In this interview, we explore the book’s conception, Nakata’s bookmaking and marketing experience, and the remarkable impact his work has had on families, educators, and therapists. This conversation is not just about a book; it’s about a movement toward inclusivity, creativity, and community-driven change. Plus, you’ll get tips and tricks on how you can launch your self-published book into the world.

Can you describe the moment that inspired you to use your architectural skills for adapted designs?

My inspiration is my daughter, who has disabilities. We were first introduced to switch-adapted toys in her therapy sessions. She gets so much joy when she is able to play with a device that has been adapted. I immediately started taking apart toys to see how I could adapt them for her. 

A major part of architecture is problem-solving, finding a solution that takes into account many different factors to produce the best design outcome. By approaching adapting from the lens of an architect I am able to find ways to adapt toys and devices that take into consideration not only function and efficiency but aesthetics and clarity, too.

What challenges have you faced in advocating for better accessibility standards, and how have you overcome them?

As a licensed architect, I have always advocated for accessibility in my projects because inclusive design benefits everyone. That advocacy now extends to access to adapted toys and devices for folks of all ages with disabilities. For many children, like my daughter, the toys sold in stores are challenging to use without assistance, which limits play and independence. Adapting toys and devices immediately creates a way for individuals to access learning and play.

However, since adapting is done primarily in the secondary market by individuals and companies that cater to those with disabilities, there are a lot of opportunities for profiteering by selling adapted toys way above their original price. I personally find this pricing to be exploitative when you consider that many families can only afford one adapted toy (or have to pool together funds to afford one that could be hundreds of dollars) and how important these accessible items are to child development. 

This is why I wrote my guide to adapting, showing that everyone can adapt. It isn’t a skill that should be gatekept but one that everyone can learn to do. This simple act will increase the number of adapted toys in classrooms, clinics, and homes, making adapting more affordable and accessible to all. 

Why is access and affordability so important to your advocacy? 

As soon as something is marketed to the disabled or for medical purposes, it invariably gets marked up—sometimes 1000%. This makes these items exclusive, and price becomes the barrier to access. I personally cannot understand the justification for profiting off of someone truly in need, limiting their potential and their ability to live their fullest life. These adapted toys are not like other toys. They are sometimes the only toy a child may have that they can fully engage with independently. 

In the foreword of my book, play is described as vital to childhood development. Play is considered a fundamental human right by the UN. With this in mind, it is clear that access to adapted toys should not be exclusive and should be made available without barriers (especially exorbitant cost) in homes, schools, and clinics. This is why teaching adapting is important. It empowers families, educators, and therapists to take toys and devices off the shelf and, for a few dollars, transform them into gateways for play, learning, and independence. 

What’s more, these devices can start to go beyond toys for play and become truly functional items that help build skills as these young individuals grow up, such as an adapted turntable that helps someone access music who then grows up to be a prolific DJ; an adapted bead spinner that assists someone in making jewelry such as friendship bracelets that they can then trade with their friends at a concert; an adapted food peeler that allows someone to be able to participate in food preparation and one day could find themselves as a professional chef with a whole array of adapted culinary devices. 

Adapted devices not only provide independence, preference, and build skills, but also help people achieve a sense of dignity where their potential can be realized by us learning to adapt for everyone. 

What’s your process behind creating AdaptedDesign tutorials?

Creating adapting tutorials began when I noticed that existing adapting tutorials seemed to skip over critical information, rambling, or too technical, which could be discouraging for someone unfamiliar with the process. I, a beginner to adapting, created these tutorials with beginners in mind, focusing on each step in sequence. I use photos and text in my tutorials, allowing better control over the clarity of the directions. I expand on these directions in my book and provide tips and tricks that I have developed, which have helped me along the way. 

Many of my adapting tutorials come from families requesting devices and toys to be adapted that they aren’t able to find anywhere else online. Many times, this is the first time anyone has seen this particular device or toy adapted online, let alone step-by-step directions on how to do it. I love the challenge of a new item, like a puzzle that needs to be solved, and I am always thinking about how I can better communicate this process to others so they can adapt it as well. 

Your Instagram account is equal parts memes and educational content—and it all gets great engagement. How do you involve the community in your work, and why is this important to you?

Memes have been a great way for me to create relationships with other families in the disability community. The memes that I create focus on inaccessibility and ableism, health insurance companies, challenges with medical equipment, and systemic problems with inaccessibility and lack of inclusion. They are written from my perspective as a parent of a child with disabilities, but I make an effort to make them relatable to and cognizant of the greater disability and caregiving community. I do make a point to never make the joke about the child because the problem is not with them but with society accepting and accommodating them as they are. 

Humor seems to be a great method for coping with difficult issues and these memes have created a lot of connections and community at AdaptedDesign. It is important to me to listen to this community and continue to learn and grow with them. I hope that my content reflects this ethos and that everyone can feel safe, enjoy, and learn from AdaptedDesign as much as I have learned from others. 

Why did you create Let’s Adapt for Everyone!, and what has the feedback been like?

In my experience, looking for resources for toy adapting were a bit limited. It all felt a bit niche, and some folks were seemingly gatekeeping the information so they could continue to profit by selling adapted toys at a huge markup. As a self-taught adapter, I wanted to share with everyone that adapting could be learned and would have an outsized impact on people’s lives. 

Let’s Adapt for Everyone! is the first of its kind guide to adapting toys and devices, showing all the tools and supplies one would need, what to look for in the store when looking for toys to adapt, and includes a series of step-by-step tutorials for adapting toys for play, devices for craft-making, and devices like a fan that provides thermal comfort. Let’s Adapt for Everyone! has been sold all over the United States and around the world and has become a top resource for groups that already adapt and those just getting started.

The reviews and feedback have been immensely supportive and have inspired many to start adapting for themselves and others. They have even inspired adapting parties with friends and family, adapting toys for schools and clinics using this book. Let’s Adapt for Everyone! has even created opportunities for adapting clinics. 

I recently taught 40 educators, therapists, and administrators in a local school district how to adapt a toy that they could take back to their students. That’s a lot of adapted toys now in the school district that weren’t there before, going to help children with their therapy, learning, and play at a fraction of the cost that they might have paid online. More importantly, many of the attendees purchased copies of the book and now have the skills and confidence to adapt more toys and devices—expanding access to these adapted items. 

In addition to my book, I sell a complete adapting kit to accompany my adapting guide, where all the tools and supplies are in one place. With Let’s Adapt for Everyone! and the AdaptedDesign Adapting Kit, you can start adapting several things right away. 

Describe your bookmaking process from writing to layout to final proof copy. Is there anything you wish you knew at the beginning? 

Although I have used Blurb in the past this was the first time I used Bookwright to put together my book. Once I familiarized myself with the software I was able to bring everything together. I had a good idea of the structure of the book but added a lot more images as I continued to refine the book to help guide the reader through every step of the adapting process. 

Why did you choose Blurb? What were the challenges and benefits of the platform?

I first used Blurb many years ago when I wanted a compact and professional way to display my architectural portfolio of works when I graduated from graduate school and was looking for jobs. I liked the speed and quality of the book and knew that I could get a similar product for Let’s Adapt for Everyone! 

With this project, I did have some challenges getting consistency with print quality, and I would choose a different setting next time to help prevent these issues. Overall, I am happy with the platform and generally how straightforward it is to print a book and the ability to make it available to the world. 

How have you marketed your book? Are there any tactics you’d do again (or not)?

My book has been shared primarily on my Instagram and sold both through the Blurb Bookstore and my AdaptedDesign Etsy. Someday, I would like to work with small independent bookstores to sell my book, but in the meantime, I am happy with what I have achieved by word of mouth. 

However, I would love to work towards reaching a greater audience because I know so many of us have the ability to adapt and increase access to these crucial items for the people who need them most.

What advice would you give to hopeful self-publishers?

Find something you are passionate about that you can speak truthfully about, advocate for others but do not speak for them, and write about something that can help others—bring awareness to an issue and help make things better, especially for those underrepresented or in need. 

Do you have plans for future publications or projects? 

Yes, I am working on another book, but it is in its very early stages and geared towards a wider audience.  

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At Blurb, we’re your creative ally, turning your manuscript into a published reality. With us, you’ll find the tools and guidance to effortlessly bring your books to life — whether you’re printing a photo book, trade book, or magazine. We’re here to empower and support you every step of the way, making sure your story shines professionally. Get started today.

The post Let’s Adapt for Everyone! Behind the Book with Greg Nakata appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Does anyone know about the book?

Selling books isn’t easy. It never has been, and it never will be. So when the goal is to sell, the sales process must begin the minute you make the decision your book will be publicly available—long before you have even begun to make the work that will comprise the book itself. If I want to do a book about my birding photography, the second I make this decision, I begin to alert my audience that I am planning to produce a bird book. This could be a year out from when the book hits the Blurb bookstore, giving ample time for people to begin to ponder if they might have an interest in acquiring a copy. This allows me to promote my future book over the entire period required to make the actual images. I can bring my audience along with me as I make the work so they feel they are part of the overall experience. When the book finally arrives, I have an audience lying in wait.

Do you have an audience for your work?

When I ask this question, the most common response is, “I’m on Facebook.” Or, “I have an Instagram account.” This is not what I’m referring to when I say the word audience. Historically, social media followers are more akin to window watchers than actual buyers, so when I refer to audience, I mean people who are true followers of your work and willing to engage with their pocketbooks. In my experience, the single best book sales tool is the email newsletter. Email recipients have much higher engagement rates and have proven far more financially willing. A study by McKinsey & Company found that email marketing was up to 40 times more effective than social media. And for those of you who don’t have a newsletter or a mailing list, that’s okay. Start today. And remember, if your book won’t be done until 2025, you have all of 2024 to build your newsletter and email marketing strategy. Selling books is a marathon, not a sprint.

Have you ever sold a book before?

Several years ago, my brother talked me into signing up for a 30k trail race on the Texas-Mexico border. My brother does Ironman triathlons, and running is a significant part of his life. I don’t run, but for some reason, I said yes and signed up. Five miles into the race, I knew I was in big trouble. Running is HARD. Well, it turns out, so is selling books, and I don’t mean just for you and me, but for everyone. Many of the books you see at your local bookstore don’t sell. The average book published today is selling less than 300 copies over its lifetime in US retail channels. Blockbusters are the unicorns. But, so what? If you haven’t sold a book before, that’s okay, too. Just know that selling takes a solid sales plan. The same as if you were selling a lawnmower or a self-publishing action figure. If this is your first time, set realistic expectations, take your time, and enjoy the process.

What is your audience willing to pay?

As we discussed above, you have announced your intention well in advance of your book hitting the bookstore, and you have begun to build an audience of true fans. Perfect, now you can ask those true fans what they are willing to pay for your masterpiece. As a photographer, traditional ideology says I should attempt to build and sell a photo book, but photo books are expensive. I might be able to shame my family into buying a few copies, but my audience might not have the funds. Through my email newsletter, I can query my readers to better understand their limits, which in turn will guide me to build the right object for the right audience at the right price point. Perhaps, instead of a $75 photo book, I create a $25 trade book that shows the photography but also includes the behind-the-scenes imagery of how the project was created.

Answering these questions and making a long-term plan will allow for a much more enjoyable publishing experience and might also lead to improved sales. One successful photographer explained to me, “My books are my children.” I think this is a solid analogy. Children are often what we are most proud of and protective of, but children take time and nurturing to reach their full potential.

So, what does all this mean? Intelligent, successful book publishing takes practice, patience, and a solid plan. Keeping to realistic goals while taking baby steps is key. And perhaps more than anything else, enjoy the process. Your positivity about the work and your sales plan will hopefully translate to your readers, who will see a confident, enthusiastic author with a story they can’t live without.

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Dan Milnor is a professional photographer and Blurb’s creative ambassador. He shares his photography and bookmaking expertise here every single month. Are you ready to turn your photography into a photo book? Join us at Blurb.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: How to Sell Your Book appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Here’s how to enter:

• Create a photo each day of May based on our prompts.
• Tag @BlurbBooks and #BlurbPhotoMonth in the caption on Instagram. Make sure your account is public!
• Make it all 31 days, and you’ll be entered to win $100 off your next book (of these photos even!).

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​​OFFICIAL RULES (“Official Rules”)

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Blurb Photo Month (“Promotion”) is sponsored by RPI Print, Inc., (“Sponsor”), 116th Street Suite 161, Tukwila, Washington 98168.

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8. PRIVACY POLICY: Any information collected during an entrant’s participation in the Promotion will be collected by Sponsor or designee and used by Sponsor, affiliates, designees, agents and marketers for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Promotion as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor’s Privacy Policy as stated at https://www.blurb.com/privacy.

9. PUBLICITY RIGHTS: By participating in the Promotion and/or accepting a prize, each entrant (and if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian’s) grants Sponsor and Sponsor’s designee the perpetual right to use his or her name, social media user name (handle), biographical information, photos and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes on a worldwide basis, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter discovered including  without limitation live television, social media, and on the World Wide Web and Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.

10. GENERAL: Any attempted form of participation in this Promotion other than as described herein is void. If it is discovered or suspected in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion that an entrant has registered or attempted to register more than once using multiple email addresses, accounts, multiple identities, proxy servers or like methods, all of that entrant’s entries will be declared null and void, and that Entrant will be ineligible to win a prize. Also, if it is discovered that any entrant attempts to receive additional entries in excess of the stated limitation, that entrant may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be disqualified from the Promotion. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual found, in its sole opinion, to be tampering with the operation of the Promotion, to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner or with the intent to disrupt the normal operation of a Promotion. Any use of robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods to participate in the Promotion will void any attempted participation affected by such methods and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same. CAUTION AND WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. If any provision of these Official Rules or any word, phrase, clause, sentence, or other portion thereof should be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, then that provision or portion thereof shall be modified or deleted in such manner as to render the remaining provisions of these Official Rules valid and enforceable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules or the prize documents will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Sponsor’s interpretation of these Official Rules is final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Sponsor or Released Party’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision and such provision shall remain in full force and effect. All Promotion Entries and/or materials submitted become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. In the event of any conflict with any Promotion details contained in these Official Rules and Promotion details contained in any promotional materials (including but not limited to point of sale, television and print advertising, promotional packaging, social media, email communications, and other promotional media), the details of the Promotion as set forth in these Official Rules shall prevail.

11. SOCIAL MEDIA RELEASE AND DISCLAIMER. Each entrant acknowledges and agrees that this Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. By entering the Promotion each entrant hereby releases and agrees to hold harmless these entities completely from any liability in connection with the Promotion. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Promotion should be directed to Sponsor and not these social media platforms. By participating via any applicable social media platform, Entrants are also subject to such platform’s terms of use.

12. TO RECEIVE WINNERS LIST OR OFFICIAL RULES: The Official Rules (available during the Promotion Period) and Winners List (available after winners are confirmed) will be available on Blurb.com for a period of sixty (60) days after the close of the Promotion Period.

The post Blurb Photo Month contest rules appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Most modern adventures come with strings attached. A list of chores along the way, content to be created, or pressure to achieve, and my expedition was no different, which led me to my first lesson learned. Take the time to be in the now. Much of what we do today is designed to be consumed by someone else. This is the price of admission for storytellers like me. I tell stories for you, so you are part of my journey, whether you know it or not, but it is so easy to allow the idea of an audience to consume the journey itself. Don’t allow this to happen because before you know it, the trip is over, and the memories of your experience fade quickly when you fail to take the time to embrace and understand your surroundings.

The next lesson learned was that when it comes to photographic equipment, less is more. At the same time, the kit should also be best suited to the environment you’re shooting in. Historically, I am a fixed lens photographer. I’ve shunned zoom lenses for most of my career, but when I found myself in a Zodiac inflatable and unable to move my body elsewhere, I realized my lens choice for the trip was suboptimal at best. All around me, experienced photographers worked with their zooms, while I constantly felt I didn’t have the right focal length. This was especially painful when you considered what was required to get to Antarctica. (The 100-400mm zoom range is perfect for this region.)

Next, pick a style of work that best tells your story and focus solely on that technique. I, on the other hand, attempted to do 12 different things. Twelve different kinds of work. I used my mobile phone to make still photographs and 9:16 and 16:9 videos. I used two Fuji mirrorless cameras to make both stills and motion content. And I used a third Nikon mirrorless to make black-and-white still photographs and motion. Finally, I used an action camera to round out my footage. This is not only ridiculous, but it also simply doesn’t work. There isn’t a photographer on Earth who can do more than one thing at a time and expect to do that one thing to the best of their ability. I knew this going in, but I didn’t realize how unsustainable it was until the expedition had begun. Each day was a fire drill of reaching for too many cameras to do too many things. I was still able to do good work, but I wonder how much better my take would have been had I simply focused on one methodology. (Good doesn’t equal great.)

