Featured Interview: Amazon KDP University with Michelle M. Pillow
Check out my interview with Amazon Direct Publishing’s KDP University, where we talk about Author Central and A+ Content, book marketing, publishing, branding, and writing across multiple genres. Watch the interview here.
From KDP University, About the Video: A romantic at heart, Michelle M. Pillow loves stories with a happy ending, imperfect characters, and good mysteries that are challenging to solve. Though she writes in many genres, and has sold a million books across them, she’s best known for her sci-fi and paranormal romances, mysteries, and paranormal women’s fiction. Join us as Pillow shares how she uses resources like Author Central and A+ content to create a strong book release.
My best advice: WRITE THE BOOK! If you don’t write it, you have nothing to be an Author about.
Michelle M. Pillow, NYT Bestselling Author
Michelle Pillow’s Author Advice for Writers
I have plenty of fascinatingly brilliant articles on my blog that, in my totally unbiased opinion, the world should read. I’ll add more advice here as I think of it.
Best Advice
There is no magic pill. You have to do the research and the work. Well, coffee is kind of like magic, and energy helps with the research, so maybe that’s my secret.
Research everything, your book, marketing, promo, your genre, and think about the long-term goals, not just instant career gratification. That’s what separates career authors from hobbyists. Writing as a hobby is wonderful if that’s what you want to do. If you want to be a professional, you have to spend the time and study up. There is no magic formula or secret handshake. I so wish there was. You just have to put in the hours and do the work. Knowledge really is power.
But the Number 1 Thing? Write the book. Without it, there’s no reason to go through the trouble of everything else. The book is the fun part!
And yes, getting traditionally published is hard. It’s a very competitive business.
Working With Me
Do you offer paid one-on-one time for aspiring authors?
I love talking to authors at every stage of their careers, so feel free to email anytime to chat. What I can’t take on is paid critiques or teaching sessions, simply because I don’t have the time. For a solid place to start learning the industry, I recommend David Gaughran’s Let’s Get Digital: How To Self-Publish, And Why You Should.
Can I interview you, or have you write a guest post for my blog?
YES!!! (If I have the time, or if I finally complete my diabolical cloning project. The husband doesn’t seem to want that second option for some reason. Something about one of me being enough.) Feel free to contact me with the details. Interviews are generally easier to fit in than guest blogs, but please do ask. And thank you for thinking of me.
Do you use AI to write your books?
No. My books are 100% human-written. I’m part of the Human Authored Certification program, which verifies books written by people, not machines.
For context, I was recognized by RWA (Romance Writers of America) for writing over 100 books, well before AI was even part of the conversation. The work, the words, and the worlds are mine.
Will you co-write a book with me? Will you be in an anthology?
Maybe. I have a full writing schedule and I’m selective about projects I take on, but that’s not a no. You’re welcome to contact me. It never hurts to ask, and I’m friendly. Just busy.
Will you read my published or pre-published book? I need a jacket quote or a review.
If you’re already friends with me, send me a message. I love helping friends!
We get requests for these weekly, so I want to be upfront about the realities:
Reviews: No. I’m not a reviewer, and vendors frown on authors reviewing books in their genre. There have been hand slaps. I do often review books I love on my own at non-vendor sites like BookBub, where they encourage author reviews, or just socially.
Quotes: Time is limited, but you can ask. It helps if we already know each other on another level before a cold-call request. If you do ask, let me know what the project is, where the quote will be used, the timeline, and whether you’re willing to return the favor. Things like that.
Publishing & Career Path
General advice?
YES! Check out my KDP University interview, where I talk through book marketing, publishing, branding, and writing in multiple genres.
There are tons of books and how-to articles out there to research that answer most industry, writing, and craft questions. The best advice I can give: do your research.
I’m fortunate to have published traditionally before going hybrid/indie, so I brought a lot of knowledge into the indie world with me. The main lesson? Be flexible. Things change fast, and working authors have to keep on top of those changes. When events happen or opportunities pop up, you have to be willing to toss an entire marketing and publishing plan out the window and start over. Again and again.
