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 hard slog of writing a fully-fledged novel, it’s perhaps unsurprising that some authors aren’t that keen to go over the […]
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 God from here on in. It’s not necessarily a bad thing; it could simply be that we’d struggle to imagine […]
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 is paved with adverbs,” says Stephen King, wordsmith extraordinaire and man who has somehow lived up to his brazenly immodest […]
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 cake. The worst, most painful thing that any writer will write about, science has confirmed, is themselves. Like yodelling on […]
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 grow the perfect lawn are available in just a few quick clicks, why should you pay for professional help? Unfortunately […]
10 Questions for Lee Goldberg
A writer’s journey and experiences can be as interesting as the stories they write. Lee’s story and perspective reflects some reality of the business of becoming a #1 bestselling author. Lee Goldberg is an ex-Navy SEAL, nuclear physicist and a professional Daniel Craig impersonator. Okay, that’s not true but we had you for a second. […]
Getting Your Book into Bookstores: A Guide for Self-Published Authors
The sights, the smells, the whispered sounds; there’s something about the humble bookstore that this writer would eloquently describe as ‘ohhn’. (The delighted grunt you make when you take the first bite of something delicious. Hit me up Merriam-Webster.) Seeing a physical copy of your book on a local bookstore’s shelves remains the holy grail […]
Proofreading: Getting a Second Set of Eyes on Your Book
No one sets out to make mistakes, and because of that it can be tempting to think you never make any. Often you’ll only realise when they’re pointed out to you, at which point you’ll be plagued with thoughts of how the hell it happened. A short novel like The Great Gatsby is made up […]
The Importance of Professional Book Cover Design: 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t DIY
As an author, you know that a book’s cover is more than just a pretty face. It’s the first thing a potential reader sees and it can make or break their decision to pick up your book. That’s why it’s so important to invest in professional book cover design. But what makes for a great […]
Finding Your Fairy God-Designer: Choosing the Perfect Cover Artist
Picture a literary wonderland, where self-publishing is as easy as bibbidi-bobbidi-boo and authors are whipping up creative masterpieces faster than you can say “Once upon a time.” This magical shift has summoned a wave of freelance editors, designers, and illustrators, with book cover designers stealing the limelight.
