How ghostwriting works when your name is on the cover
From first interview to final chapter: what a ghostwriter does, and what you stay in charge of.
Advice for authors
Guides to help you plan, edit and publish your book, from choosing the right edit to ISBNs, formats and launch planning.
Latest articles
Do you need an author website? What to put on it
A simple author website gives readers somewhere to find you and your books. Here is what it needs, and what it does not.
How to write a book blurb that sells
Your book description is a sales page in miniature. A simple structure for writing one that makes the right readers click "buy".
Build your author brand before your book launches
Why readers should know your name before release day, and where to start.
How to plan a non-fiction book readers will finish
Clear reader, clear promise, clear structure. A planning method that saves months of rewriting.
What to put on your back cover
Your back cover has a few jobs to do in a very small space. A simple checklist of what belongs there, and what does not.
Which kind of edit does my book need?
Developmental, copy-edit or proofread? What each does, and how to tell which one your manuscript needs.
ISBNs in the UK: do you need one, and who should own it?
What an ISBN does, when you need one, why it matters who owns it, and a legal deposit duty that is easy to overlook.
How to plan a book launch: the twelve weeks before release
A week-by-week outline for a calm, effective launch, from preparation to release day and beyond.
Writing a memoir: finding the story inside your life
A memoir is not your whole life story. How to find the thread that makes a reader care.
KDP or IngramSpark: which should you use, or both?
Two platforms, two strengths. How to choose between them, and why many authors use both.
What makes a book cover work at thumbnail size
Most readers first see your cover smaller than a stamp. Here is what still works at that size.
Picture book basics: page count, pacing and illustration
Writing and producing a children's picture book is different from any other kind of book. Here are the fundamentals.
Self-publishing or independent publishing: what's the difference?
Two routes to market, and how to choose the right one for your book.
Choosing trim size, paper and finish for your print book
The physical choices behind a print book, explained: size, paper colour, margins and cover finish.
Getting your first book reviews the right way
Reviews help readers decide. Here is how to ask for them honestly, and what to avoid.
Developmental editing explained: what happens to your manuscript
Structure, pacing, argument and voice: what a developmental edit involves, and how to get the most from one.
eBook formatting: why reflowable EPUB matters
A good eBook adapts to every screen and every reader. Here is how reflowable EPUB works, and what a clean file looks like.
Illustrated cover or photography? Choosing a cover style by genre
The right cover style tells readers what they are buying before they read a word. How to choose between illustration, photography and typography.
Your book's metadata: categories, keywords and descriptions explained
Metadata is the information that helps readers find your book. What it covers, and how to get it right.
How to prepare your manuscript before you send it to an editor
A little preparation saves time and money. Here is what to do before your manuscript goes to anyone.
Building a mailing list before you have a book to sell
A mailing list is the one audience you own. How to start one early, and do it properly.
Paperback, hardback or eBook: which formats does your book need?
Each format reaches different readers. Here is how to decide which ones to launch with.
Copy-editing vs proofreading: the difference, and why you need both
They sound similar, but they happen at different times and do different jobs. Here is how to tell them apart.
What is a free book review, and what happens after it?
What to send, what you get back, and what happens next, from the free review to launch.
Ready for an honest read of your book?
Submit your manuscript for a free book review. Send the whole book, or at least the first three chapters. There's no obligation, and you'll hear what we think before you're asked to commit to anything.