Frequently Asked Questions
- How exactly does Substance drive traffic to the Website of my choice?
Substance Books is Search Engine Optimized, by our Search Engine Optimization and Online Marketing Specialist Hajni Blasko, to the highest levels possible within the industry. Please take a moment to review the Global Online Power Publicity Report provided to attest, if listed with Substance Books, would receive greater exposure by readers who search and shop online for books of your genre. Feel free to test our exposure on the Canadian online market. Substance Books generates significant traffic from online book-buyers wishing to purchase titles directly from authors and publishers. All of the exposure and traffic, generated by Organic Search Engine Marketing, is exclusively driven to the distributors or Websites of our clients. Substance Books holds the compounded promotional power of hundreds of authors, which cannot be compared with each author's individual marketing efforts. You can read what some of our current members have written about Substance and its performance here: Client Testimonials. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book. If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. Click here if you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question. Click to submit a title. Click to close answer. - What services are exactly included in my annual publicity campaign?
Publicity campaign fees cover your book's listing and exposure through Substance Books, for a one-year or two-year period. It also ensures your inclusion in the free promotional projects we run for our members. Your book's cover will be featured on its selected category page
(there are 36 Fiction and Non-Fiction categories to choose from) along with its synopsis or reviews, provided by you. Book prices and formats will also be included along with awards and other literary achievements.
See example!
Three or more links will be directing traffic to the Website of your choice
Your book's listing will be Search Engine Optimized in order to achieve exceptional engine exposure
Automated subscription to our popular quarterly Book-Marketing Newsletter filled with tips and ideas written by industry professionals on topics related to Book & Web publicity
Added exposure for newly published books
Added exposure for Canadian authors and publishers
Added exposure for American, UK and Australian authors and publishers, coming soon
SEO, Usability, Promotional Power and Purchase-path Evaluations of dedicated domains
Participation in the following free promotional projects:
- News-line (daily updates) - Exposure on social networking platforms - Substance Award (254 applications, 5 awarded) Substance Books reserves the right to any changes regarding the free bonus offers. ALL OF THE ABOVE IS INCLUDED WITH YOUR CAMPAIGN FEE. YOU ONLY PAY $180.00 (USD) or $180.00 (CAD + taxes) or €140 (EUR) PER TITLE TO LIST YOUR BOOK IF SUBMITTED BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST. See listing and price changes for submissions received after October 1st. Special Rates and Bonus Offers for Represented Authors
Discounted Service Prices for Represented Authors- Book Giveaway Contest - Holiday Special Slide Show - Publicity at Industry Events (London Book Fair, BookExpo America) - Press Release Creation - Wikipedia Page Creation - Authors' Web Design Free Estimate - Website Makeovers - Search Engine Optimization - Webmastering & Maintenance (Catering to authors & publishers) - New site creation with Blog and/or Online Press Room (Catering to authors & publishers) - Blog and/or Online Press Room integration into existing sites (Catering to authors & publishers) We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - What are the benefits of a two-year publicity campaign?
A two-year campaign creates a more stable SERP rating for the customized key phrase of your title. With a two-year publicity campaign you will also have a chance to select one of these options: Two-year publicity campaign Free Expanded Synopsis - The synopsis of your title can include as many as 100 words (value of benefit: $100). Free Double Listing - Your title can be listed under two categories and allowing us to use 2 key phrases for your campaign instead of just 1 (value of benefit: $100) if submitted before October 1st. See listing and price changes for submissions received after October 1st. or Two-year Comprehensive publicity campaign Free Expanded Synopsis - The synopsis of your title can include as many as 100 words (value of benefit: $100). Free Double Listing - Your title can be listed under two categories (value of benefit: $100). See listing and price changes for submissions received after October 1st. PLUS Online Press Room that will be: - Custom-designed - Easy to update - Ready for RSS Feed - Ready for Links - Search Engine Optimized No need to worry about: - Web hosting issues and cost - Domain name issues and cost - Search Engine submissions - Design. More information and examples here We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - Which online publicity campaign package do most authors decide on?
We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! - Under what criteria my book's acceptance will be based on?
