FAQs

How many free copies do authors receive?
Authors receive 10 paperback copies and one hardcover copy of their completed book.

Can additional copies be ordered?
Yes. Contact the production manager to order additional author copies at a discount.

When are royalty reports issued, and how often are payments made?
Royalty reports are issued six months after the Live Launch, with monthly payments for accrued royalties of $100 or more.

How can I track book sales?
Sales rankings on Amazon and your Author Central page provide insights into book sales.

Can I request sales reports or figures before receiving royalty checks?
It is advised to avoid requesting sales reports or figures before receiving royalty checks, as tracking individual sales channels for each request is challenging.

Where can I find additional support and information?
Visit the support page at https://wildbluepress.com/support/ for valuable information and insights. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Does WildBlue Press operate on a Print on Demand (POD) basis?
Yes, WildBlue Press operates on a Print-on-demand basis for reduced risk and improved sales.

Are print runs conducted?
No, print runs are not conducted to ensure maximum sales for authors.

In what formats does WildBlue Press publish books?
Each book is published in eBook, trade paperback, hardcover, and audiobook formats.

What is the turnaround time for publication after accepting a manuscript?
WildBlue Press has a faster turnaround time than traditional publishers, with a minimum scheduling period of three months and preferably four.

Why is there a minimum three-month scheduling period?
This allows for announcing the book's acquisition and forthcoming publication in Publisher's Weekly. It also accommodates major review outlets that require an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of the edited manuscript three to four months before publication.

What happens if deadlines are missed, or content is not provided?
Missed deadlines can result in publication delays, and failure to provide requested content may lead to the book being removed from the publication calendar. Prior approval from the Production Manager is necessary for legitimate reasons causing delay or absence.

Will the images in my book be in color?

All photographs, whether originally in color or black and white, will be produced as black and white in the print book. The eBook will feature the original color. An online gallery can be created to accompany the book.

What resolution should photographs have?
Photographs must be 300 dpi resolution or higher.

When you turn in your manuscript, it must be accompanied by a 'back cover text,' which, as the name implies, will appear on the back cover of the print books. We also use this document for the book's sales pages, press releases, and other marketing.

As opposed to a synopsis of the book, which lays out the book from beginning to end, including giving away any mystery, think of the BCT as the “hook” meant to entice a potential reader into wanting to read further into the story. We do not want to give away the entire story, so a book summary is not what we need here; think of it more as a “sales pitch.”

If unsure of how to write this, look up books similar to yours—preferably bestsellers—and see how the BCT was used.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Because the BCT is so important to our production and marketing efforts, we don’t set a launch date until we’ve had a chance to review and edit it.

Read this brief article from Master Class about Writing a great hook for your book.

A complete Amazon author page has been shown to increase sales by legitimizing the author. Claim your Amazon author page as soon as possible and complete it to the fullest. Minimum content is the author photo, bio, and the selected books you have authored.

https://author.amazon.com/

Incorporating photos or images into your book is a powerful way to enhance the visual appeal and storytelling aspect. Images can provide readers with a deeper connection to your content, offering visual context to complement your words.

• Images can be used for the book cover, interior, and book sales page, as well as marketing content.
• Your author bio photograph should be high quality (ideally 300 dpi) and placed in the specific Dropbox folder.
• You must have the right to use all images or prove they are in the public domain.
• You are responsible for any penalties related to unauthorized use of copyrighted material in your uploads.
• Photographs and graphics should not be inserted directly into the manuscript.
  • Instead, mark where you want them and highlight them with yellow.
• Create a captions sheet for images and place it in the designated Dropbox folder.
• There's a limit of around twenty images due to file size and cost constraints.

Please address image quality issues early to avoid delays.

We need viable keywords created for every book. We recommend reading the article titled "Choose The Right Categories And Keywords for Your Book" on The Creative Penn website.

Additionally, you can visit this page to watch a video that provides insights into selecting keywords that align with actual user searches. While the video uses 'true crime' as a seed keyword example, it's crucial to tailor the keywords to match the specific themes and content of your book.

Content curation involves sharing excerpts of articles from external sources on your own website, and there are various reasons to do so:

1. Highlighting excellent articles written by our authors elsewhere.
2. Sharing positive book reviews from external blogs.
3. Utilizing compelling articles on topics of interest to our readers from external sources.
4. Identifying highly-shared content on platforms like Buzzsumo for our site.

