Do those words bring to mind doodling in a notebook during class? I certainly found myself doing that back in the day, especially when the subject matter was less than riveting. More recently, in my work supporting authors through the publishing process, I’ve come to understand “writing in the margins” in a figurative sense. Because…
“I don’t know why they call this self-publishing. I couldn’t have done this without you.” That’s an actual quote from an author I helped. It’s one of my favorites, but I’m not sharing it to toot my own horn. Rather, I’m highlighting it to acknowledge all the players who contribute to bringing a book to…
The beginning is a very good place to start, as Julie Andrews’ Maria tunefully taught us in The Sound of Music. But life doesn’t always work out that way. This article focuses on a book that started well north of the beginning, at least in terms of when it hit my desktop. Author Donna Weber…
Okay, maybe not everything. But a lot. The big picture stuff, at least. Have you ever been through a kitchen remodel? I’ve performed that juggling act a couple of times, and it’s not for the faint of heart. The process is rife with so many moving parts, unfamiliar terminology, a plethora of decisions to make…
It’s summertime so naturally, thoughts turn to . . . the holidays. Wait, what? Well, if you are toying with the idea of self-publishing a book by the end of the year, read on for some insider guidelines. December is closer than you think, especially when working backward to pencil out a production schedule. The…
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,…
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…
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…
