After being an owner of the program for about 4 years now, I believe Atticus is the only program you will ever need for formatting and writing.

That’s right, I believe that Atticus is the best writing software, the one-stop-shop for writers as they are writing, editing, and formatting their books.

Honestly, when I first heard about Atticus, I was a bit skeptical. Could there really be a program that could replace not just Vellum, but Scrivener as well? And then on top of that, add Google Docs-like capability?

Yes, yes it could.

In this review of Atticus, I’ll walk you through exactly how it does all this.

So, is Atticus Any Good?

Yes, Atticus is a tremendous software for authors. It manages to combine the best of all of the other software out there, including Vellum, Scrivener, and even Google Docs.

And while it still has a lot of features yet to come, I can easily say that I am transitioning all my books to this program, and will continue to write, edit, and format with Atticus in the future.

How Much Does Atticus Cost?

Atticus costs $147 for a lifetime account. That’s it. There are no subscription fees, no paid upgrades in the future, what you pay for is what you get.

The best part about this, is that you will get all future updates completely for free if you buy the software today. And there are a lot of really cool features coming, at least according to the Atticus roadmap.

Is There an Atticus Free Download?

No, there is not a free download of Atticus, nor is there a free trial. However, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you are not satisfied with Atticus for any reason, then you can get your money back. So if you’re willing to shell out the money temporarily, just to try it out, you can do that.

That said, I think you will be pretty satisfied with what they have.

Atticus Coupon Information

I did some research, and it looks like there are no coupons or ways to discount Atticus, at least at this time. Atticus is still a fairly new program, and so I don’t think we can expect a ton of coupons at this point.

What is Atticus & What is Atticus Used For? My Overview:

In a nutshell, Atticus is a writing and formatting program, with the goal of being the one-stop-shop for authors. Currently, it is primarily a formatting program, but more features are coming that will turn it into a competitor with Scrivener, Google Docs, and a few features that don’t exist in any program ever.

Atticus started out as a major competitor to Vellum, which until then was the only great formatting software for regular fiction and nonfiction books. However, Vellum was only available for Mac users, and you literally had to buy a Macintosh computer in order to run it. Seriously, I know authors that did this.

But not anymore. Now with Atticus, you can run on any program which is one of its best features. (see my comparison of the two programs)

And speaking of features…

Atticus Features List

Here are some of the main features you can find it Atticus:

1. Cross-platform functionality
2. A robust theme generator
3. The print previewer
4. Its word processor
5. Large print options
6. Reusable elements
7. Goal setting
8. Full-bleed images
9. Volumes and Parts
10. Headings
11. Footnotes and Endnotes
12. Integrations

There are a lot more features than this, but these are the ones that get me most excited. Let’s dive into them one by one.

1. It’s Cross-platform!

By far the best feature is that Atticus is available on all platforms, unlike Vellum which is only available for Mac. But Atticus can be used on a Windows machine, a Mac, a Chromebook, or a Linux machine.

And it doesn’t have to be online either. Atticus uses something called a progressive web app (PWA) which allows you to access the program online, but also to access it from your computer offline.

The only time that you will need to be online is when you initially login, and when you choose to export a book.

2. The Theme Generator

The theme generator is another feature that I’m super excited about. Basically, you can create chapter themes that are customized however you like. You can change the font of each element, the size, the positioning, and even images that you’d like to use.

You can even use full-bleed images which extend all the way to the edges of your print book, which gives you some incredibly exciting possibilities with background images for your chapter themes.

You can also customize the fonts of your text, the headers and footers, and even the fonts that you write with. For example, writing in a dyslexic font can help people with dyslexia, or help you catch different errors when you’re editing.

Basically, everything is customizable.

3. The Print Previewer

Vellum has this too, but Atticus has a really cool print previewer that lets you see exactly what each page will look like in its finished, formatted form (say that five times fast).

This is really useful for seeing what your chapter themes look like before having to go through the hassle of exporting your entire book.

4. Its Word Processor

The word processor is the part of the program where you actually write the book. Atticus has a really great word processor, one that works way better than Google Docs or Vellum.

The only writing program I know of that marginally beats it out is Scrivener, but Scrivener has a habit of being way too complicated, and Atticus is just a simple as you need it to be. You can easily drag and drop your chapters and other back/front matter elements to the side, and the actual writing window is pretty customizable.

For example, you can change the font size and font type for the writing window, so you can write with a huge font, or with the font that you enjoy looking at, even if that’s not the font that your book will be formatted in eventually.

5. Large Print Options

A lot of programs will create books with a larger font, but Atticus is the only one I know of that pays strict attention to detail on all of the different requirements for large print books.

This includes things like print size, a sans-serif font, the trim size, margins, etc. Basically, there is a lot more to large print books than just a large font. Atticus helps you create large print books easily and effectively.

6. Reusable Elements

Okay, you guys, this is one of my favorite features on this list. Have you ever created an author bio page, or a “read more from this author” page, then had to copy and paste that page to all of your books? And then, if you had to make changes to that page, you would then have to copy and paste it again into all your books.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easier way to do this?

Well Atticus can create a reusable element, which is a way of creating a set template for something like an author page (but it is not limited to this), then reusing that element over and over again in your books.

The best part is that if you make a change to the reusable element, you have the option of updating it across all books that use that same element. It’s a fantastic feature that I’m surprised Vellum has never developed.

7. Goal Setting

Last, but not least, I want to talk about goal setting. There are a number of great goal-setting programs, but few writing programs actually integrate them into the software. Atticus does this.

Atticus lets you create project goals or habit goals. Project goals allow you to set an estimated word count for your book, outline how many days you’re planning to write, input your deadline, and it will automatically generate the word count that you must hit each day to hit that deadline.

Or, if you prefer habit tracking, you can put in a daily word count goal and it will gamify the process of writing for you. Personally, I can no longer not hit that daily word count goal, because I have to keep my streak alive!

8. Full-Bleed Images

Do you ever feel limited by just inserting images that float in the middle of a page? Well Atticus lets you upload images that will extend all the way to the edges of your pages with full-bleed images.

This means you can have some really cool effects with images in the background of your entire page or spread. It also makes Atticus a great choice for creating visual books like children’s books, cookbooks, or even comics. The possibilities are wide open.

9. Volumes and Parts

One hugely powerful feature that Atticus has over pretty much every other program is the ability to easily create multi-volume books and box sets.

Atticus lets you organize your book into volumes and parts. So if you’re writing an epic fantasy series, you can have Volume 1 be the first book, then have Part 1, Part 2, etc within that book. Or if you’re creating a box set, you can have each book be its own volume.

This saves a ton of time compared to having to manually create each separate file for every volume and part. Atticus handles it seamlessly.

10. Headings

Here’s something you may not know – most ebook creation software out there doesn’t let you have a full range of heading sizes. Heading one and two is usually it.

But Atticus breaks that mold by giving you heading levels 1 through 6, just like Word. This adds flexibility in structuring your book’s content and is especially useful for nonfiction books.

Vellum doesn’t offer multiple heading sizes, so this is a big advantage over it. Unless you want to get into complicated Adobe InDesign, Atticus is the only intuitive option for full headings.

11. Effortless Footnotes and Endnotes

As any nonfiction author knows, footnotes and endnotes can be a huge pain to implement correctly in your books. You practically need a desktop publishing degree to figure them out in complex programs like Word or InDesign.

But Atticus makes adding footnotes and endnotes simple. The interface allows you to easily insert notes and have them automatically numbered and formatted for both digital and print books. No more headaches trying to get your notes to display right!

Atticus removes the technical hassle from footnotes and endnotes so you can focus on writing great content instead of formatting.

12. Integrations

To round things out, Atticus has some really useful integrations with other author tools:

• Book Brush integration lets you easily find premade book covers and interior images that are the perfect size for your projects.
• ProWritingAid integration means you can run your manuscript through a grammar and style check seamlessly within Atticus.

Having these partnerships saves you time hopping between programs and streamlines your entire book creation process.

Atticus Pros and Cons

There are a number of Atticus pros and cons that I thought I would sum up here:

Atticus Advantages

Here are the things I like most about Atticus:

• Cross-platform compatibility
• It’s a great formatting platform
• It has large print options
• It has reusable elements
• It’s much cheaper than Vellum
• I can use it on all my devices
• Easy footnotes!
• Volumes and parts

Atticus Disadvantages

While Atticus has a lot going for it, it’s not a perfect program (yet), and there are honestly a few things I would like to see:

• No collaboration tool yet (coming soon)

Atticus Praise (from real Atticus customer reviews)

“Once upon a time, Luke Skywalker was just a farmer. Humble beginnings. Full of dreams. Then Frodo got called to carry the One Ring. Now Atticus rises, inviting authors to create and publish better-crafted books.” – Jeremy Bursey

“Atticus is definitely the writing app to watch. It makes beautiful ebooks possible for everyone, and it’s an innovative breath of fresh air.” – Michael La Ronn

“After using Atticus to publish two books I realized how laborious my previous setup was. Atticus replaced all of the software packages I was using. With Atticus I can now write, format and export from one system.” – Robb Wallace

“My questions were answered promptly, factually, in great detail and in a friendly and encouraging manner. I find Atticus itself very appealing due to the intuitive way it works and the choices it gives.” – Kay Von Randow

“Atticus is easy to use and gives me so much time back by simplifying the formatting process for each new project. The team is super responsive for suggestions and troubleshooting and I’m really impressed with the end product.” – Bee Murray

Review of Atticus’s Support

Atticus gets its support from the same team that does Publisher Rocket, and if you know Publisher Rocket, you know that they have an amazing support team.

I had one tiny issue when I was working on a book in Atticus, and I contacted their support, and the issue was literally fixed within a few hours because they got back to me so fast.

Is Atticus Worth it? My Conclusion

I can say with all my heart that yes, Atticus is worth it. Atticus is shaping up to be the single best writing software for authors. Period.

Not only is it a great formatting software, but it encourages you to write with its goalsetting features, and provides a lot more than just formatting.

In short, I highly recommend you check it out.

The post Atticus Review: Really an All-In-One for Writing and Formatting? appeared first on Bookishnerd.

Bottom Line: ProWritingAid is hands-down my favorite proofreading tool.

In this article, I’ll be talking about why I chose ProWritingAid as my favorite, and some of the top proofreading tools on the market today and sharing my insights on which ones are worth your money. We’ll take an in-depth look at what each software offers, their pricing, pros and cons, and bottom line recommendation.

• ProWritingAid
• Grammarly
• Ginger Software
• Hemingway Editor
• Slick Write
• Quillbot
• Whitesmoke
• Autocrit

Proofreading software has come a long way in recent years thanks to advancements like artificial intelligence. The top tools can help catch a wide variety of writing issues – from grammar and spelling mistakes to style inconsistencies and poor readability. The right program can take your writing to the next level.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps improve your grammar, spelling, style, and more. I absolutely love using this tool and find it to be incredibly helpful for proofreading and editing my writing.

Pricing starts at $70 per year for the Premium version.

The Pros:

• Catches a wide variety of writing issues including grammar, punctuation, diction, tone, and more
• Offers excellent suggestions for strengthening my writing
• Has useful readability metrics to improve clarity and impact
• Easy to use online editor and Word plugin
• Helps me improve my writing skills over time

The Cons:

• No mobile app yet
• Plagiarism checker requires an extra fee
• Less effective for very short writing

Bottom Line:

ProWritingAid is hands-down my favorite proofreading tool. The detailed feedback and writing suggestions have noticeably improved the quality of my writing. I would highly recommend this software to any writer looking to sharpen their skills. The investment is well worth it for the long-term benefits.

Grammarly

Grammarly offers their premium version for $12/month if you pay annually.

The pros of Grammarly include:

• Powerful grammar and spell checking that catches more errors than most other tools. It checks over 100 critical grammar rules.
• Genre-specific writing style suggestions help you match the tone of what you’re writing.
• The plagiarism checker compares your writing against 16 billion webpages and sources. This feature comes standard without any extra fees.
• You get explanations with each correction so you can learn and avoid making the same mistakes repeatedly.
• Customization allows you to add words not in the dictionary, like industry jargon and terminology.

The cons are:

• It cannot fully replace a human editor, who understands tone and voice. Grammarly follows strict grammar rules that may not fit creatively styled writing.
• The free version is limited compared to the full premium offering.

Bottom Line: Grammarly is one of the top choices for grammar and spell checking software. The inclusion of plagiarism checks sets it apart from competitors. While the premium version costs extra, it adds robust features like style suggestions and explanations to make you a stronger writer. For most people writing emails, documents, and more casual content, Grammarly is a great option for cleaning up your writing.

Hemingway Editor

As an avid writer, I’m always on the lookout for tools to improve my craft. Recently, I discovered Hemingway Editor, a free online app that aims to make writing bold, clear, and easy to read. I gave it a test run on some of my blog posts to see if it lives up to its promises.

Overall, I’m impressed with what Hemingway Editor has to offer, especially considering there’s a fully-functional version available for free online. Here’s an overview of my experience using this unique proofreading tool:

Pricing: Completely free online version. Paid desktop app is $19.99.

Pros:

• Color-coded highlights make it easy to spot issues with sentence length, word choice, adverbs, passive voice, and complex phrases. Just paste in text to see these visual callouts.
• Readability grade level gives a benchmark for improving clarity and simplicity. My blog posts scored 9th-10th grade level.
• Caught many instances where I could tighten up bloated, winding sentences or use simpler words. This tool encourages brevity.
• The desktop app adds helpful options for publishing and exporting.

Cons:

• Not a full grammar/spelling checker like other editing programs. Strictly focuses on style.
• Some highlights seem overly rigid about rules like reducing adverbs. I don’t blindly accept all the suggestions.
• Limited integration and formatting capabilities compared to robust word processors.

Bottom Line: Hemingway Editor excels at flagging convoluted sentences and complex words that hurt readability. I like using it to refine blog posts and other short-form content. However, it feels too prescriptive and limited for editing long manuscripts or books. I suggest writers try the free version and view the highlights as options, not strict directives. For tightening up sentences and enhancing clarity, Hemingway Editor is a handy editing supplement.

Ginger Software

As an avid writer and editor, proofreading tools have become an invaluable part of my workflow. When it comes to catching grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and improving the overall quality of my writing, proofreading software helps take my work to the next level.

That’s why I was eager to try out Ginger Software, a popular AI-powered writing enhancement tool. After testing it out, here are my thoughts.

Pricing:

• Monthly subscription starts at $13.99/month

Pros:

• Catches basic grammar and spelling mistakes
• Easy to install browser extensions
• Rephraser tool helps rewrite clumsy sentences
• Text-to-speech reads your work aloud
• Translates text into 50+ languages
• Accessible for people with dyslexia

Cons:

• Not as robust as competitors for reporting
• No plagiarism checker
• Customer service needs improvement
• Translation not as accurate as Google Translate

Overall, Ginger Software is a good option for non-native English speakers and language learners. The translation features make it easy to write in your native language and have it corrected to proper English. I also liked the text-to-speech tool which makes proofreading easier.

However, for professional writers and students, the lack of plagiarism checking is a notable downside compared to competitors like ProWritingAid and Grammarly. And the grammar correction, while decent, is not as comprehensive.

If you’re translating text or learning English, Ginger is a helpful aid. But for rigorous editing, ProWritingAid remains my top choice. Still, at $13.99/month, Ginger provides good value for the price. Just don’t expect the more advanced features of pricier competitors. Overall, it’s a practical proofreading tool for English learners on a budget.

Slick Write

Slick Write is a free online proofreading tool that analyzes your writing for issues like grammar mistakes, wordiness, and readability. You simply copy and paste your text into the Slick Write editor and it scans your work, highlighting areas that need improvement.

One line with the pricing

Slick Write is 100% free with no paid version available.

List of pros

• Completely free to use with no limits
• Checks for grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, sentence structure, style, and more
• Provides detailed statistics about your writing like word count, readability, vocabulary use, etc.
• Has useful tools like a word associator and vocabulary variety checker
• Easy to use web-based editor that requires no software installation

List of cons

• Accuracy of grammar and spell check is not as good as paid alternatives
• Does not integrate with word processors like MS Word or Google Docs
• No plagiarism checker available
• Submission limit of 30,000 words may be restrictive for long documents
• The separate editor and critique screens can feel clunky

Bottom Line

For a completely free online proofreading tool, Slick Write performs decently well, catching many common writing errors and providing helpful statistics. However, it lacks some key features like plagiarism checking and word processor integration. The accuracy is also not on par with paid tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid. But if you need a basic grammar and style check on a budget, Slick Write is a usable free option. Just be prepared to double check any corrections it suggests.

