Yes! We live in an age of design. Victor Hugo might have gotten away with a plain brown wrapper for Les Misérables, but today’s readers expect more than just a…
The Spine: Your Book’s Skinny Billboard (and Why You Should Care)
The First Thing Nobody Notices… Until They Do Let’s be honest: nobody dreams of being a book spine designer. It’s called “book cover designer” for a reason. You don’t see…
Choosing the Right Size For Your Book: A Short Guide to Book Cover Dimensions
When it comes to creating a book cover, one of the most crucial elements is getting the dimensions right. Whether you’re publishing a novel, a memoir, or a children’s book,…
Starting a Small Publishing House on Amazon KDP
Establishing a small publishing house on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) can be an exciting venture for aspiring publishers and authors alike. However, before you dive into the publishing world,…
Captivating Your Audience: The Power of Short Video Teasers for Book Promotion
In a world where attention spans are dwindling and the competition for reader engagement is fiercer than ever, authors need innovative marketing strategies to capture their audience’s interest. One highly…
Paperback vs. ebook? Why Publishing Your Book in Print is a Better Choice
Passive income refers to earnings derived from any venture where the earner doesn’t have to be actively involved. For authors, self-publishing presents a perfect avenue to generate such income. By…
How to Start a Novel: Captivating Your Readers from the First Line
Starting a novel is one of the most crucial steps in your writing journey. The opening lines set the tone, introduce your characters, and establish the stakes. If you want…
How to Become an Amazon KDP Bestseller
With thousands of books published every day on Amazon KDP, standing out can be a daunting task. Without the right strategies, your book risks becoming just another addition to their…
Self-Editing Tips: Essential Steps to Refine Your Manuscript
Editing is a crucial step that can make or break your book’s success, transforming a promising story into a polished masterpiece. Readers are quick to pick up on errors and…
Write Smarter, Not Harder: Why Novel Writing Classes Matter Today
Writing a novel is often cherished as one of the most personal yet universally accessible forms of creative expression. Writing a novel is an ambitious and deeply personal endeavor, one…
The Author’s Dictionary: Incipit
Welcome to The Author’s Dictionary, where we uncover the gems of literary terminology, one word at a time. Today, we’re diving into the intriguing world of “incipit”—a term that might…
What is Kerning and Why is it Important?
When it comes to design, the devil is in the details. One detail that often goes unnoticed by the untrained eye, yet plays a pivotal role in professional design, is…
Should You Put Your Face on a Book Cover?
Imagine walking through a bookstore and catching the covers of hundreds or even thousands of books. What catches your eye first? Is it a famous author’s face grinning at you…
When Personal Expectations Don’t Align with Effective Book Covers
Every author pours their heart and soul into their writing. Characters are meticulously developed, plots are intricately woven, and themes are thoughtfully explored. This personal investment shapes the core of…
What Makes a Bad Book Cover Design?
The book market is flooded with badly designed books. Why is this? In an era where self-publishing has become increasingly accessible, many authors find themselves navigating the complexities of book…
Designing the Perfect Book Cover for Amazon KDP
In the realm of self-publishing, your book cover serves as the virtual storefront for your literary work. It’s the first impression potential readers get, and often, it determines whether they…
Top Authors’ Associations You Should Join Today
Joining professional organizations like the Authors Guild or the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) can open doors and provide essential support. Discover how these associations can enhance your writing journey and help you thrive in the publishing world.
What Paper Weight is Best for Books?
When it comes to creating a beautiful, durable, and professional-looking book, one of the key decisions you’ll wrestle with is the paper weight. Paper weight, often misunderstood yet fundamentally important,…
How to Submit Your Book to a Publisher: A Step-by-Step Guide for Authors
For many writers, the ultimate dream is to see their work published. However, navigating the submission process can be a labyrinthine task filled with rules, expectations, and requirements that vary…
Premade vs. Custom-Made Book Covers
Throughout the history of book publishing, authors and publishers have relied on custom-made covers meticulously crafted to encapsulate the essence of a book. However, as the industry grows and changes,…