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Whether you’re basking in the sun, relaxing in a hammock, or jet-setting to a faraway destination, summer is the perfect time to immerse yourself in a great book. From thrilling page-turners and poignant memoirs to literary fiction and uplifting rom-coms, this list offers something for every kind of reader. Here are the Top 10 Books to Read This Summer (2025 Edition) which are guaranteed to entertain, inspire, and transport you.  1. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024) Genre: Sci-Fi, Historical Fiction This clever debut blends speculative fiction with historical intrigue. Set in a near-future London, it follows a government translator assigned to a mysterious time-travel experiment involving historical figures plucked from the past. With romance, wit, and biting commentary on power and colonization, The Ministry of Time is smart, sharply written, and compulsively readable. Perfect for: Fans of The Time Traveller's Wife and The Midnight Library.  2. Funny Story by Emily Henry (2024) Genre: Romantic Comedy Summer wouldn’t be complete without an Emily Henry novel. In Funny Story, a children's librarian and her ex-fiancé’s new girlfriend’s ex find themselves unlikely roommates after their mutual heartbreak. Naturally, things get complicated in hilarious and heartfelt ways. Henry’s signature blend of emotional depth and breezy humour makes this the quintessential summer rom-com. Perfect for: A beach read that’s equal parts light-hearted and emotionally satisfying.  3. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (2023) Genre: Historical Fiction Now in paperback and picking up accolades, McBride’s novel is a moving, multi-character epic set in a 1920s Pennsylvania town. When a skeleton is found decades later, it sets off a story that uncovers community secrets and deep bonds of love and loyalty. It’s warm, wise, and beautifully written. Perfect for: Those who loved The Colour Purple or The Secret Life of Bees.  4. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby (2023) Genre: Crime Thriller One of the most gripping crime novels in recent years, Cosby’s Southern noir features a Black sheriff navigating a chilling series of murders in a small Virginia town. Gritty, urgent, and socially astute, it’s a crime novel with real literary power. Perfect for: True crime junkies and thriller lovers looking for depth.  5. Real Americans by Rachel Khong (2024) Genre: Family Saga, Literary Fiction Spanning three generations and alternating between perspectives, this poignant novel explores identity, immigration, and genetic engineering. With lyrical prose and a sweeping yet intimate story, Real Americans is a meditation on what it means to belong—in a family and in a country. Perfect for: Book club discussions and literary fiction enthusiasts.  6. The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (2024) Genre: Historical Fantasy Set in 16th-century Spain during the Inquisition, this dark, magical tale features a young woman accused of witchcraft and the powerful force she discovers within herself. Bardugo’s rich storytelling and lush historical detail make The Familiar a mesmerizing summer escape. Perfect for: Fans of The Night Circus and A Discovery of Witches.  7. Long Island by Colm Tóibín (2024) Genre: Literary Fiction A follow-up to Brooklyn, this novel catches up with Eilis decades later, now living in Long Island, New York. When a figure from her past reappears, she’s forced to confront old choices and the life she’s built. Tóibín’s understated prose and emotional complexity make this a slow-burning but profoundly affecting read. Perfect for: Lovers of character-driven narratives and slow, introspective storytelling.  8. The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue (2024) Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Friendship Set in Ireland, this nostalgic, funny, and sharp novel tells the story of Rachel and her best friend James as they navigate life, love, and literary dreams in their early twenties. It’s both laugh-out-loud and quietly heart-breaking. Perfect for: Fans of Sally Rooney or anyone who’s lived through a chaotic twenties-era friendship.  9. Fire Exit by Morgan Talty (2024) Genre: Literary Fiction / Indigenous Voices Following his acclaimed debut Night of the Living Rez, Talty returns with a deeply emotional novel about a man reckoning with fatherhood, identity, and the secrets of the past in a Penobscot community. Perfect for: Readers looking for intimate, powerful Indigenous storytelling.  10. Operation Absolom by Robert Cubitt Genre: World War II Action Book 1 of the Carter’s Commandos series, this sees the hero of the series, Steven Carter, volunteering for the Army commandos of World War II. Searching for adventure, carter gets more than he bargains for when Operation Absolom leaves him cut off behind enemy lines during the Norwegian winter. Can he survive? Can he escape and make his way back to Blighty? Perfect for: Lovers of historical military fiction with a compelling hero. We hope you find soemthing in that list to tickle your reading taste buds and we wish you happy holiday reading.