Quillbot

Quillbot is an AI-powered writing assistant that offers paraphrasing, summarizing, grammar checking, and plagiarism checking tools. It starts at $8.33/month for the annual plan.

Pros:

• Effective paraphrasing tool for rewriting small amounts of text
• Decent grammar checker powered by AI
• Built-in plagiarism checker
• Useful summarizer for condensing text
• Affordable compared to other AI writing tools
• Free version has limited usage of key features

Cons:

• Not robust enough as a grammar checker for books
• Limits on word count, even for premium users
• Better suited for short-form content like articles
• Missing some key features authors need like style checking

Bottom Line:

Quillbot can be a helpful AI companion for rephrasing sentences or summarizing research. But for comprehensive proofreading of manuscripts, it falls short of robust tools like ProWritingAid that offer more detailed grammar reports. The free version is decent for paraphrasing snippets of text. Overall, Quillbot is best for students, not long-form content creators.

Whitesmoke

Let me start by saying that Whitesmoke costs $79.95 per year for the premium version.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this proofreading tool. Here are some of the pros I experienced using Whitesmoke:

• It’s easy to use right in your web browser or as an add-on in Word. The interface is straightforward.
• The grammar, punctuation, and spelling checkers all work fairly well. I liked that it flagged potential issues and offered suggestions.
• The plagiarism checker comes included, which is a nice bonus. I tested it out on some blog posts and it caught copied text from other sites.
• There are some helpful video tutorials that teach writing skills. I learned a few new grammar rules!

However, there were also some significant downsides:

• I could only check sections of 10,000 characters at once. For book manuscripts, this got annoying having to run small sections one by one.
• You can’t use it offline at all. As someone who writes in places without internet sometimes, this hampered my workflow.
• It felt a bit clunky and outdated aesthetically. The user interface reminded me of software from years ago.
• Customer service was hit or miss when I contacted them about a billing issue. It took weeks to get it resolved.
• You have to pay for a full year upfront! I’d have liked a monthly option to test it out.

The bottom line is that Whitesmoke gets the job done for basic proofreading, but the limitations make it tough for me to recommend over other options. I need something more flexible that feels modern and can handle entire book manuscripts at once. I may keep using Whitesmoke for quick blog checks, but for my fiction writing, I’ll look elsewhere.

Autocrit

Autocrit is an AI-powered writing assistant designed specifically for fiction writers. It costs $10/month for the basic plan, $30/month for the professional plan, and $80/month for the elite plan.

Pros:

• Analyzes pacing and momentum to identify areas that may slow down your writing. This helps create a more engaging, page-turning story.
• Checks dialogue for authenticity and natural flow. It counts occurrences of exclamation points and shouting to prevent overuse.
• Highlights cliches, passive voice, and adverbs to strengthen your writing. The adverb counter is especially useful.
• Compares your word choices to its extensive fiction database and provides suggestions to diversify your vocabulary. The “Sentence Starters” report is helpful for this.
• Checks for repetition of words and phrases. Variety is key for strong writing.
• Compares your writing style and conventions to specific genres or famous authors. See how you stack up against the greats!

Cons:

• Requires a monthly subscription instead of one-time payment. Can get pricey over time.
• Not as powerful for catching grammar and spelling errors compared to ProWritingAid or Grammarly. Would still need separate grammar check.

Bottom Line: Autocrit provides incredibly helpful feedback tailored to fiction writing. The pacing, dialogue, and word choice analysis are invaluable. But the subscription model and lack of robust grammar check mean it works best paired with another editing program. For serious fiction writers, Autocrit is worth the monthly price as a supplemental editing tool.

The post Best Proofreading Software [With 1 Clear Favorite] appeared first on Bookishnerd.

For my own writing (don’t ask me what my pen name is), I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a children’s book for some time. So far, I’ve identified several key elements that I have to do first, like choosing my target audience, incorporating engaging elements, and (of course) the illustrations.

Now if YOU want to publish a children’s book, you can do so either with self-publishing or traditional publishing.

I’m going with self-publishing, because it’s a great way to start, and it’s no longer difficult or too expensive to do.

But there’s a lot more to do, and in this article I’ll break it all for you.

Note: I’m not getting into the publishing side too much in this article. Instead, it focuses more on the writing.

With that in mind, let’s get into it.

Prep Work: What to Do BEFORE Writing a Children’s Book

Before we get started, it’s important to do a little prep work, and answer some questions before we put all that time and effort into producing a children’s book. Some of the considerations we should make include:

• Ensure Parents Will Want to Buy Your Book: It’s important to ensure parents will want to buy your book to market to younger audiences. Otherwise, you’re left with a book no one will want to buy, because even if the kids will like it, they don’t have purchasing power.
• Primary Purchasers: The primary purchasers of children’s books are females aged 30-44.
• Understanding Your Audience: To better understand your audience, spend time with age groups and parents, talk to parents and teachers, and give surveys.
• Structure Matters: Understanding the basic structure of a children’s book is important for successful writing.
• Templates for Writing: There are several templates available for writing a children’s book. Be sure to browse through your options to find something that appeals to you and will appeal to your target audience.
• Develop a Logline: You can create a logline that encapsulates the plot and hook to concisely explain your book’s concept. Doing so will not only help you get a clearer picture of what you want, but will make marketing the book that much easier.
• Things to Avoid: Avoid confusing age categories, too many words, obvious morals, bland titles and characters, slow starts, and low-quality illustrations.

And with that out of the way, let’s get into the full step-by-step process that I’ve uncovered from my research. I’ll be following this format for my own books.

Step 1: Pick Your Fave Format

It turns out that publishing your book in both ebook and paperback formats can be super beneficial. So, let’s dive into the pros and cons of each format to help you make the best choice for your own children’s book project.

You might already know that paperbacks are the most popular format for children’s books. They can easily be sold on platforms like Amazon or even in physical stores. 

But here’s something to consider – children’s ebook usage is actually on the rise! 

Parents’ preferences are shifting towards ebooks (thank you iPads), or they may not have any preference between ebook and print formats. This change in mindset could work in your favor if you’re planning to self-publish your book.

Now, ebooks come with their own set of perks. They’re useful for promotions, and you can send them out for cost-effective review requests, which can help spread the word about your book. But hold on a second, there’s a study from the University of Michigan that suggests ebook storytime might be less effective than physical book storytime. 

Why? It appears parents focus more on the technology than the content. That’s something to think about.

So, while the popularity of ebooks is on the rise, physical children’s books are likely to remain a hot commodity in the foreseeable future. It’s all about finding the right balance and catering to both types of readers. 

Consider offering your children’s book in both formats to reach a wider audience and maximize your potential for success.

Step 2: Figure Out Who You’re Writing For

This is a crucial step when it comes to writing your masterpiece – knowing your target category and age group. Trust me, this can make all the difference in how well your book is received.

Before you even start writing, it’s essential to identify the target age range of your readers. When publishing on Amazon, make sure you provide the appropriate age range to avoid any negative reviews from confused buyers. 

You’ll need to adjust the illustrations, word count, and writing style to suit the target age group, so it’s crucial to have a clear idea of who you’re writing for.

Children’s books typically fall into one of five categories: 

1. Board Books
2. Picture Books
3. Chapter Books
4. Middle Grade Chapter Books
5. Young Adult Books

Each category has its own unique set of age ranges, word counts, and illustration requirements. For example, younger children need short words and sentences, and they adore colorful illustrations and fun characters. Additionally, a lot is going to change based on the format. A choose your own adventure book, for example is going to be very different than anything else.

Keep in mind that each stage of child development calls for a different story structure and book setup. When marketing to parents, it’s especially important to emphasize the benefits of your book for their child’s age group. 

For instance, Board Books should have a good message and subtle education, while Young Adult books should touch on themes that resonate with older kids.

Speaking of Young Adult books, it’s worth noting that they might not always be considered children’s books. However, some traditional publishers may still classify them as such. 

So, it’s essential to be aware of the distinctions when marketing your book.

Step 3: Choose a Catchy Title

Let’s chat about another crucial aspect of your book – choosing a winning title. Remember, your title should guide your writing, but don’t be afraid to improve or change it later on as your story evolves.

The perfect title should let your story’s personality shine through while also being easily discoverable. 

Keep in mind that an excellent children’s book title should grab the reader’s attention, clearly convey the story’s theme, be easily searchable, and include relevant keywords. Doing this will not only entice potential readers but also help your book appear in search results on platforms like Amazon.

Here’s a little tip – consider using subtitles to improve your book’s marketing by including additional keywords for searchability. This way, you can attract even more readers looking for books just like yours.

But before you dive headfirst into writing your children’s book, it’s a great idea to do some research on potential genres with good market potential and less competition. This can give you an edge when it comes to marketing your book and reaching your target audience.

Simply dive into the options on Amazon and see what comes up!

Step 4: Get Your Writing Style On

Now that we’ve covered the importance of titles, target audience, and genres, let’s talk about finding a writing style that suits your book, the target age group, the story itself, and, of course, your own preferences.

Writing for children is an entirely different ball game, so you’ll need to adopt a new mindset and an appropriate writing style to engage your young readers. 

There are plenty of writing styles to consider, such as rhyme, past or present tense, and first or third person. The key is to experiment and find a style that works best for you and your story.

Rhyming: If you’re leaning towards using rhyme, make sure your rhymes are consistent and of high quality. Kids love a good rhyme, but only if it flows smoothly and naturally. 

Tense and Narration: children generally prefer present tense and third-person narration, but don’t let that limit your creativity. Feel free to explore different approaches to find the best fit for your story.

Remember, there is no right or wrong writing style; it’s all about preference and consistency throughout your book. A consistent writing style will help you create a more cohesive and enjoyable reading experience for your young audience.

Step 5: Add All the Important Stuff!

So, you’ve nailed down your target audience, chosen a writing style, and crafted the perfect title. Now, let’s dive into the essential ingredients for a successful children’s book: themes, memorable characters, and relatable dialogue.

When writing your book, be clear about your core message and ensure your story has a distinct beginning, middle, and end. The five essential elements of a good children’s book include:

1. Unforgettable characters
2. Suspenseful action or hook
3. Realistic dialogue
4. A solid storyline
5. An instant recall factor that makes readers want to come back for more

Children love stories with relatable characters, suspenseful action, age-appropriate language, and happy endings. Aim to create a book where the character remains memorable long after the story has been read. This will keep your young readers engaged and eager to explore more of your stories.

Now, while structure is crucial, it’s essential to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for children’s books. Forcing a structure onto your story may hinder its potential, so allow your narrative to develop organically while keeping those essential elements in mind.

Once again, research is key. Study the books that other authors are producing for your age group and audience, and try to structure your book in a similar way.

Step 6: Create Characters That Rock

Now, let’s delve deeper into what makes a character truly memorable and how they can convey the core message of your story.

Solid, unforgettable characters are the heart and soul of any great children’s book, even those for the youngest readers. 

Characters contribute to better recall and help drive home your book’s core message. The best characters in children’s books are usually around the child’s age or slightly older, have colorful personalities, and make bold choices that drive the story forward. These characters resonate with young readers, making it easier for them to connect with the story.

When crafting your characters, ensure they speak in a dialogue style that mirrors the readers’ speech patterns. By doing so, you make it easier for children to understand and relate to the conversations taking place in your book. 

Remember, characters with relatable desires and dreams will be more engaging for your target audience, so take the time to develop well-rounded characters with depth and personality.

Step 7: Make Your Story Totally Engaging

Let’s talk about the secret sauce to ensuring an engaging story that resonates with young readers – good endings, deliberate character choices, suspense, and cliffhangers.

For children’s books, particularly those aimed at younger audiences, a good ending – preferably a happy one – is essential. Happy endings provide closure and satisfaction, leaving readers with a sense of accomplishment and a positive outlook on the story’s message.

The main character should make deliberate choices that move the story forward. These choices not only drive the narrative but also allow readers to see the character’s growth and development throughout the book.

Suspense and cliffhangers play a vital role in maintaining reader engagement across all age categories, but especially in middle-grade or older audiences. By keeping your young audience on the edge of their seats, you’ll ensure they’re eager to turn the page and find out what happens next.

Incorporate age-appropriate suspenseful questions or situations to drive your story’s progression. For example, in picture books, you might explore the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. In middle-grade books, first kisses or achieving a goal can provide the suspense needed to keep readers engaged. And for YA books, self-realization or saving the world can serve as the driving force behind your story.

Step 8: Check Your Work – Don’t Be Sloppy

Let’s talk about the critical step that comes after completing your first draft: proofreading and editing.

While it’s essential to self-edit your work initially, hiring a professional editor is crucial for ensuring your book is polished, error-free, and ready for publication. Editing is a valuable investment, especially for books longer than 600 words, as it helps you put your best foot forward in the highly competitive world of children’s literature.

A good editor can help with spelling, grammar, and book structure, improving the overall quality of your book and increasing its chances of success. Unbiased, independent professionals can work wonders for your manuscript, refining it into the best possible version of your vision.

Step 9: Time for the Illustrations

By now, we’ve explored the importance of storytelling, unforgettable characters, and polished writing. But what about illustrations? They’re the cherry on top that brings your words to life and engages young readers. 

There are really just three options for adding illustrations: 

1. Doing it yourself
2. Hiring someone
3. A combination of both

The illustration process involves several steps: 

1. Choosing orientation: First, choose the orientation of the book (vertical, horizontal, or square) based on the type of story you’re telling.
2. Planning image sizing: Next, plan image sizing carefully, taking into account trim size and bleed allowance to ensure the illustrations look perfect in print.
3. Creating a storyboard or book dummy: Create a storyboard or book dummy to plan illustrations and match them with text. This will give you a clear vision of how your book will look when it’s complete.
4. Combining text and illustration: Decide how to combine text and illustrations – either as part of the image or separate – based on your book’s unique needs.
5. Choosing an illustrator: When choosing an illustrator, consider various sources, such as online portfolios, social media, or artist communities. Look at their experience, style, and reviews to ensure they’re the right fit for your project.
6. Paying for illustrations: Paying for illustrations will depend on factors like complexity, skill level, experience, location, and delivery speed. It’s essential to budget accordingly and understand what you’re paying for. 
7. Obtaining illustrations: Finally, obtain high-resolution images (300 dpi) and raw files for your illustrations, and ensure you have the intellectual property rights through an art release form or outsourcing site agreements.

Don’t forget that the book cover is an important illustration – it should attract the right readers and reflect your story’s essence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Books

Lastly, here are a few questions we should all be asking before we decide to write and publish a children’s book.

Is it necessary to copyright a children’s book?

While deciding to copyright your children’s book is a personal choice, you should know that you already possess the copyright as per U.S. law the moment you create the work. Nonetheless, registering the copyright with the US Copyright Office further safeguards it.

What should I avoid when writing a children’s book?

Avoid sounding preachy or overly instructive and ensure your story has a satisfying resolution. Keep in mind that children appreciate patterns and routines, so maintain consistency with rhyme schemes, phrases, or character behaviors.

How can I turn my children’s book into an ebook?

Amazon’s Kindle Kids’ Book Creator is a free, easy-to-use tool that helps convert illustrated children’s books into ebooks. The software allows you to import artwork, add text, and create Kindle Text Pop-Ups without needing HTML/CSS knowledge.

Should my children’s book include a subtitle?

Having a subtitle is beneficial for marketing purposes as it enables you to use keywords, key phrases, or synonyms that potential readers might search for. It also allows more creative freedom and helps convey the book’s topic.

How to write a description for a children’s book?

Study descriptions of similar books to understand audience expectations in terms of length, word choice, and style. Your book description, like the cover and title, is crucial for attracting potential buyers. 

In which category should I list my children’s book on Amazon?

Amazon has numerous categories for children’s books. Select the most appropriate category based on your target audience, ranging from board books for ages 0-3 to young adult chapter books for ages 12-18. 

What makes an ideal cover design for a children’s book?

An excellent cover design is visually appealing, professionally executed, fun for children, and communicates the book’s theme. Follow a guide for creating standout book covers, then use a book mock-up for your marketing efforts.

The post 9 Steps to Write an Amazing Children’s Book [+ additional tips] appeared first on Bookishnerd.

With that in mind, I thought I would run through a number of other programs that you can use on your phone or tablet, because we are on the move so much that we really need something to at least jot down thoughts, if not do a complete writing session using just our phones.

