Author: selfpublishingadvisor

Book Design, Jodee Speaks

The Importance of a Custom Cover

You’ve heard the cliché “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This is especially true in the publishing industry. The cover is the first impression a reader gets of your book. Therefore, it needs to be appealing and professional, but it should also reflect the tone and style of your book. If you have a specific vision of your book’s cover, you are probably considering a custom cover. However, there are two different types of custom covers. Here are the basics.

Regular Custom Covers vs. Illustrated Custom Covers

Regular custom covers are created with photos from a photo image site. Illustrated custom covers are drawn by professional illustrators. If you take a trip to the bookstore or browse book covers online, you will see that covers with photos and covers with illustrations are two very different styles. Also, illustrated covers offer more unique designs. The type of custom cover you choose depends on your vision.

Choosing a Cover

When deciding whether to choose a regular custom cover or illustrated customer cover, consider these questions:

  • What do I want my finished book to look like?
  • What do other books in my genre look like?
  • What insight has my market research provided about cover art?
  • What is my budget for cover art?

I’d love to know, do you plan on using a regular custom cover or an illustrated custom cover?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 1/10/14

BUILDING SAND CASTLES…

Some time ago—during a wonderful day of listening to the writings of poets, essayists, short-story writers and mystery weavers—I heard one whispering voice behind me make the following statement:  “No one will ever understand what I’m writing.  They just won’t take the time to consider the levels.”

That “level” of discouragement was not what I anticipated—or experienced up to that point—in the midst of this marvelous group of writers.  The fledgling authors were bubbling with enthusiasm.  The experienced (yet unpublished) writers spoke of challenges they’d met and new horizons before them.  And the published men and women seemed to actually sparkle as they autographed copies of their books and encouraged everyone.  When I tried to inconspicuously locate the person who’d spoken those disheartened words, the crowd had shuffled.  I didn’t want anyone leaving that gathering in such consternation, yet it was apparent that I would not be the one to reassure that person.

Later, as I thought about this unknown writer, a present-day author came to mind: Anne Lamott.  Some might call her more of a political activist; however, the popularity of her work has proven that writing with honesty will not only meet the unexpected needs of the writer, but also touch the lives of readers who WILL understand the multi-levels of development and meaning.  Ms. Lamott has published a book titled Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life.  Many of her statements inspire me and, yes, some confuse me a bit.  However the following—speaking directly to all writers—is so beautifully written that I must share it.

“You are lucky to be one of those people who wishes to build sand castles with words, who is willing to create a place where your imagination can wander. We build this place with the sand of memories; these castles are our memories and inventiveness made tangible. So part of us believes that when the tide starts coming in, we won’t really have lost anything, because actually only a symbol of it was there in the sand. Another part of us thinks we’ll figure out a way to divert the ocean. This is what separates artists from ordinary people: the belief, deep in our hearts, that if we build our castles well enough, somehow the ocean won’t wash them away.”

So it is, my friends, that I encourage every writer out there to “build your sand castles!”  Weave your memories with research and imagination.  Let the characters—the “people”—whose passions must be heard tell their stories.  Then PUBLISH!

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: The Mind of the Historian

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

 the mind of the historian

The Mind of the Historian

Ali Parsa

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432769222

History is perhaps in the eye of the beholder. “The Mind of the Historian: Causation in Philosophy of History: A Case Study in Perso-Islamic Historiography” looks into the philosophy beyond history as Dr. Ali Parsa argues that much of history is tilted towards the views of the writer, pointing the causes into what the writer believes. Using the Middle East as a focus of his discussion, “The Mind of the Historian” offers many intriguing ideas on the nature of history, and is very much recommended reading.

Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 1/07/14

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

Self-Publishers Wealth Summit New Years Resolution Challenge Announced

The Self-Publishers Wealth Summit has officially launched the “I Ate My New Years Resolution but Didn’t Swallow Challenge.” Viewers are encouraged to create their own creative, viral videos around their New Years resolution. To learn more about the challenge and the Self-Publishers Wealth Summit New Years Resolution Challenge, check out this article. You can also learn more at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpSPL_QATTw&feature=youtu.be.

Self-Publishing and The Power of Creative Intention

This interesting article encourages writers to take a different approach to their 2014 writing goals. It discusses how an alarming number of people fail to keep their new year resolutions and how those who don’t make resolutions are more successful. Rather than setting “resolutions,” this author encourages writers to use “creative intention.” This is a must read for all writers.

Must Read: Becky Cloonan on self-publishing

In this article, Beck Cloonan, who has sold thousand of copies and won an award for her self-published minis, talks about her experience and offers advice to others. It is a fascinating read for anyone considering self-publishing.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Jodee Speaks

Dust Off That Manuscript and Self-Publish in 2014

Last week we said goodbye to 2013 and welcomed the new year, a time for fresh starts, commit to change, and most importantly, a new determination to meet our goals. For some writers, the new year is the perfect time to produce new works. For others, dusting off an old manuscript might be just the ticket.

If you have abandoned works taking up space on your hard drive or in a desk drawer, don’t let them go to waste! Dig them out and see if a dash of new year enthusiasm and determination is all they need to become a great book. Follow these steps to freshen up your manuscript for  self-publishing in 2014:

  • Awaken. It’s time to wake up and reassess that long-dormant manuscript. You may remember it as either utterly brilliant or complete rubbish (although I suspect if you considered it literary gold, you’d have self-published it by now). All writers feel one of those extremes about their own work just after completing it, and it’s almost never as good or bad as they think. Bring it out of deep freeze and give it one more chance.
  • Dissect. Dig into each page like you’re reading it for the first time — and leave no stone unturned. Set aside whatever feelings or impressions you once had about your manuscript and look at it with fresh, new eyes. You’ll be much more objective about it now that time has passed. Pretend it’s someone else’s work, if that helps. You may find strokes of genius you didn’t recognize before.
  • Reshape. Of course, along with unearthing forgotten brilliance, you’ll likely also find your fair share of thorny passages that inspire “What was I thinking?” moments. Time to toss out the junk and tighten up that manuscript. Be merciless: it is okay if your manuscript looks and sounds completely different when you are done. The new year is all about redefining and changing.
  • Build. Fill in the “bald patches” – elements of your story that require elaboration, such as further plot and character development. Build on what you already have to complete the manuscript.
  • Nurture. Cultivate a plan to nurture those parts of your book that are weakest. Sprinkle it generously with notes about what changes you need to make as you review and review again; gradually, your writing and your overall story will transform into the masterpiece you imagine. New year projects aren’t about quick success; they are about a year of nurturing your goals and dreams.
  • Expand your mind. Read the works of others. See a good movie, or listen to your favorite music. Exchange ideas with other writers. The idea is to borrow inspiration that will better inform your book.
  • Realize. Once all your efforts have turned your old manuscript into a great book, it is time to take your product to market and enjoy the success of completing a book. You did it, and readers can’t wait to read your work!

Fresh eyes and a few good brainstorms may produce all the fresh ideas you need to turn that literary new year project into a chart-topping book published in 2014. Good luck!

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.