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 In today’s digital-first world, social media has transformed from a place to catch up with friends to a powerful tool for professionals - including authors. Whether you’re self-published, traditionally published, or somewhere in between, using social media for book marketing can significantly increase your visibility, build your author brand, and drive sales. But to succeed, you need more than just a presence - you need a plan. In this guide, we’ll break down how authors can effectively use social media to promote their books, connect with readers, and grow a lasting platform.  Why Social Media Matters for Authors Before diving into the "how," it’s important to understand the "why." Social media gives authors:
 Choosing the Right Platforms Not all social media platforms are created equal - each serves a different audience and content type. Here’s a quick breakdown: 1. Instagram
2. TikTok (BookTok)
3. Twitter (X)
4. Facebook
5. YouTube
 Creating Content That Resonates Content is the core of your social media marketing. But what should you post? The key is to diversify while staying authentic and consistent. Types of Content for Book Marketing
 Building a Community, Not Just an Audience One of the biggest mistakes authors make on social media is focusing solely on promotion. Social media is a two-way street. If you want followers to care about your book, you need to care about them first. How to Build Relationships
Timing & Consistency Matter You don’t need to post every day, but you do need a schedule. Create a content calendar to help plan posts in advance, especially in the months leading up to your book launch. Content Planning Tips:
Leveraging Paid Ads & Influencer Partnerships Once you’ve established your organic presence, consider investing in paid promotions to expand your reach. Facebook & Instagram Ads
Book Influencers & Reviewers
 Tracking What Works
Use platform insights and link tracking to understand what content performs best. What to Track:
Use what you learn to refine your strategy over time. Final Thoughts Social media can be overwhelming, but when used strategically, it’s one of the most powerful tools available to authors today. Focus on building a connection with your audience, being consistent, and providing value - not just selling. Over time, you’ll not only grow your readership, but create a loyal fanbase that’s excited for everything you write. Remember: Readers don’t just buy books. They buy into authors. So be yourself. Be present. And most importantly, tell your story - on the page and beyond it If you have enjoyed this blog or found it informative, make sure you don’t miss future instalments by signing up to our newsletter. We’ll even send you a free ebook if you do.  Writer’s block - the frustrating moment when words dry up and creativity takes a nosedive. It can strike anyone, from novelists to bloggers, students to screenwriters. If you’ve ever sat in front of a blank page, paralysed by self-doubt or unable to translate thoughts into words, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: writer’s block isn’t a life sentence. With the right strategies, you can overcome it and rediscover your writing flow. In this article, we’ll explore the root causes of writer’s block and offer practical, proven solutions to help you break through the barriers holding you back.  What is Writer’s Block, Really? Writer’s block isn’t just “being lazy” or lacking talent. It’s a psychological and emotional barrier that prevents a writer from progressing. Common causes include:
Understanding that writer’s block often stems from internal pressures rather than external ones is the first step toward overcoming it.  1. Set Lower Expectations—Then Exceed Them One of the quickest ways to short-circuit writer’s block is to give yourself permission to write poorly. Write garbage. Write nonsense. Just write. When you remove the pressure to be brilliant on the first try, you free up mental space for creativity. You can always revise later—after all, writing is a process. The first draft doesn’t have to be good; it just has to exist. Tip: Try "freewriting" - set a timer for 10–15 minutes and write whatever comes to mind without stopping, editing, or judging.  2. Change Your Environment Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to shift your mindset. If you normally write at a desk, try a coffee shop, a park, or even a different room. Physical movement and new sensory input can help spark new ideas. Tip: Experiment with writing at different times of the day. Your creative peak might be early morning or late at night - you won’t know until you try. 3. Write Something Else Entirely If you're stuck on a particular project, take a break from it and write something completely unrelated. A journal entry, a letter to a friend, a poem, or even a grocery list - just get your fingers moving and your brain engaged in the act of writing. Often, switching gears can reignite your passion and loosen the mental knots blocking your main project.  4. Set Small, Achievable Goals Big goals like “Write a novel” can be paralysing. Break your task into smaller, more manageable steps:
- Edit one paragraph These micro-goals add up and build momentum. Completing them gives you a sense of progress, which in turn builds confidence. Tip: Use tools like the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of focused writing followed by a 5-minute break - to stay productive without burning out.  5. Talk It Out