Another lesson learned was to ask questions and talk with fellow expedition members. My natural state is that of an introvert, so it is very easy for me to disappear into my photography while avoiding human contact. But on a ship in Antarctica, this is a limiting and somewhat silly move. Many of the folks who travel to Antarctica are science and nature-driven people. Many of these travelers were slightly older, highly accomplished, and talented in myriad ways. I met a cybersecurity expert who worked for the U.S. government, a birder with 6000+ birds on his life list, and a politician from South Asia, among many others. There were naturalists, ornithologists, geologists, and divers who specialized in diving under the ice. Meeting and learning from these people were a huge part of the experience.

The last lesson learned was something I knew all too well, but the trip reinforced the importance. Write! Pen and paper, keypad, whatever works for you. Just make sure you do it.

We think we will remember the details but that is perhaps not what the human brain does best, which is where the pen and paper come in. Make notes, take notes, stream of consciousness, overheard conversation, simple observations, etc. It’s all valid and all good, especially when you decide to make a book to sum up your adventure. Books have a narrative and words can be a foundational piece of the book workflow.

As the ship returned to the edge of South America, someone asked me, “If allowed to turn right around and return to Antarctica, would you?” My immediate answer was “100% yes!” Many see a trip like this as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I won’t go that far because, for some reason, I feel like I will return to Antarctica. I found the experience haunting in the most powerful of ways and knowing what I know now, I’m curious what I could produce if given the chance to return.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: Lessons from an Expedition appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Here’s how to enter:

• Share a picture of you and your self-published book on your Instagram Story.
• Tag @BlurbBooks, use #Contest, and make your account public.
• Get $25 off your next book.*

*Only the first 10 get the $25, so share your self-published book selfies soon! We can’t wait to see them.

***

​​OFFICIAL RULES (“Official Rules”)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER, WIN, OR CLAIM PRIZES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE AN ENTRANT’S CHANCES OF WINNING. THE PROMOTION IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, ADMINISTERED BY, OR ASSOCIATED WITH INSTAGRAM.

THESE OFFICIAL RULES CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES THAT ALL DISPUTES BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION, AND ENTRANTS AGREE TO ONLY PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST SPONSOR AND SPONSOR ENTITIES AND/OR SEEK RELIEF ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT, OR AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

World Book Day Giveaway (“Promotion”) is sponsored by RPI Print, Inc., (“Sponsor”), 116th Street Suite 161, Tukwila, Washington 98168.

1. PROMOTION PERIOD: The Promotion begins on April 23, 2024, at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (“PST”) and ends on April 24, at 11:59 PM PST (“Promotion Period”). The Sponsor’s computer is the Promotion’s official clock. The Promotion is structured as a contest where the first ten (10) entrants become Promotion winners at the end of the Promotion Period.

2. ELIGIBILITY: This Promotion is offered only to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry and are legal residents of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island. Employees of Sponsor, and any of its owners, parent companies, affiliates, directors, subsidiaries, franchisees, representatives, advertising, promotion and production agencies, agents (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”) and their immediate family members (i.e., spouse, parent, child, sibling, and the “steps” of each) and persons living in the same household of each (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Promotion. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state and local laws apply. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Entrants and/or potential winner may be required to provide proof of identification and eligibility as required by Sponsor. If it is discovered or suspected that an entrant has registered or attempted to register for the Promotion using multiple identities, all of that entrant’s entries will be declared null and void and any prize such entrant might have been entitled to win will not be awarded to and may be revoked from such entrant. Use of any automated system or any like methods to participate in the Promotion is prohibited and will result in disqualification of any entrant attempting such use.

3. HOW TO ENTER: To participate, entrants must complete the following steps during the Promotion Period: (i) post an original photo of themselves and their self-published book via their Instagram Story (ii) The Entry must tag @BlurbBooks, and the Entry must include the hashtag #Contest in their Instagram Story. The Entry must meet the following “Entry Guidelines”: (i) the Entry must not include text or subject matter that is deemed by the Sponsor to be obscene, profane, pornographic, libelous or otherwise objectionable; (ii) the Entry must not disparage Sponsor or any other person or entity; (iii) the Entry must not contain material that is political; (iv) the Entry must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age; and (v) the Entry must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of, or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state. (vi) Each entrant’s social media account must be public to participate in the Promotion.

IMPORTANT:  Entries must tag @BlurbBooks AND include #Contest on the Instagram Story image in order to be valid. Entries which do not include this account and hashtag will be disqualified and ineligible to receive a prize.

Limit: one (1) Entry per person per Promotion Post during the Promotion Period. If it is discovered or suspected, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, that an entrant receives or attempts to receive more than the stated number of Entries, all of that entrant’s Entries, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, may be declared null and void and any prize(s) he/she might have been entitled to will not be awarded to and may be revoked from him/her. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, the Entry will be declared made by the primary account holder of the account associated with the email address designated in the social media account used to enter the Promotion. The “primary account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the applicable email address. The potential winner may be required to show proof of being the holder of the email address designated in the social media account used to enter the Promotion.

Sponsor’s Use of Entries: By posting, commenting, sharing, or uploading an Entry entrant consents to and hereby grants to Sponsor a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, create derivative works from, and display the Entry on a worldwide basis, and to incorporate it into other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed, including for promotional or marketing purposes. If requested, entrant will sign any documentation that may be required for Sponsor or its designees to make use of the non-exclusive rights entrant is granting to use the Entry. Sponsor reserves the right to remove (and to require that entrant remove) and to disqualify Entries that violate the guidelines outlined above, violate these Official Rules, or for which a DMCA notice or other infringement claim is received.

4. PRIZE: The first ten (10) valid entries will be deemed winners. Ten (10) winners will receive a unique code totaling $25 to use towards a Blurb purchase (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $25.00 (the “Prize”)). Prizes will be provided only to verified winners. Prizes will be awarded to the winning Entrants. There is no substitution for any Prize, except Sponsor who reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute a prize or portion of prize of comparable value. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash, except in the sole discretion of Sponsor. All Prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Incidental expenses and all other costs and expenses which are not specifically listed as part of a Prize in these Official Rules, and which may be associated with the award, acceptance, receipt, and use of all, or any portion of the awarded Prize are solely the responsibility of the Prize winner. All federal, state, and local taxes associated with the receipt or use of the Prize are solely the responsibility of the Prize winning entrant. In no event will more prizes than are stated in these Official Rules be awarded. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible Entries received during the Promotion Period.

5. SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: At the end of the Promotion Period, the first ten (10) Entries will be selected from all eligible entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The drawing will be conducted by Sponsor or its designee, using methods selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion from all eligible Entries received during the Promotion Period.  Before being declared a winner the potential winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, tax acknowledgment, and, except where prohibited, a Publicity Release (“Affidavit”). If requested by Sponsor, the potential Prize winner must return a fully executed Affidavit to the Sponsor or its authorized designee within seven (7) calendar days from the date it is sent to the potential winner or the Prize may (in Sponsor’s sole discretion) be forfeited. Only the winner will receive the prize and they will be responsible for providing the prize to the friend mentioned in the Entry. If a potential winner is disqualified, found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, declines to accept a prize, or in the event that the potential winner fails to return an executed Affidavit within the seven (7) calendar day deadline (if applicable), the Prize may be forfeited. If the Prize is forfeited, the Prize may be awarded to an alternate winner, who will be randomly selected from the eligible remaining Entries. Sponsor shall not be held responsible for any delays in awarding a prize for any reason. If, after three (3) good faith attempts to award the Prize to potential winners, Sponsor is unable to award the Prize, the prize may not be awarded.

ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES IMPOSED ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF A PRIZE ARE SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WINNER.

Sponsor will attempt to notify the potential winners as set forth above, but Sponsor is not responsible for any undelivered messages or other communications, including without limitation messages or other communications that are not received because of a winner’s privacy or spam filter settings which may divert any Promotion messages or other communications, including any winner notification message or other communication. Prizes that are unclaimed, unredeemed, or returned as undeliverable will not be awarded. All other costs and expenses not expressly set forth herein shall be solely the winner’s responsibility. Promotion Entities shall not be held responsible for any delays in awarding the Prize for any reason. The Prize will only be awarded to verified winners.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: By participating in this Promotion entrants (and if 18+ but a minor in their state of residence, their parents or legal guardians) agree that the Promotion Entities, and their respective affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, representatives, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, advertising, public relations, promotional, fulfillment and marketing agencies, website providers, Web masters and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, shareholders, designees and agents (“Released Parties”) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, postage due, or undeliverable notifications or mail; or for any computer, telephone, satellite, cable, network, electronic or Internet hardware or software malfunctions, failures, connections or availability; or garbled, corrupt or jumbled transmissions, service provider/Internet/website/use net accessibility, availability or traffic congestion; or any technical, mechanical, printing, or typographical or other error; or unauthorized human intervention; or the loss, access, or acquisition without authorization, or incorrect or inaccurate capture of registration information; or the failure to capture, or loss or disclosure of, any such information. The Released Parties are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by any website users, tampering, hacking or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion and assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, technical error, theft or destruction or unauthorized access or acquisition of the website, any Promotion-related website(s), or entrant information. The Released Parties are not responsible for any injury or damage, whether personal or property, to participants or to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in the Promotion and/or accepting or using a prize. The Released Parties shall not be responsible or liable for entries that are entered by any automated computer, program, mechanism or device, for any entries in excess of the stated limit or for entries that are late, forged, lost, misplaced, misdirected, tampered with, incomplete, deleted, damaged, garbled or otherwise not in compliance with the Official Rules, and all such entries may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be disqualified. If, for any reason, the Promotion is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion and/or proceed with the Promotion, including the selection of winner in a manner it deems fair and reasonable including the selection of the winner from among eligible Entries received prior to such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension. In no event will more prizes be awarded than are stated in these Official Rules. If for any reason, including but not limited to an administrative, printing, production, computer or other error or due to technical difficulties or incorrect announcements of any kind, more winning messages are distributed, or more prizes are claimed than are intended to be awarded according to these Official Rules, the intended prizes will be awarded among all verified prize claims received based on the judging criteria stated in these Official Rules. This Promotion is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

By entering the Promotion, each entrant (and if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian) agrees: (i) to be bound by these Official Rules and by all applicable laws and by the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be binding and final; (ii) to waive any rights to claim ambiguity with respect to these Official Rules; (iii) to waive all of his or her rights to bring any claim, action or proceeding against any of the Released Parties in connection with the Promotion; and (iv) to forever and irrevocably agree to release and hold harmless each of the Released Parties from any and all claims, lawsuits, judgments, causes of action, proceedings, demands, fines, penalties, liability, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) that may arise in connection with: (a) the Promotion, including but not limited to any Promotion-related activity or element thereof, and the entrant’s Entry, including any information provided, participation or inability to participate in the Promotion, (b) the violation of any third-party privacy, data security, personal, publicity or proprietary rights, (c) typographical or printing errors in these Official Rules or any Promotion materials, (d) acceptance, attendance at, receipt, travel related to, participation in, delivery of, possession, defects in, use, non-use, misuse, inability to use, loss, damage, destruction, negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the use of a prize (or any component thereof), (e) any change in the prizing due to unavailability or due to reasons beyond Sponsor’s control, including but not limited to by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not such action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened or actual terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot or any other cause beyond any of the Released Parties’ control, or as otherwise permitted in these Official Rules, (f) any interruptions in or postponement, cancellation or modification of the Promotion, (g) human error, (h) incorrect, unauthorized, or inaccurate transcription, receipt or transmission of any part of any Entry , (i) any technical malfunctions or unavailability of the website or any telephone network, computer system, computer online system, mobile device, computer timing and/or dating mechanism, computer equipment, software, or Internet service provider, or mail service utilized by any of the Released Parties or by an entrant, (j) interruption or inability to access the Promotion, the website or any other Promotion-related websites or any online service via the Internet due to hardware or software compatibility problems, (k) any damage to entrant’s (or any third person’s) equipment used to access the Promotion and/or its contents related to or resulting from any part of the Promotion, (l) any lost/delayed data transmissions, omissions, interruptions, defects, and/or any other errors or malfunctions, (m) any late, lost, stolen, mutilated, misdirected, delayed, garbled, corrupted, destroyed, incomplete, undeliverable or damaged Entries, (n) any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of the Released Parties, (o) lost, late, stolen, misdirected, damaged or destroyed prizing (or any element thereof), or (p) the negligence or willful misconduct by entrant.

Without limiting the foregoing, everything regarding this Promotion, including the website and prize components, are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions may not allow the limitations or exclusions of liability for incidental or consequential damages or exclusions of implied warranties, so some of the above limitations or exclusions may not apply. Check local laws for any restrictions or limitations regarding these limitations or exclusions.

7. DISPUTES AND ARBITRATION; CLASS ACTION WAIVER: This Contest is governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Washington without regard to any choice of law or conflicts of law rules, and the forum and venue for any dispute shall be in Seattle, Washington.

IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“AAA RULES”). THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES OR OTHER SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.

ENTRANTS AGREE THAT THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ANY ENTRANT AND/OR PROMOTION ENTITIES AND/OR ANY OTHER PARTY SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT, OR AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

ANY DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE END OF THE PROMOTION PERIOD, OR THE CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE FOREVER BARRED.

8. PRIVACY POLICY: Any information collected during an entrant’s participation in the Promotion will be collected by Sponsor or designee and used by Sponsor, affiliates, designees, agents and marketers for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Promotion as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor’s Privacy Policy as stated at https://www.blurb.com/privacy.

9. PUBLICITY RIGHTS: By participating in the Promotion and/or accepting a prize, each entrant (and if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian’s) grants Sponsor and Sponsor’s designee the perpetual right to use his or her name, social media user name (handle), biographical information, photos and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes on a worldwide basis, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter discovered including  without limitation live television, social media, and on the World Wide Web and Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.

10. GENERAL: Any attempted form of participation in this Promotion other than as described herein is void. If it is discovered or suspected in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion that an entrant has registered or attempted to register more than once using multiple email addresses, accounts, multiple identities, proxy servers or like methods, all of that entrant’s entries will be declared null and void, and that Entrant will be ineligible to win a prize. Also, if it is discovered that any entrant attempts to receive additional entries in excess of the stated limitation, that entrant may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be disqualified from the Promotion. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual found, in its sole opinion, to be tampering with the operation of the Promotion, to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner or with the intent to disrupt the normal operation of a Promotion. Any use of robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods to participate in the Promotion will void any attempted participation affected by such methods and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same. CAUTION AND WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. If any provision of these Official Rules or any word, phrase, clause, sentence, or other portion thereof should be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, then that provision or portion thereof shall be modified or deleted in such manner as to render the remaining provisions of these Official Rules valid and enforceable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules or the prize documents will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Sponsor’s interpretation of these Official Rules is final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Sponsor or Released Party’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision and such provision shall remain in full force and effect. All Promotion Entries and/or materials submitted become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. In the event of any conflict with any Promotion details contained in these Official Rules and Promotion details contained in any promotional materials (including but not limited to point of sale, television and print advertising, promotional packaging, social media, email communications, and other promotional media), the details of the Promotion as set forth in these Official Rules shall prevail.

11. SOCIAL MEDIA RELEASE AND DISCLAIMER. Each entrant acknowledges and agrees that this Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. By entering the Promotion each entrant hereby releases and agrees to hold harmless these entities completely from any liability in connection with the Promotion. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Promotion should be directed to Sponsor and not these social media platforms. By participating via any applicable social media platform, Entrants are also subject to such platform’s terms of use.

12. TO RECEIVE WINNERS LIST OR OFFICIAL RULES: The Official Rules (available during the Promotion Period) and Winners List (available after winners are confirmed) will be available on Blurb.com for a period of sixty (60) days after the close of the Promotion Period.

The post World Book Day giveaway rules appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Drawing from backgrounds in sociology, English literature, art photography, and a passion for film, Boakes’s diverse foundation shapes her art. In this interview, we discuss her photographs, creative process, and advice for others to find their voice in visual art.

You’re a student, photographer, and creative. Tell us about your creative journey to get to where you are today.

I’ve always been around creative people and motivated to not just be academic. I grew up with my grandma teaching me and my sister to collage and draw with our left hands.  I watched my dad on holiday taking photos with a camera he would soon give to me—as well as admiring my uncle’s photography. 

