Tag Archives: book cover design

Optional Ways to Market Your Book

Self publishing has become normal now but that wasn’t always so. There was a time self publishers, POD were considered not professional and were looked down upon and I find that this misconception still holds strength with some people. Which like many other misconceptions needs correction. The more you learn about the process and the marketing and the possibilities available to you the more this misconception can be discounted and a new way of thinking can be developed.

Take a look at amazon.com books if you want to feel more comfortable about writing and publishing a book. POD is a viable solution. AND you are not alone in proceeding down this path to fulfilling your dream.

https://www.ibpa-online.org/Login.aspx is an organization for self publishing authors and indie publishers and anyone interested in fulfilling a dream of making a book.

https://wwwsmashwords.com is a site to visit for information about ebooks production, sales and marketing.

And there are a boat-load of websites that offer different types of information for you to review. https://kindlepreneur.com/courses/  and the website over all offers information that might help you with the journey.

Thats it for now, I’ll be adding to this post as time goes on.

Remember, do something every day towards your book and self promotion.

Wishing you the best on your journey.

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Printed books are alive and doing well — Good Reader

good-reader-ebooks

Sounds a little scary. HOWEVER, printed books have gained!! The article presents some interesting stats…

As a book designer that news makes me happy. The article states “… paperback sales have increased by 8.9% giving further credence that people are switching back to print in greater numbers than originally thought….” And that the brick and mortar might still be there for all to enjoy… might take awhile…. and they are doing better than online sales, and this on the heels of the 20th anniversary of amazon.

“I think e-books are the modern equivalent of a Polaroid camera or LP record. There is a niche market that will always support it, and make it financially viable for publishers to produce digital editions.  The mass market though, experimented with e-books for awhile and decided that print is far more affordable and carries a true sense of ownership.” ~Michael Kozlowski for Good Reader.

I for one am happy to hear and have my feelings confirmed… PRINT IS NOT DEAD!

Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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The Power of Telling, not showing for book promotion

Tell the story.
Each book has a special audience,  talk to them.

Tell the details.
Remember,  you wrote the book… go back and read it as thought for the first time and see what you find.

Example in words the connection.
Everyone has an emotion that gets touched that makes them pay attention.

Don’t loose sight of what your passion is.
Share.

Tell the tension in a way that the reader wants to know more.

Promotion… create a series of ways to be heard.

  1. create a website
  2. tell stories
  3. postcards, book marks, and posters
  4. get that video on youtube

Contact me to help with your promotion. Start with a consulting session and we’ll build from there. I set up and train you to update your own website. So you can express yourself when the feeling is there. WordPress is pretty easy to comprehend.

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Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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Karrie Ross is an award winning author of a parenting book and childrens picture book.

Publishing a book challenges your brian… Huffington Post

Screen shot 2015-07-17 at 12.10.19 PMElaine Ambrose —Author, syndicated blogger, featured humor speaker, publisher, and retreat organizer knows that laughter – with wine – is the best medicine.

This was a delight to read this morning… so many articles are not written with a lightness and combines publishing a book, losing weight, and finding love all in one place…!

Seems like this author has it down…

And here is my shameless self promotion…. I really appreciated when she stated “hire a professional graphic artist to design a cover” as she really understands that  we pros make a difference. And then she continues with “Then the work begins as you market and promote your work. ” exampling further understanding that setting up the importance of a plan to promote your book…

Remember to look into my consulting, AND do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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Tip: Raining in California…interesting writing subjects

It never rains in California. Over the past 5-10 years that has become more true than we Californians want to believe. We are in a drought. I’m noticing more and more articles/posts/comments being created that center around how to life with and survive in this condition. In our digital world there doesn’t seem to ever be enough information.

So this is the writers cue to start writing their take on the subject in the news. Doesn’t have to be the drought, but look at what people are talking about… that “what is on their mind” and as yourself if that is your question too.

I consult with authors on a variety of subjects on the publishing road…. is their topic is clear, what the table of contents might list like, what are the things that will make their book more interesting, elements that inspire as well as promotion and were to begin.

Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

 

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A benefit of reading… fiction mostly

A short note about an article I found about reading fiction. And, maybe a tip for you non-fiction writers out there to add more stories to your manuscripts to assist in the overall acceptance and stickiness of your content.

reading-article-arts-com

http://mic.com/articles/104702/science-shows-something-surprising-about-people-who-love-reading-fiction

Remember do something everyday toward the creation and promotion of your book, product, or company. And contact me to help you get the best for the time spent.

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Traditional Publishing or Self Publishing and Promotion?

Traditional Publishing or Self Publishing… a question I get asked many times in initial conversations. There was a time when becoming an author was “like totally out there” and seen as unreachable for most of us. Then, something happened and Continue reading →

10 Publishing Tips that Assist – it’s the little things…

Here you are, thinking…what, how am I going to finish, design, publish and promote my book?
Some of you who are more familiar with my posts know I end with the statement of “Remember, do something every day toward…..” There is such power in this statement, please remember it.

Here are 10 things/actions/thoughts for you to consider:

  1. One of the things I found most daunting about writing a book was all the rewrites….UNTIL I realized how great the book turned out because of them.
  2. Research. One can never gather enough information. Whether it’s about your subject or how to self publish or promote. Spend time every day on the net reading
  3. Talk with like minded people. Open up to them and share your passions your book.
  4. Go read the first part of another book. Or the table of contents. Maybe the book is only about business, or even cooking…
  5. Go for a 15 min walk. Look at what’s around you… absorb
  6. Type in your website URL, look at your site and see how YOU react… is it what you thought? If not, change one thing and see how that works.
  7. Take out your camera/video/smart phone make a 30sec spot or shoot yourself doing something and write about it
  8. Go to or open a Google Account and set up google alerts
  9. Go to a book reading or signing…
  10. Talk to someone you don’t know and share these publishing tips

It’s nice to know that you can do things that help further your book or service. Even a laugh on the phone while talking to someone can open a door and move you to a new space. People like to be acknowledged as do you. Don’t miss a beat.

Remember, do something every day towards the production and promotion of your book, service, product or company… then contact me and let move it further forward.

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Book Design: Opinions. What’s yours?

Everyone has a opinion about your book design, especially the cover, really, just ask them. Opinions about how things “should” be…but, consider that for every person their opinion reflects an experience that reflects the where their viewpoint is based on. Their life experiences and motivations.

We don’t all have the same experiences but we all have similar neuro pathways that will fire up, say, when we see a specific color or listen to music. We respond. That is what a successful book cover design working with the title and subtitle creates… a response. And depending on how compelling your visual of an experience is equals how strong a response you will get. Your book needs to make you feel special first and then if the book designer has done her job thoughtfully, your audience will feel special too.

What compels you? What do you see first, the title or the image and how do you feel internally? Well designed covers sell books. Covers get you noticed. Covers are you amplified in a graphic representation of your passion. Not just anyone can make a cover that does all this and more. A professional book designer with years of experience will make a difference in how your book is considered just by the way their design imparts your concepts.

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Remember do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, product, service or company and contact me to schedule a time to discuss your project and move forward faster.

Time to publish my book, as well as market, promote, review, award shows and and and…

It is time again, to get back to the business at hand, which of course is to publish my book. You remember what that is right? The action that you take when you have a thought that just has to be shared, in words only you can relate. The words that keep you up at night and fill you with a great passion and fulfillment. The one and only action you want to do always and forever…without writers block to hold you back ….

Well, that sounds good in theory but after you’ve written your book out to manuscript form, proofed and double checked editied… now what? Who will design the cover. Who will layout the interior? Who will promote it to media outlets? Who will post daily to social media sites and converse with them…. who I ask … WHO? Kinda sounds like a Henny Penny nursery rhyme doesn’t it. Well, its not to far from that.

You realize, you will be the one unless you have an assistant or army of people who will do it for you. Most of us are the ones who pick up the next item on the checklist and start the learning process again. NOTE: once this new information is learned and actions are achieved… you will most likely move through it faster and happier and probably begin it even while you are writing your next book. YES, there will be a next one! YAY!

The best beginning is with what you know, but not always the best place to begin. Have I confused you yet? Think about it, say you really understand media, but without a cover design any work you put towards getting the news out there will be wasted since you really don’t have a product yet. Yes, your book is a product.

