What is an Audiobook? A Short Story of Their Evolution

Audiobooks have transformed the landscape of storytelling and reading, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional reading. With their roots stretching back to spoken-word storytelling, audiobooks have evolved into a popular medium in the digital age, captivating audiences with their convenience and immersive experience. 

As we delve into the world of audiobooks, we uncover not only their rich history but also the intricate process behind their creation, including insights into how to make an audiobook. Whether you’re a long-time enthusiast or new to this auditory journey, this post will guide you through the essence of what makes audiobooks a unique and growing form of literary enjoyment. 

Join us as we explore the nuances of audiobooks, their impact on modern reading habits, and the technological advancements that continue to shape their evolution.

The Evolution of Audiobooks

The journey of audiobooks from humble beginnings to digital prominence is a fascinating tale of technological evolution and changing consumer habits. Initially, audiobooks emerged as a means to provide the visually impaired with access to literature. Early versions were recorded on vinyl records and bulky tapes, making them less accessible to the general public. However, with the advent of cassette tapes in the 1960s, audiobooks began to gain popularity among a wider audience, becoming a companion for long drives and leisurely afternoons.

The real transformation occurred with the digital revolution. The introduction of CDs in the late 20th century marked a significant leap, offering better sound quality and easier handling. But it was the advent of MP3 technology and the internet that truly catapulted audiobooks into mainstream culture. This era saw the rise of online platforms and apps dedicated to audiobook distribution, making it easier than ever to access a vast library of titles at the touch of a button.

Today, audiobooks are not just an alternative to reading; they represent a distinct genre that blends literature with performance. Voice actors and narrators breathe life into stories, creating an immersive experience that goes beyond the written word. This evolution reflects not just technological advancements but a shift in how we consume and appreciate storytelling.

What Makes Audiobooks Unique?

Audiobooks offer a distinct experience that sets them apart from traditional print and e-books. This uniqueness lies in the auditory nature of the medium. While reading engages the visual senses and imagination, listening to an audiobook activates different cognitive processes, often leading to a deeper emotional connection with the story. The narrator’s voice, tone, and pace play a crucial role in this experience, transforming the act of ‘reading’ into a performance. Each narrator brings a unique interpretation to the text, potentially offering new perspectives on familiar narratives.

Moreover, audiobooks offer unparalleled convenience. They allow multitasking—enjoying a book while commuting, exercising, or performing household tasks. This adaptability to busy lifestyles has contributed significantly to their rising popularity. For many, audiobooks have become a means to indulge in literature in a fast-paced world, where sitting down with a physical book is often a luxury.

Audiobooks in the Digital Age

In the digital age, audiobooks have flourished, largely due to technological advancements and changing consumer behaviors. The proliferation of smartphones and digital devices has made audiobooks more accessible than ever. No longer confined to physical media like tapes or CDs, audiobooks are now just a click away, downloadable directly to our devices. This ease of access has led to a surge in popularity, as people find it convenient to integrate audiobooks into their daily routines.

Online platforms and apps have become the cornerstone of the audiobook industry. Services like Audible, Google Play Books, and Apple Books offer vast libraries of audiobooks across various genres, catering to diverse tastes and interests. These platforms not only facilitate easy access but also provide personalized recommendations, enhancing user experience. Additionally, the subscription-based model of these services has made audiobooks more affordable and appealing, further contributing to their widespread adoption in contemporary culture.

How to Make an Audiobook

Creating an audiobook is an intricate process that blends artistry with technical skill. The first step is choosing the right book. Not every written work translates well into audio form; the choice depends on the book’s content, audience appeal, and suitability for oral narration.

Once a book is selected, casting the perfect narrator is crucial. The narrator’s voice should align with the book’s tone and character. Experienced narrators can bring a story to life, conveying emotions and personalities through their vocal inflections.

Recording is the next critical phase. This often takes place in a professional studio to ensure high-quality sound. The narrator reads the book, bringing attention to pacing, tone, and clarity. This process requires patience and skill, as mistakes are common and multiple takes may be necessary.

Post-production involves editing, where mistakes are corrected, and audio quality is fine-tuned. Consistency in volume, clarity, and pacing is key to producing a professional-grade audiobook.

Finally, the audiobook must be published and distributed. This involves choosing the right platform, whether it’s self-publishing through an aggregator or partnering with a publishing house. Proper marketing and promotion are also vital to ensure the audiobook reaches its target audience.

Creating an audiobook is thus a journey from the written word to a captivating auditory experience, requiring careful consideration at each step.

