"I'm looking at the pdf of my print book and there are these random blank pages in the front and back... why?" In professionally designed print books, certain pages are always placed on the right-hand side of the standard two-page layout: title page, dedication, acknowledgments, the start of the table of contents and the first … Continue reading How to Preview Your Print Book
Pricing Your Print Book
"My cover designer wants to know my list price for the bar code. Where the heck do I get that price from?" The Cast Before we begin, there's a cast of characters for you to meet. Author/Publisher: that's you. Printer/Distributor: companies like KDP Print, IngramSpark and many others. Retailer: bookstore and libraries. Reader: the end … Continue reading Pricing Your Print Book
One More DIY Editing Tool: Hard Copy
Nothing beats the benefit of a good editor to point out plot holes, sagging middles and blurry character development. I wouldn't publish without one. I rely on three electronic tools to help me polish my manuscript, Word proofing options and fabulous websites and the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Read Out Loud function. Another favourite tool isn't electronic. It's a print copy of … Continue reading One More DIY Editing Tool: Hard Copy
My #3 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Acrobat Read Out Loud
Nothing beats the benefit of a good editor to point out plot holes, sagging middles and blurry character development. I wouldn't publish without one. But for spell checking, grammar checking and copy editing, I rely on three electronic tools to help me polish my manuscript. I've already talking about Word proofing options and fabulous websites. My third favourite … Continue reading My #3 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Acrobat Read Out Loud
My #2 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Websites
For pointing out gaping plot holes, sagging middles and uneven character development, nothing beats the eagle eyes of a good editor. I wouldn’t publish without one. But for spell checking, grammar checking and copy editing, I rely on three electronic tools to help me polish my manuscript. My top fave is Word proofing options which I discussed … Continue reading My #2 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Websites
My #1 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Word Proofing Options
For pointing out gaping plot holes, sagging middles and uneven character development, nothing beats the eagle eyes of a good editor. I wouldn't publish without one. But for spell checking, grammar checking and copy editing, I rely on three electronic tools to help me polish my manuscript. This post takes a closer look at what Word has … Continue reading My #1 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Word Proofing Options
Where the Duck Did My File Go?
Yeah, you've been there. You're typing like a crazy person, the scenes are running like a video in your head, you can't type fast enough. Then... POOF! BLAM! ZAP! ARRRRGH! The file is gone, just ducking gone. Your first step is to go to your desktop, but it's so crowded with teeny tiny folder images … Continue reading Where the Duck Did My File Go?
Moving from KDP to IngramSpark
Want to get into the library distribution systems with your self-published works? IngramSpark is the place for you. Already locked into the Expanded Distribution on Kindle Direct Publishing with your own ISBN? Expect an error message from IngramSpark to the effect that your ISBN is already in use (because KDP has registered your ISBN with Ingram). … Continue reading Moving from KDP to IngramSpark
Five Giveaways to Amateur Self-Publishing
How can you tell, at a glance, if the print book in your hands has been expertly formatted? Turn to the first page of the first chapter and look at five things: 1) Page Headers On the first page of each chapter, page headers are correct in their absence. That's right, there aren't any; no author or book … Continue reading Five Giveaways to Amateur Self-Publishing
What the Font?
"I'm a self-publisher. I have a great story with a beautiful cover. The content has been professionally edited and is as close to perfect as it's going to get. Is there another way to make my print book stand out?" Yes, absolutely. From what I've observed, big publishers use standard font sets for most of the … Continue reading What the Font?
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