Like most people, you’ve probably got a certain ‘look’ when it comes to your personal style. Whether it be that trademark leather jacket, a go-to hairstyle, or your characteristic if questionable sock and sandal combo […]
Writing a Novel: The Romance vs The Sadomasochistic Reality
I learnt early on that when writing a blog post, nothing is classier than starting it with a quote. “Writing a novel was a simple, fun and breezy experience“ – No one ever Strap yourself […]
4 Common Mistakes Made by New Self-Published Authors
As a new author, there’s nothing quite as exciting as the prospect of publishing your first work. It’s like Christmas, Easter and International Talk Like A Pirate Day have all come at once. 20 years […]
What happens when the author is wrong?
It’s always interesting when we get feedback from self-publishing authors. In most cases, it’s along the lines of “Wow, great work! Let’s go with it”. Sometimes it’s “Almost there, is there any way you could […]
4 Book Cover Design Rules That Authors Have To Respect
Seeing your naked book be taken away to be clothed can be a harrowing experience for an author. No matter how many times your Grandma tells you otherwise, people do judge books by their covers. […]
What’s the Secret to Getting Your First Book Published?
FIRST TIME AUTHORS: Do you have the world’s next literary masterpiece sitting dejectedly in your PC’s documents folder? Does this gold-encrusted piece of genius simply need to be available to the general public? Have you […]
8 Obvious Pieces of Self-Publishing Advice
The following tidbits of advice are SO DARNED OFFBEAT that they’ll include neither ‘reach for the STARS!’ nor ‘be true to yourself’. Not to say those sentiments aren’t as important as they are trite. 1. […]
Telling Your Story’s First Thousand Words: 5 Cover Image Tips
A picture tells a thousand words. What if my book has 50,000? Yes indeed, choosing a book cover image can seem an impossible task. You’re a writer, not a designer. You wrote a terrific book. […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Book Cover Font Selection
While it was tempting to make this article a two-worder that read Comic Sans (and if you don’t get that reference, you can kindly leave), I’ll restrain myself. As with any piece of design, book […]
As Painless as Possible: Editing Tips for Self-Publishing Authors
EDITING. Can I get a ‘Uuuggghhh’? Self-publishing can be, at times, a whimsical, liberating profession. At other times – specifically, at editing times – it can be a freakin’ drag. It’s like you’re trying to […]