By BookBaby author Brian Jud
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
An engineer can look at the foundation of a building under construction and tell you its eventual height. The deeper the ba… Read More
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The Bookbaby Blog - How To Write, Self-publish & Market Your Book Blog
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Our blog is written for authors by authors. Get professional writing tips while learning the ins and outs of self-publishing, how to distribute your book to places like Amazon and Apple iBooks, and how to market and promote your book yourself. This is practical advice on becoming a better writer - or better yet - a published one!
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Did you know that it’s now easier than ever for poets to print, publish, distribute, and sell their poems in boo… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Age has many limitations in our society, including those professions in which age limits are an impediment by custom or l… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
You’ve written, re-written, and fine-tuned your poetry collection. Now it’s time to get it published. The… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Self-publishing has revolutionized the way in which authors bring their works to the world. Unlike traditional publishing, where authors often face numerou… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
“Fog,” “Song of Myself,” “On the Pulse of Morning,” “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Poetry titles can… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Deciding to write a book is a goal that can be equally exciting and overwhelming — particularly when you have no… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Whether your next book is a cutting-edge cookbook, historical fiction, or anything in between, it’s vital that yo… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Publishing a cookbook can be a fulfilling journey for any aspiring chef, food enthusiast, or culinary artist. And thanks to publishing partners like BookBab… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
A great nonfiction book can inspire and educate, influence, and heal — but the process of crafting your own nonfiction work can seem intimidating if y… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Whether you’re writing a novel, a nonfiction book, or an academic text, understanding how to efficiently outline your chapters can significantly enhanc… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Wouldn’t it be great if you could write your book, distribute it to online stores, and have it immediately star… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Twenty years ago, it was nearly impossible for independent authors to get their books distributed to stores. Today, t… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Like it or not, social media has become an indispensable tool for writers and authors who want to connect with their… Read More
By BookBaby author Brian Jud
The opening lines of Billy Joel’s song “An Innocent Man” reflect the way some — perhaps most — authors feel about book marketing: … Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
You love cooking and you love writing — so the next step seems obvious, right? But … how do you get your first cookbook or recipe book from a s… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Who said TikTok was full of mindless videos? Clearly, they’ve never heard of BookTok. This thriving subcommunity… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
We’ve talked about the front matter of a book, which includes everything after the front cover up until page one… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Book publishing has experienced tectonic changes as the world navigates the digital era. And while some predicted the ris… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
If you want to pursue a traditional publishing deal, then the first thing you need to do is to get a literary agent… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
It’s an honor to offer inspiration, tips, and writing strategies as a webinar presenter. As an experienced writing… Read More
By BookBaby author Michael Gallant
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Experiment with this time-honored storytelling format and see where your creativity takes you.
Many of our most belove… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
First-person narration is a mode of storytelling in which the narrator is a character in the story and tells the stor… Read More
By BookBaby author Brian Jud
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Think of the top brands in any industry. What do they have in common? For one, they create an identifiable “personali… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
How strange can you get before you lose all hope of keeping your readers engaged? Every writer who embraces absurdist fic… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Choosing the correct keywords for your eBook and printed book is vital to its success. Book and author SEO are import… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Great stories come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Some writers tell fascinating stories that lead the reader throug… Read More
By BookBaby author Lisa Taylor
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
The sense of completion, wonder, and elation when you finish the first draft of your story is often followed by a deep se… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Goodreads is arguably the most important social media site for independent authors. The platform facilitates author-re… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Have you ever read a book or watched a television show and you just knew a main character was going to do something detri… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
A character arc refers to the transformation of a character — aka character development — throughout a st… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In the Wild Wild West that is the modern Internet, standing out as an author involves having more than just a professio… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
It’s interesting how, as writers, we constantly seek outside feedback, acceptance, and validation for our creations… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Literary agents are the gatekeepers of the publishing world. If you are seeking to go the traditional publishing rout… Read More
By BookBaby author Jim Foley
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
It’s been a little while since we turned to our Weekend Edition readers for questions about self-publishing. Thanks t… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
When writing characters for your story, the protagonist and the antagonist may naturally be the first you create. The c… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Killing a character can be a powerful storytelling device. Done properly, a character’s death can shock; it can… Read More
By BookBaby author Michael Gallant
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Whether it comes first or last in your process — or anywhere in the middle — titling your book makes a hu… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
How do you find your voice as a writer? This question is right up there with perennial questions like, “What should… Read More
By BookBaby author Andre Calilhanna
I always feel the need to preface these retrospectives with a note reminding you that this is not intended to be a comprehensive list or an attempt to hig… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Reading a good story isn’t just entertaining; it can be a powerful, profound, even life-changing experience. We b… Read More
By BookBaby author Brian Jud
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
As you reflect on your book writing, book publishing, and book promotion efforts this year, there are some things you proba… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Getting feedback on writing is as built in to the process of being a writer as breathing is to living. Except, writers do… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Although people often use the terms “main character” and “protagonist” interchangeably, they c… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
The idea, drawn from Greek mythology, is that all creative inspiration springs from muses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnem… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
If you want to write a novel but are daunted by the process, you are not alone. After all, a lot of elements go into… Read More
By BookBaby author Andre Calilhanna
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
I don’t expect there’s any task on Earth that is done best with a confused mind. Clarity of purpose is… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
In “Expanding Boundaries: Pioneers of Travel Writing,” I took a brief look at the history and some of the pio… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
When it comes to fiction, great stories can be minuscule (legend has it that Ernest Hemingway wrote a powerful six-wor… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
It used to be a struggle for authors to publish books — especially if you were unable or unwilling to land a pu… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Just as a professional musician continuously practices to maintain and improve their musical skills, just as a profession… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
If you’re already a published author or plan to be one day, understanding the differences between a novel vs. a b… Read More
By BookBaby author Andre Calilhanna
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
With the increase in frequency and scope of book bans in US schools in the past couple of years, I thought it a good… Read More
By BookBaby author BookBaby
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
How to navigate the Amazon jungle and make the most of your self-published book listing.
