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Publishing Straight TalkPublishing Straight Talk

Publishing Straight Talk

There are plenty of good reasons to self-publish, but not all are profit-oriented or even rational. Before you invest in…

11 months ago
Want a Traditional Publishing Contract? Do Your HomeworkWant a Traditional Publishing Contract? Do Your Homework

Want a Traditional Publishing Contract? Do Your Homework

This article discusses the pros and cons of traditional publishing. Abandon your biases, study the business of publishing, and choose…

11 months ago
The Perfect Book Sales PageThe Perfect Book Sales Page

The Perfect Book Sales Page

Tom Morkes published The Perfect Book sales Page on his blog. I'm usually the first person to reject formulaic approaches…

11 months ago
Publishing Scams and How they WorkPublishing Scams and How they Work

Publishing Scams and How they Work

Many self-publishers start their book projects with unrealistic expectations and misunderstandings about how publishing works. A huge industry has arisen…

11 months ago
Not Selling Books? Did you do the Math?Not Selling Books? Did you do the Math?

Not Selling Books? Did you do the Math?

You threw a grand party but nobody came. Your novel is so good but you're not selling books. What happened?…

11 months ago
Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 3Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 3

Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 3

This third installment of Judging a Book by its Cover looks at great book cover designs that won the 2012…

11 months ago
Book Cover Typefaces and Cover Design Horror StoriesBook Cover Typefaces and Cover Design Horror Stories

Book Cover Typefaces and Cover Design Horror Stories

I recently responded to a question in a writers’ forum from an author who was in the process of designing…

11 months ago
Co-Publishing – Alternative Path or Another Trap for Writers?Co-Publishing – Alternative Path or Another Trap for Writers?

Co-Publishing – Alternative Path or Another Trap for Writers?

I recently published a post about the difference between vanity publishing and true self-publishing. Fundamentally, the article defines a publisher…

11 months ago
Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by Its Cover – Part 1Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by Its Cover – Part 1

Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by Its Cover – Part 1

Nothing screams “amateur” like a poorly crafted book cover. The standards for book design aspired to by trade publishers are…

11 months ago
Reality Checklist for Self-PublishersReality Checklist for Self-Publishers

Reality Checklist for Self-Publishers

One question that loops endlessly on writers’ forums is “How can I sell more books?” The question is a natural…

11 months ago
Gatekeepers and Self-PublishingGatekeepers and Self-Publishing

Gatekeepers and Self-Publishing

Indie publishers complain that the mainstream publishing establishment acts as a "gatekeeper." Many readers rely on big publishing houses to…

11 months ago
Self-Publishing: Art or Business?Self-Publishing: Art or Business?

Self-Publishing: Art or Business?

The very idea of "book marketing" is vague. It's like subsuming advertising and fine art sales into a single realm…

11 months ago
Indie Publishers, Bookstores and Readers – the Indie EcosystemIndie Publishers, Bookstores and Readers – the Indie Ecosystem

Indie Publishers, Bookstores and Readers – the Indie Ecosystem

Indie publishers are everywhere and so are indie bookstores, but apart from their names, the two have little in common.…

11 months ago
Book Distributors: What’s in it for Publishers?Book Distributors: What’s in it for Publishers?

Book Distributors: What’s in it for Publishers?

There is a direct relationship between the number of sales you can expect from a book distributor and the value-added…

11 months ago
Self-Publishing? Get Real(istic)!Self-Publishing? Get Real(istic)!

Self-Publishing? Get Real(istic)!

There are plenty of good reasons to self-publish, but not all are profit-oriented or even rational. Before you invest in…

11 months ago

Many Unhappy Returns – Think Outside the Bookstore

If you're hoping to have mainstream bookstore distribution, using a Vanity Press may present some obstacles. Book buyers will likely…

11 months ago