Help for all who love to write
Isbns are expensive! But not anymore! Head over to this site for a cheaper option that works all the same. Isbn services have been incredibly helpful in my writing journey and I know they can help you too!
Needing a free site to write and format your book? Look no further than Reedsy.com. It's a basic site that is super simple to use for writers just starting out. They split everything chapter by chapter and can format your book for free! They also have a marketplace to find editors, publicists, and so much more!
Looking to make promotional material? Check out Vista Print. I highly recommend their bookmarks and signs. They have everything you need to attend book signings or whatever event you get invited to!
Looking for a chance to enter your book into an Award Program? Check out The Bookfest Awards! They take all sorts of applications, and you can enter your book in more than one category. A fantastic chance to win awards for your story and a great way for some publicity!
Indie authors looking to join in on a massive e-book sale? Once a year, Narratess opens up for Indie Authors to submit their books for their Indie Book Sale. All e-books will be either free or .99 cents for the weekend! Not only is this great exposure for Indie Authors, but it's also a great way to get your book in reader's hands and maybe earn a few reviews. Subscribe to their newsletter so you know when the next sale is about to start!
Any Fantasy authors out there?
Looking into creating and designing a map of your fantasy world but aren't sure how? Check out Inkarnate and you'll find that creating maps for your books are easier than ever! They have free and paid plans which gives you way more options and help in creating a map of your world. I've had a lot of fun making a map of my Assassin's WIP. Check it out and see what you think!
Having issues imagining your character's height? Check out this website and see your characters come to life with this free tool! Choose avatars that closely resemble your characters and see how they compare to one another. It's a perfect tool to use when you need a little help visualizing.
Fellow Authors!
Would you like to be featured in M. L. White's monthly newsletter?
Click the link below to apply! The newsletter goes out once a month, so the spots fill up fast. I love featuring other authors and giving as much support as I can.
Have you heard about this cool site where you can plot your story? Create awesome character cards and connect them together in a really neat graph. Everything all in one place! It helps you see any issues and remember exactly what you've written in previous stories, if you're writing a series. It is extremely helpful! Honestly, I've been a little obsessed.
Whether it’s delivering your reader magnet or sending out ARC copies of your book, BookFunnel does it all! They give authors peace of mind by applying watermarks on the copies you send out to protect you from piracy. They have different package plans to accommodate your needs.
Need a way to create fun posts or pictures to use for marketing purposes on social media? Look no further than Canva! An amazing site where you can create social media posts, banners, or anything you can imagine really. I absolutely love this site and highly recommend for authors and writers trying to build a platform.
Full disclosure: I am in no way affiliated with any of the above companies. I simply love these websites and highly recommend them to anyone trying to become an author. I make no money if you use these links. Enjoy!
Tips to remember when self-publishing
1. When you are publishing your book, remember to choose your settings carefully. Once the choice is made, you cannot go back and adjust. Any major issues would require you to archive the title and republish with a new isbn number. So go slow and choose wisely.
2. Remember!!! Fiction uses cream paper, Non-fiction uses white. Cream paper is easier to read for extended periods and is far cheaper in printing cost. ALWAYS USE CREAM PAPER. You cannot change it once the choice is made, and your book is published.
3. Paperback, Hardcovers, and ebooks all require an isbn. Most places like Amazon will allow you to choose the free isbn if you wish, but I only recommend doing that for ebooks. I would purchase for paperback and hardcovers, but that's just me.
4. If you are going to splurge on anything, splurge on your book covers. Get yourself an amazing artist or graphic designer for your cover. It sells your book for you half the time, and that is what draws a reader in. If you can get their attention, that is half the battle!
5. And most importantly, always make sure that 50% of your time given to becoming an author needs to be spent writing. Don't let social media or anything get in the way of your work. Everything has a time and place so make sure your writing doesn't get crowded out.
6. Show don't tell. It's harder than you think when it comes to writing stories. Try and picture how the person would look or what they would do when they feel a certain emotion. Don't write; I was angry, so I hung up the phone. Write; I slammed the phone down in a huff. Your readers will see the difference and enjoy the story so much more!