Michelle M. White’s Post

My Writing Journey Continues: The Art of Book Cover Design 📚🎨 Today, I want to share a crucial part of my writing journey that I never expected to be so complex: creating the book cover. Key insights from my experience: 1. Inspiration can strike anywhere: My initial idea came from a journal cover that María Camila Guzmán gave me. Always keep your eyes open! 2. Collaboration is key: I'm working with my talented friend Meher Khan and my publisher Daybreak Press Kate Sadeghpour to bring the vision to life. 3. Simplicity is deceptively difficult: I wanted a clean design with icons representing the book's topics. Sounds easy, right? Not quite! 4. It's a process: We're still refining the cover. Patience and persistence are essential. 5. The cover's importance can't be overstated: I initially underestimated its significance, but it's often the first thing that catches a potential reader's eye. Advice for fellow authors: • Start thinking about your cover early • Be open to input from design professionals • Don't rush the process - it's worth taking the time to get it right • Remember that your cover is a crucial marketing tool Have you designed a book cover? What was your experience like? Share your thoughts below! #BookCoverDesign #AuthorJourney #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing

Turning Ideas into Tangible Stories Creating a book is like building a world from scratch—an intricate process that turns ideas into something readers can hold in their hands. At TalentsBridge, we see book creation as a craft, where every stage matters. From the first spark of inspiration to the final printed copy, every element must come together seamlessly. The journey starts with your vision. Whether it’s a novel, memoir, or non-fiction, our team works to bring your ideas to life. Content development, editing, and structuring come next—each step refining the raw material into a cohesive story that resonates with readers. But it’s not just about words. Layout design and formatting ensure that your book is not only a pleasure to read but visually appealing in both print and digital formats. At TalentsBridge, we handle the technical details, like pagination, indexing, and cover design, while keeping your creative vision at the forefront. Our goal is to guide authors through the complex maze of book production with ease and professionalism, ensuring every aspect is crafted with care. Book creation is more than just writing; it’s about bringing a dream to life. Let TalentsBridge help you turn your ideas into a lasting story that readers will cherish. #BookCreation #Publishing #Storytelling #BookDesign #TalentsBridge #WritingJourney #PrintAndDigital #PublishingServices #AuthorSupport

Writing a book involves a lot more than just putting words on paper; it requires editing, design, marketing, and more. By reaching out for help, whether it's from editors, designers, or publishing professionals, you're not only ensuring a better end product but also increasing your chances of success. It's like having a team of supporters by your side, cheering you on as you navigate the world of publishing and bring your book to life! #Author #MakeYourMark #Publishing 

How to Write a Book in 2024: 8 Practical Steps via The Speaker Lab: https://lnkd.in/eBFRic9N. "Ever dreamed of penning your own masterpiece? Maybe you have a story idea that’s been lurking in the recesses of your brain, just begging to be used. Or perhaps there’s a unique perspective or knowledge you’re eager to share with the world. Either way, writing a book in 2023 might seem like climbing Mount Everest: daunting, overwhelming and downright scary. But what if it didn’t have to be? In this guide, we’ll navigate the basics of writing—everything from cultivating an idea and crafting characters to mastering storytelling techniques that captivate readers’ imaginations. We’ll also delve into creating effective outlines, tackling drafts head-on and using feedback as your secret weapon for improvement. As for actually publishing your book, you’ll uncover different ways to get your work out there and even learn how to promote your finished masterpiece. So hang on tight—we’re just getting started!" READ MORE HERE: https://lnkd.in/eBFRic9N #HowToWriteABook #BookCoverDesign #BookCoverDesigner #MaugeDesign #CaroleMaugeLewis

