Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! Self-publishing offers writers another choice on the road to publication, whether they’re already traditionally published and/or e-press published, or unpublished. Although the author maintains control of the process, she also has a lot of hard work ahead of her. Education about self-publishing and the publishing industry is vital to a good product and creating a professional image.
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. It’s a big one too. Write the book, send the polished manuscript to an editor, critique partners, and beta-readers, write the tagline and blurbs, sign a contract for cover art, and purchase ISBNs. Front and Back Matter come next.
What is front and back matter?
Front and back matter are the pages before and after body of the book (the actual content or story).
Back Matter consists of an About the Author page, an acknowledgements page, a list of other books by the author, and the opening or excerpt from the next book. As with front matter, not all items are required. Use personal preference to decide which elements to include.
About the Author is a short biography and a list of social media links. Here’s an example from an e-book:
About the Author
When her fingers aren't attached to her keyboard, Mellanie Szereto enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies or the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. She is multi-published with Siren-Bookstrand and has a new self-published foodie contemporary series, Love on the Menu, in addition to her nonfiction books, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook and Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, based on her informational blog series. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of twenty-eight years, their son, and two cats. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Indiana Romance Writers of America, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and PASIC.
Visit her website: http://www.mellanieszereto.com
Read her blog: http://www.mellanieszereto.blogspot.com
Like her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
Follow her on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mellanieszereto
Find her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto
If you enjoyed this book, please consider rating or leaving a review on the retailer’s website and/or Goodreads. Thanks!
*Note that the social media links are live in e-book format. One click on the hyperlink, and the reader is taken directly to the author’s website, blog, etc.
The print book version is the same except that the links are plain text. Whether digital or print, the bio gives the reader a personal look at the author, potentially generating more interest.
An Acknowledgements page offers the author a special place to thank those who helped with research or other important aspects in the writing and production of the book. This differs from the Dedication, in that dedications thank general supporters and recognize those who inspired the story.
Having a list of Other Books by the Author means readers have an immediate way to purchase more books. It’s a very easy marketing and promotional tool. Hyperlinks should be added to e-book format for a one-click path to the retail platform. For the KDP version of the book, use Amazon links to other books by the author. For Nook Press, use the B&N links, and so on. This page can and should be updated as the author publishes more books. Keep a list of buy links handy for a quick copy and paste when creating hyperlinks.
Some authors choose to include the opening or an excerpt from the next or another book in the back matter. Be sure to format that section the same as the content of the story. Formatting for e-books is on the agenda for next week!
How about a quick review of hyperlinking to create those clickable links?
To create a hyperlink to a website, highlight the source (author website address on the bio page). Use the Insert command to choose Hyperlink. Choose Webpage. The text in the Display box should match the highlighted text in the document. Add the web address in the Link To box and click OK. Repeat for each social media and buy link. These instructions are for Word for Mac 2011 and may differ slightly in other versions.
Be sure to Save after each addition and test the links! Links can be removed by highlighting the existing hyperlink source and selecting Insert->Hyperlink. Click the Remove Hyperlink button.
Check off item #6 on the to-do list! Front and Back Matter are completed!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
Showing posts with label Preparing the Finished Book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preparing the Finished Book. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Writing Tip Wednesday--Preparing the Finished Book Part 4
Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! Self-publishing offers writers another choice on the road to publication, whether they’re already traditionally published and/or e-press published, or unpublished. Although the author maintains control of the process, she also has a lot of hard work ahead of her. Education about self-publishing and the publishing industry is vital to a good product and creating a professional image.
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. It’s a big one too. Write the book, send the polished manuscript to an editor, critique partners, and beta-readers, write the tagline and blurbs, sign a contract for cover art, and purchase ISBNs. Front and Back Matter come next.
What is front and back matter?
Front and back matter are the pages before and after body of the book (the actual content or story).
Front matter consists of the title page, copyright page, dedication page, preface, and table of contents—the pages before the story. Not all items will be in all books. Inclusion of a table of contents will depend on the format (e-book or print), nonfiction or fiction, and author preference. Many print fiction books don’t include a TOC. E-books usually have bookmarked/hyperlinked TOCs so the reader can click on a chapter on the TOC page, and the link will take her directly to the first page of the corresponding chapter.