The passion then bloomed as I started to study photography at school and promote it using social media and any submissions I could get my hands on. I think, especially within art, it’s super important to put yourself out there and submit to as much as you can. 

In July 2022, I submitted three images to a small online zine (the kids are talking) titled “Cowgirl.” It is a small achievement but one that would motivate me to submit to other publications like the Philm Red Addition in 2023. Right now, I’m focusing on exploring photography techniques as I continue to use the darkroom and camera-less styles.

If you had to describe your work using only three words, what would they be?

I think in this book, the photography really varies. At the start, they feel more nostalgic; in the middle, they feel more rebellious; and the book ends with quite surreal and weird images. I guess those are my three: nostalgic, rebellious, weird. In that order.

How have your studies influenced your work?

For my A-levels, I take sociology, English literature, and art photography. They have all influenced my work in some way, whether it was consciously or not. Even though it’s not a set study of mine, I think one of the big areas that influences my work is film. Moving image is definitely something I would love to explore in the future.

What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done in pursuit of the perfect shot?

Something I definitely want to do with my work is be braver and more outlandish, but in this book, you can see quite tame adventures. For example, in images ‘fish, lion’ and ‘woodlouse,’ I convinced my friends to set up a blow-up mattress in a public park whilst wearing pyjamas. In the very same park, I’ve photographed friends suffocating in alien masks and camouflage outfits.

What inspired you to create the book Wisdom Teeth? And where did the title come from?

I was inspired to create this book by my photographer role models whose pages sit on my shelves—as a sense of accomplishment definitely comes from a physical body of work. 

I chose the title Wisdom Teeth mainly because I thought mine may have been coming through as I was constructing the book. The title also nicely sums up ideas about growing up and teenage life, which I tried to present.

Can you share a behind-the-scenes story about a photograph in Wisdom Teeth that would surprise readers?

The main thing that may seem surprising about the book is that a majority of it was used for GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) coursework. In fact, the mixed media pieces ‘fish, lion’ and ‘woodlouse’ were my graded final pieces. As you get to the end of the book, you see my more recent A-level pieces, which I’m continuing to explore.

How did you decide on the final sequence and layout of photographs in your book? Was there a particular narrative or flow you were aiming for?

The last few images in the book are from a shoot I did around the idea of man versus alien. I’ve always been fascinated with space and sci-fi, and especially the fear around it, so I wanted to show a staged, low-budget, DIY, and childish adaptation of quite sinister and violent scenes. 

Specifically, the inspirations here stemmed from short films my dad made when he was my age, with him and his friends frolicking in forests playing war. So, to enhance this naive viewpoint of conflict, I made paper-mache alien and robot helmets and constructed cardboard tubular guns. 

In terms of layout, since it’s my first book, I wanted to experiment with different page designs. I spanned one of the images over two pages, splitting up the aliens from the men. 

Describe your bookmaking process from curation to final design. Can you share an unexpected lesson you learned about yourself during the process?

The first thing I did was choose the images I wanted to include. To bring some order to the chaos of the book, I decided to only include digital images and not limit the curation to a certain theme (something I will most definitely do in the future). 

One of the last additions to the book was the handwritten elements. I hand-wrote, scanned, and inverted my page numbers and titles as I wanted them to feel authentic and scrapbook-y. 

This project has probably been one of my longest, and I’ve definitely learnt about taking my time and trying out many options. If I went with my first layout, we would be looking at a very different book!

What’s the most valuable piece of feedback you’ve received on your work, and how might it help others in their creative journey?

One of the best pieces of advice or feedback I’ve been given is to photograph more. It seems simple, but there have been countless times when I’ve seen something, and my camera hasn’t been in my pocket.

What advice would you give to photography students about developing their unique artistic voice?

Inspiration is so widely available now that it can be hard to develop a unique voice. A lot of it comes from research and finding out what you like when looking at other people’s images—and what you do with those ideas. There’s no use in collating inspiration if you don’t plan on being inspired by it.

I also think it’s just all in experimentation. Recently, I’ve tried out chemigrams but realised that they aren’t something I like because they lack too much control.

Do you have plans for future publications or creative works, and if so, can you give us a sneak peek?

Leading on nicely from the last few pages of the book, I’m trying to explore those narratives more in-depth and create a more vast display of work. In the future, I want to present different photographic techniques. And, because this book didn’t follow a preset theme, I would love to focus on a single narrative next time.

***

Blurb is a self-publishing platform for indie creators. If you’re ready to self-publish your photo book—we’re here to help!

The post Wisdom Teeth: Behind the Zine with Rose Boakes appeared first on Blurb Blog.

We’re here to help. As creators with decades of photography and bookmaking experience, we understand the importance of having reliable and efficient photo editing software. That’s why we’ve curated a list of some of the best options out there—both free and paid. So no matter what your budget or skill level may be, you can find the perfect fit for your creative needs. And, if you’re planning on using your photos in a book—you can easily turn your edits into print with Blurb.

We’ll get right to our picks, but if you need more help figuring out your editing goals and what to think about when picking a tool, jump to our FAQs at the bottom.

Our top picks

Adobe Lightroom Classic

• Best for: Photographers and professionals who need total-package batch editing and organizing
• Price: $9.99/month or $89.99/month for 20+ Creative Cloud apps, including Lightroom Classic
• Platform: Windows, Mac, iPad
• Free trial: 7 days
• Pros: Powerful photo management and organization, non-destructive raw editing, workflow-speeding AI masking tools, and extensive tutorials and community support
• Cons: Expensive compared to other options, steep learning curve for beginners

Why we love it

When we ask the Blurb community, “What photo editing software do you use?” we get one answer: Adobe Lightroom Classic. And it’s industry standard (and our top pick) for a reason.

Lightroom Classic offers powerful editing tools, like the ability to batch edit photos and make local adjustments with precision. It’s non-destructive, meaning you can reverse edits at any time and create “Virtual Copies” of the same photo with different edits.

It also has top-notch photo management capabilities, making it easy for professionals to organize vast libraries of images. Plus, you can automate tasks to speed up your workflow and seamlessly integrate with other Adobe products like Photoshop and Creative Cloud.

What’s floored us recently is Adobe’s cutting-edge generative AI technology. With the latest features, like expanded adaptive presets, denoise, and curves in masking, adjusting fine details has never been easier. 

And let’s not forget about the extensive tutorials and community support available for Lightroom Classic. With such a large user base, there’s no shortage of tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you master this powerful software. And the free trial option lets you test out all the features before committing.

Psst. We also have an integration so you can go from Lightroom to printing your book. Use Blurb’s Book Module for Lightroom to have your photo edits replicate in your book design, try 100 book layouts, and add caption fields with rich text formatting. Win-win-win.

Adobe Photoshop

• Best for: Photographers, illustrators, artists, and all creative professionals who need detailed, robust editing and compositing
• Price: $9.99/month or $89.99/month for 20+ Creative Cloud apps, including Photoshop
• Platform: Windows, Mac, iPad
• Free trial: 7 days
• Pros: Industry-standard editing, incredibly smart generative AI, and seamless integrations
• Cons: Overwhelming to learn, subscription-based model

Why we love it

Another Adobe product? You bet. Photoshop may be known as the go-to software for photo manipulation and compositing, but its capabilities stretch far beyond that.

As a photo editor, Photoshop offers all the tools you need for in-depth and precise editing. It also has an impressive array of features for creating digital art and designs, making it a favorite among artists and illustrators.

And with new updates like neural filters, sky replacement, and pattern preview, the possibilities are endless. Need to remove a distracting element from a photo? No problem. Want to turn your image into an otherworldly landscape? Done. Photoshop is all about unlocking your creativity and making the impossible possible.

It’s also worth noting that Photoshop has a large and active community of users, making it easy to find tutorials, tips, and support when you need it. Which is necessary, because even with years of experience, you’ll always be learning something new. Plus, the integration with other Adobe products means you can seamlessly switch between programs for a comprehensive editing experience and easily transfer your Photoshop work into projects in other Adobe apps.

Capture One Pro

• Best for: Professional photographers and studios tethering to the camera, culling, and photo edits
• Price: $24/month or $299 for a perpetual license
• Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS
• Free trial: 30 days
• Pros: Powerful editing and tethering capabilities, customizable interface, RAW image processing engine, and top-notch color grading tools
• Cons: Expensive compared to other options, steep learning curve, less camera support than Lightroom

Why we love it

Capture One is a favorite among professional photographers for its powerful editing and tethering capabilities. It’s also known for its robust RAW converter, making it a top choice if you need to prioritize image quality. Many pros feel that its true-to-life color processing equals less time editing.

One standout feature of the tool is Live View tethering, which allows you to review and adjust your shots as they’re taken—something that Lightroom doesn’t currently offer. It’s also highly customizable, with the ability to create custom tool tabs for specific workflows, making it incredibly efficient.

Photography studios will love it most for its collaboration, where you can share, view, comment, tag, and more in real-time. It’s the ultimate in team editing. And because of Capture One’s advanced color grading tools, it’s a go-to for high-end fashion and commercial photographers.

While it may have a steeper learning curve compared to other options, the extensive tutorials and support available make it easier to master. And with a month-long free trial option, you can try it out and see if it’s the right fit for you.

Affinity Photo 2

• Best for: Subscription-free pricing and beginners looking for a user-friendly interface
• Price: $69.99 one-time purchase
• Platform: Windows, Mac, iPad
• Free trial: 30 days
• Pros: Affordable one-time purchase, beginner-friendly with loads of YouTube tutorials, powerful features
• Cons: Not as robust as other options, no AI editing tools

Why we love it

Affinity is a great option for those who want a one-time purchase instead of committing to a subscription. Honestly, it’s the best Photoshop alternative on the market today.

It offers powerful features like RAW editing, batch processing, and non-destructive layer-based editing without the ongoing cost. It handles PSD files with no issue and offers a plugin, so if you’re switching from Photoshop, you’ll still be able to use your files.

It’s also beginner-friendly, with an easy-to-use interface and helpful tutorials. This makes it a great option for those just starting out in photo editing or for those who prefer a more intuitive approach.

While it may not have generative AI features or batch RAW processing like other options, Affinity still offers enough tools to create professional-level edits. And with its affordable one-time purchase cost, it’s a great entry point for those looking to dive into photo editing.

Also great

CyberLink PhotoDirector 365

• Best for: Workflow efficiency, beginner-friendly interface, AI special effects
• Price: $14.99/month
• Platform: Windows, Mac
• Free trial: 30 days
• Pros: Intuitive workflow interface, rich special effects library with AI assistance, affordable subscription
• Cons: Can be less advanced than industry-standard software, occasional performance issues

Why we love it

CyberLink PhotoDirector 365 stands out with its blend of efficient workflows and treasure trove of special effects supported by AI. Tailored for both amateurs and seasoned creators, it simplifies the journey between snapping a photo and making a stunning final product. It’s got best-in-class AI tools like the AI Image Generator, which creates whatever you tell it to, and AI Image Enhancer, which lets you restore old photos. The only reason it didn’t make our top picks is because it doesn’t have geotagging maps, there aren’t enough lens profiles, and there is an occasional lag.

Skylum Luminar Neo

• Best for: Simple interface, filters, and AI photo fixes
• Price: $11.95/month 
• Platform: Windows, Mac
• Free trial: 7 days
• Pros: User-friendly interface, innovative AI-driven editing tools, affordable licensing
• Cons: Less detailed features compared to pro-level software, newer on the market

Why we love it

Skylum Luminar Neo is perfect for beginners stepping into desktop photo editing for the first time. Its user-friendly interface is an inviting playground where you can easily do things with AI, like remove power lines, replace a sky, and isolate the subjects of your photos. Beginners and pros will both enjoy experimenting with these innovative features without ever feeling lost or overwhelmed. You won’t find as many presets as our top picks, and you won’t get face recognition or keyword tagging—but it’s still an excellent option if these aren’t priorities.

inPixio Photo Studio

• Best for: Straightforward editing and low price
• Price: $49.99 per year
• Platform: Windows, Mac
• Free trial: 5 days
• Pros: Large selection of one-click presets, user-friendly for those seeking simplicity, RAW editing tools
• Cons: Limited advanced editing features, sky replacement is sometimes unrealistic

Why we love it

InPixio Photo Studio is a gem for those who prefer a straightforward approach. It features AI tools like a background eraser and cutout tool—and even a sky replacement feature (which is sometimes unrealistic). The wealth of presets transforms your photos in a single click, perfect for beginners who want to make quick edits. Plus, with the Pro version, you also get tools that let you enlarge and sharpen photos. It may not be the best option for experienced editors who need more advanced features, but with its affordable price point and simple interface, inPixio Photo Studio is a solid choice for those looking to edit photos without any fuss.

Pixlr X / Pixlr E

• Best for: Browser- or app-based editing on the go
• Price: Plans start at $1.99/month (or free with ads)
• Platform: Web-based
• Free trial: 7 days
• Pros: No installation required, accessible from multiple devices, great for quick edits
• Cons: Internet-dependent, limited features compared to downloadable software

Why we love it

For the creator who thrives in the digital space, Pixlr X (browser) and Pixlr E (app) deliver an unparalleled level of convenience without the constraints of traditional software. These browser-based tools are the embodiment of accessibility, allowing you to edit from anywhere at any time. Pixlr X lets you make non-destructive edits and save them on Dropbox. It’s got a Photoshop-esque interface and decent adjustment and filter options. Pixlr E is a great classic photo editing tool, plus templates, animations, and AI generations for the pro plan. You can even use both for free, if you’re willing to watch some ads.

GIMP

• Best for: Free, open-source powerhouse for image manipulation
• Price: Free
• Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Free trial: Not applicable
• Pros: No cost, versatile and powerful toolset, a large community for support
• Cons: Interface can be less intuitive, steep learning curve for advanced features

Why we love it

GIMP is the knight in shining armor for artists and creators seeking a no-cost yet powerful tool for image manipulation. As an open-source application, GIMP breaks down the barriers to entry, granting access to everyone who wants to create without hefty payment plans. It’s a testament to community-driven development, brimming with features that rival premium software. You’ll get painting tools, color correction, selection, cloning, enhancement—with all the file formats you’d expect.

Corel PaintShop Pro

• Best for: Photoshop-like features without the cost
• Price: $99.99 one-time purchase
• Platform: Windows
• Free trial: 30 days
• Pros: Powerful effects and editing, AI-enhanced features, great tutorials, one-time purchase
• Cons: No Mac option, confusing interface

Why we love it

If you don’t want to make forever payments to Adobe, this Photoshop competitor gets the job done for most photographers and designers. Corel PaintShop Pro boasts advanced AI tools like portrait mode, background replacement, and style transfer let you make quick work of big edits. Plus, you’ll get all the features you’d expect from photo editing software, including layers, filters, and RAW support. You really can’t beat a one-time purchase option and great tutorials for beginners—unless you’re a pro.

ON1 Photo RAW

• Best for: Corrections and AI photo effects
• Price: $99.99 one-time purchase
• Platform: Windows, Mac
• Free trial: 30 days
• Pros: Comprehensive preset collections, great filters, lens profiles, face-tuning
• Cons: Sometimes runs slowly, no face recognition tags, less intuitive interface

Why we love it

ON1 Photo RAW is a great photo editing tool without a monthly subscription. Every feature, from comprehensive preset collections to advanced face-tuning tools, is purposely designed to empower experienced and emerging artists. It’s true, you may encounter a hiccup in speed or miss the face recognition tags found on other platforms, but it gets the job done for most creators. If you aim for industry-standard workflows and organization, stick with our top picks.

FAQs

How do I pick the right software?

Choosing the right photo editing software can feel like navigating a maze of flashy features and enticing promises. To help guide you, ask yourself a few key questions.

• What is your skill level? Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced user? Do you need a simple interface, or can you handle complex tools?
• How much support will you need? How comfortable are you learning a new interface? Do you need tutorials, customer support, or an extensive YouTube video library?
• What are your primary editing needs? Are you looking to do basic tweaks, advanced photo manipulation, or something in between? Is organization a priority for your workflow?
• Are you solo or part of a team? Do you need to collaborate with others and get approvals, or will you be the sole user?
• How often will you use it? Is this a daily tool or for occasional projects?
• What is your budget? Are you looking for a free tool, willing to make a one-time purchase, or okay with a subscription model?
• What type of device will you be using? Do you need software compatible with Windows, Mac, or do you prefer something web-based?

Answering these questions allows you to narrow down the tools you need and select from our list above.

