“Bestseller” gets printed on more book covers than most readers realize, and that’s because the word means something different depending on which list put it there. Some lists count every sale, everywhere. Others rely on an editorial process you can’t buy your way into. A few only count sales from a specific slice of retailers you may not even be selling through.
Guidance for your writing journey
Your Advice for Writers resource articles.
Your Advice for Writers resource articles.
Writing a book comes with questions, challenges, and moments of doubt, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. The Advice for Writers resource articles break down the writing, publishing, and promotion process into clear, approachable guidance, so you can focus on telling your story with confidence.
If your memoir gets you sued, you—the author—are usually the one financially liable, not the publisher, because most publishing contracts include a warranty and indemnification clause that makes you responsible for the accuracy of your own story.
Print-on-demand pricing is built from three stacked costs—a flat production charge per copy, a distribution or “market access” fee taken as a percentage of your list price, and the trade discount wholesalers and bookstores require—and your royalty is whatever remains of the list price after all three are subtracted.
Why Most Books Belong on Screens and Shelves There’s nothing quite like holding a printed copy of your book. But many of …
Accept, Adapt, Discuss, or Decline: A Guide to Editorial Notes You’ve spent months, maybe years, on your manuscript. Then the edit letter …
Merch and Swag Ideas to Help You Sell Books A bookmark tucked into a signed copy. A sticker on a reader’s laptop. …
Give Your Book a Pitch Readers Can’t Resist A reader picks up your book, glances at the cover, and flips it over. …
Professional vs. DIY vs. AI illustration In a picture book, the illustrations aren’t decoration. They’re half the story. Children “read” the pictures …
Should You Make an Audiobook? Costs, Benefits, and When It’s Worth It Audiobooks have become one of the most important ways readers …
Advice for First-Time Authors Writing and publishing a first book is a big undertaking, and much of the learning happens along the …