The usual variety of topics, colour schemes and typefaces…
Nominate Yourself for an IngramSpark Curated List
From IngramSpark, a service that may be of some interest to authors using their POD and ebook distribution service:
Nominate Your Book Today
Promote your book as part of curated lists sent to retailers, librarians, wholesalers, consumer-facing read and review sites, and more!
Upcoming promotional opportunities from IngramSpark Distribution
Click on the “Nominate” button to submit your books for consideration to be included in that month’s promotion.
IngramSpark Distribution will review all nominations. Not all nominations will be selected for inclusion in that month’s publication.
Regional Content & Authors
Nominate your book to be considered for regionally targeted promotions by author and content. Please specify the corresponding city/state to be considered, and note if your book is set in the specified area, the content relates to that area, and/or if the author is from that area.
QR Codes made Easy with Adobe Express
Adobe’s online design tool Adobe Express enables users to create QR codes in a number of different formats. Paste in your link and control the style, colour and file format.
Joining the Australian Society of Authors
While not particularly cheap, membership of the Australian Society of Authors does come with a certain degree of cachet, and might help a would-be scribe to take their own career a little bit more seriously.
Their site lists the following as reasons to join:
Access member-only services and tailored advice.
Get free advice about anything book industry-related from our experienced team
Get affordable advice about contracts, copyright and more from our specialised law firm, Authors Legal
Book a one-on-one consultation with an industry professional for expert advice tailored to your circumstances via our Publishing Consultation Service
Access exclusive book distribution with our partner John Reed Books
Advertise your services and skills on our Author or Illustrator Directories
Plus discounts, events and more. Definitely worth considering if you have a spare couple of hundred dollars burning a hole in your pocket…
Amazon lowers its royalties ... naturally
They may have got their start selling books online, but that doesn’t mean Amazon have any love in their hard little algorithmically animated hearts for antediluvian scribblers. Kindlepreneur details the latest squeeze on defenceless authors…
If you sell paperback or hardcover books on Amazon KDP, this affects you. On June 10, Amazon lowered the royalty rate for certain print books. Specifically: Books priced at $9.98 or less (USD) now earn 50% royalties instead of 60%. (This applies to both paperback and hardcover formats — but not ebooks.)
So if your print books are priced under $9.99, you’re now earning less per sale. Not exactly great news... but it actually gets worse: Books that moved to the 50% royalty rate also have a higher minimum list price. If your current price falls below that new threshold, you could earn nothing at all per sale.
That’s not hyperbole either. Amazon spells it out: A “regular trim size paperback with 300 pages, black and white ink, sold on Amazon for $8.00” now earns zero royalties. That’s the bad news.
The good news? We’ve updated our KDP Royalty Calculator to reflect these changes, so you can check your pricing and avoid nasty surprises. If you haven’t run the numbers yet, now’s the time.
https://kindlepreneur.com/kdp-royalty-calculator/
As always, we’ll keep you informed when Amazon changes the rules (and make sure you have the tools to respond).
When you’re pretty much the only game in town, there is not much restraining your behaviour… See First Mover theory — with Amazon as a case study.
How to Keep the Joy in Writing When It's Your Full-Time Career
Most writers start their careers because they love everything about the written word. Thinking about doing something other than writing is like a punch in the gut, but when it becomes a full-time career, the thing they once loved can create stress. Transitioning from writing as a hobby to a career adds tight deadlines, demands from readers or a publisher, revisions and uncomplimentary feedback.
Whether a seasoned pro or debut author, writers compete against approximately 150,700 other people in the United States doing the same thing. Approximately 65% of them are self-employed or under contract. Authors often find they spend as much time marketing and completing administrative tasks as doing the thing they love.
How Authors Can Find Joy During Burnout
Churning out book after book and staring down deadlines can drain even the most prolific writers. Figuring out how to balance an author's roles while remaining grateful for doing what they love requires intention. Fortunately, creators can implement specific actions to ensure they still love what they do.