So with that in mind, let’s talk about the best writing apps for mobile devices, specifically for Android and iOS devices.

So far, I have broken these down into eight different apps:

1. Scrivener
2. Microsoft Word
3. Google Docs
4. Grammarly
5. Final Draft
6. Novlr
7. Plottr
8. Evernote

• Pricing: $19.99 for iOS, $49 for Mac/Windows
• Platforms: iOS, Mac, Windows
• Best for: authors who like organized, distraction-free writing. 

If you’re a novelist and haven’t heard of Scrivener yet, you totally need to check it out! It’s seriously the best mobile writing app out there, especially for all my fellow iPhone and iPad users. This app is super organized and has great ready-made templates for all sorts of genres and layouts. 

Okay, so I know it has a bit of a steep learning curve, but don’t worry! There are tons of free tutorials online to help you out. Trust me, it’s sooo worth it. With Scrivener for iOS, you’ll be planning, organizing with drag-and-drop, highlighting words, and arranging everything on a virtual corkboard in no time.

The coolest thing? You can totally transfer your work between devices using Dropbox, or export it to all these fancy formats like DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, HTML, or even Multi-Markdown. I mean, come on, how awesome is that?

But, like, there’s this one tiny downside. The mobile app costs $19.99, which is a bit pricey, I know. And if you want it on your macOS or Windows devices, you’ll need to buy separate licenses. Ugh!

Now, to my Android peeps, don’t feel left out! You can still try Novlr, a browser-based app that’s super cool and works on any mobile device as long as you have internet access.

• Pricing: $6.99/month for Microsoft 365 
• Platforms: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
• Best for: general writing, including business documents, journalism, student works, etc.

Let me tell you, Microsoft Word is like, THE industry standard text editor we all know and love! It’s super versatile and user-friendly. Plus, it runs super smooth on both iOS and Android devices, so you can whip up gorgeous, professional-looking documents in a bunch of different formats. 

Now, Word is totes perfect for general writing, like those memos, email drafts, and print-ready docs we can’t escape from. But, just a little heads-up, it might not be the best choice for novel writing. I know, bummer! 

Its organization game isn’t as strong as, say, Scrivener or Ulysses, but still, it’s got our backs for most writing tasks.

Oh, and if you’re all about spelling and grammar, you should know that Word’s checker isn’t as powerful as ProWritingAid or Grammarly. But hey, nobody’s perfect, right?

I feel you – MS Word can be a little pricey. But the good news is that lots of us have access to it at no extra cost through our work or school! So, we can still get our write on without breaking the bank.

• Pricing: Free
• Platforms: iOS, Android, Online
• Best for: General writing for those on a budget, as well as collaborative projects

Google Docs is your go-to option for both Android and iOS users. If you’re on a budget and don’t need proofreading, novel writing, or offline writing capabilities, Google Docs has got you covered.

You can tweak headers, spacing, and fonts—basically, everything you’d expect from a pro word processor. Plus, it autosaves your work and keeps track of your version history. What’s really cool is how it shines when it comes to real-time collaboration, making it perfect for co-authors, bloggers, and even ghostwriters.

• Pricing: $29.95/month
• Platforms: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge
• Best for: Editing emails, memos, blog posts, social media posts

Grammarly is perfect for making your emails, memos, and those short-form projects look super profesh and error-free. No more embarrassing typos! 

And let me tell you about the Grammarly keyboard for mobile devices – it’s everything! It checks your spelling and grammar while you’re typing, giving you fab suggestions to make your writing even better. Plus, did you know that you can download your text as a DOCX file right from Grammarly’s browser app? 

But wait, it gets better! Grammarly’s browser extension is great, automatically checking your grammar and spelling on, like, every platform you can think of – Gmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, you name it! 

And, trust me, its free version is waaay better at proofreading than Microsoft Word or MacOS’s built-in checkers.

Now, if you’re thinking about going premium, I’ve got some tea to spill. ProWritingAid’s premium version is actually recommended over Grammarly’s. It can export to DOCX too and is just, like, sooo much better overall.

Honestly, using Grammarly’s browser application and extension is a total game-changer. Your emails, posts, and memos will look so professional and accurate that everyone will be super impressed.

• Pricing: One-time fee of $249.99
• Platforms: iOS, Mac, Windows
• Best for: Screenwriters

If you’re into screenwriting, you totally need to check out Final Draft! It’s an iOS-exclusive paid app made just for screenwriters like you!

Now, I hate to break it to Android users, but with less than 5% of users on Android, Final Draft isn’t planning on developing an app for y’all anytime soon.  But for my fellow iPhone and iPad peeps, this app is loaded with fab features: professionally formatted templates, SmartType (it remembers your character names and scenes – how cool is that?), PDF export options, element-based script searching, and even color-coded ScriptNotes! 

You know it’s the real deal when the Academy Award-winning author David Seidler loves it for its ability to change drafts quickly and on the go. And get this: Final Draft is the industry standard, used by 95% of film and television productions! 

But hey, if you’re not an Apple device user, no worries! Celtx Script is a great alternative for screenwriting. So, go ahead and unleash your inner Tarantino, girl! 

• Pricing: $10/month
• Platforms: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge
• Best for: Distraction-free writing

Novlr is a browser-based creative writing tool that saves everything to the cloud, like, automatically!

And guess what? It has this really useful distraction-free Focus Mode, which is super customizable and perfect for getting in the zone when writing. Say goodbye to writer’s block, am I right? 

Novlr is the perfect BFF to help you get started on that masterpiece you’ve been dreaming of, with productivity vibes that give off Daily Prompt and FocusWriter energy. 

This gem has so many fabulous features: a minimalist aesthetic (clean and chic), writing stats tracking (gotta keep an eye on that word count), motivational goals, organization tools, writing style suggestions, collaboration options (for when you and your bestie are co-writing the next bestseller), day-night color schemes (because we all need some mood lighting), and super easy exporting to various file formats! 

• Pricing: $39/year or $139/lifetime
• Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, Online
• Best for: Plotting and outlining

Plottr is a super innovative program for plotting and outlining that’s perfect for mobile and desktop.

The best part? It’s browser-based, so you can access it from, like, anywhere you have internet – phones, tablets, you name it! Talk about convenience! 

Plottr is seriously a lifesaver when it comes to organizing all those pesky plot points, creating great characters, and building those super cool worlds we all love to get lost in. Plus, it comes with ready-made templates.

These intuitive outline templates are total game-changers: The Snowflake Method, The Three Story Method, The Story Circle, The Seven Point Plot Structure, and The Hero’s Journey – they’ve got you covered, girl! 

And get this: the Plottr app is the definition of mobile-friendly, whether you’re Team iOS or Team Android. So, seriously, give it a try and watch your creativity soar! 

• Pricing: $69.99/year
• Platforms: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
• Best for: Taking notes

Evernote is the most amazing note-taking app ever! It’s award-winning and everything, so you know it’s legit. The best part? It syncs your notes across devices – though with the free version, you can only use it on two devices. Still, pretty cool, right? 

But wait, it gets even better! With a paid upgrade, you can save all sorts of stuff – web clippings, videos, PDFs, images, GIFs, you name it! Like, who wouldn’t want all of that? 

Sharing notes with friends, co-authors, or ghostwriters is a breeze, too. All you have to do is grant the right permissions, and voila! Instant collaboration. 

And Evernote is always getting better. They’re all about those free updates and working on improving things like their table function. So, if you’re not already using Evernote, you seriously need to check it out, girl! 

Let’s get real here – if you’re writing on the go, you need the absolute best mobile writing apps, right? They’re going to take your notes from basic scribbles to super-organized, fabulously polished works of art. 

Say buh-bye to traditional notepads – it’s time to embrace that modern technology life! With all these cool new apps, it’s so much easier to keep your notes organized and actually understand what you wrote later on. No more trying to decode those frantic, messy scribbles.

So here’s the deal: even if you’re not at your main workstation, you’ve still got to invest in the right tools for writing. The world of writing is always evolving, and there are new apps coming out all the time.

Now, I’ve gotta tell you – if you’re an Apple user, you’re totally winning in the writing app department. Sorry, Android users, but Apple’s just got so many more amazing options!  But don’t worry, there are still some awesome apps for you Android babes out there, too! 

And as I mentioned before, if you’re using a desktop, I would use Atticus over ALL of these options.

So get on out there and start exploring all those fantastic mobile writing apps – it’s time to level up your writing game, girl!

The post 8 Best Mobile Writing Apps for Authors: And Why I Chose Them appeared first on Bookishnerd.

The guide will include:

• Copyright page templates designed for your convenience
• A thorough explanation of each element on the page
• The importance of every element and examples for your reference

And the best part? This guide aims to instill confidence in self-publishers like yourself, empowering you to create and protect your book’s copyright page without a hitch.

This article is just one piece of a larger series, each of which focuses on different parts of book creation. As you follow along, you’ll find that this comprehensive guide covers everything from the purpose and necessity of a copyright page, to FAQs and even templates that simplify the process for you.

However, one important disclaimers must be mentioned:

The information provided in this article should not be considered as legal advice. It’s always a good idea to consult with a legal professional for specific concerns.

What a Copyright Page Does

Asserting your intellectual property rights is vital in the world of book publishing, and that’s where the copyright page comes into play. This crucial page ensures that your book is recognized as copyrighted material and not part of the public domain.

The copyright page is more than just a legal formality. It contains valuable information for:

• Distributors
• Librarians
• Retailers
• Booksellers

Located in the front matter, on the back of the title page (also known as the verso), the copyright page includes various elements, each with a specific purpose.

One of the primary functions of the copyright page is to provide publisher or author information to help readers find more books by the same author or publisher. This is particularly important for self-published authors who want to create a strong connection with their readers. They can even include their author website on the copyright page, making it easier for readers to explore their other works.

Another crucial component is a disclaimer. This simple statement can help absolve authors from potential legal liability that may arise due to the content of their book. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Lastly, the copyright page often contains the edition number and printer’s key. While these details might seem insignificant now, they can be quite relevant for book collectors in the future.

In essence, the copyright page is more than just a legal declaration. It serves multiple purposes and holds valuable information for various stakeholders in the world of books. So, make sure your copyright page is well-structured and informative, paving the way for a successful and legally protected self-publishing journey.

Is a Copyright Page Even Important?

Yes! Adding a copyright page to your book provides an extra layer of protection and is highly recommended, regardless of the book’s genre or format. Although a book is considered copyrighted from the moment it’s written, even without a copyright page, including one offers several benefits:

• Easier ownership proof: A copyright page can make it simpler to prove ownership in a court of law, should any disputes arise.
• Discourage plagiarism: Having a copyright page signals that the work is protected and can deter potential plagiarists.

Legal Disclaimers

Incorporating legal disclaimers on your copyright page can help absolve authors of responsibility for certain aspects of the book. This can be particularly useful if your book contains sensitive or controversial material.

Minimum Requirements and Additional Elements

At the very least, a copyright page should include a copyright notice and a rights reserved notice. However, you can choose to add extra elements based on your preferences or specific requirements.

Have Some Templates!

I’ve found a number of templates around, but these come specifically from the good folks at Kindlepreneur, who, as always, have a number of great resources for authors. These templates are also used in Atticus to great effect (more on them later):

The Basic Copyright Template:

Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

General Fiction Copyright Template

Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [include publisher/author contact info].

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Book Cover by [Artist]

Illustrations by [Illustrator]

[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]

General Nonfiction Copyright Template

Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor the publisher is engaged in rendering legal, investment, accounting or other professional services. While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional when appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, personal, or other damages.

Book Cover by [Artist]

Illustrations by [Illustrator]

[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]

Public Domain Copyright Template

[Source Material Title] is in the public domain. All original additions, including illustrations and chapter summaries, are copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name] and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Book Cover by [Artist]

Illustrations by [Illustrator]

[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]

Memoir Copyright Template

Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [include publisher/author contact info].

For privacy reasons, some names, locations, and dates may have been changed.

Book Cover by [Artist]

Illustrations by [Illustrator]

[Edition Number] edition [Year of Publication]

Low or No Content Copyright Template

Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Cover by [Artist]

Illustrations by [Illustrator]

How to Format a Copyright Page

Creating a copyright page isn’t as simple as typing out the required information. Special formatting is necessary, and some software may not handle it automatically. It’s crucial to place the copyright page after the title page, align the text to the bottom-left (for print), and use a smaller font size than the rest of the book.

Manual Formatting with Word Processors

If you’re using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, manual formatting will be required, which can be both time-consuming and challenging. These word processors don’t have built-in capabilities for formatting copyright pages, so you’ll need to invest extra effort to ensure your page looks professional.

Atticus: The Solution for Formatting Copyright Pages

Fortunately, there’s a program called Atticus that streamlines the process of formatting copyright pages. With built-in templates designed specifically for this purpose, Atticus simplifies copyright page creation:

1. Users can select a suitable template from the available options
2. Input their specific information into the template
3. Generate a well-formatted and professional-looking copyright page

With Atticus, you no longer need to struggle with manual formatting for your copyright page. By leveraging its user-friendly templates, you can create a polished, properly formatted copyright page with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – crafting an engaging and successful book.

Copyright Page Elements

1. Copyright notice (required): The copyright notice is one of the two essential components of a copyright page, which provides the public with information about the publisher, publication date, and copyright status. The notice should include the copyright symbol, the year of first publication, and the name of the copyright holder (which can be a pen name or company name). If the books are written and/or published under an LLC or sole proprietorship, the company can be listed as the copyright owner. Using the company address can provide legal and physical protection, and more information on creating a publishing company is available.
2. Rights reserved notice (required): The rights reserved notice is the second required element on a copyright page, and it can be as simple as stating “All rights reserved” or more specific and assertive. The combination of the copyright notice and “All Rights Reserved” is sufficient to complete the copyright page. Examples of rights reserved notices include simple statements, more detailed descriptions of the reserved rights, and contact information for permission requests.
3. ISBN: An ISBN is a unique identifier used by the publishing industry to distinguish your book from others, and it is listed on the copyright page. Although not all books require an ISBN, most do. Each format of your book requires a separate ISBN, and self-publishers must obtain an ISBN just like any other publisher. Different countries have their own ISBN issuing agencies, and buying a set of 10 ISBNs can provide a discount if planning to publish multiple books or versions.
4. Library of Congress Control Number: The Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) is a free number that facilitates library cataloging of your book and is necessary if you want your book to be shelved in libraries. Authors can apply online to the Preassigned Control Number (PCN) program to obtain an LCCN, which is different from the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) data block. The LCCN is typically listed on the book’s copyright page.
5. Disclaimers: Disclaimers are statements that deny responsibility for specific aspects of a book and can protect the writer and publisher from potential liability. Disclaimers have become more common due to an increasingly litigious society, and some genres may require specific language to comply with regulations. Sample disclaimer language can be found in books of the same genre published by traditional companies with legal staff. Disclaimers do not need to be lengthy but can save trouble in the future. Examples of disclaimers include statements on legal advice, food safety, and resemblance to real places, people, or events.
6. Permissions notice: A permissions notice is necessary if you used any copyrighted material with permission from the owner, and it indicates that you obtained the necessary permissions. It is distinct from credits, which are a courtesy and not required for permission.
7. Credits: Credits should be given to anyone who made a contribution to your book, such as graphic designers, photographers, formatting services, editors, and proofreaders. It is important to verify that public domain photographs are genuinely in the public domain to avoid accidentally using copyrighted material. There is no obligation to disclose the use of public domain photos or to use the PD-US logo.
8. Print edition: Including your book’s edition on the copyright page, such as “Second Edition” or “Third Edition: December 2020,” is a good idea, particularly for non-first editions.
9. CIP data block: Self-published eBooks do not require a Cataloging In Publication data block (CIP), but a P-CIP (Publisher’s Catalog-in-Publication) data block can be purchased for $60-$100 and may enhance the book’s professional appearance, although CIP data is only relevant to librarians and therefore unnecessary for most authors.
10. Ordering information: The ordering information section on a copyright page provides details for those wanting to order more copies of the book, with varying information for individual and bulk orders, but may not apply to self-published eBooks.
11. Author’s website: Adding your author website to the copyright page can help readers find more of your work.
12. Printing details: The copyright page can contain additional details about environmentally-friendly printing practices, location of printing, and fonts used.
13. Trademarks: The copyright page should include any trademarks held by the publisher related to the names, logos, or imprints used in the book.
14. Printer’s key: The printer’s key, a long string of numbers indicating printing number or year, is becoming extinct due to digital printing and ebooks, and is not typical for self-published books or eBooks.
15. Publisher information: The publisher’s information is included in traditionally published books for readers to know who and how to contact for reproduction permissions, while self-published authors may put their name, pen name, and/or author website.

