Book Design
BookBaby: Offers eBook conversion, eBook cover design, author website design, and book printing. Authors pay a flat fee and keep 100% off the royalties for eBook distribution.
eBookIt: eBook conversion, ISBN assignment, and distribution.
Smashwords: If you don’t use one of the above services, use the Smashwords’ meatgrinder, with the Style Guide, and sign up for Premium Distribution.
iStock Photo: Stock photo services are starting to crack down on use of unauthorized photos, so it’s important to purchase photos from the source. Illustrations also available.
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. Click here for current discounts.
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: 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). Lulu also offers an ePub converter. You don’t have to publish your book – just start a new project. CreateSpace is another option for cover templates.
Editing
First Editing: Geared more towards non-fiction, they also provide novel editing.
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
Kirkus Reviews: The Kirkus Indie program gives independent authors a chance to obtain an unbiased, professional review of their work, written in the same format as a traditional Kirkus review, with the same chance of earning the coveted Kirkus Star. SPR visitors will get a $25 rebate with the code SPR25. Add code in the “Notes” field.
BlueInk Reviews: Books are reviewed by professional critics whose bylines have appeared in major publications, including the Washington Post and New York Times, as well as editors from major publishing houses, such as Random House and Viking. SPR visitors will receive $25 off a standard review (8-9 week turnaround) or $40 off a fast-track review (4-5 week turnaround) Click here to get started.
PR Newswire: 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 to get a free 12-Month Membership (a $195 value).
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 no upfront costs and you can order one at a time.
From the Site
Popular resource posts from the site:
1. How to Get Book Distribution for a Self-Published Book
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3. Places to List Your Book Online
4. Where to Get Self-Published Book Reviews
5. Where to Find an Editor for a Self-Published Book
6. A Kindle Success Story: How to Promote a Kindle eBook
7. Publish with Lightning Source
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