The narrator of this video does a pretty good job of highlighting some of the common errors that independent authors make, even if they are quite competent writers. Keep in mind that the video is essentially an ad for his publishing service, but useful nonetheless.
Author Luke Simon Reports from the Publishing Trenches
This past week was challenging as I got scammed by a Reading Group in Jersey City. I asked from the get-go “is this going to cost?” and was reassured that there’d be no fee. I sent them all manner of supporting materials including a video trailer and they even booked me for a Q&A that they would purportedly pay me for doing. But in the 10th email, the inappropriacy of the text and the sudden mention of 2 contributory fees alerted me I was probably speaking to a Nigerian scammer who had gone to great lengths to pass themselves off as Susan Geller, CEO of the Club, complete with a lovely photo and even a joyful city council banner from Jersey below their signature.
As I fought despondency and wondering what to do about my contact form on my web site which is where many suspicious types contact me through (offering dubious marketing services), the Universe took pity on me.
I had a milestone breakthrough.
When The Art in My Palm was published I sent ABR 2 copies.
I was told by a friend yesterday that they now have an extensive review of ART in their March issue.
It is a decent review. On first reading I presumed “muted prose” was a negative description but then I looked it up and saw it is a good thing.
Still, it is a significant milestone as it is my first ABR review albeit for my 6th book.
In other news: SWIMMING has garnered another accolade, announced as a Finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards which are decided by reading groups in the UK and Sweden. Wishing Shelf is one of the Alli founders.
I’m still optimistic for good outcomes in several contests to be decided by November. My logic tells me that the more good contests outcomes next to my name the more chances I have for a US/UK publisher or agent to show some interest.
If Emus Wore Shoes, Which Ones Would They Choose?
Ganga Powell’s latest book of charming, whimsical poetry for children is out now, the poems beautifully enhanced by Eileen Curd’s illustrations.
‘If you like a good laugh,
These poems are for you.
They will make your funny bone grow
And blow your cares away!’
The book will be launched at (and will be available from) Blarney Books, 37 James Street, Port Fairy on Sunday 14 December. Kid friendly afternoon tea will be served and readings from the book performed.
Leave No Bookseller Unturned
Murdoch Books want to make sure their customers know where to buy their books. An excellent idea for independent authors when setting up their own sites…
Aegean Odyssey Review
Kathryn Gauci’s excellent memoir garners well-deserved praise online:
A review that absolutely made my day on Amazon and Goodreads. I have to share it with you. Thank you so much, Abzorba the Greek.
October 28, 2025
I’ve just finished Kathryn Gauci’s very personal memoir, and I’m slightly annoyed with her because it’s not longer. I’ve been so immersed in her self-awakening solo trip back to Greece after many years away that I didn’t want it to end so soon. I suppose that you’ll probably get more out of this book if, like me, you’re a hopeless Grecophile, but if you like travel writing in general, you’d better not pass this one up anyway.
Kathryn wasn’t sure she wanted to make this trip alone, since she had a perfectly good marriage, but, owing to circumstances, she went ahead anyway. Right at the very end of the book she makes a really valid point about travelling solo that I’ve often thought too, although never been able to put it into words. When you experience something on your own, it’s an entirely different thing from how it would be if accompanied by someone else, in this case, her husband. You meet people, experience feelings and emotions, see places in ways that wouldn’t be the same with someone beside you. It’s not better, it’s not worse, it’s simply different, but in such a way that you realise how much it enriches your life. If you can do it, then it’s 100% worthwhile.
Kathryn goes to places (islands, mainly) that I know well myself, so maybe that too, made her writings resonate more deeply with me. But if you’ve any experience at all of Greek people and culture, then surely you’ll also find this work totally absorbing. She has a wonderful gift for evoking in you mental pictures of the places she’s describing, the people she’s interacting with.
Kathryn Gauci is a living treasure that all avid book readers would do well to appreciate.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl...
#memoirssetingreece #honorarygreek #windycitygreek #greekmemoirs #memoirs #bookssetinGreece #travelmemoirs #amazonkindlebooks #amazonunlimited
The Theban Cycle -- A Review
Tony Whitefield’s excellent The Theban Cycle has been reviewed at some length in The Greek Herald.
“On this note, we could certainly raise a glass to Mr Whitefield’s grounding evaluation, which helps to bridge the gap between myth and reality… an iteration of the Theban Cycle that will only get better with age, just like a connoisseur’s favourite red or white.”