All submissions will be responded to. Acceptance will be based on the following:
We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - Do I need to send my book or manuscript in order to be accepted?
Submissions are based on various criteria that can be determine without reading the actual title. Just imagine if we would read the hundreds of books of which we receive submission for, on a monthly basis. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - What happens if my book is not accepted?
All submissions will be responded to. If your book hasn't been accepted, the reasons will be clearly stated. Feel free to resubmit your publication once recommended improvements had been completed. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - When and how will I be requested to pay my book's listing fee?
When - After sending your submission form, our publicist will review your application. If needed, she will contact you for any additional information. You will only be requested to pay after your book has been accepted. Following acceptance payment will be required with 5 working days. Unfortunately we do not keep unpaid submissions. However, extension of a payment period can be negotiated directly with publicist. If however, you still fail to meet this additional deadline, you will be asked to resubmit your book. The listing fees of your book will be then recalculated based on the current listing fee of the time. How -
We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - Should I submit the URL of my website or the URL of my distributor?
If your marketing goal is to brand and popularize your book, you should send us the URL of your own website. If your marketing goal is to increase online exposure, you should submit the URL of your distributor's website. This detail can be edited later. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! - Do you charge a commission on sales or require exclusivity?
We do not charge any commission or monitor / track sales nor do we require exclusive promotional rights. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - Can I list an eBook or a Kindle format?
Digital formats are most certainly welcome. You may browse our selection of already represented eBooks right here: eBooks. Substance Books offers promotional opportunities and services specifically catered to digital books and their markets. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - In which currency will my book price be stated?
All book prices at Substance Books are indicated in US dollars. You may also list prices in up to two other currencies. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - I am a Canadian author. Why should I still list my book with Substance Books?
Substance Books is Canadian company operating in Montreal, Quebec. We offer at par listing fees for Canadian authors. Online book publicity is a great way to break into other markets and expose your titles to readers outside of your country. We already represent numerous Canadian authors. Represented Canadian Authors Canadian Engine Report We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - I am an author located in the United Kingdom, Australia etc. Why should I still list my book with Substance Books?
Online book publicity is a great way to break into other markets and expose your titles to readers outside of your country. Substance Books is using targeted geo-marketing. (more details here: Global Geo-marketing) We already represent numerous UK and Australian authors and publishers. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - How will I know how well my Online Book Publicity campaign is progressing?
All publicity campaigns include biannual Search Engine Ranking Position (SERP) reports delivered to you by email. These reports will be used to make slight adjustments to the campaign in order to achieve the best possible results within the time-frame of your campaign. In addition, we also offer free monthly SERP updates via our RSS-feed. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - Are books being sold at Substance Books?
Substance Books is an Online Publicity Network, not a book distributor, and therefore does not sell any books. In accordance with international privacy law, Substance Books does not and cannot measure the number of books our clients / authors sell. Substance Books is only able to track traffic coming in and moving within the Substance Books website. We can however, tell you how many people have visited your book's genre. This information is reported regularly to our clients through our quarterly Book-Marketing Newsletter. Furthermore, you can ascertain from your own site statistics how many of your visitors come from Substance. Naturally this number will not include the traffic we are sending you trough our various promotional projects. If you take full advantage of these bonus projects, your book could be featured / mentioned in hundreds of websites all sending traffic to your website or to your distributor directly. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - How can I discuss my book's online publicity and its listing within Substance Books?
Substance Books offers information and advice via email regarding your book's listing. This is our way of keeping listing fees as affordable as they are. For this vary reason we have a very extensive online knowledge-base answering any possible questions. FAQs regarding Book Listings Listing Benefits All further promotional projects and campaigns are announced exclusively in our quarterly Book-Marketing Newsletter. The Book - Marketing Newsletter publication date is the 15th of every fourth month. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - I already use AdWords or other Search Engine Advertising. Why should I still list my book with Substance Books?
AdWords, Featured listing on engines is considered Search Engine Advertising. Your results/ads will appear in a different section of the results page, depending on the engine. Some browsers don't bother looking at paid advertising. Your payments will also only cover the engine or engine cluster in question. To cover all core engines you will need to do the same on all. Substance Books however uses Organic Search Engine Optimization. techniques that will show results on all major engines within the "real" engine results based on online reputation and popularity. For more information about Search Engine Optimization, refer to the article: What is Search Engine Optimization? written by our publicist. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I select my own key phrases and keywords?
