LifeTree Media’s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide, Reader Edition

We get it–holiday shopping is hard. Clothing sizes change. Technology becomes outdated. Gift cards are impersonal. And chocolate… well, chocolate is okay with us! But if you want to give a gift that won’t go out of style, you can’t go wrong with a good book. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite titles to help you cross off your Christmas list.

New releases

The gift of life: keep reading

LifeTree Media 2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Writer Edition

Books are one of the most popular Christmas gifts out there–but what do you get the people who are actually writing the books? Show your appreciation for the authors in your life while helping them finish their book with our essential 2016 gift guide–writer’s edition!

The gift of focus: The Freewrite – $499

This modern typewriter will rid you of distraction while helping you find your flow. The Freewrite auto-uploads to the cloud, carries up to four weeks of battery life, and h... keep reading


We’re hiring a senior editor

LifeTree Media is seeking a senior editor to join our virtual team on a part-time basis starting January 2017.

We are intensely passionate about purpose. That’s why we specialize in non-fiction books that help, heal and inspire. Our company was founded on the principle that every human being has an essential contribution to make to the human race, and that our most significant contributions are intimately tied to our personal satis... keep reading


Kickstart Your Creativity With Non-Fiction Writing Prompts

If you’re writing a how-to or information book, you might not think of your work as “creative writing”. Leave the creativity to the poets, right? You are far too busy with your facts and research to while the day away exploring your artistic side.

On the contrary, it’s essential to always be thinking creatively about your writing. After all, even a serious book  should be an entertaining read. Follow these writing prompts designed for non-fiction writers to get your creative juices flowing. Who knows–you might even have a little fun!

 

<... keep reading

Three Essential Questions to Ask a Hybrid Publisher

What the heck is a hybrid publisher, anyway? And how do you know if you’ve found a good one?

At its best, hybrid publishing offers many of the benefits of being published by a traditional publisher — including access to market (i.e. brick-and-mortar bookstores), high quality editing and design — as well as the benefits of self-publishing, such as higher royalties, ownership of rights and creative control. I founded LifeTree on this model ... keep reading


Action! Engage Your Audience with Book Trailers

Think back to the last time you bought a movie ticket–I’m willing to bet you chose the movie in part because you’d seen a trailer for it first. Trailers are one of the most effective ways to get someone interested in your content, and they  work for books as well as movies. Book trailers have been steadily growing in popularity, with some getting hundreds of thousands or even millions of views. And while early book trailers were often dismissed due to a lack of quality, that doesn’t have to be case–the book trailer for national bestseller keep reading


What makes a great book cover?

Before a single word of your book is consumed, readers will form an impression of it through its cover. A book with an amateurish, confusing or dull jacket design sends a subliminal signal to the reader that the book itself may have been poorly thought out or carelessly put together. But a smart, attractive design conveys a sense of excellence and seriousness, as well as telling the reader something about the subject matter inside.

“A successful book cover is both an advertisement for the book and a beautiful object all its own,” says book designer and art director Peter... keep reading


Don’t Be an Accidental Plagiarist!

When it comes to conducting research for your book, not all sources are created equal. Freelance editor Shirarose Wilensky offers an easy rule of thumb to steer you toward reputable sources: start with print-based materials such as books, newspapers, journals and magazine articles, then move on to online sources. This is because although some web-based publications have high journalistic standards, many (perhaps most) others simply do not.

Misinformation and unsubstantiated claims are rampant online. Inevitably, you will come across information that has been distorted by the grapevin... keep reading