Troubador Publishing

Are you an aspiring author looking for the best resources to take your writing to the next level? 👀 Being a self-published author, especially one who is looking to publish their first project, is both exciting and daunting. With so much information out there, how can an author hope to distil the valuable from the misleading? 🤯 Well, here I am to lend a hand. 🫡 I’ve just published a blog post on the best resources for self-published authors. In it, I’ve compiled what I think are the essential resources to help authors succeed on their writing journey. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned writer, these resources will provide the guidance and support you need. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find: 🔹 Writing tools: Discover apps like Grammarly and ProWritingAid that help with everything from brainstorming ideas to perfecting your manuscript. 🔹 Design and formatting: Featuring one of my favourite tools, Canva, I’ll chat about how authors no longer need professional skills to produce fantastic designs. 🔹 Publishing platforms: For those choosing to publish through online platforms, I’ve highlighted why Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark are the two that I think authors should explore. 🔹 Networking, knowledge sharing, and trade unions: With an overwhelming amount of information available, I explain why The Alliance of Independent Authors: Nonprofit Professional Association for Self-Publishing Authors, The Society of Authors, and Jericho Writers are the best resources out there - alongside the Troubador Publishing blog, of course 😏 Hopefully, authors of all kinds will find this list useful. I am keen to hear if I've missed any other resources that you’ve found particularly useful—let me know! Check out the whole latest article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gRGQXtEJ #writingcommunity #authorsupport #amwriting #writersresources #writingtips #authorlife #writingjourney #authorcommunity #selfpublishing #bookpromo #bookpromotion #bookpublishing #publishing

The new EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) has officially come into effect. This legislation introduces significant updates that impact all publishers and self-published authors across Europe. Troubador Publishing, and the books we produce under our own publishing imprints, is compliant with these new regulations. However, authors may wish to familiarise themselves with what it means for them and their work. For more details about these changes and how they could impact your publishing journey, check out the full article here, written by our Operations Director Chloe May. https://lnkd.in/g4ZiUhrW #Publishing #SelfPublishing #GPSR #Authors #EURegulations #BookSafety

Are you an author preparing to self-publish with the help of a publisher? 📚 Choosing the right publisher is crucial. The right choice means a dedicated team supporting your book’s success. The wrong one will mean wasted time and money. High stakes indeed...! But how do you find the right publisher for you? In my latest blog post, I outline 7 essential considerations for evaluating publishers - factors that can affect everything from your book's visibility to your creative control. Here’s a sneak peek at the first 3: 1️⃣ Transparency in contracts – Ensure you fully understand the terms, particularly when it comes to royalties and rights ownership. Speaking of which... 2️⃣ Ownership of rights – Ensure that you retain 100% ownership of your intellectual property to make informed decisions about future editions, adaptations, and distribution. 3️⃣ Marketing and promotion support – A great publisher doesn’t just produce your book - they can actively market and promote it to reach the right audience. You might be wondering if I’m writing this just to promote Troubador Publishing. Well, yes and no. Yes, we are experts in the publishing, promotion and distribution of books, but sometimes we're not the right fit for every author. And that’s okay! Choosing a publisher should be about protecting your creative vision and ensuring your book reaches the right readers. My article helps you understand what to look for so you can make the best choice for your book. Want to know the other 4 considerations and more details on them all? Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g_-dZS4e #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors #BookPublishing #AuthorTips #WriterCommunity #BookMarketing #PublishingJourney #AuthorLife #Publishing #BookPromo #BookPromotion

