Publishing

A sensitivity read checks your manuscript for stereotypes and false notes. Here’s what it is, who does it, what it costs, and whether your book needs one.

Finished a draft? This 4-step first revision process helps you get distance, find the real problems, and fix them in the right order.

Accepting criticism is hard, and defensiveness is normal. Here are 4 steps for telling criticism from attack and using feedback to improve your writing.

Readers’ advisory is how librarians match books to readers. Here’s how writers can use it to figure out why they love a book and write more of it.

Manuscript rejection is rarely personal — but it’s rarely random either. Here are the 4 most common reasons agents and editors pass, and what each one actually tells you about your next move.

You already own the copyright to your book the moment you write it. So why register? Here’s what copyright registration actually requires, when it matters, and the mandatory deposit law that applies to every US publication.

Self-published authors can’t get CIP data—but you might still want an LCCN. Here’s what these Library of Congress identifiers actually are, which ones you’re eligible for, and whether any of it matters for your book.

Self-publishing is faster and cheaper than ever. So what does traditional publishing still offer that authors can’t replicate on their own? The answer isn’t editing or marketing—it’s something more fundamental.

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.

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.

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.

Before query letters, agents, or book covers: every writer needs to complete their first draft before they can pursue getting published.

Flash fiction tells a complete story in 1,000 words or fewer — and it's one of the most publishable forms of short fiction. Learn five principles for writing great flash: starting from an image, showing without telling, using reader inference, making characters carry the story, and embracing ambiguity.

Copyright doesn't protect everything you think it does. Learn the five things writers cannot copyright — including ideas, titles, slogans, and recipes — and what protections actually apply to your work as an author.

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.

Choosing the right comp titles can make or break your query letter. Learn how to find realistic, well-performing comparison titles for your book using Goodreads, Amazon, and a simple spreadsheet method — from a publishing professional with 21+ years of experience.

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.