What’s the best photo editing software for beginners?

If you’re a beginner looking to get into photo editing, there are two great options. Affinity Photo 2 is an empowering choice with its one-time purchase and many YouTube tutorials ready to help take you to pro in no time. If you’re aiming for a free or very low-cost option, Pixlr X offers a web-based editor built for newbies. No matter what your budget or skill level is, there’s an option that will work for you!

What’s the best photo editing software for professionals?

Professionals should opt for photo editing software with a comprehensive suite of advanced features. Adobe Lightroom Classic is our top pick for its extensive toolset, industry-standard workflows, and organizational capabilities. Photoshop is another must-have for professionals with its endless photo manipulation and editing possibilities. Finally, Capture One Pro is a powerful option with advanced RAW processing and professional-grade color correction tools. Ultimately, the best software for any professional is the one that aligns with your specific needs, so be sure to try a few to find your perfect fit.

What’s the best free photo editing software?

You don’t need to break the bank to get excellent photo editing software. We’re fans of GIMP for its powerful features and open-source community. Pixlr X is a web-based editor with a free version (if you’re willing to watch ads). We’d happily suggest either for anyone ready to take their photos to the next level without paying tons in subscriptions.

Why would I use generative AI to edit photos?

You certainly don’t need AI to edit your photos, but it makes things easier. Generative AI can quickly apply styles or effects to your photos without you manually manipulating every detail. It’s especially helpful for batch edits or when you want to experiment with different looks. When you can delete powerlines, change skies, or even remove unwanted people from pictures in a click, why wouldn’t you try it? Plus, it’s fun to see what different filters and styles can do for your photos.

How do I get started in photo editing?

Getting your toes wet in photo editing is an exciting step in your creative journey. To ensure a smooth takeoff, consider these pointers.

• Educate yourself: Start with online tutorials, courses, and articles covering photo editing basics. Knowledge is power, and it’s the first step toward mastery in the digital art realm.
• Experiment often: There’s no substitute for hands-on experience. Dive in and start playing around with different effects and adjustments.
• Gather feedback: Join online forums or photography groups where you can share your work and receive constructive criticism.
• Set realistic goals: Work on improving one skill at a time; whether it’s color correction, cropping, or retouching, progress is best made in manageable increments.

Which photo editing software links with Blurb?

You can connect Blurb with Adobe Lightroom Classic and Adobe InDesign—or export your book as a PDF from any other tool and upload it with our PDF Uploader tool. Lightroom and InDesign integrations connect your tool to Blurb’s book printing services, making it easy to create professional-quality photo books. 

Adobe Lightroom Classic provides a seamless connection with Blurb for all the storytellers eager to see their photographs bound in beautiful books. With Blurb’s Book Module built directly into Lightroom, you can design and edit your photo projects effortlessly. Your photo edits replicate the files in your book design, there are over 100 layouts to try out, and you can add caption fields with rich text formatting. What’s not to love?

***

Blurb is a self-publishing software that puts the power in your hands. Our user-friendly book design tool allows you to create and publish beautiful books, magazines, and manuscripts without prior experience. At Blurb, we believe everyone has a story to tell and deserves the opportunity to share it with the world. That’s why our platform is designed to be approachable and easy for all creators, regardless of your level of expertise! Get started today.

The post Best photo editing software for creatives appeared first on Blurb Blog.

If I use my mental time machine, I can transport myself back to 1988 when I was a fledgling photojournalism student. To say that I was green is a major understatement. Photojournalism was not my original life plan. Not even close. My original plan was to study geology, but due to an unforeseen loss of my student transcripts, Plan A quickly became Plan B. I found myself at a small community college, which was the home of one of the best journalism programs in the United States.  

For some reason I can’t remember, I had started to carry a camera around, documenting the random and mundane aspects of my freshman life. One day, while sitting in the cafeteria with my friends, I placed a series of small, 4×6 prints on the table to show off.

As my friends ignored my efforts, a faculty member walked by, leaned over, and asked, “Who took these?” Thinking I had done something wrong, I said, “Not me.” After several uncomfortable moments, I fessed up to making the pictures. The faculty member looked at me and asked, “You want a scholarship to be a photographer?” The rest, as they say, is history.

I didn’t know it at the time, but that fateful moment would not only change the entire direction of my life but was also the moment I began my editing education. Journalism doesn’t suffer fools, and photojournalism is the same. Newswriting requires training and is hyper-structured, specific, and formulaic, built to deliver a concise message to the masses. News photography, or photojournalism, often requires the same level of training and refinement, forcing the photographer to encapsulate an entire story in a single image. So, when it came to learning how to edit under high-stress, high-pressure situations, my introduction to photojournalism was the perfect crash course.

Historically, photographers aren’t known as master editors of their work, which is why professional, full-time photo editors have been a staple part of the industry for so many years. As a news photographer, I would return from an assignment and a photo editor would be waiting for me. Every single assignment had to pass inspection. My slides or negatives would sit on the light table until the editor would pick up their loupe and begin the great culling.

This was incredibly stressful and didn’t always end well. Working in tandem, however, was an incredible education because the distance the editor had from the experience of making the images, made it possible for them to study the relevance of the photographs without any emotional attachment.

How to self-edit your photos

As you can see, I was fortunate to learn my editing skills from dedicated professionals, but I also realize that most people were not afforded this opportunity, so what advice can I share for those who are just starting?

First, let’s begin with my favorite cliches.

Less is more.

Nobody wants to see 500 images of your vacation. They don’t even want to see 100. Truthfully, they only want to see four or five images of your vacation, at most. What were the absolute best, most poignant moments? Start there.

One scene, one photograph.

That’s it, nothing more. If you made 20 images posing in front of the Eiffel Tower, nobody needs to see more than one of those. So, study all 20 slowly and in detail to determine the absolute best image. Study the light, study the background, and study the subtle differences in facial expression to determine the image that holds the most emotional and visual value.

You are only as good as your weakest image.

For those of you working on stories, or attempting to make themes with your photographs, remember that you are only as good as your weakest image. I told you I love cliches. But it’s true. If you choose 10 images from your project and nine are solid but the tenth just doesn’t hold up, most viewers will focus on that one subpar image. Just because you like an image doesn’t mean it fits with or adds to the theme. You must be ruthless.

Start with a number.

One easy exercise to get started is to assign a specific number of images as a target for your final edit. Let’s just say 25. I’m using this number because, on a recent trip, I made 2,676 images over 10 days and edited that number down to 30. 

After you assign this number, and after the potentially challenging time of getting to 25, ask yourself which ones comprise the 10 best.  How about the single best image? I don’t want to hear, “This is impossible,” because it’s not. It’s just editing.

What’s your cover?

And seeing as this is a story written for Blurb, we need to talk books. One last challenge. You’ve made it to your top 25, and then down to your 10 best, and you’ve even determined what you consider to be the best single image.

Now, ask yourself, what is the best image for the cover of your book? Hint, it might not be the same image as your single best. Editing for a cover means you need to find an image that is both visually stunning and informational. Remember, photo books have a narrative, which means that cover image must be an integral part of the story and must capture the attention of a passing potential reader.

Remember those massive puzzles we used to complete as children? That is precisely what editing your photography is like. Find the edge pieces, see your story slowly begin to take shape, and then build from the edges. It doesn’t come easy, but that’s okay, nothing good ever does.

***

Pro photog Dan Milnor is Blurb’s creative evangelist. He helps us all learn how to up-level our photography. And if you’re ready to turn your photography into a photo book, join us at Blurb.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: How to Self-Edit appeared first on Blurb Blog.

In photography and graphic design, color accuracy isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s crucial for conveying the right mood and message of your work. This precision ensures consistency—super important for professionals who rely on printed works like books, portfolios, and photographs. When colors shift unexpectedly between devices or during printing, all your meticulous edits are futile!

Calibrating your monitor might sound technical (and truthfully, there are some intricacies), but think of it as tuning an instrument before a concert. Like slightly out-of-tune instruments dramatically affect music quality, uncalibrated screens lead to visual disharmony. We’re here to help simplify the process.

What is monitor calibration, and why is it important?

Monitor calibration is fine-tuning your display’s settings to show colors, brightness, and contrast as accurately as possible. For anyone involved in photo editing or graphic design, this is a crucial step to ensure that what you see on-screen translates faithfully to other mediums—another monitor or a printed page.

• Color accuracy: This ensures the hues you pick match industry standards (like sRGB or Adobe RGB), which means no unexpected color shifts when printing.
• Brightness: Adjusting this helps maintain detail in highlights and shadows. Too bright, and you lose nuance. Too dim, and everything melds into shadow.
• Contrast: A proper contrast setting preserves details across the spectrum—from deep blacks to vibrant whites—without flattening your image’s dynamic range.
• Color profiles: These are like translators between different devices. They describe how colors should appear on different screens or printers so that an image looks consistent everywhere.

When preparing images for print specifically, these elements are even more critical. Printed products typically offer less leeway than digital displays because once ink hits paper, there’s no going back. Calibrated monitors ensure adjustments made during editing translate correctly from screen to page without unpleasant surprises in color fidelity or tonal ranges.

Monitor calibration tools for the job

When calibrating your monitor, the tools you use can make a significant difference in achieving accurate results. A range of hardware and software options are available for different needs and budgets.

• Colorimeters: The Datacolor SpyderX Pro offers an affordable yet effective solution, using its sensor to read color values from your screen and adjust them according to standard color spaces. For a higher-end option, professionals revere X-Rite’s i1Publish Pro 3 Plus toolkit for its advanced capabilities.
• Spectrophotometers: While generally pricier than colorimeters, X-Rite provides a wide range of options for photographers needing precise control over printer profiles and display calibration.
• Software solutions: For those looking beyond built-in operating system utilities, DisplayCAL is an open-source tool that works with various color sensors and provides detailed customization options. For more advanced features, check out X-Rite’s i1 software. 

Individuals without access to professional calibration tools or just starting can use manual calibration methods. These involve using test images or built-in monitor controls alongside online guides or tutorials. 

Though not as precise as hardware calibrators, these manual techniques can provide noticeable improvements over default settings and help develop an eye for detail, invaluable for all aspects of digital image work.

Steps to calibrate your monitor effectively

Now, let’s get into the actual steps. If you’re more of a visual learner, this video from Jared Platt provides an overview of the process we describe in detail below.

1. Preliminary setup and using the calibration software

Before you start calibrating, take control of your editing environment. The ambient light in your room can drastically affect how colors appear on-screen. Aim for moderate lighting that’s neither too bright nor too dark. Think about the typical conditions under which somebody will view the final printed work and try to replicate them as closely as possible.

Consider these factors.

• Ambient lighting: Use dimmable lights to adjust brightness levels or blackout curtains to manage natural light.
• Workspace conditions: Mimic lighting conditions anticipated at galleries or where you might showcase your work, calibrating under stronger lights if a gallery is well-lit or softer for home settings.
• Print preparation: Soft proofing features in calibration software allow you to preview images with different finishes, like glossy or matte paper. This will help you make informed adjustments before printing.

After setting up your workspace, install the monitor calibration software that came with your colorimeter or spectrophotometer device or from a reputable third-party provider.

A note on monitors

Your monitor is another important component to consider. For photo editing and print work, opt for IPS panels over TN for their superior color accuracy, consistency across various angles, and ability to reproduce broader color gamuts. 

What are we talking about? IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels and TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are two types of technologies used in LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens. IPS panels offer better color accuracy, wider viewing angles, and can reproduce a broader spectrum of colors—making them ideal for tasks that require precise color representation like photo editing. TN panels are cheaper and have faster response times, which are great for gaming. Photogs, stick with IPS panels!

2. Configure your calibration settings

Configuring the foundational settings of your monitor is key to a successful calibration. Here are the settings and our suggestions.

• White point: This determines your display’s color temperature, affecting how warm or cool colors appear. A common standard for print work is D50 (5000K), which emulates midday light and is consistent with gallery standards. For general editing where lighting conditions vary, D65 (6500K) often serves as a neutral baseline.
• Luminance: Brightness levels should reflect your typical working environment and final product. For image viewing primarily on monitors, aim for higher luminance, whereas lower brightness mimics paper in printed form—usually between 80 to 120 cd/m²—but always consider your specific ambient light conditions.
• Gamma value: The gamma setting affects mid-tone brightness. A gamma value that is too high results in washed-out images, too low, and they lose detail in shadows. Most operating systems and environments use a default gamma value of 2.2, balancing contrast across diverse viewing scenarios.

Integrating color spaces into this process ensures consistency from capture through editing to final output.

• sRGB offers a solid standard for web-based imagery.
• Adobe RGB encompasses a wider gamut suitable for high-quality prints.

Choosing the appropriate profile sets the stage for accurate translation of your editing across different devices and media types.

3. Start the calibration process

The calibration process is a dance between your hardware and software, each step requiring attention to detail.

• Calibrate your device: In some cases, before you adjust your monitor, you should calibrate the calibration device itself. This “pre-calibration” ensures its sensors are accurate and can measure colors correctly.
• Device placement: Carefully attach or place the colorimeter against your screen as directed by its instructions. Ensure it sits flush against the display for consistent readings without ambient light interference.

As you make adjustments, choose between manual or automatic control within the calibration software—automatic is generally easier but may not allow for fine-tuning.

If opting to adjust the display settings manually, gradually tweak brightness, contrast, and RGB gains as prompted by the software until they align with recommended values.

For those using photo editing suites like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to improve photo quality, check that the internal color management settings match those set during hardware calibration. Any inconsistencies here could lead to misleading visual information while editing.

Remember that software controls within these applications might override system-level settings unless properly configured, making verifying post-calibration accuracy critical in these environments. A well-calibrated monitor works hand-in-hand with well-configured software, ensuring what you edit translates accurately everywhere.

4. Fine-tune your monitor settings

After the initial calibration run, you may need to make finer adjustments to dial in perfect color accuracy.

• Adjust RGB values as needed: Depending on your monitor’s capabilities and the software’s guidance, you might have to adjust the Red, Green, and Blue values manually. This adjustment is typically necessary when colors appear tinted or washed out after the first calibration pass.
• When fine-tuning: Incrementally alter RGB sliders (if available) following calibration software prompts until no color cast remains.
• For brightness levels: Refine levels according to visual cues provided by the software. For example, you would make this adjustment to achieve a specific luminance value you set in step two.

Most modern calibration tools offer real-time feedback via software indicators that guide you toward optimal settings with clear targets for each parameter you adjust. Be patient, as minor changes can significantly impact overall image quality. The goal here is precision, so give yourself time to get it just right.

5. Finalize the calibration process

This is where you let technology take over to finalize your efforts. The calibration software will now perform an extensive color analysis, comparing a wide array of colors on your monitor with known standards.

Once this step concludes, carefully remove the calibration device from your screen, ensuring you do not disturb any settings or buttons that may alter display properties.

Now is the time for a review. Examine before-and-after results using color swatches typically provided by the calibration program. This visual comparison allows you to appreciate the adjustments and ensures satisfaction with your monitor’s newly calibrated state.

To preserve these new settings, save them as a named color profile. Be descriptive to easily identify them later (e.g., “PhotoEdit_Jan2024”).

Lastly, consider setting a reminder for future recalibrations. How often you recalibrate depends on usage; every one to two months is a common practice among professionals who rely heavily on accurate color reproduction in their work.

6. Review calibration results

With the calibration process complete, it’s crucial to evaluate its impact. Take a close look at how the calibrated settings affect color representation on your monitor. Colors should now appear more natural and true-to-life, without any dominant hue skewing the balance.

Consider making side-by-side comparisons. If possible, compare pre-calibrated versus post-calibrated images using test pictures that include a wide range of colors and tones. Notice how shadows, mid-tones, and highlights differ with the new profile.

Regularly reviewing these results will likely reinforce the importance of maintaining an accurately calibrated display for professional work. You’ll find routine calibrations equal creative that meets expectations every time—from screen to print.

Why regular monitor calibration is a must

Regular monitor calibration is essential to ensure every color step and tonal gesture aligns with your creative vision. It’s a practice that separates professionals from amateurs and showcases an attention to detail that clients notice and respect.

To maintain this level of professionalism, integrate calibration into your workflow as a routine maintenance task, just like you would regularly service high-end equipment.

Knowing when to recalibrate isn’t always clear-cut, but there are several indicators.

• Colors begin to look off, or prints no longer match their digital counterparts, a sign that it’s time for another session.
• After any significant hardware or software updates that can alter display characteristics without warning.
• If you frequently work in critical color management situations—or if environmental lighting conditions change substantially—it’s wise to recalibrate more often.

