Self Publishing

You need a compelling book cover design. *collective groan* I know, I hear you guys out there. You’ve gotten the message from design advocates all over the web. Most prospective indie authors understand that they should create an effective, awesome book cover, but think that it’s too much work for too little reward. Maybe you’re one of [...]
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1. 2 (More) Ways to Commit (and Avoid) Book Cover Failure
   This is the second post in the Book Cover FAIL series, focusing on the common causes of cover design mistakes…
2. Book Cover FAIL No. 1 : Packing on the Pounds
   This post is the first in a series about avoiding the paths that cause book cover failure. Just like overeating…
3. Choosing the Best Book Cover Designer for Your Book
   AN: We’re taking the week off from original posts to focus on returning some e-mails and answering your questions —…

Continue Reading 3 Reasons Why You Need a Compelling Book Cover (And 2 Ways To Get One)

Tags: Book Design, diy, ebooks, Publishing

You need a compelling book cover design. *collective groan* I know, I hear you guys out there. You’ve gotten the message from design advocates all over the web. Most prospective indie authors understand that they should create an effective, awesome book cover, but think that it’s too much work for too little reward. Maybe you’re one of [...]
You might also like:

1. 2 (More) Ways to Commit (and Avoid) Book Cover Failure
   This is the second post in the Book Cover FAIL series, focusing on the common causes of cover design mistakes…
2. Book Cover FAIL No. 1 : Packing on the Pounds
   This post is the first in a series about avoiding the paths that cause book cover failure. Just like overeating…
3. Choosing the Best Book Cover Designer for Your Book
   AN: We’re taking the week off from original posts to focus on returning some e-mails and answering your questions —…

Continue Reading 3 Reasons Why You Need a Compelling Book Cover (And 2 Ways To Get One)

Tags: Book Design, cover design, diy, ebooks, Publishing

One of the most common complaints we hear from self-publishing authors is that professional services to aid in their publishing effort (editing, design, etc) are an added expense that’s out of their reach. Other authors, however, embrace the DIY nature of self-publishing and find a source of pride in designing their own cover, interior layout [...]
You might also like:

1. How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? [Discussion]
   One of the most common questions we’re asked from authors looking into self-publishing is: how much does it cost? The…
2. [Discussion] Do Professionally-Designed Book Covers Matter to Readers?
   During our Self-Publishing Basics Series, we got a response to 7 Things To Know About Book Design that got the…
3. [Discussion] How Do YOU Feel About Book Cover Branding?
   In yesterday’s post, we presented twenty book covers with the author’s name removed — were you able to match up…

Continue Reading If Professional Book Design Were Free, Would You Still DIY? [Discussion]

Tags: Book Design, costs, Discussion, diy

This week we’ve been talking about brainstorming before you write — how important it is, what you do to get started, finding an inspirational space, quantity vs. quality, etc. It’s a big part of the overall writing process and we know you guys have some great tips and other resources for getting the most out [...]
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1. Print On Demand/Self-Publishing Service Reviews [Self-Publishing Linkup]
   Have an awesome idea for a post that’s not related to self-publishing service reviews? Consider entering it in our Self-Publishing Writing…
2. New Year’s Resolutions/Goal-Setting [Self-Publishing Linkup]
   Have an awesome idea for a post that’s not related to goals/resolutions? Consider entering it in our Self-Publishing Writing Contest…
3. Social Media Resources [Self-Publishing Linkup]
   Have an awesome idea for a post that’s not related to social media? Consider entering it in our Self-Publishing Writing…

Continue Reading Brainstorming/Idea Generation [Self-Publishing Link-Up]

Tags: Brainstorming, Idea Generation, Links & Resources, Self-Publishing Link-Up, writing process

It’s weekly writing prompt time! This is our new, regular Thursday gig (like open mic night) where we pose a question and open it up to you guys to blog about our topic and link-up your posts in our comments. It’s like a sharing circle without the awkwardness and that annoying feelings stick. This week’s [...]
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1. February 2012 Writing Prompts
   Hallelujah it’s Friday! By now you should be accustomed to the spectacular new Duolit posting schedule which includes not one,…
2. “Across the threshold” [February 2012 Prompt #2]
   This week we’re getting more creative with our weekly writing prompt. We want you to take a few moments out…
3. What book made you want to become an writer? [February 2012 Prompt #1]
   On a recent binge to find creative inspiration from some of my favorite Southern authors (both old and new), I…

