Cover Design
A good cover sells a book. Well, it certainly helps! It's the first thing your potential buyers will see so try to make it the best you can.
- Find a friend who is good at graphic design
- Use fiverr.com
- Teach yourself Photoshop.
The first option is great as long as the friend knows what they are doing and can work with you to design a great cover. Your input is essential as you are the only one who knows your book intimately. Make sure you mock up several covers so you have a few to choose from.
The fiverr.com option is another good way to go. Check portfolios carefully and see what you think of their work before you decide on the producer. Also check any reviews or comments left by previous clients.
If you are creative (well, you've written a book, haven't you?) and have a good eye for colour and design, you could use YouTube videos to teach yourself the appropriate design software - you'll also have to buy the software!
Whatever you decide, before you release your book, join some Facebook writers and readers groups and post your proposed cover. Ask for honest criticism (you'll get plenty) and once you have narrowed it down to two or three choices, run a poll in the group to help you decide. The cover you prefer may not be the one that everyone else likes so be prepared to compromise - after all, you have asked for their opinion and they have given it freely! As potential buyers, their opinions are very important.
Editing and Proofing
If you really can't afford a professional there are some essential things that you must do before releasing your book.
- Do a spell-check
- Print off the book
- Check that margins, headings, fonts and page formatting are consistent
- Read the book aloud
- Read the book again, this time slowly, word for word.
Spell-check will help to catch spelling errors but will not differentiate between transposed words - form instead of from etc.
It is easier to check the margins and other layout issues by turning the manuscript upside-down (this reduces distraction from the words on the page).
By reading aloud you can check the pacing of the work and also take note if any of the sentences or passages seem overly complicated or confusing.
A final, slow read will (hopefully) catch any further errors.
Marketing
Many books have been written on the subject of marketing and there are hundreds of excellent blogs and articles on the web. Simple searches will get you started. All successful authors will tell you that the best method of marketing is to build your email list.
Start on the list as soon as possible and keep building - never stop!
Always remember, a final proofread can save embarrassing reviews and help build trust with your readers.
For a free quote, contact Kim at info@kimoshea.com
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