The title page is the first page of the book after the cover for both e-book and print formats. The title of the book and the author’s name should be large and easy to read. Depending on the length of the title, the lettering can be from 24- to 48-size text. Choose a font that matches the tone of the book and is readable. It can be the same as the cover font, but it doesn’t have to be. The author’s name should also be included on the title page. It can be larger, smaller, or the same size as the title. Center the title and author name on the page. Lots of white space ensures the reader isn’t distracted from the purpose of this page. The publisher’s logo is sometimes at the bottom of the title page.
The copyright page is next. Besides the title, author’s name with copyright year, publisher’s name, ISBN(s), and cover art designer copyright information, this page should also include reproduction and sharing statements.
**Here’s an example of copyright page content for an e-book:
Loved Served Hot
Copyright © 2013 Mellanie Szereto
Published by Amatoria Press
Cover art by Dragonfly Press Design
Word Count: 95,221
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author. To request permission to excerpt portions of this book, please contact the author at mellanieszereto@hotmail.com.
This story is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to real persons and/or events is coincidental.
This e-book is licensed for your personal use only and may not be re-sold or given away to people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please visit the e-book store of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
ISBN: 978-0-9911473-0-4
**Here’s an example for a print book:
Loved Served Hot
Copyright © 2013 Mellanie Szereto
Published by Amatoria Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-9911473-1-1
ISBN-10: 0991147316
Cover art by Dragonfly Press Design
Cover art and logos Copyright © 2013 Dragonfly Press Design
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author. To request permission to excerpt portions of this book, please contact the author at mellanieszereto@hotmail.com.
This story is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to real persons and/or events is coincidental.
**Note the addition of an e-book licensing and sharing statement in the first example. The print version doesn’t have digital content and doesn’t need this additional statement. Review several e-book and print book copyright pages for possible wording options. The order of content and the information contained in the examples isn’t required. Adjust to personal preference, making sure the page has a professional look. Use Insert->Symbol to add the copyright symbol.
The dedication page is optional, but it allows the author to recognize anyone who may have influenced her or the story. This is a great place to thank readers!
A preface is also optional and is often found in nonfiction books. It offers the author a place to tell how the project came about, the research methods used, specific ways to use and interpret the information in the book, etc.
The table of contents is useful in e-books, titled-rather-than-numbered-chapters print books, and in non-fiction print books. Print-book TOCs list the chapters and their corresponding page numbers. The TOC in an e-book should be bookmarked and hyperlinked so the reader can click on a chapter to go directly to its first page since page numbers can vary between devices and settings.
What is bookmarking and hyperlinking?
Bookmarks define a specific location within the document. Hyperlinks allow the author to link the bookmark to another location in the document—like the TOC—or a website. To create a bookmark, highlight the location where the bookmark is to be inserted, such as the heading Chapter 1 in the story. Use the Insert command to choose Bookmark. Give the bookmark a name like chapter1. Word for Mac 2011 doesn’t allow spaces and has a limited length for the bookmark name. Other versions of Word may differ. Click Add.
To create a hyperlink to the TOC, highlight the source (Chapter 1 in the TOC). Use the Insert command to choose Hyperlink. Choose Document, click inside the Anchor textbox, type in the bookmark name, and click Locate. A “Select Place in Document” pop-up box will appear. Be sure the correct bookmark is chosen and click OK. Chapter 1 in the TOC is now linked to the text Chapter 1 in the story. Again, these instructions are for Word for Mac 2011 and may differ slightly in other versions.
Repeat the bookmark and hyperlink process for all chapters. All bookmarks can be created before the hyperlinks are added, or complete one at a time. Be sure to Save after each addition and test the links! Links can be removed by highlighting the existing hyperlink source and selecting Insert->Hyperlink. Click the Remove Hyperlink button.
Don’t check off item #6 on the to-do list yet! Back Matter is on the agenda for next time!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. It’s a big one too. Write the book, send the polished manuscript to an editor, critique partners, and beta-readers, write the tagline and blurbs, sign a contract for cover art, and purchase ISBNs. Front and Back Matter come next.
What is front and back matter?
