Common Myths About Self Publishing Books

As an aspiring writer, you dream of getting your book published and finding it in different book stores. Self-publishing is an inspiring journey, where you can still have creative control over your book while working with professionals to get it published.

Self-published books have gained immense popularity in recent years. However, along with this, there also have been some widespread misconceptions. Read on to learn more about the myths so you know what to expect.

Here are 5 common myths about self-publishing books:

Self-Publishing is for Amateurs

Many writers such as Lisa Genova, James Redfield, Virginia Woolfe, and Ernest Hemmingway have risen to prominence by self-publishing. They are some of the bestsellers with the highest critical acclaim, still, they choose to self-publish their books. Although self-publishing onterio may be an avenue for people to test out the publishing process, it is not just for amateurs.

Self-Published Authors Make No Money from their Books

Whichever path you choose to publish your book, its success mostly depends on the storyline, writing style, and a solid marketing plan. This is why you can make money by choosing to self-publish your book if your subject matter is interesting and you have a great marketing strategy in place.

Moreover, the rise of the digital ecosystem when it comes to books is in favor of self-publishing. If your book is available online and you have good content, you can get the best results!

You Are in it Alone

Authors fear self-publishing because they think that they might have to shoulder all the responsibilities of publishing a book alone without any assistance. However, you can enlist the help of professionals who can guide you with editing, children’s book illustrations, book layout, and every other aspect of the book in a budget-friendly manner. Self-publishing isn’t about doing things alone, it’s about finding the right team that will support you.

If You Self-Publish, Your Chances of Landing a Book Deal are Slim

This is inaccurate because once you self-publish and if your book sells more than 1000 copies, then the chances of landing a book deal are still high. Moreover, traditional book publishers pay special attention to authors who have self-published when looking for new talent because they know that you already have an audience.

Hence, this myth about never being able to switch from self-publishing to traditional publishing is just that, and completely fictional.

Final Thoughts

Debunking these myths is essential because the misconceptions can deeply affect your writing career. Whenever you plan to publish your book, whichever path you take, it’s necessary to know what to expect. This will help you hire the best professionals who can help you out.

Self-Publishing Made Easier with Indie Publishing Group!

Get the help you need to publish your book with Indie Publishing Group!

We are not just book publishers, but your well-wishers. Our professionals will be involved with you throughout your publishing journey and cater to your publishing needs, including editing, book formatting, deciding layout, and more.

Want more information?

Call us at +1–548–688–8696 or write to us at info@indiepublishinggroup.com to start your journey of self-publishing a book today!

The Ultimate Checklist For EBook Formatting!

 The truth about writing a book is that even after writing the first draft, your work doesn’t end there! If anything, the real work starts from here. As we move towards the digital world, ebook formatting has become more critical than ever. From formatting the cover page to finding the right ebook publishing platform, there are many things you need to do to enhance your book’s readability. Find the below checklist to help you through the formatting process.

3 Formatting Steps to Help You Optimize Your EBook!

Choose a Format

There are many ebook formats that you can choose from. However, understand that, unlike traditional print books, ebooks are responsive. This means that the content, images, and flow may look different on various e-reader devices.

Let’s look at the different types of ebook formats:

PDF Ebook: This format is readable on computers but may be hard to read on smartphones and tablets. Ebook formatting in this format is cheaper and easy to make changes.

EPUB Ebook: One of the most popular formats for self-publishing ebooks, ePUB ensures smooth text flow on any device.EPUB is the industry standard that leading companies use. It also supports interactive features for the best reading experience.

MOBI and AZW Ebooks: If you are thinking about self-publishing your ebook on Kindle devices, MOBI files and AZW are the standards. You can use this format across all kindle smartphones and computers.

Formatting Your Ebook Book Design

Let’s break down each essential element of your ebook for a consistent structure

Front Cover
Whether you are thinking about self-publishing a graphic novel or a thriller, your front cover should be attractive to help you gain visibility and enhance sales.