1. Create a Work/Life Balance
With any career path, balancing work and play is essential to retain that spark for the industry. With writers, stories often consume them, leading to strange work hours and spending too much time researching or writing. Add all the other tasks an author must do, like marketing, book signings and outreach, and work can soon become overwhelming.
Establishing a writing schedule is one of the best ways to create a work/life balance. Choose blocks of time each day to focus on the latest work in progress, marketing, answering reader emails and recordkeeping. Authors should also create dedicated time for social pursuits with family and friends.
2. Find a Purpose
In one survey, around 31% of employees left their jobs because they felt the work wasn't meaningful. The desire to tell a great story drives authors at the beginning of starting a new book, but without a more significant purpose, they might soon lose direction.
If authors get too focused on a paycheck, writing is unfulfilling. Purpose is a personal journey. Each writer must figure out what matters to them at their core and then seek ways to find meaning, such as through speaking up for the underrepresented, touching one life through a story or raising money or awareness. Some authors donate a portion of their book profits to a good cause. Others write to help themselves and other hurting people heal.
3. Refill the Creative Well
When authors constantly create but never experiment or follow creative pursuits they love, their supply of creativity can run dry. When the world expects writers to produce a lot of content, the work gets repetitive. The creative spirit needs something more to feel inspired. In "The Artist's Way," Artist Julia Cameron wrote that creators must refill their wells to remain inspired. Open up creativity by:
● Pursuing favorite childhood activities like swinging at the playground.
● Going to an art gallery and staring at the paintings.
● Writing in a journal without pausing to think about the words.
Anything that makes an author’s heart happy can be a means of refilling the creative well and tapping into the passion they had when they began writing.
4. Automate Monotonous Tasks
Whether an author is with a publishing house or self-published, the millions of tiny tasks to keep a literary career moving forward can be exhausting. Fortunately, writers can automate many things with artificial intelligence (AI) advances.
For example, people who use a chatbot on their websites increase customer engagement by 80% to 90%. With advances in machine learning, AI-driven chatbots can carry on simple conversations and answer basic questions.
5. Take on New Challenges
When authors start writing, publishing a book seems next to impossible. Over time, as creators tackle bigger goals and accomplish them, initial tasks can grow boring. When writers feel stuck, embracing a new genre or something outside the ordinary may be the key to breaking through and finding joy in the process again.
Some things authors can try include:
● Entering a short story contest.
● Hosting a webinar for readers.
● Collaborating with a writer friend to create a series.
Like-minded people can inspire one another to reach new heights. Successful writers surround themselves with people who’ve tackled huge goals and accomplished them.
6. Take a Digital Detox
Social media and online reviews can knock down an author’s confidence, translating into melancholy. Finding inspiration requires getting out into the world and trying new things. It’s hard to write about experiences if one lacks them in real life.
Commit to a digital detox once a month. Turn off all social media, ignore emails and unplug. Avoid reading online reviews and carve out device-free zones designated for reading print books or journaling by hand.
Practice Living Joyfully
Joy may be hard to find during the most difficult times of a writer’s journey through publishing. However, creatives can nurture it with some extra work and determination.
By embracing the things that refill the artist’s creative spirit, authors can find their spark again and flourish in the career they were born for. Finding the right tools to maintain a passion for writing is a matter of grit and effort. The resulting elation will shine through the author’s stories.
About the Author
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.
Too Good To Be True: Books.By
Kindlepreneur does a deep dive on book startup Books.by. Reddit also has quite a long thread with author feedback. And the overall picture is not pretty. Limited and expensive print options, a re-tread of an earlier website, dodgy reviews, highly yearly charges and more. There is definitely a space in the print on demand market for a service that leaves more money in authors’ pockets, but unfortunately books.by might not be the one.
