10 Secrets to a Bestseller

A companion to the comprehensive guide that’s helped thousands of authors find self-publishing clarity.


The world of self-publishing can be daunting at best; completely overwhelming at worst. From navigating those early days of writing and editing your manuscript, to finding the most effective marketing strategies, there’s nothing simple about putting your book out into the world. And you don’t just want to put your book out—you want it to flourish. On your own, that may feel like a stressful guessing game, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to. 


Wherever you are in the process, self-publishing veteran Tim McConnehey and his team of experts at Izzard Ink are here to help. Following along with McConnehey’s critically acclaimed guide, 10 Secrets to a Bestseller: An Author’s Guide to Self-Publishing, this workbook will help you take those crucial next steps toward success, walking you through the major tasks of self-publishing as you fill out detailed worksheets like “Do Your Research,” “Assemble Your Team,” and “Going to Retail.” You’ll end up with a personalized roadmap to your own project, and helpful strategies that you can revisit time and again throughout your publishing journey.


No matter what your publishing goals are, the 10 Secrets to a Bestseller Workbook will help you figure out where you are now and where you want to go next.


Praise for 10 Secrets to a Bestseller: An Author’s Guide to Self-Publishing and Izzard Ink Publishing


[McConnehey] wants to keep authors in a place to direct their own decisions, while providing all the help they may need to get the job done. 

—AML on 10 Secrets to a Bestseller: An Author’s Guide to Self-Publishing


[McConnehey] makes a great statement that is very true for a writer when he says: ‘Success is mastering failure.’ The writer needs to make writing like a job, pick a time to sit down and write. Make yourself do it and accomplish your goals. 

—Reader’s Favorite on 10 Secrets to a Bestseller: An Author’s Guide to Self-Publishing


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.

—Dan Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Significance, National Speaker Association Hall of Fame


My husband, W. Cleon Skousen, wrote several books, including The Naked Communist and The Naked Capitalist. We were so happy when each of those became bestsellers. I was told that, at last count, those two books had sold more than two million copies combined. I’ve had Izzard Ink refresh five of Cleon’s books and all of them turned out crisp and new and attractive.

—Jewel P. Skousen, editor and spouse of USA Today and New York Times bestselling author W. Cleon Skousen


I am a self-publishing author/publisher and have had the best experience, bar none, with the Izzard Ink group. They are the best bunch of hard-working professionals that I have ever had the privilege of working with; I would recommend them to anyone looking to design a cover, create a beautiful interior, and I would recommend them for all your creative publishing needs. Tim McConnehey has held my hand through the entire process and answered my questions at all hours of the day and night. I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

—Diane Merrill Wigginton, author and owner of Jeweled Dagger Publishing