Here are the best ebook formatting tips for your front cover:
Align all the elements consistently. Most authors keep the text and image in center alignment.

For front covers, clarity is better than persuasion. Hence, keep all design elements simple and do not complicate things.

Avoid putting page numbers and footers on your cover page and copyright page.

Table Of Content

Keeping your book content organized is essential for readers. Here are the two types of TOC for your ebook.

Navigational TOC: Best self-publishing companies use navigational TOCs for ebooks. They are similar to the menu of a website, where the content can be accessed through buttons. It may also have sub-chapters and sub-sections.

Linked TOC: In this format, the chapters are hyperlinked. This helps the users to go to the start of the chapter by clicking on the link.

Back Matter

The pages at the back of your ebook must have an epilogue, appendices, endnotes, final call-to-action, and index.
Instead of footnotes, incorporate endnotes.
Ensure that you format your logo and final call-to-action in a way that pleases the reader.

Pay Attention to the Visuals

Images and book illustrations can be overwhelming to format in an ebook.

Here are some ebook formatting guidelines that you can follow:

Avoid wrapping around the images. In-line text is more suitable.

You should convert non-image materials such as stats, artworks, or book illustrations into jpeg or png format.

Depending on the purpose and target screen size, adjust your image size to make them clear and visible.

Make Your Ebooks Interactive With Professionals!

Whether you are new to digital self-publishing or want clarity about the formatting process, ebook formatting services can help you make your work more accessible and engaging.

Children’s Book Publishing Tips Canada | Children's Book Formatting | IPG

 

Many people think that children’s book publishing is easier than full-length fiction novels. In reality, there are many things you need to consider to help you enhance the quality and readability of your book. Here are some essential tips to help you get started.

Read more:- Children’s Book Publishing Tips Canada | Children's Book Formatting | IPG

Why Professional Book Formatting Pays Off!

 

Are you wondering why writers spend so much time formatting their manuscripts? Learn here why book formatting is critical and how it helps you create an impact.

Read More: Why Professional Book Formatting Pays Off!

Children’s Book Publishing Tips Canada

 

Creating or publishing a children’s book in Canada is a dream for many Canadian 

authors, and who could blame them? Children’s books are fun, silly, and extremely 

exciting to create.

​
Read More : Children’s Book Publishing Tips Canada

How to Design a Picture Book for Children?

Most authors think that writing a full-length novel is easier than creating a picture book for children. And that is true, in some parts. Children’s literature is of value as it fosters creativity and development in budding minds. But it can be complex to express an idea, and you have to think not once but twice before scripting a sentence. To make this process easier, follow these essential steps to brainstorm all your ideas and create an intriguing plot.

6 Steps to Create the Perfect Picture Book for Children!

Identify Who Your Readers Are

The way you present your children’s book layout depends on the age group of your readers. Children growing between the age of 9–14 will understand your sense of humor and strong emotion. Hence, it is best to create impactful children’s book illustrations for them. However, for a 4-year-old, it is best to create a fun and lighthearted picture book. Besides pictures, you should also consider what your readers will expect in terms of word length, character complexity, and writing style. Understanding these aspects will help you create a picture book that will appeal to your readers.

Put On Your Spy Hat for Research

Now that you have identified your readers, it is time to work on your story. For that, pull up your boots and check firsthand what is currently happening in the industry. Check out different stores and ebooks to understand the tastes of your young readers and publishers.

You can research the following topics:

• What are popular authors writing about, and what are their illustration styles?
• Which are the different themes and topics trending?
• What story do you want to tell?
• Which are the best children's book publishing companies in the industry?

Create a Moodboard to Straighten Your Thought Process

This may be a bit of cliche advice, but creating a mood board for your ideas will help you clear your thoughts. Successful picture books are the ones that show clarity of ideas and a streamlined storytelling structure. A mood board will also inspire the illustrator and help them understand what kind of children’s book illustrations you want. For instance, if your mood board can center around specific childhood experiences, the illustrator can explore the ideas and create pictures that portray those strong emotions.

