Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about regret.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about how you lost the fight.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about a family vacation catastrophe.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about her boyfriend's mistake.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about a failed magician.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about a man who can't remember a thing.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about partners in crime.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
T
hinking about self-publishing but worried about the cost?
Very few of us have the resources to compete with the big five publishers. Even if we aim to publish the highest quality book possible, we must watch our spending very carefully.
Publishing budgets vary wildly. I've heard some authors bragging that they spent nothing on their books - which frankly makes me regard their books a bit dubiously. I've seen beautiful, well-edited indie books published for between $1,000 and $3,000. And of course, I've seen jaw-droppingly gorgeous books produced for many times that amount.
Do you want to limit how much money you spend on self-publishing your book?
1. Use free eBook formatting software. If your book has already been professionally edited and you are not looking for custom design, you can use free tools to create high-quality book interiors. Personally, I've been very impressed with the Reedsy Book Editor. I also am a big fan of Vellum - which isn't free, but allows you to create lovely books without a designer.
2. Scrappy cover design. A poorly-designed cover will repel readers. A custom cover by a professional designer can cost upwards of $800. Before you spend the big bucks, check out alternative cover sources. Use Fiverr for $5 prototypes. Contact artists directly on Deviant Art, Renderosity or Epilogue to request custom art or use of work already created. Use a service like 99Designs to run a cover design contest for $299.
3. Skill share. First, sort everything that needs to be done into three categories - things you can do yourself (at a professional level), things you need to pay someone else to do, and things you can barter with friends. Most of the writers I know have other professional skills. For example, you may be a top artist and perfectly capable of designing your own cover, while a friend of yours may be an eagle-eyed editor. Work together! Trade a cover design for a copy edit.
Would you like more information on how to get all your editing, formatting and design done on a tight budget? Sign up for my online class How to Self-Publish Your First Book. You'll gain a wealth of resources for your indie publishing projects - plus tools to help you set and manage your budget.
Do you know any other great sources for budget-minded authors? Hit reply and let me know! I'd love to share them with my students.
Did you know that a New York Times survey found that 81% of Americans either plan to write a book or have already done so?
You may be painfully aware that writing a book and publishing a book are two very different accomplishments.
Writing provides great personal satisfaction. However, it’s when we share our stories with others that our work takes on a new life.
The past few weeks, I interviewed 43 writers aspiring to publish their first books. When asked why they were motivated to take the big leap into publishing, they gave brilliant wonderful answers.
Do any of these sound like you?
Tim Cahill, founding editor of Outside magazine had this to say:
Or perhaps you agree with Sylvia Plath who remarked:
Ready to realize your goal? Now’s the time to clear out your desk drawers (or computer folders) and get your work out into the world where it belongs!
I invite you to join my online course How to Self-Publish Your First Book. This course is specifically designed for those of you that need a lot of basic help to navigate the indie publishing world.
The publishing process doesn’t need to overwhelm you. Gain a clear understanding of what it takes to be an indie author. Confidently advance your project from rough manuscript to published book. Experience the satisfaction of holding your finished book in your hands and the joy of hearing from your first readers.
Through my work with Writer.ly, at the University of Washington and as a publisher, I’ve witnessed first-hand the thrilling moment when writers become authors. Man, that’s powerful stuff — the tasty fruit of dreams, effort and heartfelt aspirations. I would be so honored to work with you in my class and get to be a part of your transformation from “aspiring author” to “author.”
To reward you for bravely claiming your intention to publish, you’ll save $150 when you sign up right now.
IMPORTANT: This weekend preview deal ends Sunday night.
I would love to hear your reasons. Leave a comment and let me know!
How to Self-Publish Your First Book
Learn exactly what you need to do in order to take your work from rough manuscript to published book. Online course delivered over 4 weeks. Watch the recorded sessions on your own and join the live sessions for direct help.
Click here for How to Publish Your First Book course info.
Writing prompt: In SIX WORDS or fewer, write a story about partners in crime.
Tip: The first time you leave a comment on my blog I manually approve it before it goes live.
After the first one, it's instant.
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