Submit your manuscript using our templates .  Using another method may delay editing and/or formatting your book.

Use Microsoft Word when writing your book.  Correct errors indicated by red, blue, or green underlined words or phrases.

Avoid run-on sentences.  Break long sentences into simpler or shorter ones.

Be mindful of characters and take time to develop them.  Be mindful that you're telling a story through their eyes.  Be aware of the tense you use to tell that story.

Consider your audience.  What do they want to hear?  What do they need to hear?  What is the goal of your book?  Stick to the goal.

Don't force your writing.  Readers can tell.  If it's not flowing, then you're forcing.

Avoid repeating the same words.  Repetition breeds boredom.

Any images within the book must have at least 300 DPI.

Images may need to be cropped or resized to fit in your book.  Take that into consideration when providing images.

Color images/text will dramatically increase your printing/wholesale cost of your book.

Read your book aloud.  Hearing it as your readers will hear it allows you to make any necessary changes in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

How do you want your header and footers to look?

Do you want your name and book title as your headers?  Name and chapter titles?

What font and font size do you prefer for the body, headers, page numbers, and title page?

Your title page will be reflective of your book cover.  The same fonts, sizes, and spacing will be used wheneer possible.  However, images will not be present in most cases.

Does your book include images?  Where do you want them?  Centered?  Right justfied?  Left?  

Moving or changing one word, image, or line can change the entire layout of your book.  Be sure to have an idea of where things will appear in your book.  Be flexible or have a plan B!

Always keep your reader in mind.  If you have an older audience, consider larger font.  If you have a younger audience, shorter chapters may be best.  Different audiences look for different things in a book.

If you are writing  journal, planner, or a book where lines or tables are used, consider the white space.  The amount and placement of text and writing space is very important.  Print a copy and use it yourself to see if your placement is right.  Keep in mind, some people write larger than others.

If using tables, be sure they are within the page margins.  Otherwise, they won't be printable.

Use our cover design form to start your cover.

All images used must be your property (you used a "free for commercial use" image, paid for the image, or took it yourself).

Don't use a wordy title or subtitle.  You'll lose your audience before they open your book.

Simplicity is key.  Don't use busy patterns that will take away attention from your title.

If you're writing a technical book, avoid using your image on the cover unless you are very well known in your field.

Avoid using font that is hard to read.  There is a large population of people who can't read cursive, so script fonts should be used sparingly.

Be sure to double check capitalization for your title and subtitle.

If you have MBA, CPA, Ph.D, etc. behind your name use it!  Expound on your credentials on your introduction or the About the Author page.

Don't be afraid to use color.  Black may o with everything, but a colorful book has the easiest cover and spine to pick out on the shelves.

Know a graphic artist/designer?  Get their input when designing your cover.

Don't allow your image to overpower your title.

Don't allow your subtitle to get lost within the other elements on your cover.

Balance is key.  Consider size, placement, color, font,and space in your design.

After your design is complete, show it to a few trusted individuals who can give you honest feedback.

Who is this book for?  No, it's not for everyone.  It's for everyone who _____.  Fill in the blank and that's who you should market to.  If you still say "everyone", try again.  Find at least 5 traits of people you're interested in reaching.

Consider the personality, trials, hot button issues, temperment, race, age, gender, economic status, and perspective of your reader.

What would your reader be willing to pay for your book?  Price your book well enough to make you a good profit and be worth every penny to your readers.

How far would they be willing to drive?  Not far?  Make sure to promote online with a website, social media, through local outlets, and events.

Having a book launch?  Be sure your readers won't have to pay to get in.  Nothing is worse than paying to enter a venue to buy a book.  Don't make your readers choose between paying to get into a restaurant, venue, or event and buying multiple copies of your book.

TELL EVERYBODY ABOUT YOUR BOOK!  NEVER STOP PROMOTING IT!

Connect with groups (in person and online) that have a significant connection with your book.

Submit your book to book clubs, book reviewers, universities, bookstores, schools, and groups.  Don't forget to use our list that's available as a paid subscription and is updated every month.

If you give away free copies, write them off as business expenses because it's advertising.

Create a monthly marketing budget.  Social media is free, but sometimes you need to pay to make an impact. 

Use every avenue you can to sell your book. 

If you are interested in marketing packages, contact us!  We have resources for you!