Make Sure Readers See the Copyright

As an author, I’ve noticed that eReaders like Kindle can sometimes skip the copyright page and jump directly to Chapter 1 when readers open a book. This can be frustrating, especially when the copyright page contains important information. To ensure readers see the copyright page first, a solution is needed to adjust the starting point of the book.

Customizing the Starting Point with Atticus

Enter Atticus, a powerful formatting program that lets users customize where the book opens for readers. By accessing the eBook settings within Atticus, you can easily change the start page to ensure the copyright page is displayed before the first chapter.

What makes Atticus stand out is its ability to insert a special code into the eBook file, directing Amazon to open the book at the desired page for new readers. This unique feature ensures your copyright page gets the attention it deserves.

Why Choose Atticus?

There are several reasons why I recommend Atticus:

• It’s the only formatting software offering this start page customization feature
• Compatible with various platforms, making it highly versatile
• More affordable than many competitors

Atticus provides a simple and efficient solution to ensure your copyright page is displayed before the first chapter on eReaders like Kindle.

With its user-friendly interface, compatibility with various platforms, and cost-effective pricing, Atticus is the ideal choice for authors seeking a seamless formatting experience.

The post Creating a Winning Book Copyright Page appeared first on Bookishnerd.

If you’re looking for something specific in this MasterClass review, click on the handy navigation links below!

• What is MasterClass?
• Who is MasterClass for?
• What Does MasterClass have for Writers?
• What are MasterClasses Like?
• How Much Does MasterClass Cost?
• What I Didn’t Like about MasterClass
• Is MasterClass Worth It?

I will be basing this MasterClass review off of my actual experiences with the program. I’ve taken many of the courses in many different categories and have come up with a firm decision on whether MasterClass is worth it or not. Keep reading to find out!

What is MasterClass?

MasterClass is an online education and course platform taught by experts in their respective fields. Now, at first glance, this seems like just about every other course you’ll see. A master teaching a student. But what if I told you that James Patterson was going to teach you how to outline your book? Or that Gordon Ramsay was going to teach you how to make scrambled eggs? And all from the comfort of your own home?

I bet your ears would perk up just a bit more. That’s exactly what MasterClass is. They don’t just get experts, MasterClass has Mega-Titans teach their courses. And this is actually really insightful. You get to see things from a different perspective, and adjust your methods to that of a master. It reminds me of an old Bruce Lee quote:

“Before I learned martial arts, a punch was just a punch and a kick was just a kick. When I studied martial arts, a punch was no longer just a punch and a kick was no longer just a kick. Now I understand martial arts, and a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick.”

If only he was still alive to teach me Jeet Kune Do from my living room…Sigh. And for those of you saying there’s no way physical activity can be taught through MasterClass, tell that to Steph Curry. Steph teaches the mechanics of shooting, ball-handling, and scoring.

One of the best parts about the MasterClass program is that you can work at your own pace. There are no time limits, no rush assignments, and no extenuating pressures.

Who is MasterClass for?

So, MasterClass sounds like it’s for intermediate or advanced skill level individuals. You gotta walk before you can run, right? But here’s the thing… even beginners can jump on to some of their classes with no sweat. For example, one of my favorite classes is from Anna Wintour where she teaches creativity and leadership. Anna gives practical advice even for people just starting their careers.

Another great example is from Dr. Jane Goodall. She talks through her experiences growing up and her time in Africa with chimpanzees to teach Conservationism. You don’t need to be an activist to know how to help save habitats and animals.

All-in-all, MasterClass is for everyone looking to learn something. And while I admit that there are some that require at least some prerequisite knowledge, many of them are standalone.

Find Out If MasterClass Is Right For You!

What does MasterClass offer for writers?

Now, I’m not saying this because I’m bias…But writers have some of the most to gain from MasterClass. There’s just so many classes available from some of the greatest to ever do it.

James Patterson MasterClass Review on Writing

For instance, we already mentioned James Patterson. His class is just phenomenal! My biggest takeaway from his MasterClass is his lesson on outlines. It’s actually so important, he breaks them down into two separate lessons. Look, I definitely understand the importance of a good outline, but Patterson really breaks it down to improve your skill at it. I know he did for me at least. And when the world’s best-selling author tells me to outline…I should at least hear what he’s saying.

Neil Gaiman MasterClass Review on Storytelling and World Building

Another one of my absolute favorites is World Building and Storytelling with Neil Gaiman. Neil-freaking-Gaiman! Let’s just say I’m fangirl-ing right now. I’m not a fiction writer, but if ever I was… I ‘d only hope I had an inkling of Neil’s incredible ability. The way he weaves together settings, plots, and his characters is really unheard of. I’d venture to say he’s the best storyteller in the game today. And he teaches you his philosophies on how to do just that. Sure, you might not become a next Gaiman right away, but at least you’ll have the tools and foundational knowledge to do so in the future.

R.L. Stine MasterClass Review on Writing for Young Audiences

R.L. Stine puts together another great MasterClass as well. He’s the author of the prolific Goosebumps YA Horror books. I don’t know about you, but those books were like my childhood! Bob–as he prefers to be called–teaches so many different aspects including how to write for a YA audience, where to draw inspiration, outlining, creating horror, and even how to kick writer’s block. But perhaps the most important lesson he goes over is developing a book series. For writers in the long game, this could really be something to pay attention to. Because nobody does it better than he does.

Malcolm Gladwell MasterClass Review on Writing

Now, I’ll admit it. This probably wasn’t the easiest MasterClass to follow along to. It had me rewatching individual lessons sometimes two or three times. But that didn’t bother me at all. The more I watched, the more I understood what he was teaching. Gladwell goes over a bunch of different components to hook your readers and draw them into your writing. For instance, he teaches that through the use of jargon, you can ensnare your readers and leave them wanting more. But that’s just one tactic. He also covers things such as research, interviewing, humor and melancholy, and tone.

Judy Blume MasterClass Review on Writing

Judy Blume has been an iconic writer since the 1970s. She really encapsulated the reality of everyday struggles for preteen children. And there’s a chance that if you went to an elementary school, you’ve read at least one of her books. And actually remembered it. She began teaching us life lessons through her books when we were young, and now she doing again through MasterClass now. While she does go over some strictly writing tenets, its her other lessons that stand out to me. In her MasterClass, she covers controversy, censorship, and rejection. These are real issues that happen to every single writer! And she gives some tough advice to help get through even the bleakest of times.

Other MasterClasses for Writers

These aren’t the only choices directly geared towards writers. They’re just a sampling of some of my favorites. Other MasterClasses for Writers include:

• Margaret Atwood MasterClass–Creative Writing
• Dan Brown MasterClass–Writing Thrillers
• David Mamet MasterClass–Dramatic Writing
• David Sedaris MasterClass–Storytelling and Humor
• Joyce Carol Oates MasterClass–Art of the Short Story
• David Baldacci MasterClass–Mystery and Thriller Writing
• Billy Collins MasterClass–Reading and Writing Poetry
• Shonda Rhimes MasterClass–Writing for Television
• Aaron Sorkin MasterClass–Screenwriting

But you don’t have to stick to pure writing classes to help you improve as a writer. You can check out some other course to help as well. RuPaul’s course on self-expression and authenticity could definitely help you to find your voice–both written and otherwise.

Check Out the Best MasterClasses for Writers

What are MasterClasses like?

The format in which MasterClasses are set up is actually really nice. A single MasterClass is broken down into individual lessons. There’s normally about 24 lessons per class, and each of those typically correlates to a section in a provided workbook. The workbook provides extra resources and exercises that help you process the information from each lesson.

Each lesson covers a single aspect of the MasterClass topic. They’re not too terribly long either. A lesson is normally between 5-30 minutes long meaning you can get a a couple lessons in on a lunch break or in the morning over a bowl of cereal. And you can always pick up where you left off. There’s no rush and you can finish at your own pace.

A unique part of MasterClasses lie within the actual Community Involvement. You and other students are encouraged to participate in group discussion on the topic at hand. And don’t think it’s just the students getting involved. Often, you’ll see the instructor active within the discussion which is super cool.

How much does MasterClass cost?

Back when I first started with MasterClass, there was an option for a free trial. Unfortunately, that’s not an option anymore. This means you’ve only got two options if you’re looking to take advantage of MasterClass.

Buy Individual Classes

You can buy individual classes for $90 apiece. However, you do have lifetime access to that course.

Buy an All-Access Pass

For another option, the All-Access Pass is a yearly subscription offer from MasterClass for $180/year. If you plan on purchasing more than one MasterClass, then this is the right way for you to go. You’ll be given unlimited access to every single MasterClass for a year! That comes out to be $15 a month which could be a little more appetizing a number. However, there’s no installment plan and must be paid upfront.

Try Out MasterClass Today!

What I Didn’t Like about MasterClass

Now there’s a whole bunch of awesome stuff about MasterClass, but nothing’s perfect. There are some things that I really wish they’d address.

There’s no monthly subscription option.

Even if it’s just a breakdown of the yearly cost, a monthly subscription would be nice and much more convenient for some folks. Because let’s face it, not all of us have $180 to just shell out at a single time.

The free trial is gone.

This is an understandable business move. I get it, people are prone to binge-watching. And that’s 100s of dollars lost in sales from a single person. I think that a trial sample could be worth considering. Maybe offer half a lesson for a week or something like that.

Downloading capabilities are limited.

While you can download MasterClasses (that you’ve paid for) to an iOS app on your iPhone, Android users are out of luck. Hopefully, they fix this in the future and allow the other half of their customer base to do the same.

These aren’t super technical.

Now, maybe this is just the analyst in me, but I wish there was more technical instruction. The classes are very creative and theoretical in nature kinda like those Ted X Talks. But they’re much more intensive with lots of great info.

Some of the teachers aren’t necessarily the best teachers.

You know that old phrase, “Those who can’t do, teach”? (By the way, not sure how I feel about that phrase…I know many of more than capable teachers.) Well, anyway, these instructors can do. And they can “do” very well. But some of the instructors aren’t the greatest teachers. You may have to rewatch a few lessons to really get the most out of it.

MasterClass Review: Is It Worth It?

If you haven’t already deduced it, I have the All Access Pass and have for a few years now. Honestly, I find it to be WELL WORTH THE MONEY.

I’ve learned so much from the different MasterClasses that has helped me to become a better writer and person all around. The classes are presented in a high quality format that are easy to digest. And I absolutely love the fact that I can go at my own pace. Seriously, I can watch one lesson a day and leisurely finish a class in one month. And some of them, I’ll binge-watch in a day or so (I’m looking at you Gordon Ramsay or Aaron Franklin.)

The variety of lessons available also makes it worth the money. So while I just love the writing ones, there’s a bunch of different classes to take in case I’m feeling froggy. Plus, they keep adding more and more classes on different topics. It really is an amazing program that I think a lot of people will get a lot out of.

And yes, there are some things I don’t like. But that shouldn’t deter you. Just because you don’t like anchovies on your pizza doesn’t mean you should shun pizza altogether. Why? Because it’s still great!

Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m gonna go snuggle up in my favorite reading chair and jump into my next MasterClass.

Cheers!

The post MasterClass Review: Is It Worth The Money? appeared first on Bookishnerd.

If you are struggling to get your book noticed, don’t become despondent. It doesn’t necessarily mean your work is bad. You definitely shouldn’t give up. Instead, learn how to market your book.

I’m a firm believer that the majority of self-publishers have more trouble marketing their work than they do create it. Completing the creation of a book, from its initial idea to its final rewrite, is a mammoth task in and of itself. It’s not surprising that writers often have little energy left in the tank for marketing. Plus, there are a seemingly endless array of marketing tactics and methods. It can be difficult to know which to trust and which to avoid.

Thankfully, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Read on to discover the best ways to market your book, as taught by some of the biggest names in the game.

First, Why Is Marketing So Important?

Let’s get real for a moment.

Even the best book won’t sell if no one knows about it. That’s a cold, hard fact in today’s publishing world. In an industry that’s overcrowded with brilliant authors and captivating stories, the one thing that sets a book apart is how well it’s marketed.

The Power of Diverse Marketing Techniques

The truth is, there isn’t just one secret marketing technique to catapult your book to success. It’s about having an arsenal of tactics, such as:

• Word of mouth
• Advertising
• Email marketing
• Organic search
• Social media
• Content marketing

Word of Mouth: The Golden Goose

Now, we all know word of mouth is the most effective method for marketing your book. It’s the ultimate weapon in your arsenal. But here’s the catch—it requires support from other techniques to generate initial interest. Without that first spark, even the most captivating story will struggle to take flight.

Don’t Expect a Red Carpet Treatment

Traditionally published authors, listen up. Just because you’ve managed to land a publishing deal doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax. Newsflash! Many publishers offer limited marketing support, especially to newer or mid-list authors.

So, what’s an author to do?

Taking Charge of Your Success

Simple. Authors must take the initiative to market their books from the beginning. This means you need to be proactive in your marketing efforts, employing diverse techniques and constantly adapting to maximize your chances of success.

Build Your Author Mailing List

Building an author mailing list is one of the most effective ways to market your book out there. After all, who better to market to than a list of people who have expressed interest in, or even purchased, your work in the past?

According to Jeff Goins, an author mailing list is so effective because it is personal, private and in your control. You don’t have to rely on a platform like Facebook. Instead, you can reach out to your readers directly and start a conversation.

A top tip for getting started is to offer something of value for free. People are far more likely to offer their email address if they know they will be getting something in return. This could be a short story, an excerpt from a nonfiction book, or a chapter of a full novel.

Investing the time into building your mailing list will let you market your books in one of the most effective and targeted ways far into the future.

Use The Best Book Promotion Sites

One of the keys to generating momentum for a newly launched book is to ensure it gets a lot of attention early on. Book promotion sites are one of the most effective ways to generate interest in your work, particularly if you are relatively unknown. An effective book promotion site is able to put your work in front of readers who would never have been otherwise exposed to it.

There is a mix of free and paid book promotion sites, but not all are created equal. It’s important to understand how exactly each site will promote your book, and who it will be promoted to. Some sites offer targeted services to fans of particular genres or topics. It’s always better to target the readers most likely to read your type of book rather than irrelevant and uninterested fans of other genres.

If you are thinking of spending money on a book promotion service, please do your homework first. Check that they have a solid track record of getting results, and take the time to compare their pricing and benefits to whatever else is out there. It’s good to invest in a paid book promotion site but invest carefully. Be cautious.

Showcasing Your Title And Author Name

When you really think about it, what is book marketing all about?

Getting your name out there as an author, and making readers aware of your book titles, right?

Your book titles are a prime opportunity to get your author name and book titles out there in front of the eyes of readers.

This can happen in a variety of ways. Firstly, on online bookstores themselves. Even if book buyers don’t choose your title on a particular occasion, they still become familiar with your author name by being exposed to it. Book covers are also often featured on promotional sites, in online advertising, and in mailing list mailouts. As a result of that, it’s important that your author name, and book title, are clearly visible against the backdrop of your image.

If you spend some time checking out books released by major publishers, and unsuccessful self-published books, you will notice that the title and author text is always very clear on the professional books, and is often less so on the self-published books. There are countless comedy lists showcasing the worst book covers ever, just in case you need a clear example of what to avoid!

The bottom line is that making your author name and book title unclear on your cover hurts you in two ways. It not only ensures that readers miss out on being exposed to your brand – but it also brands your book as unprofessional and low quality.

Run Facebook Ads For Authors

Facebook advertising can be a true game-changer for authors. The benefits are myriad. Targeted Facebook ads can build your author mailing list, grow your Facebook fans and drive traffic towards your free downloads.

Running your first Facebook advertising campaign as an author can be a little intimidating. If you keep the following keys in mind, it should simplify and demystify the process a little.

Target.

Facebook has over 1.8 billion active monthly users. This sounds awesome but is actually a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you can use Facebook ads to reach almost anyone on the planet. On the other, the vast majority do not and will not care about what you have to offer. Target your ads to the most filtered, niche audience possible, and you will see a lot better results.

Budget.

