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 Say Hello to the New Way Readers Discover Books Let’s face it—most online book discovery today is messy, algorithm-driven, and fleeting. TikTok might spike a book for a week. Amazon might bury your series under a pile of ads. But what if your books could live on in a curated, craveable, reader-built space  that fans could follow, share, and revisit again and again? That’s what Ream Shelves  are for. Whether you’re an author trying to sell more books or a reade

by Emilia Rose Reader comments and feedback are valuable for building community, improving your craft, and keeping your audience engaged. Author notes are a powerful tool to encourage interaction and make readers feel like part of your creative journey. Here’s how to use them effectively: 1. Make Your Author Notes Personal Author notes should feel like a direct message from you to your readers, not just an announcement. Let your personality shine through by keeping the tone f

by Ream Academy Understanding your audience is crucial for building a successful subscription model. Knowing which members of your audience are likely to subscribe to your content helps inform your initial marketing strategies and also shapes your subscription community strategies.  So how do you do this? 1. Define Your Niche Start by writing down the subgenres of your writing. Each genre and subgenre attracts different types of readers with distinct preferences. Also write d

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