The takeaway here? Regularly calibrated monitors ensure reliability and consistency within all phases of photo editing—from first click-through to final print. By committing to these practices, you safeguard the quality of your work and reinforce trust with clients and collaborators alike, cementing yourself as an artist and a professional.

***

Blurb is a self-publishing company by and for creators. We believe in helping photographers and artists of all kinds showcase their work with confidence. To learn more about self-publishing your work, visit Blurb’s website. Keep creating and pushing the boundaries of your art! 

The post How to calibrate your monitor for photo editing appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Tap into your book cover design skills and enter our contest. 

Here’s how to enter:

1. On February 27, 2024 we’ll post five themes and five book titles on our Instagram feed.
2. Select a book title and theme that speaks to you and design your book cover.
3. Post on your Instagram account and use these two hashtags: #BlurbBookCover and #Contest.

Our team will select a winner after the contest date ends on March 8, 2024. One grand prize winner will receive a unique $200 code to use towards their next masterpiece!

* Remember to make your Instagram profile public, or we can’t see your entry!

***

OFFICIAL RULES (“Official Rules”)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER, WIN OR CLAIM PRIZES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE AN ENTRANT’S CHANCES OF WINNING. THE PROMOTION IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, ADMINISTERED BY, OR ASSOCIATED WITH INSTAGRAM.

THESE OFFICIAL RULES CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES THAT ALL DISPUTES BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION, AND ENTRANTS AGREE TO ONLY PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST SPONSOR AND SPONSOR ENTITIES AND/OR SEEK RELIEF ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT, OR AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

Blurb’s Book Cover Contest (“Promotion”) is sponsored by RPI Print, Inc., (“Sponsor”), 116th Street Suite 161, Tukwila, Washington 98168.

1. PROMOTION PERIOD: The Promotion begins on Feb 27, 2024, at 12:01 AM Pacific Standard Time (“PST”) and ends on March 8, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST (“Promotion Period”). The Sponsor’s computer is the Promotion’s official clock. The Promotion is structured as a sweepstakes with one (1) Promotion winner who will be randomly selected at the end of the Promotion Period.

2. ELIGIBILITY: This Promotion is offered only to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry and are legal residents of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island. Employees of Sponsor, and any of its owners, parent companies, affiliates, directors, subsidiaries, franchisees, representatives, advertising, promotion and production agencies, agents (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”) and their immediate family members (i.e., spouse, parent, child, sibling, and the “steps” of each) and persons living in the same household of each (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Promotion. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state and local laws apply. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Entrants and/or potential winner may be required to provide proof of identification and eligibility as required by Sponsor. If it is discovered or suspected that an entrant has registered or attempted to register for the Promotion using multiple identities, all of that entrant’s entries will be declared null and void and any prize such entrant might have been entitled to win will not be awarded to and may be revoked from such entrant. Use of any automated system or any like methods to participate in the Promotion is prohibited and will result in disqualification of any entrant attempting such use.

3. HOW TO ENTER: Sponsor will publish one (1) post on the @blurbbooks Instagram account (Instagram.com/blurbbooks), with directions on how to enter the Promotion (each, a “Promotion Post” and collectively, the “Promotion Posts”). To participate, entrants must complete the following steps during the Promotion Period: (i) choose a title and genre from the original post and design a book cover (ii) post an original caption on their entry post (each, an “Entry” collectively, “Entries”) and the Entry must include the hashtags #BlurbBookCover and #Contest within the caption. The Entry must meet the following “Entry Guidelines”: (i) the Entry must not include text or subject matter that is deemed by the Sponsor to be obscene, profane, pornographic, libelous or otherwise objectionable; (ii) the Entry must not disparage Sponsor or any other person or entity; (iii) the Entry must not contain material that is political; (iv) the Entry must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age; and (v) the Entry must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of, or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state. (vi) Each entrant’s social media account must be public to participate in the Promotion.

IMPORTANT: Your Entries must include both hashtags #BlurbBookCover and #Contest in your comment or reply to be eligible. Entries that do not include both hashtags will be disqualified and ineligible to receive a prize.

Limit: one (1) Entry per person per Promotion Post during the Promotion Period. If it is discovered or suspected, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, that an entrant receives or attempts to receive more than the stated number of Entries, all of that entrant’s Entries, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, may be declared null and void and any prize(s) he/she might have been entitled to will not be awarded to and may be revoked from him/her. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, the Entry will be declared made by the primary account holder of the account associated with the email address designated in the social media account used to enter the Promotion. The “primary account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the applicable email address. The potential winner may be required to show proof of being the holder of the email address designated in the social media account used to enter the Promotion.

Sponsor’s Use of Entries: By posting, commenting, sharing, or uploading an Entry entrant consents to and hereby grants to Sponsor a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, create derivative works from, and display the Entry on a worldwide basis, and to incorporate it into other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed, including for promotional or marketing purposes. If requested, entrant will sign any documentation that may be required for Sponsor or its designees to make use of the non-exclusive rights entrant is granting to use the Entry. Sponsor reserves the right to remove (and to require that entrant remove) and to disqualify Entries that violate the guidelines outlined above, violate these Official Rules, or for which a DMCA notice or other infringement claim is received.

4. PRIZE: One (1) winner will be randomly selected to receive one (1) Unique code to redeem $200.00 towards your next Blurb book. The total ARV of all available prizes in the Promotion is $200.00. There is no substitution for any Prize, except Sponsor who reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute a prize or portion of prize of comparable value. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash, except in the sole discretion of Sponsor. All Prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Incidental expenses and all other costs and expenses which are not specifically listed as part of a Prize in these Official Rules, and which may be associated with the award, acceptance, receipt, and use of all, or any portion of the awarded Prize are solely the responsibility of the Prize winner. All federal, state, and local taxes associated with the receipt or use of the Prize are solely the responsibility of the Prize winning entrant. In no event will more prizes than are stated in these Official Rules be awarded. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible Entries received during the Promotion Period.

5. SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: At the end of the Promotion Period, one (1) Entry will be randomly selected in a drawing from all eligible entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The drawing will be conducted by Sponsor or its designee, using randomization methods selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion from all eligible Entries received during the Promotion Period.  Before being declared a winner the potential winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, tax acknowledgment, and, except where prohibited, a Publicity Release (“Affidavit”). If requested by Sponsor, the potential Prize winner must return a fully executed Affidavit to the Sponsor or its authorized designee within seven (7) calendar days from the date it is sent to the potential winner or the Prize may (in Sponsor’s sole discretion) be forfeited. Only the winner will receive the prize and they will be responsible for providing the prize to the friend mentioned in the Entry. If a potential winner is disqualified, found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, declines to accept a prize, or in the event that the potential winner fails to return an executed Affidavit within the seven (7) calendar day deadline (if applicable), the Prize may be forfeited. If the Prize is forfeited, the Prize may be awarded to an alternate winner, who will be randomly selected from the eligible remaining Entries. Sponsor shall not be held responsible for any delays in awarding a prize for any reason. If, after three (3) good faith attempts to award the Prize to potential winners, Sponsor is unable to award the Prize, the prize may not be awarded.

ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES IMPOSED ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF A PRIZE ARE SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WINNER.

Sponsor will attempt to notify the potential winner as set forth above, but Sponsor is not responsible for any undelivered messages or other communications, including without limitation messages or other communications that are not received because of a winner’s privacy or spam filter settings which may divert any Promotion messages or other communications, including any winner notification message or other communication. Prizes that are unclaimed, unredeemed, or returned as undeliverable will not be awarded. All other costs and expenses not expressly set forth herein shall be solely the winner’s responsibility. Promotion Entities shall not be held responsible for any delays in awarding the Prize for any reason. The Prize will only be awarded to a verified winner.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: By participating in this Promotion entrants (and if 18+ but a minor in their state of residence, their parents or legal guardians) agree that the Promotion Entities, and their respective affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, representatives, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, advertising, public relations, promotional, fulfillment and marketing agencies, website providers, Web masters and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, shareholders, designees and agents (“Released Parties”) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, postage due, or undeliverable notifications or mail; or for any computer, telephone, satellite, cable, network, electronic or Internet hardware or software malfunctions, failures, connections or availability; or garbled, corrupt or jumbled transmissions, service provider/Internet/website/use net accessibility, availability or traffic congestion; or any technical, mechanical, printing, or typographical or other error; or unauthorized human intervention; or the loss, access, or acquisition without authorization, or incorrect or inaccurate capture of registration information; or the failure to capture, or loss or disclosure of, any such information. The Released Parties are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by any website users, tampering, hacking or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion and assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, technical error, theft or destruction or unauthorized access or acquisition of the website, any Promotion-related website(s), or entrant information. The Released Parties are not responsible for any injury or damage, whether personal or property, to participants or to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in the Promotion and/or accepting or using a prize. The Released Parties shall not be responsible or liable for entries that are entered by any automated computer, program, mechanism or device, for any entries in excess of the stated limit or for entries that are late, forged, lost, misplaced, misdirected, tampered with, incomplete, deleted, damaged, garbled or otherwise not in compliance with the Official Rules, and all such entries may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be disqualified. If, for any reason, the Promotion is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion and/or proceed with the Promotion, including the selection of winner in a manner it deems fair and reasonable including the selection of the winner from among eligible Entries received prior to such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension. In no event will more prizes be awarded than are stated in these Official Rules. If for any reason, including but not limited to an administrative, printing, production, computer or other error or due to technical difficulties or incorrect announcements of any kind, more winning messages are distributed, or more prizes are claimed than are intended to be awarded according to these Official Rules, the intended prizes will be awarded among all verified prize claims received based on the judging criteria stated in these Official Rules. This Promotion is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

By entering the Promotion, each entrant (and if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian) agrees: (i) to be bound by these Official Rules and by all applicable laws and by the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be binding and final; (ii) to waive any rights to claim ambiguity with respect to these Official Rules; (iii) to waive all of his or her rights to bring any claim, action or proceeding against any of the Released Parties in connection with the Promotion; and (iv) to forever and irrevocably agree to release and hold harmless each of the Released Parties from any and all claims, lawsuits, judgments, causes of action, proceedings, demands, fines, penalties, liability, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) that may arise in connection with: (a) the Promotion, including but not limited to any Promotion-related activity or element thereof, and the entrant’s Entry, including any information provided, participation or inability to participate in the Promotion, (b) the violation of any third-party privacy, data security, personal, publicity or proprietary rights, (c) typographical or printing errors in these Official Rules or any Promotion materials, (d) acceptance, attendance at, receipt, travel related to, participation in, delivery of, possession, defects in, use, non-use, misuse, inability to use, loss, damage, destruction, negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the use of a prize (or any component thereof), (e) any change in the prizing due to unavailability or due to reasons beyond Sponsor’s control, including but not limited to by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not such action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened or actual terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot or any other cause beyond any of the Released Parties’ control, or as otherwise permitted in these Official Rules, (f) any interruptions in or postponement, cancellation or modification of the Promotion, (g) human error, (h) incorrect, unauthorized, or inaccurate transcription, receipt or transmission of any part of any Entry , (i) any technical malfunctions or unavailability of the website or any telephone network, computer system, computer online system, mobile device, computer timing and/or dating mechanism, computer equipment, software, or Internet service provider, or mail service utilized by any of the Released Parties or by an entrant, (j) interruption or inability to access the Promotion, the website or any other Promotion-related websites or any online service via the Internet due to hardware or software compatibility problems, (k) any damage to entrant’s (or any third person’s) equipment used to access the Promotion and/or its contents related to or resulting from any part of the Promotion, (l) any lost/delayed data transmissions, omissions, interruptions, defects, and/or any other errors or malfunctions, (m) any late, lost, stolen, mutilated, misdirected, delayed, garbled, corrupted, destroyed, incomplete, undeliverable or damaged Entries, (n) any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of the Released Parties, (o) lost, late, stolen, misdirected, damaged or destroyed prizing (or any element thereof), or (p) the negligence or willful misconduct by entrant.

Without limiting the foregoing, everything regarding this Promotion, including the website and prize components, are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions may not allow the limitations or exclusions of liability for incidental or consequential damages or exclusions of implied warranties, so some of the above limitations or exclusions may not apply. Check local laws for any restrictions or limitations regarding these limitations or exclusions.

7. DISPUTES AND ARBITRATION; CLASS ACTION WAIVER: This Contest is governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Washington without regard to any choice of law or conflicts of law rules, and the forum and venue for any dispute shall be in Seattle, Washington.

IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“AAA RULES”). THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES OR OTHER SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.

ENTRANTS AGREE THAT THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ANY ENTRANT AND/OR PROMOTION ENTITIES AND/OR ANY OTHER PARTY SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT, OR AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

ANY DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE END OF THE PROMOTION PERIOD, OR THE CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE FOREVER BARRED.

8. PRIVACY POLICY: Any information collected during an entrant’s participation in the Promotion will be collected by Sponsor or designee and used by Sponsor, affiliates, designees, agents and marketers for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Promotion as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor’s Privacy Policy as stated at https://www.blurb.com/privacy.

9. PUBLICITY RIGHTS: By participating in the Promotion and/or accepting a prize, each entrant (and if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian’s) grants Sponsor and Sponsor’s designee the perpetual right to use his or her name, social media user name (handle), biographical information, photos and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes on a worldwide basis, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter discovered including  without limitation live television, social media, and on the World Wide Web and Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.

10. GENERAL: Any attempted form of participation in this Promotion other than as described herein is void. If it is discovered or suspected in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion that an entrant has registered or attempted to register more than once using multiple email addresses, accounts, multiple identities, proxy servers or like methods, all of that entrant’s entries will be declared null and void, and that Entrant will be ineligible to win a prize. Also, if it is discovered that any entrant attempts to receive additional entries in excess of the stated limitation, that entrant may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be disqualified from the Promotion. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual found, in its sole opinion, to be tampering with the operation of the Promotion, to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner or with the intent to disrupt the normal operation of a Promotion. Any use of robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods to participate in the Promotion will void any attempted participation affected by such methods and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same. CAUTION AND WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. If any provision of these Official Rules or any word, phrase, clause, sentence, or other portion thereof should be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, then that provision or portion thereof shall be modified or deleted in such manner as to render the remaining provisions of these Official Rules valid and enforceable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules or the prize documents will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Sponsor’s interpretation of these Official Rules is final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Sponsor or Released Party’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision and such provision shall remain in full force and effect. All Promotion Entries and/or materials submitted become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. In the event of any conflict with any Promotion details contained in these Official Rules and Promotion details contained in any promotional materials (including but not limited to point of sale, television and print advertising, promotional packaging, social media, email communications, and other promotional media), the details of the Promotion as set forth in these Official Rules shall prevail.

11. SOCIAL MEDIA RELEASE AND DISCLAIMER. Each entrant acknowledges and agrees that this Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. By entering the Promotion each entrant hereby releases and agrees to hold harmless these entities completely from any liability in connection with the Promotion. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Promotion should be directed to Sponsor and not these social media platforms. By participating via any applicable social media platform, Entrants are also subject to such platform’s terms of use.

12. TO RECEIVE WINNERS LIST OR OFFICIAL RULES: The Official Rules (available during the Promotion Period) and Winners List (available after winner is confirmed) will be available on Blurb.com for a period of sixty (60) days after the close of the Promotion Period.

The post Blurb Book Cover Contest appeared first on Blurb Blog.

*Save 30% on photo books with code: TY30. Offer valid through March 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid only for photo books uploaded to and purchased through your own account. The discount is applied toward your product total with no minimum or maximum order amount. This offer has a maximum value of $500. This offer is good for two uses, and cannot be used for ebook or PDF purchases, wall art, and “The Story of your DNA” books on 23andme or combined with volume discounts, custom orders, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

Australia

*Save 30% on photo books with code: TY30. Offer valid through March 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid only for photo books uploaded to and purchased through your own account. The discount is applied toward your product total with no minimum or maximum order amount. This offer has a maximum value of $725. This offer is good for two uses, and cannot be used for ebook or PDF purchases, wall art, and “The Story of your DNA” books on 23andme or combined with volume discounts, custom orders, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

Canada

*Save 30% on photo books with code: TY30. Offer valid through March 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid only for photo books uploaded to and purchased through your own account. The discount is applied toward your product total with no minimum or maximum order amount. This offer has a maximum value of $645. This offer is good for two uses, and cannot be used for ebook or PDF purchases, wall art, and “The Story of your DNA” books on 23andme or combined with volume discounts, custom orders, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

Europe

*Save 30% on photo books with code: TY30. Offer valid through March 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid only for photo books uploaded to and purchased through your own account. The discount is applied toward your product total with no minimum or maximum order amount. This offer has a maximum value of €475. This offer is good for two uses, and cannot be used for ebook or PDF purchases, wall art, and “The Story of your DNA” books on 23andme or combined with volume discounts, custom orders, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

United Kingdom

*Save 30% on photo books with code: TY30. Offer valid through March 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m. local time). Valid only for photo books uploaded to and purchased through your own account. The discount is applied toward your product total with no minimum or maximum order amount. This offer has a maximum value of £410. This offer is good for two uses, and cannot be used for ebook or PDF purchases, wall art, and “The Story of your DNA” books on 23andme or combined with volume discounts, custom orders, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

The post T&Cs appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at how McKenzie uses her creativity to make a positive impact in the world—shedding light on often hidden mental health struggles. Plus, her take on trad- versus self-publishing, her advice on how to break into professional design, and her audience’s response to sharing openly about her journey with OCD. 