The Theban Cycle is available here, along with several other of Tony’s books exploring Greek history, myth and culture.
The Theban Cycle
Imagine a storyteller in ancient Greece who makes his living telling stories about recent events, sometimes only two or three generations after the events took place. How different might these stories be to the ones written down over 500 years later?
Tony Whitefield retells the well-known Greek myth of the Theban Cycle, using the voice of his storyteller Peter. By imagining these ancient stories without the direct influence of gods or supernatural events on the participants, Tony attempts to unravel mythological narratives explaining what might have occurred.
It is the year 1189 BCE, and a group of people have gathered to listen to Peter the storyteller. A Phoenician prince named Kadmus sets off to locate his sister Europa who has mysteriously vanished from their hometown of Tyre. On his journey to find his sister, he meets his wife Harmonia and presents her with two special wedding gifts. Who could have possibly imagined that these simple gifts could play such an important part for generations to come in the story of the city of Thebes.
Tony Whitefield is a retired teacher and academic who lives on the Greek island of Limnos for several months each year. The Theban Cycle is his fifth book.
What to Put at the End of Your Ebook
Some very good advice from master editor and book promoter Dr Euan Mitchell re. ebooks (and print versions for some of the items)
a. Include your website's address as a clickable link.
b. Include the covers, blurbs and shout-lines for your other novels.
c. As part of intriguing your readers with blurbs, etc, also include clickable links to FREE SAMPLES of your other novels. (Kindle offers the first 10-20% of any novel as a free sample to any reader.)
d. Include clickable links to your socials.
e. Encourage readers to review your novel on Amazon and actually explain why it's so important.
f. Acknowledgments. This is more about your behind-the-scenes story that readers can really connect with, rather than a list of names that don't mean much to most readers.
g. Include a clickable link to your pages on Goodreads, the world's biggest book discussion/review forum.
Peter Wood and Book Promotion
Author of several excellent works of fiction for young adults, Peter Wood describes his marketing strategy as follows:
“As a self published author I choose to market my work by regularly setting up a stall at community markets and engaging personally with any interested readers. This is a slow and steady process but over time the sales mount up.
Once a year I travel to Clunes for the BookTown weekend.Thousands of people come from near and far and scores of authors get the opportunity to present their work.”
Peter is considering creating a large retractable banner for his market stall and the Booktown event.
Read more about Peter and his work here. His titles can be purchased from Amazon Australia.
Authors, Privacy and the Law
Richard Potter SC, defamation and privacy legal expert, has written an interesting paper on the current state of privacy law. In the introduction to the paper, he writes that:
“Australia has been an outlier for many years within Western legal jurisdictions by declining to introduce laws regarding serious invasions of privacy (outside existing personal data protection laws). The changes, to come into effect on 10 June 2025 throughout Australia, will almost certainly require publishers to engage in careful scrutiny of nonfiction publications – especially biographies and true crime.”
and in the conclusion:
“As with defamation, my advice is always to step back and imagine you are the person affected and try to stand in their shoes. Is it truly private and personal? Does the individual sometimes seek self-publicity? Is the information already in the public domain? Does it involve children in any way?”
No independent author wants to be caught up in expensive legal action relating to their book. If an non-fiction author suspects some of their material may be objectionable to other parties, she/he should seriously consider obtaining legal assistance or modifying the material in question. I have witnessed several expensive legal confrontations relating to defamation / privacy that could easily have been avoided.
The Typical Costs of Each Stage in the Publishing Process
Becoming a published author can be an expensive endeavour with little monetary rewards, at least initially. Once writers have a number of books published, the royalties increase. The lucky few get a contract and a small advance from a publishing house. Looking at the expenditures during each stage of writing, designing a cover, formatting the interior, and marketing gives wordsmiths insight into the expense of breaking into the business.
Cost for Each Stage of the Publishing Process
Online forums and blog posts offering advice about jobs to get into on a shoestring cite writing as an option. While it can be fairly inexpensive to jump in if one already owns a computer, there are fees to consider. How much money one makes on each project varies widely.
An Authors Guild survey indicated full-time novelists earn a median income of $20,000 per year, while part-time ones earn significantly less. New writers must factor in a variety of expenses to consider how much they actually earn.
Writing the Story
If the writer already owns a computer, pricing is significantly lower to get started. Some Chromebooks typically run under $300 and will serve the basic needs of having a Word Processing program and the ability to send email inquiries to publishers or upload the book to an online portal.