Front and back matter are the pages before and after body of the book (the actual content or story).
Front matter consists of the title page, copyright page, dedication page, preface, and table of contents—the pages before the story. Not all items will be in all books. Inclusion of a table of contents will depend on the format (e-book or print), nonfiction or fiction, and author preference. Many print fiction books don’t include a TOC. E-books usually have bookmarked/hyperlinked TOCs so the reader can click on a chapter on the TOC page, and the link will take her directly to the first page of the corresponding chapter.
The title page is the first page of the book after the cover for both e-book and print formats. The title of the book and the author’s name should be large and easy to read. Depending on the length of the title, the lettering can be from 24- to 48-size text. Choose a font that matches the tone of the book and is readable. It can be the same as the cover font, but it doesn’t have to be. The author’s name should also be included on the title page. It can be larger, smaller, or the same size as the title. Center the title and author name on the page. Lots of white space ensures the reader isn’t distracted from the purpose of this page. The publisher’s logo is sometimes at the bottom of the title page.
The copyright page is next. Besides the title, author’s name with copyright year, publisher’s name, ISBN(s), and cover art designer copyright information, this page should also include reproduction and sharing statements.
**Here’s an example of copyright page content for an e-book:
Loved Served Hot
Copyright © 2013 Mellanie Szereto
Published by Amatoria Press
Cover art by Dragonfly Press Design
Word Count: 95,221
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author. To request permission to excerpt portions of this book, please contact the author at mellanieszereto@hotmail.com.
This story is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to real persons and/or events is coincidental.
This e-book is licensed for your personal use only and may not be re-sold or given away to people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please visit the e-book store of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
ISBN: 978-0-9911473-0-4
**Here’s an example for a print book:
Loved Served Hot
Copyright © 2013 Mellanie Szereto
Published by Amatoria Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-9911473-1-1
ISBN-10: 0991147316
Cover art by Dragonfly Press Design
Cover art and logos Copyright © 2013 Dragonfly Press Design
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author. To request permission to excerpt portions of this book, please contact the author at mellanieszereto@hotmail.com.
This story is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to real persons and/or events is coincidental.
**Note the addition of an e-book licensing and sharing statement in the first example. The print version doesn’t have digital content and doesn’t need this additional statement. Review several e-book and print book copyright pages for possible wording options. The order of content and the information contained in the examples isn’t required. Adjust to personal preference, making sure the page has a professional look. Use Insert->Symbol to add the copyright symbol.
The dedication page is optional, but it allows the author to recognize anyone who may have influenced her or the story. This is a great place to thank readers!
A preface is also optional and is often found in nonfiction books. It offers the author a place to tell how the project came about, the research methods used, specific ways to use and interpret the information in the book, etc.
The table of contents is useful in e-books, titled-rather-than-numbered-chapters print books, and in non-fiction print books. Print-book TOCs list the chapters and their corresponding page numbers. The TOC in an e-book should be bookmarked and hyperlinked so the reader can click on a chapter to go directly to its first page since page numbers can vary between devices and settings.
What is bookmarking and hyperlinking?
Bookmarks define a specific location within the document. Hyperlinks allow the author to link the bookmark to another location in the document—like the TOC—or a website. To create a bookmark, highlight the location where the bookmark is to be inserted, such as the heading Chapter 1 in the story. Use the Insert command to choose Bookmark. Give the bookmark a name like chapter1. Word for Mac 2011 doesn’t allow spaces and has a limited length for the bookmark name. Other versions of Word may differ. Click Add.
To create a hyperlink to the TOC, highlight the source (Chapter 1 in the TOC). Use the Insert command to choose Hyperlink. Choose Document, click inside the Anchor textbox, type in the bookmark name, and click Locate. A “Select Place in Document” pop-up box will appear. Be sure the correct bookmark is chosen and click OK. Chapter 1 in the TOC is now linked to the text Chapter 1 in the story. Again, these instructions are for Word for Mac 2011 and may differ slightly in other versions.
Repeat the bookmark and hyperlink process for all chapters. All bookmarks can be created before the hyperlinks are added, or complete one at a time. Be sure to Save after each addition and test the links! Links can be removed by highlighting the existing hyperlink source and selecting Insert->Hyperlink. Click the Remove Hyperlink button.