Yes. We welcome key phrase and keyword suggestions. Key phrases are established for each listing after its submission by a Search Engine Optimization Specialist. Substance Books uses a long-tail approach to best pin-point each book's sub-genre, choosing one that most people would search for but which is not already used by too many other sites. If the suggested key phrases are too general and therefore don't fit into a long-tail marketing approach, our Search Engine Optimization Specialist will suggest a set of slightly different key phrases, taking into account the fine balance between searchabbility and the title's online competition. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - As I understand, my listing will be Search Engine Optimized to the sub-genre of my book. Why is my listing not optimized to my book's title or to my name?
Instead of having your name or the title of your book Search Engine Optimized, your listing will be Search Engine Optimized according to the sub-genre of your book. This is because Substance Books aims to increase awareness of each title to a target market. While encoding the title of a book or the name of the author for Search Engine Optimization would allow people familiar with a title to find it, it would not promote the book to a new audience. Substance Books thus targets a much larger audience of potential book buyers than distributors generally do. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - What is Organic Search Engine Marketing?
Organic Search Engine Marketing is a campaign which will improve the book's Search Engine Ranking Position “SERP” rating without any financial contribution to the primary / core engines. The listing result WILL appear within the left “real” result sector along with other non-paid organic results. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - What is a Free Link-Exchange Project and how will it benefit me as an author?
The purpose of the Free Link-Exchange Project is to create a network of links increasing traffic between participating authors. Participants post the promotional links of Substance authors on their websites; in exchange, their own links are posted on the websites of other participating authors. The result is greater web traffic and exposure at no extra cost. The coding provided by Substance Books for the Link-Exchange Project changes twice a year in order to let in new participants and maintain the integrity of the links. This project is only open to Substance members. If you wish to join the Substance network, submit your book here. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - How come I don't see prices for Kindle formats?
Prices vary depending on the browsers' location. In order not to show an incorrect price we indicate this format and provide a direct link to its distributor, but without a price indication. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - What is the Promotional Link Sponsorship and how will it benefit me as an author?
The Link Sponsorship Project is intended to increase Substance Books’ PageRank, to the benefit of everyone in the network. Participating authors implement a code to post a Substance link on their website. This coding provided by Substance Books never changes. As a token of our appreciation, every author who implements this code will receive an additional free link to their site. The Promotional Link Sponsorship Project is only available to Substance members with a dedicated website. If you wish to join the Substance network, submit your book here. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - When and how can I renew my book's listing and publicity campaign?
Continuing your campaign will reduce the chances of a slow but unavoidable decline of your title's Search Engine Ranking Position "SERP" results. When - We will contact you 2 weeks prior to your renewal date. You will be given an extra 10 days after your listing has expired to renew your listing. If however, you fail to meet this additional deadline, you will be asked to resubmit your book. The listing fees of your book will be then recalculated based on the current listing fee of the time. How -
We hope this answer was helpful. If you are not yet represented by Substance Books, submit your book: Book Submission If tis answer was not clear, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - My book is self-published or P.O.D. (Print On Demand), how can I be listed under Publishers?
POD books are considered self-published. At some point during your publishing venture, you registered a company under which you sell your books. Send us that company name to list as Publisher. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - What is a Direct Link and why is it an important factor in my book sales ?
Your online distributor will feature your book in some form. The Direct Link is the URL of this very page. If you only submit your distributor's general link ( e.g. www.amazon.com), your clients will still have to search for your book. Keep in mind that the more clicks and time it takes to locate your book, the less likely you are to make a sale. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - How can I learn about my own website's placement and ranking on Search Engines?