Verbalising your ideas can clarify what you’re trying to write. Explain your story or article concept to a friend or even speak it aloud to yourself. Hearing your own words helps organise your thoughts and can reveal connections or ideas you hadn’t noticed. 6. You are not alone Seek support from other writers – they know what you are going through. Ideally join a real-life writing group, but if that isn’t possible, join an on-line group and ask for help in getting out of your slump. It is surprising how getting a new perspective on the problem can help. But, above all, never lose sight on the one essential. You are a writer. You may not be able to write at this instant, but you are a writer. To quote the words of ancient Persian origin, but later used by Abraham Lincoln, “This too shall pass”. If you have enjoyed this blog or found it informative, make sure you don’t miss future instalments by signing up to our newsletter. We’ll even send you a free ebook if you do. We are please welcome guest blogger Justin Wigg to our blog page this week. Justin is the creator of Business Hub City, a website dedicated to helping entrepreneurs of all levels. He created the website with one goal in mind: to make it easy for business owners to find the resources they need, when they need them. Justin has been an entrepreneur since he was 24 years old, and knows first-hand how difficult it can be to find quality information online. That’s why he made Business Hub City completely free and user-friendly!"  The line between what you love and what you live off of is thinner than you think. People do it every day—turn an afternoon passion into a full-blown enterprise. But what doesn’t get talked about nearly enough is how uneven, humbling, and downright exhausting that transformation can be. Turning your writing into a business is not just about scaling your skills—it’s about scaling yourself. And to do that, you’ll need to think differently, act deliberately, and accept that joy and stress often sit side by side. Forget the Fantasy of “Doing What You Love” All Day You might start off believing that monetizing your writing will mean endless joy, uninterrupted creativity, and the simple pleasure of getting paid to do what you enjoy. But that belief cracks fast. When your writing becomes your business, it stops being entirely yours. You now have deadlines, readers, expectations. The slow ritual of creating for pleasure gets replaced by a calendar, word count, and sometimes, a creeping sense of burnout. You have to be honest about how much of your love you’re willing to share—and possibly taint—with commerce.  Sharpen Your Acumen Going back to school for a business degree can be a game-changer when you’re ready to move from side hustle to sustainable venture. Programs like those offered by the University of Phoenix, The Open University and even short course offered by FutureLearn are designed to help you stand out while you continue building the brand you believe in. Whether you choose to study marketing, business, communications, or management, the knowledge you gain can sharpen your instincts and provide the kind of strategic edge that helps your business thrive. With the rise of flexible online degree programs, it’s easier than ever to balance coursework with running your day-to-day operations. Put Your Talents To Work Launching a business as a writer begins with realizing that your words aren’t just art—they’re assets. Whether you're crafting blog content, ghost-writing books, or developing brand copy, there’s a real demand for sharp, adaptable voices across industries. Success hinges on treating your writing like a service: knowing your audience, setting clear rates, building a portfolio, and pitching with purpose. When you approach your craft with the same professionalism you'd expect from any other business, you stop chasing word count and start attracting readers who value what only you can deliver.  Time Is a Currency You’ll Need to Budget Ruthlessly Turning writing into a business consumes time in ways that are rarely glamorous. Your evenings shift from quiet creativity to spreadsheets, social media scheduling, responding to reader’s emails, and figuring out taxes. You don’t just need more hours in the day—you need to get brutal about how you spend them. What tasks can be automated? What roles should be outsourced, even on a shoestring budget? If you’re not structured, your time becomes fragmented, and your creative output suffers. The Market Doesn’t Care What You Love—But You Should Still Lead With It One of the hardest pills to swallow is that what you care about might not resonate with readers. The market is indifferent to your nostalgia, your process, or your artistic flourishes. It cares about drama, style, and perceived value. But that doesn’t mean you should sell out. The challenge is finding the overlap between what you love and what the market values. That sweet spot—where passion meets demand—is where businesses thrive. And sometimes, you don’t find it right away. You have to iterate, test, and listen to more feedback than you’d prefer.  You’ll Need to Learn the Language of Money
Running a business isn’t just about bringing in money—it’s about managing it. Taxes, business structures, inventory costs, revenue forecasting, and paying yourself a salary aren’t things you can ignore until tax season. You’ll need to get comfortable talking about money—what things cost, what they’re worth, and what you need to stay afloat. If that doesn’t come naturally, find someone who can help, or take the time to educate yourself. Because without financial literacy, your business will always be on shaky ground, no matter how good your product is. Not Everyone Will Support You—and That’s Fine There’s a peculiar kind of loneliness that comes with striking out on your own. People around you might not get it. They might think you’re making a mistake by quitting your job, or they might silently root for your failure because your risk makes them uncomfortable. Don’t expect cheerleaders in every room. Instead, find a network—online or local—of others doing similar work. Community matters. Not just for encouragement, but for advice, collaboration, and accountability. If you’re looking for easy, this isn’t it. Turning your writing into a business will test your patience, your discipline, and your identity. But if you’re willing to evolve—both your craft and your mindset—you’ll find a kind of fulfilment that transcends either category alone. Discover captivating stories and meet our talented authors at Selfishgenie Publishing – your gateway to a world of literary adventure! If you have enjoyed this blog, or found it informative, then make sure you don’t miss future editions. Just click on the button below to sign up for our newsletter. We’ll even send you a free ebook for doing so. |
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