Today marks 3 (!!) years since I planned (and started writing) my book - The Trusted Authority™ - From Unknown To Known. And boy, I'm glad I didn't know back then what I know now because, as much as I loved the writing part of it (I wrote 76,000 words within 6 weeks), the admin work afterward to get the book out... not so much. What I know now: 💡 Every single book format (hardcover, softcover, digital) has to have a different ISBN (International Standard Book Number). 💡 The editing process is both crucial [also read: cruel] and time-consuming. Even with professional editors, I caught (and still catch) mistakes. 💡 Cover design is an art in itself. I hired a professional designer with the brief to make it "simple, modern, masculine," only to eventually redesign it myself within 12 minutes (!!) because seeing it on Amazon vs. in staged settings was like night and day. In fact, my cover blended in so much that you couldn't even see it on the white display. [check for yourself: the top book on the photo is the first and professionally designed version - so you see, a loooot of white ...] 💡 Writing is only 20% of the work. The real work is in the 80% which is marketing, promotion, and turning it into commercial opportunities afterward. With that said, it's been an exciting learning opportunity that has turned into so many other opportunities that I couldn't even foresee coming. What I would do differently now: 📝 Shorten it, shorten it and then cut it in half. Not only is 76,000 words [or 370 pages] a lot of content to consume, but also posting it to overseas clients nearly requires taking out a loan just for the postage. 📝 Imposter syndrome is real so start the promotion before you actually launch. Truth told, I didn't speak about the book more than 2x until 6 months after the launch because in the second I pressed publish, alllll the doubts crept in [which I didn't see coming]. 📝 Planning an audio-book version from the get-go. My audience has already full days and whilst they are all avid learnings, most of them prefer 'on-the-go'. As much as I want to turn the book into an audio version, it hasn't been planned with this in mind so it'd required quite a bit of rejigging. Not sure if I have the patience for that at this stage haha Thank you for everyone who's been part of the journey, were public or private cheerleaders and didn't hold back with feedback [the good, the bad and the ugly]. This is what makes this commitment all worth it. #PersonalBrand #Book #Content #ThoughtLeadership #Leadership #Influence

Thinking About Self-Publishing Your Book? Here's What You Need to Know Self-publishing is an incredible journey that puts you in control of your creative vision. However, there’s a lot to consider to ensure your book stands out in a crowded market. Here are my top tips for first-time self-publishers: 1️⃣ Invest in Professional Design A well-designed cover and interior layout are crucial. Readers do judge books by their covers! 2️⃣ Edit, Edit, Edit Even the best stories need a polished finish. Hiring a professional editor can make all the difference. 3️⃣ Choose the Right Print and Distribution Options Decide whether to go print-on-demand, digital-only, or a mix. Research platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and others to find what suits your goals. 4️⃣ Set Realistic Goals Define your purpose: Are you looking to share your story with a niche audience or reach a broad market? 5️⃣ Market Like a Pro Your book won’t sell itself. Build a presence on social media, connect with your audience, and consider reaching out to local media or bookstores. Self-publishing gives you the freedom to create something truly your own, but it’s worth investing time and effort in getting it right. If you’d like guidance or support in producing a professional-quality book, I’m here to help! Drop me a message if you’re ready to turn your manuscript into a masterpiece. #SelfPublishing #PublishingTips #IndependentAuthors #BookDesign 𝗣𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 - 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲. [email protected] https://lnkd.in/dpZYBmsp 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟴

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗷𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗸! In today’s literary landscape, leaving a memorable impact is essential for success. At Enerjetek, we specialize in transforming your ideas into stunning books, captivating covers, and engaging author websites that resonate with readers. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: - Fosters Reader Engagement: A well-crafted story and beautiful presentation encourage readers to share your work. - Strengthens Author Identity: Consistent quality across all platforms builds a recognizable brand. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦: - Book Writing & Editing: From concept to completion, we create and refine your manuscript with care. - Professional Cover Design & Illustrations: Visually striking covers that attract attention and reflect your story. - Author Website Development: A unique online space that connects with your audience and showcases your work. Choose Enerjetek to ensure your literary journey leaves a lasting impact! Discover more at enerjetek.com or reach out at [email protected]! #BookPublishing #AuthorSupport #CreativeServices #PublishingExcellence #Enerjetek

