Ask Alan Anything: Recent Episodes
Indie Beacon Radio
B Alan Bourgeois has been an award winning author for 30 years, a publisher and since 2011 he has created several organizations to help support authors from around the world. This show allows for people to ask questions about marketing & publishing their books. Let his experience and expertise help guide you to success.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan discusses the two types of reviews and why they are important in their own rights. Learn how one has more value then another in certain aspects and why it is important to have the reviews done before the release of a book.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan shares with authors the book discovery app that helps readers discover a book. Squirl is such a unique program that it is patented. Learn how to use this program to your advantage so that more readers can discover your book in a fun way, while also giving readers a new insight to the locations in your book.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about the value of Author Guru’s that are good and worth their money. Thus, overpaying for a guru is not always good. Or, getting information from fellow authors that claim to be experts with only one book published is not always wise. Paying for the information you receive is important, just not over paying for it.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about building excitement for your book from the moment you start writing. Creating an email list, accessing and using social media, book festivals and the elevator pitch. Key items to get people excited about your book before it is available or even completed.
Is it time for Bookstores to rethink how they work with indie authors? In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan addresses the need for bookstores to begin working closely with indie authors and helping them to succeed so that the bookstore becomes more relevant and valuable to their community.
Does selling your book at 99 cents have any value? In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about the short term value and long term hazard of selling your books at 99 cents.
In this episode, Alan talks about the need for and how to create a Pre-Order. Alan helps you understand the value of doing them, the best options to get the most out of doing them, etc.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about the publishing of your book and the various alternatives to getting the book printed. He covers issues with each of the main types of self-publishing options to help the author chose the best direction for them.
Cover Design for a book is in most cases, the first thing someone sees for a new book. If it is not correctly done, it could push people away. Learn in this episode of Ask Alan Anything about finding a good graphic artist and the process necessary to create a great cover image.
Welcome to another episode of Ask Alan Anything where B Alan Bourgeois will answer questions about publishing and marketing of books. In this episode, Alan talks about the First Steps to getting published: Critique Groups, Editors and Proofreaders. He will review each one and the value they have and discuss how to protect yourself with guarantees about various programs. You are welcome to email Alan at BourgeoisMedia@outlook.com with any questions you may have about publishing and marketing your book.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about feeding the Gorilla (Amazon’s AI) system and how it actually hurts authors. He also talks about how authors need to find ways to get people to read more books, the value it has for society and for them.
B Alan Bougeois talks about the 6-Step Attractive Marketing for Authors program in this episode of Ask Alan Anything. Learn more about this and the 3 types of published authors.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, B Alan Bourgeois shares his thoughts about an article appearing in Publishers Weekly on July 15th by Sari Feldman about the games the big publishing houses are doing over eBooks and why he chose to respond to her article. Alan’s take is from the perspective of Indie Authors. In addition, Alan talks about what he perceives to the 3 main points that keep Indie Authors from succeeding: Libraries, Readership and Authors.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about the true cost of publishing a book for an indie Author. He reviews many of the hidden cost of being an author and walks you through his spreadsheet of numbers and valuable information. Any author can download the cost sheet, which is a sample chapter from his book Authors Revolution Workbook here: https://lp.constantcontact.com/su/gczjtcZ
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan discusses the continuing drop in paper book sales and the decline in reading. He ask the question: What are you doing to increase readership? Alan reviews what he and his organizations are doing to increase readership.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about Social Media Do’s and Don’ts. Listen to the two analogies Alan uses to better understand how an author should view their Social Media accounts and act on them. Helpful tips to use your accounts to your advantage.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about the Barnes & Noble sale and the possible impact on authors. Alan also talks about the WeFiction Writing Contest. WeFiction.DEARIndie.org
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything Alan talks about 7 predictions for the publishing world expected to happen from now till 2025. He also discusses pre-sales and outlines a six-month plan to help any author plan out their pre-order sales.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about a new Canadian report about Libraries and patrons who purchase books. He highlights how the report is important to learn to market your book, while at the same time showing how it does relate to American library patrons and the purchases of their books.
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan discusses the concept of too many book sales, WeFiction writing contest and the process of creating an ISBN for your book. If you have a questions about publishing or marketing of a book, please email your question to BourgeoisMedia@outlook.com
In this episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about errors that authors commonly due that can hurt them in sales and opportunities. He also talks about book contests and making sure you get value for the entry fee if you win.
In this Episode of Ask Alan Anything, Alan talks about the changes in the distribution world for books with Baker & Taylor adjusting their system. He also talks about the Authors Marketing Event, Indie Lector Store and many other programs for authors.
In this episode, Alan talks about distribution of books and the recent changes in the publishing world. He also addresses the Amazon KDP select and why he does not suggest it for authors.