Tell us about your journey into the professional world of design and illustration.

I always say my journey to illustration has been a lifelong one. I’ve been drawing since I can remember and always had art on my mind growing up. I was always writing and illustrating little stories. And even in high school, I would sneak a sketchbook into class on my lap and just practice drawing faces and hands during lectures. (Still listening, of course, if any of my teachers are reading this.)

I was planning to major in English when I got to college but had a crisis on the second day of school and swapped over to fine art. My parents, thankfully, were super supportive, but I felt like I was leaping off a cliff. Now, I’m so happy with my choice. And I still get to write, so it’s a win-win. 

Design came a bit later as I started to gain work experience through internships. I found that I loved having an amount of control throughout the creative process—not just the art, but the placement and the vision. I love getting to help guide the work along into a final product. Print design, especially, is really rewarding. I’ve become kind of fanatical about type-setting and finding new and interesting fonts to pair with the art. 

What prompted your transition into freelance work? And what called you to bookmaking?

I had always dreamt of freelancing with a variety of clients and really devoting time to my illustration and design practice. More and more clients began trusting me with projects, and in 2021 it finally became a feasible option to try out. 

I couldn’t be more grateful to my long-term clients for helping me get started at a time when things were really uncertain for a lot of people due to COVID. Since then, I’ve gotten to work with so many people. It’s really a dream come true. Of course, each year brings new goals, so I’m always looking to the horizon for what’s next. 

Bookmaking came about in college. I took a few classes that encouraged creating bodies of work. And my senior gallery show was all centered around a story I had been developing and turning into a graphic novel. I actually printed that whole project with Blurb too. 

It got me thinking about all of the ideas I had and how easy it was to get them out there through self-publishing. I think sometimes it’s easy to get mired down in self-doubt and the impossibility of breaking into the industry. But having the tools launch your ideas yourself is pretty awesome. 

Can you describe your zine Safe and its recent sequel? What inspired these projects?

I grew up with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and was diagnosed very young. But it was always kind of a societal taboo. As a kid, one of the worst things I could imagine was anyone finding out that I had OCD. And I don’t think that was completely unfounded, if I’m being honest. 

At that time, OCD was still extremely misunderstood and even trivialized. My experience with the disorder wasn’t really obvious from the outside. I didn’t have a lot of outward compulsions. But I was dealing with a lot of very scary mental scenarios and very exhausting behaviors. Explaining those to my peers and teachers felt very nearly impossible. 

Art became an outlet for beginning the conversation and dipping my toe into the waters of sharing. That was around college. And my very first comic was posted on Instagram soon after college. 

The response was incredible. I had people messaging me who I had been acquaintances with for a while saying that they had OCD too. It just started this amazing conversation. And it allowed me to find support too. So every time I had a dip in my mental health, I made a comic, and I committed to sharing it. 

Safe took off from there. It became this long-term compilation of comics detailing my journey with OCD—comics I felt like I could finally share because of the OCD community’s response. 

Home is the sequel full of the most recent comics, and I’m further pulling out of my comfort zone by sharing some writing as well. It’s been so rewarding, and I’m really thankful for all of the support I’ve gotten. 

What has been the response to your works focused on OCD and mental health?

It’s so interesting how you can feel so alone in an experience and think it’s so singular, and then you draw it out and post it, and suddenly there are twenty people in the comments saying that they’ve had the same thoughts and the same struggles. It’s really incredible. The embarrassment and shame just melt off. 

I’ve been amazed at the reciprocity of it: I share something, and then there are people opening up in the comments and in my email, and it just feels like a really beautiful exercise in bringing pain into the open. 

Mental health awareness became sort of trendy for a while, and I love that there is now an abundance of t-shirts and memes normalizing our struggles. But what I’ve found in these online communities and through conversations about OCD is that it’s a lot more complicated. And there are inequities in treatment and in conversation. 

I feel a responsibility to those conversations and to make comics that are honest and open and invite dialogue. I’ve found that people are really willing to share and talk as long as others are willing to learn and grow. And that goes for everyone—I’m still learning too. 

Walk us through your book design process from idea to sales.

For something like Safe, I’ll hit about ten comics and think, “Okay, it’s time for a new edition.” So then it’s about finding the best ways to lay out each comic, what other types of content I’d like to have, and what the overall feel of the book will be. 

I take time establishing fonts and paragraph styles and all of the fun nitty gritty things. Then I take about two days just doing the more tedious tasks of laying everything out. I’ll usually get a couple of proofs, inevitably find issues I missed in the text or layouts, revise, and then go to print. After that, it’s just getting the word out on social media and listing the book on my website and Etsy. 

I’m hoping to pitch it to a few shops in my area. I’d love to see it physically on shelves at some point. That would be the dream. 

You have both traditionally published a collaborative children’s book and self-published your zines. What have been your experiences with each?

Yes! A Kids Book About OCD is available now on akidsco.com. That was my first experience being traditionally published, and it was great! Very collaborative, and they were so empowering when it came to letting me follow my process and make work that I was really excited about. 

I think both experiences have their own merits. I love getting to be part of a larger vision like with A Kids Co, and being amongst their other authors and illustrators is an honor. Plus, the author of our book, Hazel, is an amazing kid, and I was so excited to get to bring her story to life. 

My self-published zines are autobiographical and entirely written and produced by me. So they have a different feel and are geared toward older ages. I don’t pull a lot of punches with those. I think it’s fun to have the freedom to do that and to experiment with new designs and new writing in a short format like a zine. There may be fewer eyes on the work than through a traditional publisher, but I’ve found that it’s an equally rewarding experience. 

What marketing tactics have been the most successful for your book? And are there any that you’ve tried that you won’t do again?

Word of mouth and Instagram sharing have really been the best marketers. I’ve found that when I take to social media in a video and talk about the work it humanizes it to people and they become interested in taking a look. At this point, there aren’t necessarily any marketing methods that I would write off. I’m still looking to get it out there in whatever way possible! 

Do you have any advice for aspiring illustrators and designers who are looking to break into a creative career? What about self-publishing their own zines?

My best advice is to just go for it! Really put yourself out there. I know firsthand what it feels like to think your work isn’t good enough yet. And there are definitely merits to taking it slow and learning. But I also think we can get stuck in this cycle of self-doubt that says that none of our ideas are good enough. 

Portland illustrator, Kate Bingaman-Burt spoke about illustration once when I was in university and said, “You cannot create and curate at the same time.” And I’m not joking, it changed my life. 

Just create, create, create. Then look at what you have and find the gems and share them. It doesn’t hurt to try and put yourself out there. The learning can happen as you go. 

The tradition of zine-making dates back to the late 19th century, and it’s meant to be a way to make your voice heard, no matter who you are or where your skill level lies. I think it’s a beautiful thing and it’s easy. You literally just need a printer and some printer paper. So I’d say go for it whenever and however you want and just keep at it. As my therapist would say, “You have a unique voice, and people need to hear it.”

Is there anything exciting you’re working on that we should stay tuned for?

Oh yeah. A Kids Book About OCD just came out, so I’d love it if you checked that out. As for what’s on the horizon, I have a longer format writing project in the works geared toward middle schoolers that I’m very excited about. I can’t share much yet, but I’ll be yelling it from the rooftops once it’s ready. 

And I’m always sharing art on my Instagram and on TikTok. 

What do you wish we asked? (And what’s your answer?)

This has really been a great interview! I think the only thing left to say is that if you need mental health support, there are resources for you! 

• Find mental health help through NAMI.
• And OCD help from great organizations like NOCD and the IOCDF. 
• If you need immediate help, the suicide and crisis hotline is 988 in the United States.

***

Here at Blurb, we offer print-on-demand services for indie creators. If you’re ready to self-publish your own zine—we’re here to help!

The post Safe: Behind the Zine with McKenzie Young appeared first on Blurb Blog.

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Australia

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Canada

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Europe

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United Kingdom

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According to the National Association of Realtors, the industry is vibrant and vigorously competitive, with a wealth of listing data available at consumers’ fingertips. Largely thanks to a pandemic-induced labor shift, new real estate agents are entering the market en masse. Not only has this further heightened the competition, but it’s led to a Darwinian effect that phases out less experienced realtors.

Fierce competition has motivated real estate professionals to explore new and creative marketing strategies to differentiate themselves from other agents and even online platforms. Creating real estate listing books is one of those strategies. 

Benefits of creating a real estate listing book

A real estate listing book, also called a “property” or “listing” book for short, is a powerful tool realtors use to present property information to potential buyers and sellers. A typical book contains comprehensive details about a property, including information about the listing, neighborhood, utilities, school system, HOA, and more. 

If you’re a realtor, no matter the stage of your career, standing out in an increasingly saturated industry is a must. Creating a real estate listing book is a tangible concept that can give you much-needed momentum in more ways than one.

• Targeted marketing: Property books enable you to target your audience based on factors like location, age, and preferences, allowing for more personalized and effective marketing.
• Positioning as an industry expert: Position yourself as an industry expert by creating and sharing real estate listing books, thereby increasing your credibility and visibility among potential clients.
• Differentiation and impressing sellers: A professionally created property book can differentiate you from the competition and impress sellers during listing presentations, ultimately leading to more successful sales.
• Comprehensive property information: Real estate listing books can provide comprehensive insights about a property, including specific information about the listing and surrounding area, which can be valuable for potential buyers.

Listing books aren’t limited to real estate agents, either. They’re an impactful tool for homeowners selling their properties independently or anyone interested in creating a visually appealing property listing presentation.

Interested in learning how to create a real estate listing book? Let’s explore what goes into it and the process behind it.

Gathering essential information for your listing book

The first step to creating a compelling real estate listing book is gathering all the essential information about your property. It’s not just about the number of bedrooms or bathrooms. It’s about painting a complete picture that tells the story of a property to potential buyers.

Start with basics like square footage, year built, and lot size. Then, delve into more detailed aspects such as architectural style, interior design features, and any recent renovations or upgrades that add value. Consider unique selling points, like the property’s proximity to top-rated schools, neighboring hiking trails, or local amenities. These small details make your property stand out in a crowded market.

High-quality photos

You can try to verbalize how beautiful a property is until you’re blue in the face, but nothing beats high-quality photos to show off its charm and appeal. Invest time (and possibly money) in professional photos, as they’re worth their weight in gold. Want to go the extra mile? Consider elevated shots like aerial photos taken from a drone or investing in professional photo editing to make each room pop.

Property history and neighborhood information

A home’s history tells a story. Has it been lovingly maintained by one family for decades? Or perhaps restored from ruin by an ambitious architect? And don’t neglect neighborhood details either: local amenities, parks, shops—it all matters. Research websites like the US Census Bureau, The National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to uncover local market data of interest.

Listing information

Finding this data might seem daunting, but fear not. You likely already have much of this information through previous listings and appraisal reports. As a real estate agent, your experience in the field gives you a head start. You’re familiar with tools like Zillow, MLS databases, and county records which are great resources for insights on comparable properties or neighborhood statistics. These platforms are not just for current listings but can be a treasure trove of historical data as well, which is invaluable for your book. Additionally, government land and property records can also be a helpful source of listing data, including property records, owner information, housing statistics, and more. This existing knowledge and these resources will be instrumental in creating a comprehensive and insightful book on real estate.

Assembling your book’s design and layout

Creating a captivating design for your real estate listing book can feel like learning a foreign language. But with proper resources and guidance, you’ll have it sorted in no time. A well-organized layout gives your book an attractive appeal that draws potential buyers to its content.

When designing your listing book, consider using professional design software like Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Blurb BookWright. The latter lets you easily create custom layouts with its intuitive interface and plethora of templates, making it easy for beginners to design a compelling book layout. But if this feels overwhelming or graphic design isn’t one of your strengths, consider hiring a professional designer.

Fonts and colors

Selecting fonts is not just about aesthetics but also readability. Choose clear fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman that are easy on the eyes while conveying professionalism. Similarly, color schemes should complement property photos without overpowering them—think soft neutrals or pastel tones.

Image formatting

Quality images sell homes faster than any other tool at your disposal. To maximize their impact, format each photo to fit perfectly within the allotted space on each page. Maintaining aspect ratios is crucial here to avoid distortion, so keep an eye on it when uploading photos.

Design templates

Pre-designed templates can save time by providing pre-set formats that ensure consistency across all pages. Blurb’s photo book templates or Canva’s diverse design options offer many choices perfect for showcasing properties. 

But whether you’re using a template or building your own, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Balance: Maintain a balance between text and visuals. Overloading your pages with too much information can make your book look cluttered, making it harder for readers to focus on key details.
• Alignment: Keep elements properly aligned to create a neat and organized layout. This assists in guiding the reader’s eye through your content logically.
• Consistency: Keep styles consistent throughout your book. Inconsistencies, even small ones, can be jarring for readers and may undermine the professional appearance of your book.
• Whitespace: Make use of whitespace. It’s not necessary to fill every inch of the page. Whitespace can help highlight key elements and make the layout look clean and open.
• Call to Action (CTAs): Make sure your CTAs are clear and compelling. Whether it’s to schedule a viewing or contact the agent, CTAs play a critical role in the success of a listing.

Compelling cover

Never underestimate the impact of a captivating cover. It’s what initially grabs people’s attention. Think of your book cover as curb appeal, enticing enough to make potential clients want to learn more. These design principles will make buyers want to flip it open.

• Striking imagery: Use high-resolution, professional photos on the cover that represent the quality of properties inside the book. The images should be bright, crisp, and inviting, just like the homes you are showcasing.
• Typography, color scheme, and logo: Opt for clear and readable fonts that align with your brand. The color scheme should be pleasing to the eye and complement the images used on the cover. It also should align with the rest of your branding materials. Consistency in design fosters recognition and trust amongst your audience.
• Minimalistic design: Sometimes less is more. Opt for a clean, uncluttered cover design. This approach isn’t just about aesthetics, but about focusing the viewer’s attention on the most important elements, showcasing your ability to prioritize.
• Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Highlighting a key feature or unique aspect of your service or listings on the cover can set you apart from the competition.

A well-designed cover sets the tone for your entire real estate listing book—just like how beautiful landscaping enhances a home’s exterior before stepping inside. An extensive selection of cover options and design resources can help you create a custom cover that makes your listing book stand out.

Important sections

You need to guide your readers through the book, just as you would through a house. Navigation and sections do just that, providing readers with a structured understanding of the listed properties and making it easy for potential buyers to find exactly what they’re looking for in no time.

Not sure what to include? Typical sections, aside from the table of contents, include a welcome message, detailed pages for each property, neighborhood overviews, and a contact page. You can also add testimonials or success stories, company information, and agent profiles so that readers can get to know you and your business. Including these sections adds a personal touch while providing valuable information for buyers. Lastly, consider any necessary legal disclaimers or property disclosures, highlighting your commitment to transparency and ethical practices.

Remember, your design and layout should present properties in their best light and make information easy for potential buyers to digest. Strike a balance between simplicity, elegance, and professionalism.

Showcasing property features

Highlighting property features in your real estate listing book is more than just jotting down the home’s square footage and number of bedrooms. It’s about creating a vivid narrative of the potential buyer’s life in that home.

You’ll want to spotlight unique amenities, recent renovations, and other selling points that make the property stand out from others on the market. Let’s break it down:

Amenities

To help your listing resonate with potential buyers, mention key amenities like a gourmet kitchen or an integrated home security system. If there’s an outdoor space like a patio or pool area, highlight these as well.

Renovations

If you’re showcasing a home with recent upgrades, be sure to point them out. Updated kitchens and baths are always appealing. Newer roofs or HVAC systems may not be visually exciting, but they add value and peace of mind for prospective owners.