No Feeding the AI, say Australian Authors
Publishers and authors were outraged when Google scanned millions of books for search purposes without permission. Many publishers sued Google and the cases went on for several years. The scanned books remain online and Google won some of the most important cases. The latest tech raid on published content seems much more insidious. Meta used the full text of many published books to ‘train’ its own LLM (Large Language Model), and other AI startups have been engaged in similar activities. Author reactions have been overwhelmingly negative.
Recent Cover Designs
Recent cover designs, from High Fantasy to Colonial History, Real Estate to Middle Eastern Politics
7 Essential Tips for Authors on the Art of Research Organization
For writers, research is often the invisible backbone of compelling narratives, rich settings and believable characters. Historical fiction and fantasy worlds don’t magically come to life if the art of research isn’t mastered. It can mean the difference between a smooth creative process and weeks lost to digital clutter and forgotten references.
Why Organizing Information Is Necessary
The curse of creativity can be a messy mind. However, as much as wordsmiths would love a second brain to store and organize research data, disorganized information can still lead to a loss of time and effort skimming for details. Thankfully, some digital tools, like a bookmark manager, can make it easy for writers to track their digital library.
The reality of chaos can waste energy and time, precious resources that should otherwise be spent doing actual writing. Writers can’t afford these inefficiencies, especially under tight deadlines.
This article outlines seven essential, research-based strategies that every author — novice or seasoned — can adopt to streamline their process, boost productivity and elevate their work.
1. Get on the Right Track With an Outline
Aimless research can consume hours without yielding relevant insights. Creating an outline acts as a directional compass for the research phase, giving authors clarity and control. While it doesn’t have to be rigid, an outline serves as a skeleton for the writing structure. It helps identify core areas where deeper research is needed, especially in historical context, setting details or linguistic accuracy.
Drafting an initial outline or a concept map — even if it evolves later — ensures that writers are not merely hoarding facts but curating them intentionally. Authors who plan with subheadings or thematic chunks tend to maintain narrative coherence and avoid the temptation of unnecessary digressions.
2. Set Goals and Deadlines
Research can quickly turn into a rabbit hole that authors often fall into when inspiration meets unlimited information. But time is a finite resource. Without a plan, even seasoned writers risk over-researching trivial details and under-researching critical narrative elements.
Establishing strict time blocks — for example, allocating one hour for learning about 18th-century naval ships — ensures time is used wisely. Setting deadlines for each stage of the research process keeps projects on track and allows authors to focus on quality over quantity. Set timers, limit database scrolling and assign deadlines for compiling source notes. It’s not about how much research gets churned but how much it supports the manuscript.
3. Pen Notes in a Physical Notebook
While digital tools offer convenience, physical note-taking has a unique edge — it helps embed ideas into memory and provides a tactile sense of ownership over the research. Studies in education and cognitive psychology confirm that writing by hand improves retention and critical thinking; plus, physical writing encourages engagement in the work being done and can even boost critical thinking skills.
Moreover, having one physical notebook to return to minimizes the chaos of scattered ideas across apps, browsers or multiple devices. It also avoids the saving syndrome, where information is stored but never revisited.
For those who prefer digital organization, a compromise is maintaining a single dedicated folder segmented by labeled documents and relying heavily on search functions like Ctrl+F. Just avoid the trap of saving endless PDFs without ever reviewing them.
4. Label Each Idea Clearly
Proper labeling is a simple but powerful organizational technique. Whether working digitally or by hand, clarity saves hours later on.
Digitally, create hierarchical folder structures — for instance, a master folder called Book Research, with subfolders for Characters, Architecture, Weapons or Historical Events. Within each, label documents by topic, like Victorian Hair Trends.pdf or Etymology of Elvish Names.docx.
Physically, use headers, section breaks or colored tabs. Color-coding by theme — like setting, character and era — lets writers navigate notes visually without rereading everything.
In both formats, adopt a consistent naming system. Writers can thank themselves later when looking for that one obscure article about 14th-century Parisian street markets.
