Resources used by J. Thorn
I won’t ever suggest products or services I haven’t used myself. I highly recommend the ones on this page. Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links which means I get a tiny percentage of the sale if you purchase after clicking through, but it costs you nothing and you can always Google them if you prefer.
If you haven’t grabbed it yet, start with my FREE author method, How to Self-Publish (The Essential Guide for Taking Your Idea to Market). Click here.
Learning:
An incredible collection of online video courses by some of the most successful authors in the world including James Patterson, Margaret Atwood, Malcolm Gladwell, and more. Classes available ala carte and as an annual subscription.
Tools:
Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
For all business expenses, I use my Chase Ink card which earns me points that I can redeem for many things, including cash. Just remember to pay off your balance every month.
Visual timelines. Automated outlines. Story bibles. Templates galore. With Plottr at your side, your book might just start writing itself.
Simply the best story planning and first draft tool on the market. Compatible with Windows and Mac.
The go-to app for all of your dictating needs. The PC version is far superior to the Mac version.
An excellent alternative to email for teams.
Simple. Free. Ubiquitous. I pay for the additional space and its worth it.
A host of free author services makes this account indispensable. From universal book links to formatting, D2D has it all.
A third-party distributor, Publish Drive has the best user interface out there. Hands down. Get into global markets not accessible in any other way.
If you need an easy but powerful way to manage and listen to your podcasts (and you don’t want to or can’t use iTunes), Podcast Addict is perfect.
Relax Rain (app) iPhone // Android
Better than white noise and not nearly as goofy looking as noise-cancelling headphones, these apps help me get work done in busy, loud environments. Also check out Relax Sea by the same developer.
Don’t be afraid. Premiere is the simplified version of Adobe’s flagship product. You’ll be able to do simple photo and video editing without an advanced degree or having to spend thousands of dollars.
Create an eye catching book cover to get that first page turned. Choose from a wide range of design tools including image effects, fancy text and stock images!
Although designed more for musicians and multi-track recording, I use Reaper to edit all of my podcast files.
Zoom is the best and most affordable cloud-based video conferencing service. It also has native recording capabilities and is easy to use. Send a link to a Zoom meeting and there’s nothing to install or configure. Integrates with Google Calendar.
Not exactly a tool, but an incredible resource. Learn from some of the most successful and prolific writers alive today including Neil Gaiman, James Patterson, and Margaret Atwood. Includes a $30 credit.
Great for swag and merch with the option to sell directly on Etsy.
Services:
Prestozon manages your AMS dashboard, automatically adjusting your bids and keywords. Use the link to get a free 30-day trial.
Reedsy allows authors to find and work with the best publishing professionals: from developmental editors to book cover designers, publicists and translators.
A family-owned business, Ebook Launch offers a wide variety of services from custom cover design to ebook and print formatting.
In my opinion, the most customer-centric email service available. If you don’t need hundreds of features you’ll never use, go with Aweber as they have the best customer service. Hands down. I’ve been a loyal customer since 2014.
NOT a replacement for an editor but a great way to check basic grammar and style beyond what your spell checker can do.
More like a virtual writing coach than a grammar-checker, Autocrit even allows you to compare your draft to best selling books.
If you’re writing or publishing genre fiction, the K-lytics reports are essential.
A must-have for identifying keywords for meta data, sales copy, and paid advertising.
New to the podcasting scene with two dynamic founders. A great, affordable option for podcast hosting.
If you have a self-hosted WordPress website, Theme Isle has dozens of beautiful themes in their annual subscription package which can save you thousands of dollars on web site design.
Wix offers an entire suite of web design and hosting tools that are drag-and-drop which means no coding or technical skills required.
A great scheduling service that can handle booking appointments seamlessly. Integrates with most online calendars, including Google Calendar.
Books:
*These are books that (1) I own in paperback and (2) I’ve read at least three times.
- The Story Grid, Shawn Coyne
- The War of Art, Steven Pressfield
- On Writing, Stephen King
- This is Marketing, Seth Godin
- Successful Self-Publishing: How to publish an ebook and a print book, Joanna Penn
- How to Market a Book, Joanna Penn
- The Four-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss
- Perennial Seller, Ryan Holiday
- Choose Yourself, James Altucher
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