One of the discouraging aspects of Facebook ads for many authors is the worry that the cost and duration of an advertising campaign will spiral out of control. You need to set a strict budget and duration for your campaign. This will allow you to keep your expenditure in check, allowing greater profit overall.

Monitor.

By running different campaigns, for example by targeting different sets of Facebook users, you can assess what is and isn’t working with your Facebook advertising efforts and make changes accordingly. Only by monitoring your ads can you make effective changes to campaigns and invest money into what’s working instead of what isn’t.

Implement Amazon Book Ads

Amazon Book advertising is lesser known and lesser used than Facebook advertising. It can be considered one of the current ‘hot topics’ in ebook marketing, and with good reason. Amazon has made key improvements to their advertising targeting and, as a result, authors are seeing better results than they have in the past. Why?

Amazon is a buyer’s platform. Its users are all shoppers with a history of buying behavior that Amazon understands. This does not apply to Facebook.

Amazon book ads are probably the best chance to get your ads in front of fans of similar authors and styles of writing. If you target your ads, you stand a great chance of reaching readers that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.

How To Market Your Book? Take Action

Marketing your book effectively requires you to get your hands dirty and take a risk. The methods for marketing your book in this post are tried and tested, but they need to be tried and tested by you.

Truthfully, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to marketing books. Learning how to market your book specifically is something which requires you to test different platforms, monitor your results and understand the reasons why your efforts are or are not working.

By combining the ideas and methods of the book marketing experts listed above with your own firsthand experience, you stand a great chance of experiencing book marketing success.

The post How To Market Your Book – Expert Methods & Resources appeared first on Bookishnerd.

In the past, I wrote my books and just threw them up on Amazon, hoping that something would stick. As you can imagine, that method didn’t work out very well. Then I discovered Publisher Rocket, and all that changed. I’ve since found good keywords that fit my books, as well as low-competition categories to put my book in.

This has resulted in a much higher number of sales for me, and I would recommend Publisher Rocket for every author. Check it out here!

Let me walk you through each feature so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Publisher Rocket Review: Is Publisher Rocket any good?

Yes, Publisher Rocket is great! It is everything you need in a search optimization tool for Amazon. It helps you find all the best keywords and categories that are low competition but high demand. Basically, it will help you to find your niche and thrive in it.

When I first heard about Rocket (formerly KDP Rocket), honestly, I blew it off. I figured it’s just snake oil. No way in H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks could it work. After all, I’ve been burned before from programs and services telling me they’d help me sell more books.  Oh, please!

But, then a fiction author friend of mine told me, “It saves me sooooo much time!!”

Huh…time is important and I’d prefer to spend more time writing than working on my book marketing.  Plus, they have a 30 day money-back guarantee, So, I figured I’d at least give it a try. After all, if it saves me even a couple of hours of tedious book marketing work, it would be worth it.

And after that… well, here I am. And Publisher Rocket’s evolved into something much more powerful and determined.

In this Publisher Rocket review, I’m going to let you know exactly what Rocket can and can’t do for you. And if you’re interested in seeing how it shapes up to other platforms, see my KDSpy vs Publisher Rocket article.

How much does Publisher Rocket cost?

Publisher Rocket costs $199. Period. There are no subscriptions or payment plans. You get Publisher Rocket for life. What that means is that any future updates (of which there are many) will come to you automatically at no extra cost. It’s a pretty sweet deal considering what it does for authors.

Is there a free version of Publisher Rocket?

No, there is not a free version of Publisher Rocket. However, if you buy it and discover that it’s not for you, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. Just contact their support and they can get that set up for you. However, I don’t think you’ll find the need.

Are there any Publisher Rocket coupon codes or promo discount vouchers?

I did the research, and it seems there are no Publisher Rocket coupon codes or discount vouchers at this time. But given that the program is already at such a low cost for what it offers, and it’s a lifetime opportunity, I wouldn’t really be too concerned with this fact.

Publisher Rocket Overview: What is Publisher Rocket & What is Publisher Rocket used for?

Well, that’s the million dollar question isn’t it?

The best way I can describe Publisher Rocket is this:

Publisher Rocket helps you to lift that veil of ambiguity that Amazon’s presented and see what actually is going on–what people are looking for, how they buy books, how much money they are spending, and how your competitors are doing.

It does so through four majorly distinct features.

1. Publisher Rocket helps you find your relevant keywords to target or for new book ideas!
2. It helps you find categories that help you to have a better chance at being a bestseller
3. Rocket analyzes the competition to give you an advantage (but it doesn’t tell you what keywords they are targeting because Amazon doesn’t provide that info)
4. If you do Amazon ads (also called AMS ads), it helps you create Amazon Ad campaigns more effectively and efficiently.

(U/I and Display Score: 10/10)

Is Publisher Rocket just some lame extension or what?

It operates as a standalone application meaning you don’t need to be signed into your Google or Amazon KDP account. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. Now, I’ve heard some people say that other guys are a built-in extension so it’s easier to use. And I have a response to that… They must be crazy. Do you know what the least remembered things are in programming or the Internet in general are?

That’s right! Plugins, extensions, and widgets! These go straight to the back of the line. Why? Because there is always something bigger and badder around the corner. Like a standalone platform. From a programming perspective, standalone databases and query tools are the best because they don’t have to rely on anything else to do their job.

Publisher Rocket features list: how to use Publisher Rocket

1. Kindle keyword analysis
2. Finding new book ideas
3. Searching categories & exploration
4. Analyzing competition
5. Create Amazon Ad campaigns

1. Publisher Rocket keywords analysis

So, let’s tackle that first feature from earlier…

Remember how I told you about how I just threw down some random keywords in my Kindle campaign? Well, if that wasn’t a giant frickin’ mistake. Some of those keywords were just too general and couldn’t compete in the great Amazon bidding wars. Or they were just randomly obscure and specific. These words were worse. At least people were searching for the other ones.

But Rocket helped me solved that issue after the fact. (Wish I had a Publisher Rocket Review like this one earlier…) It allowed me to hone in onto my keywords and choose the ones that Amazon BUYERS were actually looking at! And if you’ve ever gone through the pain of manually searching and selecting profitable keywords… You understand just how much a pain in the butt that is. Literally hours of research and time in front of a computer.

Publisher Rocket keywords turns hours into seconds. And that’s no joke. Just head over to their Amazon Keyword Search function and–Voila! You are on your way. And it can also help you find just the right niche to start writing your next book!

(And look how beautifully clean and well-designed it is…)

Let’s put it to the test.

2. Finding a New Book Idea with Publisher Rocket

First, we need to select Book or E-Book. That’s right. Publisher Rocket now has information for print OR E-Book!

We’ll go with e-Book. And now we need a subject… Cats it is. 🙂

Ok, so we’ll enter that in and push “Go Get Em Rocket”.

And these are our first results. Now, before we get into our Amazon keyword, let’s address the elephant in the room.

Why the heck are they blank?

I’m not a Rocket programmer, but if I had to guess… It would be for a few reasons.

With the exceedingly large amount of keyword hits I got from the phrase “cats”, it just might crash Amazon’s API with all that data. Like that’s seriously a huge data pull.

And also, it just looks cleaner. Less on the page I have to worry about. Obviously, I wouldn’t want a world without cats, and that keyword would never apply to me. So why clutter up my screen. Just saying.

Now, let’s go ahead and push analyze and see what happens.

After pushing analyze, we end up with some useful data.

First, I can see just how many competitors I have in the “cats” department. And that’s a whole heck of a lot. And there’s also a competition score of 46. Yikes. I better be ready for that stiff competition.

But maybe there’s another keyword that would be better suited for me.

Cats and Robots. Now… we may be onto something here. I like cats. And robots. And just maybe…the two together would make for an interesting story. Now, let’s look at the numbers.

Less competition. Easier competitive score. Decent monthly earning.

Guess who has two thumbs and just found her next book idea? This girl!

That took all of 30 seconds. Publisher Rocket can seriously cut your keyword research time way down.

But besides keyword analysis, what else can Publisher Rocket do?

Well, the next major area of concern is Amazon categories. And boy does Rocket come in clutch here.

3. Finding the Right Category with Publisher Rocket

Back when Publisher Rocket was released, they didn’t have category searching data. It actually came out as a later feature. And truth be told, KDSpy was the better option. It excelled at providing you with the best category. This was something that neither Kindle Samurai or  Rocket could do. But then, Rocket grew up. It started providing awesome category data.

But it was very different from KDSpy. Have you actually taken a look at the interface for KDSpy? Not trying to dog on it too much, but honestly… It needs some serious work. It’s very cluttered and hectic at times. It reminds me of looking at old lines of scrolling DOS back on Windows 3.1. (Sorry for showing my age…)

(Reminding me of my coding days and not in a good way.)

Don’t get me wrong though. KDSpy does have the category data. And for one point in time, there was no other option. KDSpy was king of the categories. Until Rocket came along with their categories. And their signature ease of use. SO… when given the opportunity to choose, it’s a no-brainer.

Rocket for the win. But this is a Publisher Rocket review, so let me get back to the point. (For more on KDSpy vs Rocket, click HERE!)

Now, in Publisher Rocket, there has been a major overhaul to the category system. If I’m not mistaken, it looks like they are completely current with Amazon’s database of categories.

But what does this mean for you? You have the best opportunities to find the right categories for your book to help you sell more books.

Imagine if you had the ability to openly explore all of Amazon’s 22,000+ categories at your fingertips. They have Audible’s categories too! No signing in. No trying to see just how far the rabbit hole goes from window to window.

Just raw data there at the click of a button. That’s remarkable.

Let’s check it out.

4. Category Exploration with Publisher Rocket

Just like before, the Category Hunter can be accessed from the home screen. Here’s where the Rocket team has implemented a super cool new feature! You can actually start to search and explore categories as never before.

Let’s explore categories for our robot cat novel from above.

After clicking typing in the word “robot”, Rocket gives you a whole list of relevant category suggestions.

As you can, the best bet for our book would probably be the number three on the list. And it’s really neat that the ABSR data and sales to top ten are clearly presented. With 126 sales needed at this time to get there…This looks like a great category to niche into.

But this new screen isn’t the only thing that changed. Previously, this category information tended to be a bit stale. Like updated every so often. But I’ve heard it from Dave Chesson himself that such is no longer the case. They have implemented a revolutionary new system that updates every single Amazon category 3x a day. Folks…That’s over 12000 categories updated three times a day everyday!

This category hunter is a definite upgrade from their previous version. And sets a new precedent for future Category Hunters to come.

5. Getting to Know Your Competition

Another one of the Rocket’s major features is its competition analyzer. This is truly an incredible feature. It can let me know exactly who I need to beat as an indie author and who I need to look out for.

Now, it doesn’t show your competitor’s keywords. (Found out why through another email dialogue with Rocket’s support. Apparently, Amazon doesn’t release that information. Good Guy Amazon? This must be a new thing.)

But it does show other important data such as:

• Monthly Sales
• Daily Sales
• Keywords in Title or Subtitle
• Age of the Book
• Book’s ABSR number

It also gives a link to the author’s sale page. This way you can really grind in. Read your competition’s reviews, and you’ll find it’s great for coming up with keyword ideas. Find out what you need to do to be the best.

Let’s take a look at my robot cats’ competition.

Same step as before. Head back to the homepage and click Competition Analyzer.

Next, select Books.

Publisher Rocket Review Gripe #1

• Honestly, the folks behind Publisher Rocket should definitely think about adding a fiction/non-fiction filter here. If you’re competing against fiction… you should have the opportunity to only pull fiction titles.

(Well folks, seems that this ole gal jumped the gun… I had the awesome opportunity to chat directly with Dave Chesson himself–creator of this awesome program. Turns out that you aren’t necessarily concerned about fiction or nonfiction when it comes to competition. Because the competition isn’t about your target audience. It’s about the keyword itself! So ranking above all genres is even better. Gripe resolved.)

Back to business… I’m going to be using the term “robot cat”. I’ll go ahead and click “Go Get Em Rocket!” and BOOM!

The results are in.

So, this is my competition. As you can see from the scroll bar on the right, there are more titles although not very many. Seems like robot cats might be a good topic to get into after all! But it even shows me the book cover, making research all the easier.

But what’s next? What happens after you make the decision that robot cats are the ones for you?

You write the dang ole book!

6. Creating Awesome Amazon Ad Campaigns with Publisher Rocket

For the sake of continuity, let’s say I wrote a book on Awesome-tron the Robot Cat. (Copyright and Trademark pending.)

Now, it’s time to get Awesome-tron out there in the great big world of Kindle! But will he be received with glad tidings or crash and burn? One thing is for certain. Awesome-tron has a much better chance of survival and prosperity with a great Amazon ad campaign.

And Publisher Rocket can help us achieve just that.

One last time, we head to that beautifully crafted homepage and click on Keyword Search. This time, we are told to enter in a book title, keyword, or phrase and Rocket will generate for us a list of keywords. But before we do this, let’s stop for a second.

The creator of this software–Dave Chesson– has provided a series of tutorials and lessons on just how to select Amazon keywords.

As a matter of fact, he has released an entire free course on how to find Amazon keywords. So, before searching for said Amazon keywords, this Nerdy Book Girl recommends taking that course first.

Amazon ads are for intermediate to advanced users and I would do them a disservice to be crudely explained on this Publisher Rocket review. Dave does it just perfectly in his free course.

But the Amazon features run just as smoothly as the Amazon keyword, category, and competition features from above.

Publisher Rocket Pros and Cons

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of Publisher Rocket:

Publisher Rocket Advantages:

• Incredibly affordable
• Guides you to the perfect keywords
• Helps you find low-competition categories
• Helps you find the Amazon keywords for great ad campaigns
• Gives you a great sense of your book’s competition
• Easy to use
• Constantly being upgraded at no extra cost

Publisher Rocket Disadvantages:

• Some countries do not have book data yet
• No fiction/nonfiction filter

Publisher Rocket reviews (from real Publisher Rocket customer reviews)

There are countless Publisher Rocket reviews with glowing testimonials. For example, see these excerpts from reviews of Publisher Rocket.

“I’ve found Publisher Rocket to be an invaluable tool for my own books, giving me the data I needed to double or even triple my sales and publish bestselling books.” – Joe Bunting with The Write Practice

“Is Publisher Rocket Worth it? Long story short, Yes, Publisher Rocket is worth it.” – The Blogging CEO

“Publisher Rocket is a great tool for creating ads and uploading books. We use every feature and especially value the keyword generators for AMS ads. The newer feature to help find a book’s categories is invaluable.” – Kevin J. Anderson

“Publisher Rocket saves time and frustration when searching for keywords to use in my book’s meta data and Amazon ads, leaving me more time to write! I use it all the time. I love Publisher Rocket!” – Joanna Penn

“Publisher Rocket has saved me thousands of hours of research time. Any self-published author who wants to make their dream of becoming a lucrative, full time writer simply MUST have this tool.” – Shayne Silvers

Review of Publisher Rocket’s Support

The support for Publisher Rocket is absolutely phenomenal. I once had a small issue where I was seeing too many tabs, like duplicates of the tabs I wanted to see, and the data was all screwy. I contacted support and they helped me right out, plus an updates was quickly issued that fixed the problem completely.

And the response was fast! Like really fast. And the email support was really kind and polite. I highly recommend whomever they have working those lines.

Do any “Top Authors” use Publisher Rocket?

You’d be surprised at the sheer amount of support that Publisher Rocket gets. It’s not just us little guys here that are looking to get invested in Publisher Rocket. Here are just a few of the more prominent clientele:

• Joanna Penn, USA Today and NYT Bestselling Self published Author and creator of thecreativepenn.com
• Jeff Goins, USA Today Bestseller at goinswriter.com
• Pat Flynn, SmartPassiveIncome.com
• Derek Murphy, Indie-pub Rockstar of Creativindie.com
• Kevin J. Anderson, Award-winning bestselling author

What do I as a Rocket user want to see from this program?

Every single thing has room for improvement and Rocket is no exception. It is still early in their transition period between the old Rocket to this new Publisher Rocket, and I’m eager to see what lies ahead. Personally, I’m looking forward to international markets. KDSpy has them, and Rocket has a few, but could easily expand to more. I spent the early part of my childhood in Canada actually and would love to be able to market there.

Another change I would love to see is more filter and keyword search options. This might seem like more of an opulence than a necessity. And you know what… you’re right. But doing so would help to soften the blow when purchasing. Add these to my Publisher Rocket Review gripes.