5. Create a Character Bio Template
For fiction authors, especially those developing expansive casts, character bio templates are invaluable. They ensure consistency and help make each character distinct. More importantly, having this structure ready keeps the research targeted. Use a customizable template like the one below:
● Name
● Hair color
● Eye color
● Nationality
● Language
● Birthday
● Age
● Clothing style/color
Add optional fields for motivations, fears, backstories, relationships or occupations. Then, file each character’s research — whether visual references, historical context or personality notes — under their corresponding bio.
6. Research Only What the Characters Know
In world-building, it’s tempting to research every cultural nuance, weapon design or medical practice in history. But ask — does the character know this?
Limiting research to what the characters can realistically access or perceive keeps the process efficient and maintains narrative authenticity. For instance, a 19th-century sailor won’t describe a storm using meteorological terms, so why research barometric pressure shifts?
This character-centric approach helps writers avoid information overload and unnecessary exposition while sharpening the realism and perspective of their prose.
7. Keep a Works-Cited Page for the Research
A dedicated works-cited document or bibliography is crucial for nonfiction authors who must reference their sources and fiction writers who draw heavily from real-world facts, locations or legends.
Maintaining this list ensures intellectual honesty and streamlines revisions, especially if an editor or agent asks where that specific fact can be found. It also aids in future projects — no need to re-research what is already known.
Many writers skip this step until it's too late. Avoid that mistake. Create the bibliography as the research progresses, not after.
Organize to Create, Not to Hoard
Research is the groundwork of compelling storytelling, but it can be more of a burden than a boost if it isn't organized. Whether an author is just beginning their first novel or working on their 10th nonfiction volume, these seven essential tips provide a professional framework for keeping information accessible, relevant and usable.
About the Author
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.
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.
Resources for Authors, updated
Independent authors are faced with a bewildering new world when they attempt to promote their books on snd offline. But there are lots of free or very low cost resources online. The following authors and sources do an excellent job of making sense of the contemporary publishing and promotional landscape, and all are worth reading.
Euan Mitchell's Your Book Publishing Options
How to Be an Author from Fremantle Press
Let's Get Digital by David Gaughran
Ricardo Fayet's How to Market an ebook
Ricardo Fayet’s How to Market a Book — Overperform in a Crowded Market
Amazon Ads Unleashed by Robert J. Ryan
Amazon Selling Services from Helium 10
Author 2.0 Blueprint by Joanna Penn
Multiple resources and useful links from Joanna Penn
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
East Wind, West Wind: The Books of Trevor Hay
Working Type Books has worked on several titles for Trevor Hay. Here’s an interesting summary of his varied career and writing, many of which are available from Australian Scholarly Publishing.
About the Author
Dr Trevor Hay is a scholar of comparative and intercultural literature, specialising in Chinese theatre, literature and folklore and in English language writing on China. He is a collector of antiquarian books about China, Central Asia and Tibet and has travelled and worked intermittently in China over fifty years, including a period of UNICEF literacy consultancy with ethnic minority groups, and most recently with a Chinese-Australian group researching Buddhist art in the Dunhuang caves of the Gobi. He has been an Australian Research Council researcher on the teaching of Chinese language and culture for international students and has worked with Chinese community arts and culture groups in Australia, including as narrative consultant for a historical drama society and as an expert committee member for an association for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. He is a fluent speaker of Modern Standard Mandarin. He is currently writing his twelfth book.
Books by Trevor Hay
Tartar City Woman: Scenes from the Life of Wang Hsin-Ping, Former Citizen of China, Melbourne University Press, 1990, biography, history.
East Wind, West Wind, (with Fang Xiangshu) Penguin, 1992, biography.
Black Ice : A Story of Modern China, Trevor Hay, (with Fang Xiangshu), Indra Publishing, 1997, novel, historical fiction.
China’s Proletarian Myth: The Revolutionary Narrative and Model Theatre of the Cultural Revolution, Lambert Academic Publishing, 2008, Chinese theatre and politics.
A Dream of Red Dragonflies. A Strange Tale of China, the World — and a Third Place, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2016, novel.
