Author JB Thomas at his book launch for 'Heart Full of Storm' Last week, I attended the launch of Heart Full of Storm , a new MM Paranormal Romance by JB Thomas. It should have felt like just another book launch—but for me, it was something much more personal. JB has published four novels with me: Rose Red , Tarot Moon , 1999 , and The Longest Night . So when he told me his next book would be self-published, I’ll be honest—I felt it. My first reaction was pure emotion. A little shock. A little sadness. A very definite mother bear  moment. When you’ve worked closely with an author, supported them through edits, doubts, rewrites, and wins, it’s natural to feel protective of that relationship. But growth has a way of shifting perspective. Standing at JB’s launch, watching him speak confidently about his work, his process, and his journey, I realised something important: this wasn’t a departure—it was a milestone. As an independent publisher, I love publishing authors. I love building books, shaping stories, and helping them reach readers. But publishing has never been the only part of what I do - I mentor. Jeremy & I celebrating the launch of '1999' in 2024. Many of the authors I work with start out shy, introverted, and unsure of their own voice. They second-guess themselves. They struggle to take up space. Over time, something remarkable happens. Their writing sharpens. Their confidence grows. They begin to trust their instincts and understand their worth as creators. When an author reaches the point where they can confidently engage their own editor, hire a graphic designer, and take control of their publishing path—that isn’t a rejection of what we built together. It’s proof that the work mattered. Self-publishing requires courage. It requires belief—not just in a book, but in oneself. Watching an author step into that space tells me they no longer feel they need permission to be a writer. That’s powerful. JB Thomas is a wonderful example of this transformation. His growth as a writer and as a professional has been a joy to witness, and Heart Full of Storm  stands as a testament to the skills, confidence, and independence he’s earned. So yes, while I will always love publishing authors, I take just as much pride—if not more—in seeing them outgrow the need for me. Because when an author spreads their wings and flies solo, it doesn’t mean I’ve lost something. It means I’ve done my job. And that, to me, is the greatest success of all. A great picture of some of my amazing authors in 2025. So proud of each and every one of them and so honoured to work alongside them. Pictured: Alan English, Rob Hubbard, Catherine Duffy (front left), Robyn Ross, Alison Fitzsimmons, Chantal Munro (front), Nicola Baker, Carol Nutley (front), JB Thomas, Mary Pearson & me. #IndependentPublisher #AuthorMentorship #AuthorJourney #PublishingLife #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishingSuccess #IndieAuthorLife #AuthorEmpowerment #CreativeGrowth #WomenInPublishing #SmallPressPride #PublishingWithPurpose #SupportingAuthors #BookLaunch #IndiePublishing #WritingConfidence

Women in Publishing Summit Masterclass - 15.01.2026 with Aimee Ravichandran (Abundantly Social)   “ Your book isn’t invisible, your strategy is .” Aimee Ravichandran   If this sounds like you, you’re not alone: · I post everywhere, but nothing sticks · My launch fizzled out fast · I don’t know what actually worked   How the market has changed: · Organic reach has declined. The ‘Kumbaya’ era is over – we can’t just rely on family, friends and organic sales to increase visibility. In 2026, it’s a Pay-to-Play market. · Retailers drive the market. · The market is Algorithm-driven. Algorithms change frequently so it’s important to have a strategy in place and understand your market/reader.   The ‘Kumbaya’ era – ‘ Build it and they will come. ’ · A quality book alone doesn’t create visibility · Hope is not a marketing strategy · Discoverability must be intentional   What is discoverability? · The right reader, finds the right book, at the right time.   What is metadata? · Provides data about data. For example, metadata is the detailed information about your book, including the title, author, keywords, and blurb.   What is SEO? · Stands for Search Engine Optimisation. So, SEO is a digital marketing strategy that increases your books visibility in search engines such as Google, Amazon, etc.   Where discoverability actually lives (in order of global popularity): · Amazon · Apple books · Kobo · Barnes & Noble · Retail search and recommendation systems like Goodreads, etc.   The algorithm advantage (what an algorithm-driven strategy will enable): · Clear metadata · Relevant keywords · Consistent traffic · Strong conversion rates   The Pay-to-Play advantage (hand-in-hand with the algorithm advantage): · The algorithm and Pay-to-Play advantage work hand in hand. So, if you run an ad and get a high number of click-through rates but you’re not converting clicks to sales, then the problem lies in your algorithms. So, it’ll be either your cover, your keywords or your description that’s letting you down. Adjust these and monitor your outcomes, continuing to tweak until you find what works for your reader. Tip: Start small with Pay-to-Play. Start with a $20 budget, not a $500 budget. Increase your budget as you learn what works best for increased sales conversions.   