Know the difference: forward vs foreword

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It’s one of the most common malapropisms in publishing.

Many people who should know better regularly erroneously use the word “forward” when referring to the introductory chapter of a book – and we can only chalk so much of it it up to overzealous autocorrect.

Remember: “Forward” is an adjective that means R... keep reading


How to Boost Your Book Sales With Amazon Reviews

 

We all dream of seeing a five-start review of our book gracing the front page of the New York Times book section, but for most authors–especially unestablished and self-published ones–the feat is extraordinarily difficult to accomplish. Fortunately, Amazon reader reviews are even more important for creating credibility and boosting your Amazon book rating, and should be treated as an equally huge opportunity. A New York Times review is great, but when potential customers are on Amazon ready to hit the Add to Cart button, the customer reviews are the ones ... keep reading


How to use yourself as a case study in your nonfiction book without overdoing it

Using yourself as a case study in your nonfiction book can be a great way to bring your messages to life, especially if your book is about personal development or business advice. When you’re sharing a true story of your own, you don’t need to gain anyone else’s permission to use the material. You can be as nuanced, revealing, colourful, specific, shameless, frank, self-deprecating, shocking or insightful as you like.  And because you’re describing a first-hand experience, you’ll find it easy to bring the story to life with kind of detail... keep reading


Ten great reasons for authors to blog

Writing a blog can be rewarding for its creative and meditative properties, and we believe that once you start, you’ll come to enjoy writing for yours. Of course, when it’s your career you’re looking at, it’s nice to have other, more career-focused motives. So what reasons will you have to blog? Take your pick:

1. Expert status. Having a blog helps you to become known as an authority in your field. As your audience and even your peers turn to you for your information, you’ll become known as a go-to person in your industry, and if you share and discu... keep reading


Smart food: 5 breakfasts to boost your brainpower

Before you sit down to write, feed your head with these super brain-boosting foods. You’ll be smarter by lunchtime!

  1. Steel-cut oatmeal with blueberries

Just as steel-cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats, they also release their food energy more gradually, allowing your brain to remain well fuelled throughout a morning-long writing session. Top your oats with phytonutrient-rich blueberries, which studies have shown can improve cognitive function in ... keep reading


Freeing yourself from distraction

With the new year rung in and writing resolutions made, many are sitting down at their desks ready to pen a new bestseller. But unfortunately, many of the same people have realized the constant distractions of YouTube, email and iPhones can make it very difficult to focus. Writing shouldn’t have to be a constant struggle with our willpower, so here are some very easy tips for writing distraction-free that don’t require any form of self-control:

Remove the distractions... keep reading


Why you should write a personal blog

With an estimated 158 million blogs in the blogosphere, it’s safe to say the medium is popular. These can loosely be grouped into two broad categories: professional blogs and personal blogs. Whether they are maintained by one person or have multiple contributors, professional blogs (such as this one) represent their sponsoring company, institution or professional practice. They aim to engage customers and fans with content relevant to the host organization. Personal blogs, on the other hand are, well, personal. These can be about anything at all, even the quirkiest and most unconv... keep reading


Should you hire a ghostwriter to help you write your nonfiction book?

Writing a nonfiction book while juggling a busy career or professional practice is a tall order. If you’re struggling to get your manuscript finished – or maybe even get it started – you might be wondering whether you would benefit from the services of a ghostwriter. Here are some things to consider when weighing up whether or not it’s the right solution for you.

1. Using a ghostwriter is a legitimate form of support for nonfiction writing

You might be questioning the ethical soundness of putting your name on a ghostwritten book. People can and do disagree ... keep reading