Hire an Illustrator For Your Picture Book

Whether you want your children's book layout to be a traditional paperback or ebook, professionals will refine your illustrations. Once your story is past the writing stage, you should find the right collaborator and get started with the process of illustrating. Decide your budget, figure out a brief, and create a deadline. Experienced illustrators will create unique pictures that work best for your story.

Ensure that You Have All Critical Elements Right

Putting together critical elements of your story will help you get your readers hooked. Kids have short attention spans. Hence, it is vital that you keep the 3 core areas of your book (beginning, middle, and end) to the point and interesting.

Here are some things you need to consider:

Ensure that your picture book has memorable and relatable characters, a recall factor, and an unexpected hook.

Incorporate a page-turning cliffhanger with an attention-grabbing title.

Have your grammar, spelling, and punctuation rechecked?

Think About Publishing and Marketing

Now that your story is ready, it’s time to put your picture book out there! There are two ways you can do this- Traditional publishing or self-publishing. When you decide to take the path of self-publishing, you have greater creative control over your project and enjoy higher royalty. With the right children’s book publishing group, you can ensure that your book is marketed, promoted, and distributed efficiently.

Tips for Creating Amazing Children’s Books!

 

Tips for Creating Amazing Children’s Books! — This will help ensure the process of creating illustrations and a children’s books is seamless and stress free.

Learn More : Tips for Creating Amazing Children’s Books!

How To Avoid Paying US Taxes As A Canadian Author!

As a Canadian author you could be being taxed as high as 30% on US book sales! Learn how to get yout ITIN number and Avoid Paying US Taxes!

Read More : How To Avoid Paying US Taxes As A Canadian Author

How to Self Publish Children’s Books?

Self-publishing a book allows you full artistic control and makes you responsible for writing, editing, formatting, and marketing it. While book publishers offer professional advice and can help speed up the process of publishing, self-publishing a children’s book requires an investment of time and effort. It helps to have a clear understanding of the process to ensure that your book is properly published. To get started, our experts have prepared a 7 step guide to help you self-publish your children’s book successfully.

Prepare the Story in a Compelling Way

Like any novel, it’s the story that will hold the readers captive. You need to finish your manuscript and ensure the story connects with your audience.

General tips for writing the manuscript:

• Take the time to study the market trends and know what your audience likes.
• Focus on developing interesting characters.
• Keep the main message simple and understandable.
• Try to stay on track with one goal.
• Be mindful of the book-length and the word count.  

Hire an Illustrator to Make a Unique Cover Art for Your Book

Now that you have a manuscript ready, you need to focus on creating illustrations. Hiring an illustrator is an essential part of having a successful children’s book. You can work with an illustrator from a reputable and experienced book publishing company to create captivating artwork.  Then, consider the following aspects:

• Font Style: You need to select the right font to match your illustrations. Although eye-catching typography can help boost the sales of the book, you need to ensure it is easily readable. 

• Size of the Font: The size of the font should be consistent throughout the book. Also, ensure that the font is paired well with other illustrations and other objects in it.

• Illustration Board: You can develop a storyboard to portray all your ideas and identify what suits the personality of your book.

Hire a Professional Editor and Gather Feedback

Feedback is considered to be a writer’s best friend. An honest opinion can help recognize the shortcomings in your story and lets you make appropriate changes to the copy.

After rewriting your script, now it’s time to send your work to an editor. A professional book publisher can help you edit your book by considering the minute details and provide valuable insights into your children’s book.

Careful Selection of the Children’s Book Layout

The design and layout of the book also need significant attention. Using improper colour pallets, variations in the fonts of the book, and other dissimilarities can result in a poor reading experience. Be sure to plan the layout and the design of your children’s book to avoid such experiences.

Format Your Book

With the help of professional book publishers, you can format your book as per the requirements and make the final changes to achieve the desired result.