The Future of Audiobooks

The future of audiobooks appears vibrant and technology-driven. Advancements in AI and voice synthesis are poised to revolutionize the industry, potentially enabling the creation of audiobooks with synthesized voices that mimic human emotion and intonation. This could democratize audiobook production, making it more accessible to independent authors. Moreover, we might see a rise in interactive audiobooks, offering a more engaging and customizable listening experience. Personalization will likely play a significant role, with algorithms suggesting titles based on listening habits. As technology continues to evolve, audiobooks will undoubtedly adapt, enhancing their appeal and accessibility to a broader audience.

Audiobooks have transcended their traditional format, emerging as a dynamic and versatile medium in the literary world. They offer a unique blend of storytelling and convenience, appealing to a wide range of audiences. As we embrace new technologies, the future of audiobooks promises even greater innovation and accessibility.

7 Examples of Great Author Bios

Every author needs a bio. Your bio acts as a calling card to publishers and your audience, telling them who you are, what you’ve achieved with your career and what they can expect from your work. It’s an essential promotional tool to draw more readers to your work and attract agents and publishers.

Writing an effective author bio requires a specific structure and voice. We’ve curated this list of outstanding author bios to give you an idea of how to write yours. 

#1 Vanessa Riley

Vanessa Riley writes Historical Fiction and Historical Romance (Georgian, Regency, & Victorian) featuring hidden histories, dazzling multi-culture communities, and strong sisterhoods. She promises to pull heart strings, offer a few laughs, and share tidbits of tantalizing history.

This Southern, Irish, Trini (West Indies) girl holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and a MS in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University. 

She also earned a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. Yet, her love of history and lattes have overwhelmed her passion for math, leading to the publication of over 20+ titles. She loves writing on her southern porch with proper caffeine.

Why It’s Great

Vanessa starts her bio by giving the reader notes on the time periods she covers in her work. She also includes information on the character arcs and emotions her audience can expect when reading her novels. She shares some personal information with the reader, giving her audience a visual representation of how she creates – sitting on her front porch while sipping some coffee.

#2 Courtney Milan

Courtney Milan writes books about carriages, corsets, and smartwatches. Her books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. She is a New York Times and a USA Today Bestseller.

Courtney pens a weekly newsletter about tea, books, and basically anything and everything else. Sign up for it here: https://bit.ly/CourtneysTea

Before she started writing romance, Courtney got a graduate degree in theoretical physical chemistry from UC Berkeley. After that, just to shake things up, she went to law school at the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude. Then she did a handful of clerkships. 

She was a law professor for a while. She now writes full-time. Courtney is represented by Kristin Nelson of the Nelson Literary Agency.

Why It’s Great

Courtney starts the bio listing what she writes about before moving onto the accolades she’s achieved with her writing. It’s a great way of establishing her credibility and authority. She provides a link to her newsletter, giving the audience an ide of what content to expect when signing up. We get a backstory of her education and writing career to further cement her authenticity. It’s concise and highly marketable.

#3 Johnathan Maberry

Johnathan Maberry is a New York Times best-seller, five-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, anthology editor, comic book writer, executive producer, magazine feature writer, playwright, and writing teacher/lecturer. He is the editor of Weird Tales Magazine and president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers. 

He is the recipient of the Inkpot Award, three Scribe Awards, and was named one of the Today’s Top Ten Horror Writers. His books have been sold to more than thirty countries. He writes in several genres including thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and mystery; and he writes for adults, middle grade, and young adult.

Why It’s Great

Johnathan opens with his achievements, building an instant sense of credibility. He moves on to inform the reader about what he’s doing at the moment with his career. He discusses his global appeal and the genres he covers. It’s short and to the point, giving the reader the impression of professionalism and flexibility in his writing.

#4 Alyssa Cole

Alyssa Cole is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of romance and thrillers. Her debut thriller When No One Is Watching was the winner of the 2021 Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Paperback Original and the Strand Critics Award for Best Debut. 

Her Civil War-set espionage romance An Extraordinary Union was the American Library Association’s RUSA Best Romance for 2018, and her contemporary royal romcom A Princess in Theory was one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2018. 

Her books have received critical acclaim from the New York Times, Library Journal, BuzzFeed, Kirkus, Booklist, Jezebel, Shondaland, Vulture, Book Riot, Entertainment Weekly, and various other outlets. When she’s not working, she can usually be found watching anime or wrangling her pets.

Why It’s Great

Alyssa opens with her accolades, showing the reader she experienced immediate success with her debut. She discusses the genres she writes in and the industry achievements of her books. She closes with a personalized statement giving the reader the impression that’s she lives an ordinary life, just like anyone else, removing any element of boastfulness from listing her many achievements.

