Book Design
Adobe Photoshop is still the best program to design book covers. However, it has a steep learning curve, so the cost of purchasing Photoshop might be better spent hiring a designer. For the most advanced interior book design, use Adobe’s InDesign.
Book Cover Pro: This is a more user-friendly program than Adobe Photoshop, as it’s built specifically for book cover design.
Killer Covers: Widely used by non-fiction e-book authors and print authors, though it can be used for fiction titles as well.
Book Design Wizard: Designing the interior of a book yourself using Microsoft Word is more difficult than you might imagine. If you’re not using a subsidy service or independent designer to design the interior, this program is very helpful. It allows more creative control than a self-publishing service offers with the potential for a more unique interior design.
Lulu: Use Lulu’s free PDF converter and cover design engine – which will make a PDF file – and then use the files elsewhere (or publish with Lulu). You don’t have to publish your book – just start a new project.
AutoCrit: This manuscript editing software can cut down on the cost of hiring a professional editor – either bypassing the process (not recommended) or cutting down on the number of hours it will take to edit a manuscript.
Book Promotion
PR Newswire: PR Newswire is the global leader in innovative communications and marketing services, enabling small businesses and entrepreneurs to connect and engage with their target audiences. PR Newswire can help you gain visibility for your book and increase sales. Use PR Newswire to promote your book, a signing event, a positive book review, and more! Click here for special offers
Readers Favorite: Get a video trailer, video testimonial, editorial help, and other services. Home to the Readers Favorite Awards.
Annie Jennings PR: An independent book promoter – including public relations for major writers like Peggy Noonan – she also offers a series of instructional manuals and seminars to help people handle their own book PR.
Ink Tree: A book marketing service with a focus on self-publishers – with an emphasis on bulk orders of titles. Ink Tree helps devise a media kit and publicity program.
Print Runner: This isn’t so much a marketing program as a way to promote your book. Make calendars, stickers, car magnets, business cards, brochures, pens, rubber stamps – any possible product – all less expensive than other product companies. A unique way to spread the word about a book. Cheaper than a place like VistaPrint.
Cafe Press: Think of Cafe Press as the print-on-demand Print Runner. It’s more expensive to print out a large number of promotional products (t-shirts, hats, stickers, etc.) but there are also no upfront costs.
Subsidy Publishers
Two self-publishers that offer high-quality cover design with their publishing packages are:
Outskirts Press: Has a number of packages available. The covers designed by the Outskirts Press design team are traditional publishing-quality. Check the site for cover samples.
Mill City Press: The self-publishing house with book cover designs that most closely resemble those by a traditional publisher. No pre-made templates.
