By BookBaby author Lauren Davish Estimated reading time: 5 minutes If you’re already a published author or plan to be one day, understanding the differences between a novel vs. a book is key to better understanding your literary jargon. These two terms are quite often used interchangeably; however, each has its own distinctions, which is what we’ll be exploring here. Table of Contents: • What is a novel? • What is a book? • Key differences between novels and books • Characteristics of a novel • Characteristics of a book • Genres and categories • Common misconceptions • Similarities between no ..read more

By BookBaby author Andre Calilhanna Estimated reading time: 3 minutes With the increase in frequency and scope of book bans in US schools in the past couple of years, I thought it a good idea to revive this infographic we first posted in 2015 highlighting some of the notable books banned over the years. In the context of school book bans, I thought this quote from Pen America was insightful. It is important to recognize that books available in schools, whether in a school or classroom library, or as part of a curriculum, were selected by librarians and educators as part of the educational offe ..read more

By BookBaby author BookBaby Estimated reading time: 13 minutes How to navigate the Amazon jungle and make the most of your self-published book listing. On April 3, 1995, Amazon.com sold its first book: Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies: Computer Models of The Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought. On February 1, 2005, Amazon Prime was born. For a yearly fee, Amazon Prime members would get free shipping in the US for eligible purchases, including books. On November 19, 2007, Amazon released its first eReader: the Kindle. These three events forever changed the book publishing landscape. Today, i ..read more

By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Not that long ago, becoming an author meant diving into hours of industry research, networking up a storm, querying countless agents to try to grab their attention, coping with myriad rejections, navigating headache-inducing contracts and negotiations, sacrificing creative control of your work — and that was all after you’d written a book. Today, thanks to print-on-demand technologies and new distribution options, the path towards authorship is so much simpler and accessible. Table of Contents: • The difference between author ..read more

By BookBaby author Lauren Davish Estimated reading time: 8 minutes You’ve written a children’s book and now you’re ready to publish it and put it out into the world. With such an exciting time ahead of you as an author, you might find yourself wondering just how to go about getting your book on bookstore shelves and into young readers’ hands. Table of Contents: • Navigating the children’s book market • The role of illustrations • Writing a compelling story • Children’s book design and layout • Choosing your publishing route • Preparing your manuscript • Book printing and distribution • Market ..read more

By BookBaby author Scott McCormick Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Many authors consider trying their hand at writing children’s books — especially authors who are parents reading children’s books for the first time since they were kids. That’s how I got started writing children’s books. I remember reading a picture book to my son and thinking, “Oh, come now. I can do better than this.” Table of Contents: • The power of storytelling • Kickstarting your writing journey • Choose what kind of children’s book you’re writing • Create memorable characters • The writing process • Beta readers and ..read more

By BookBaby author Lee Purcell Estimated reading time: 7 minutes In a quote that has traveled extensively since it first appeared in Four Quartets: Little Gidding in 1942, T.S. Eliot wrote, We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. Table of Contents: • Conventions in travel writing • Are travel stories adventure stories? • Characters can be the heart of good travel writing • Notable women engaged in worldwide travel    • Annie S. Peck    • Isabella L. Bird • To travel is to ..read more

By BookBaby author Janna Lopez Estimated reading time: 6 minutes As a writer, book coach, and writing retreat leader, I’ve heard every form of resistance bubble to the surface: There’s never enough time, I don’t know where to begin, what I’m writing has no value, I’m not really a “writer,” no one will care, the effort isn’t worth it… They may use different words, but the sentiment is the same: I’ll finish that book later. Table of Contents: • Find your “why” • This is your moment!    1. We’re human    2. Momentum can get you to the finish line    3. Self-judgment ..read more

By BookBaby author Scott McCormick Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Illustrations and children’s books go hand-in-hand. This is true for all kinds of children’s books, from board books to middle-grade novels. Unless you hope to follow the formula of a novelty hit like The Book with No Pictures, the importance of illustrations in your book is hard to understate. Table of Contents: • Visual storytelling in children’s books • Are you looking to traditionally publish your book? • Defining your vision • Budget considerations • What is the best way to pay an illustrator? • How much does it cost to ..read more

By BookBaby author Scott McCormick Estimated reading time: 7 minutes It’s probably not a surprise to you that Amazon is the world’s biggest bookstore, but do you know just how big it is? According to available data, Amazon distributes between 50 percent of printed books and 75 percent of eBooks in the US. So, to say that Amazon sales are vital to authors is an understatement. Table of Contents: • Do Amazon book reviews matter? • Amazon’s algorithm • Book discoverability • Credibility • Optimize your book’s Amazon page • The importance of authentic reviews • Tips for getting book reviews on Am ..read more