Substance Books offers SEO consultations to its members by telephone at a rate of $80.00 USD per hour, with a minimum consultation of one hour. This service includes a free SEO evaluation of your website PRIOR to consultation. The results of this evaluation may also be discussed during your telephone consultation, if desired. Click below to schedule a session: Contact me regarding an SEO consultation Substance Books also offers SEO consultations to non-members by telephone at a rate of $100.00 USD per hour, with a minimum consultation of one hour. This service includes a free SEO evaluation of your website PRIOR to consultation. The results of this evaluation may also be discussed during your telephone consultation, if desired. Click below to schedule a session: Contact me regarding an SEO consultation You may also schedule a free 15-minute session with SEO Specialist Hajni Blasko during any of the events listed on the Publicity Events Page. Click to close answer - How can I discuss my book's online publicity and its listing within Substance Books?
Substance Books offers information and advice via email regarding your book's listing. This is our way of keeping listing fees as affordable as they are. For this vary reason we have a very extensive online knowledge-base answering any possible questions. FAQs regarding Book Listings Listing Benefits All further promotional projects and campaigns are announced exclusively in our quarterly Book-Marketing Newsletter. The Book - Marketing Newsletter publication date is the 15th of every fourth month. We hope this answer was helpful and we have given you a good reason to submit your book: Book Submission If not, we would like to hear from you. Send Hajni your questions directly since she is more than willing to answer them. If you would like to receive more information regarding this particular question: Click here! Click to close answer - How can I discuss my book's wider online publicity with Substance Books' Online Marketing Specialist?
Substance Books offers online book publicity consultations to its members by telephone at a rate of $50.00 USD per hour, with a minimum consultation of one hour. Included free of charge with this service is 30 minutes of research regarding your book's present level of exposure within its genre PRIOR to consultation. Click below to schedule an Online Book Publicity session: Contact me to schedule a session with Online Publicist Click to close answer - How may I increase my book's potential for media exposure?
Online Book Publicity focuses on increasing book sales. Your book's publicity campaign, however, should include traditional and electronic publicity channels that target newspapers, magazines, trade or niche publications, and television and radio outlets, as well as creative promotions on a one-on-one bases. We recommend the services of Gail Sideman, owner and publicist for PUBLISIDE Personal Publicity This recommendation is not based on any affiliation or referral program, but on personal contact and professional experience with PUBLISIDE and its successful approach towards personal publicity. This answer was helpful and I am now ready to submit my book: Book Submission I would like to receive more information regarding this question Click to close answer - How may I increase my book's exposure to foreign markets?
We recommend the services of Foreign Rights Specialist, Deanna Leah. HBG Productions - Bringing Authors to the World See latest information regarding Frankfurt Book Fair here. This recommendation is not based on any affiliation or referral program, but on personal contact and professional experience with HBG Productions. This answer was helpful and I am now ready to submit my book: Book Submission I would like to receive more information regarding this question Click to close answer |
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... is a supporting member of this Online Book Publicity and Search Engine Marketing Network. Substance Books provides affordable publicity to over 300 authors and publishers since 2001. The objective of Substance Books is to drive the industry's targeted traffic - the general reading public - to its represented titles. Join our network! |
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Authors' Web Design specializes in target-market oriented website designs, virtual website makeovers, and blog creations for authors and publishers. All our designs are created by our experienced Online Book Publicist and Search Engine Optimization Specialist, Hajni Blasko. Request a free website or blog creation estimate! |
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Book-Marketing Newsletter
Receive Substance Book's Free BOOK-MARKETING NEWSLETTER designed for writers and publishers, and filled with ideas and articles on Book publicity & Web promotion!
- Fiction Books & Novels ::
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- Non-Fiction Books & Guides ::
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- Social History
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- Book Submissions ::
- Online Book Publicity Benefits ::
- Meet Book Publicist ::
- Contact Online Book Publicist ::
- Increase Targeted Exposure - Increase Book Sales! ::
- Client References ::
- Substance Books' Promotional Power Report ::
Web Design Portfolio ::- Free Web Design Estimates ::
- Web Site Makeovers ::
- Search Engine Optimization

Your book's cover will be featured on its selected category page
(there are 36 Fiction and Non-Fiction categories to choose from) along with its synopsis or reviews, provided by you. Book prices and formats will also be included along with awards and other literary achievements.
For U.S. and International Authors:
For Canadian Authors Only:
For European Authors Only:





