DIY Publishing

CMS, APA, AP, AMA, MLA — choosing the right style manual depends entirely on what you’re writing and who you’re writing it for. Here’s how to find yours.

Manuscript evaluation, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading—they're not interchangeable. Here's exactly what each type of editing covers, what you'll receive, and when you need it.

Every time you publish, you're asking readers to bet their time on you. These five poker-inspired strategies will help you hook them fast, keep them invested, and leave them wanting more.

Use the book marketability matrix to find out where your writing lands—and where you want it to go. Good writing and commercial success aren't mutually exclusive, but they don't always come together either.

Learn how professional proofreaders read book proofs—from checking front matter and tables of contents to catching widows, orphans, and composition errors. A step-by-step process for authors and editors.

Choosing fonts for your self-published book? Learn what's legal, what glyphs you actually need, and which free font pairings will make your interior look professionally typeset—plus the one font you should never, ever use.

Book returns can cost self-publishing authors real money—but most don't know how the system works until it's too late. Learn how returns work with IngramSpark, KDP, and brick-and-mortar bookstores before you decide how to publish.

What goes on a book cover—and why? Learn the anatomy of professional book cover design, from front cover to spine to back cover blurbs, with insider tips for both traditionally published and self-publishing authors.

Learn how to create a manuscript style sheet from scratch—and why every author needs one. This step-by-step guide covers what goes on a style sheet, when to start it, and how editors use it throughout the publishing process.

Wondering if Kindle Unlimited is worth it for your self-published book? Learn how KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited work, how royalties are calculated, and what to consider before enrolling your e-book.

From PDF markup to EPUB errors: a complete proofreading guide for authors working with a pro or flying solo. Know what to catch before your book publishes.

Formatting your own print book interior is doable if you know what decisions to make. This guide walks self-publishing authors through trim size, text block placement, gutter margins, running heads, folios, font selection, leading, chapter openers, and PDF file specs — everything needed to produce a press-ready interior file.

Publishing predators target new and developing authors — and they're getting more sophisticated. Here are five clear warning signs that the "publisher" or "agent" in your inbox isn't legitimate, and what each scam actually looks like in practice.

From "you need to apply for copyright" to "mail it to yourself" — bad copyright advice is everywhere. A 21-year publishing professional debunks the five most common copyright myths writers believe, and explains what copyright actually does and doesn't protect.

Reviewing books on Goodreads and Amazon gets complicated when you're an author yourself. Learn the ethics of author book reviews, how to handle books you didn't like, when to say nothing at all, and whether to use a separate identity for your reviewing account.

Every writer has a target audience — even if you think you don't. Learn how to identify who your readers are, where they spend their time online, and how to use that knowledge to improve your manuscript, find beta readers, and position your book for publication.

Your manuscript has bugs. Beta readers are how you find them before your readers do. Here's how to build the beta reading team that will actually make your book better—and who to use with caution.

Traditional publishers pay you. Vanity publishers charge you. Hybrid publishers do both. Know which one you're dealing with before you sign anything — because most of them will lie about it.

The time you spent on the manuscript that isn't working is already gone whether you quit or not. The only question is what you spend next.

Your typeset book should go unnoticed. If the reader notices it, you did it wrong. Here's what to know before your manuscript hits the page.