Many options exist for processing programs, but Microsoft Word is one popular option. Authors will need a Microsoft 365 $99.99 per year subscription to use the desktop version of the software.
Wordsmiths must consider the time it takes to finish a tale. People could spend the same hours on a side hustle instead of writing, so unsuccessful books are the same as lost potential income. Writers should weigh the pros and cons. One rule of thumb is that if the person can stand to not write, then they should do something else. If stories take over their thinking, the individual should go ahead and write them but understand profit is fickle.
Editing is crucial for an acclaimed story. While free software like Hemingway exists, for a better editing process, invest in Grammarly or one of its counterparts. Many authors pay a professional editor per page for at least a quick proofread, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per novel.
Formatting the Interior
Formatters must lay out the inside of the book in a particular way to grab the attention of an editor or for self-publishing on sites like Amazon, IngramSpark and Draft2Digital. A new writer will either pay someone for this service or learn how to format on their own by viewing YouTube videos and trial and error.
The price of formatting an interior depends on the number of pages and how many images are inside. Adding elements such as print versions increases the fee. More experienced designers also charge more.
Authors should consider how and where they'll publish, as the number of pages and thickness can impact the overall page count. Even the type of paper can make a difference in printing costs — for example, while nearly half of U.S. and U.K. consumers feel sustainable materials are crucial, these materials can rack up costs more quickly than traditional paper. Though, these extra costs may be at least partially offset by giving creators an edge with eco-conscious readers.
Designing a Cover
As with other aspects of a new release, the expense of commissioning a cover for a book varies. Artists may charge little for a premade cover but up to hundreds of dollars for a custom design. The more eye-catching ones belong to in-demand designers, who charge a premium for their services.
For a self-published ebook, using a service to make a design can save money. However, print versions are more complex and typically require expertise to get the sizing and layout correct.
Publishing Costs
How much a person spends to release their product depends on whether selecting a traditional publisher, assisted publishing or self-publish. For ebooks, expenses are lower.
Traditional Publisher: It pays the creator, either in royalties or a small advance that can pay royalties after the author sells enough copies to match the advance. The publisher pays for the cover art, formatting, editing and partial marketing.
Assisted Publishing: The company charges for a print run, which is typically thousands of dollars and may promise to market it. The project usually does not earn enough to be profitable. However, for someone who wants to get their memoir out or a business book, it can be a quick way to market with a professional end product.
Self-Publishing: The DIY option takes only time and effort to upload the finished work, assuming the author already paid for formatting and a cover. The writer keeps a higher percentage of royalties and maintains full control.
Publishing costs, like most things when launching a book into the world, vary significantly. Finding the right range takes dedication and practice.
Marketing
Whether traditionally or self-published, wordsmiths must create a budget for marketing. Costs to run a newsletter list, take out ads on Amazon and social media and participate in events add up. With around 151,200 authors and writers in the U.S., having a way to reach new readers is crucial. Add the expenses of maintaining an online presence, such as a website, to the marketing budget.
Costs Versus Rewards of Publishing
Many writers create books for the love of the craft. Whether the work ever turns a profit is a lesser consideration for them. Others love to pen novels and also want to make a living. Finding the right mix between spending and profit requires dedication. Getting into publishing requires at least some money. Being aware of the different possible expenses allows writers to make an informed decision about how much time they spend writing and how they release the book.
Article contributed by Eleanor Heck. Eleanor is a design expert for Designerly Magazine, where she keeps readers up to date with the latest WordPress and publishing trends.
Self Publishing Australia -- A Resource for Independent Authors
Sometimes authors need to be a part of a larger community, to support each other and share information. Self Publishing Australia is a worthy effort to create a venue where authors post frequently on a range of topics. To join the group, go here and apply
A Realm of Superheroes with Alisa Beagley
Alisa Beagley writes and illustrates action-packed books set in a world of superheroes and supervillains. Her latest book, Clash of the Powers is out soon and follows on from Captives of the Killer and Second Chances.
Alisa promotes and sells her books via her well-designed and informative website.
Abdi Aden's Lost-Cost Tips for Promoting Your Books
Abdi Aden, author of Shining and Yes I Can is very successful at promoting his books. Here are a few suggestions from him based on his experiences:
My PR is very basic and low budget.
Word of mouth anywhere you can, such as my kids’ basketball, take-away shops, public places.
Schools I visit and speak at.
Making t-shirts.
