I hope you’ll find this list of resources helpful. Click on each product name to get more information.
Please note that I have affiliate relationships with a handful of these organizations because I know, like, and trust their products. That means I might receive a small commission if you become their customer. Using an affiliate link will never cost you more, though.
Author Tools
Build Book Buzz Reader Book Review Forms
Giving readers a fill-in-the-blanks form and instructions for writing meaningful reviews in just minutes eliminates the guesswork that holds people back. There’s one for fiction, another for nonfiction.
ConvertKit
This comprehensive database provides celebrity contact information for forewords, book blurbs, reviews, and more.
Canva
Canva is one of my favorite tools. I use it to create title images for blog posts (including this one), social media images, and even the worksheets and templates for my new author publicity course, “Get Quoted: A Journalist’s Strategies for Using HARO to Snag Book Publicity.”
Depositphotos
When I realized how much time I spent digging around on free photo sites for images for blog posts, social media graphics, and other uses, I decided to create a paid Depositphotos account. Sign up for the emails and wait for a sale.
Designrr
I have saved a lot of money on design fees for digital gifts (lead magnets) I give my subscribers, handouts related to summit presentations, and so on since I started using this ridiculously affordable software. Use it to create all of these things plus e-books.
EyeDropper
This Chrome extension is one of my absolute favorites. It lets you identify and match a color you see online when creating graphics. For example, when I review a book here on the blog, I use Eye Dropper to match the title image I create for the post with a dominant or accent color in the book’s cover. I like it so much that I created a short video that shows you how to use it.
Kindlepreneur Book Description Generator
This might be my favorite author resource. This free tool lets you easily add italics, boldfacing, and bullets to your book description and editorial reviews on Amazon, BN.com, and Kobo.com. It’s a big time-saver.
Publisher Rocket
Have you ever wondered what keywords would perform best for your book? Or what categories you should use for your book? Or how much your competitors are making with their book? You can do all this with Publisher Rocket, a software tool that will help you get your book in front of more Amazon shoppers so you can spend less time marketing and more time writing.
WordSwag
This iPhone app lets you combine words with pictures to create social media images. It’s easy to use and there are lots of image and “style” options that let you create exactly the mood and look you need. I often use it to create quote graphics for my blog and social media.
eBook Submission Tool
Submit your free e-books to 30 sites in minutes, not hours.
GoDaddy domain names and website hosting
I own several domain names; I buy all of them through GoDaddy.com because the prices are the best and the customer service is excellent. An account rep also calls me a few times a year to talk about how I might be able to save money, and I appreciate that.
iPhone Photo Academy
GoDaddy domain names and website hosting
I own several domain names; I buy all of them through GoDaddy.com because the prices are the best and the customer service is excellent. An account rep also calls me a few times a year to talk about how I might be able to save money, and I appreciate that.
MockupShots
I love this tool so much. It lets you add your book’s cover to more than 600 images, design ads, and create book trailers and videos.
Teachable
Create and sell online courses and coaching with Teachable, the platform I use for my courses. It’s intuitive and easy to use, and the support is exceptional.
Publicity/Media Attention
eReleases
This press release distribution service lets you be thoughtful and selective about the media outlets you send to. And someone is always available to answer questions if you need help.
Get Quoted: A Journalist’s Strategies for Using HARO to Snag Book Publicity
My online course teaches everything you need to know about using HARO (see below) to get quoted by journalists and bloggers. It’s the easiest, most efficient way to get priceless media exposure that helps sell books.
MatchMaker.fm
Want to be a podcast guest? Register with this service.
RadioGuestList.com
If you’re interested in doing radio interviews, register with this service that connects radio shows with guests.
SourceBottle
This is another source that connects journalists with sources. You’ll get daily emails with queries.
Free press release distribution services
Free services are helpful with your site’s SEO because you’ll include a link to your site in the press release you submit to the free services, but they don’t distribute the press releases to the media.
HARO
Help a Reporter Out – HARO – is a free service that helps journalists find sources to interview and quote in articles and broadcast segments.
Radio Locator
Enter a ZIP code and get the radio stations for that market. It’s most useful for building local/regional media lists.
Pitchrate
Like HARO, Pitchrate helps journalists find sources for articles and segments.
U.S. Newspaper List
You can handcraft your media list using this, but it will take time.
Writing
Grammarly’s Free Grammar Checker
Correct all grammar errors and check for plagiarism – instant and free!
Scrivener
This word processing software is popular with writers of all kinds – best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators, and more. It provides everything you need to start writing and keep writing.
ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid is the only platform that offers world-class grammar and style checking combined with more in-depth reports to help you strengthen your writing.