Member Blog

It’s free to join SPR and blog about your writing experiences. Read the latest blog entries from our community

How to Build Pacing in Your Fiction

Have you ever picked up a book and found yourself unable to put it down? Or maybe you’ve started reading something that felt like slogging through mud? The difference usually comes down to pacing.

Pacing is the rhythm and speed at which you tell your story. It’s what keeps readers turning pages at midnight or what makes them abandon your book after chapter two. Good pacing feels natural and keeps readers emotionally invested from the first page to the last.

Hook Readers Right Away

As a new writer, you could make the mistake of starting your story too slow, by […]

2025-06-17T13:17:47+02:00June 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|

How Self-Published Authors Can Take Inspiration Without Copying Creative Work

As a self-published author, worrying about accidentally copying someone else’s creative work is natural. You are not alone in this fear, and it is a smart instinct to be cautious. However, taking inspiration is natural and necessary for your growth as a writer. Every great story draws from the author’s emotions and the creative works they admire — the key is to handle that process ethically.

Instead of mimicking plots, characters, or exact phrasing, focus on how a piece makes you feel or the broader theme it explores. Then, channel those insights through your voice and perspective. When you approach […]

2025-07-18T18:12:15+02:00June 16th, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|

Mastering the Art of Professional Networking as an Author

In the competitive world of self-publishing, success hinges on writing talent and the strength of your professional network. Building meaningful connections can open doors to endorsements, collaborative opportunities, and valuable industry insights. Whether you’re launching your first book or expanding your brand, strategic networking can significantly impact your growth and visibility.

The Strategic Value of Networking

Professional networking offers self-published authors a vital path to sustainable success. The benefits go far beyond casual conversation — they shape your career trajectory. Here are some of the top advantages authors can gain by building strong professional relationships.

Secure Endorsements That Build Credibility

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2025-05-06T15:00:47+02:00May 6th, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|

An Author’s Guide to Handling Sensitive Content With Care

Writing deep and emotionally charged books means creating text that might trigger anxiety or other fears in readers. Whether you write steamy love scenes or cover topics not for the faint of heart, adding content warnings can avoid misunderstandings and protect those who are too young for some content or might experience PTSD due to trauma.

Some things that might be considered sensitive include:

  • Stories about emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
  • Mental health issues
  • Discrimination
  • Addiction
  • Violence
  • Religion
  • Culture
  • Erotica

The United States book industry is worth an estimated $28.1 billion and growing. You’ll find an audience for your books […]

2025-03-21T12:35:28+02:00March 21st, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|

How Does Shipping and Distribution Work for a Self-Published Book?

Independent publishing takes focused work. The author — and any team members they hire — is responsible for writing, editing, proofreading, formatting, and designing the book. When all of that work is finalized, you must determine how to get the finished product into the hands of readers.

What Are the Steps to Shipping and Distributing an Indie Title?

According to Publisher’s Weekly, the number of ISBNs assigned to self-published titles grows yearly. Writers released 2.6 million independent titles in 2023 — a 7.2% increase over 2022. Not all authors release print copies of their books, but following a few steps […]

2025-02-19T11:27:26+02:00February 19th, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|Tags: |

Self-Publishing Platforms Compared: Which One Is Right for You?

You’ve written your first book and can’t wait to make it available to the world. Which self-publishing platform can provide the services and features that fit your needs? There are several excellent options, each with some overlap. Compare their pros and cons to determine which is right for you.

1. IngramSpark Publishing

IngramSpark offers hardcover, paperback, and e-book publishing. With its global distribution channels, you can get your book in online stores, libraries, and wholesalers worldwide.

Pricing and Royalties

Each sale gets you 85% of the net revenue, regardless of which retailer makes the sale — a much higher figure […]

2025-05-12T17:52:19+02:00January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|Tags: , |

Safeguard Your Creative Ideas: How to Legally Protect Your Unpublished Work

You work hard as a self-published author, developing your creative ideas and eventually sharing them with the world. You might want to protect your work as you go. Here’s everything you need to know about safeguarding your unpublished literary works.

How Does Intellectual Property and Copyright Work for Self-Published Authors?

Technically, a self-published work is copyrighted by law when it exists in a physical form. For instance, when you write or type your story on paper, you don’t need to do anything else to protect it.

Copyright protection of intellectual property applies to books, essays, blogs, poetry and articles — […]

2024-09-26T17:52:55+02:00September 25th, 2024|Categories: Member Blog|

6 Disability-Inclusive Book Design Tips to Better Accommodate Your Readers

DesignerlyAs an author, you want your books to be accessible to a wide range of readers, including those with various disabilities. Making a few small changes can help those with dyslexia, visual impairments and neurodivergence. Here are some tips to make sure your book designs are disability-inclusive.

1. Start With Contrast

All people see things a bit differently, but some have visual impairments that can make reading your book or viewing your cover more challenging. Using high contrast between the background and your text is a good practice regardless of who is reading your work. Follow the Web Content Accessibility […]

2024-08-05T15:30:40+02:00August 5th, 2024|Categories: Member Blog|
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