Why you (authors) might still struggle: · Guessing your algorithms instead of researching – beta readers are great for research. But if you don’t have access to these, you can ask ChatGPT or Gemini who your reader is and what type of copy would attract them best – video, graphic ad, etc. ·  Running ads without foundations ·  Promoting without tracking results   The new ROI (Return on Investment) of author time: ·  Low ROI Activities – endless posting on socials, one-off promotions – no one wants to feel like they’re being sold to. You need to offer them a solution to a problem, an escape from reality, entertainment, the chance to follow a new author, etc. What’s your edge on others in your genre? Don’t just talk about your book all the time, you need to remember that sometimes, readers want to know more about you, not your book. Make them fall in love with you, not necessarily your book. This is relationship building. If you’re going to do promotions, do them regularly, like a month-long campaign. For example, run a FB campaign about book 1 in a series… ‘I’m writing the latest instalment in the ‘XYZ’ series, get book 1 now and get caught up in the fandom before the latest instalment drops! Run this campaign while running a paid FB ad on the new instalment in the ‘XYZ’ series. This is how you create longevity. Combine one-off promotions with month-long campaigns.   · High ROI Activities – optimised listings, retail-focused ads, long-term systems – make sure your descriptions include as many of your keywords as possible. Furthermore, for retail-focused ads, you need to hook them, and leave them hanging. So, make them want to click and buy. Make your cover/blurb unforgettable.   It may take a month or two to conquer the Pay-to-Play scene and start seeing the value in paid promotions. Here are the shifts you’ll see once you do: · Guessing to strategy · Clarity replaces confusion · Burnout/overwhelm to successful systems · Visibility becomes predictable – it will become easier to know what your readers want to see and read, what gets the best engagement and conversion per click. · Fading launches/promotions to longevity · Marketing feels manageable and less overwhelming    “Your book deserves readers – make sure they can find it!” Aimee Ravichandran (Abundantly Social)   The Discoverability Master Plan: Action Guide   Part 1: The 5-Minute "Invisible" Test Before changing your strategy, you need to see what the retailers see. Open an Incognito/Private window in your browser (to clear your personal search history). Go to Amazon  (or your primary retailer). Search for your book’s core genre/niche (e.g., "Time travel romance for adults" or "Beginner guide to sourdough"). The Reality Check: If your book isn't on the first two pages of results, your current metadata isn't working for the algorithm.   Part 2: Your Discoverability Checklist Use this checklist to move your book from "invisible" to "bestseller" by focusing on intentional strategy. Phase 1: Foundation & Algorithm Audit Your Metadata:  Ensure your title, subtitle, and series information are clear and provide the strong signals retailer algorithms need to index your book correctly. Research "Long-Tail" Keywords: Find specific phrases (3-5 words) that describe your niche. Avoid broad keywords like "Fiction" or "Thriller." Optimize Your Blurb:  Ensure your book description uses the keywords you researched and ends with a strong Call to Action (CTA). Phase 2: Time & ROI Management Conduct a Time Audit: List all your current marketing activities. Identify one "Low ROI" task (e.g., posting daily on a platform with no sales) and stop doing it this week. Focus on High-Impact Tasks: Reallocate that saved time to "High ROI" activities like optimizing your retail listings or setting up targeted ads. Establish Tracking: Create a simple spreadsheet to track your daily sales against your promotional efforts. If you don't track it, you can't improve it.   Part 3: Resource Guide (Where to Get Help) High-impact tools and platforms to help you master the "Algorithm Advantage." Resource Type Recommended Tool / Platform Best For... Keyword Research Publisher Rocket / ChatGPT / Gemini Identifying high-traffic, low-competition Amazon keywords. Retailer Education KDP University Understanding the fundamental rules of the Amazon algorithm. Platform Specifics Draft2Digital / Kobo Blog Learning how metadata works for Apple Books, Kobo, and B&N. Professional Audit Bowerbird Publishing / Reedsy Hiring a vetted professional to fix your metadata and blurb for you. Copywriting Help Bowerbird Publishing Getting help with your book description to improve conversion.   Next Step:  Pick one  item from the checklist above and complete it within the next 24 hours. Small, intentional shifts create massive long-term results.