#5 Karin Slaughter 

Karin Slaughter is the author of more than twenty instant New York Times bestselling novels, including the Edgar–nominated Cop Town and standalone novels Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her. 

She is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. Pieces of Her is a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette, and WILL TRENT, based on her Will Trent series, will air January 3rd, 2023 on ABC (streaming on Hulu).

False Witness and The Good Daughter are in development for television. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.

Why It’s Great

Karin starts with mentioning her achievements and the titles of her work so readers can find them. She follows up with mentioning her global appeal and how her work transitioned to a Netflix and Hulu deal to appeal to readers and people that enjoy watching series on TV. She mentions how she gives back to her community and where she lives to create a personal, authentic feel to her bio.

#6 Julia Quinn

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don’t read (or write) romance, and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. 

She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.

On December 25, 2020, Netflix premiered Bridgerton, based on her popular series of novels about the Bridgerton family. Season 2 premiered on March 25, 2022.

“From the first time I read Julia Quinn’s delicious Bridgerton series, I knew these were stories that would captivate a viewing audience” -Shonda Rhimes

Please jump to the story of “How JQ Became a Writer,” or scroll for some recent press. If you are a journalist looking for more information, please visit JQ’s Media Kit.

To stay up-to-date on all Bridgerton-on-Netflix news, subscribe to JuliaQuinn.com News & Updates.

Why It’s Great

Juila opens by showing the audience her biggest achievement and her writing genre before informing the reader of her success on the Weakest Link to showcase her intelligence and knowledge. She continues with her educational background and interests, adding authenticity to her bio. 

Julia mentions how her work transitioned to the screen with her Netflix series and a recommendation from Shonda Rhimes. She closes by mentioning how her readers and gents can get in touch with her. 

#7 Angie Fox

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Angie Fox writes sweet, fun, action-packed mysteries. Her characters are clever and fearless, but in real life, Angie is afraid of basements, bees, and going up stairs when it is dark behind her. Let’s face it. Angie wouldn’t last five minutes in one of her books.

Her books have been called “fabulously fun” by the Chicago Tribune and have won multiple Daphne awards for mystery and PRISM awards for fantasy. 

Angie is best known for her SOUTHERN SPIRITS™ mysteries and for her ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER series. She has also just released the new MONSTER MASH trilogy, which is gaining a lot of attention.

Angie is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Why It’s Great

Angie starts with mentioning her achievements and the genres she writes in before personalizing it with her fears to add authenticity to the opening. She mentions her previous work, her educational background and where she resides. It’s short, effective and packed with useful information. 

Do You Need a Book Editor? Why Editors Are Essential

Are you putting the finishing touches on your first book? The excitement of wrapping things up and finding a publisher is building. Before sending your manuscript to agents and publishing houses, consider hiring a book editor.

Why do you need a book editor? Well, there are several reasons why it’s a good idea. This post unpacks everything you need to know about book editing services and why it’s a good idea to hire one to review your work. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

Why Do I Need a Book Editor

Let’s start with why it’s a good idea to budget for editing services. Here are the top reasons you need a book editor to work on your finished manuscript, and why self-editing just isn’t enough.

Bias

Authors spend hundreds or thousands of hours creating their manuscripts. When you finish the final paragraph, you’re relieved it’s over and excited about the prospect of being published. The reality is that your manuscript could do with a fresh set of eyes. As authors, we tend to be biased in the quality of our work.

After all, we put significant time and effort into the production phase. Did it ever occur to your that it’s not as good as you think? Even if you’ve produced a literary masterpiece, having someone else review the manuscript can only benefit the finished product. A book editor will give you an unbiased review of your work and insight into where to make changes.

Mistakes

You probably missed several hundred mistakes in your work, from spelling, grammar, and punctuation to sentence structure flow and writing voice. Hiring a book editor gives you access to a professional that points out these mistakes.

Get Published

You’re doing yourself a disservice if you hand over an unedited copy of your work to a publisher. As mentioned, the mistakes in your work will stand out like a sore thumb to a publisher. Getting halfway through the first chapter and finding dozens of errors will frustrate their reading experience.

They’ll likely toss your manuscript on a pile of other work they never intend to review, and you’ll never hear from them. Giving the publisher an edited copy of your work increases the chances the publisher will finish reading your manuscript.

The Types of Book Editing Services

Book editing services cover four primary tasks when reviewing your manuscript. When you get your book back from your editors, it looks very different from how you sent it in. You’ll see crossed-out sentences, spelling, grammar, structure changes, and comments offering suggestions to change specific details in the story.

