Occasionally, people ask me what software and tools I use in my work. power my website. Keep reading to find out.
Get my resources
I’m often asked about the software and other tools I use in the course of my work. Here, I’ll share some of them. Please note, I am affiliate of these companies. I use their products and now I refer them to others. When you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps to support this website and my writerly endeavors. Thanks!
Editing Tools
As you might know, I’m in the process of editing my 1st novel. I struggled. Aside from the typically grammar and punctuation, I really didn’t know how to tackle the edit. Then I found Stacy Juba’s course, Book Editing Blueprint: A Step-By-Step Plan To Making Your Novels Publishable.
It’s a self-paced online course for beginner and intermediate fiction and creative nonfiction writers.
Features list: The course contains 10 self-editing modules plus a bonus module on foiling the frustration. It includes:
- 28 video tutorials, most between 4-10 minutes
- 200 pages of transcripts
- 71-page workbook with worksheets and cheat sheets
- 25-page Book Editing Blueprint checklist
- 7 quizzes
CLICK HERE to learn more about the course and sign up
Just a heads up, I’m an affiliate for Shortcuts for Writers, so I earn a commission if you purchase this course through one of the links here. Please note that I only recommend things that I truly believe in and businesses that I find helpful and trustworthy.
Buy some books!
Help me support local bookstores!
As an avid reader and a writer, I want to see independent bookstores thrive. They’re part of our community, part of our fabric. Places we can connect, discover new authors, enter new worlds. I recently learned about Bookshop.org. It’s an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. As more and more people buy their books online, the creators sought to develop an easy, convenient way for you to get your books and support bookstores at the same time.
I’ve started my own Bookshop SHOP! Each sale not only gives me a 10% commission, but also gives a matching 10% to independent bookstores.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on the map and select, they’ll receive the full profit % off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don’t use Bookshop). By design, they give away over 75% of the profit margin to stores, publications, authors, and others who make up the thriving, inspirational culture around books!
Check out my store. I add new books to my lists all the time. You can still search the site for other selections. Click below.
I want to support independent booksellers!
Looking for Kindle books or other self-published titles?
Not all self-published books are available in bookshops. And some have only been published in Kindle format. No problem! You can find them on Amazon AND if you click through my affiliate links, I’ll get a small commission at no cost to you.
Click through this LINK to shop at Amazon
Resources for your website
Affiliate sales
One great way to monetize your site is with affiliate sales. I won’t become an affiliate unless I use the product and am happy with it. I’ve become an affiliate for several such products. I’ve already mentioned Amazon and some others above. You can become an affiliate and earn commissions, too!
Please note that if you click through any of my affiliate links, I will either receive a small commission or other reward, at no cost to you.
Amazon
Everyone shops at Amazon! From my WindyCity Greek magazine days, I signed up as an Amazon affiliate to earn a little money to help finance the site. Here’s how it works. Go to Amazon’s Affiliate Central page and sign up. There will be some paper work (tax documents, etc.) to set up your account. You’ll have to wait to be approved.
When you write about products that can be purchased on Amazon, you can embed a link with your affiliate code. When a reader clicks through and makes a purchase, you get a small commission at no additional cost to them. You can also insert Amazon ads in your site. There are thinks like Bounties and Special Programs that allow you to maximize your earnings. Of course, this is a simplified explanation. Be sure to read all the fine print and follow the rules, especially where you can post links and about disclosing that you’re an Affiliate. If you violate the rules, you’ll be dropped. You can see an Amazon ad on the sidebar of my Blog page.
IMAGE: MAILCHIMP
Email Service Provider: Mailchimp
For an email service provider (ESP), I use Mailchimp. I’ve been using it for the past 4 years. It’s easy to set up and use. You can even use it free until you reach 2000 people on your list! Mailchimp can help you grow your email list. You can also create templates for your newsletters and more. When you refer someone to Mailchimp, you earn Monkey Rewards. From the Mailchimp page on Monkey Rewards, here’s how it works:
A “referral” is when someone clicks your badge and becomes a paid customer. We’ll automatically add MonkeyRewards to your account when someone signs up for a paid plan. You can redeem your MonkeyRewards when you purchase something in Mailchimp.
Click to sign up for Mailchimp and help me earn rewards!
Click on the image and check it out!
IMAGE: DREAMHOST
Web hosting: DreamHost
People always ask me who I use for a web host and how that’s going. When I started WindyCity Greek magazine, I used a different hosting service. The magazine took off so quickly and to increase the speed, capacity, and security of the site, I switched to DreamHost. My tech person highly recommended them. Now, if you have an issue you can’t speak to someone on the phone but they do get back to you pretty quickly and will help you resolve an issue or answer any questions. This site runs on DreamHost. If you sign up, I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
More resources
I’ll share more resources soon. When you click through the links, remember, I get a small commission or reward when you purchase something or sign up. Be sure to follow all the instructions and follow the rules. If you violate the rules, they will drop you.
NOTE: PMEA Communications, LLC and Maria A. Karamitsos are not responsible for your affiliate accounts or what you do with them, nor for any actions caused if you sign up as an affiliate through the links and you violate the rules. We are also not responsible for any affiliate commissions you may or may not receive. Read all the rules of each affiliate carefully and be sure to follow the rules. ALSO PMEA Communications, LLC and Maria A. Karamitsos are not responsible for any issues you have with a company in which you purchase a product or service.
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