book design Archives — Self-Publishing Advice Center from the Alliance of Independent Authors

Planning workshops with Orna Ross

The Ultimate Guide to Hardback and Premium Books

While the digital age combined with Covid-19 lockdown has seen an increase of readers turning to ebooks, there are a huge section of readers who are staunch paper readers and specifically, hardback or premium book readers. This is the ultimate guide to hardback and premium books

How to DIY a Nonfiction Index (Part One)

We spend months or even years thinking about the content of our book. But how much time do we spend thinking about the front and back matter? I'm betting barely more than a few minutes. But perhaps you should. Indexes can be extremely useful for your readers. Denise Gaskin is here to explain how to DIY yourself a nonfiction index.

Photo Of A Cross-looking Cat To Signify Pet Hates

Book Design: 8 Pet Hates in Book Cover Design

When you're so close to your book, sometimes you need to "murder your darlings" in the cover design process, as well as in the writing of it. Check this handy list to make sure you're not guilty of any of eight common pet hates in the covers of your books.

Diagram Of Open Book Showing Verso On Left And Recto On Right

Production: Typesetting Terms that Indie Authors Need to Know and Understand

Can you tell your recto from your verso? Know your serif from your sans serif? Make sure you're familiar with these essential typesetting terms that all indie authors need to know to make their books look the best they can - by professional typesetter Amie McCracken

Indie Authors: Use Your Cover to Sell Your Book: Shoshanna (Evers) Gabriel

Shoshonna Gabriel, co-founder of Self Pub Book Covers, and sponsor of our cover competitions prize, offers tips and tools for making sure your cover delivers your book to its readers.

How to Write a Blurb for a Self-published Book

Ever struggled to write a book blurb? Struggle no more! Just follow this simple advice...

Book Marketing: Choosing the Cover for your Self-Published Book – Follow the Crowd or Dare to be Different?

As an indie author, it's your prerogative to do things your way, including choosing the cover design for your self-published…

How to Choose the Best Software for Print Book Design

Sarah Juckes of ALLi partner member CompletelyNovel offers some answers for those in search of the best software to design their…

Writing: Front and Back Matter for your Self-Published Book

Book promotion expert Ben Cameron always says "writing the blurb is the hardest 100 words you'll ever write", and many…

Second Cover

Book Design: How Changing Covers Can Transform Self-published Book Sales

Australian book designer Scarlett Rugers makes a compelling case for investing in more targetted book covers to boost sales of…

An Animated Approach to Cover Design

Today American screenwriter Tom Rogers shares his experience of developing an appropriate cover for his children's novel, Eleven, which is based…

Cover Of The Rise Of Zenobia By Jane Dixon-Smith (whow Writes As JD Smith)

Publishing: Why I Love Working with Indie Authors – by A Book Designer

Working successfully as both a self-published author and a book designer, Jane Dixon-Smith, a member of the Triskele Books collective,…