How to Get Your Book Into Libraries
by Cathi Stevenson—When independent authors think about marketing their books, they usually focus on Amazon, bookstores, advertising, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Libraries rarely make the list. That’s a mistake. Getting your book into libraries probably won’t make you an overnight bestseller, but it can do something equally valuable: put your work in front of readers who may never have discovered it otherwise. Unlike a bookstore sale, where one copy usually reaches one reader, a single library copy can circulate for years. It may be borrowed dozens—or even hundreds—of times. Every checkout is another opportunity for someone to recommend [...]
How to Find the Best Free Fonts for Your Self-Published Book
This is a carefully curated list of Google Fonts that work well for typesetting both print and digital books. After this list, you’ll find more on what makes certain fonts better than others, what to look for when choosing fonts, and a list of those used by major publishers like Random House.The traditional choice for typesetting books has always been a serif font. (insert picture). However, John T. T. Richardson’s paper The Legibility of Serif and Sans-serif Typefaces: Reading from Paper and Reading from Screens (2022) found “there’s no difference in the legibility of serif and sans-serif typefaces either when [...]
How to Get Reviews for Your Self-Published Book
Most authors understand that book reviews are powerful tools for increasing visibility, establishing credibility, and driving sales. A well-placed review can influence purchasing decisions and open doors to broader opportunities.Below is a list of publications and websites that offer free reviews for self-published nonfiction books. But, before you pitch, we’ll briefly discuss preparing your book for the review process and define the different types of reviews available.Preparing for the Review ProcessBe mindful of the reviewer’s policies. Some reviewers will not allow author publishers to use the review elsewhere, or will not allow authors to use reviews in [...]
How to Find and Hire a Book Cover Designer Part 1 of 3
Read part 2 of How to Find and Hire a Book Cover Designer PartWhat Skills Does Your Book Cover Designer Need?A book cover is more than just decoration—it's one of your most powerful marketing tools. It's the first thing potential readers see, and in a crowded marketplace, it needs to work hard to grab attention, set expectations, and drive sales.They say, "Don't judge a book by its cover." But let's be real—everyone does. A stunning cover can make the difference between a reader clicking "Buy Now" or scrolling past. So, how do you find a book cover designer who understands [...]
