How to Publish a Book

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A model modeling the effects of great tension in writing.

How to Use Tension in Writing

Tension can arise from anywhere — in a simple conversation, a family dinner, a job interview, or even with a...

A collection of word magnets representing the idea that all language is invented, including made-up words.

The Purpose of Made-Up Words in Stories

Have you ever read a book and come across a word you’d never heard or seen before? At first, you...

A sea of people, all of whom might share a voice in the fourth person point of view.

Fourth Person Point of View

Fourth person point of view is a unique and rarely used perspective in stories.  First person gives us “I.” Second...

A character waves at the camera, which is a sign of a writer not knowing how to introduce a character.

How to Introduce a Character: 5 Key Methods

A character’s introduction is one of the most important parts of your story. Done well, your reader can make a...

A fencing match is one of many scenes you can write once you know how to write a fight scene.

How to Write a Fight Scene in 6 Steps

Learning how to write a fight scene isn’t really about choreography. It’s about tension and what’s truly at stake for...

An eye peering through a page, symbolizing a point of view in literature.

Point of View in Literature

There is no “correct” approach to point of view in literature. Your sole consideration is how you want your reader...

A person at a traditional working desk with splashes of color to suggest a new and old mix for hybrid publishing
Blog
Alan Watt

Hybrid Publishing Explained

Most writers consider taking one of two publishing routes:  In recent years, a third approach has gained momentum and merits consideration: hybrid

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A stack of money in a pair of hands suggests the question how much do writers make
Blog
Alan Watt

How Much Do Writers Make?

If you find yourself asking Google “How much do writers make?” you’re not alone. But the answer is not so straightforward. Some

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Recent posts

A picture of towering skyscrapers suggest the metaphor of success offered by good self-publishing companies

A Guide to the Best Self-Publishing Companies

If you’ve started searching for the best self-publishing companies, you’ve probably noticed something interesting. Every platform promises something different. One...

Hands shaking, lightness suggests how to get a book deal

How to Get a Book Deal: The 6-Step Process

You’ve finished your manuscript and you want to get a book deal with a traditional publisher. Where do you start? ...

A door leading open to nature, writing portfolio as a freeing element

Build a Writing Portfolio That Opens Doors

“Can you send me your writing portfolio?” For many writers, that’s the moment everything stops. You might feel like a...

A woman with piqued interest to suggest how writing a good book proposal will get you the attention your novel needs

How to Write a Book Proposal That Gets Noticed

If you’re writing a nonfiction book that doesn’t follow a narrative (e.g., self-help, how-to guides, or business material), you don’t...

A person at a traditional working desk with splashes of color to suggest a new and old mix for hybrid publishing

Hybrid Publishing Explained

Most writers consider taking one of two publishing routes:  In recent years, a third approach has gained momentum and merits...

A kindle being held up in a frame for the kindlepreneur to be invited into this blog

The Kindlepreneur Mindset: Combining Creativity and Business Acumen

The term “kindlepreneur” is a combination of “Kindle” and “entrepreneur,” describing a self-published author who approaches their writing and book...

A person staring at a big volume of books suggests that it is important to know what is an imprint

What is an Imprint and How Does it Work?

What is an imprint? This is one of those publishing terms that gets mentioned but is rarely explained. Most beginning...

Peaceful picture of a woman writing in a journal with a coffee cup beside her to suggest how to write an author bio

How to Write an Author Bio 

Let’s be honest, writing an author bio is something we writers dread. The manuscript is ready to go, but now...

A stack of money in a pair of hands suggests the question how much do writers make

How Much Do Writers Make?

If you find yourself asking Google “How much do writers make?” you’re not alone. But the answer is not so...

Lightness suggested in book title ideas

Book Title Ideas: Tips and Techniques

At some point in every writing project, you end up staring at a blank space where the title should be. ...

The goal of how to get an ISBN suggested by old books and a golden light across them, a joy and oldness in their authority

How to Get an ISBN for Your Book 

If you’re wondering how to get an ISBN, let me help you.  The ISBN is one of those publishing steps...

Getting your work published in the widest available formats of epub vs mobi distinctions suggests lightness by this photo

Epub vs. Mobi: Which eBook Format Do You Need to Publish?

Most writers, deep in their first drafts, are not wondering about ebook file formats. But at some point, particularly if...

A woman sits stands affront a bookcase sort of dreaming to suggest that it's not unrealistic to ask how much does it cost to publish a book?

How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book? A Realistic Breakdown

At some point, after the manuscript is finished and the relief of typing “the end” has worn off, you start...

A wood figure being whittled to suggest how a work may look less refined if abridged vs. unabridged

Abridged vs. Unabridged: The Essentials of a Story

Considering the difference between a story that’s abridged vs. unabridged hints at something profound about what makes a story tick. ...

A hand with credit card in-hand and a laptop open suggests spending on amazon marketing services in a light and positive tone armed with the information of this article

Amazon Marketing Services Explained: Beginner’s Guide to Amazon Ads

You’ve completed your manuscript. You’ve gone through revision and editing. You’ve nailed down the cover and written a blurb you’re...

A truck filled with packages suggests the large volume to deal with when asking how to publish a book on amazon

How to Publish a Book on Amazon KDP (A Step-by-Step Guide) 

If you have done any research into self-publishing, you have probably seen the same name appearing everywhere: Kindle Direct Publishing...

A game is made of different copyright licenses to suggest that learning how to copyright a book may be a fun endeavor

How to Copyright a Book Like a Pro

In the world of digital publishing, intellectual property protection is more vital today than ever. Whether you are self-publishing on...

A pen touches down to paper neatly to suggest how to write a query letter

How to Write a Query Letter

Writing a query letter after finishing your manuscript can feel like climbing a second mountain you didn’t know was there. ...