Is publishing an E-book right for me? Many people assume that it is simple to create an e-book from their designed book files. But this is not always the case. E-books are very different from print books, and some books just don’t make good e-books. If you are considering creating an e-book, decide early because […]

Writing printing specifications for accurate quotes. Whether you decide to print traditional offset or on-demand, all printers need basic information to get you accurate book printing estimates. Among other details, an accurate printing estimate requires a quantity, a trim size, and a page count. If you are in the predesign, early planning stage of self-publishing, […]

Ten things to consider when deciding your book’s size. There are many different trim sizes for books, so how do you choose the right size? There are standard book sizes, but as a sell publisher, you also have some leeway. To decide the right size for your book, you want to consider your book’s genre, […]

Best practices  Nothing is more infuriating than to open your newly printed book, and the first thing you see is an error. Here are some tips to get you proofreading like a pro. There is no substitute for proofing your document. Software grammar and spell checkers are great tools to use, and they get better […]

What am I getting myself into? Almost universally, the first question my prospective clients ask is, “How much will it cost to self-publish my book?” Determining the costs of self-publishing your book is one of the most challenging planning steps. Every book is different, and you have to be specific to be accurate. The good […]

And why won’t my designer give them to me? Who owns the source files can become an uncomfortable subject when working with a designer. Source files, often called artwork, or native files, are the editable design files. Your designer uses their source files to create the final print-ready pdf that goes to the printer. To […]

Do I have to follow standards? Yes, there are standard sizes, and they vary depending on the book’s genre. But as a self-publisher, you have more flexibility in straying from standard book sizes. But considering the genre when deciding your book’s size is much more important if your book will be sold in brick and […]

Five things to avoid common production delays Usually, I design the book cover last, but that does not mean that I am not planning it early. Here are five things that will help you to be prepared and have everything you need when it is time to design the cover. Your book cover is critical […]

Three ways to consider design while writing your book The number one way to save money on your book’s design is to consider its design while writing and editing. When you consider the book’s structure and build on consistency, it always makes for a better reader experience.  It is not nearly as crucial to maintaining […]

Learn your options, and make informed decisions. A note about COVID 19: When I first developed this tool, the bookstore activity was intended to be immersive. On your Fact-finding Mission, you would look for books in your genre as a potential buyer would. While there, you could see how the books that called to you […]