🎄✨ Christmas Spirit in Full Swing at Troubador Publishing and The Book Guild! ✨🎄 December has been an absolute blast so far, packed with festive fun and holiday cheer! Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to (and what’s still to come). 🎉 Christmas Party: We started the season in style with a celebration at The City Rooms. Great food, music, and plenty of laughter made it the perfect way to reflect on another amazing year with the whole team. 🧝 Elf on the Shelf: Our cheeky little elf, Jingles Wordsmith, has been up to all sorts of antics, keeping the office buzzing with smiles, laughs and custom poems and gifts for each member of the team every morning. 🧠 Christmas Quiz: A little friendly competition brought out our holiday knowledge (and our competitive sides). It was such a fun way to bond and dive into the festive spirit. 🍽️ Team lunches: Throughout the week last week, we all indulged in some delicious food to celebrate alongside our teammates. 🎁 Secret Santa: Next week, we’ll wrap up our celebrations with Secret Santa! We can’t wait to see the thoughtful surprises and enjoy the joy (and giggles) as gifts are exchanged. Taking time to celebrate together has been a lovely reminder of the importance of appreciating our workplace friendships and stepping back from the hustle of publishing beautiful books to enjoy the season. How are you celebrating the holidays with your team this year? 🎅🎄 #FestiveFun #TeamBonding #HolidayCheer #SelfPublishing #BookPublishing #Publishing #TeamBuilding

You’ve poured your heart, soul, and countless hours into writing your book and are on the cusp of having it published - congratulations! ✨ But in today’s competitive market, even the best books can struggle to find their audience without the right promotion. That’s where book marketing can transform your publishing journey. While many authors choose to market their books themselves, there has never been more professional help available for authors wanting to give their books the boost it deserves. In my latest blog post, I explore how partnering with professional marketers can help authors like you: ✅ Reach Your Ideal Audience: The right strategies connect your book with the readers who will love it most. ✅ Boost Visibility and Sales: Expert campaigns ensure your book stands out on shelves (virtual or physical). ✅ Save Time and Energy: Focus on what you do best — writing — while the experts handle promotion. Whether you’re a first-time author unsure where to start, or a seasoned writer looking to elevate your efforts, book marketing services can make all the difference. From crafting compelling social media campaigns to securing those coveted book reviews, these services are designed to help your work shine. Dive into the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gtH6C-Tj #BookMarketing #AuthorSupport #PublishingTips #WritingJourney #BookPromotion #MarketingForAuthors #BookPromo #SelfPublishing #BookPublishing #Publishing

Organising a bookshop event can be one of the most rewarding experiences for an author. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with readers, build relationships with booksellers, boost book sales, and expand your fanbase. 😍 But success comes down to careful planning and execution. These events are invaluable in an author’s promotional toolkit — but only if you plan them right! In our latest blog article, Chloe May, our Operations Director, shares her expert insights on what makes a bookshop event truly successful. Drawing from the experience of all our authors who have organised their own bookshop events, Chloe offers a step-by-step guide to help authors make the most of these opportunities. Here’s what she covers: ✅ How to effectively plan an event well in advance ✅ Essential tasks authors must complete ahead of time ✅ How to manage the event like a pro on the day ✅ Post-event actions that can maximize your impact Whether you’re launching your debut novel, celebrating a new release, or looking to strengthen your connection with readers, this guide is packed with practical tips you can use right away. Don’t let your next bookshop event be just another signing. Make it an unforgettable experience for both you and your audience! 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gpWzAGvQ #Authors #BookMarketing #WritingCommunity #EventPlanning #BookPromotion #BookPromo #AuthorCommunity #AuthorLife #SelfPublishing #BookPublishing #Publishing

🌟 We’re #hiring again! 🌟 Whether you're seeking an exciting new challenge, eager to break into the publishing industry, or passionate about helping authors bring their stories to life, this could be your perfect opportunity! Take a look at the details of our latest role below—it might just be exactly what you’re looking for.👇

Are you passionate about books and looking for a dynamic new challenge? Well, we are #hiring 👀 Troubador Publishing's sister company The Book Guild is looking for an ambitious and motivated Production Controller to join our production team! 🎉 Reporting to our Production Manager Chelsea Taylor and working closely with The Book Guild's Publishing Manager Rosie Lowe, as a Production Controller you’ll be at the heart of our operation and thrown in at the deep end from day 1. You'll be overseeing the production process, ensuring our books are produced to the highest possible quality, and managing schedules to deliver them into the hands of our wonderful authors, whom you will be working with directly daily. If you're detail-oriented, a great communicator, and love seeing projects come to life, this is the perfect role for you ✅ What We’re Looking For: 🎯 A keen eye for detail with a desire to understand the book production process 🔀 The ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines 🤝 Strong communication skills to liaise with authors, printers, and suppliers 👩🎓 A willingness to learn on the job and be comfortable asking for help What's more, we are in the middle of a rebranding project to move the look, feel and publishing approach of The Book Guild into the future, and as the Production Controller for all the titles we publish, you'll be at the heart of that process. Apply below, and share this post with anyone you think might be interested! https://lnkd.in/g_B46BrS