The aim is to integrate content curation as a mindset rather than a task, encouraging the continuous posting of relevant content on our site and promoting it on social media. This approach offers several advantages, including the ability to quickly create and publish articles, significantly more posts, increased traffic, enhanced thought leadership, greater brand awareness, and improved audience engagement.

Bullets 4 and 5 are the most important. They will provide the most value to the effort.

We ask you to create at least two videos, 30 - 120 seconds each. These can be as simple as taken using the video app on your phone or your computer camera.

1. A “Meet The Author” video introducing yourself, the sort of books you write, a little about you or why you write.
2. A brief summation of the book, or why you wrote it, even a reading from it.

Make the videos personal and in a place where you spend time so the viewers get a slice of your life.

View this commentary from youtube @BenjaminWallace on creating author videos for great tips.

Here are valuable resources to enhance your online content marketing efforts:

**Neil Patel and Brian Dean:** Subscribe to their email lists and access their videos, focusing on optimizing online content. They are renowned experts in the field.

• Neil Patel's Blog
• Brian Dean's Blog
• Brian Dean's YouTube Channel

**Content Marketing Codex:** Explore this extensive, free 100-article course on creating effective online content curated by experts. You can choose your pace or select articles individually.

**Content Curation and ROI:** Delve into the world of content curation and its return on investment (ROI) with this informative PDF guide. Page 25 illustrates the anatomy of a well-curated post, while ROI charts begin on page 27.

These resources will aid you in creating and optimizing your online content for maximum impact.

• PubWest Book Design Awards: A COMPETITION REFLECTING THE BEST OF BOOK DESIGN AND PRODUCTION, $100 per entry.
• 32 Book Awards You Should Know About: This article from BookBub is a MUST READ.

At WildBlue Press, we celebrate the voices and stories that make our catalog so rich and diverse. Our blog is not just a platform for promoting books; it's a canvas for authors to paint a broader picture of their creative worlds and engage with an audience eager for a deeper connection. Whether you're a seasoned blogger or just dipping your toes into the world of online content, here are some inspiring ideas to spark your next post:

• Share Exciting News: Our blog is the perfect place to announce new projects, upcoming series, awards, or events. It’s also a space for cross-promotion—if you’ve been featured in a podcast, article, or another author's work, let the community know.
• The Origin Story: Every book has its genesis. Share the moment of inspiration that sparked your latest work. Was it a dream, a conversation, an article, or perhaps a personal experience? Let readers in on how your idea was born and nurtured.
• The Backbone of Facts: Illuminate the rigorous research that underpins your work. How do you intertwine fact with fiction or present truth in a compelling way?
• Character Case Study: Whether real or imagined, characters drive your narrative. Share the evolution of a character, their psychological makeup, and their pivotal role in your narrative.
• Setting the Scene: Transport your readers to the settings that frame your narratives. Be it a bustling city street or a quiet town, give us the sensory details and the research that went into building your world.
• Case Updates: Offer updates on cases, historical discoveries, or new insights that have emerged since your book was published. How have these cases evolved, and what impact might these updates have on the narrative you presented?
• The Cutting Room Floor: Sometimes, great scenes and characters don’t make the final cut. Share some of the parts that didn’t make it into the book and why.
• A Day in the Life: What does a typical writing day look like for you? Share your schedule, your workspace, and your writing rituals.
• The Challenges of Writing: Be open about the hurdles you've faced and how you've overcome them. Your story could be the motivation another writer needs.
• From Book to Reader: Delve into the journey your book takes from the final draft to the reader's hands. This could include the editing process, cover design decisions, or marketing strategies.
• Bending Genres: If you write in multiple genres, discuss how this versatility influences your writing style and creativity. How does your approach differ from one genre to another?
• The Influence of Real Life: Reflect on how your real-life experiences inform your writing. How do you translate personal emotions and events into your writing?
• Beyond the Book: Share about your hobbies, travels, and outside interests.
• Reader Interactions: Write about memorable interactions with readers, whether it’s feedback that touched you or a question that made you think about your work differently.
• Future Projects Teaser: Give a sneak peek into what’s coming next. What can readers look forward to?

Remember, your blog post doesn't have to be a polished, literary masterpiece. It's a space for authenticity, for sharing the raw and real aspects of being an author. Whether you choose to offer a how-to guide, a personal essay, or a humorous anecdote, your unique voice is what will resonate with readers.

We can't wait to read and share your insights, stories, and advice. So, take a pick from the ideas above or blaze a new trail with a concept entirely your own. Happy blogging!

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To contribute to the WildBlue Press blog or discuss your blog post ideas, please reach out to Stephanie, our Publishing Director.