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about The Witches by Roald Dahl

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

Video Review - David Walliams - World's worst Children 2

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 08:24:54 GMT

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

This week our young reviewer posted a vlog about World's worst children 2 by David Walliams.

You can see her vlog on TikTok or You Tube .

Follow the link below to buy from Amazon.

d44a28f0efc64b608f0823ef5202200f

Writers’ Nook: The Joy of Creative Writing

Marketing on a limited budget

Tips for struggling authors

Meet the Author Podcast

Looking for some new book inspiration

Trying to find a good Illustrator?

We know it's hard to find a partner for your pride and joy.

CAAB Publishing goes global

This little piggy says, "how do I market?"

Supporting British Red Squirrel

National Squirrel Appreciation Day

How to write a great press release for your book

Top tips for getting noticed against all the noise.

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - David Clegg

Interview of the Month with Author David Clegg

With thanks to our partner DJP Systems

"Zero to Hero" via easy to follow step-by-step instructions

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Dale Parnell

Interview of the Month with Author Dale Parnell

What to do at smaller literary/author events

You have managed to secure a place at a small festival or fete. Excellent. But, now what? ﻿

Getting Reviews for your books

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - L. Stephenson

Interview of the Month with Author L. Stephenson

How To Pitch Your Book Or Script As A Movie

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Anthony J Ball

Interview of the Month with Author Anthony J. Ball

Setting up an Author Page

Do you need an Author page?

Get a virtual author visit for your school

Pick up a copy of Twisty Tales 1 or 2 Today and get a free Author Visit.

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - F.J. Beerling

Interview of the Month with Author F.J. Beerling

Promoting your book

You've published your book and had your launch party - Now what?

Interview with David M. Donachie

Video of an Interview with David M. Donachie Author of The Drowning Land

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Charlie King

Interview of the Month with Author Charlie King

Video Review - David Walliams - Gangster Granny

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

Alternative ways to get book sales

You've Written your book, Great! But how do you boost sales?

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Liana Wall

Interview of the Month with Author Liana Wall

Being a writer whilst home schooling during a pandemic

How to juggle your writing and teaching commitments

Video Review - Charlie King - Lizzie's Dream Journal

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Alexandria Brown

Interview of the Month with Author Alexandria Brown

Creative Questions: Meet the writer - Christine King

Interview of the Month with Author Christine King

Alternative ways to increase book sales

Some hints and tips for getting those all important sales

How to sell your books at events

Resources to help you sell your books at events.

Launch parties – Daunting or fun?

Here are some top tips to help you have a successful launch party.

What are our distributor partners looking for? Meet Pete!

This is Pete

Where to find other kid's writing competitions.

We love to discover the authors of the future, but we're not the only ones!

Video Review - Suzie W - Things Evie Eats

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

Video Review - Jacqueline Wilson - Tracy Beaker

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

Video Review - Suzie W - Better Buckle Up

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

Writer's Block Help!

What is writer's block? Ideas to help you overcome the frustration.

Video Review - Jaqueline Wilson - Four Children and It

Latest Vlog Review from our Young Reviewer

Top Ten Tips for non-fiction writers

Top Ten Tips for when you have Published your first story.

Top Ten Tips for New Creative Writers

Top Value Software To Help You Write

Top Ten Tips for Aspiring Authors

Video Review - Jan Dean - Funny Poems

You have managed to secure a place at a small festival or fete. Excellent. But, now what?