Self-Publishing Archives | Page 3 of 10 | Jennifer Lancaster

May 3, 2025

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…

January 12, 2022

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…

May 16, 2025

Self-Publishing

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…

February 17, 2023

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…

January 13, 2021

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.…

December 23, 2020

Book Writing, Self-Publishing

How to Motivate Yourself to Write (and Finish) a Book

Towards the start of the new year, my thoughts turn to how writers can motivate themselves to write and finish a book. It pains me to think of all those amazing books going unpublished or not promoted, just because of a lack of confidence, so let’s find out some motivation tips. When I’m trying to finish my own books and in need of motivation, I think about other people’s problems. I believe the power of writing is not in the medium – as readers enjoy books, ebooks or courses – it’s in the targeted solution to very real problems today. Young people growing up now need to see and hear your message, if that message is of a life-guiding nature, because very few have yet to recognise the most important priorities in life, e.g.: Health Family and friends The doing…