The editors are not there to tear down your work. The editing team works with your vision, giving you valuable, constructive criticism on how to improve it. After making the changes, your book has a much better chance of being published.

Proofreaders

The proofreader scans your work at the surface level, looking for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting mistakes. They correct your work using specialized tools to ensure they remove these errors from your manuscript. The proofreader doesn’t have any creative input on your work.

Copy Editors

The copy editor is a more advanced version of a proofreader. They’ll look for grammar, syntax, punctuation, and clarity errors and rework sentences for better structure and flow in your work.

Developmental Editors

The developmental editor gives you creative insight into the big picture of your manuscript. They suggest altering the plot, structure, and characters in your work. They analyze the organization and flow of ideas throughout the story.

Content Editors

The content editor analyzes the readability of the manuscript. They check the content for paragraph tenses, flow, and voice, improving the readability of your work.

What Do Editing Services Cost?

Editing services vary, depending on the quality of the service and the amount of work the editing team must do to correct your work. For instance, if you’re only interested in a proofreading service, you will pay a lot less for the job than hiring a complete editing team to rework your manuscript.

The editing costs can range from $0.05 to $0.18 per word for copyediting. You can expect to pay $0.03 to $0.07 for developmental services and $.01 to $0.02 for a proofreader. You’ll have to decide which service meets your budget requirements.

Different firms charge different prices. If you’re hiring a reputable, established firm to complete your editing, you’ll pay much more than hiring a freelancer on a gig work site like Upwork, freelancer, or Fiverr, but more on that in a minute.

Where Do I Find Book Editors?

You have several options if you’re looking for book editors in New York. Here are the three primary options when selecting your editing service. Each of them has its pros and cons.

Freelancing Sites

Websites like Fiverr and Upwork are popular choices for low-cost editing services. Log onto these platforms, and you’ll find thousands of low-cost editors begging to edit your book. You get rock-bottom prices, but you must understand that you get the quality you pay for with freelancers.

Chances are the editor will miss mistakes, structure and flow problems, and developmental suggestions. In many cases, editors on these sites don’t even speak English as their native language.

Professional Services

Professional services are your best option for choosing an editing partner for your book. These firms cost more than freelancers, but the quality is far superior to anything you’ll find on a freelancing site. Professional editing services utilize teams to give you a fast turnaround time.

There are hundreds of professional editing services online. Check their track record and customer reviews before committing to a specific partner. Evaluate the results and your budget and choose the best option to suit your needs.

Publishing Houses Vs. Self-Publishing

If you’re already contracted to a publishing house, the publisher will usually have an in-house editing team to review and edit your manuscript. However, this option is only available to published authors; chances are you still need to get on this level.

The bottom line? Professional editing is worth the money if you want to get published.

10 Best Home Printers for WFH Writers

As a writer who works from home (WFH), your biggest assets are your computer and Internet. But when it’s time to print pages — yes, there are still necessary times to print! — you’ll need a good printer. Here, we provide our favorite printers that we use as writers working from home.

Besides, the printers listed on this page are of different price categories, and it’s up to you to choose what works best for you. You will also know the limitation with the printers, in case there is any. So stay tuned and get all you ever wanted to make working from home convenient.

Canon Pixma TS9120

Canon Pixma TS9120 is the best overall home printer on this list because of its excellent specs that match your needs. It is an all-in-one inkjet printer, with 150 and 10 ISO ppm printing speed for black and color printing, respectively. In addition, the printer is only 6.6 kg heavy and will not give you a difficult time carrying it home. Its paper capacity is 100 sheets, and the printer has a 6-color printing system. 

Many WFH writers like it because it allows for three types of printing; social media, Bluetooth, and cloud, meaning that a client can send a document for easy virtual printing. The only limitation of the Canon Pixma TS9120 printer is its small ink cartridges.

Epson WorkForce 7210DTW

If you are a WFH writer whose printer choice is the Epson’s, the Epson WorkForce 7210DTW should be your ideal printer for all your home printing needs. This is an inkjet printer whose unique specifications include 500 sheets paper capacity, 18 ppm printing speed, and supports paper sizes up to A3. Many like it for home printing because it is superfast, offers you value for your money, and it’s an entry-level inkjet printer. In addition, its print quality is excellent, and it has two trays for holding papers and can print on both sides. 

However, the only limitation with Epson WorkForce 7210DTW home printer is that it lacks fax, copy, and scan capabilities, and you will have to buy another machine to cater to these needs.

HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw

This is a brilliant color laser printer for WFH writers who love HP products. The printer’s speed and paper capacities are 18 ppm (mono) and 150 sheets, respectively. Although it may not have the best paper capacity, its print quality is superb. Its four-in-one capabilities allow scanning, printing, scanning, and fax needs. Moreover, its small size means it is not a burden to the writer. Besides, buying it will not cost you a fortune. However, the small paper capacity and the lack of duplex functionality may limit you.

Epson EcoTank ET- 7750

For any WFH writer looking for a printer that’s cost-effective and meets his crisp printing needs, the Epson ET- 7750 is the printer of choice among all. With a printing speed and capacity of 13 ppm and 100 sheets, the printer produces high-quality photos of up to the A3 size. The only short back with this printer is that it is expensive to buy. However, the refillable ink cartridges make maintenance easy. In addition, you will have dope quality printing, although NFC, ADF, and fax capabilities are not enabled in the machine. 

HP LaserJet Pro M15w printer 

This is another printer option for writers working from home and have a soft spot for HP products. It is the smallest and the most affordable printer that will not take much of your desk space but still gives you quality printing. With the three buttons that make it ideal, HP LaserJet is the real deal if you are looking for a subtle addition to your writing desk. The only limitation could be its limited paper capacity of 100 sheets and its lack of display.

Epson SureColor SC-P900

Are you a WFH writer who also does photography and art as side hustles? Then, the Epson SureColor SC-P900 will be your ideal home printer that takes care of your printing needs. It allows for Wi-Fi connectivity and prints professional-looking A4, A3, and A2 printouts with the quality you want. However, the only challenge with the printer is that it prints slowly with an average printing speed of 1 ppm.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO- 300

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO- 300 home printer is among the best canon printers that will give you stunning A3 quality printouts worthy of your money. Its unique specs include Wi-Fi connectivity and the Apple AirPrint capability. At a very affordable price ($899), the printer allows for multiple printing sizes, including A3+, A3, A2, A4, B4, B5, and custom sizes. The only limitation of the machine is its expensive ink and lack of scanning capability. 

Kyocera Ecosys P5026cdw

This is one of the fastest LaserJet printers with unique specs ideal for home printing needs. The printer has a printing capacity of 250 sheets and prints at a speed of 26 ppm, giving you quality results. It is also one of the quietest printers with good duplex functionality. However, it has a basic interface, which is its only limitation. 

Brother MFC-J5330DW

This is the ideal home printer for large printing needs any WFH writer would love to have. It is a three-in-one printer, which supports printing, scanning, and copying functions. It also supports Wi-Fi connectivity and does voluminous printing with a 250-sheet paper capacity and zero warm-up time. However, its large size might piss you off, and its setup is not the friendliest.

HP ENVY 6055 All-in-One Printer

This is an ideal printer if you are a WFH writer with unstable network connectivity. It supports a Wi-Fi connection, and it can also connect to and work with poor networks super well. Besides, it’s one of the cheapest printers in the market, with easy troubleshooting capabilities. The only challenge with the printer is that buying replacement cartridges is expensive, making the running cost high.

The bottom line

Writing is one of the most rewarding jobs and WFH writers have increased. Therefore, the need for home printers has also grown, and you might wonder which printer is the most ideal. This article makes your search easy by sharing the best home printers for WFH writers.

Rose Rosie is a writer for the personal finance website, Joy Wallet, which provides readers with useful information, resources, and tools to help maximize their financial fitness. 

Self-Publishing on the Reedsy Book Editor: An Overview

Whether you have a fantastic idea for a book or you’ve already created a rough draft, if you’re interested in publishing a book that you want to share with the world, you’re going to have to figure out how to self-publish your book. Writing a story is one thing, but turning that story into a manuscript that is ready for publication is quite another. While sure, you could go the traditional route and find a publishing house to work with, doing so can be super difficult and downright frustrating; plus, you’ll likely have to hand over the creative rights, you run the risk of having your story seriously altered, and you could end up losing out on a big chunk of money. 

For the above-mentioned reasons and more, many authors are opting to forego the conventional route and are self-publishing instead. With self-publishing, you remain in control of your writing and you can keep a lot more of the profits – and those are just some of the benefits of self-publishing. If this sounds appealing to you, you’re probably wondering how to go about publishing your writing yourself. Fortunately, there are a lot of tools out there that really simplify the process.

In addition to providing you with a space to write your story, Reedsy provides you with tools that you can use to transform your writing so that it meets standards that have been established by the publishing industry. If you’re interested in learning how to use this writing app to self-publish your story and share it with the world, keep on reading. 

Create an Account, Log-In, and Create Your Book

To get started, type head over to the Reedsy website and create an account. Simply click on the “sign up” tab on the home screen, follow the prompts (remember to create a username and a secure password that you can remember). 

