Are you ready to hold your book in your hands?
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In this interactive 3.5-hour workshop, we’ll learn everything there is to know about self-publishing a beautiful, high-quality book you’ll be proud to show off to the world. Best-selling author, self-publishing mentor, and book marketer Shayla Raquel teaches you how to:
Create a Budget: How much does it cost to self-publish your book? What surprise fees should you watch out for? What if you can’t afford to self-publish—what should you do?
Find Your Target Audience: Market research allows us to determine the exact right group of people who will fall in love with your book.
Choose a Printer and Distributor: Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital are the main players we’ll discuss, but are they right for you? What other options do you have?
Vet the Right Professionals: You deserve to have a high-quality book you can be proud of. Finding the right editor, cover designer, and interior formatter can make or break your book.
Determine the Specs: How do you know which trim size is best for your genre? Should you print hardcover and paperback?
Plan Your Sales Strategy: Should you go wide or remain exclusive using KDP Select? Should you do preorders? We’ll choose the best options for you, your book, and your goals.
Get Amazon & Goodreads Reviews: How do people get reviews before the book releases? How do they get reviews once the book is published? What about endorsements?
Win at Amazon Marketing: How do you choose the right categories and keywords? How do you amplify your Amazon book page? How do rankings work? How much should you charge for your book?
Cover the Little Things: Copyright, ISBNs, BISACs, barcodes, proof copies, blurbs—whoa! Be prepared when these little things pop up.
Tell the World: How will people know your book exists? How do you get ARCs out to readers? How do you leverage book promotion newsletters?
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop.
You wrote the book. Great! Now how do you launch the thing and make sales?
In this interactive 3-hour workshop, we’ll tame the beast known as Amazon and learn everything there is to know about a successful book launch, such as:
Launch Prep: Before you rush off, let's make sure you've got everything in place to launch your book. We'll cover the book itself, author website, social media platforms, email list, and more.
Building Your Launch Team: It's time to find your fans! Your launch team is an integral part of your book's success, so we'll make sure you have the best team possible using an email newsletter as home base.
Amazon & Other Retailers: Should you go wide or remain exclusive using KDP Select? Who should you print with? Should you do preorders? We’ll choose the best options for you, your book, and your goals.
Telling the World: How will people know your book exists? By using your platform, other people’s platforms, and handy-dandy book promotion newsletters.
Amazon & Goodreads Reviews: How do people get reviews before the book releases? How do they get reviews once the book is published? We’ll learn how to use BookSirens and BookFunnel, among other avenues, for this very purpose.
Amazon Marketing: How do you choose the right categories and keywords? How do you amplify your Amazon book page? How do rankings work? Will your blurb captivate readers? How much should you charge for your book?
Planning Your Online Launch Party: Bring everyone together to celebrate the big day using a Facebook Event! We'll discuss the online party itself, giveaways, and important prompts to get the word out about your book. (Don’t want to use Facebook? No problem. We can implement Zoom, Discord, etc.)
Release Day: It's the big day! This is when your launch team makes a huge splash to help you gain sales, up your rankings, and flow more traffic to your book.
Post-Launch: What needs to happen after the book's release? How do you keep sales afloat? How do you avoid annoying people?
INCLUDES: 3-Month Launch Checklist PDF and Post-Launch Checklist PDF
This is the most in-depth class yet! Don’t miss it.
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop video.
Is an email newsletter still the most effective book marketing strategy? If done right, absolutely!
In this 3-hour interactive workshop, you’ll learn the ins and outs of email newsletters, including:
Why you need to keep people on your turf (Ever had Facebook shut down when you’re trying to launch your book? Yikes!)
How to get (and keep!) subscribers
How to sell your books through your newsletters without annoying people
What on earth to write about (This will depend on your genre and author brand!)
How to comply with the CAN-SPAM Act so you don’t get flagged or hidden
Which freebies to use as incentives for people to give away their coveted email address
How to consistently provide value
If you’d like to finally start an email newsletter or would like to resurrect your current list with best practices, this is the perfect class for you.
INCLUDES: 101 Email Newsletter Content Ideas for Authors
Get unstuck and fall in love with your story!
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Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, following a flexible story structure that works for you means no plot holes and way fewer headaches. Best-selling author and longtime speaker Shayla Raquel teaches aspiring novelists how to:
Follow the Hero’s Journey (or Not!): Having a good grasp of the most popular story structure will help you understand elements like Refusal of the Call, Approach to the Inmost Cave, and Return with the Elixir. Learn this foundation, and you can break as many rules as you want.
Save the Cat!: Using Jessica Brody’s 15-beat structure, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, we’ll delve into must-have elements like Shard of Glass, False Victory vs. False Defeat, and the 5-Step Finale.
Steer Clear of Plot Hole Canyon: With a strong (yet flexible) outline, you don’t have to slam your head into your keyboard after finding yet another plot hole. We’ll discuss how writers wind up in Plot Hole Canyon and how to avoid getting stuck there.
