Your nonfiction book cover serves as the first impression readers have of your product. A great cover does more than grab attention – it tells a story about your authority to write on the topic and how well you understand your niche. As more people turn to self-publishing, staying relevant becomes even more crucial. You […]
Self-publishing gives you freedom, but it also gives you… everything else. You’re the writer, the editor, the marketing strategist, the social media intern, the customer service rep, and sometimes the book cover and interior layout designer. You’re also the one refreshing your royalty dashboard at 3am, wondering if any of this is working. At first, […]
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 […]
Self-published authors are responsible for every aspect of their finished books, including the cover. Whether you work with a designer or create one yourself, having an idea of the color scheme can ensure you wind up with something that grabs readers’ attention and fits within the genre. Standing out amid the millions of books in […]
You spent months pouring your heart and soul into your book. Now, it’s time to format it, find the perfect cover design and launch your story into the world. The costs of paying developmental editors, proofreaders, cover designers and interior formatting professionals can add up. Finding budget-friendly options can leave more funds for advertising or […]
IndependentPublishing.com’s Ask a Self-Publishing Expert column provides answers to reader questions. This month, our self-publishing expert, Sarah Kolb-Williams, answers a question from Khalid, who is trying to become the authorized representative of his deceased mother’s KDP account. Here’s the email (lightly edited for length, clarity, and privacy): To whom it may concern, My name is […]
If you’re a coach, entrepreneur, business owner, nonprofit leader, or high-level executive, you’ve likely been told that building trust with your audience is key to your growth. But what if I told you that one of the most powerful ways to build credibility, attract your ideal client, and leaving a legacy is to tell your […]
Welcome to Ask a Self-Publishing Expert, where editor and publisher Sarah Kolb-Williams answers questions from independent authors. Today, she’s responding to one author’s struggle to regain her account and getting KDP to un-block her ISBN. The Problem: Banned ISBN Here’s the email we received from Rocío (edited for length and clarity). I opened my first […]
Embarking on your self-publishing journey presents many challenges. You’re in charge of mapping stops and your final destination on the way to publishing success. One of the first things you must consider when formatting your book is trim size. What Is the Best Size for a Self-Published Book? The best size for your book will […]
If you’re a self-published author who has dreamed of having your book discovered and then traditionally published, you’ll want to keep reading. The conventional wisdom, among authors, is that being self-published is an impediment to getting published traditionally. In fact, the opposite is true. Successfully self-publishing your book can open up a world of publishing […]
