“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?”
L. M. Montgomery
Our books are the products of our imaginations, and though the stories within may not come to life, we can still hold our books in our hands, feel the tangible proof of what our minds have created.
For me, I didn’t believe I had achieved my dream of being published until I held my first paperback in my hands. I was giddy with delight to see my name there before me on the cover. My imaginations had come true.
But the step in between? Taking it from a carefully organized Scrivener file to a shareable e-book file and printed book was a task that seemed insurmountable. There was a wizardry involved, I was sure. So I researched and watched videos and read how-tos and learned how to format my book. Don’t worry, I did it the hardest, most time-consuming way possible.
Even better news, Indie Author Magazine is here to save you the same heartache and frustration that I went through. In this issue, we discuss the key terms you need to know, as well as different methods of formatting. Gill Fernley takes us step-by-step through setting up your book in Word and shares a simple template to get you started. Alice Briggs shows us the extent of beautiful and flexible designs you can create using programs like Affinity Photo or Adobe Photoshop. And if you’re looking for a method that is clean, quick, and easy, Chrishaun Keller-Hanna showcases how Vellum can give your book a polished finish. All are equally valuable in giving you that spark of delight to see your book come to life, whether digital or in print.
When Writing Means Business, Storytellers Read Indie Author Magazine
I keep hearing that I need to niche down into a genre to build a solid author brand, but I love writing multiple. Is it possible in our industry to build my brand around me and write what I want to write? Genre Wanderer Dear Genre Wanderer, My precious Wanderer, I feel your pain. Being fenced into one genre simply won’t do! That’s like being told you can only sip one type of tea for
I like to think I’ve conquered impostor syndrome, but any time I give interviews, reach out to someone with a research question, or try to set up local author events, I feel awkward and out of place. How do I confidently approach professionals outside the author community? Out of My Element Dear Out of My Element, My dear elemental friend, reaching beyond our cozy author circles can indeed feel as precarious as a hobbit venturing
I’ve just hired a new cover designer for my series, but English is not their first language. I want to make the process run smoothly. Any tips for working around a language barrier? Lost in Translation Dear Lost in Translation, Oh, poppet, collaborating across cultures can feel as daunting as decoding hieroglyphics! But with patience and open communication, you can transcend language barriers. View this as a thrilling expedition with your design sherpa! What you
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