Alexander von Ness - May 26, 2025 - 
8 min. read
Unearthing the Treasure: 12 Most Shared Blog Posts Every Author Should Revisit
I’m thrilled to announce that my Self-Publishing and Book Marketing Blog has been named one of the Top 50 Book Marketing Blogs in the World — an incredible honor and a reminder of how many authors I’ve been able to help over the years through practical, no-nonsense advice.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I’ve published dozens of posts filled with strategies, tools, and tips tailored specifically for self-published authors — from first-timers launching their debut, to seasoned pros with a full backlist. Like many quality self publishing blogs, this space is designed to support your journey every step of the way.
But here’s the thing: some of the most helpful and actionable content my contributors and I’ve ever written is now tucked away in the archives. These posts may be a few years old, but they continue to be shared, referenced, and praised because the advice inside is timeless.
So today, I’m bringing them back into the spotlight.
Here’s a list of my 12 most shared blog posts — content that authors around the world have found so valuable, they’ve spread it far and wide. Whether you’re looking for a fresh dose of motivation, a reminder of key strategies, or just want to make sure you’re not missing something crucial, I highly recommend giving these a read (or re-read!).
Let’s rediscover some gold — the kind of content you can find all in one place on top self publishing blogs.
Amazon Author Central – How to Setup Your Author Page on Amazon!
What if I told you there was a free tool you can use to market your book even when you are not actively spending time on marketing? A platform that allows you to optimize your visibility, credibility and increase sales on one of the largest e-commerce sites in the world? It might sound too good to be true, but I promise this is real.
Amazon Author Central – How to Setup Your Author Page on Amazon!
Book Cover Design Trends for 2024
Book cover design trends in 2024 are at the forefront of a transformative era, embodying the intersection of cultural shifts, technological progress, and evolving reader preferences.
As an expert in the field, I have witnessed firsthand the pivotal trends over the last year that are sculpting our profession. In this post, I aim to delve into these developments, offering my insights and inspiration to authors, publishers, and my fellow designers.
Book Cover Design Trends for 2004
Self-Publishing Success Stories. Secrets of Million Dollar Self-Publishers!
Amanda Hocking, E.L. James and James Redfield. What do these people have in common? Not too much, other than the fact that they have amazing success stories and they are all writers who became millionaires through self-publishing.
As you read through interviews and articles about this unique group of authors and their massive success, you start to notice several common themes that come up over and over again.
Self-Publishing Success Stories. Secrets of Million Dollar Self-Publishers!
Author Rights. A Quick Guide to Get Copyright Right.
Copyright is one of the most common questions in my classes concerning author rights when I teach authors how to write a book. And their ideas about copyright are usually wrong. Here is how we set the record straight.
Author Rights. A Quick Guide to Get Copyright Right.
Book Cover Redesign Study Case – “How a Monster is Made”
In a book cover redesign “How a Monster is Made” case study, I will show you in a few simplified steps how I made a beautiful cover redesign with just a few simple images. Why book cover redesign?
Book Cover Redesign Study Case – “How a Monster is Made”
The Book Marketplace Has Changed. Make Your Book Available From All the Online Retailers!
The book marketplace has been a strange place for the last year or so. Bookstores and libraries have been fully or partially shut down all over the country and all over the world.
Online shopping, once a choice, quickly became a necessity for many shoppers. Bookstores and libraries were unable to compete with overnight front door delivery, but they have stepped into their new roles in the marketplace admirably.
The Book Marketplace Has Changed. Make Your Book Available From All the Online Retailers!
When Should You Put a New Cover On Your Book?
There can be a lot of expenses when you are launching a book, especially at the beginning of your writing career when you don’t have the royalties coming into to cover the costs.
When Should You Put a New Cover On Your Book?
Book Cover Design Mistakes: Lessons from a Veteran Designer
Book cover design mistakes are something I’ve become intimately familiar with as a seasoned book cover designer with years of experience in the industry.
I’ve witnessed a myriad of pitfalls that can trap even the most talented artists. The book cover is often the first point of contact between a reader and a book, making its design crucial.
Here, I share some common mistakes to avoid in book cover design, drawing from my personal experiences and the wisdom I’ve gained over the years.
Book Cover Design Mistakes: Lessons from a Veteran Designer
Never Judge a Book By Its Cover! – Are You Really Sure?
Never judge a book by its cover? Hmmm… Why You Must Judge Your Book by the Cover! A book cover changed the course of our business and our lives!
Never Judge a Book By Its Cover! – Are You Really Sure?
The Levels of Writing and Editing Explained Once and for All!
If you visit an auto dealer in person or online, you would be asked a series of questions starting with “What are you looking for?” You then decide if you want a van or an SUV, or what model or year, used or new, color, front-wheel drive, foreign or domestic.
The Levels of Writing and Editing Explained Once and for All!
What’s the Easiest Way to Create a Powerful Book Marketing Plan? Answer These 7 Questions
Most authors I know are people with a story to tell or who are passionate about sharing what they’ve learned with others who need to learn it. They have no marketing background. They’ve never worked at an advertising agency or for the media. They can’t tell ICP from KPI or TOFU. But they don’t need to.
What’s the Easiest Way to Create a Powerful Book Marketing Plan? Answer These 7 Questions
Should You Have a Co-Author for Your Book?
If you are considering writing a book, or if you have been struggling for a while, there is one strategy you may have not yet considered. It can greatly lessen your load and give you all kinds of benefits. Here it is: Have a co-author.
Sholud You Have a Co-Author for Your Book?
No matter where you are on your self-publishing journey — whether you’re gearing up for your first launch or managing a full catalog of titles — it’s always smart to pause, reflect, and revisit the fundamentals that work.
As one of the growing self publishing blogs, this site offers practical advice and inspiration for every stage of your publishing journey.
Some of these posts might spark new ideas. Others might remind you of techniques or mindsets you’ve forgotten. And sometimes, reading familiar advice at a different stage of your career hits differently — with deeper clarity or fresh motivation.
If you found value in these posts, feel free to share them with your community. And if you haven’t already, make sure to explore the rest of the blog — because this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Alexander von Ness
Alexander is a book cover designer with almost thirty years of professional experience in graphic design, including over a decade as an art director in a branding agency. His website Nessgraphica is among the top trusted sites for book cover design services overall. His Self-Publishing and Book Marketing Blog has been selected as one of the Top 100 Self-Publishing Blogs on the web.