Key selling points

Last but certainly not least, identify unique aspects of the property to capture buyer interest: panoramic views and proximity to desirable schools or local attractions can boost appeal significantly. Today’s buyers also value multifunctional spaces, energy-efficient appliances, and smart home technology.

Beyond listing facts and figures, think about how you can tell a story through photos and words. By carefully curating how you present each feature, you create an engaging narrative around what makes this piece of real estate special.

Writing compelling listing descriptions

Crafting compelling and engaging listing descriptions is crucial in creating your real estate listing book. These descriptions give potential buyers an intimate look into the property and help them envision living there.

Capture the essence of the property

To start, capture the home’s essence with visceral language. For example, instead of simply stating “four bedrooms,” say “four spacious bedrooms filled with natural light.” In addition, highlight unique features such as original hardwood floors or custom cabinetry. These details can make a property stand out from others on the market.

The power of story

Storytelling plays an essential role when writing captivating listings. Paint a picture for potential buyers by sharing what it’s like to live in this house and neighborhood. Is it perfect for families? Close to local amenities? The key here is to be authentic but creative. Invite people to see why they would want this particular home over other available options.

Benefits, not features

Instead of simply listing off features (like a large backyard or an updated kitchen), explain how those features will benefit potential buyers. Does the big yard provide plenty of space for kids to play? Can a high-end kitchen make cooking more enjoyable? By highlighting these advantages, you’ll be able to connect with buyers on a deeper level and help them see the value in your property.

Proofread and polish

Finally, make sure to proofread your descriptions. Typos or grammatical errors can detract from the professional image you’re trying to present. A well-crafted, error-free listing description is like a magnet. It pulls in potential buyers and makes them want to learn more. Try these self-editing tips to help perfect your work without an editor.

Presentation and printing

When you’re ready to bring your real estate listing book to life, the quality of printing and presentation plays a huge role. The type of paper, cover material, and binding you choose can make or break that first impression. That’s where self-publishing platforms are valuable allies in creating listing books at the highest standards of professionalism and quality.

Paper quality

Don’t overlook choosing the right paper quality. High-grade paper, like Mohawk, widely recognized in the industry, offers a feeling of professional polish and attention to detail. Mohawk papers are known for their superior quality, durability, and excellent image reproduction, making them an ideal choice for showcasing high-resolution property images and crisp text. 

If affordability is a concern, consider using economy paper options or black-and-white printing. While these choices may be more cost-effective, they can still present your content in a clean and professional manner.

Cover materials

A sturdy cover protects your book and creates a positive first impression on potential buyers. A hardcover exudes luxury, durability, and excellence, while softcovers are more lightweight, portable, and affordable. Consider which option best represents the showcased property and your audience.

Proof copy

The final step is assembling your book and printing a single proof copy. Doing this allows you to see how the design and layout look in a physical form. It also ensures that your book is free of any errors or issues before printing multiple copies for distribution.

Distribution and marketing

Once published, it’s time to get your outstanding real estate listing book before the appropriate people. The key is a blend of both online and offline strategies.

Offline distribution

Let’s start with good old-fashioned face-to-face networking. Handing out your listing books at open houses or industry events gives people something tangible to remember you by. Also, consider leaving copies with relevant local businesses willing to help.

Direct mail can also be surprisingly effective. Sending tailored listing books directly to potential buyers in your area makes them feel special and shows you’re proactive about selling their future home.

Online distribution

In this digital age, many online distribution methods are at our disposal. Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and even Pinterest offer vast networks for sharing virtual versions of your listings book. Make sure your posts link back to where prospective buyers can acquire a physical copy if interested.

Email marketing is another powerful tool. Sending a digital version of the listing book allows recipients quick access without requiring a physical copy. Services like Mailchimp make email list-building and marketing a breeze.

Effective marketing isn’t just about spreading the word but also about making that word enticing. So always pair your distribution efforts with compelling messaging that sells not just the properties but also you as an agent.

Creating your real estate listing book with Blurb

Creating real estate listing books is a vital strategy for setting yourself apart in the market, whether you’re an experienced realtor or an independent seller. They provide detailed insights and focused marketing while fostering strong connections with potential buyers. By combining thoughtful design, engaging storytelling, and thorough information, these books not only highlight the unique features of each property but also enhance your professional image and dedication. They go beyond showcasing properties by reinforcing your brand and making a lasting impression in the competitive world of real estate.

***

Blurb, an empowering self-publishing and marketing platform, equips you with professional bookmaking tools to unlock your creativity. Whether you prefer Blurb’s free design tool, BookWright, or leverage Adobe InDesign, Lightroom, and Photoshop integrations, you can effortlessly design your book. With an array of free, professionally designed templates and extensive customization options, you can publish a captivating listing book that enthralls prospective home buyers. Sign up to embark on your project.

The post How to create a real estate listing book appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Not everything is meant for public consumption. This might seem counter to the general trend of modern society, where every moment of every day is shared and shared passionately. But when it comes to producing our best, most genuine work, sharing in real-time is not always the best solution. Sharing as you go can have a negative impact. 

When we create for others, we add a performance element to our output, and we often fill our heads with the thoughts of others more than our own, independent, unique thoughts and beliefs.  Having an audience in mind while creating means you are often thinking more about “them” than you are about “you.” Figuring out who we are as artists, photographers, or bookmakers is one of the most important things we can do as creatives because discovering what makes us unique is what gives value to our work. Start by asking yourself, who is the true you? 

One of the best ways of determining who you are is to play. Yes, that’s right, just play. No strings, no attachments, no goals, no audience, and no analytics. Believe it or not, this might take some practice. Breaking out of the pattern of performance can be scary to some, and for others, it might be the first time they have ever done something simply for themselves. 

When we are left to our own creative devices, we begin to undo the thoughts of others while introducing ourselves to our way of creating. This could mean making a new kind of picture, switching from people to landscape or vice versa, or it could mean editing our work differently. Perhaps we shift from a linear edit to a more conceptual take because we are no longer wondering what people will think. Maybe we shift from making portfolio-style books to more narrative-based publications with personal history as the main ingredient? Who you are when you play is revealing. 

Albert Einstein once said, “Play is the highest form of research.” While my brain is no match for Mr. Einstein’s, on this point, I am in total agreement. If making something just for you—or taking the time to play—is new, then relax and start small. First, permit yourself to play. No judgment, no mood boards, no target audience in mind. Next, celebrate your mistakes. There is no right or wrong way to play. Also, give yourself a time limit. Take 10 minutes to create. Write, draw, photograph, edit, design, etc. Just flow and see where the experiment takes you. 

If you want to go one step further, print your results. Nothing fancy is required. For me, playing when you’re bookmaking results in what I call “the 10-minute book.” I take a random body of work, import the images into Blurb BookWright, and then design for exactly 10 minutes. Sometimes, I allow BookWright to autofill the pages so I can then adjust, or I start from scratch and design quickly and without restrictions. After 10 minutes, I upload and hit print.  Often, after receiving my book, I will have almost no memory of what I did until I see my efforts on the printed page. Sometimes, I am baffled by what I created, while other times, I am intrigued as to why I made a specific editing decision or choice of typeface. What emerges from these experiments is who I truly am without outside influence. Little by little, I learn from these experiments and then incorporate the knowledge into future projects so that I make things that truly belong to me.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: Put Play into Practice appeared first on Blurb Blog.

You’ve gone from real estate finance to co-owner and executive pastry chef at Whisk & Whiskey and now to cookbook creator. Can you tell us about this wild career path? 

Transitioning from the Real Estate Finance industry to the world of Baking and Pastry Arts turned out to be surprisingly smooth for me. Following my culinary school experience, I ran a home bakery right from my kitchen. Juggling my nine-to-five job in real estate finance during the day, I found solace in the evening by baking cookies and cakes. 

The turning point came during the pandemic when my home baking business saw a threefold increase in sales. It dawned on me that this venture had the potential to be more than just a side hustle. Simultaneously, the pandemic served as a stark reminder of life’s preciousness, motivating me to take a leap of faith in myself. I decided to leave my job entirely and, alongside two friends, launch Whisk & Whiskey. 

Your restaurant celebrates your Trinidadian heritage, uplifts underrepresented voices in the industry, and promotes local small businesses and artisans. How do your values shape your decisions? 

When envisioning Whisk & Whiskey, my partners and I embarked on a mission to forge a home away from home. We aimed to curate a space that warmly embraced everyone—a place to dance, and savor cocktails, pastries, and bites that celebrated our diverse cultural backgrounds. It’s a haven for sharing laughter and creating lasting memories. What we sought was a space we could authentically claim as ours—a true source of pride. Remarkably, we discovered that we had organically crafted a space the community had longed for. 

What inspired you to write your cookbook Cookies by Chef Coy? 

Being a devoted Martha Stewart fan since childhood, I’d eagerly flip through the pages of her cook and lifestyle books, marveling at her expertise. It was during those moments of admiration that I knew, as I grew older, I would pen my very own cookbook. Fast forward a couple of decades, the joy people found in my recipes solidified this aspiration, prompting me to take the leap and bring my cookbook dream to fruition. 

Could you describe your creative methodology while working on your book? 

Initiating the creative journey for Cookies by Chef Coy began with a deliberate choice to carve out a specific niche for my book. While the world of patisseries and recipes offered a vast array of possibilities, I recognized the importance of narrowing my focus for a more cohesive and enjoyable experience for both the reader and myself. 

Setting my sights on cookies, I was driven by the desire to create an accessible delight for novice bakers. To achieve this, I meticulously curated a list of cookie recipes, emphasizing simplicity in both ingredients and instructions. Each chosen recipe was not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, ensuring a visually stunning and delicious outcome. The goal was to provide a delightful and seamless baking experience, making the art of crafting delectable cookies accessible to all.

How did you decide which recipes made the cut? And why did you stick with cookies? 

In the pages of my book, you’ll discover a collection of recipes that’s more than just a compilation—it’s a thoughtfully curated selection that captures the very essence of my brand. These recipes aren’t merely crowd-pleasers; they’re the ones that consistently elicit the most enthusiastic feedback from our patrons. Each holds a special place in my heart, serving as a testament to the time and care invested in perfecting them over the years. 

Furthermore, I’ve artfully woven in recipes that carry a profound sense of nostalgia, acting as culinary conduits that transport both myself and readers back to cherished moments from my past. Every cookie featured is a reflection of the intricate tapestry woven from flavors, memories, and joy, defining not only my bakery but also the colorful journey of my culinary endeavors. As you delve into these recipes, you’re not just tasting cookies; you’re savoring a narrative—a delicious story that weaves together the history of my craft and the delightful moments that have shaped it. 

Walk us through your book design process. Does your creativity in the kitchen translate easily to bookmaking? 

When envisioning the design for my book, Cookies by Chef Coy, my primary goal was to ensure that my aesthetic not only shone through but resonated with the readers on a visceral level. I aimed for an atmosphere that was not just seen but felt—a visual and sensory journey that complemented the deliciousness within the pages. 

I embraced a design ethos that echoed cleanliness and simplicity. Imagine flipping through the book and being greeted by a flood of natural light, illuminating each carefully crafted cookie in all its glory. I wanted the visuals to be a seamless extension of the delectable treats within—a symphony of clean lines, uncluttered layouts, and a celebration of the artistry behind each cookie creation. 

Beyond merely showcasing recipes, I saw the design as a crucial part of the storytelling. It wasn’t just about presenting a list of instructions but rather creating an immersive experience where the readers could almost smell the tantalizing aromas wafting from the pages. 

In essence, my creativity played a pivotal role in shaping not only the culinary content but also the visual and tactile aspects of the book. It was about crafting an environment where every page beckoned the reader to step into the world of delightful cookies and experience the artistry that went into their creation. 

What marketing tactics have been the most successful for your book? And are there any that you’ve tried that you won’t do again?

I’ve strategically leveraged Whisk & Whiskey, Instagram, and TikTok for cross-promoting Cookies by Chef Coy. I also held a book signing party which I think added a personal touch for my community and cookie enthusiasts alike. When it comes to marketing tactics, I’m open to trying anything. I firmly believe in experimenting and discovering what resonates. 

What led you to self-publish? And why did you choose Blurb? 

Embracing self-publishing was a conscious choice driven by my longing for absolute creative freedom. With a vivid vision for Cookies by Chef Coy, I was steadfast in keeping the project under my own guidance. Opting for the Blurb platform was a natural fit, as its user-friendly interface proved unrivaled in the realm of self-publishing. The inclusion of Illustrator and InDesign plugins not only streamlined the process but also saved me substantial time. It was a game-changer, allowing me to bring my vision to life efficiently. 

Do you have advice to offer other chefs embarking on a self-publishing journey? 

For fellow chefs venturing into the self-publishing journey, my advice is to give yourself grace. Place less emphasis on the timeline and redirect your focus toward crafting the highest quality book achievable. 

Is there anything exciting you’re working on that we should stay tuned for? 

Presently, I’m in the process of curating a bakeware line, with the goal launch date for Q3/Q4 of 2024. The prospect of expanding the Chef Coy brand with additional products fills me with immense excitement. Looking ahead, anticipate the sequel, Cookies by Chef Coy Part 2, alongside ventures like Cakes by Chef Coy and Breads by Chef Coy in the pipeline. The journey is only getting started, and I can’t wait to share more delectable creations with you. 

***

Blurb is a print-on-demand company built for indie creators. Inspired to create your own book of art and words? Blurb makes it easy to self-publish your own book—whether you want to print it for yourself or sell it to your fans.

The post Cookies by Chef Coy: Behind the Book with Secoyah Browne appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Fear of failure looms large. But equipped with the right strategies and mindset, you can embrace the uncertainty of creative risk-taking and turn potential setbacks into unimaginable progress.

Getting comfortable with taking creative risks doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about building confidence step by audacious step. Here, we set off to discover how to harness the initial spark within us. Because when we dare to take those leaps in our creative work, magic happens. With an open mind, let’s explore how pushing boundaries can lead to more vibrant creations and a richer experience along your artistic path.

What is creative risk-taking, and why is it important?

Creative risk-taking is the courage to put forward unique ideas and solutions, even when they stray from conventional paths. It’s about venturing into uncharted territory with your work, whether through a non-traditional approach to a project or expressing novel concepts that everyone might not immediately accept.

But why is this so crucial? Creativity thrives on originality and innovation, which inherently involve stepping beyond comfort zones. In both personal and professional realms, taking creative risks drives progress and can lead to significant breakthroughs. When we always play it safe, we limit our potential for discovery; there’s little room left for serendipitous finds or extraordinary success.

Industries evolve rapidly due to those who dare greatly. If we’re willing to challenge norms, we can pave the way for advancements others hadn’t imagined possible. 

Engaging in creative risk also allows us to grow by learning from new experiences and even failures. This process enriches our skill sets and boosts self-confidence because each attempt teaches us more about what works—and what doesn’t—fostering resilience.

Basically, without some level of creative risk-taking, growth stagnates. Ideas recycle instead of renewing themselves. Creative risks push boundaries that result in not just different but potentially better outcomes, making them essential ingredients in any recipe for sustained personal development or professional excellence.

What are the benefits of taking creative risks?

Embracing creativity and taking risks brings many benefits that can transform our personal lives and professional careers. Let’s unpack some of the key advantages.

• Expands comfort zones: Engaging in creative risks broadens your comfort zone. A study by Psychology Today found that people willing to take creative risks were more likely to believe in their creative ability, engage in creative activities, and achieve more creatively.
• Fosters innovation: Risk-taking is the fuel for innovation. When we step out with bold, original ideas, we set the stage for breakthroughs that could redefine an industry or start a new trend. 
• Breaks social barriers: Social risk-taking and creativity go hand-in-hand. According to researcher and author Todd Dewett, “To be creative…is to take a risk that your ideas will be critically evaluated.” Research supporting his statement shows social risk-taking is one of the strongest predictors of creative personality and ideation abilities.
• Enhances problem-solving skills: Creative risk encourages us to think differently about challenges, leading to unique solutions others might not have considered. A study by PLOS ONE revealed that creative people are energized by challenging and risky problems, reinforcing the link between creativity and risk-taking.
• Builds resilience: With every creative leap comes the possibility of failure—and invaluable lessons learned in bouncing back stronger than before. Exploring the connection between creativity and risk is crucial in overcoming mental blocks, biases, and fears that might limit creativity.
• Sharpens your competitive edge: In career terms, those known for innovative thinking stand out from peers and may be more likely to land opportunities for advancement or leadership roles.
• Drives personal growth: On a personal level, taking creative risks contributes significantly to self-discovery by revealing hidden strengths and talents you might not have realized you possessed. When you explore creative risks, you develop a newfound sense of adaptability and confidence as a creative.