Is Publisher Rocket worth it? The bottom line:

Without a doubt, this is the best Kindle and Amazon assistance software available. And it looks like it’s gonna be a while before the King gets dethroned.

Sure, there are some hiccups. Especially in these early stages of Publisher Rocket. But each passing week since its release, I have experienced nothing but excellent service from the Publisher Rocket support team. They are kind, understanding, and patient even with a Obssessed Nerd such as myself. Honestly, if you can’t communicate peacefully with them… You’re probably not a nice person. HAHAHA!

Just kidding. But they really are awesome. They also seem to be well trained in Kindle book marketing and self-publishing as well and all my questions were answered in turn. Not only that, but they directed me to another nifty tool…the Kindle Sales Calculator!

OH SNAP! I never told you the end of my tale from the intro. Anyway, long story short… Rocket helped me get that orange Bestseller ribbon. And for that, I can’t thank Dave Chesson enough for. Now, I’m not gonna make any guarantees that this is for everybody. That’s just naive. However, it truly helped me. And I think if you put just a little effort and faith into the program… it can help you too. It’s by far the best keyword research tool for books.

Well, that’s a wrap for me on this Publisher Rocket review. So, go out and get your copy today!

The post Publisher Rocket Review: Is Publisher Rocket Worth It? appeared first on Bookishnerd.

You’ll learn about the key elements that quality fantasy fiction has in common, what goes into a compelling fantasy story, different subgenres of fantasy to explore, and a whopping 60 fantasy prompts to ignite your imagination. My goal is to give you plenty of inspiration to start writing your own fantasy tales.

In this article, you will learn:

• Common features of fantasy stories
• Criteria for good fantasy writing
• An overview of major fantasy subgenres
• 60 unique fantasy ideas to use as starting points

Commonalities in Fantasy Fiction

While fantasy stories can vary widely, from high fantasy epics to paranormal romance, most quality fantasy fiction contains certain core elements. Understanding these common building blocks can help you craft a compelling fantasy tale within any subgenre.

Nearly all fantasy stories contain some form of magic or supernatural phenomena. This magic system doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it generally establishes what’s possible in the fictional world. The mechanics and limits around magic guide what characters can plausibly think and do.

Additionally, fantasy novels typically take place in worlds very unlike our own modern-day reality. While urban fantasy and magical realism bend this rule, most fantasy realms feature invented geographies, histories, cultures and politics – creating an immersive setting.

Fantasy protagonists also tend to go on an epic hero’s journey, facing increasingly difficult external conflicts on quests with high stakes. Internal conflicts often run parallel, with characters battling their own flaws and demons even as bigger foes materialize.

And although tropes aren’t mandatory, incorporating classic fantasy elements like magical swords, wands, spells and mythical creatures can help signal to readers that fantastical adventures lie ahead.

What Makes a Fantasy Good?

Like any fiction, compelling fantasy writing usually shares certain basics like dimensional characters, solid pacing, an interesting plot and engaging themes. Still, I’ve noticed some particular qualities that help set great fantasy tales apart:

• Unique magic system – The magic may not be explained in granular detail initially, but original fantasy worlds feature systems governing supernatural forces that feel fresh rather than derivative.
• Rich worldbuilding – Vivid descriptions breathe life into new environments, their histories, inhabitants and cultures. This convinces readers the setting is worthy of emotionally investing in.
• Relatable characters – Whether human or otherwise, protagonists and central figures invite understanding through authentic characterization and motivations. Their beliefs and inner lives reflect the fantastic world.
• Clever dialogue – Conversation often crackles with personality even amid strange circumstances. Witty repartee between characters fuels charged dynamics.
• Riveting action – Suspense escalates through mounting confrontations, accelerating pacing, higher-stakes drama and new magical discoveries that propel the plot.

Of course personal taste plays a major role too. Composing fantasy with complex themes or injecting humor also attracts loyal audiences. But master the story essentials above while delivering the magical escapism fantasy embodies, and readers will surely come.

Types of Fantasy

Fantasy fiction encompasses a spectrum of subgenres, each with distinctive traits. Having an overview can help you orient your ideas within the style of fantasy you’re most excited to write:

• High/Epic Fantasy – Stories told on a grand scale, often in entirely fictional secondary worlds with sprawling geography and elaborate histories. Densely-plotted heroic quests to defeat supreme evil drive intense action. Prominent examples include Lord of the Rings and George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.
• Sword & Sorcery – Quest-driven tales focused on mighty warriors, wizards and assorted fighters navigating peril with steel and magic. Generally lower stakes than epic fantasy. Often feature wanderers exploring rich lands from Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian stories to Kull the Conqueror.
• Dark Fantasy – Fantasy with horror elements and grim undercurrents. Prevalent atmosphere of darkness or dread surrounds macabre magic, death and destruction. Case in point, the harrowing worlds of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant or the graphic novel series Berserk.
• Urban Fantasy – Supernatural stories unfolding in contemporary real-world settings, typically cities. Magic and magical beings exist in hiding, unknown to the mainstream. Series like Harry Potter as well as The Dresden Files falls under this category.
• Magical Realism – Fiction where fantastical elements subtly intrude on otherwise-normal environments. Often Literary fiction exploring cultural hybridity through a touch of the extraordinary. Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude epitomizes the style.
• Mythic Fantasy – Fantasy tales drawing on the themes, symbols and elements of ancient myths, legends, folklore or fairy tales. Modern examples include the web novel Lore Olympus, a retelling of Greek mythic romances, or Catherynne M. Valente’s Deathless, which reimagines a Russian folk tale.
• Portal Fantasy – Involves characters entering unfamiliar, magical fantasy worlds through portals connecting them to our primary Earth reality. C.S Lewis’ beloved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe helped codify conventions of the genre.

Of course additional hybrid subgenres abound too like comic fantasy, supernatural fantasy, science fantasy and more. As you explore ideas, having touchpoints like these can unfold helpful context.

60 Unique Fantasy Prompts

Now you have a solid grounding on key aspects of fantasy and its major categories. Harness all this knowledge along with the expansive 60 fantasy prompts below to kickstart your next writing project within the genre you love.

I’ve grouped prompts into handy subsections matching different facets of fantasy. Feel free to tweak or combine prompts as you see fit to develop your own tale etched with original magic.

Portal Fantasy Story Starters

1. A child discovers an enchanted mirror in an abandoned house that serves as a portal to another world.
2. Siblings find their late grandmother’s ornate wooden wardrobe transports them to the magical land she often told stories about.
3. Every year on their birthday, a person dreams the same dream – of a glowing cave beckoning them to enter. On their 18th birthday they discover the actual glowing cave while hiking nearby.
4. A young witch-in-training finds a portal inside a tree hollow that leads her to the future domain of her powerful future self.
5. An archaeologist excavates a temple from an ancient civilization with a magical portal at its center, still active after all this time. Where might it lead?
6. A video game enthusiast discovers that the VR world of their new game engine is an actual alternate reality.
7. A photographer takes a tumble while shooting urban architecture, only to enter a portal into a bustling epic fantasy city through a clever trompe l’oeil mural.
8. Every house on a block contains a hidden portal to a different fantasy world – except the cranky old man protagonist’s home. When he discovers a young girl trapped and unable to activate her house’s portal, they set off on an odd couple adventure.
9. At a magical lake, people enter the water beneath a full moon to briefly visit whoever they’ve lost that they miss most in vision-like dreams.
10. A fairy ring of mushrooms in the forest actually serves as a portal between worlds. A mother and daughter each independently take shelter among the mushrooms from rain, ushering an unlikely reunion in the magical realm the portal leads to.

Urban Fantasy Story Ideas

11. A busy lawyer discovers their high-powered wardrobe contains enchanted clothing that allows them to manifest their words and soothe frayed nerves around them.
12. Gargoyles mysteriously appear on buildings throughout a city. When people walk beneath them after sundown, their greatest ambitions manifest unconsciously.
13. A blogger finds handwritten fairytale poems fluttering in the streets. They discover the poet they memorialize died years earlier, yet their ghost continues creating through magic ink that materializes their verses.
14. A jaded bureaucract discovers a secret pocket realm accessible through filing cabinets in their office where unwanted documents and office supplies become enchanted.
15. A vigilante hacker develops a computer virus that deploys magical rather than technological effects, serving surreptitious justice on corrupt officials undermined through inexplicable luck.
16. A chocolatier uses enchanted confections to help customers relive their most cherished memories while enjoying inventive sweets, until the magic goes awry.
17. A developer converts dilapidated warehouses into wildly successful commercial properties by making droves inexplicably view their imperfections as quaint through an enchantment. However, without keeping the spell in check the glamour produces catastrophes.
18. A painter creates impossible combinations of real realms from dreams by mixing enchanted ink into their watercolors. Trouble arises when people leap physically into the worlds on canvas without the magician’s permission.
19. A grandmother runs a magical greenhouse passed down generations where every flower’s scent imbues a unique imagining gift when inhaled. As surrounding neighbourhoods destabilize, enticing buyers threaten the family legacy and community peace the greenhouse protects.
20. A chic fashion designer sews impossible dresses that render wearers unnoticed in public spaces, allowing celebrities reprieve and young female interns escape from harassment. However when a customer wants to adapt her stealth designs to commit crimes, she must fight back.

Dark Fantasy Story Ideas

21. In a realm where necromancers are priests, graveyards become animate with the rattling bones and shambling corpses of those mourners fail to appease through proper funereal tributes.
22. An amoral wizard-artificer breeds terrifying beast-machine hybrids by infusing strange pulsating relics into flesh, bone and iron during unholy experiments, slowly losing their humanity in the process.
23. A cursed charm from ages past compels its possessors to transfer the Hello through murder alone so they might live. The chain of possessed “inheritors” spans centuries leaving macabre legends, like an archeologistInheritor driven to study and ultimately pocket the ancient artifact that possesses them next despite all warnings.
24. Every year villages offer up people chosen by lottery to a towering labyrinthine prison as tithes appeasing its monstrous warden – except this year, chance selects the beloved daughter of a grieving mother who vows to topple the entire tithe system and destroy the warden who keeps it in place no matter the cost.
25. Poisonous purple clouds spread from a crater where a mysterious obsidian meteor struck, their lethal miasma driving people to madness before painful death sweeps them away. Desperate holdouts too poor to flee struggle to survive while negotiating fragile alliances.
26. A ruthless band of treasure hunters seeking mythic riches slaughter their way through an old-growth forest but encounter wrathful plant spirits and sentient trees that manipulate nature itself to violently expel the invaders.
27. An innocent child is born with emerald eyes that involuntarily turn those who behold them into lifeless onyx statues over time. They must find a way to hide their curse from superstitious townspeople who would condemn them for witchcraft.
28. Harrowed parents in in an isolated village cut off from outside aid can only watch their loved ones fall prey to a contagious werewolf curse transforming helpless victims monthly beneath the full moon. A lone misunderstood wizard may be able to help before it’s too late.
29. Shadowy nightmare beings thrive on human fear and take monstrous shape from an individual’s personal phobias before entering bedrooms unseen to feast. A young girl fights sleeplessness as she desperately learns how to lucid dream so that she may turn these creatures of darkness into her own guardians against harm.
30. A violent clan of nomadic raiders invades a suspected witch’s well-hidden sanctuary domicile seeking to capture and torture her for nefarious purposes. But they soon discover her cabin in the dark forest contains uncanny horrors guarding far greater secrets within which promise terrifying power should they seize it as their own.

High Fantasy Story Starters

31. In a land where dragon riders defend humanity against otherworldly threats, an orphan stable hand discovers an abandoned dragon egg and faces backlash as they raise the hatchling in secret, forging an unbreakable bond.
32. An exiled knight errant and mage masquerading as a common sellsword venture deep into forgotten valleys chasing legends of a fallen kingdom’s lost treasure, but release an ancient guardian entity in the perilous ruins below.
33. A womdering ronin samurai and mystic swordsman with a cursed blade joins forces with rebel guerillas and a young rural farm boy working to end a tyrannical warlord’s conquests. During a pivotal confrontation at the despot’s stronghold, it’s revealed the protagonists all hail from the same ninja shinobi clan.
34. A soldier spared from death during a decisive battle gradually transforms into an undead revenant beholden to sinister forces because of the necromantic axe that saved his life. Seeking a cure, he returns to his home village but learns even greater dangers haunt his once idyllic community.
35. A plucky thieves guild urchin who narrowly escapes captivity and her orphan friends accidentally unleash an imprisoned magical creature while hiding in castle ruins. Its freedom could spell salvation or doom for the kingdom.
36. A gifted apothecarist monastery acolyte mistakes a crucial ingredient during an accelerated plague remedy trial, inadvertently creating a ravenous undead epidemic infecting the abbey’s medicinal garden instead of the life-saving panacea everyone hoped for.
37. After an ambitious noble house launches a coup against the crown, the deposed queen entrusts her newborn heir to loyalist allies who disguise themselves as common laborers as they ferry the scion to safety through contested territory. The babe bears a unique birthmark signifying they are the rightful future ruler.
38. The sole surviving member of a legendary guardian order embarks on a dangerous quest to convene compatriots in a desperate attempt to combat the malevolent god recently freed from its aeons-long imprisonment now threatening civilization anew.
39. A court jester hailed as the cleverest in the land is actually a powerful mageSaboteur patiently dismantling the empire subjugating the mages through subtle magical pranks embarrass leading officials. However, when the king brings in an estranged childhood friend as an inquisitor who sees through the deception, the fight turns serious.
40. After frightened woodcutters report a phoenix roosting in a shadowed glen once struck by lightning during a dry storm, druids debate whether its glorious immolation ritual signals ruin or rebirth while opportunistic trappers encroach against all advice.

Magic Discovery Story Prompts

41. While salvaging equipment from an alchemical workshop, a tinkerer haphazardly activates an experimental transmutation engine revealing new metals and gemstones but can’t control what it conjures, attracting greedy opportunists and magical investigators alike.
42. An obsessive aristocrat commissions explorers to chart rumored ley lines crisscrossing her lands hoping to harness ambient magical energy flowing through them. But breaching these channels of power has unintended effects even the mysterious ley walkers they consult against better judgement couldn’t predict.
43. In a magic academy where rival factions vie for prestige and sway using illegally-obtained relics stolen from crypts, museums and private collections, a principled teacher tries limiting growing corruption as repercussions from meddling with dangerous artifacts shake the arcane institution’s foundations.
44. An antiques appraiser routinely consults mystics whenever they encounter particularly beguiling magical objects of inscrutable origin, but after they help a powerful benefactor procure a set of seven rings believed crucial for a secret unity ritual, reality itself seems to glitch and blur around them.
45. A tribal shaman hunting fungi components to restock their village’s medicinal stores realizes the magical mycelium network binding specific flora grants personalized visions of possible futures after accidental overexposure. Sharing this revelation could enable defensive premonitions yet invites outside exploitation.
46. Academics excavating a newly uncovered tomb complex note its strange hieroglyphs glow whenever workers disturbed lost relics and scrolls strewn about the premises. Exact deciphering proves difficult but points to catalogues of profound magical knowledge awaiting proper translation back at the university.
47. Over multiple generations spanning centuries, successive guardians of an enigmatic lighthouse ensure its beacon fire continues burning to luminously outline treacherous shallows and navigate ships away from rocky disaster. But the latest caretaker worries their diminishing eyesight risks losing track of a delivery shipment carrying the secret flame’s fuel – luminous nighthawk eggs harvested only under a blue moon’s sight.
48. Far from colonial authorities in balmy tropics, secreted among volcanic peaks and plunging ravines, autonomous villages still prosper by distilling elusive absinthe liquor through unique botanicals granting imbibers reality-warping and time-bending qualities when sipped sparingly. An exiled occultistdecrypts production secrets in order to barter access home.
49. When hostile treasure hunters probing a seam of glowstone in the abyssal depths of an ancient dwarven mine complex inadvertently unearth a towering titan imprisoned for instigating the legendary War of Fire Giants, their screaming vanguard flees for the surface to spread warning while veteran champions steel themselves to make a heroic last stand against the fiery colossus they’ve unleashed until reinforcements hopefully still versed in binding runes and shielding wards arrive in time.

