by Ream Academy Why Tropes (Still) Rule the Book World If you're a romance author, you already know: tropes are more than marketing buzzwords—they’re emotional promises. From “enemies to lovers” to “there’s only one bed,” readers don’t just enjoy tropes—they hunt for them . They organize their entire TBRs around them . They build their entire identity around craving them. Now, thanks to Ream Shelves , authors finally have a tool that turns that emotional hunger into action—an

by Ream Academy Setting the right price for your subscription is like walking a tightrope—you want to make your offering accessible enough to attract subscribers while ensuring the value you provide matches the price tag. Nail this balance, and you’ll grow a loyal, engaged audience while keeping your business sustainable. Here are some tips on how to get it right: 1. Understand Your Audience Before you set your price, figure out who you’re targeting: What can they afford?  A

by Ream Academy An author bio is more than just a quick blurb about who you are—it’s your chance to make a lasting impression on readers, establish credibility, and create a personal connection. Whether you’re writing a bio for your book, website, or social media, getting it right can significantly impact how readers perceive you and your work. 1. First Impressions Matter Your bio is often the first thing readers look at after your book cover and description. It gives them a

by Ream Academy In the fast-paced digital world, where social media algorithms dictate what content gets seen, newsletters are a golden ticket for authors. They offer a direct, reliable line to your readers, ensuring you can share your work, build connections, and grow your audience without interference. Here’s why newsletters should be at the top of your marketing strategy: 1. You Own the Connection Unlike social media, where visibility depends on algorithms, newsletters gua

by Emilia Rose Merchandise can be a fantastic way to expand your revenue and deepen engagement with your audience. If you've already sparked interest in an item through casual mentions, you're off to a great start! Here’s how to seamlessly incorporate merch into your release strategy and turn that buzz into a thriving opportunity. 1. Choose Merch That Aligns With Your Brand Your merch should resonate with your book’s theme, characters, or tone. Ask yourself: Does this item ti

by Emilia Rose Launching a new serial is an exciting opportunity to capture readers’ attention and build a loyal following from day one. But to make it successful, you need a solid plan. Here’s how to structure your launch to maximize impact and set your story up for long-term success. 1. Start With a Hook Before anything else, you need a compelling hook—a one-liner or short pitch that makes your story irresistible. Think of it as your serial’s elevator pitch. It should be in

by Ream Academy We've heard from lots of authors who want to set up author swaps but don't have a theme in mind around which to organize it. So we've provided a list for you. You can use these themes to gather authors for a variety of cross-promotions, making it easy to target specific reader interests and leverage unique seasonal or genre-based hooks. Genre-Based Swaps Epic Fantasy Extravaganza  – Perfect for authors of sprawling, world-building fantasy tales. Spicy Romance

by Emilia Rose As a romance author who’s found success in the indie world, I've discovered that cross-promotions aren’t just effective—they're also one of the most enjoyable ways to grow my audience. Whether you’re just starting out or already a five- or six-figure author, cross-promos can boost your visibility, bring in new readers, and make marketing feel way less lonely. Here’s why I’m a big fan of cross-promos and how they've worked wonders for me. 1. Everyone Wins, No St

by Arielle Bailey I know it’s tempting to groan at the idea of an Ideal Reader. After all, it sounds like a lot of work to define someone nebulous, and it can sound elitist. However, an ideal reader is not about excluding your stories to groups of people and it’s not about creating a dream reader out of thin air with no data. Why Finding Your Ideal Reader Matters Authors need readers. They write for readers. But when it comes to marketing their story or telling others about t