Self-Publishing Archives | Page 10 of 10 | Jennifer Lancaster

March 17, 2017

Options for your Book and Publisher Commissions

Self-publishing authors often look at ways to improve their look and feel of their book. One way you can do this is through thicker paper. IngramSpark (open to self-publishers and small presses) has just introduced 105 gsm paper stock. This stock (in white) would be the pick if you have colour plates in your book or simply want a quality feel for your non-fiction book. Interior book layout / formatting can also improve the final result of your book. With a well-spaced book, including each new section on a right hand page, it can expand and improve the overall look of it. Extra leading (line spacing) can also help improve the legibility for readers. We recommend 1.25 line spacing (16 pt leading) with use of a serif font. You can request a colour sample from IngramSpark to be sent in…

February 13, 2015

Book Editing, Self-Publishing

Traditional vs. Self-Publishing Book Quality

A lot of people don’t know that I am still very open to the idea of getting traditionally published for some projects; it’s just that realistically it is a tough journey. As an author, if you want to concentrate mainly on writing and there seems to be a call for your book’s concept in the mass market right now, then keep on that trail. I suggest you speak to as many literary agents as you can, to suss out the chances for your story. Sometimes it’s a matter of knowing what each publisher is currently hunting for, and for that only a commissioning editor or a literary agent can help. A mass market published book has to meet a high standard in quality, especially so that bookstore buyers see it as an attractive package. That’s why publishers seek out the…

January 22, 2015

Self-Publishing

The Skinny on Book Formatting

Most independent authors rightly think that they have to format their print book in a classic, consistent style. But many are worried that employing a book designer will cost them plenty, with custom formatting of interiors running from $500 to $900 or more, depending upon how many images to improve and insert. Half-Price Book Formatting While you could spend many hours learning Adobe InDesign or advanced Microsoft Word, there is a third alternative. Power of Words can show you some different designs. Then, using a pre-made template and the skills to tie the front cover typeface to the interior, we’ll deliver you a well-designed book interior at half the usual design price (around $300 – 400, also depending on length/complexity). To complement this design, we suggest the services of NGirlDesign, who charges only A$220 for a simple book cover, including…

March 27, 2020

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing in Australia – a 360 degree View

Clear-thinking author Clea Saal, espouses, “we believe, because we want it to be true”… This applies whether talking about self-publishing or anything else. Any writer working hard to write and promote their book has high expectations… and the self-publishing author assistance companies play on that hope in their marketing. Some authors truly believe that they will get an offer at Hay House by publishing through Balboa Press, for example. After all, BP say they are a division of Hay House all through their website. No mention of probabilities. (Find out more in Penny’s ‘authors: are you being scammed’ article at Huff Post). Self-publishing in Australia is no different to America and rest of the world. Thousands of hopeful authors (fiction or non-fiction), few traditional publishers accepting unsolicited submissions, and a fight for bookshelf space and online eyeballs. A perfect storm…

May 4, 2014

Self-Publishing

Oh, the Nightmare of Self-Publishing Author Services

For many authors, first time self-publishing turns into a nightmare beyond all proportions. One type of plague is the Who’s Who yearbook or the International Poetry book who thrive on the vanity of novice writers to see their works in print. End result: expensive and unmarketable. The other type of plague is the Vanity Press or Author Services company (often from a larger publishing house). A wolf in sheep’s clothing, vanity presses never admit they are such but make you pay quite high costs per book. In differentiation, Jennifer Lancaster’s packages (delivered personally) come with full transparency of pricing and service, and are not tied to any number of books ordered. We are not a front for a large conglomerate and we don’t have sales teams. You’ve probably seen Balboa Press when you Googled self-publishing. Before venturing forth, just have…