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Order Publishing Credits Today & Save Money on BookBaby’s ePublishing Packages

Order Publishing Credits Today & Save Money on BookBaby’s ePublishing Packages

by on May 22, 2013 in BookBaby News, eBook Distribution

Publishing Credits for BookBaby

Last chance for current Standard and Premium ePublishing prices.

Our Standard and Premium ePublishing packages are changing on June 1st. We’ll be including more in each package, and as a result, the price will go up. So, if you want to take advantage of our current pricing, act now and purchase BookBaby Publishing Credits.

Our current Standard ePublishing package, which includes ePub conversion as well as conversion of up to 10 graphic elements, costs $149. This gives you access to our extensive retail distribution network, which includes Amazon, Apple’s iTunes Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and more.

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6 Essential Tips For Your Own Stay-at-Home Writing Retreat

6 Essential Tips For Your Own Stay-at-Home Writing Retreat

by on May 21, 2013 in Writing Tips

Writing Retreat[This post was written by guest contributor Beth Barany, author The Writer's Adventure Guide: 12 Stages to Writing Your Book.]

We all want to get our writing done. A writer writes, after all. But what to do when you have a busy life, a full-time job, family, and necessary obligations like health, and oh, sleep? One way to handle getting your writing done is to set up your very own Stay-at-Home Writing Retreat. In fact, because I’m publishing my second novel soon, I go on a writing retreat just about every Friday and Saturday. You can do something similar.

Create your own stay-at-home writing retreat.

What: Typically, writing retreats involve going away, far from everyday obligations, and focusing solely on your writing. Retreats can vary in length, anything from a few days to a few months…

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Funding for Writers: How to Get a Grant

Funding for Writers: How to Get a Grant

by on May 14, 2013 in Self Publishing, Writing Tips

Grants for WritersA writer’s guide to getting grants

[This article was written by guest contributor C. Hope Clark, editor of FundsforWriters.com.]

Grants exist for many writing opportunities, and authors dream of that magic money to jumpstart their careers and support them as they embark in their profession. These are funds that do not have to be repaid and are to aid you in your writing efforts. However, grants are tools, not a mainstay, and as long as we see them as an occasional resource like winning a contest or landing a gig in a magazine, we can utilize them in furthering our profession.

But no two grants are alike. Let’s look at the types of grants out there and see which might be opportunity for your efforts to become a full-time writer.

State Arts Commissions

Each state in the US has one, and each state has different programs.

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What Authors Need to Know About Crowdfunding

What Authors Need to Know About Crowdfunding

by on May 7, 2013 in Self Publishing

Crowdfunding for Authors

Crowdfunding tips for writers

[This article was written by guest contributor Justine Schofield of Pubslush, a crowdfunding publishing platform.]

Crowdfunding is the next big thing in the publishing world. Crowdfunding platforms offer artists a way to mitigate financial risk and gauge initial market viability for creative projects.

In an age where even established authors are choosing to self-publish, crowdfunding is becoming an increasingly prominent facet to the publication landscape. So, as an author, what do you need to know?

1. More than half the work of crowdfunding happens pre-campaign.

By the time you launch your campaign, you should have already built your network and developed a clear and proactive marketing strategy. At Pubslush, we suggest our authors develop a week-by-week plan prior to the launch of their campaign. You can’t expect to throw your book up on a crowdfunding site and have people financially back you. Networking and planning are the keys to success.

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The Top 3 Myths About Writing Contests

The Top 3 Myths About Writing Contests

by on April 29, 2013 in Writing Tips

Writing Contests[This article was written by guest contributor C. Hope Clark, editor of FundsforWriters.com.]

Whenever I’m speaking at a conference and I mention writing contests, I can see the room divide. Half remain open minded. The other half instantly thinks scam!, or waste of time. In one fell swoop, loaded with facts and motivation, I make it my goal to win the room over, bringing everyone to the same sheet of music: Contests are a Great Tool to boost your writing career.

Contests aren’t sweepstakes; they are challenges. They judge writing quality and reward those with talent. What’s wrong with that? Let’s dispel the myths of writing contests and see if I can bring you around.

Writing Contest Myth #1: contests are scams.

The overwhelming majority of contests are legitimate events. If you aren’t certain about the validity of a contest, do the following:

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Order Our Premium Publishing Package by 4/30 and Save $50!

Order Our Premium Publishing Package by 4/30 and Save $50!

by on April 25, 2013 in eBook Distribution

Publish eBooks

Order our Premium Publishing package by 4/30/13 and save $50.

