5 Book Cover Tips for Indie Writers


These days writers--both fiction and non-fiction authors--have so much control over  their books. You can publish your own work yourself, do the layout yourself, and even have creative say over your book covers. The problem is, if you are not a designer, total control can be very challenging and potentially devastating to your career. The reality is readers do judge a book by its cover...so make yours fabulous. Below are a few great tips from one of my favorite designers, Read more

Best selling Novelist Inspires Kansas City Talent


Special Thanks for inspiring the community! USA TODAY Bestselling novelist Rebecca Forster  shared insider secrets on how to start following your professional dreams. This paperback writer is a Queen of Kindle Legal thrillers. She is on the list of Movers and Shakers for Amazon because her thrillers have held 6 spots in the Top 20 Kindle legal thrillers simultaneously - including #1 and #2. "It's been an amazing two years," Forster says. "I have traditionally published with major New Read more

Interview with Leslie Daniels


I started reading Cleaning Nabokov’s House by Leslie Daniels in chunks of spare time across a couple of very busy weeks. The book was so engaging that I found myself not only carrying it around to sneak a few pages here and there but also recapping certain amusing moments by phone to a friend who is going through a divorce—kind of a ‘you gotta hear this’ kind of thing. The novel really is that kind of Read more

New Biz Book!


  Six Hats by Robin Blakely When you work for yourself as a writer, consultant, or any kind of small biz talent, you have to wear a lot of Hats to keep your career afloat. This ultimate field guide for the one-person business delivers powerful strategies to overcome your hat-juggling challenges. Finally, creative thinkers can embrace business development goals in a comfortable way that makes success easier to achieve. Six Hats - The Inside Out Strategy for Read more

The Truth About Better Mousetraps


Attention: Entrepreneurs and, yeah, Writers, too. This is a big idea about target markets and what you do. It starts with the old adage about creating something that makes people want what you have.  It goes like this: Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door. Okay, so you've finally built the proverbial better mousetrap. Maybe it's a book...or a cool product...or a wonderful array of services. Anyway, lately, you've been telling yourself: "I’m ready and Read more

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PR Therapy for Writers

5 Book Cover Tips for Indie Writers

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Robin Blakely in Guest Blogger, Our Blog, PR Therapy for Writers | Leave a comment
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These days writers–both fiction and non-fiction authors–have so much control over  their books.

You can publish your own work yourself, do the layout yourself, and even have creative say over your book covers. The problem is, if you are not a designer, total control can be very challenging and potentially devastating to your career.

The reality is readers do judge a book by its cover…so make yours fabulous.

Below are a few great tips from one of my favorite designers, Caitlin Proctor, the Creative Chief at Design Cat Studio.

  1. Use a good font. Do your research. Look at what fonts other popular authors in your genre are using to get a feel for what you like. Realize that you don’t have to use a font that came with your latest edition of Microsoft Word. You can choose a font as special as your work. You may have to invest a small amount of money, but it is worth it! Make sure your font matches the tone of your book. You may love decorative fonts, but if you write suspense novels, cute and sweet letters that curl are simply not your best choice. Consider how fonts can help convey emotion. Also, remember to choose fonts that are easy to read. Be careful with scripts as they can be challenging for readers. Read more

Best selling Novelist Inspires Kansas City Talent

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Robin Blakely in Our Blog, PR Therapy for NonProfits, PR Therapy for Writers | Leave a comment
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Special Thanks for inspiring the community!

USA TODAY Bestselling novelist Rebecca Forster  shared insider secrets on how to start following your professional dreams.

This paperback writer is a Queen of Kindle Legal thrillers. She is on the list of Movers and Shakers for Amazon because her thrillers have held 6 spots in the Top 20 Kindle legal thrillers simultaneously – including #1 and #2.

“It’s been an amazing two years,” Forster says. “I have traditionally published with major New York publishers but I could see the landscape changing, so I decided to fully commit to Independent E-publishing. I’m having the time of my life.”

Rebecca helped kick off the Nonprofit Heroes project in Kansas City for creative individuals to learn how to launch professional creative careers while helping the community.

Nonprofit Heroes classes are free, talent-focused workshops held monthly by Robin Blakely, a business coach for writers, artists, industry experts, and nonprofit leaders.

Special mentor guests include nationally recognized talent. 

 

 

Here is a link to Rebecca’s appearance on Fox.

 


Interview with Leslie Daniels

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Robin Blakely in Our Blog, PR Therapy for Writers | 1 Comment
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I started reading Cleaning Nabokov’s House by Leslie Daniels in chunks of spare time across a couple of very busy weeks. The book was so engaging that I found myself not only carrying it around to sneak a few pages here and there but also recapping certain amusing moments by phone to a friend who is going through a divorce—kind of a ‘you gotta hear this’ kind of thing.

The novel really is that kind of book—one you’ll drag around even if you are insanely busy and one you’ll want to talk about with somebody who will get it. The main character is quirky, comically out-of-place, and desperately trying to rebuild her life after walking out on a tragically loveless marriage.

Even as my friend and I laughed together over the funny parts, I found myself cautioning her: ‘don’t read  this until I find out how it ends.’ I’ve lived through a divorce; I wanted the ending to be anything but discouraging for my friend. Luckily, I liked the whole book a lot.  So much that I would recommend it to any woman who has survived a divorce or who is going through one now. I think the main character’s private thoughts and feelings will fascinate, benefit, and amuse anyone who needs to rediscover, redefine, or reclaim her own life.

I caught up with author Leslie Daniels this week and asked her to talk about how readers relate to the very real thoughts and emotions behind her fictional tale. 

Robin Blakely: I know that any woman who has ended her own marriage will recognize the emotions your main character feels when she walks out on her husband while he is instructing her yet again on the proper method of loading cups and bowls in the dishwasher. What can you share with us about the feelings that surround such a classic enough-is-enough, dishwasher moment?

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