Unmuddle Your Middle: Using James Scott Bell’s advice, we’ll tackle the middle of your story so you don’t stop writing at page 150, never to look at your manuscript again.
Keep Your Story Organized: What does a novel outline look like when it’s filled out? We’ll take a tour of a complete novel outline in Scrivener.
Outline Your Specific Genre: According to Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, there are 10 different genres in fiction, and once you know yours, you can follow an outline that works for your story. Examples include Rite of Passage, Whydunit, and Institutionalized.
Special Q&A: Whatever your struggles with your story, we can dive in and find solutions during the Q&A segment.
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop.
A website is an author’s business card. It’s where potential readers and fan-for-lifers learn about you, your books, and what you have to offer—no matter the genre.
You need to ensure your author website includes the necessary pages, works seamlessly on mobile, and clearly directs visitors to your objectives (e.g., reading your series, signing up for your email newsletter). Your website is the central hub for all things you, so get this marketing must right!
This interactive online workshop will cover:
Why authors need websites
Every single page to include on an author website
SEO for authors
How to build a website using Squarespace
How to set up a domain and domain email address
How to implement branding elements
Mobile-friendly musts
All the little things, like adding social media icons, setting up a blog, adding photos, etc.
Build awareness, kick-start Google presence, and open the cyber door for people to learn about you and your books in this online workshop.
FAQ:
I already have a website that I started, but it’s a mess. Will this class help me?
Most definitely. In fact, that’s why I created this class: to hold your hand and show you how to finish what you started.
I was going to use WordPress (or some other platform). Should I still take this class?
Most likely. While this class will not spend 100% of its time on building in Squarespace, it will be using Squarespace as the example. I personally design my clients’ websites in Squarespace because I hate coding. My brain just doesn’t work that way, so this is a way better option for people who aren’t super tech-savvy.
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop video.
“A three-hour Zoom workshop with the electric, brilliant Shayla Raquel confirmed for my creative partner and myself that we are literally on the right track. Shayla explodes information that resonates and continues to inspire. So open and kind and genuine! Our project has a rebirth today. We highly recommend Shayla. " —Jean Metcalf, The Magic Harmonica
Build and engage your community of lifelong book ambassadors.
Lifetime Access!
Social media and author branding go together like peanut butter and jelly—you need both ingredients for a tasty result. In this interactive workshop, we’ll learn how to choose the best social media platform for your target market and personality, what to post for your community, and how to keep your people engaged—all while crafting a brand that is centered on you! Best-selling author and longtime speaker Shayla Raquel teaches authors how to:
Create Your Brand: What is an author brand? How do authors figure out what their brand should look like? We’ll lay the foundation of this workshop with real-life examples of well-done author brands from epic fantasy novelists to self-help authors.
Find Book Ambassadors: How—and why—do readers fall in love with you and decide to read your book? How do you find your readers and turn them into lifelong fans?
Choose the Best Social Media Platform: Find out what makes each social media platform so popular. What are they known for, what age groups live on these platforms, and what do they expect? If you know why (and how!) people use certain platforms, then you’ll know what content to provide.
Brainstorm Content: See photos and videos from authors who use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube to brand themselves and market their books. If you see what other authors are doing, it will help you brainstorm ideas for yourself.
Embrace Connecting: Feel encouraged after a segment on limiting beliefs and the answers to questions like, “What do I do if I hate to promote myself?” Learn the difference between annoying promotion and authentic connection.
Special Q&A: Whatever your struggles with your social media and branding, we can dive in and find solutions during the Q&A segment.
Includes TWO freebies: A social media marketing download with 103 content ideas and a free workbook to help you take action with your brand.
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop and freebies.
Is your book marketing strategy a little bland? Spice it up with a recipe for author success!
You’ve invested time, energy, sweat, and maybe some tears into writing your book. But without the right marketing strategy, you and your book will languish, never connecting with the readers (and reviewers) who need to find your words.
In this practical, how-to-filled session, you can create a marketing recipe that will get your book noticed without giving you heartburn. This class covers:
High-quality book — Get this right first and foremost
Author branding — The foundation for long-term success
Market research — Your genre, your competition, and your pricing
Author website — The hub for all things you
Social media — Your lifeline to your readers
Email marketing — Get your people on your turf
Amazon — Into the belly of the beast we must go
Book promotion newsletters — Your not-so-secret weapon for sales and higher rankings
Reviews — How to get them (and keep them)
From authentic branding to social media, from your website to consistency, we'll cover everything you need to know so you can create a tribe of book ambassadors and do the author thing forever.
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop video.
“Shayla’s classes are full of encouragement and information without being overwhelming. She conveniently gives you pdfs and other handy resources. Her methods of teaching are great for visual learners - which I am. She has helped me so much in all avenues of writing. She really does care and has such a desire to help. I cannot speak highly enough of her.” —Diana Denham
Your memoir is more than just a true story—it’s your legacy.