Don’t check off item #6 on the to-do list yet! Back Matter is on the agenda for next time!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Writing Tip Wednesday--Preparing the Finished Book Part 3
Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! Self-publishing offers writers another choice on the road to publication, whether they’re already traditionally published and/or e-press published, or unpublished. Although the author maintains control of the process, she also has a lot of hard work ahead of her. Education about self-publishing and the publishing industry is vital to a good product and creating a professional image.
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. So, butt in chair and write. Once the book has been written, the polished manuscript sent out to an editor, critique partners, and beta-readers, the tagline and blurbs written and tweaked, and the cover is in progress, ISBNs are next.
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. Libraries, bookstores, online retailers, readers, and bestseller lists use these numbers to identify books—much like social security numbers for people.
A book without an ISBN has one less method of discovery and its sales can’t be tracked for the bestseller lists. They’re optional at some self-publishing retail outlets. Others will assign or offer a free/low cost ISBN specifically for use with that outlet only. While this is an option, having multiple ISBNs makes the book more difficult to find. They also prevent sales from being pooled into a single count for the lists.
ISBNs can be purchased individually or in bundles from Bowker, the U.S. ISBN agency. Buy one, ten, or a hundred. The price per ISBN is greatly reduced by purchasing more than one at a time. An author who plans to self-publish a series of five books may opt for the ten-pack bundle. More books means more ISBNs needed.
A couple important points to remember when figuring the number of ISBNs to purchase...
E-book and print versions of the same title must have different ISBNs. Boxed sets also must have different ISBNs. Example: Five books in a series will be available in digital and print formats. That requires ten ISBNs—five e-book and five print. The entire series will be released as an e-book boxed set. Add one more, for a total of eleven ISBNs.
Is self-publishing part of a long-term career plan? If an author intends to release many books over a long career path, a hundred-pack bundle could be much cheaper per book. Example (based on August 2014 prices): 1 ISBN=$125.00; 10 ISBNs=$295.00; 100 ISBNs=$575.00. Ignoring possible price increases, the cost for 100 ISBNs will be $12,500.00 if purchased singly, $2950.00 if purchased in ten bundles of ten, and $575.00 if purchased as a hundred-pack. Using only twenty of the hundred-pack is cheaper per ISBN than the per ISBN cost of two bundles of ten. $28.75 vs. $29.50. Use more than twenty of the hundred, and the price per ISBN drops even lower—as low as $5.75 each if all are used.
The ISBN should be included on the copyright page of both e-books and print. It should also be placed on the back cover of the print version.
Although ISBNs are available for low cost or no cost on most retailers’ self-publishing platforms, a universal ISBN connects the book on all outlets, making it easier for readers/buyers to find. It also adds to the professional image of the book and offers a chance at hitting a bestseller list.
While not all authors can afford to purchase ISBNs, self-publishing is a business and may require an initial financial investment. Editors, cover artists, and ISBNs cost money. Don’t approach the decision to self-publish lightly!
Check off item #5 on the to-do list! Only 10 more to go!!!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. So, butt in chair and write. Once the book has been written, the polished manuscript sent out to an editor, critique partners, and beta-readers, the tagline and blurbs written and tweaked, and the cover is in progress, ISBNs are next.
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. Libraries, bookstores, online retailers, readers, and bestseller lists use these numbers to identify books—much like social security numbers for people.
A book without an ISBN has one less method of discovery and its sales can’t be tracked for the bestseller lists. They’re optional at some self-publishing retail outlets. Others will assign or offer a free/low cost ISBN specifically for use with that outlet only. While this is an option, having multiple ISBNs makes the book more difficult to find. They also prevent sales from being pooled into a single count for the lists.
ISBNs can be purchased individually or in bundles from Bowker, the U.S. ISBN agency. Buy one, ten, or a hundred. The price per ISBN is greatly reduced by purchasing more than one at a time. An author who plans to self-publish a series of five books may opt for the ten-pack bundle. More books means more ISBNs needed.
A couple important points to remember when figuring the number of ISBNs to purchase...
