For new authors who are publishing for the first time, choosing to self-publish directly or use an aggregator is essential. Self-publishing directly means independently managing the publishing and distribution of your ebook on each self-publishing platform. However, using an aggregator involves distributing your book through a third-party service that handles multiple ebook retailers and libraries. This choice can impact your control, reach, and potential earnings. The choices between control and flexibility When you self-publish directly with Amazon KDP, Apple, Google Play, and Kobo, for exa ..read more

When you need to include dates in your writing, clarity and precision are essential. Using the appropriate date format, punctuation, and grammar in your text is vital because readers from around the world need to be able to understand it without any confusion. The key points are to be consistent with your date format, use correct punctuation and grammar, and know when and how to use abbreviations. Writing dates correctly doesn’t take a lot of effort. But always keep in mind that format, grammar, and punctuation play a big part in ensuring that your dates are clear and easily understood by all ..read more

It’s quite unusual to find a memoir written in the present tense. When we think of a memoir, we know it’s a story about the past and should, therefore, be written in the past tense. However, that’s not always the case because there is no hard and fast rule that says authors can’t choose between present and past tense for any story. I’m sure that many authors and writers have a tendency to instinctively use past tense in most forms of fiction. But for non-fiction, like self-help and advice, the present tense is often the most logical choice. But memoirs in the present? Is it possible? Turning ..read more

I’m an English teacher, so I’m a stickler for good grammar. But I have to admit that some grammar rules are now becoming outdated. Language never stands still and is always changing to reflect the way we prefer to communicate. New words arrive all the time, and even certain slang expressions can become part of a new normal. Social change is one factor that demands more inclusive language. The singular they is a prime example of filling the need for gender-neutral pronouns. Technology is another driving factor. Texting, email, and social media encourage conciseness and informality, influencing ..read more

Like me, you probably didn’t pay much attention to advances in artificial intelligence (AI) over the years. It was only after OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a free research and writing tool, in late November 2022 that everyone started to take notice. Quite suddenly, writers began to fear that AI had the potential to replace them. Fast forward to today, and we are now all familiar with terms such as neural networks, deep learning algorithms, and LLMs. AI-powered technologies are affecting many domains. But for writers, the rapid rise of AI text generation logically remains the main concern. The rise ..read more

The vocabulary we use when writing about the Internet and technology is constantly evolving. Deciding whether to use web page or webpage is a perfect example, even if both are correct and acceptable. When we use words that start with web, there is often a choice between a one-word or two-word variant. But which one is correct, or the best choice? As with many things grammatical and lexical in English, there is no hard and fast rule. You can only base your decisions on up-to-date dictionary entries, everyday usage, or style guide recommendations. Why we use web as a word and prefix The word we ..read more

Do you think about your level of formality when you write and publish articles or blog posts? Your choice is not so much a grammatical issue as it is about your tone, style, and writing voice. That’s why your content needs to be in a style appropriate for your topic so that readers can appreciate it. Online communication is much more relaxed today. But you should still consider the expectations of your readers. Six levels of formality for online content Unlike the strict rules that apply to register in English, formality is more open to interpretation. Here’s a quick description of possible l ..read more

You want to correct your writing online but don’t want to pay for an expensive subscription. That’s fair enough because popular grammar checkers like Grammarly and Prowritingaid are too expensive for many writers. You might be a student, a part-time writer, or simply starting to take an interest in writing and online publishing. However, checking your writing before you publish anything online is a must. So, what free online options do you have? Best free apps to help you correct your writing online I tested over twenty-five free online grammar and writing-checking tools using three basic cri ..read more

You might think that the two words, disinterested and uninterested, are synonyms. In some contexts, yes, it’s possible to use either word because they both infer a lack of interest. But in reality, there is a subtle difference in meaning between them. One refers to a lack of interest due to impartiality, while the other means having no interest in something. The difference between disinterested and uninterested You should use disinterested when you want to convey the sense of someone being impartial or free from any self-interest or personal bias. It is often used in the context of a professi ..read more

Blank pages are a standard feature in paperback and hardcover books. Some blank pages are intentional and serve a purpose. They may allow for a page for authors to sign, or others may be for readers to make notes. The printing process is also often responsible, particularly for empty pages at the end of a book. However, it is rare to find blank pages in ebooks. Why do print books have blank pages? The most common reason is due to the printing process. When a book is printed, the individual pages are laid out in formats of four, eight, sixteen, or thirty-two pages on large paper sheet sizes ..read more