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be able to access various professionals (editors, proofreaders, designers, etc.) and courses, but for the purposes of self-publishing, we’re going to focus on Reedsy’s Book Editor. To access it, while you’re logged into your account, check out the tabs on the left-hand side of the screen. 

Along the top, you should see a tab that says “My Books”. Click on that tab, head to the “Create a New Book” section, and follow the prompts. It’s pretty self-explanatory. 

Write and Adapt Your Story

Once you’re on the “Create a New Book” page, start writing. You’ll be able to change the font, adjust the alignment, and more. This handy software even indents the paragraphs for you, too. Pretty much all of the tools that are offered on free word processing apps are available; however, the primary difference is that Reedy is designed for authors who plan on publishing their work. 

Export Your Writing

Once your manuscript is ready to go, you’ll be able to convert it into any format you’d like, for free. Make sure you select the correct file type – PDF, ePub, or Mobi. You’ll be able to further format the manuscript, too. Choose one of the typeset templates – Classic, Reedsy, or Romance. Explore to see what other adjustments you can make and make any changes you’d like. 

Get Ready to Publish 

Once you’re happy with the way your manuscript looks, you are ready to self-publish. There are several self-publishing options available on Reedsy, including online printing, online-only printing, and print-on-demand. If you aren’t sure which option to use, do some research to determine which self-publishing option will best suit your needs. Once you’ve decided which option to use, follow the prompts and voila! – your book will be published!

Hacks for Writing A Book

Books are magical works of art that can transport you from your everyday life into a whole new realm. As magical as they may be, however, sadly they don’t write themselves. Unlike technical papers or academic writing, creating a book takes a huge personal investment. There is much more to writing a book than sitting down and putting words on a piece of paper. We will go over what you need to do to write a book and some tips that will help you get started.

Trust The Process

It is impossible to just take a seat and craft a book from scratch. In general, writing a book will start with a whole lot of daydreaming to create a fully fleshed idea followed by months or even years of getting it all on paper. Starting with a simple sentence and then a page, and then a chapter is the only way to make progress, so trust the process and yourself if you want to succeed.

Decide What Your Book Will Explore

The first tip is to choose what you want your book to be about and what type of message you want to impart. Knowing you want to write a book will only take you so far, you need to have a firm idea of what direction you want to go and the final result of your message at the end of the book. Once you know what you want to talk about, good writing will follow.

Set A Work Schedule & Goal

Creative writing is difficult, and it is very easy to get distracted especially if you have a lot going on in your real life. The best tip we can offer for anyone looking to write a book is to set aside a specific time each day to dedicate to moving your story forward. If you are really ambitious, you can even seat a goal for the number of words you want to get on paper each day. For example, set aside a time every afternoon with a goal of writing one page, or at least 300 words to make real progress on your story. You’ll see that you’ll start to write faster with practice!

Set A Total Work Count & Focus Your Mind

No matter what type of book you plan to write, it is a good idea to set a general word count. This will give you a clear starting point and a general ending point so that you can structure your time and story arc accordingly. Also, a great tip that will help you focus when you write is using the same place each time you sit down to work. Find an area that inspires your creativity while also giving you the peace of mind you need to achieve your writing targets each day.

Create Realistic Deadlines & Get The Work Done

One of the biggest problems many writers face is proper time management. It is easy to procrastinate when it comes to writing a book, so creating deadlines for yourself will help keep you on track for the long haul. Setting a deadline each week for a specified amount of work or number of words will help cut down the urge to procrastinate. Once you set these deadlines, it is important to follow through by doing the work and holding yourself accountable when you fall short. 

The Bottom Line

Writing a book is not a walk in the part, but if you have a dream and are committed to getting published, then our writing tips may come in handy.With these tips, your book writing efforts will be much more productive and you will be on your way to getting published in no time.

How to find literary agents

Writing a book is hard, and after laboring for what is often years to get your story completed, running the gauntlet for publishing can be demoralizing. Instead of approaching a publishing house directly or even sending your book to every publishing house on the planet, work with a literary agent to increase your chance of success. While you still will have to be patient and knock on doors, working with an agent will help to streamline the process. Today we will cover how to find a literary agent to help you get your book published.

Figure Out Where Your Book Fits In Publishing

There are a lot of different genres and knowing which genre your book will fit into best will help you find a literary agent that can help you get published. If there is a sub-genre, it is a good idea to further narrow down your choices to help find an agent to help represent you more effectively. Think about the style of your book, how you write, who your target audience is, and if there is an author that your writing style emulates.