On April 3, 1995, Amazon.com sold… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Not that long ago, becoming an author meant diving into hours of industry research, networking up a storm, querying co… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
You’ve written a children’s book and now you’re ready to publish it and put it out into the world. Wi… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Many authors consider trying their hand at writing children’s books — especially authors who are parents… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
In a quote that has traveled extensively since it first appeared in Four Quartets: Little Gidding in 1942, T.S. Eliot wro… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
As a writer, book coach, and writing retreat leader, I’ve heard every form of resistance bubble to the surface: The… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Illustrations and children’s books go hand-in-hand. This is true for all kinds of children’s books, from… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
It’s probably not a surprise to you that Amazon is the world’s biggest bookstore, but do you know just ho… Read More
By BookBaby author Joe Yamulla
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Boasting over one billion active users, TikTok continues to grow in influence. Almost half the American population uses T… Read More
By BookBaby author Andre Calilhanna
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
The importance of an online author platform for any published writer should be self-evident. And while “author… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Children’s books are beloved and inspirational, which makes them a compelling option for writers. They also repr… Read More
By BookBaby author Joe Yamulla
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
As a self-published author, you may aspire to see your book listed for sale at a local bookstore or a large brick-and-mor… Read More
By BookBaby author Brian Jud
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Over the years, various studies have concluded that people who are certain of their beliefs are more likely to buy, buy soo… Read More
By BookBaby author Lauren Davish
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Growing up can be tough. Thankfully, we have stories to guide us along the way — and the best book themes are uni… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
You’ve written your book, had a celebratory cup of coffee, rewritten your book, sent out the manuscript to your… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
As a writer, when you’re stuck, do you play tricks on your mind to get yourself writing? Do they work, or do you re… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Because of their word count, many authors think that writing a children’s book is easy. But it’s precisel… Read More
By BookBaby author Joe Yamulla
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The holidays will be here before you know it, and now is the time for independent authors to start planning and preparing… Read More
By BookBaby author Brian Jud
You most likely use 21st-century, digitally enabled book-production technology when it comes to self-publishing. However, your sales are probably occurring at di… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
There are plenty of things teenagers can’t do — buy alcohol, vote, rent a car — but one thing teens… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Speaking engagements and writing go hand-in-hand. This may seem weird, as many writers get into writing specifically… Read More
By BookBaby author Lee Purcell
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Bringing a novel to a satisfactory conclusion is one of the trickiest aspects of writing. If you’ve persuaded a rea… Read More
By BookBaby author Janna Lopez
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Do you ever struggle to decide if a word needs to be capitalized or not? You’re not alone. So let’s lay out t… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Book royalties can be confusing — especially for new authors — but it’s an important aspect of the p… Read More
By BookBaby author Brian Jud
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Many independent authors I speak with admit frustration with their inability to generate significant book sales. Generating… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
As much as authors love to write, building worlds and populating them with three-dimensional characters who are compe… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Thanks to the rise of print-on-demand services, many authors have started offering custom book and author merchandise… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
A book tour may sound like some fanciful dream for an indie author, the kind of thing that’s only available to… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Authors tend to blanche when it comes to book promotion. After all, most authors became authors because they love to… Read More
By BookBaby author Grant Faulkner
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I once gave a talk to a group of writers, and a woman in the audience referred to her rough draft as a “vomit dr… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Whether you’re a seasoned author or a first-time writer, understanding the various stages of the publishing proc… Read More
By BookBaby author Jim Foley
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Yearbooks are cherished keepsakes that encapsulate precious memories, friendships, and accomplishments. While print quality… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Short stories are like little windows into imaginative worlds, providing captivating narratives and characters in a gl… Read More
By BookBaby author Jim Foley
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
A yearbook is more than just a photo book; it is a cherished keepsake that preserves the essence of a special time in peopl… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In the realm of literature and storytelling, there is a powerful tool and dramatic principle known as Chekhov’s… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Conflict is a fundamental ingredient that drives narratives forward and keeps readers engaged. Without it, your story… Read More
By BookBaby author Scott McCormick
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Without conflict, stories would be dull. Happy people being nice to each other might make for a pleasant reality, but… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
How your book begins is of massive importance in hooking your reader — you only have a few seconds to get their… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Every great story is built on a foundation that resonates with readers, taking them on an unforgettable journey alongs… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Though someone may pick up a book because of its premise, great characters are why they will keep reading and remember… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Are you an aspiring author seeking to get your book published? The journey from idea to publication can be both exciti… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Graphic novels are more popular now than ever. With the success of blockbuster movies based on comic book superheroes… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Authors have been using pseudonyms — aka pen names — for centuries, allowing them to adopt different… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
An imprint is a specific brand or trade name under which books are published. Imprints serve as subsidiaries or divisi… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Before you can become a published author, you need to complete your manuscript, and you’ll need to prepare that… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Finding a reputable book publisher is crucial for authors and writers who want to bring their work to the market. Unfo… Read More
By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
While a lot has changed in the book publishing industry, the Big 5 publishers still play a massive role in the traditi… Read More