One of the biggest questions for authors is: How much is my book actually worth?   Setting the right price is part art, part business. Price it too high, and you risk scaring off readers. Too low, and you undercut your work and may never recoup your investment. Here’s how to approach pricing in the Australian market — with both industry insight and practical advice for authors just starting out. 1. Understand Your Costs Before you even think about your retail price, you need to know how much it costs you to produce the book. In Australia, for authors who publish through an independent publisher, costs typically include: Editing Cover design and interior formatting ISBNs and barcodes Printing Distribution Marketing Knowing these costs gives you your floor price  — the minimum you need to charge to break even (or ideally, make a profit). 2. Know the Market To set a price that feels right both to you and your audience, look at what similar books in Australia are selling for. Here are some insights: According to recent reporting, a $36.99 paperback has been used as a benchmark price in Australia. Books+Publishing+1 Booksellers often apply a 45-55% discount  to their purchase from the publisher, meaning that publishers and self-publishers need to be realistic about how much they’ll actually  receive per sale. Books+Publishing+1 3. Decide Your Distribution Strategy Where you plan to sell your book has a huge impact on what price makes sense: Direct sales / your own website : You might be able to keep a higher margin, because you bypass major retailer discounts. But you’ll also need to factor in shipping and handling, especially in Australia, which can increase costs. Retail (bookstores) : If you want your book stocked in physical bookstores, you need to account for the standard trade discount. As mentioned earlier, discounts of 45-55% are common. Print-on-Demand (POD) : A popular choice for self-publishers. This dramatically reduces your upfront risk because you don’t have to print thousands of copies. Short-run or bulk printing : If you're printing a batch to supply to bookstores, your per-unit cost may be much lower, but you’ll also carry inventory risk and up-front investment. Understand how your distribution choices affect cost and then build in your margin on top. 4. Factor in Margins, Royalties & Profit When pricing, think about: Your break-even bottom line : This is based on your costs (publishing + printing). Your desired margin : How much do you want to make per copy, after all costs? Realistic royalty : In traditional publishing in Australia, authors often get less than 10% of the Recommended Retail Price (RRP). Books+Publishing+1 Discounts and returns : If you're working with bookstores, remember that a large portion of the retail price goes to the bookseller. According to data, average bookseller discounts are around 45-55% for trade titles. genesis.imgix.net +1 5. Be Aware of Rising Publishing Costs in Australia It’s not just you: the cost of making books in Australia has gone up. According to Books + Publishing , pulp and converted paper costs have risen by 51%, and printing costs by 34% over 15 years. Books+Publishing Wages for publishing professionals have also increased, while the average retail price of books hasn’t kept up proportionally. ANU Research What this means: your production costs might be higher than you think, so pricing conservatively low could mean undercutting your sustainability as an author-publisher. 6. Think About Perceived Value Price isn't only about covering costs — it's also a signal of quality. A higher price can communicate that your book is professional, polished, and valuable . But you must back that up: if you're charging top-dollar, make sure your editing, cover, and formatting are strong. Consider your audience and the format : If your readers are more price-sensitive (e.g. young adult, or non-fiction for casual readers), you may lean toward lower pricing. For a premium or specialised niche (art books, business, niche nonfiction), you might justify a higher RRP. 7. Be Strategic with Multiple Formats Offering different formats lets you reach more readers and set different price points. eBook : eBooks in Australia often price between AU$2.99–$8.99 , depending on genre, length, and platform. a-whim-away.com.au Paperback : As discussed, perhaps AU$18–38  depending on size, page count, and cost. Hardcover or premium editions : If you produce a premium version, you can set a higher RRP — but make sure your print costs and perceived value support it. 8. Use Professional Publishing Advice If you're working with a professional publisher, printer, or self-publishing service, lean on their experience. Bowerbird Publishing, for example, provides transparent cost structures and help you understand what pricing makes sense for your print run, format, and goals. Our insight can help you model scenarios: “If I print 200 copies, what should my RRP be vs printing 50 copies?” Also, be prepared to test and iterate . Market response sometimes surprises you. If you're selling via your website, at fairs, or at events, you may be able to adjust your price, run bundles, or offer promotions aligned with your goals — whether that’s reach or revenue. 9. Use Resources & Learn from Experts — Including 6 Steps to Self-Publishing Finally, remember you don’t have to figure it all out alone. There are resources, guides, and books designed to help you navigate pricing, production, and more. One excellent resource is my book, 6 Steps to Self-Publishing with Crystal Leonardi , available from my website at www.crystalleonardi.com/bookshop . In it, I walk you through not just pricing, but the entire self-publishing journey — from editing to launch — with practical, real-world advice tailored for Australian authors. 10. Price with Confidence - and Kindness Pricing your book is a balancing act. You want to: cover your costs, make a fair profit, appeal to your audience, and remain competitive in the Australian market. But it’s not just a financial decision — it’s about valuing your work. If you set a fair price that reflects your investment of time, talent, and money, readers will see that value. And as you grow, refine your approach: adjust based on sales, feedback, and what other authors in your niche are doing. Above all, be kind to yourself through this process. Self-publishing is as much a journey of learning and growth as it is about business. With thoughtful pricing, professional help, and a clear strategy, you can put your book in the best position to succeed.