Letters from a Floating Life, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2017, novel.
The Secret of the Lunar Rainbow, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2018, novel.
Redgrave’s Ghost, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2019, novel.
The Tengu: Tales from the Temple of Ordinary Terrors, Tantanoola, Australian Scholarly Publishing, novel, 2020.
The Library of Lost Horizons. An Antiquarian Voyage, Arden, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2023.
The Man who Loved Dragons. My China Curios and the Gates of Dreams, Arden, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2024.
5 Typesetting Tips for Enhanced Accessibility
Typesetting is crucial in book design because it determines how readers engage with the text and absorb information. A well-designed layout enhances readability, making it easier for readers to focus without distractions. When accessibility is prioritized, books become more inclusive, catering to individuals with visual impairments, dyslexia or other reading challenges.
The Importance of Accessible Typesetting
Accessible typesetting refers to the practice of designing text layouts in a way that accommodates as wide a range of readers as possible, including those with visual impairments — which affect at least 2.2 billion people worldwide — and dyslexia. The approach ensures all readers can enjoy your writing without unnecessary strain or discomfort.
Proper font choices, spacing and alignment can significantly impact how smoothly a reader moves through a page. Focusing on accessibility and readability allows authors and book designers to create a more enjoyable experience that immerses readers in the content.
In fact, this type of customization in book design can be vital for authors who hope to drive a loyal following, as 71% of customers expect personalization when deciding on a purchase. This expectation extends to reading materials, where font choices that are directly chosen with a variety of physical abilities in mind can greatly enhance individual reading experiences.
1. Choose an Accessible Typeface
Choosing between serif and sans-serif fonts is essential, especially in print and digital formats. Serif fonts — like Garamond and Georgia — have small strokes at the ends of letters, which help guide the reader’s eye along a line of text. Research suggests that serif fonts can lead to slightly faster reading speeds, particularly in longer-form content like books.
On the other hand, sans-serif fonts, with their clean and simple letterforms, are often easier to read on screens. Regardless of style, font size also matters — 12-point is generally considered large enough for comfortable reading without straining the eyes.
Authors and book designers should avoid decorative or overly stylized fonts, as these can make text harder to decipher and reduce overall readability. Prioritizing classic, well-designed typefaces ensures a smoother reading experience for all audiences.
2. Optimize Line Spacing and Margins
Proper line spacing can greatly influence readability as it helps readers move effortlessly from one line to the next. Tight spacing can make text feel cluttered, while too much space disrupts the reading flow. Generous margins also prevent paragraphs from feeling cramped and give the eyes room to rest.
Moreover, white space guides the reader’s focus and makes content easier to digest. A well-structured page encourages readers to stay engaged. Balancing spacing, margins and white space creates an inviting, stress-free reading experience.
3. Ensure Proper Line Length and Paragraph Width
The ideal line length for readability falls between 45 and 75 characters per line, striking the right balance between comfort and efficiency. When lines are too long, the eye has to work harder to track from the end of one line to the beginning of the next, leading to fatigue and slower reading speeds. On the other hand, shorter lines create frequent breaks in the reading flow, which makes the text feel choppy and disconnected.
Adjusting paragraph width based on the format is crucial. Print layouts can afford slightly wider columns, while digital content benefits from narrower widths to accommodate different screen sizes. Optimizing line length lets authors and book designers engage readers without unnecessary strain.
4. Use Hierarchy and Contrast for Readability
Font size, bolding and italics guide readers through content and improve readability. Larger font sizes make the text easier to process while bolding highlights key points without disrupting the low. Italics can add emphasis but should be used sparingly to avoid visual clutter. A well-structured hierarchy with clear headers and subheaders makes navigation seamless, especially for readers with cognitive impairments or low vision.
Headings break up information into digestible sections, which makes content easier to scan. High contrast between text and background is just as important. Dark text on a light background (or vice versa) enhances visibility, reduces eye strain and ensures an inclusive reading experience for all audiences.
