Everybody seems to want to help us publish a book these days, but some of them are sharks. This is how I investigate a publishing service for quality and integrity.
5 Publishing Myths Debunked
These 5 publishing myths are about as real as this unicorn, but not nearly as pretty. They can hurt writers feelings and careers. Let’s debunk.
Self-Publishing: Ebook, Paperback or Both?
Some people assume self-publishing is only ebooks, while others assume it’s only paperbacks. The truth is you can have either or both, and even a hardcover. How to decide what is right for you?
Self-Publishing: Overcoming Fear
It took me by surprise how stressed I became in the lead-up to publishing my debut thriller Poison Bay last week. This is what I think caused the fear… and what I did about it.
Book covers: Processing feedback
A few weeks ago, I posted an article about whether or not we should use images of people on our book covers. I also displayed two alternative covers for my upcoming novel Poison Bay — one with a person on it and one without.
Today I’m going to talk about the pros and cons of seeking feedback in this way, and some things I learned about how to make the most of it if you do decide to invite feedback for your own book covers.
Book covers: Should we put people on them?
There’s a lot of debate in self-publishing circles about whether book covers should have people on them or not, and how this impacts sales.
This is an issue close to my heart as I prepare to self-publish my debut novel. Read on for the process I’m going through to figure it out.
Self publishing visual books
Today, we’re speaking to authors who have self-published different kinds of VISUAL BOOKS, including:
•Picture books for children
•Memoir
•History
•Coffee table books.
There are so many more options today, thanks to ebooks, print-on-demand, and new distribution options through online bookstores.
I’ve asked five authors from different countries to spill their secrets about how they’ve gone about the process, to inspire and help other authors who want to self-publish a visual book.
Pen Names: Different names for different genres?
One of the reasons writers use pen names is not because of any need for privacy or secrecy, but purely to help readers differentiate between the different types of books they write.
This is a reason close to my own heart, and you’ll soon see why.
I’ve discovered that pen names are an issue occupying a lot of writers’ minds, since my previous Pen Name articles, 3 reasons for using a pen name, and How to choose a pen name continue to generate conversation.
That’s why I thought I’d walk you through the steps I’ve used to decide: Will I use a pen name for different genres? (You’ll have to read to the end to find out my answer! Oh, the suspense.)
The other reason book editors are SO expensive
Last week I wrote about why book editors are so expensive, and I was overwhelmed by the response — from both writers and editors. Thank you for all your feedback, both here and on social media!
I’m a book editor myself, so you’d think I’d be saying, “Oh no, we’re not expensive, we’re very reasonably priced.” 😉
But I’m also a writer, and about to hire an editor for one of my own books, a situation that I and my bank account are dreading! So I can see it from both sides of the fence.
Last week, in the Prologue I explained that even though book editing is expensive, editors are, strangely, not rich!
In Chapter 1, I explained the first reason for this: it takes a long time to edit a book well – often around an hour per thousand words. (I gave lots of details for how that works.)
Now we move on to the other big reason.
How to self-publish a print book, worldwide
The world is abuzz with how ebooks have revolutionised self-publishing. However, their “comrades” in the publishing revolution — print-on-demand paperbacks — are the often-overlooked Quiet Achievers.
Someone working in their pyjamas can now supply a professional-standard paperback to a global audience, without spending the kids’ inheritance or becoming a slave to the post office.
Let’s look at how this works, and how to tell if it’s a good path for you to take.