person holding orange pen
Self-Publishing, Updates

News in Publishing and Book Writing

I found an interesting website for writers looking to publish with a true publisher or go in literary competitions, one that will save you ‘bags of time’. It is called DuoTrope and is free to join, with small tips for submitting to the publishers. I recommend it because the listings are all updated; they’re sifting through the wheat and chaff for you. Their book submission manager helps authors keep track of submissions, and that’s called Duosuma. When I was doing the Rabbit Hole Challenge writing day, I made a donation to QWC (Writer’s Centre). Then to my surprise, I won this bag! I only completed 1.5 hours of writing my book but it helped get me back ‘into the groove’. What things do you do to get your book writing going?A New Write – Edit – Format ToolAnother new discovery……
Read more
how much does book publishing cost
Self-Publishing

How Much Does Publishing a Book Cost?

Here we’re mainly talking about costs of self-publishing a print book within Australia. Usually, an eBook-only publication can be done with only editing and minor ebook cover design costs. Read all of this article before going to Amazon or IngramSpark with your final file, so you can set yourself up for success.How much does it cost to self-publish a book on Amazon? Amazon KDP is the leading self-publishing platform, and it is free to publish a book there. But wait. Publishing your book to Amazon, IngramSpark or Blurb is the final step in the print-on-demand publishing process. First there are other cost considerations to do with getting your new book ready to be published.Although the cost to publish on Amazon is zero, and $65 or so to publish at IngramSpark, you shouldn’t publish your book ‘raw’. To self-publish your book with quality in mind, you will invest…
Read more
arts grants explained
Self-Publishing, Updates

Does your writing benefit Australia? Arts Grants explained

Many a time we wish for money to help push our creative work forward. But did you know if you make your plan grander, for the betterment of Australia, you can access cash arts grants! Arts Grants: what are they for?An arts project funded by the Australian Arts Council has to benefit Australia in a cultural or other diverse way. You must be a citizen or permanent resident, and you have to already be an ‘arts worker’ – i.e. book writer. (Not a never published one).For example, say, a book writing project on Australian history of white man’s invasion will be beneficial to culture. This would be a high priority arts project and could potentially be granted. These types of activities can be funded:professional skills development, including mentoring and residencies (book writing mentoring included)the creation of new workpractice based researchcreative…
Read more
Kindle Select ebook publishing
Self-Publishing, Selling eBooks and Media

Why Choose Kindle Select?

I have only one title able to enrol in Kindle Select, as with my own books I thought it best to go wide since Aussies love their iOS devices (iBooks), however, most new authors who have no platform to sell from yet are inclined to go for the narrower Kindle Select distribution option. Let’s look into why.About Kindle Select  (from Amazon KDP)When you choose to enrol your book in KDP Select, you’re committing to make the digital format of that book available exclusively through KDP. During the period of exclusivity (90 days), you cannot distribute your book digitally anywhere else, including on your website, iBooks, Google Play, etc. It is important that you heed the notices and act if you want to OPT OUT of the program after 90 days.  If you don’t want to renew, simply go to the…
Read more
self-publishing mentor to guide
Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing Mentor to Guide You

IT IS SO HARD TO BECOME AN INDIE AUTHOR and BE SUCCESSFUL. (That’s why you may need a self-publishing mentor).In my enthusiasm for writing useful books, I didn’t realise the absolute sh#t you have to deal with being a self-published author of any kind.There is a lack of book distribution partners who deal with us… I mean the kind that take 70% and give you access to the Big W, Target, and franchise bookstores.There is a lack of retailer co-operation on things like retail price points (my blog about these problems!) or any showcasing of Australian authors, unless you have a corporation. Although, if you have a Society of Authors (ASA) membership, at least you can turn to them for member support rather than flail alone.It’s true that I like to share my findings with all the new book authors…
Read more
Blurb Book Publishing Review
Self-Publishing

A Blurb Book Publishing Review

I’ve talked about IngramSpark, Amazon and Reedsy, but never reviewed Blurb. With image-rich books as a point of difference, Blurb book publishing has two parts: one for the hobbyist putting their photos into a book for the family treasure chest, and the other for offering colour trade books. This post contains affiliate links and if you click on them, we may get a commission from the company out of what you paid.To be fair, the hardback, gloss paper photo book option is also useful for designers and photographers to showcase their work. Make sure you use the “au” site if Australian, e.g. au.blurb.com. Once registered and logged in, you can choose ‘personal’ or ‘business’ and fill out your author details. Looks to me like Product Reviews aren’t what they should be, with a 2.8* out of 5 on average. One…
Read more
Filters