Continue Reading What bugs you the most about self-publishing? [February 2012 Prompt #3]

Tags: Blog Prompts

It’s weekly writing prompt time! This is our new, regular Thursday gig (like open mic night) where we pose a question and open it up to you guys to blog about our topic and link-up your posts in our comments. It’s like a sharing circle without the awkwardness and that annoying feelings stick. This week’s [...]
You might also like:

1. February 2012 Writing Prompts
   Hallelujah it’s Friday! By now you should be accustomed to the spectacular new Duolit posting schedule which includes not one,…
2. “Across the threshold” [February 2012 Prompt #2]
   This week we’re getting more creative with our weekly writing prompt. We want you to take a few moments out…
3. What book made you want to become an writer? [February 2012 Prompt #1]
   On a recent binge to find creative inspiration from some of my favorite Southern authors (both old and new), I…

Continue Reading What bugs you the most about self-publishing? [February 2012 Prompt #3]

Tags: Blog Prompts

“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” – John Steinbeck On Monday we started our conversation about the importance of brainstorming and how we go about conjuring one up. Sometimes we need a brainstorm to get the ideas flowing, or sometimes even when [...]
You might also like:

1. How do you brainstorm? [Discussion]
   Whether you’re writing a novel, poem, short story or non-fiction title, your body of work has to begin with one,…
2. Get Prompted in 2012!
   So far it’s been an extra special month of big announcements and new features to make Duolit even more awesome…
3. 14 Steps to Launch Your Author Blog — Today!
   120,000 new blogs created. Over 1.4 million posts published. What’s that, every year? Guess again. That’s every day. Every. Single….

Continue Reading 6 Steps to a Booming Brainstorm

“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” – John Steinbeck On Monday we started our conversation about the importance of brainstorming and how we go about conjuring one up. Sometimes we need a brainstorm to get the ideas flowing, or sometimes even when [...]
You might also like:

1. How do you brainstorm? [Discussion]
   Whether you’re writing a novel, poem, short story or non-fiction title, your body of work has to begin with one,…
2. Get Prompted in 2012!
   So far it’s been an extra special month of big announcements and new features to make Duolit even more awesome…
3. 14 Steps to Launch Your Author Blog — Today!
   120,000 new blogs created. Over 1.4 million posts published. What’s that, every year? Guess again. That’s every day. Every. Single….

Continue Reading 6 Steps to a Booming Brainstorm

Whether you’re writing a novel, poem, short story or non-fiction title, your body of work has to begin with one, simple idea. One thought — be it a question, a fact, a character, or a word — is all it takes to launch a series of ideas that you plant, nurture and grow until your [...]
You might also like:

1. 6 Steps to a Booming Brainstorm
   “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a…
2. How do you divide your time between writing and marketing? [Discussion]
   Whether it’s the fast-paced nature of modern life, the fact that most of us are part-time authors or even just…
3. [Discussion] What’s in YOUR Media Kit? How Have You Used It?
   We’re all about media kits this week! Yesterday, we shared what you should include in your media kit, including: Book…

Continue Reading How do you brainstorm? [Discussion]

Tags: Brainstorming, Discussion, Ideas, Writing Discussion

Whether you’re writing a novel, poem, short story or non-fiction title, your body of work has to begin with one, simple idea. One thought — be it a question, a fact, a character, or a word — is all it takes to launch a series of ideas that you plant, nurture and grow until your [...]
You might also like:

1. 6 Steps to a Booming Brainstorm
   “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a…
2. How do you divide your time between writing and marketing? [Discussion]
   Whether it’s the fast-paced nature of modern life, the fact that most of us are part-time authors or even just…
3. [Discussion] What’s in YOUR Media Kit? How Have You Used It?
   We’re all about media kits this week! Yesterday, we shared what you should include in your media kit, including: Book…

Continue Reading How do you brainstorm? [Discussion]

Tags: Brainstorming, Discussion, Ideas, Writing Discussion