Whether you’re just beginning to outline your first memoir or you’re well into your fifth novel, 10 Secrets to a Bestseller will help you get your work into the hands of readers and take your writing career to the next level.
Izzard Ink launched its own business with this book—delivering a top-tier cover, full-color interior examples, professional design and metadata, and global distribution—and supported it with PR and Goodreads giveaways that helped Tim’s publishing approach be featured in outlets like The Star and Forbes.
Most self-published books die in silence. The author uploads a file, hits “publish,” and waits… only to watch sales flatline while readers complain about amateur design, clunky writing, or confusing formatting. The problem isn’t the idea—it’s the process.
In 10 Secrets to a Bestseller: An Author’s Guide to Self-Publishing, hybrid publisher and Izzard Ink founder Tim McConnehey pulls back the curtain on how the Big 5 approach a book—and shows serious authors how to follow the same professional playbook while keeping full control of their rights.
Organized as ten clear steps, the book walks you from first concept to final launch: researching your market and positioning, finishing a solid draft, working with real editors, assembling a qualified publishing team, securing professional reviews, designing an attention-grabbing cover and clean interior, setting up distribution, and building a marketing and PR plan that actually gives your book a chance to move. Along the way, McConnehey highlights common traps—DIY covers, “my niece edited it,” overpriced print specs, exclusive distribution deals, and more—and offers practical alternatives any motivated author can execute.
Drawing on case studies from Izzard Ink’s list—including the relaunch of W. Cleon Skousen’s The Naked Communist, which surged back into national attention after a full professional makeover, and Paul B. Skousen’s Bassam and the Seven Secret Scrolls, which became an Audible “Hidden Gem” and top-40 audiobook—McConnehey shows how the right editorial, design, and audio teams can transform a good manuscript into a credible product readers and retailers will take seriously.
You’ll learn how to think and act like a professional publisher: how to invest wisely in editing and design, avoid common production and distribution pitfalls, position your book in the right categories, approach reviews and blurbs strategically, and build a launch that gives your title real momentum instead of a one-day spike.
Whether you’re publishing a thought-leadership nonfiction book, a mission-driven memoir, or your first novel, 10 Secrets to a Bestseller gives you a realistic blueprint. If you’re determined to own your work, protect your royalties, and still give your book the professional treatment it deserves, this is your step-by-step guide to self-publishing like a pro—and giving your title a genuine shot at becoming a bestseller.
Category: Non-Fiction
Release date: August 1, 2021
Page size: 5″ x 8″
Word count: 30,721
Estimated page count: 188
As a multifaceted publishing visionary, Tim McConnehey specializes in the publishing of e-books through his company, Izzard Ink Publishing. And when he says multifaceted, he means it! Tim directs eight teams covering every facet of publishing, including finance, distribution, marketing, website development, art, public relations, cover and interior design, audiobook production, editing, and copyright.
Through his background in corporate training, business management, and business development, McConnehey acquired extensive experience in client service. And as someone who is never satisfied with the status quo, he came up with the idea of creating Izzard Ink Publishing after reading an article about e-books in the Wall Street Journal.
Izzard Ink Publishing has now grown from that initial idea into a business that has sold over 300,000 books, with a client list that has sold over 45 million books combined—all accomplished by delivering exceptional personalized client service and working with the best people in publishing. Through McConnehey’s promotion and marketing of their books, Izzard Ink’s authors have been featured on Fox News, C-Span’s Book TV, The New York Times, the Washington Post, and other publications throughout the country.
McConnehey has a B.A. in International Business from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he lives with his wife Wendy and their four children. In his free time, he loves to restore old cars and motorcycles.
I have worked with the world’s leading multinational companies for my books, as well as managing my many speaking engagements. Izzard Ink’s consultation services were some of the best. I am especially grateful for the guidance with my website and social media marketing campaigns. Izzard Ink’s focus is on building authors and people. I would recommend Izzard Ink for any published or non-published author, regardless of the phase they are in the process.
I owe my friends at Izzard Ink a tremendous debt of gratitude. They walked me through self-publishing 101 and helped me turn my non-sellers into great sellers. One title was a bestseller on Amazon. Until I met Izzard, I didn’t know how little I knew about post-writing development to produce a polished, professional-looking book. They cared about making me a success. And where some prior efforts produced a couple of duds, they guided me to help so I could repair the flaws and try again. It was worth it. Highly recommend Izzard Ink. Sometimes you just need somebody who knows the way.
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