That’s why there are people like the book consultant, coach, designer, promotion and branding expert out there to help you through the tough “What’s next?” question and action to get and stay on the right course to creating a presence for you, your book and your concepts. There are many lists out there that can tell you what to do, I have lots here on my website. I have a list of award shows, a list of categories, a list of tips that will aide in your social media and blogging tips lists that will boggle your mind of all the options to do. In fact, that might be the reason you are here on my website, to check out all my services. Feel free to call me if there is a question not answered. We can set up a time for a 15 min. free discussion.

Knowing where you can go off the path can help you get to the end sooner, realizing that there are still several choices to make to even get there. Having another person list and guide the progress can be a time saving event.

As a self publishing author many skills are acquired along the way that will benefit you in all you do. Think about when you will be in front of an audience interested in your concepts, think of how empowered you’ll feel when you can answer any question about the how you did what you did that you are inspiring them to do.

This is how you can do that.

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Remember do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service, product or company. Contact me to set up a consulting session and get on the direct path.

 

Book: “By U.S. Bonds” a memoir of Gary U.S. Bonds – Branding

“By U. S. Bonds” was a fun book for me, I grew up with Gary’s big hit “A Quarter to Three” as a major dance tune… and to know his career continues just made me happy to be a part of it all. Gary’s website http://www.garyusbonds.com/ gives you a complete update of what they are doing to promote the book.

“A worthwhile rock ‘n’ roll memoir, and an inspiring story about following one’s bliss.” ~Kirkus Reviews Rock and roll legend Gary U.S. Bonds tells the story of his more than five decades in pop, soul, and rhythm and blues. From Sam Cooke to Bruce Springsteen, Bonds’ memoir is about friends and family, staying relevant, and how to avoid becoming another rock and roll casualty. Co-Author Stephen Cooper. Foreword by Steven Van Zandt.

The book is now being taken to the UK for more venues…

PROJECT SPECS:

This project involved the hardcover dust jacket, paperback version, CD face and case; promotional mailer; book signing invitation, book banner for promotional use; t-shirts and postcard designs. I applied brand concepts to all aspects of this project to maintain a consistent look and recognition.

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professional-book-cover-and-interior-design

Having a Professional Book Design for your Cover and Interior

The Importance of having a Professional Book Design for  your Cover and Interior

Congratulations!  You finally finished writing your very first book and are ready to make a fortune by offering it to the public.  You have spent countless hours with research, typing, proofreading, editing, and re-editing to create the most informative and engaging publication imaginable.  All you have to do is slap a cover on it and post an advertisement on Amazon, and the money will start rolling in.  Unfortunately, this is how millions of first-time authors, novelists and entrepreneurs approach the marketing of their first book.

In order for any book or publication to achieve these highest levels of massive sales, some very critical factors must be taken into consideration.  The design of the book cover is critical, acting as a sort of “Billboard” for all of the valuable information inside.  Simple choices like title text placement and font selection can be a crucial determining factor, as well as the formatting of the interior pages themselves.  AND…. In order for your book to begin creating a buzz in the literary community, the information inside must be organized, readable, and easy-to-follow for those first few buyers.

Cover Dynamics

Many writers are not very experienced with graphic design.  This only makes sense.  You are a wordsmith and an expert in your field of expertise, not a visual artist.  A professional cover designer will take into consideration not only your targeted audience when choosing the graphics but dive into the history and mind of them too.  Images will be selected that appeal to the characteristics of the consumers who can benefit from buying your product.

The appropriate size of the book and its cover is a very important consideration.  Even the font size and typeface comes into play.  For example, if you are a rather well-known writer, then it might be to your marketing advantage to arrange the author name in a configuration other than one line.

Interior Readability

If your book content is not an easy read… why read it? One very common mistake that new authors often make is to overemphasize numerous details contained in the body of the text.  The overuse of multiple fonts, italicized words, bold text, and underlined phrases can often make the book appear somewhat disjointed and confusing to the average reader.

A professional book designer knows how to select the proper size and style of font that will make your document easier to read.  There are thousands of “little things” to look for when formatting the interior pages of any published book or novel, and a professional designer will know just how to make the reader feel like they are in an easy chair no matter where they are!.