Prepare for Marketing the Book

Leverage the marketing skills of expert children’s book publishers to promote your book. Formulate a marketing strategy with the experts and be open to different ideas for the book launch.

Protect Your Work by Copyrighting Your book

To prevent any infringement issues, copyright your book. Once the formatting and the printing process of your book are over, you can apply for the legal copyright of your book to protect your work from imitators.

Let Us Help You Publish Your Dream Book in Toronto!

Indie Publishing Group is one of the best self-publishing companies in Toronto and has helped various aspiring writers establish their careers. Our publishing services can help you with book formatting, deciding children’s book layout, book printing, and several other aspects of publishing children’s books. We value your work and want it to reach as many people as possible.

Reach out to us at +1-548-688-8696 or write to us at info@indiepublishinggroup.com to learn more about our self-publishing services.

Important Tips for Creating Book Illustrations

For young readers, creative illustrations are fascinating. Book illustrations help get a message across to the readers and transform a simple story into an interesting one. If you have an engrossing story to tell but have no idea how to get started with good illustrations, then you have come to the right place. Here are some essential tips for creating attention-capturing illustrations!

5 Things to Remember When Creating Book Illustrations!

Look at the Bigger Picture

Every book has a concept. It’s easy for writers and illustrators to get lost in the details and forget to look at the bigger picture. Understanding the story concept will inspire ideas for the illustrations to help you work better for the theme. Good illustrations are those that encompass the meaning behind the story and enhance the extent of your words. Hence, ensure that the text is aligned with the pictures and doesn’t work against the text as it can confuse the young reader.

Decide on an Illustration Style

The style and technique that you choose should blend well with the story. Decide whether you want to keep your children’s book illustrations modern or classic for a proper flow. Modern illustration techniques use gradients, geometric patterns, colour blocking, and more advanced methods to make your book illustrations edgy and appealing. On the other hand, classic illustration techniques such as pencil drawings, black and white, watercolour, and more, are ideal for depth and detail.

Create a Moodboard

Whether you are doing the work yourself or thinking about hiring a professional, a mood board is a great way to explore design concepts and ideas. It is a collection of images, material samples, colour palettes, and more that will guide you in your work. Before you start your artwork, having a mood board will effectively help you collaborate with the design team. It will act as a prototype piece that shows the structure and visual hierarchy of all your book illustrations in one place.

Focus on the Book Cover

The cover of your children’s book in Toronto is the focal point of your story. Hence, you have to brainstorm for better ideas. Let’s dive into how you can create the perfect illustrations for your children’s book front and back cover:

• Consider the book layout. Choose whether you are going to opt for an ebook or a traditional paperback. The printing and illustration process of both formats can be different.

• Figure out what needs to be emphasized. The front cover and back cover should include the focal element of your story. It may be the main characters or an abstract idea.

• Decide on the dimension and fonts of the cover. Getting your typography right with a good resolution is critical to send your message across.

Remember that Less is More

Some illustrators get carried away and over-complicate the concept for your readers. One of the most fundamental design philosophies is to opt for simplicity. If you look at all the characters that children love, you will find they have simple shapes. Look at Winnie the Pooh, Dr. Suess, Hello Kitty, and more. They all have simple silhouettes that are relatable. Hence, for the best children’s book illustrations, ensure that the drawings are simple and relate to the audience.

Top Children's Book Illustrations Techniques

Think about the incredible impression that Dr. Suess and Winnie the Pooh have and continue to leave on children. Besides clever storytelling, it’s the illustrations that stand out the most. Children’s book illustrations can be much more than simple drawings. It can include humor, musings, and a witty charm that draws the young readers into the story. Given the potential of illustrations in children’s books, here are some techniques you can use to enhance the story.