Websites, also other book-sellers
websites.
Calling places saying “I have a book.” For example, some writers festivals, and also Dymocks Camberwell runs a book night every November for self-publishers.
Social media like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Also learn when new social media come up like Snapchat.
Find small festivals, such as Clunes — self-publishers do well there. People attend from all over the world,
Why Seventy Percent Might Be Good Enough
Oliver Burkeman is at the more contemplative, philosophical and forgiving end of the self-help spectrum. No harsh admonitions, self-scarification and guilt-tripping from him. In this piece, he argues that near enough is often more than good enough, and a way of moving on to other things. A very relevant principle for writers trapped in an endless cycle of tweaking, restructuring and re-writes.
“Moving forward at 70% takes more guts, more strength of character, than holding out for 100%, because it entails moving forward amid uncertainty, anxiety, and the disagreeable feeling that comes with putting less-than-perfect work into the world.”
Sign up to his interesting newsletter here.
Visual Storytelling for Authors
How to Engage Readers Through Graphics and Design
Eleanor Hecks discusses the importance of graphic design in enhancing the reader experience:
Authors live in an age where attention spans are dwindling and competition for readers is fiercer than ever. Today, readers crave stories that capture their imagination while captivating their senses.
For writers and book designers, this is where visuals become a must-have tool for deepening engagement and enhancing the storytelling experience. Whether through a book cover or carefully crafted book opener, graphics and design can amplify a narrative’s impact, making it linger long after the final page.
What Visual Storytelling Is and Why It Matters
Visual storytelling is the art of conveying a narrative through images, typography and design. It goes beyond the written work, enhancing a story’s emotional impact and immersing readers in its world. For authors, visual storytelling is the connection between content and experience. It creates a richer, more engaging passage for readers.
In publishing today, this system has become increasingly important. Consider that publishers and independent authors sold over 767 million print books in 2023. When you factor in e-books, the figure climbs even higher. With so many options available, authors must find ways to stand out, and designs are one way to achieve that.
Visual storytelling is crucial because it fits the human brain’s natural preference for visuals. Humans prefer graphics over text because of a phenomenon called picture superiority, which psychologist Allan Paivio studied. According to Paivio’s dual coding theory, humans store visuals in two ways — as an image and as a word or phrase that describes the image.
In contrast, humans only store words as verbal representations. This means images are inherently more memorable, making visual storytelling better for capturing and holding readers’ attention. By integrating visuals into books, authors can create more relatable narratives on multiple levels.
Key Components of Visuals in Books
When adding images to content, authors create an experience that complements and enhances the narrative. Understanding the key components of graphics can create lasting impressions on readers. Success depends on the type of experience created, as 80% of consumers now consider it to be just as important as the quality of the product when making future purchasing decisions.
To give readers what they want, the visuals must contain various components, including:
Typography
Illustrations and graphics
Color theory
Layout and white space
Cover design
Carefully combining each of these elements enables writers to produce books that are visually appealing and emotionally impactful.
How Authors Incorporate Graphics and Design
Today's authors find creative ways to weave graphics and design into their storytelling, making books more dynamic and engaging. In fiction, many successful authors add maps to orient readers in complex fantasy worlds or use character illustrations to breathe life into protagonists.
In nonfiction, authors leverage images like infographics, charts and diagrams to simplify complex ideas and present data in a digestible format. For memoirs and biographies, authors typically include personal photos or handwritten notes to add authenticity and emotional resonance. By incorporating visuals strategically, they can enhance the reader’s connection to the content while making their books distinctive.
Ways to Engage Readers Through Graphics and Design
The following strategies offer ideas for authors and designers to use graphics and design elements to captivate readers.
1. Leverage Beautifully Illustrated Covers
An evocative cover is a great way to capture potential readers at first glance. The new Game of Thrones covers’ design perfectly exemplifies this. The series “A Song of Ice and Fire” uses traditional linocut art to create intrigue about the world the reader is about to enter. The covers perfectly capture Westeros and the danger that lurks within it, garnering attention and setting the tone for the epic narratives.
2. Design Immersive Chapter Openers
Whimsical chapter headers or illustrations can provide readers with visual cues. Such elements offer a glimpse into upcoming events, building anticipation and enriching the storytelling experience.
3. Add Visual Easter Eggs
Inconspicuous visual elements that follow the story’s plot or characters can delight attentive readers. These hidden gems encourage deeper engagement, as readers feel rewarded for their attention to detail.
