Do you want to self-publish your book, but you’re struggling with knowing what it takes to actually produce a book people will want to pick up and read? Guess what? You’re not alone. From what I’ve seen, the primary reason self-published books aren’t successful is this: Self-published authors are overwhelmed by the logistics of publishing…
This article is provided courtesy of my colleague, writing coach and editor Jasmyne Boswell. Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash. How does a memoir differ from an autobiography? That is the number one question I am asked by clients writing their first memoir. An autobiography tells one’s life story from beginning to end. A memoir,…
March sure did a 180º on us. This year it came in like a lamb — remember the first week of March, back when life was somewhat normal? It is undeniably going out like a lion at full roar. In between, lives have been turned upside down, routines are out the window and priorities have…
We all give in to the temptation of a fast food meal every once in a while. Most of them look tasty, are marketed exactly to trigger our cravings, and they’re quick to get and consume. They’re convenient — but lacking the nutrients we need to be healthy. Believe it or not, the above description…
It’s beginning to look a lot like the end of the year, complete with all the fun and frenzy that accompanies the holiday season. If you’re like me, your to-do list is getting longer as the days get shorter. At this time of year, so many of us are all wrapped up (pun intended) in…
That notion can be quite a challenge, depending on what the “things” are. Scale matters, of course, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying to make the world a better place. Because baby steps beat inertia every time. So with that perspective in mind, I set out some months ago to start a revolution of…
If you’ve typed out the final words of your book, congratulations! So definitely do a happy dance and relish that accomplishment…before the realization strikes that your work has only just begun. Because after the writing come the tasks that will bring your book to life, such as editing, cover design, and formatting. And absolutely do…
Making sense of different file formats can be difficult, especially if you have no prior graphic design knowledge. However, you should know the basics, especially when working with a graphic designer for your book cover or interior formatting. Becoming familiar with the alphabet soup of file formats will make for easier client-designer communications, so it’s…
As a reader, you might not pay much attention to the copyright page in books, which is typically located on the back (verso) of the title page. However, it’s an essential part of the book’s front matter, containing valuable information for librarians and bibliographers, as well as anyone who wants to use quotations or contact…
Much like today’s birds evolved from dinosaurs, the self-publishing industry has become a very different animal than its predecessor, traditional publishing. While similarities remain, they may not be evident unless you know where to look. Among self-published writers, there is certainly an opinion that traditional publishing is the dinosaur, lagging behind the trends and technologies…