Look For An Agent That Works With Books Like Yours

There are thousands of literary agents out there, but they are not all experts at selling every genre of book. The best way to connect and hire a literary agent is by targeting a curated list of around 20-25 agents who have worked with books from your genre or those that are similar in style to your writing. Avoid pitching to agents who only vaguely match your criteria because chances are they either won’t be interested in taking you on as a client or if they do, your book may sit in limbo due to poor marketing.

Search For Agents In The Right Place

There are a lot of different places to find and connect with literary agents, however, the best two places to look in on the Publisher’s Marketplace and Query Tracker. If you are looking for a free search option, Query Tracker is going to be your best friend, but go ahead and set some time aside to narrow down your search manually. Publisher’s Marketplace is a paid service, but it only costs $25 a month, and with the right searches you can find an agent within a couple of months making it a smart, yet minimal investment. To boost your search efforts, you can check out Writer’s Digest and Manuscript Wish List to look further into agents who make it onto your shortlist.

Create Personalized Query Letters

Your book has to give readers a good impression in order to convince them to keep reading, the same goes for attracting an agent. Think of your query letter as an introduction to both you and your writing. You have just a few lines to capture the attention of the agent, and then sell your idea, which is your book. We understand that sending out 20-30 letters or more can get pretty tedious in a hurry. While you may be tempted to send everyone the same letter, it is important to personalize the letter for each and every agent. Let them know what makes them different and why you think that their services in particular will help you reach your publishing goals.

Send In Batches & Follow Up

Send out your letters in batches of 5 or 10. Give agents about three weeks to get back to you in one way or another. If you have yet to hear anything, follow up with another letter, and email, or even a phone call. With a bit of dedicated effort and an ounce of luck, you will land an amazing literary agent that can help you get published in no time.

When Are You Ready to Start Looking for a Literary Agent?

You’re working on a book and, after insane amounts of introspection, you’ve decided that you would like to go the traditional publishing route. To get your book published on terms that actually work in your favor, you know that you will need to partner with a literary agent. Literary agents can’t just land you the perfect publisher, but also advocate for you every step of the way. When an agent decides to accept you as a client, their stake in your book’s success becomes almost as big as your own — so to increase your odds of finding the perfect agent, you need to make sure you are ready. 

If you tick all these boxes, you might be on track to start sending query letters to literary agents

Your book is completely finished

You might be ready to start looking for literary agents if your book is completely finished. Even if, once you find an agent, they may suggest some edits, your manuscript should be done (for now) before you begin to look for a literary agent as a debut author. Yes, that ideally means you will already have had beta readers, and your book will definitely have been reviewed by a professional editor. Unless you are already a published author, fiction writers should never send in a first draft. Non-fiction authors might have more of a chance, depending on their profile.

You’ve written a strong synopsis

Most literary agents will first read your query letter — and if they are still interested by the time they reach the end, they then move on to your synopsis. By the time you are ready to craft one, as an author, you will be truly invested in your book. You are likely to have serious jitters about sending your work out into the world, and after all the hard work of writing your book, you may discover that writing a strong synopsis that represents your book well is far from an easy task. Get feedback from your critique group and beta readers before you finalize your synopsis. They’ll have read your book, but not quite as often as you. That means they’ll be better at conveying what is so unique about it in a way that will convince literary agents as well.

You know your genre and your audience

Literary agents specialize in certain genres as well as target age groups. You certainly wouldn’t be the first author to believe that their book can be meaningful for literally everyone, but that type of attitude is not going to help you land an agent. Before you are even ready to start drafting query letters, you’ll need to be able to describe your genre and target audience succinctly and efficiently. 

You’re familiar with the essential elements of a query letter

You aren’t writing another book — the most effective query letters are so short they could almost fit onto a postcard. You’ll know that you need to include:

  • Evidence that you’ve done your research. You’re addressing a specific agent you know represents authors in your genre. You follow the agent’s submission guidelines. 
  • A clear and gripping, but short, book summary that convinces prospective literary agents to keep reading.
  • Your genre and audience. Knowing who your target readers are enable the literary agents who read your letter to begin assessing whether they could represent you, as well as kick-starting their process of matching you with potential publishers. 
  • Your personal profile, as well as your humility. Literary agents need to know who you are to be able to get your book published. To actually want to work with you, they’ll also need to get flexible vibes from your query letter.

You understand what role a literary agent plays

Your literary agent is going to hold your hand through all the parts you, yourself, know almost nothing about — they’ll be your advocate, your counselor, and your friend. A literary agent isn’t just a necessary evil you need to deal with as you try to get your book traditionally published, but a partner who depends on your book’s success every bit as much as you do. If you understand that you might not always like everything your agent says, but they will always have your best interest at heart for the simple reason that what’s good for you is also good for them, you might be ready to start looking for a literary agent. 

