We were lucky to catch up with A.G. Billig recently and have shared our conversation below.
A.G., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
When I was 8, I discovered my passion for writing and telling stories. In high school, I learned that business can also be creative. I ran a high-school magazine without realizing I was running a small business. But since I made a profit, that’s exactly what I was doing.
In 2015, the London Book Fair revealed the literary world’s direction. It was quite an eye-opener. Self-publishing, which was brought to the forefront by Amazon, wasn’t a fad. This huge opportunity would withstand the contempt and disdain of critics and publishers and provide budding writers a legitimate avenue to showcase their work to readers. As Mark Dawson shared his success story of making a six-figure income from selling self-published eBooks, an idea occurred to me. I’d do again what I did in my high-school days. This time around, I planned to develop an online publication that provided the same service to the self-publishing industry as Publisher’s Weekly did to traditional publishers.
Six months later, Self-Publishing Mastery was born. We held our first Self-Publishing Mastery Virtual Summit in 2017 and in 2022, prior to moving to Arizona, we were awarded the Best Educational Center in Santa Ana, California. Today, Self-Publishing Mastery offers free access to writing and self-publishing knowledge, as well as book coaching and marketing assistance. Our reputation is built on our ability to get our clients to the top of the Amazon Bestseller Lists.
A.G., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Can you imagine a world without books? I can’t. When someone reads a book and gets lost in the story or message, a special kind of magic and brain alchemy takes place. Books have the power to transform lives. They can reignite forgotten hopes in our hearts, broaden our horizons, and make the world a kinder place. I combined my love for writing, marketing and PR skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset to create a business. The business fulfills a need and supports fresh voices in the market. It all came naturally to me. Self-Publishing Mastery is also committed to promoting excellence in self-publishing and producing books that meet industry-leading standards. Readers don’t care if a book is traditionally published or self-published. However, they quickly notice a poor cover, formatting, or sloppy writing. They avoid such books.
Our website offers free content and coaching programs to educate aspiring and new authors. We help them acquire the skills needed to transition from amateur to professional and build a solid career as writers. We provide book marketing services to help writers and business owners reach their target readers. By using our services, they can concentrate on their writing or business while we promote their books. Every client we work with is unique, and we tailor our offers based on their goals and needs.
Our Self-Publishing Package is a favorite service. It transforms your final draft into a book. The package includes book cover and interior file design. It also provides ready-for-print proofreading and strategy services. These include book positioning in the market, distribution channels, and pricing, and marketing. Additionally, coaching sessions with the client are included. We don’t take a percentage of the royalties from your book when it gets published. Other companies that offer self-publishing support services (known as self-publishing companies) do this. The author can also access and control the retailer’s dashboard for his book.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
People know when someone has their best interest at heart or is just after their money. Self-Publishing Mastery is a business, but it’s not just about making money. It’s a business with a soul. Every client is precious to me, and their success is the most satisfying outcome. Seeing sparkles of joy in their eyes when they hold their book in their hands for the first time. Reading their name at the top of the bestseller list in a category…
Word of mouth is a potent marketing tool. It occurs naturally when you perform your job well.
I spoke at writers’ conferences and gave workshops at libraries in the US. I also did online presentations. These activities helped me become known as a self-publishing expert and connect with authors. This, in turn, allowed me to understand their needs better.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
My biggest reward as an author and businesswoman is creating something new that positively impacts people’s lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.selfpublishingmastery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfpublishing_mastery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfpublishingmastery
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agbillig/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/agbillig
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJKN-_xydOpk1px7XZP-nkA
Image Credits
A.G. Billig