5 Children’s Book Illustration Techniques to Consider!

● Use Realism to Portray Emotions & Situations

From the high of joy, happiness, excitement to the lows of anger, sadness, and frustrations, you can draw aspiring illustrations by taking inspiration from real-life people and elements. Drawing from things around you builds personal connection and incites creativity. Craft the best children’s book illustrations using realistic emotions. Observe the children and animals around you. Their movements and gestures will add more depth to your drawings.

● Watercolors for Gentle & Light Effects

Children’s book layout with watercolors works well as they are gentle and comforting. The flowing brushstrokes can assist you in creating a delicate and bold effect. If you are thinking about doing children’s book illustrations with water colors, you will need certain foresight as they can be quite tricky to work with. They are translucent with an array of colors and tones to choose from across all age groups.

● Black & White Coloring Drawings for Impact

Who said colors are a must-have? While colors play a vital role in engaging children with your story. Using shades of black, white, or grey can create a powerful impact. It helps in creating a gracious layout and delivers a unique and clear message. However, using back and white coloring drawings require high technical skills.

● Try Contemporary Digital Children’s Book Illustration

While there are many unique styles in traditional drawing mediums, you can also look for feature-rich digital platforms. There are many options available for stylizing the image, and you can use passionate colors for setting the story and characters. Unlike pencil and paper, digital children’s book illustrations allow you to instantly erase, duplicate, and create artwork for an efficient workflow. Working on a digital illustration platform makes editing a breeze and can be suited to every aspiring illustrator’s style and voice.

● Pen Work For Sharp Tones

Pen tips help in creating designs with clean contours and sharp tones. You can create multiple designs with minimal mixing. Pen-tipped illustrations can help your story pop and create quality superimpose images. If you want to create detailed children’s book illustrations, pen tipped drawing will be the ideal choice.

Bring Your Characters to Life With Our Children Book Publishing!

At Indie Publishing Services, we offer the best children’s book publishing experience. Thanks to our team of experienced illustrators, editors, and designers, we will ensure that all your children’s book publishing issues are resolved with ease. Whether you want to opt for a traditional publishing medium or a digital one, we have the tools and resources to cater to all your needs.

Self-publish your children’s book in Toronto today by connecting with our experts at +1-548-688-869! You can also drop us a mail at info@indiepublishinggroup.com for any inquiries!

Things to Avoid When Publishing Children's Books

If you are a writer who is looking to self-publish a children’s book, you should have a plan in place. If not a plan, you should at least know about the common mistakes that writers make while creating a children’s book layout. Find out about the top 5 rookie mistakes that you can avoid when self-publishing children’s books.

5 Rookie Mistakes that You Should Avoid While Writing

1. Not Including Interesting Characters

Characters are the heart of any story. Children learn and relate to the characters of a book. Hence, you should research your target audience and create a children’s book layout with a compelling story.

Whether you are writing a story of acceptance or focusing on a real-life event, your story must include interesting characters. While it is not necessary to flesh out the characters, you should show children that there are different kinds of beautiful people in the world. You can also explore various topics and genres that can include diversity, use of strong female characters, or even consider writing a non-fiction children book.

2. Hiring an Inexperienced Illustrator 

Getting your illustrations done is the most exciting part of creating a children’s book layout as you can see the story you’ve written come to life for the first time. However, this is also the stage where you need to pay the most attention because working with an inefficient illustrator can lead to frustrations and cost you more time and money. To ensure that your children’s book illustrations are top-quality and as per your preferences, you should hire the best self-publishing company so that they can help you create beautiful and engaging illustrations for your story.

3. Not Considering Digital Print as an Option

Most authors want their books in the hands of their little readers. However, with changing times, creating a children’s book layout that is compatible with digital platforms is important. The usage of ebooks is gradually increasing. 

If you have not considered the option of publishing your book on digital platforms, you should give it thought.

4. Using the Wrong Fonts and Colour Scheme

The font and the colour scheme that you use impacts the readability of your book because they help attract little readers. If you want your children’s book to be the one that stands out, consider using the font and colour scheme that suits your storyline.