Organization Paying additional attention to rules for the cover and proper sequencing of the interior front, middle and back contents is essential to being seen as a professional author… so be sure to choose a professional designer who makes this happen and more.

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a-blank-book-cover-in-need-of-design

There is No “Easy Button” for a Great Book Cover Design

Entrepreneurs are forward-thinking, visionary people who are always looking ahead at the “big picture” and thinking “outside the box”.  This can be our biggest strength as well as one of our most problematic weaknesses.  Because we are always looking for the most time efficient way to solve sometimes very complex business problems, we can easily overlook those critical times during our business day when our rush to find a quick and easy solution can negatively affect our marketing strategies and long-term financial goals.

 

Cover and Interior Design Boosts Sales!

There is no “easy button” when it comes to the design of a literary book cover or its interior pages.  Like it or not, we all “judge a book by its cover” to some degree.  This is only human nature, after all.  Given the massive amounts of information that can be acquired and purchased online in digital form, consumers now have more options than ever before.  If their final choice comes down to two different publications that are offering very similar information, Continue reading →

Hollywood Book Festival – 9th Annual Awards

Passing this along to authors interested….

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2014 HOLLYWOOD BOOK FESTIVAL – CALL FOR ENTRIES

HOLLYWOOD, CA _ The 2014 Hollywood Book Festival has issued a call for entries to its nihth annual awards celebrating books that deserve greater recognition from the film, television, game and multimedia communities.

The 2014 Hollywood Book Festival will consider published, self-published and independent publisher non-fiction, fiction, children’s books, young adult, how-to, spiritual, wild card (anything goes!), unpublished stories, screenplays, genre-based works, science fiction, biographical/autobiographical, sequels, business and history works. This is a story-oriented competition and there is no date of publication restriction.

A panel of entertainment and publishing industry judges will determine the winners based on the following criteria:

1) The story-telling ability of the author;

2) The potential of the work to be translated into other forms of media

All entries must be in English. Our grand prize for the 2014 Hollywood Book Festival Author of the Year is a $1500 appearance fee and a flight to Hollywood, CA for our gala awards ceremony in July, 2014.

ENTRIES: Multiple entries must be accompanied by a separate fee for each book.

In addition to honoring the top selections in the above categories, The Hollywood Book Festival will award the following chosen from submissions:

1) Hollywood Book Festival Author of the Year Honors the outstanding book of the competition.

2) Hollywood Book Festival Design of the Year Honors outstanding and innovative design.

3) Hollywood Book Festival Publisher of the Year Honors the top publisher based on potential to develop future works suitable for transformation into other media.

FESTIVAL RULES: Hollywood Book Festival submissions cannot be returned. Each entry must contain the official entry form, including your e-mail address and contact telephone number. All shipping and handling costs must be borne by entrants.

NOTIFICATION AND DEADLINES: We will notify each entry of the receipt of their package via e-mail and will announce the winning entries on the web site shortly after the entry deadline.Regular registration deadline submissions in each category must be received by the close of business on June 25, 2014. Winners in each category will be notified by e-mail. Please note that judges read and consider submissions on an ongoing basis, comparing early entries with later submissions.

TO ENTER: Entry forms are available online at www.hollywoodbookfestival.com or may be faxed/e-mailed to you by emailing HollywoodBKFest@aol.com. Multiple submissions are permitted but each entry must be accompanied by a separate form and entry fee.

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We all know it's not JUST about writing the book… right?

1. Make / write your statement, book, tips, whatever…

2. Get it out there, blog, post, tweet, video, radio, articles, conferences, seminars, events

3. Do what you have to do so that as many people see your work as possible

4. Prove that you’re a going concern, timely, motivated, aware of the world, benefits

5. That you’re in this for the duration, this is who you are, your focus, goals, gift

6. You’re committed, this is what you think about all the time… your love affair

7. You’re not going to give up… hello… as though this would ever happen

8.  that nothing will stop you… you can be trusted, that you offer safety

AND

Sooner or later, others will begin believing in you just like you believe in yourself, and that’s when good things start happening.