The Press Journal

Field notes on publishing, marketing and the author business.

Practical, US-rooted writing from our editors, designers and marketers. No filler, no AI fluff.

Using Instagram and TikTok to Sell Books Without Feeling Salesy

Discover how indie authors are building genuine communities on BookTok and Bookstagram, and selling more books in the process. Learn the soft-sell strategies that turn followers into readers without ever feeling pushy or promotional.

Sept 2026

Amazon KDP·5 min

How to Price Your Kindle eBook to Maximise Downloads and Royalties

Pricing your Kindle eBook is one of the most powerful, and most misunderstood, levers you have as a self-published author. In this guide, we break down every pricing strategy, royalty structure, and promotional tactic you need to maximise both downloads and long-term royalty income on Amazon KDP.

Sept 2026

Cover Design·5 min

Typography Secrets That Make Self-Published Books Look Professional

Typography is the silent salesperson on every book cover: the difference between a reader clicking 'buy' and scrolling past. Master these font pairing, hierarchy, and contrast secrets to give your self-published book the polished, genre-savvy look that commands attention and builds trust.

Sept 2026

Ghostwriting·6 min

How to Brief a Ghostwriter So They Nail Your Voice

A ghostwriter can only sound like you if you give them the right roadmap, and most authors underestimate just how much detail that takes. This post walks you through every element of a powerful ghostwriter brief, so your collaborator captures your voice from the very first draft.

Sept 2026

Monetisation·7 min

How to Turn Your Book Into an Online Course (And Triple Your Revenue)

Your book is more than a one-time sale: it's the blueprint for a high-ticket online course that can multiply your income three times over or more. Discover how to transform your existing chapters into compelling course modules, choose the right platform, and market your course to the readers who already trust you.

Sept 2026

Book Marketing·6 min

How to Build an Author Email List Before Your Book Launches

Your email list is the single most powerful marketing tool you own as an author, and building it before your book launches can mean the difference between a quiet release and a bestseller. In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to set up your list, attract your first 1,000 subscribers, and craft the email sequences that turn readers into buyers.

Aug 2026

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