Mythic Creatures Story Ideas

50. An amateur cryptozoologist receives photos depicting an unknown serpentine beast spied coiling amongst legendary loch waters, prompting a dangerous pursuit to confirm rumours suggesting this mystical lake entity survives against all odds using chameleonic camouflage mechanisms to avoid modern detection.
51. While surveying prospective marshland real estate, curious scouts discover timid willowy beings with leafy hair resembling botanical dryads shyly withdrawing amidst the isolated bog.their disturbance risks permanently scattering these rare sylvan spirits before conservation efforts establish protected areas.
52. Daring divers conducting submarine surveys along a remote archipelago document an elegant tribe of humanoids swimming through crystal waters with bioluminescent skin, membranes between elongated digits, and gently swirling spines running from nape down backs evoking mythical merfolk. Attempts to discretely monitor them raise urgent preservation questions once footage leaks publicly.
53. Supposed extinct miniature stallions with pearlescent spiral horns projecting from their foreheads turn up mystifying wildlife experts seeking to verify their validity as alicorns and pinpoint origins of the diminutive equines inexplicably spotted in various surprising locations worldwide given lack of previous sightings. Where did they emerge from and how did they proliferate globally?
54. While researching folk beliefs associated with a puzzling root vegetable grown by rural cultivators, an ethnobotanist finally pieces together why superstitious farmers harvest these specific tuberous plants according to lunar cycles. It seems consuming them under moonlight alters people’s perceptions towards seeing capricious pookah fae shapeshifting through forms.
55. Baffled pet owners across several cities surreptitiously consult veterinarians after hours concerning their animals’ unusual behavior patterns, but the consensus suggests certain elemental sprites remarkably reactive to pollution and habitat disruptions have begun intervening through willing animal vessels letting them convey crucial environmental restoration messages.
56. A celebrated chimera in antiquity renown for its oracular sight and wisdom unexpectedly resurfaces after centuries dormant to reluctantly help a perilously fractured kingdom, but its sphinx-like proclamations prove so cryptic that divine decipherers must convene to properly unravel prophetic statements encoded within imagery-rich verse.
57. exploring a tidal cave network reveals crude bioluminescent cave paintings depicting now extinct mega faunas living amongst early humans, yet one hitherto unidentified sauropod they spot outlined multiple times near vital freshwater outlets suggests maybe a special phoenix-like regeneration is involved accounting for why this particular colossal species still roams secluded sites according to rare sightings.
58. After inheriting an eccentric relative’s overgrown estate, the new groundskeeper gradually befriends gargantuan guardian statues prowling the property each night that their ancestor had long ago awakened from stone hibernation using ancient runic synergies. Now fully sentient yet still bound by geas-fueled oaths to defend sacred boundary wards against trespassers in perpetuity.
59. Investigating terrifying instances of dangerous predators found mysteriously slaughtered throughout remote mountain hiking trails points to the legendary involvement of a massive fur-covered humanoid people come down seasonally from hidden villages nestled amongst cloud-piercing peaks to harvest resources, leaving occasional violent calling cards warning human settlers away.
60. Clearing out a backyard garden plot, homeowners unearthed strange skull fragments alongside unusual claw and vertebrae remains resembling no catalogued regional wildlife. However, after unexpectedly animated beings self-assembling from these unknown animal bones and sinew subsequently carry their whining dog away towards the forested foothills, frantic owners contact monster hunting occultists and sabermetric scientists to identify what may have emerged and strategize safe retrievals.

Conclusion

These 150 fantasy writing prompts offer a treasure trove of story ideas you can explore within magical realms of your own imagining, whether building out entire worlds or just enhancing life’s hidden wonders. From portals leading across dimensions to mythical beasts and magical objects with cryptic purposes, let these prompts stir your creativity.

Remember the key ingredients that make fantasy tales resonate. Bake in rich worldbuilding, dimensional characters, suspenseful pacing and themes that connect with readers. Study classics of the genre you wish to emulate while putting your own distinct spin on tropes. Keep magic and supernatural forces integral without overshadowing interpersonal relationships, inner turmoil and relatable conflicts that bring fantasy down to earth even amidst the extraordinary.

Most importantly, believe fervently in the realms you envision and pour passion into each enchanted word set to page. If you thoroughly enjoy building new worlds and want readers to find the same wonder escaping routine reality, then fantasy fiction offers endless gateways forescape. Now step through the portal of your imagination – let these prompts guide your journey into fantastical storytelling!

The post The 60 Best Fantasy Writing Prompts for Your Book appeared first on Bookishnerd.

You’ll learn which features I found most useful for my work, along with the pros and cons of each program. My goal is to provide an inside look at these tools so you can decide which one best fits your needs as a writer. Whether you’re writing short social media posts or lengthy manuscripts, proofreading software can help take your writing to the next level.

In this article, you will learn:

• The benefits of using proofreading software
• A detailed review of the top 5 proofreading tools
• Key features and use cases for each program
• My personal pros and cons list for the software based on real-world experience
• Recommendations on choosing the right proofreading tool for your needs

As a writer, having a strong grasp of spelling, grammar, and punctuation is essential. But it can be challenging to catch every typo, misspelling, and grammatical error – especially in longer pieces of writing. That’s where proofreading software comes in. These tools act as an extra set of eyes, scanning your work for mistakes you may have overlooked.

Here are some of the key benefits proofreading software provides:

• Catches difficult-to-see errors like homonyms and commonly confused words. For instance, it can identify when you’ve used “they’re” instead of “their.”
• Identifies improper punctuation, including misplaced commas, periods, apostrophes and more. Proper punctuation is crucial for readability and comprehension.
• Flags passive voice and suggests edits for clearer, more direct sentences. This strengthens the clarity of your writing.
• Provides feedback on readability scores to help improve sentence structure and vocabulary.
• Catches contextual spelling errors spell check would miss. For example, it notices if you’ve used “peak” instead of “peek.”
• Helps maintain consistency in areas like spelling variations, capitalization, abbreviations and more.
• Saves time spent manually proofreading and allows you to work more efficiently. For long manuscripts, it can cut proofing time significantly.

As you can see, proofreading software goes far beyond basic spell check. For any writer serious about producing clean, professional work, it’s an invaluable tool. Next, I’ll share my hands-on experiences with some of the top options.

Over the years, I’ve tested out numerous proofreading programs to find the ones that best meet my needs as a writer. Here are my top picks, along with detailed reviews of their key features and capabilities.

ProWritingAid is my overall top choice for proofreading software. I use it extensively for editing blog posts, articles, books and other long-form content.

Key features:

• Contextual spell checker – Goes beyond basic spell check to identify tricky homonyms and context-based errors.
• Grammar checker – Checks for proper use of punctuation, passive voice, poor readability and more.
• Style editor – Scans for repetitive words, vague language, cliches and overly complex sentences.
• Pacing analyzer – Provides graph showing sentence length variety to ensure proper pacing.
• Multilingual – Available in different forms of English like US, UK, Canadian and Australian.
• Plagiarism checker – Checks for unoriginal or copied content (included in premium plus version).
• Compatibility – Works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Google Docs, Scrivener and Microsoft Office.
• Desktop apps – Allows working offline with dedicated Mac and Windows apps.
• Free and premium versions – Offers limited free features and paid premium options.

Here’s an overview of what I like about ProWritingAid as a proofreading tool:

Pros:

• Provides more in-depth writing analyses than any other proofreader I’ve used
• Encourages strong sentence structure variety to keep writing engaging
• Highlights overused words and phrases to refine vocabulary
• Offers helpful visual graphs showing sentence lengths and vocabulary use
• Easy to use extensions for major browsers like Chrome and Firefox
• Works with Scrivener and Microsoft Office for convenience
• Available as a one-time purchase, which saves money long-term over monthly plans

Cons:

• More expensive for premium and premium plus versions
• Can feel overwhelming as a new user with so many features
• No mobile app, so can’t use on the go

Overall, ProWritingAid is the most powerful proofreading tool I’ve used. The detailed writing reports have helped me strengthen my work tremendously. For writers working on books, lengthy articles or other long-form content, it’s an invaluable tool. While the premium versions are more costly, the value you get is well worth it in my opinion.

Autocrit is another top choice if you write fiction. This software is uniquely designed to analyze creative writing pieces using AI.

Key features:

• AI analysis – Compares your story against a database of fiction books to provide targeted feedback.
• Pacing – Checks pacing and momentum of plot events.
• Dialogue – Assesses believability and impact of character conversations.
• Writing strength – Evaluates quality of descriptive writing.
• Word choice – Highlights weak word choices and suggests alternatives.
• Repetition – Identifies overused words, phrases and ideas.
• Readability scoring – Provides grade level and other readability metrics.
• Idea inspiration – Offers writing prompts to spark new story ideas.
• Community – Provides access to forums and courses for fiction writers.

Here are some of the advantages I’ve experienced using Autocrit:

Pros:

• Specialized editing for creative fiction writing
• Helpful for improving story pacing and dialogue
• Generates new story prompts and ideas
• Useful online community for fiction writers
• Reasonably priced for the value provided
• 14-day free trial to test it out

Cons:

• Not as strong for grammar and spelling errors
• Requires uploading texts; no browser add-on

For fiction writers, Autocrit provides invaluable feedback you can’t get from other proofreading tools. The AI comparisons against successful books are really useful for strengthening weak spots in your writing. If you write novels, short stories or other creative fiction, it’s definitely worth looking into.

With millions of users worldwide, Grammarly is one of the most popular proofreading programs available. It works well for shorter pieces like emails, social media posts and casual writing.

Key features:

• Contextual spell checker – Checks for tricky spelling errors based on context.
• Grammar checker – Scans for grammatical mistakes and improper punctuation.
• Tone detector – Identifies tone of writing as friendly, formal, confident, etc.
• Readability scores – Provides metrics to enhance sentence clarity and ease of reading.
• Style adjustments – Allows adapting tone for different audiences and purposes.
• Plagiarism detector – Checks for unoriginal writing (premium only).
• Browser add-ons – Works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge.
• Google Docs integration – Makes edits directly in Google Docs.
• Mobile apps – iOS and Android apps allow checking on the go.
• Free and premium versions – Offers basic features free and advanced paid options.

Here are some of the key pros and cons I’ve noticed using Grammarly:

Pros:

• Works very quickly and is easy to use
• Provides useful tone and clarity feedback
• Helpful browser extensions for Google Chrome and others
• Mobile apps allow checking writing on the go
• Robust free version with plenty of useful features
• Works great for shorter pieces like social media posts

Cons:

• Analysis not as detailed as ProWritingAid for long-form writing
• Gets a bit pricey at $30/month for premium
• Some features like plagiarism checker only in premium
• Can be too prescriptive at times and offer clumsy suggestions

For everyday writing needs, Grammarly is a great choice that’s easy to use. It works best for shorter pieces, so isn’t ideal for extensive proofreading of manuscripts or books. But for blog posts, emails, social media and more, it’s a handy tool to have in your toolkit.

Ginger Software is another capable proofreading program I’ve used extensively. It offers some nice features, especially for non-native English speakers.

Key features:

• Contextual spell checker – Checks for difficult spelling errors based on context.
• Grammar checker – Identifies issues with grammar, punctuation and more.
• Text reader – Reads text aloud in a natural voice (premium only).
• Sentence rephraser – Suggests alternative ways to phrase sentences.
• Translation tool – Translates writing to over 60 languages.
• Browser add-ons – Works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge.
• Mobile apps – iOS and Android apps allow checking on the go.
• Free and premium versions – Offers limited free features and paid premium options.

Here’s an overview of what I like and don’t like about Ginger Software:

Pros:

• Handy text reader to hear your writing aloud
• Useful translator to check text in many languages
• Works quickly and is easy to use
• Browser add-ons for Chrome, Firefox and others
• Affordable premium version at $7.49/month

Cons:

• Analysis not as robust as Grammarly or ProWritingAid
• Mobile app can be glitchy
• Free version has limited features
• Some translations not fully accurate

While not as full-featured as some competitors, Ginger Software succeeds in its core proofreading capabilities. The text reader is handy for auditory learners, and the translation tool is helpful for multilingual writers. For basic, budget-friendly proofing, it’s a solid choice.

Hemingway Editor takes a more focused approach than traditional proofreading tools. It analyzes writing style and structure rather than grammar and spelling.

Key features:

• Readability scoring – Provides grade level and metrics to enhance readability.
• Adverb highlighting – Identifies unnecessary adverbs to remove.
• Passive voice tagging – Highlights passive voice to change sentences to active voice.
• Difficult word check – Flags unnecessarily complex words to simplify.
• Sentence length check – Encourages sentence length variety to improve flow.
• Formatting suggestions – Recommends ways to strengthen formatting of long paragraphs.
• Free online editor – Allows editing text right in the browser.
• Desktop app – Separate paid desktop app for convenience.

Here are some of the key upsides and downsides of Hemingway Editor:

Pros:

• Provides helpful big-picture writing feedback
• Encourages use of active voice and simpler words
• Identifies areas where writing can be tightened
• Free online editor is easy to use
• Affordable one-time payment for desktop app

Cons:

• Does not check for spelling or grammar errors
• Feedback is more vague and not actionable
• Lacks browser extensions of other tools
• Sometimes the rewrites sound awkward

I find Hemingway Editor useful as a supplementary tool when writing long-form pieces. It points out areas where my writing could be tightened or clarified. However, I still rely on tools like ProWritingAid or Grammarly for detailed grammar, spelling and punctuation checks. Used together, they provide comprehensive proofreading.

There are a few other proofreading tools on the market, but in my experience they don’t stack up against the top five reviewed above. Here are a few other options I’ve tested:

• WhiteSmoke – Offers decent proofreading features but very expensive for what you get. Interface feels outdated as well.
• PaperRater – Has limited capabilities focused mainly on checking student essays. Not robust enough for professional writers.
• SlickWrite – Provides only basic statistics about writing but no grammar/spelling checks or suggestions.
• LanguageTool – Supports many languages but has accuracy issues and very limited word count for free version.
• PerfectIt – Focuses solely on checking formatting consistency; no grammar/spelling checks.
• Wordtune – Uses AI to rewrite sentences but results are hit-or-miss.

For most writers, I don’t think these alternatives provide enough value compared to the top programs reviewed above. The free versions tend to be quite limited as well. However, they may suit more basic proofreading needs in a pinch.

While proofreading software is invaluable for catching difficult-to-see errors, it still has some limitations. The technology for natural language processing is rapidly improving, but it cannot fully replicate the skills of an experienced human editor just yet.

Here are some key reasons proofreading tools can’t completely replace editing professionals:

• Struggles with context – Software may not understand nuances like irony or idioms that are natural for humans.
• Can miss intention – Programs may “correct” something that is intentionally written a certain way.
• Limited style sense – Software won’t revise for stylistic concerns like overuse of passive voice.
• No content feedback – Tools don’t provide input on structure, ideas and other developmental issues.
• Not customizable – Software can’t adapt to different publisher style guides or genre conventions.

The bottom line is proofreading software is meant to complement editors, not replace them entirely. For the best results, use a tool like ProWritingAid or Grammarly during drafting. Then, partner with an editor for revisions and final touches before publication. Leveraging software plus human expertise will result in the cleanest, most polished end product.

After extensive use and testing of numerous programs, my vote for top proofreading software goes to ProWritingAid. The depth of analysis it provides goes far beyond any other tool I’ve used. For long-form writing like books and extensive articles, it’s well worth the premium price for the time it saves and improvements it facilitates.

For quick, everyday use, Grammarly provides an unbeatable combination of ease of use and powerful capabilities, even in the free version. It’s ideal for social media, emails, blog posts and other short-form content.

Autocrit deserves special mention as the leading proofreader tailored specifically for fiction writers. The feedback on pacing, dialogue and descriptions has helped strengthen my creative writing tremendously.

In the end, the “best” proofreading software depends on your needs as a writer. By outlining the key features and pros and cons of the top programs, my goal is to help you decide which one is the right fit for your projects. Using the right proofreading tools can take your writing to the next level by eliminating distracting errors and providing insights to tighten and refine your work.

The post The 5 Best Proofreading Software: For Fiction and Nonfiction appeared first on Bookishnerd.

I don’t usually hard recommendations like this, but this is one of those laptops that are great for writers, it’s got good bang for its buck, but is also reliable enough to not die on you unexpectedly, which is important if you keep a lot of your books on your hard drive.

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 review 2022: Is the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon (8th gen) any good?

Overall, yes, it is very good. I believe it is by far one of the best of its generation. While it isn’t the cheapest on the market, it is well priced for what you get. Personally, I like a robust laptop, so I don’t have to worry much about losing all of my work, or having to waste hours of accumulated time waiting for things to load. With this laptop, you have none of that.

In short, it’s one of the best laptops for writers.