E-book and print versions of the same title must have different ISBNs. Boxed sets also must have different ISBNs. Example: Five books in a series will be available in digital and print formats. That requires ten ISBNs—five e-book and five print. The entire series will be released as an e-book boxed set. Add one more, for a total of eleven ISBNs.
Is self-publishing part of a long-term career plan? If an author intends to release many books over a long career path, a hundred-pack bundle could be much cheaper per book. Example (based on August 2014 prices): 1 ISBN=$125.00; 10 ISBNs=$295.00; 100 ISBNs=$575.00. Ignoring possible price increases, the cost for 100 ISBNs will be $12,500.00 if purchased singly, $2950.00 if purchased in ten bundles of ten, and $575.00 if purchased as a hundred-pack. Using only twenty of the hundred-pack is cheaper per ISBN than the per ISBN cost of two bundles of ten. $28.75 vs. $29.50. Use more than twenty of the hundred, and the price per ISBN drops even lower—as low as $5.75 each if all are used.
The ISBN should be included on the copyright page of both e-books and print. It should also be placed on the back cover of the print version.
Although ISBNs are available for low cost or no cost on most retailers’ self-publishing platforms, a universal ISBN connects the book on all outlets, making it easier for readers/buyers to find. It also adds to the professional image of the book and offers a chance at hitting a bestseller list.
While not all authors can afford to purchase ISBNs, self-publishing is a business and may require an initial financial investment. Editors, cover artists, and ISBNs cost money. Don’t approach the decision to self-publish lightly!
Check off item #5 on the to-do list! Only 10 more to go!!!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Writing Tip Wednesday: Preparing the Finished Book Part 2
Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! Self-publishing offers writers another choice on the road to publication, whether they’re already traditionally published and/or e-press published, or unpublished. Although the author maintains control of the process, she also has a lot of hard work ahead of her. Education about self-publishing and the publishing industry is vital to a good product and creating a professional image.
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. So, butt in chair and write. Once the book has been written, the polished manuscript sent out to an editor, critique partners, and beta-readers, and the tagline and blurbs written and tweaked, the story needs a Cover.
Research cover artists before the time comes to hire one. Ask for referrals and recommendations from other authors. Attend trade shows and check out each company’s/individual’s work. Search online for both original and stock covers.
Cover artists sometimes have a particular style that shows in every cover they create. Does the style fit the story/series? Will the same style carry through to each cover in the series?
Compare prices and what the price includes. Does the quoted price include a maximum number of changes to the proposed artwork? The author should have the final okay. Will the artist create multiple sizes of the cover for all the publishing platforms? What about print covers?
Check turnaround times. Can the cover be ready by the author’s planned reveal and release dates? Some artists are in high demand and may need to complete other projects first.
Does the contractor offer services like creating promotional artwork for bookmarks, post cards, magnets, etc. that complements the cover? Will she design a logo to fit the author’s publishing company name? Think author and book branding!
Always get a signed contract with an itemized list of all services and charges. It should also include a release statement on how the artwork may be used, like promotion and advertising in addition to book cover. Read and understand the contract BEFORE signing!
What makes an effective cover?
The text should be legible in thumbnail size. A reader’s first look at the cover is often a small size on the retailer’s site, whether in a bestsellers list, search list, or recommended buys list.
The cover should fit the story. An erotic romance shouldn’t have a cover that suggests inspirational or young adult romance. Young adult and inspirational books with erotic covers attract the wrong target audience as well. Be aware of retailers’ rules about adult content. Erotic romance covers with partial and full nudity are often flagged as not suitable for general searches, making the book more difficult for readers to find.
Use eye-friendly colors. Readers are usually drawn to covers with pleasing colors. Be sure the colors work well with the tone of the story.
Avoid using too many elements. An overly busy cover turns off readers instead of drawing their attention. Keep simplicity in mind when making suggestions to the artist.
The author’s name is as important as the title. Many readers make purchases based on the author of the book rather than the title. Choose a font and size that will work well on the entire series, and consider using the same font and size on all self-published books for a more recognizable name. Buyers can and do remember authors by the way their names look on covers.
Good covers help sell books. A poorly designed cover translates into a poorly written book to most readers—whether conscious or not—and a lost sale. Unless the author has exceptional artistic talent, is very skilled in Photoshop, and is knowledgeable about the retailers’ required formats and sizes, her best option is to leave the cover to a professional.