“How do you make any money from your book?” It’s a question I’ve been asked a lot as a self-published author. The answer? Simple. I don’t. I never expected to, never aimed to, and certainly never dreamed that more than a handful of press-ganged friends would even buy something I’d written. For me, publishing my book “Didn’t Anyone Ever Tell You? It’s All A Game!” was about fulfilling a life ambition—a bucket list item ticked off. More than that, it was a chance to make a difference: to share my insights with anyone willing to read the thoughts of a near-60-year-old who’s seen a thing or two in life. When I started this journey, I made a few key decisions: 1️⃣ Invest in quality. I set aside the costs and ensured the book would feel at home on any bookshelf, professionally designed and produced. 2️⃣ Give back. From day one, I pledged 25% of proceeds to charities connected to the people featured in the book. That has now grown to 50%, raising over £1,300 for multiple charities—far beyond my wildest dreams. The journey has been humbling: 📖 The book has gone into reprint. 📖 I’ve sold over 500 copies (print and eBook). 📖 I’ve received feedback like, “a mentor on your shelf,” and even, “this book changed my life.” But here’s the reality: few authors make money. ❗️Some retailers take up to 60% commission. ❗️My publisher takes a well-earned but small share by comparison. ❗️After costs, I’m left with about 30% of the book’s price for retail sales, and half of that goes straight to charity. ❗️I didn’t write my book to make money; I wrote it to make a difference. To leave my footprint on the world and help others however I can. ✅ NOTE…direct sales via my publisher (below link) or via myself mean commision taken is small or zero respectively. With Christmas just around the corner, this book could be the perfect stocking filler for someone in your life who’s ready to grow, find inspiration, or simply become a better version of themselves. 🌟 DM me to purchase directly or follow this links or your own retailer to order your copy. https://lnkd.in/eTt3J2Eh For 2024/25, 50% of all income from the book will be donated to The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, supporting vital mental health work across our communities. Writing this book wasn’t just about fulfilling a dream; it was about connecting with others, leaving something meaningful behind, and showing what’s possible when you follow through on an ambition. If you’ve ever thought about writing your own book, why not start now? Your story could inspire, motivate, or even change lives. As a volunteer Author Ambassador for Troubador Publishing, I’d love to guide you through the process. It might just become one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. 📚 Let’s create something that leaves the world better than we found it. Here’s to turning ambitions into legacies. #SelfPublishing #AuthorJourney #Legacy #GivingBack #MentalHealthMatters #Inspiration #BucketList #ChristmasGiftIdeas #MakeADifference

Since the late 90s, self-publishing has transformed from a fringe option for authors looking to publish their work into a thriving, respected avenue for them to get their books into the world. But what’s driving this remarkable evolution? And how can authors leverage these changes to succeed in today’s competitive landscape? In our latest blog post, Managing Director Alex Thompson dives into the industry’s transformation and highlights the incredible opportunities now available to writers. Here’s what you’ll discover: ✨ How self-publishing has overcome early stigmas to produce high-quality, widely respected books. 🔧 The rise of cutting-edge technologies that have made self-publishing faster, more accessible, and affordable. 📖 The growing role of expert support in helping authors craft polished, professional books. 🌐 Why marketing—like social media, personal branding, and audience engagement—is now key to success. 📊 How shifting reader preferences and global markets are reshaping the indie publishing landscape. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned indie writer, this blog is packed with insights to inspire your journey. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gYFByf7d #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors #WritingCommunity #PublishingTrends #BookPublishing #Publishing #AuthorCommunity #AuthorLife