Sell More Books with These Book Promotion Sites from Written Word Media
Looking for a relatively inexpensive way to let enthusiastic readers in your genre know about your books?
Try a book promo service like Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, Red Feather Romance, NewInBooks, or Audio Thicket.
More on each with ways for authors and readers to get hooked up with the book promotions they’re looking for in this post.
Nonfiction book promos are also discussed after that.
But first, a little basic info.
These five book promotion sites are owned by the parent company Written Word Media (based in Durham, North Carolina, USA). It’s been around since 2011 and posts great videos for authors on YouTube.
I am NOT an affiliate and I was NOT hired to write this post.
I write from the perspective of a nonfiction author coach who teaches a popular online book marketing course for authors.
The goal of book promo sites
The sites share a common goal: “to provide authors and publishers an affordable, effective marketing product with which to reach readers, and to help readers of varying preferences and budgets find their next great read.”
Authors pay a fee via PayPal or Credit card to have their books promoted to readers who voluntarily sign up for each site’s email list and select their reading preferences. (Fees vary depending on the site and the genre selected; so too do the number of email subscribers.)
Email blasts are sent daily (or weekly, depending on the site) to readers based on their self-selected reading preferences (which can be updated).
Authors, to book a promotion with Written Word Media, start here.
Get your free List of Book Marketing Strategies for American authors.
It includes 50 things to do that can help sell more books.
Here’s a little more about each site—including requirements, with how to promote and how to be notified of book promotions.
Freebooksy
Freebooksy was the first of Written Word Media sites launched in 2011.
Freebooksy features books that are free, either through an Amazon KDP Select promotion or perma-free. Emails are sent out daily or weekly depending on the reader’s preference.
Authors: Get more details, see the genres, get pricing, and book a feature here. You can also promote a series if the first book is free, has 10 or more 4- or 5-star reviews on Amazon, and there are at least 3 books in the series.
Bargain Booksy
Bargain Booksy is all about low-priced ebooks.
Bargain Booksy helps authors and publishers move books that are priced between $0.99 & $4.99 and available on Kindle. Emails are sent out daily.
NewInBooks
NewInBooks is dedicated to new releases.
NewInBooks (launched in May 2015) promotes print and ebooks released within the past four months, or new editions of a book. Emails to readers are sent each Tuesday.
Red Feather Romance
Red Feather Romance, fittingly, launched on Valentine’s Day 2015.
Red Feather Romance focuses entirely on steamy contemporary romance ebooks. Emails are sent out daily.
Audio Thicket
Audio Thicket promotes audiobook deals.
Audio Thicket plugs audiobooks priced at $2.99 or less. Emails go out on Monday (mystery, thriller, true crime) for audiobooks on Audible, Google Play, or Apple, or Tuesday (weekly deals on Audible).
The Book Launch PromoStack
Written Word Media also offers a Book Launch PromoStack.
With the PromoStack, your book (select genres only) will be promoted across multiple sites and on social media. Prices range from $299 to $499 depending on genre.
Specific considerations on Written Word Media sites for nonfiction authors
Freebooksy features Self Help & How-to, Cookbooks & Nutrition, General Non-Fiction, and Religion/Spirituality titles.
Bargain Booksy also features Self Help & How-to, Cookbooks & Nutrition, General Non-Fiction, and Religion/Spirituality titles.
NewInBooks features Biography & Memoir and Business titles. Only Biography & Memoir titles are eligible to be featured on the NewInBooks website.
Red Feather Romance is for steamy romance titles. Fiction only.
Audio Thicket features True Crime, Biography & Memoir, Business, and Money titles.
The Book Launch PromoStack is available for Biography & Memoir for $299. Click here to purchase.
My take and review on these book promotion sites
The question is: Does it work?
I recommend these promo sites, especially for authors with multiple titles, in genres that have high numbers of email subscribers, and who are running special promos and not getting traction using other marketing methods.
Authors typically see a noticeable spike in sales as a result of running a feature. More readers means more reviews, which fuels additional sales. Individual results may vary, but the feedback from authors is generally favorable.
While many of the readers on these sites are indeed looking for bargains, many authors have found that once readers discover them, they buy multiple titles.
I like that Written Word Media is transparent about how many readers are on their email lists, and if your book isn’t eligible for whatever reason, they promptly refund your money.
The monthly emails with tips, tools, and publishing industry news (which you can sign up for on the form on the Written Word Media home page) are also worthwhile.
Thanks for reading,
P.S. I am NOT an affiliate and I was NOT hired to write this post. I simply believe in what is being offered!