Young Adult Indie Author
Have you ever been in a Facebook group or emailing your formatter when they casually drop terms like “trim size,” “bleed,” or “widows,” and you just sit there blinking at your screen, wondering if you missed an entire course on publishing jargon? You’re not alone. Because here’s the deal: every industry has its own lingo,…
So, your story’s over. You typed “The End,” closed your laptop with a flourish, and maybe even did a happy dance in your kitchen. But hold up — your book isn’t quite done yet. There’s a little section often overlooked but packed with potential: the back matter. And if you’re an indie author, this part…
If you’re not sure what goes before chapter one in your book—you’re not alone. The front matter is often an afterthought for indie authors, but it’s actually one of the most important parts of your book. It sets the tone for your reader and protects your rights as the author. What Is Front Matter? The…
When you hear the word “trim size,” your first thought might be…a haircut? But in the world of self-publishing, trim size refers to the dimensions of your book—and it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make when preparing your print edition. 📏 What is Trim Size? Trim size is the final size of your…
Formatting your book is one of the final steps before publishing—but if you wait too long, you could find yourself scrambling at the last minute. Let’s talk about when to schedule book formatting in your launch timeline so you can publish without panic. 📚 You Typed “The End.” Now What? You’ve edited your book, survived…
Have you ever finished reading a book, flipped to the end, and spotted a little note that says something like, “If you loved this book, please leave a review!”? Maybe you’ve seen it and thought, Eh, does it really make a difference? Spoiler alert: YES, it does—more than you probably think! Today, I want to…
Every book has a story behind the story, and today, I want to share what inspired my third young adult novel, Aerial Ambitions. This book was on my heart for years before I had the chance to sit down and write it, and some of the inspiration behind it was expected—while one source completely surprised…
When most writers think of world building they start thinking about space odyssey, fantasy realms, or worlds with lots of magic but I’m here to tell you that it’s just as important when building out real “fictional” places to help ground your readers into the reality of your story. What is World Building? …
Do you have a writing ritual that helps you put more words on the paper? Would you like one that’s totally customized just for you? I believe that having a writing ritual can help you actually look forward to writing so you sit down day after day with a smile on your face. This…
Wow, 2020…you have definitely been a year. Would I say a good year? Probably not, but was it a total wash? Nope, not really. Let’s take a little look back at some of my favorite writing posts from this year and you tell me down below in the comments, which was your favorite? I started…