5. Publishing Without Editing Adequately

While self-publishing is a liberating experience, you do not have to do everything yourself. That being said, professional editors can help you review your work and give you valuable insights. They will not only help you fix the structure of your children’s book layout but will also help you with the story itself.

Get the Help You Need From Our Experts

At Indie Publishing Group, we offer a wide range of publishing services for authors who are looking to self-publish. We have a dedicated team of professional editors, children book illustrators, book publishers, and others who can support you with various aspects of self-publishing.

Feel free to connect with us at +1-548-688-8696 or write to us at info@indiepublishinggroup.com to learn more about our children’s book formatting and editing services.

Common Myths About Self Publishing Books

As an aspiring writer, you dream of getting your book published and finding it in different book stores. Self-publishing is an inspiring journey, where you can still have creative control over your book while working with professionals to get it published.

Self-published books have gained immense popularity in recent years. However, along with this, there also have been some widespread misconceptions. Read on to learn more about the myths so you know what to expect.

Here are 5 common myths about self-publishing books: 

• Self-Publishing is for Amateurs

Many writers such as Lisa Genova, James Redfield, Virginia Woolfe, and Ernest Hemmingway have risen to prominence by self-publishing. They are some of the bestsellers with the highest critical acclaim, still, they choose to self-publish their books. Although self-publishing may be an avenue for people to test out the publishing process, it is not just for amateurs.

• Self-Published Authors Make No Money from their Books

Whichever path you choose to publish your book, it’s success mostly depends on the storyline, writing style, and a solid marketing plan. This is why you can make money by choosing to self-publish your book if your subject matter is interesting and you have a great marketing strategy in place.

Moreover, the rise of the digital ecosystem when it comes to books is in favour of self-publishing. If your book is available online and you have good content, you can get the best results!

• You Are in it Alone

Authors fear self-publishing because they think that they might have to shoulder all the responsibilities of publishing a book alone without any assistance. However, you can enlist the help of professionals who can guide you with editing, illustrations, book layout,  and every other aspect of the book in a budget-friendly manner. Self-publishing isn’t about doing things alone, it’s about finding the right team that will support you.

• If You Self-Publish, Your Chances of Landing a Book Deal are Slim 

This is inaccurate because once you self-publish and if your book sells more than 1000 copies, then the chances of landing a book deal are still high. Moreover, traditional book publishers pay special attention to authors who have self-published when looking for new talent because they know that you already have an audience.

Hence, this myth about never being able to switch from self-publishing to traditional publishing is just that, and completely fictional.

Final Thoughts

Debunking these myths is essential because the misconceptions can deeply affect your writing career. Whenever you plan to publish your book, whichever path you take, it’s necessary to know what to expect. This will help you hire the best professionals who can help you out.

Self-Publishing Made Easier with Indie Publishing Group!

Get the help you need to publish your book with Indie Publishing Group!

We are not just book publishers, but your well-wishers. Our professionals will be involved with you throughout your publishing journey and cater to your publishing needs, including editing, book formatting, deciding layout, and more.

Want more information?

Call us at +1-548-688-8696 or write to us at info@indiepublishinggroup.com to start your journey of self-publishing a book today!

Why Publishing on Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark Makes Sense for Canadian Authors

When it comes to any self-publishing endeavour, you need to take advantage of every platform and the unique opportunities that they offer. To get the best sales and royalties for your book, it will require working with multiple platforms at once.

So, ask yourself:

Am I taking full advantage of popular platforms such as Ingram Spark and Amazon KDP to sell my books?

In the following article, we’re going to take a look at Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and Ingram Spark and see what each platform offers self-published authors. Read on to learn more about using both Ingram Spark and Amazon to self-publish your books!

Originally published at https://www.indiepublishinggroup.com/ on JUN 05, 2020

Pros Of Self-publishing

Self-publishing is a route for writers to get their work published without using a conventional book publisher. In some ways it is better than traditional publishing, however, it has drawbacks, as well.