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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Is formatting my own book right for me? Many writers ask, “Do I have to spend all that money to have my book’s interior pages professionally designed?”  “There aren’t even any photos.” “There can’t be much to formatting a book with only text. Can there?” Well, you may be surprised by how much goes into […]

…and what has changed to make it possible. Why is self-publishing so popular with writers? The short answer is, because we can. Changes in design and printing processes have made the dependency on specialized companies a thing of the past. These processes are now open to anyone with the desire to learn. I’ll explain the […]