4. Use Pull Quotes and Decorative Elements
Impactful lines with elegant designs draw the reader’s eye to significant moments. This technique spotlights key passages, amplifying their emotional connection and making them more memorable.
5. Experiment With Text Layouts
Creative typography can accentuate pivotal moments or emotions within the narrative. Authors can deliver intensity, urgency or tranquility by varying text placement and style, adding another dimension to the reading experience.
Turning Stories into Immersive Reading Experiences
Authors must use visual storytelling through graphics and design to connect with today’s readers. Visual storytelling elevates a book from a story to an unforgettable reading experience. As readers increasingly value the experience a book provides, investing in visual storytelling is a strategic creative choice. Start experimenting with visuals to convert stories into ones that readers will cherish.
Eleanor Hecks is a writer and web designer who is passionate about helping other writers grow their online presence. Her work can be found on her site Designerly, as well as publications such as IndependentPublishing.com and I Need a Book Cover.
A Philhellene Writes
Independent author Tony Whitefield has been profiled by the Greek Herald. Tony explains how his love for Greek culture, landscape and history led to him writing several works on history and fiction.
““I never ever thought that I could write a novel,” Tony said.
I’m a great believer that anyone can write, and having been a high school teacher for years, I thought, well I’ve written lots of articles, listing things and curriculum things and I’ve completed a master’s thesis and a PhD, so I just wanted to take that next step and commence writing.”
The 64-year-old said what he loved most about writing was the “aha moments.”
“I just love when I’m focused on such miniscule things and I can’t work out how to construct something, so I go away and clear my mind. Then, when I come back and start typing, it clicks,”
What is a Business Book For
Business coach , author and social media expert Andrew Ford gives his take on the purpose of a business book:
“A book is a great resource as it establishes the author as an expert on the topic and someone who has a lot of intellectual property. The books we create with clients are all to support their existing businesses and not to sell as a way to independently make revenue. The amount of book sales necessary to get a return on investment of your time, effort and money to create a book, isn’t worthwhile. We make the returns from speaking, consulting and coaching clients based on the materials in the book. “
Andrew’s latest book detailing his 12-step e-ttraction method is out now.
Ampersand Prize is open to Self Published Titles
If you write or publish in the YA or middle grade space, you might be interested in entering Hardie Grant’s Ampersand Prize. Details below. Dates are for 2024 — no doubt the 2025 dates will be similar.
Eligibility
We accept submissions from any person who has not previously had a young adult, middle-grade or graphic novel published by a trade publishing house anywhere in the world. If you have had a picture book, general fiction (for adults), educational or non-fiction title published, you are still eligible. Submissions must be entered at Submittable.com (link will become live July 1) and all required fields must be completed before submission. Writers will be required to submit a one-page synopsis with their manuscript, as well as a 100-word explanation of why they wrote the book (used only for context).
If you are a self-published author, you are eligible to submit a manuscript provided you follow submission guidelines, and note in your cover letter whether the submitted manuscript has been self-published already. If it has, please remove it from sale for the duration of the Ampersand Prize (from 1 July 2024 until the shortlist is announced). By entering your manuscript, you agree to contract all publishing rights, including print and digital, if selected as the winner. Note that we do not accept ePub or Mobi files as submissions.
Key dates:
Submissions open: 1-31 July 2024
Shortlist announced: November 2024
Winner announced: December 2024
Doing Your Comp Research
Serious independent authors spend time checking out their competitors, the so-called ‘Comps’ or comparable titles. It is a great way of getting a sense of a particular genre, prevalent trends, the key cover design elements that signal a particular fictional niche. A writer should have a good idea of their specific target readers — and, spoiler alert, it is not ‘anyone who can read’. If you have read a lot in the genre you are writing in (always a good idea), you will already have a fairly good idea of how your title/s relate to the existing literary landscape. Making a list of comparable titles, whether bestsellers or midlist, can also be helpful for book cover designers looking to get a more specific feel for your title. At the same time it gives the author a better sense of the overall commercial literary landscape.
Value of Book Cover Design
Author services site Reedsy conduct a semi-scientific test into the relative marketing merits of a better designed cover. The signal seems pretty clear, though one would want to make such tests on a much larger scale to fully quantify the effectiveness. But of course there is a reason mainstream publishers invest a lot of effort into eye-catching genre-appropriate cover designs — it very much works, and catches the segment of the buying public interested in that specific kind of title.