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Five Star Launch

Five Star Launch

A blog by Booksprout

A blog by Booksprout

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Celeste Barclay

The Marketplaces

Best Self-Publishing Platforms (Big Five): Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo & More

By Celeste Barclay April 27, 2026

TL;DR Choosing the Best Self-Publishing Platform: The Big Five Marketplaces for Indie Authors So you’ve written the next great novel, children’s book, or nonfiction guide—and now you’re ready to publish. Amazing. But here’s the part that trips up even experienced indie authors: where should you release your book? Picking a self-publishing platform is a lot…

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The Marketplaces

What Sustainable Author Growth Really Requires

By Celeste Barclay April 20, 2026

TL;DR Celeste Barclay, Booksprout’s Head of Marketing, recently sat down with Joe and Suze Solari, owners of Author Nation/Reader Nation conference and signing. As industry thought leaders, their insights ranged from professional development events to the economy to scaling author businesses. There is no shortage of advice for authors. What is much harder to find…

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The Reviews

Best Time to Ask for Book Reviews (and how to get more of them)

By Celeste Barclay April 13, 2026

TL;DR When Is the Best Time to Ask Readers for Reviews? Reviews are one of the most powerful tools in a self-published author’s marketing toolkit. They create social proof, help readers feel confident clicking “Buy Now,” and can improve your book’s performance on major retailers. But here’s the catch: timing matters. After running thousands of…

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The Marketplaces

What Is NINC? Why Professional Novelists See It as a Career Milestone

By Celeste Barclay April 6, 2026

TL;DR What is NINC? NINC is a merit-based professional organization for novelists. Authors join for its respected conference, advanced networking, and career-focused community. Membership currently requires at least two books, each earning a minimum of $3,000 in a single 12-month period, making NINC especially valuable for established or growth-minded novelists who want higher-level publishing conversations….

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The Audience The Reviews

How to Build a Book Launch Team (ARC & Review Team Guide)

By Celeste Barclay March 30, 2026

TL;DR How to Build a Launch Team for Your Book Release (Step-by-Step) For self-published authors, the weeks leading up to publication are your best chance to build visibility, drive pre-orders, and create “day-one momentum.” One of the most effective ways to do that is by building a launch team—also called a review team, street team,…

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powerful storytelling for book reviews

The Story The Reviews

Powerful Storytelling for Authors: Get More Book Reviews

By Celeste Barclay March 16, 2026

TL;DR Powerful Storytelling: The Fastest Path to Better Book Reviews (and Stronger Book Sales) You can’t underestimate the power of a great story. As a self-published author, you’re the one shaping your readers’ experience—line by line, chapter by chapter, page by page. Whether you write fiction, memoir, or nonfiction, stronger storytelling creates stronger reader reactions……

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The Reviews

How to Build a Review Team That Boosts Book Sales

By Celeste Barclay March 2, 2026

TL;DR Build a Review Team to Boost Book Sales (ARC + Street Team Guide) Are you struggling to boost sales—or feeling like your self-published book is invisible in a sea of new releases? You’re not alone. With millions of books published every year, discoverability is the real battle for indie authors. One of the most…

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