People often underestimate how much publishing a book can cost (both in time and money). Some may be able to cut costs by not hiring editors, formatters, and/or cover designers and doing it all themselves, but the results tend to be lower quality (unless those skills are something they have a high competency level in). I cannot tell you how many books I've read that ended up sounding like word salad because they weren't edited and/or formatted correctly. And, unfortunately, those lower quality results are much harder to market and sell. This creates a cycle of disappointment and imposter syndrome for the author, discouraging them from sharing their message with the world. So what should someone expect to pay if they want a high-quality book that will sell well? (1) Editing For a 200-page book, editing will typically cost $500-$5,000 depending on how much work the manuscript needs. There are three levels of editing: developmental, line-editing, and proofreading. Some writers need all three, some just need one. (2) Formatting This is typically $300-$1,000 depending on the genre of the book. Are there a lot of pictures? Charts? Graphs? Maps? Those will increase the amount of work needed. (3) Cover Design These can cost anywhere from $50-$1,000 depending on how much custom work is required. Are you using custom artwork, or pre-existing images and templates? (4) Publishing Depending on which platform you choose, this can cost anywhere from $50-$500. This is directly correlated to how many versions of the book you want (paperback vs. hardback vs. ebook) and where/how you want them to be distributed (online vs. in-person). (5) ISBNs One ISBN will cost you $125. If you want multiple versions of your book (paperback vs. hardback vs. ebook), you will have to buy a bundle for $295. (6) Marketing It is entirely up to you how much you want to invest in marketing. Personally, I set aside at least $800 for each book launch for ads, reviews, etc. All in all, you're likely looking at costs of $2,000-$9,000 (not including the hours and hours spent researching and comparing all of your options). Do these numbers surprise you? Why or why not? #writers #authors #publishing

My self-published book turned 2 this month 🤗 Thinking about self publishing a book? Here’s some ideas to sell 400+ books in 2 years on a tight budget 🙏 1. Formatting: formatting was way more difficult than you think. Your manuscript will likely be on 8x11 paper. However, you must format that manuscript based on the dimensions of your book, and your book dimensions will depend on the type of book. For example, a novel should be formatted differently than a self-help book. 2. Book Cover: don’t skimp out in the cover. My research revealed that most people first decide whether to purchase your book based on the cover. 3. Hire a graphic designer. Amazon and Barnes and Noble have some cool self-publishing tools, including book covers. But if you’re not a graphics person, and you want to sell books, your baseline skills just won’t work. Hire someone to design your book cover. Need a referral? DM me my guy is nice. He makes 3D videos, audio voiceovers, etc. 4. Proofreading: get a second or third pair of eyes for proofreading—typos, grammar etc. you’ll read your book a million times and miss what 1 person will find on 1 read. 5. Marketing: start your marketing strategy early. Join writing groups. Blog. Share your book insights on social media as much as you can. Tell friends and family. Do a book launch and others events. 6. Platform: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. or a mixture of these. Decide early on because different platforms offer different strengths and weaknesses and 1 or more might make sense or not. 7. As a book junky, I say go for it. Next to having kids publishing a book is by far one of the most fulfilling experiences 💯 8. Sales are cool but getting your book to readers is cooler 😎 enjoy the process and focus on your readers. Got a new book coming out? Let us know in the comments👇 Let’s go🔥 #bookrecommendations #selfpublishing #booklovers

🚨 The #1 Mistake 90% of First-Time Authors Make—And It Could Cost You Thousands! 🚨 Thinking about self-publishing? It’s a thrilling adventure, but before you dive in, there’s something crucial you need to know... It’s not as ‘free’ as you may think. 📚💸 Here’s a breakdown of what you really need to budget for if you want to launch your book successfully: 1️⃣ Editing: No matter how skilled a writer you are, a good editor is a must. Structural, copyediting, and proofreading all come with different costs, but they’re essential for a professional finish. ✍️💼 2️⃣ Cover Design: First impressions count! Your book cover is the first thing a reader will see. A professionally designed cover can be a significant investment, but it’s one that pays off in sales. 🎨✨ 3️⃣ Formatting: Whether for print or digital, proper formatting ensures that your book is readable and looks great on any device or platform. 🖥️📖 4️⃣ ISBNs & Barcodes: These may seem like small expenses, but they're crucial for distribution in bookstores and online retailers. 🛒🔖 5️⃣ Marketing: This can be one of the largest expenses. From paid ads to social media promotion, getting the word out requires some budget. After all, you want people to find your book, right? 📈🚀 6️⃣ Printing Costs (for physical copies): Don’t forget that printing hard copies can add up if you’re doing print-on-demand or bulk printing. 📦🖨️ Success doesn’t come without investment. Don’t let hidden costs catch you by surprise—plan and budget for these essentials to give your book its best shot! 🎯 #SelfPublishing #PublishingCosts #BookLaunch #IndieAuthors #AuthorLife #BookMarketing #WritingCommunity #EditingMatters #BookDesign #AuthorJourney #BudgetSmart