Here are more winners to study and emulate.
The winners of the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes are … – LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-book-prizes-20150418-story.html
More on research
I just discovered this site — PUBlishing CRAWL — and had to check it out. These tips aren’t bad either.
2016 Debut Authors Share their Research Tips | Pub(lishing) Crawl
http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2015/04/17/2016-debut-authors-share-their-research-tips/
Make a trailer
A friend of mine who self-published an award-winning fantasy novel just told me he’s going to have a trailer made for it. I think I’ll pass these tips along to him. They’re worth considering even if you don’t do it yourself.
Creating a Book Trailer for Your Self-Published Novel | Self-Publishing Review
http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2015/04/creating-a-book-trailer-for-your-self-published-novel/
Just smashing
Self-publishing used to be called “vanity press” because some people who couldn’t interest a traditional publisher were thought to be feeding their egos by paying to have their books printed. It’s still true that some people rush forward without editing or rewrites, but, more and more, independent authors do take care to put out their best work. Smashwords has helped a lot of people release their books. Here’s an interview with its founder.
London Book Fair 2015: Self-Publishing Smashes Through
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/london-book-fair/article/66265-london-book-fair-2015-self-publishing-smashes-through.html#path/pw/by-topic/international/london-book-fair/article/66265-london-book-fair-2015-self-publishing-smashes-through.html
Authentic vs. pedantic
I’m working on a story set in the 1840s and I want the setting to be authentic. I’ve been thinking about how to do that without sounding like a history book. This post considers the same question. How much backstory is too much? (You may need to scroll past a bunch of menu items to get to the post.)
Research: Keeping the Backstory in the Back | Indies Unlimited
http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2015/04/14/researching-keeping-the-backstory-in-the-back/
sharon p. lynn 