There are myths about every aspect of the publishing process, and myths to lambast or pedestal both traditional and self-publishing abound. As a self-published author, I'm most qualified to focus on the latter. Whether the myth spins self-publishing in a positive light or whether it tarnishes self-publishing's good name, misinformation is still misinformation. So here… Continue reading Six Self-Publishing Myths You Shouldn’t Buy Into
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Placeholders, & Why They May Be Good For Your Draft
Sometimes when you're writing, you know how the events of the story are playing out, but the prose just isn't coming to you. What do you do? Some people would tell you to brute-force the scene. In my experience, that doesn't usually work. While I'm of the mind that even the ugliest prose is easier… Continue reading Placeholders, & Why They May Be Good For Your Draft
Six Font Tips For Typesetting Your Novel
I've mentioned before that readability and aesthetic are two of the most crucial aspects of good book design. Readability enables your story to smoothly serve it's proper, practical function for the reader, while an on-point aesthetic gives you a marketing advantage. A key factor in both of these aspects lies in the text, and the… Continue reading Six Font Tips For Typesetting Your Novel
Beta Reading: What Feedback Should I Implement?
Last year, I talked about how to give useful feedback as a beta reader, and I thought it'd be a good idea to brush up on this topic from a new angle. Giving feedback is one thing, but taking it is another. How do you decide what feedback you want to bring into your editing… Continue reading Beta Reading: What Feedback Should I Implement?
How To Communicate With A Cover Designer
Last week, we discussed how you should prepare to contact a book designer. So this week, we're talking about cover design! While pretty much anybody can create a cover to their book with any art program that came pre-installed on their computer, readers do judge books by their covers when they're deciding what to read.… Continue reading How To Communicate With A Cover Designer
How To Communicate With A Book Designer
While the term “self-publishing” includes the word self, not every part of the process has to be done on your own. Sometimes, you can pay a professional to help you with things you're not ready or able to do on your own — like editing, marketing, or in this case, book design. And if you're… Continue reading How To Communicate With A Book Designer
How To Create A Copyright Page
So you're a new author, ready to self-publish, raring to go. Nothing can stop you! You're fully prepared to format this book with your own two hands in the program of your choice, and bask in the glow of accomplishment afterward. Then you glance at another book's copyright page for reference and suddenly, you are… Continue reading How To Create A Copyright Page
Is “Said” Really Dead?
The debate over whether "said" is superior to more unique dialogue tags (and vice versa) has been raging on for decades in the writing community. Insisting that one way is better than the other is a very easy way to pick a fight with other writers, but this topic doesn't have to be so contentious.… Continue reading Is “Said” Really Dead?
Self-Publishing: Should You Get An ISBN?
There are a lot of fiddly little details you have to worry about when publishing a book, and one of those many details is the small matter of your ISBN. What's an ISBN? Well, an ISBN is an an International Standard Book Number, which you'll find on the barcode on the back of a book,… Continue reading Self-Publishing: Should You Get An ISBN?
Take Your Motivation From Multiple Sources
Today's article is less a matter of practical storytelling advice, and more a small thought on motivation. I've seen a lot of aspiring authors crash and burn because they are only fueled by one emotion. And when they're not in that mood — whether it be a nebulous state of "inspiration", or rage at injustice,… Continue reading Take Your Motivation From Multiple Sources
J.L. Heeren 