Price of the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon: Where to buy the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon 8th gen at the best price

First of all, how much does the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 cost? Let’s take a look at where to buy the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 & get the cheapest deal on prices:

Are there any Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 8 coupon codes or promo discount vouchers?

Yes! While I was unable to find codes specifically for this model at this time, Groupon has tons of coupons for Lenovo products. All you have to do is visit the following link and you’ll find everything you need when you’re purchasing a Lenovo product, which can result in substantial savings.

I won’t put the exact names of the codes, since they change all the time, but you can visit this link to find if there’s something available for this specific ThinkPad.

Lenovo Thinkpad Carbon X1 Gen 8 Features List

The main features and specs of the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon 8th gen are:

• Its all-day battery life
• Its Intel Core i7-10610U (high end) or i5-10310U (low end) CPU Processor
• A processor speed of 1.7 GHz
• A Touchscreen
• A Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Its Carbon Fiber design
• A USB-C port
• A Fingerprint reader
• Intel UHD graphics (4K)
• 2.4 pounds
• It comes with Windows 10 Pro
• Wi-fi 6
• A headphone jack

Let’s take a look at some of these, as well as a few other specifications, in more detail.

1. X1 Carbon weight

The Lenovo Carbon X1 weight 2.6 lbs or 1.17 kg, which makes it one of lightest 14-inch business laptops of its caliber anywhere, not just with Lenovo. That’s why it’s one of my favorites for writers. It’s extremely portable which means you can take it anywhere with ease.

2. X1 carbon dimensions

Here are the dimensions for the X1:

3. Lenovo X1 Carbon battery life

The battery life for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is advertised as “up to 19.5 hours”. In actuality, that ends up being a little closer to 13 hours, though it depends on what you are doing with the laptop. Regardless, it should still last you most of the day on a single charge.

In my own personal experience, I found it to be about 12 hours, which is more than enough for me to get all of the work done the 92, and even a little entertainment on the side. But I will admit to being a little indifferent about this feature, since I use a cord pretty much all the time for my laptop.

Lenovo Thinkpad review: pros and cons

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8:

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 advantages

Here are some of the things that I liked most about using the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8.

The Lightweight Construction

Overall, this laptop just feels great in your hands. It’s extremely light for laptop, and has that signature almost rubber-feeling coating on its surface, so it feels solid and secure in my hands.

The Keyboard

I don’t normally pay too much attention to keyboards, but in this case I really enjoy typing on this thing. There’s a reason why I selected this as one of the best laptops for writers. It’s got a punchy, fluid feeling to it, and I found my fingers flying all over while I was typing.

The Display

The screen is absolutely beautiful, and at 14 inches, it’s a decent size for a laptop. I think you’ll enjoy looking at it. Plus it’s in 4K, which is awesome.

All the Connections You Need

I’m a big fan of the USB-C ports, as well as other important ports like the HDMI, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, an ethernet port, and regular USB ports, and this one has pretty much everything (with one exception that I will mention later).

A Long Battery Life

I’ve had some laptops that will chicken out in four hours, and this one does not do that. Though it won’t last you for days, it will last you all day, which is really all you need. Do your work, set it to charge until the morning, and you’re good to go.

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 disadvantages

Here are some of the things that I didn’t like about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8.

The Price

Although I do feel like this laptop has good value for the money you spend, it is not a cheap machine. It’s about as much as a standard Apple laptop. That said, it’s still a powerful machine, and these days you can get a second hand for a lot cheaper.

SD or MicroSD Card

If you’re looking to insert an SD or microSD card into the laptop, you will be out of luck. Instead you will have to get a USB converter for such a thing, or ignore it completely. This laptop does not accept either an SD or microSD card.

The WebCam

This laptop doesn’t have the best WebCam. I found it to be a little blurry, and not at all flattering when I’m in my Zoom calls. If you have an external WebCam, this won’t be an issue for you.

Not for Gamers

Yes, I know, I’m a writer and this is a review for writers. However, if you like to do a little gaming on the side, this might not be the best machine for you. While it does have a GPU graphics card, it is not the most robust, and definitely am not intended for higher end games or system-stressing apps.

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 reviews (from customer reviews)

From Amazon: “I did buy this laptop (ultrabook) which arrived sooner than expected, delivered by DHL. Unpacking was easy. It was partially charged. I did branch it and it was fully charged very quickly. Initial windows configuration was rather fast. I installed only a few programs, such as Microsoft Office and few additional ones related to my work.”

From Best Buy: “The analysis of all aggregated expert reviews shows that the reviewers are positive about battery, design, performance and keyboard.”

From Lenovo: “Great machine, so happy their are finally offering it with alternate operating systems OTB. I have had several of these over the years and this one is great.”

Review of Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon (8th gen) support

Support for Lenovo is known to be top notch. However, this comes with a caveat. If you bought your laptop through a third party seller (as often happens on a platform like Amazon), you can easily have problems with shipping, handling, or other issues that the manufacturer isn’t libel for because they didn’t ship it to you.

This is why I often recommend you buy directly from the manufacturer if the price is good. If you can get a good coupon (see above), there is much less liability when purchasing direct. Then the support ends up being better as well, because you don’t have any middlemen (or middlewomen).

Is the Thinkpad X1 Carbon worth it My Conclusion

That about wraps it up, so is the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 worth it? Yes, I think so.

Now, if you don’t have any cash flow issues, there are other laptops that will work just fine for writers, and Lenovo even has several that I recommend. But if you want a solid machine that always does what it’s told, then this is the laptop for you!

Our final Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon 8th Gen Rating

I give the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 4.5 out of 5 stars!

The post Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 8 Review: Is It Worth It? appeared first on Bookishnerd.

And while writing is certainly the hardest part, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows once you have the story down. You still have to get your book out into the world by formatting it. Which, if you don’t know what you’re doing, can be just as difficult as the writing (if not more so).

This is what I want to discuss today. Namely, the book formatting tool Vellum. So let’s get started!

Just want the lowdown? Here’s my takeaway from this Vellum review:

Pros:

• Vellum makes really pretty books
• The free trial lasts as long as you want, as long as you don’t export your book
• A few good book styles
• Easy to make box sets
• Future updates are free

Cons:

• Not available on PC, iOS, or Android! (this is a huge one)
• Extremely expensive! (also a huge one)
• Separate price points for both ebooks and print books
• Only imports Word files and not EPUBs, MOBIs, etc.
• Not meant for word processing (aka writing a book in Vellum)
• Images are a huge hassel
• There are no footnote capabilities

The Bottom Line: Vellum is an expensive but good option for formatting your self-published books — if you have a Mac. There is a workaround using MacInCloud if you have a PC, but it’s generally more of a hassle. The free trial is handy for getting to know the Vellum software, but there are comparable and cheaper options available (namely Atticus).

Check Out Vellum   Check Out Atticus

What is Vellum?

Vellum is a kind of fancy paper you can buy at arts and crafts stores. Oops! Wrong Vellum. 😉 The Vellum we’ll be talking about today is a book formatting software for use on Mac operating systems.

Created by a company founded by former Pixar employees, the goal of this formatting software is to create beautiful and professional print and eBooks. Some people also use it as a word processor, but this takes some getting used to, as it’s not really what the software is designed for.

Lots of authors swear by Vellum, and with good reason. It does create some amazing eBook and print book files that you can use to get your book out into the world! And until recently (at the time of this writing), there wasn’t a comparable software on the market. But now there is. More on that later. First, let’s talk about how you can use Vellum, and how much it costs.

Vellum System Requirements

As mentioned above, Vellum is designed only for use on Mac operating systems. The creators have said that they don’t plan on making Vellum for PC or iOS. This means you can’t use it on your iPad or Windows PC.

If you do have a Mac, you’ll need the latest version of the operating system for optimum function. And you’ll also need at least 60MB of free space for the software. Every book you format will take up more space.

How Much Does the Vellum Software Cost?

Vellum offers a free trial, allowing you to use all the features except exporting. If you want to export your formatted book, you’ll have to pay. They have two price tiers:

• Vellum Ebooks – This version is $199.99. It’s a one-time fee that allows you to export unlimited eBooks, but no print books.
• Vellum Press – This version is $249.99. It’s also a one-time fee, allowing you to export unlimited print and eBooks.

It’s cool that they allow you to use it before paying! The full-featured free trial is great for those who aren’t sure about the software or are new to self-publishing and formatting.

Unfortunately, if you buy Vellum eBooks first and then want to upgrade later to do print books, you’ll end up paying an additional $99 for the pleasure, costing you nearly $300 instead of the $249.99 you would pay for Vellum Press upfront. Keep this in mind if you decide you want to purchase the software.

That said, they do have a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied after buying either plan.

Vellum Features

This formatting software is known for a few major features that make manuscript transformation easy. Let’s take a look at them now.

DOCX Import

The only file type you can import with Vellum is the Microsoft Word .docx type. Since this is the standard for manuscripts, it’s no surprise. The nice thing is that Vellum automatically formats your chapters based on headings from your MS Word document. It also generates a table of contents so you don’t have to.

Sometimes the formatting can be a little wonky, but it’s easy to fix using Vellum’s “Convert To” feature. Like any other formatting tool, you’ll want to ensure that everything looks good before you export your files.

Choose Your Book Style

Vellum is a time-saver, which is a major reason ‌people like it so much. Whether you’re formatting for print or eBook, you’re likely to find a book style that works for you among Vellum’s eight ready-made choices.

When you select one of these eight styles, Vellum automatically changes certain aspects of your manuscript to make it into a beautiful book. Some of these aspects include:

• Body Text
• Ornamental Breaks
• Paragraphs After Breaks
• Chapter Headings
• Section Headings
• Captions
• Block Quotes
• First Paragraphs
• Headers and Footers

Customization

What if you’re not liking any of the eight book styles Vellum offers? No problem! You can also dive deep and customize pretty much everything mentioned in the section above. You can’t really start from scratch, but you can use one of the pre-made styles as a place to start, going through and changing the things you want to.

For example, you can choose from ornamental breaks that Vellum provides, or you can upload your own. You can insert pictures into your book as well.

If you want to customize your book, you’ll have a little bit of a learning curve to tackle. Luckily, there are plenty of free Vellum tutorials available online.

Preview Your Book

Once you’ve got your book just the way you want it, you can see how it will look on a variety of different devices before exporting.

You can see how the print version will look, as well as the eBook version on a number of different e-readers, including Kindles, Android tablets, iPhones, and iPads. This is especially helpful for those who haven’t yet bought Vellum. It reduces the risk that you’ll be disappointed with your final product once it’s exported!

Interior Layout Design

While Vellum makes it easy to (almost) seamlessly transform your manuscript into a book file, you’ll still need to pay attention to a few layout factors. These factors include:

• Line Spacing
• Drop Caps
• Margins
• Ornamental Breaks
• The Layout of Charts, Tables, and Pictures
• Paragraph Starts After Section Breaks

Again, this will probably involve some learning if you’re new to book formatting, but this is the same with almost every formatting software. And if you’re doing both formats, you’ll want to check with the print edition and the eBook format to make sure they’re both optimized and error free in terms of design and layout.

Creating Box Sets

Writing in series is one of the best ways to become a full-time indie author these days. In fact, some say it’s the only way. And when you write in a series, you’ll eventually want to offer a box set to your readers. Thankfully, creating a box set is (somewhat) easy with Vellum.

The “Volume” feature in Vellum allows you to separate each book in a box set, making it easier for both you and the readers to see where each book ends and the next begins.

You can easily add an already formatted book from Vellum to a box set, or you can import a DOCX manuscript and format it to your liking.

Plus, if you do an anthology box set with other authors, it’s pretty easy to assign each book its own metadata, like author name, editor, copyright, etc.

Exporting Your Books

With your book formatted and ready to go, the last thing you’ll need to do is export the files! Let’s talk about the eBook and print book generators.

Ebook Generation

If you’re planning on “going wide,” meaning publishing on platforms other than Kindle Direct Publishing, you’ll need eBook files for the different platforms. Vellum makes this easy, allowing you to check boxes for the most popular eBook sales platforms out there:

• Kindle
• Apple
• Nook
• Kobo
• Google

They also give you the option to generate a generic EPUB version of your book, which is ideal for use with aggregators like Draft2Digital or PublishDrive. Pretty convenient!

Print Book Generation

Print book formatting is a bit more involved than eBook formatting. You’ll need to do some research on the trim size of your book, font size, and line spacing. You’ll also need to figure out headers and footers.

You can preview what your print book will look like, but you’ll always want to get a print proof copy to make sure everything looks good (most print-on-demand services do this for the cost of printing and shipping).

This is in addition to having a print cover made, which is a whole other topic!

Remember: You’ll need separate ISBN numbers for your print edition and your eBook edition.

Vellum’s Limitations

While Vellum is a good formatting option, there are some limitations to keep in mind — especially when there are other options available these days.

No Windows Version

I mentioned this above, but it bears repeating. Those folks out there who don’t own a Mac (there are a lot) will have a hard time using Vellum. They can “rent” a Mac remotely using a service like MacInCloud, but this is usually more of a hassle than it’s worth. And it costs more money on top of the expensive Vellum software.

Not Ideal for Editing

Vellum isn’t ideal for editing your manuscript. It’s definitely not a word processor. That’s not to say that you can’t edit your book while it’s in Vellum — you can. But things you take for granted in MS Word or your writing software of choice won’t necessarily work in Vellum. It’s best to have your book fully edited before importing it to Vellum.

Limited Options

While it’s true you can customize your book within Vellum, it’s not really possible to do full customization. You’re hampered a bit by the eight book style choices. So if you’re an author that wants to customize every aspect of the book, Vellum isn’t the best option for you.

Pricey

If we compare the cost of hiring a professional formatter to the cost of Vellum, it’s clear that Vellum is the much cheaper option. And for a while, those were the two best options unless you already had some design skills. But these days, there are other options on the market that do as much or more than Vellum for much cheaper.

On that note, let’s talk about some Vellum alternatives.

Vellum Alternatives

If Vellum sounds good but the idea of going out and buying a Mac isn’t appealing, you do have some other book formatting options. The two best are Atticus and Adobe InDesign.

Atticus

Atticus is an easy-to-use all-in-one writing, editing, and book formatting tool. It’s available as an app and via your browser. And best of all, you can use it on Mac, PC, Linux, and even Chromebook. As a book formatting software alone, it has more options than Vellum. Atticus has almost twice as many pre-made book styles as Vellum. Plus, you can fully customize just about everything to create a wholly unique style to use over and again!

Like Vellum, it has a preview option to let you see how your book will look in print and on various devices. It’s also a powerful word processor, complete with a built-in timer and word count goal-setting capabilities.

Whether you want to make a beautiful eBook or an amazing print book, you don’t have to worry about different price tiers. Atticus is available for a one-time payment of $147 — for unlimited print and eBook formatting. I highly recommend this tool if you’re looking for a great book formatting software. Here is a quick comparison table of the two side by side.

(You can also check out my Atticus vs Vellum review for more info!)

Okay, sorry for nerding out there for a minute. I’m back.

Adobe InDesign

If you have some design skills already, or you want to learn some, then this is a viable option for book formatting. It’s a general design software, so you’ll have a bit of a learning curve if you’ve never used it before.

Unlike Vellum or Atticus, this software is only available as a monthly subscription. It’s $20.99 a month for just the InDesign app or $52.99 a month for the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.

Free Book Formatting: Kindle Create

If you’re really strapped for cash, you can give the free Kindle Create app a try. This is an option provided by Amazon, but it’s low on features and can be confusing to use for the first time. And you’ll still need to use another formatter to create other files if you’re publishing wide, as Kindle Create only exports KPF files.

Still, this is an option if you don’t have the budget for one of the other tools on this list!

Vellum Review: Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt about it: Vellum is a great way to format books. It has a well-deserved reputation among professional authors. It’s easy to use, provides some customization options, and does much of the work automatically so you don’t have to.

But there are some drawbacks. The biggest being it’s only available on Mac. For a while, it was the go-to option for book formatting, but that’s no longer the case. With Atticus, there’s a more powerful and cheaper alternative to Vellum on the scene.

But unlike Vellum, Atticus doesn’t have a free trial (unless you count the 30-day money-back guarantee). So if you have a Mac and you want to give Vellum a shot, I say go for it! If not, you can always check out Atticus or get to learning Adobe InDesign.

Check Out Vellum   Check Out Atticus

The post Vellum Review: Read This Before You Purchase! appeared first on Bookishnerd.