Check off the next item on the to-do list! Only 11 more to go!!!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. So, butt in chair and write. Once the book has been written, the polished manuscript sent out to an editor, critique partners, and beta-readers, and the tagline and blurbs written and tweaked, the story needs a Cover.
Research cover artists before the time comes to hire one. Ask for referrals and recommendations from other authors. Attend trade shows and check out each company’s/individual’s work. Search online for both original and stock covers.
Cover artists sometimes have a particular style that shows in every cover they create. Does the style fit the story/series? Will the same style carry through to each cover in the series?
Compare prices and what the price includes. Does the quoted price include a maximum number of changes to the proposed artwork? The author should have the final okay. Will the artist create multiple sizes of the cover for all the publishing platforms? What about print covers?
Check turnaround times. Can the cover be ready by the author’s planned reveal and release dates? Some artists are in high demand and may need to complete other projects first.
Does the contractor offer services like creating promotional artwork for bookmarks, post cards, magnets, etc. that complements the cover? Will she design a logo to fit the author’s publishing company name? Think author and book branding!
Always get a signed contract with an itemized list of all services and charges. It should also include a release statement on how the artwork may be used, like promotion and advertising in addition to book cover. Read and understand the contract BEFORE signing!
What makes an effective cover?
The text should be legible in thumbnail size. A reader’s first look at the cover is often a small size on the retailer’s site, whether in a bestsellers list, search list, or recommended buys list.
The cover should fit the story. An erotic romance shouldn’t have a cover that suggests inspirational or young adult romance. Young adult and inspirational books with erotic covers attract the wrong target audience as well. Be aware of retailers’ rules about adult content. Erotic romance covers with partial and full nudity are often flagged as not suitable for general searches, making the book more difficult for readers to find.
Use eye-friendly colors. Readers are usually drawn to covers with pleasing colors. Be sure the colors work well with the tone of the story.
Avoid using too many elements. An overly busy cover turns off readers instead of drawing their attention. Keep simplicity in mind when making suggestions to the artist.
The author’s name is as important as the title. Many readers make purchases based on the author of the book rather than the title. Choose a font and size that will work well on the entire series, and consider using the same font and size on all self-published books for a more recognizable name. Buyers can and do remember authors by the way their names look on covers.
Good covers help sell books. A poorly designed cover translates into a poorly written book to most readers—whether conscious or not—and a lost sale. Unless the author has exceptional artistic talent, is very skilled in Photoshop, and is knowledgeable about the retailers’ required formats and sizes, her best option is to leave the cover to a professional.
Check off the next item on the to-do list! Only 11 more to go!!!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Writing Tip Wednesday: Preparing the Finished Book Part 1
Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! Self-publishing offers writers another choice on the road to publication, whether they’re already traditionally published and/or e-press published, or unpublished. Although the author maintains control of the process, she also has a lot of hard work ahead of her. Education about self-publishing and the publishing industry is vital to a good product and creating a professional image.
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. So, butt in chair and write. Once the book has been written, it needs to go through multiple rounds of self-editing, editing, critiquing, and/or beta-reading. This process shouldn’t be rushed.
Self-editing is often easier if the story isn’t fresh in the author’s mind. By setting aside the manuscript for several days to several months, typos and missed words are more noticeable. Pacing issues are more obvious and timeline problems come to the forefront. Repetitive sentence structure, repeat words, and awkward wording stand out. Keep a style guide, like Chicago Manual of Style, handy if grammar and punctuation are weak areas. Refer to craft-specific resources, such as Deb Dixon’s book about GMC, to review writing craft topics during self-editing. Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook offers suggestions on how to effectively self-edit and formulate a method that works best for the individual.
Once the story has been thoroughly edited, it’s ready for critique partners, beta-readers, and/or a professional editor. Get feedback from people with many different strengths—one who’s great at catching comma errors, another who notices logic lapses or poor characterization, someone else who sees POV issues. Using their strengths helps the author compensate for her weaknesses.
