Hello Reader,

Can you believe we're already halfway through 2026?

I know how fast the year goes. Back in January, a lot of us set big intentions for our books. Maybe you promised yourself this would be the year you finally finished the manuscript. Or hit publish. Or got serious about marketing the book that's been quietly sitting on Amazon.

So let's do a gentle mid-year check-in. Not to make you feel behind — but to help you see clearly where you are, celebrate what you've done, and decide what the next six months look like.

Grab your coffee and ask yourself:

Writing. Did you start? Did you keep going? Even a few hundred words a week adds up to a real manuscript over time. If you've written anything at all this year, that counts.

Publishing. Did you move closer to a finished, published book? That might mean hiring an editor, commissioning a cover, choosing your path, or finally understanding what the whole process actually costs. Progress isn't only "I hit publish." It's every step that got you closer.

Marketing. This is where most authors stall, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. Did you grow your email list? Show up on social? Get found by readers (or by AI search, which matters more every month)? Even small, consistent marketing moves compound.

Wherever you landed, here's the truth: you are not behind. You're exactly where you are, and the second half of the year is wide open.

If your honest answer is "I wrote the book, but the business side is a mess," you are in very good company. That's usually the real bottleneck — not the writing, but the systems that sell the book and build the author business around it.

Key Tools for Your Author Business

So here are the tools I personally use and recommend to make that side so much easier. These are the platforms I trust to run Write Publish Sell, and a few come with a discount when you use my link. And some are affiliate links.

Build and nurture your email list — Kit (formerly ConvertKit). Your email list is the single most valuable asset you own as an author. Kit makes it simple to grow it and stay in front of your readers. → Start with Kit​

Sell your book and offers — ThriveCart. One-time purchase, no monthly fees, and it powers the checkout and sales pages for everything I sell. → Check out ThriveCart - This is an AWESOME tool if you prefer to sell your book DIRECT and even if you've got partners you want to market your book for you as an affiliate. If avoiding Amazon is your goal, I love Thrivecart!

Turn your book into courses and memberships — Kajabi. When you're ready to build income beyond the book itself, this is the all-in-one platform I use. → Try Kajabi — 3 months for $99​

Give your author website a real home — SiteGround. Reliable, affordable hosting so your site (and your discoverability) stand on solid ground. → Host with SiteGround If you don't have a website and your own domain, you're going to struggle to grow in large numbers. As we've been discussing in GEO terms, the way to be found by AI searches is through a good website.

Run the business behind the books — 17hats. Contracts, invoices, scheduling, client management — all in one place. → Get 17hats — 50% off your first year If you're a coach, consultant, publishing professional and you need a tool for booking calls, collecting leads, invoicing, quotes, contracts, and workflows all in one, 17hats is the BEST.

Pick one. Just one. If you don't have a website or an email CRM, that's where I'd start.

Set it up this month and you'll feel the difference in how the second half of your year runs.

You've got six full months ahead. Let's make them count.

Are there any particular areas of your author or bookish business that YOU need help sorting out?

Cheering you on,

Alexa

Alexa Bigwarfe

Publishing Consultant & Book Marketing Expert

Write|Publish|Sell

PS - Get Seen, Get Booked Masterclass
Thursday, June 25 | 1:00 PM CST | 2:00 PM EST

Ladies: If you've ever wondered how to turn your expertise into more speaking opportunities, podcast interviews, media features, and/or clients, this free masterclass is for you.

​Register to attend or get the replay here!​