5. Avoid Justified Text and Hyphenation Overuse
Left-aligned text is easier to read than justified text because it maintains consistent spacing between words. Full justification — while visually neat — often creates uneven letter and word spacing. This leads to what’s known as “rivers” of white space running down the page. This inconsistency complicates distinguishing between individual words, slows reading speed and causes unnecessary strain.
Excessive hyphenation — often used to balance justified text — further disrupts the reading flow by forcing the reader to pause and piece words together across line breaks. A better approach is to use left-aligned, ragged-right text, which maintains natural spacing and avoids awkward word breaks. If justification is necessary, adjusting word spacing within a reasonable range can help improve readability without sacrificing aesthetics.
Creating an Inclusive and Engaging Reading Experience
Thoughtful typesetting transforms a book from simply readable to truly engaging. This makes it easier for readers to absorb and enjoy the content without distractions. Prioritizing accessibility lets authors and designers create a more inclusive experience that reaches a broader audience and immerses readers from start to finish.
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.
Laneway Press – Writing Coach, Editor and Publisher
From Regina Lane at Laneway Press, a description of her services:
A writing coach is an invaluable investment for the aspiring author. As an author myself, editor and a publisher, I have the experience to help you define what you want to say, who you want to reach and the impact you wish to have.
I can help you set writing goals, a structure and a program of work, and keep you focused and accountable. Even the most successful of authors benefit from coaching; someone to keep them motivated and to help move them through the inevitable blocks all writers encounter.
Whether you need a writing coach to get started, or an editor to fine tune your story, I can help you with:
Your goal – your vision for success, your core message or storyline. z
Your audience – what they read, what you want them to feel, know and understand.
Market research – styles, angles and approaches of other books, where are the gaps?
Writing and self-editing – knowing the difference and when to do what.
Assessment – sometimes the first step, if you come to me with a complete draft.
Editing – structural and copy editing to get your manuscript ship shape for publication.
Self-publishing – costs, platforms, potential for success, marketing and distribution.
Self-promotion – guidance in how to engage your audience via social and traditional media.
Contact Regina at https://lanewaypress.com.au/contact/
Edge Printing Design by Selina Fenech
Illustrator and writer Selena Fenech is offering an interesting embellishment technique for authors (see image above)
“Popular paper edge design accessible for indie authors! With this technique, designs are printed into the page formatting, not sprayed after printing. Can be applied to any print on demand title in black and white or colour. BYO design or custom illustration available.”
Recent cover designs
Memoirs, Genre Fiction, Current Affairs, Science Fiction and Business: always plenty of variety and interest in the world of cover design. Here are some recent examples designed for our clients.
Writing a Simple Design Brief
A good cover design brief should include the following elements (along with any additional information you might consider important for the designer to know)
What your aims are for the book
What place it will occupy in the book publishing landscape (ie. subject matter, genre etc)
The kind of feel or mood you would like the design to inspire or provoke. Give examples of existing titles – as many as you want, and what you found compelling about them – or other non-book material that is heading in the right direction – a ‘mood board’ can be quite helpful
A rough idea of how you plan to market your book, and whether it will be mostly promoted online or via bookstores, and what kind of additional marketing materials will be needed (posters, graphics for social posts, email headers, banners etc)
Examples of type design or font combinations that might set the designer on the right path
Examples of colour combinations, or the dominant colour
The blurb and a reasonably detailed synopsis, even a couple of key scenes in the book if you want them to be the basis of the cover
Character descriptions if they are to feature on the cover
Many authors are content to leave everything to the designer, but at least a little bit of guidance can be extremely helpful and prevent wasted time and the designer creating iterations that are wildly off-track.
Be open to unexpected solutions – sometimes a designer will come up with a solution that you might not have considered and showcases your title in an interesting, marketable way.
If the first round of cover versions are not hitting the mark, be specific with your suggestions – the more the designer has to work with, the more chance they have of creating something memorable and useful
There is a post on the WorkingType blog that goes into some related detail.