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In this interactive workshop, #1 bestselling author Shayla Raquel teaches on more than just writing your life story—she shows you how to craft a compelling, unforgettable memoir that matters in this world. Brimming with information, this class educates memoirists on:
Memoir vs. autobiography: Which one are you really writing?
Purpose: Why are you writing your life story?
Novel elements: From characterization to plot, your memoir must read like a compelling novel, not a diary.
Theme: Forgiveness, love, freedom: What is the point of your memoir?
Legalities: Take precautions to protect yourself from very angry family members.
Revision: That scene may have felt cathartic when you wrote it, but now it's time to revise so readers can decide for themselves if your mother was just like Mommie Dearest.
Marketing: How do you market a memoir? How do you get people to fall in love with your own life story?
Special Guest: Memoirist Ken Guidroz, author of Letters to My Son in Prison, talks about the obstacles of writing and publishing your memoir.
Any way more!
Shayla Raquel has worked on memoirs for 13 years and will provide several self-published and traditionally published memoirs as examples of what an unforgettable life story looks like.
Takeaways:
List of mistakes to avoid from the start so you don't have to back up during your memoir writing.
List of solutions if you've finished your memoir but made a few mistakes after all.
Suggestions to ensure you're safe as a memoir writer (aka, avoid being sued).
Confidence to write a memoir that actually matters and makes a difference in someone's life.
Examples of memoirs to help you find your subgenre.
Memoir marketing examples to help you find your community of book ambassadors.
PLUS: A special Q&A to help you solve your memoir conundrums!
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the class.
Take a Workshop!
How do you create an antagonist like Hannibal Lecter or Annie Wilkes?
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In this interactive 2-hour workshop, you’ll discover how to craft an unforgettable, wickedly good villain that keeps readers up past their bedtime. Best-selling author and longtime speaker Shayla Raquel teaches novelists how to:
Choose Your Type: There are different types of antagonists, so we’ll first determine if you have an Evil Antagonist, Opposing Antagonist, Superior Antagonist, or Internal Antagonist.
Determine Your Villain’s Trigger: Your antagonist did not just wake up one day and decide to be bad. There was a trigger that led them down this path.
Find Your Villain’s Saving Grace: There must be a redeeming quality when it comes to your villain. Help your readers relate to your antagonist by finding their saving grace. (This section includes a fun “Who am I?” game, real-life villain style.)
Answer the Age-Old Question: Was it nature or nurture that created your villain? Could it be both?
Pinpoint Motive: From revenge to honor, from betrayal to desperation, there is a motive, a reason, for why your antagonist opposes the protagonist. Give them a strong motive, and the reader will stay captivated.
Sketch It Out: By using an in-depth character sketch, you can create an antagonist that feels 100% real to the reader. (Class attendees will receive their very own character sketch template to download!)
Special Q&A: Why is your antagonist falling flat? What are you struggling with? Let’s brainstorm together in this special Q&A.
INCLUDES: Antagonist Character Sketch Template + Annie Wilkes (Misery) Character Sketch Example
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop.
It’s time you made a profit from your book.
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Join #1 best-selling author Shayla Raquel in her last workshop, Superstar Author Class. After 13 years as a self-publishing expert, book marketer, and public speaker, Shayla is ready to hand over her secrets.
The last class is truly a cornucopia of secrets, strategies, and best practices. The 2-hour class will cover:
Amazon Ingredients: There are 3 top priorities when building an Amazon book page that actually sells books: 1) Correct Keywords & Categories, 2) Captivating Book Cover, and 3) Compelling Blurb. Includes Shayla’s favorite tricks for using the right keywords and categories so readers can actually find your book!
Amazon Author Central: Editorial Reviews, From the Author section, newly added Book Recommendations—this section of the workshop will have the most surprises!
Goodreads: Are you using all the marketing goodies from Goodreads? There are author questions, book quotes, recommendations, giveaways, reviewers, and so much more to help you find the exact perfect reader.
Top Secret Secrets: From ARCs to sales dashboards, from pricing to Amazon A+ content, all Shayla’s secret tricks and must-haves are yours. This includes special tools and resources the self-pub author needs in their arsenal.
Reviews: How do you get reviews on Amazon and Goodreads? How many do you need? Why is it so hard to get people to review your book, and how can you get proactive?
Market Research: You can’t know your Amazon categories or your best advertising outlets if you don’t do the hard work: market research. This is the the most skipped-over step that needs to become a foundation for authors!
SEO: Search Engine Optimization may sound boring, but there are some quick and painless ways to get Google to pull up your book when someone is searching for its topic or theme. Are you utilizing SEO to the best of your ability?
The Future: Where do I see social media heading next year? What about the future of self-publishing? What should authors expect in 2024?
Note: You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to securely access the workshop recording and slides.