BookBaby makes it easy to sell your eBook in the world’s largest bookstores, including Amazon, iTunes Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and more. And with our Premium Publishing Package you can get published quickly and with absolute peace of mind.

With Premium Publishing you get:

  • conversion of your document to ePub and .mobi files
  • distribution to the largest network of online bookstores
  • an ePub proof
  • conversion of up to 50 free images
  • priority delivery to retailers
  • and tons more
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How to Correctly Format Your Book Interior Using Word: Word Templates for Proper Book Formatting

How to Correctly Format Your Book Interior Using Word: Word Templates for Proper Book Formatting

by on April 23, 2013 in eBook Formatting, Self Publishing

How to Design a Book Using WordThe good, the bad, and the ugly in book interiors. 

Yes, I’ve seen them all. For years, as a book designer and a blogger at The Book Designer blog, I’ve looked at hundreds of self-published books, and let me tell you, it’s not a pretty picture.

Sure, there are lots of authors who have taken the time to learn the details of how books are put together, and made a good job of their books.

And there are plenty of enterprising authors who have hired a professional designer to create the interior of their book, and of course those look quite fine, no problem there.

No, it’s the other ones, the books put together by well-meaning authors who really want to succeed but, for one reason or another, are unclear on how exactly to go about it. Those are the ones that have big problems.

The Problem with Amateur Book Interiors

What kind of problems? For something that looks as simple as a book, you might wonder where exactly these people go wrong.

Here’s just a taste of the kinds of errors I’ve been seeing in self-published books:

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Using Beats to Bring Your Dialogue to Life: Turn the Beat Around

Using Beats to Bring Your Dialogue to Life: Turn the Beat Around

by on April 22, 2013 in Writing Tips

How to Write Better DialogI’ve talked about using dialogue to bring characters to life. Today I’d like to discuss the importance of using beats.

A “beat” is a description of the physical action a character makes while speaking, and good beats can bring your characters to life and make your dialogue pop right off the page.

Beats can also help you show your readers instead of telling them. (Misuse of show, not tell is a common mistake many first-time authors make. Remember that readers don’t like to be told what to think!)

Here are three examples of the power of a good beat.

Which of the following sentences make you feel more connected to what is happening?

EXAMPLE #1:

A) “I told you, I’m not going!” John shouted, furious.

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How Online Writing Workshops Can Skyrocket Your Creativity

How Online Writing Workshops Can Skyrocket Your Creativity

by on April 16, 2013 in Writing Tips

Online Writing Workshop4 ways to improve your writing through an online writing workshop

Writing is by nature a solitary profession. Whether you’re just starting to explore your love of words or are wrapping up a novel, you can benefit from online writing workshops. They offer numerous benefits to writers at all levels and can give your creativity a boost. Consider these ways you will be able to harness your creative writing powers by participating in one right now.

1. You have a set schedule for writing

Writing is like a muscle. If you don’t exercise regularly, you get flabby. At the beginning of a new workout schedule, most people are very enthusiastic. They tend to lose interest within the first month or so when distractions get in the way or their muscles start to protest. Joining a fitness class or playing a team sport is one way to stay on track. You have other people to keep you accountable.

You need to learn to exercise your writing muscle on a regular schedule. Signing up for an online writer’s workshop means you will be working at your craft even on days when the words don’t come easily, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You can gain the skills necessary to work through times when you struggle to find the right way to express yourself or you just get something down, knowing that you can come back to it later when your creativity well is a bit higher.

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Should I Just Publish an eBook?

Should I Just Publish an eBook?

by on April 15, 2013 in eBook Distribution

When is it Right to Publish an eBook?When I speak at workshops and conferences, and we’re delving into the whys and wherefores of finding a publisher, a question invariably arises: “Should I just go ahead and publish an eBook?”

I fight to hold back the sigh, because the image of an eBook shouldn’t be that of last resort. However, the ease that has developed in publishing eBooks has unfortunately been misinterpreted as a chance to publish when other hopes are gone.

Via emails with the disheartened, I see all the wrong reasons for creating an eBook:

  • Rejected by agents and publishers —

One author thought twelve rejections was too much to bear, so he self-published his story as an eBook.

  • Traditional takes too long —

Young writers say they have to make a name for themselves electronically to be current and savvy like Amanda Hocking, and they rush to join the traffic of writers making big bucks online. Senior writers say they don’t have enough years left to wait for all the steps of traditional publishing.

  • Traditional is too complicated to learn —

The Barnes & Noble Glossary of Book Terms might make your head spin (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/oopbooks/s_out_of_print_glossary.asp ), but if you don’t understand the business, how do you know you’re making the right decision for that story you’ve slaved over for months, even years?

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