As the goddesses of literature, art and science, the Nine Muses of Greek mythology were the source of both inspiration and knowledge for the people who plied these trades in Ancient Greece. Can’t think of […]
Hardcover vs Paperback: Which Is Right for Your Book?
The humble book cover was initially designed to do nothing more than protect the valuable pages it encapsulated. At a time when a monk could spend a literal lifetime creating a perfectly crafted copy of […]
4 Authors Who Began Their Careers Writing One Thing and Finished with Another
For many an actor, typecasting is somewhat inevitable. We don’t expect Johnny Knoxville to take on the role of Hamlet, nor do we expect Morgan Freeman to provide us with anything but voice overs as […]
What’s the Difference between Print and eBook Covers? (Part 2)
Last year I stole 5 minutes of your valuable time to explain why eBook covers are different to print covers, despite the awkward fact that both are designed for the sole purpose of covering your […]
Why Formatting and Editing Are Self-Publishing Non-Negotiables
Formatting is like refereeing – you don’t notice it until it’s done badly. Editing is like housework – it’s only appreciated when it is lacking. Formatting and editing are so often self-publishing afterthoughts. After the […]
Literally vs Figuratively: Why Your Book Cover Should Keep ‘Em Guessing
There’s a beauty in telling a story in as few keystrokes as possible. Simmering your prose down to the bare bones serves to make it clearer, more impactful and more exciting. “The road to hell […]
6 Common Self-Publishing Slip-Ups – and How to Avoid Them
“The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.” Good point Teddy Roosevelt. And as a self-publishing author you are most certainly doing something, so it’s inevitable that there’ll […]
The Importance of a Professional Book Cover Design
In today’s world of wikiHow and YouTube tutorials the more hands-on amongst us are becoming less and less inclined to outsource work to trained professionals. If detailed instructions on how to unblock a pipe or […]
What Makes a Good Author Bio?
Ask any author (or indeed yourself): what’s the hardest thing to write about? Extreme violence? Affairs of the heart? Particle physics? Sure, they can all be difficult, but by no means do they take the […]
Things to Think about When It Comes to Creating Your Book’s Title
Your book’s title. Never will an author place so high a value on so small an amount of words. And by no means is the magnitude of this choice misguided. Choosing a title will be […]