Standard Book Sizes: Mass-Market Paperbacks

One of the book terms that you may have heard of if you are interested in or have studied the publishing industry is the mass-market paperback. Most people are familiar with paperbacks, having read plenty of them, but there are two different types of paperbacks out there. The first is the trade paperback. Trade paperbacks are usually the second stage of life after hardcovers. A previously published hardcover book is usually released in a trade paperback size by the original publisher. But there is another type of book that comes in paperback too: the mass-market paperback. Let’s take a closer look at this publishing trend.

If you want more publishing advice, particularly from the ever-changing world of self-publishing, visit Reedsy.com where there are lots of articles and resources to help you.

Trim Sizes

The first thing that you want to understand is the term trim size. This is a term that is used frequently by traditional publishers during the printing process and on self-publishing websites when you start looking at the different size options that are available. Trim size simply means the size of your book – the actual dimensions. The term comes from the process of printing. The pages of books are printed on large sheets which are then folded and glued together, and then later on they are trimmed down to a particular size. This gives every book a smooth surface on all sides except the spine when the pages are closed.

What Are Mass-Market Paperbacks

Mass-market paperbacks are paperbacks that are published for mass distribution. They cost a lot less than trade paperbacks to print because the use cheaper paper for both the book and the cover and they are smaller. The standard book sizes for a mass-market paperback is 4-1/4” x 7”. You have probably read more mass-market paperbacks than trade paperbacks. Trade paperbacks are the soft covers that you find at your local library or on the bookstore shelves. But mass-market paperbacks are sold at airports, grocery stores and lots of other places. Mass-market paperbacks enjoy a much wider distribution then trade paperbacks. They are also sold for a lot less, and those that are on a budget may wish to wait for a book to be released mass-market before they buy it because the price of a trade paperback can be around three times as high as a mass-market paperback.

The Difficulty in Mass-Market for Self-Publishers

The problem with mass-market sizes for self-publishing authors is that so few self-publishing companies offer these sizes. What you have to understand is that publishers already have deals with distributors that put those mass-market paperback books into grocery stores, department stores and all of the other locations where you can find them easily. If you are self-publishing, not only are you going to find it difficult to have a self-publishing company print in mass-market, but you are also going to have an almost impossible time getting your book distributed on a scale like most mass-market paperbacks are distributed. Self-publishing companies, like the print on demand company CreateSpace, offer trade paperback sizes that can get listed in industry catalogs.

How Pricing Works with Kindle Direct Publishing

If you are publishing with the Kindle Direct Publishing Platform, then there are four basic pricing models that you are going to want to be aware of. You have a great deal of power over what you set your price at when you use this platform, but the way that you come to decide upon a price varies based upon what you actually set your price at and whether you publish print books, e-books or both. Let’s take a look at each of these pricing models.

Fixed Cost Print Pricing

Fixed cost print pricing means that you pay a fixed price to print the book as well as a premium on the number of pages and the type of pages that you have. For example, you would be charged differently for color pages than for black and white pages. Amazon sets a specific fixed price to publish your book and then the standard cost for whatever pages you have would be multiplied by the number of pages that you have. So for example, if the fixed price was one dollar and the price per page for black and white was one tenth of one cent, then a 300 page book would be a premium of $.30 combined with the price of one dollar. This equals $1.30. However, this is much lower than Amazon’s actual rate.

Minimum List Price Print Pricing

Minimum list price is a method for determining price that ensures that you always make a profit no matter what your book costs to print and send out. So, the cost of printing the book is divided by the royalty rate for the minimum list price print books. That rate is 60%. So, a printing cost of $4.45 would be divided by 60% and the result added. That would make the minimum list price $7.42 and ensures that you always earn something on your books. Both of these models are only available for print book pricing within this platform.

EBook Publishing at $2.99 and Higher

If you publish an eBook and you price it at least $2.99 then you are able to earn a 70% royalty rate on every book that you sell – minus a very nominal fee (a penny or two) that Amazon charged for the electronic transfer of the document. The bigger the file is for your book the more they charge but it is never more than a few cents. Most people go with the 70% royalty rate because $2.99 is about the minimum price that you should be charging for an e-book anyway.

EBook Publishing at Less Than $2.99

Finally, there is a different pricing model if you choose to price your book at less than $2.99. For example, someone who prices their book at $0.99 will only earn a 30% royalty – or about $0.30 for each book sold. Compare that to 70% of $2.99 which comes out to be about $2.09. If you price your book at $1.99, you also only get 30% or around $0.59.