For many authors, the journey of self-publishing is about creative control and reader engagement. Yet, a common oversight in this process is treating accessibility as an afterthought. This perspective overlooks the fact that true success should be measured by your ability to reach every potential reader, not just some. Embracing accessible publishing is an ethical […]
Black-and-white book cover design is a compelling choice for independent authors seeking a polished and professional aesthetic. Without relying on color, each design element carries more weight, which results in covers that feel deliberate and cohesive. This simplicity often translates into stronger visual impact, especially in crowded digital storefronts where high contrast stands out at […]
In [Part One](https://independentpublishing.com/developmental-editing-part-one), I broke down what developmental editing is, what a professional edit should include, and how to sanity-check pricing and scope. That part is comforting because it is mostly definitions and math. This part is different. Now you have to choose a person. You are about to hand over your draft and a […]
Writing a book takes forever. Publishing it costs real money. Then some authors make one quick decision that puts the investment of both time and money at risk: they skip developmental editing. Sometimes they assume spellcheck, Grammarly, or AI tools will catch the big stuff. Sometimes they hire the cheapest “developmental editor” they can find, […]
You just received the email every self-published author dreads. Your book-the one you spent months or years writing-has been flagged or removed for “misleading content.” Maybe your entire KDP account has been terminated. The email is maddeningly vague, offering something like: “We found that you have published titles with misleading content that have the potential […]
I recently spoke with an author who wanted to include full-color images in his black-and-white interior. He felt strongly that reproductions of a handful of famous paintings would help reinforce some of his points. Could we help him self-publish this book with his vision intact? Unfortunately, this is a common conundrum for independent authors. POD, […]
Having been in the publishing space for nearly forty years, I’m still amazed at the endless stream of scams aimed at self-published authors. Hardly a week goes by without some new variation—whether by email or phone. The names and approaches may change, but the tactics share common threads that should immediately raise red flags. At […]
Fictional, literary characters only exist as words on a page. Compiled out of dots, curved and straight lines in ink, they are textual inventions. Even if inspired by actual persons, written characters are not the same as real human beings. And yet, as readers, we can feel deeply connected to and moved by literary characters. […]
A debate rages in literary circles about using artificial intelligence (AI) art in cover design. Is it ethical? How much AI should you use? Some people call it stealing from artists whose work trained AI models. Others feel you have to come up with creative and specific prompts to develop the art, and thus, it […]
As an expert or entrepreneur, coach or consultant, speaker or leader, you are standing on a gold mine of knowledge and experience. Hidden underground is the precious substance that shines out in your work with clients; the mighty foundation you’ve built your business on; the deep source of energy that powers your mission and vision. […]