Good feedback is constructive and clear, with examples of how to correct problems, not only a this-is-wrong approach. It also provides positive comments on great dialogue, effective plot twists, etc. Trust is a very important element in this step. Critique partners, beta-readers, and editors should not rewrite parts of the story without permission. The author has the final say and doesn’t have to make all the recommended changes. It’s her book.
A few words on hiring freelance developmental, copy, and line editors...
Always check the person’s list of qualifications. Anyone can claim to be an editor. Ask for references or ask a fellow author for a referral if she has an amazing editor. Compare prices and turnaround times. Plan ahead. Most good editors are busy! Be sure a signed contract is part of the editor’s standard operating procedure before work is begun.
While the story is off with the editing team and the plot is still clear, the author can create blurbs and a tagline for use in promotion and retail book information. Taglines are short, usually less than 10 words. Think of it as a way to catch the attention of the reader and brand the book. Blurbs are longer, from 25 to 150 words, and tell just enough about the plot and characters to hook the reader. They take tweaking to make them precise and attention grabbing. Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook has tips for creating effective blurbs and taglines. Get feedback on those as well.
Check off the first 3 items on the to-do list! Only 12 more to go!!!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
No matter which publishing path an author chooses, Preparing the Finished Book for publication is the first step. So, butt in chair and write. Once the book has been written, it needs to go through multiple rounds of self-editing, editing, critiquing, and/or beta-reading. This process shouldn’t be rushed.
Self-editing is often easier if the story isn’t fresh in the author’s mind. By setting aside the manuscript for several days to several months, typos and missed words are more noticeable. Pacing issues are more obvious and timeline problems come to the forefront. Repetitive sentence structure, repeat words, and awkward wording stand out. Keep a style guide, like Chicago Manual of Style, handy if grammar and punctuation are weak areas. Refer to craft-specific resources, such as Deb Dixon’s book about GMC, to review writing craft topics during self-editing. Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook offers suggestions on how to effectively self-edit and formulate a method that works best for the individual.
Once the story has been thoroughly edited, it’s ready for critique partners, beta-readers, and/or a professional editor. Get feedback from people with many different strengths—one who’s great at catching comma errors, another who notices logic lapses or poor characterization, someone else who sees POV issues. Using their strengths helps the author compensate for her weaknesses.
Good feedback is constructive and clear, with examples of how to correct problems, not only a this-is-wrong approach. It also provides positive comments on great dialogue, effective plot twists, etc. Trust is a very important element in this step. Critique partners, beta-readers, and editors should not rewrite parts of the story without permission. The author has the final say and doesn’t have to make all the recommended changes. It’s her book.
A few words on hiring freelance developmental, copy, and line editors...
Always check the person’s list of qualifications. Anyone can claim to be an editor. Ask for references or ask a fellow author for a referral if she has an amazing editor. Compare prices and turnaround times. Plan ahead. Most good editors are busy! Be sure a signed contract is part of the editor’s standard operating procedure before work is begun.
While the story is off with the editing team and the plot is still clear, the author can create blurbs and a tagline for use in promotion and retail book information. Taglines are short, usually less than 10 words. Think of it as a way to catch the attention of the reader and brand the book. Blurbs are longer, from 25 to 150 words, and tell just enough about the plot and characters to hook the reader. They take tweaking to make them precise and attention grabbing. Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook has tips for creating effective blurbs and taglines. Get feedback on those as well.
Check off the first 3 items on the to-do list! Only 12 more to go!!!
The To-Do List
1) Finish the book.
2) Polish and edit the book.
3) Write taglines and blurbs.
4) Create or purchase cover art.
5) Purchase ISBNs, if using a single ISBN for all retailers using the same book format (print or e-book).
6) Create front and back matter.
7) Format for e-book and/or print.
8) Update website, blog, and social media.
9) Create metadata list.
10) Plan a marketing and promotion strategy.
11) Publish the book.
12) File copyright paperwork, if registering.
13) Add buy links to websites, blogs, and social media.
14) Implement marketing and promotion strategies.
15) Write the next book!
Be sure to check out the writing craft series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Craft Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace, and the writing career series, Writing Tip Wednesday: The Writing Career Handbook, in e-book at Amazon and B&N and in print at Amazon and CreateSpace.
Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
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