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

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.

PR Web: Press releases are still a viable way to get the word out about a book. If nothing else, they increase search engine visibility. For widespread visibility, it’s necessary to sign up for an advanced package.

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.