Should I go wide, or should I do Kindle Unlimited?
Everyone has to decide what’s right for them. For me, wide works, but I’ve done KU too. There’s no shame in either option.
Look at your goals, your genre, your reader base, and your bandwidth for marketing. Try it. If it isn’t working, change. The indie world rewards flexibility.
Can you recommend a publisher to me? How should I publish?
You need to do your own research and make the decisions that are right for you. There are pros and cons to both indie and traditional publishing. It’s why I chose to do both. It was right for me.
Can you help with contracts, since you’ve signed so many?
Publisher contracts are an ever-changing beast. I recommend reading the Model Trade Book Contract from The Authors Guild as a great place to start.
Promotion, Marketing & Tools
How do I promote my books?
There are several affordable ways to promote online. The best route is to do your research, visit author blogs, websites, publisher sites, review sites. Offer interviews. Set up a newsletter or a private reader community. Show up consistently on the platforms where your readers actually are.
The number one thing for marketing yourself and your books? Have a website. Make sure the style represents you and your books. Extra content can be key to bringing readers in, but remember the number one reason they come to your site is to learn more about you and your books. Make it easy to navigate, and avoid auto-play sound features like music or videos. Readers should be able to find what they need in a non-intrusive environment. Everything you want readers (and possible media outlets) to know lives in one place, and everything you do, inside the books, advertising, blogs, social media bio pages, can point to that central location where you control the content.
Where you’ll find me online, for reference:
What are the tools a self-published author can’t live without?
Vendor partnerships. Vendors like Amazon, Kobo, Nook, Apple Books, and Google Play have built-in, eager reader bases. Competition for reader attention is high, but so are the opportunities. Vendors also offer plenty of free tools and advice. Take advantage.
An email newsletter platform. Your reader list is the one piece of your audience no algorithm can take away from you. I use Flodesk for mine. There are several great options out there. Pick one and start building.
A day planner. Electronic or paper, I prefer paper. Indie publishing is fast-paced. You have to be organized, and being able to look at your schedule at a glance helps when promo opportunities pop up. If it isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist for me.
The book. And then the next book. And then the next. Without books, there is nothing to be an author about. Building a backlist, and a series, gives you something to talk about and gives new readers a natural place to go if they like something you’ve written. It’s the best advertising tool.
Author friendships. I like the saying “Rising tides lift all boats.” It’s a much better way to live than trying to stand on each other’s heads.
What about direct sales, or selling from your own store?
I love this question. Direct sales give authors control and a bigger piece of the profit. Plus, you can sell merch alongside your books, which the big vendors don’t allow.
I use Fourthwall for my own store. It handles digital and physical products, ships globally, and lets me build a brand experience the major vendors won’t. Whether you go with Fourthwall, Payhip, BookFunnel direct, or another platform, it’s worth exploring. Your reader, your relationship, your data.
The Hard Nos (For Legal Reasons)
Will you read my unpublished book, manuscript, or writing sample?
No. For legal reasons, all unpublished material will be deleted or destroyed unread. No exceptions. I’m honored that you value my opinion and want to seek it out, but please don’t ask.
Here’s an article that explains one of the main reasons authors say no: https://www.themarysue.com/writers-fanfiction/
I have a story idea. Can I send it to you?
No. Any story ideas sent to me will not be read by me and will be deleted immediately. (Same reason as the unpublished manuscript question above.)
Can I write fan fiction of your characters and worlds?
No. I do not authorize fan fiction of my work. My worlds and characters are copyrighted and belong to me and me alone. They are not to be included or used in any fan fiction.
What if I do all the work? Can I put your name on my book as Co-Author?
No.
Will you publish my book?
No. I’m not a small press.
Want more? Browse my Articles category on the blog for posts on writing, publishing, and the indie life.
If you have a question I haven’t answered here, feel free to reach out.
GOOD LUCK!