By stepping into unknown waters with your creativity, you open yourself up to experiences that enrich your work and who you are as an individual—ultimately propelling you forward on multiple fronts.

15 strategies that enable creative risk-taking

As we delve into the heart of creative risk-taking, let’s consider some practical strategies that help promote a culture of innovation and boldness. We’ve designed these actionable strategies to encourage you to embrace risk-taking as an integral part of your creative journey.

1. Understand that creative risk-taking is essential for growth

Recognizing the importance of creative risk-taking is the first crucial step. It’s about acknowledging that you may limit personal and professional growth without it. This understanding helps build a mindset where you’re more open to experimenting and less fearful of potential failure. 

Embrace the idea that each risk presents an opportunity for learning and evolving. By internalizing this concept, you’ll find yourself more willing to entertain ideas outside your comfort zone, laying a solid foundation for innovation and progress.

2. Recognize your current creative comfort zone

To grow creatively, first, identify where you’re playing it safe. Take a moment to reflect on your recent projects. Which ones felt easy or routine? Those are likely within your comfort zone. Now, think about what lies just beyond that. What have you avoided due to uncertainty?

Try this exercise: List activities or ideas that make you slightly uncomfortable because they’re new or different. Aim to tackle one of these each week (or each day or month, depending on how grand they are). 

This practice gradually stretches your creative boundaries, helping dismantle those invisible walls built by repetition and caution. As TED speaker Dr. Kris Alexander highlights, embrace the idea that “having fun…as you break out of your comfort zone is the ultimate reward one can give.”

3. Identify fears that hinder your creative risk-taking

Understanding the fears that block your creative risks is a powerful strategy. Are you afraid of failure, criticism, or the unknown? Pinpoint these common deterrents by journaling about times when fear held you back.

As you journal, create a fear list with specific worries about your creative endeavors. Next to each fear, write down a counteraction: What’s one thing you can do to face this fear head-on? Mapping out strategies against these anxieties turns abstract fears into manageable obstacles.

4. Shift from a fear-based to a growth-oriented mindset

In her New York Times bestseller Big Magic, author Elizabeth Gilbert says, “Your fear will always be triggered by your creativity because creativity asks you to enter into realms of uncertain outcome, and fear hates uncertain outcome.” 

Moving away from fear requires rewiring your thought patterns. Start by recognizing thoughts that stem from fear and deliberately choose to see them as growth opportunities instead.

Try taking a mindfulness approach to rewire these patterns. When you catch yourself hesitating out of fear, pause and ask, “What can I learn or gain from this experience?” 

Replace each fearful thought with an affirmative one focused on potential growth outcomes. This conscious shift in perspective gradually builds a more adventurous, creative mindset ready for risk-taking.

5. Build confidence with low-stakes creative risks

Beginning with minor risks can significantly bolster your confidence. Look for opportunities where the stakes aren’t too high but still push you out of your routine and comfort zone.

Here’s a tip: Commit to a small creative project outside your usual scope. For instance, try writing a short poem or sketching something abstract if you’re more photography-oriented. Or, if creative writing is more of your domain, try exploring the world of visual arts through illustrating, painting, or making photos.

By setting and achieving these mini goals, you’ll see that the fallout from mistakes is often less dire than imagined, encouraging bolder steps in the future.

6. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity

Viewing failure as part of the creative process is transformative. It’s not a setback; it’s rich with lessons that pave the way for growth. Take it from the iconic American writer Dale Carnegie, who said, “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”

Each time an effort doesn’t pan out, instead of dwelling on disappointment, make it routine to jot down three things you learned from the experience. This practice shifts focus from defeat to development, reinforcing that every misstep is progress in disguise.

7. Acknowledge your accomplishments

Regularly recognizing your creative wins can significantly enhance self-confidence. It’s about giving yourself credit where it’s due, which fuels further creativity. 

Keeping a record of your achievements, like a creative portfolio or a journal, and regularly reviewing it can help reinforce a positive mindset and boost self-esteem. 

Whenever you complete a project or receive positive feedback, add it to the list. Reviewing your accomplishments when doubt creeps in is a tangible reminder of your capabilities and successes, providing an instant confidence booster. It’s the perfect way to end nagging imposter syndrome.

8. Set creative goals that involve taking risks

Purposefully setting goals that challenge your creative limits can inspire growth. It’s about aiming for objectives that are a stretch but still attainable.

Here’s how to put it into practice: Define clear, measurable goals with an element of risk. For example, if you’re a writer, commit to submitting an article to a prestigious magazine or writing in a genre outside your comfort zone. 

And if you’re a photographer, set out to assemble your work into a published photo book. It doesn’t have to be something you sell, but a project you can commit to that pushes the creative boundaries in your craft.

As you work towards these targets, even partial successes are progress because they require pushing past usual boundaries. By merely getting started, you’ll have built momentum to break through preconceived limitations and comfort zones.

9. Seek feedback and support

Engaging with your community can provide new perspectives and encouragement. Collaboration and input from others are invaluable for growth.

“There is simply no better way to jump-start your creativity than to collaborate,” according to thought leadership strategist Melissa Cohen. “You can join a community, a group, or a project that involves collaboration, feedback, or co-creation. You can also seek mentors, coaches, or peers who can challenge you, support you, or inspire you.”

Try joining a group or finding a mentor in your creative field of interest. Present your ideas and be open to feedback. Also, offer your insights on their projects. This exchange can inspire fresh angles you hadn’t considered and reinforce the collaborative nature of creativity.

10. Try improvisation exercises

Improvisation is all about instinctual response rather than calculated moves. It’s a potent practice for thinking on your feet creatively.

Here’s how: Engage in improvisational activities related to your field. If you’re a writer, try stream-of-consciousness writing. If you’re an artist, draw with continuous lines without lifting the pencil.  

Also, infuse flexibility into your routine by designating times for free exploration without specific goals. This scheduled spontaneity creates opportunities for serendipitous discovery and reinforces an atmosphere where taking chances is not just accepted but expected.

These exercises encourage intuitive decision-making rather than relying solely on logic-based planning, which can be powerful in learning to be more creative. 

11. Overcome perfectionism with acceptance

Perfection can be an enemy of creativity. Accept that imperfections are inevitable and valuable as part of the creative journey.

If you’re a perfectionist by nature, consider your perfectionism’s impact on your productivity and well-being and recognize the opportunity cost or toll it’s taking. Assess whether striving for perfection in every detail is a productive use of your time and energy.

Here’s a practical exercise worth trying: Set a timer for your creative sessions, and don’t stop to revise or edit your work until it goes off. When the timer expires, stop where you are and share your imperfect work with peers or mentors. 

This exercise helps you get comfortable showing works-in-progress and understand that they’re just steps along the way, not final destinations.

12. Develop comfort with uncertainty

The creative process can be messy, and embracing uncertainty and chaos is necessary to unlock creative potential. It involves being willing to take risks without knowing the outcome and being open to the possibility of growth and transformation.

Uncertainty and ambiguity are essential principles in design and permanent parts of innovation. So, tolerating them is crucial for leveraging them as a source of inspiration and creativity.

Try this exercise: Start a small project without a clear end goal. Let it evolve organically, making decisions based on what feels right in the moment. This practice not only builds comfort with ambiguity but also encourages instinctive creativity.

13. Take bold creative leaps

Diving into the unknown can lead to innovation. But don’t overthink, just leap.

Take inspiration from artist and creative entrepreneur Jenna Rainey, who states you must “push your creative boundaries and challenge your own assumptions.” Experimenting with new ideas, styles, or approaches and venturing beyond the familiar can lead to unique insights and a richer understanding of your capabilities.

Identify one project or idea that feels exciting yet intimidating and commit to it publicly. This could be through social media or a professional network. Making your intentions known adds a layer of accountability that might push you to follow through.

14. Establish a supportive creative environment

Your environment can significantly influence your willingness to take creative risks. Cultivating a space that resonates with encouragement and openness is key.

Assemble a creative board of friends or colleagues who champion bold ideas. Regularly meet to share concepts and provide constructive feedback. 

Make your day-to-day environment more conducive to creativity, too. Personalize your physical workspace with items symbolizing courage, like artwork by artists you admire or mementos from past projects that pushed your boundaries.

15. Embrace continuous evolution

Accepting that your creative process will perpetually evolve prevents stagnation and promotes lifelong learning. Making art is all about appreciating each phase of growth.

Try keeping an evolution diary or journal where you record what you create and how your methods and ideas change over time. This content can include new inspirations, shifts in perspective, or even different emotional responses to the act of creating itself.

Go deeper by setting aside regular intervals—perhaps at the end of each project or quarterly—for self-assessment sessions. Reflect on recent work and ask yourself questions like “How have my creative challenges shifted?” or “What risks have I taken recently?” 

These reflections help solidify the understanding that creativity isn’t static. It’s an ever-unfolding adventure with twists and turns that should be embraced rather than feared.

Exercise flexibility as a creative risk-taker

In the dance of creativity, mindset takes the lead in embracing risk. Shifting from a place where fear dictates your steps to one where growth choreographs your moves can be transformative. This change in outlook empowers us to approach creative risks as opportunities rather than threats.

Self-reflection and self-awareness are pivotal tools in this transition. They help us map out our current creative confines and light the path beyond them, urging us to step up and leap forward into new territories with confidence.

Remember, creativity isn’t confined within the walls of art studios or writers’ desks. It’s a universal language spoken across all walks of life. By applying these principles broadly, we reveal infinite possibilities for innovation and personal fulfillment as naturally creative beings.

***

Blurb is a self-publishing platform designed for creatives, by creatives. Offering a complete arsenal of professional bookmaking tools, Blurb enables you to push your creative boundaries and create, print, and sell premium-quality photo books, magazines, novels, and more. By providing these tools and resources, Blurb aims to empower you to share your work and produce professional quality books with complete creative control. Sign up to get started.

The post How to take creative risks and get comfortable doing it appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Share some of your bookmaking woes with us, and you might just win a $125 gift card to make your next book!

Here’s how to enter:

• Follow us @BlurbBooks on Instagram or like our page @blurbbooks on Facebook.
• Like our post about this giveaway on Instagram or Facebook.
• Comment with a challenge you have encountered in the bookmaking process and use the hashtags #BlurbBooks and #Contest.

We’ll select a winner the following week!

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Blurb’s Bookmaking Challenges Giveaway (“Promotion”) is sponsored by RPI Print, Inc., (“Sponsor”), 116th Street Suite 161, Tukwila, Washington 98168.

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It has been several weeks since the Blurb team returned from Paris Photo, an international art fair drawing nearly 200 galleries and publishers to the City of Light, but the event is still fresh in my mind. 

This event is essential for anyone enamored with photographs or photography books. With extensive programming and tens of thousands of attendees, Paris Photo is an immersive experience in high-end, fine art photography and book publishing. In addition, other events like Polycopies and Offprint, running concurrent to Paris Photo, offer a wide range of independent, experimental titles and book signings. In short, there is something for everyone. 

Although I spent hours in the gallery portion of the shows, my heart and mind focused primarily on what was happening in the photobook section of the fairs. Not only was there an entire building set aside for book lovers and an entire barge in the case of Polycopies, but there were also over three hundred book signings by some of the industry’s best. Each day, I was able to walk the shows while conversing with some of my heroes. 

Trends from Paris Photo

Each year, certain trends emerge from shows like Paris Photo. This applies to the style of photographs made and to the style of books published. Here are my impressions and what they mean for photography and books in 2024.

Digestible print sizes 

One welcome photography trend was the move away from massive prints. Ten years ago, it was not uncommon to see wall-sized prints that required the viewer to back up across the venue to consume the entire photograph. At the time, the print technology was new, so prints like this held an appeal based only on their oversized dimensions. 

Today, thankfully, we are back to more digestible print sizes. Smaller print sizes are more likely to find space on a collector’s already crowded walls, and smaller prints are less costly to produce—yet might still demand stiff prices. 

Trending material choices

When it comes to book trends, there were many. The first trend I noticed was consistency in material choice. Many books utilized linen covers, foil stamping, embossing, debossing, inlay photographs, and specialized endsheets. 

There was also a serious focus on more environmentally conscious printing via things like recycled paper and soy-based inks. 

Using materials that printers are already very familiar with adds to the likelihood a photographer will get the book they want while managing to keep their publishing team happy. Many of these materials and customizations are truly beautiful options, one reason why they are so popular. We’ll likely see more of the same in the coming year, so if printing a book is in your future, you’ll want to take note.

Smaller print runs

Another trend I noticed was the size of print runs continues to decline. A decade ago, a print run might be in the 1,500 to 3,000 copy range, while many of the books from this year’s event were printed in the 500 to 750 book range. 

Why is this important? Photography books are difficult to sell, always have been, so having a smaller run allows you to sell through your books much quicker and move on with your life. Smaller runs also allow you to get back in the field to make new work. 

Experimental books

I also witnessed an explosion in the atypical, experimental, zine-like books on display, especially at events like Offprint. From handmade publications to limited-run, lo-fi magazines and catalogs, nearly every kind of publication imaginable was for purchase. Many of these publications utilize matte materials on both the cover and inside pages. 

Zines are the most egalitarian of all illustrated book options. A zine can be handmade or printed at the local copy machine. Zines are approachable, non-precious, and the perfect gateway towards making more traditional-style publications later in a career. 

Getting started with your own zine can take as little as a few sheets of paper and a glue stick. Just start assembling your work, fold it over, add a staple or two, and have yourself a zine. 

What to expect in 2024

Some say that photography is a story best told in book form, and as a photographer and book lover, I could not agree more. The future of the photobook is democratic. An artist no longer has to be chosen by a traditional gatekeeper.  

I believe self-publishing will continue to thrive as more and more artists move to retain control over their work and legacy while operating on a timeline more favorable to their lifestyle. I also believe print runs will continue to decline in size, which allows the artist to sell through a run in much less time, thus allowing them to return to the field or studio. 

If you have not yet been to Paris Photo and photography is your passion, I can’t recommend it enough. You will see things you love and might not, but the education and motivation this event provides are undeniable. 

The post Paris Photo 2023 appeared first on Blurb Blog.

I’ve been hearing this question quite frequently over the past few days after making a post about my latest Blurb journal creation, a 120-page, softcover notebook filled with imagery and artwork from a trip to Albania. I made this journal for myself, as I do with all my journals, never thinking it would have any appeal to a wider audience. But after fielding this question again and again, I’m beginning to wonder. 

I’ve been a journal keeper since childhood but recommitted to daily journaling in 1993 after finding a book about Peter Beard in the Phoenix public library. Until that day, I had never heard of Peter Beard, nor did I know about his skill as a diary maker. I opened The Adventures and Misadventures of Peter Beard in Africa, and my view of the world and the importance of journaling crystallized. 

Beard was one of the most fantastical journal keepers the world has ever seen, and his notebooks are detailed recordings balanced with incredible artwork. My books are simpler and based around the written word with additional artwork added in during the Blurb design process and after the fact, once I’ve received the book. I add to my journals with pen, ink, acrylic, tape, and other art supplies. 

Journal as gateway into bookmaking

I often describe journals as the gateway product for future bookmaking. Many of us place a high level of importance on our books. Consequently, we can also get bogged down or distracted by the idea of making the perfect book. 

After 30 years of being around photography books, I’m not sure I found a perfect one yet, but the bogging down part, yes, I’ve seen that plenty of times. 

The journal doesn’t have to be perfect because the journal, most of the time, is made for one person and one person only. This means that whatever happens in that book stays in that book and stays with the person who designed it. 

Make mistakes, try new things, experiment, and take huge bookmaking risks all without the possibility of being exposed as an imperfect bookmaker. Do this enough times and you begin to realize the enormous benefit of making notebooks and journals. 

The rules of journal-making

When it comes to my journals and notebooks, there is only one rule: There are no rules. 

Whatever is placed on those pages is subject to my glue, ink, paint, or scissors. Nothing is sacred, not even my beloved photography. If an image has a dark area, then that area is perfect for the white gel pen. If an image is complex, I can outline all the edges of shapes and subjects within the frame. And there are plenty of blank pages for whatever thoughts I have percolating around in my head. (Like why I’m obsessed with the Toyota Yaris?) 

How to make one 

If you haven’t yet made your first Blurb journal, you will find them under notebooks and journals on the site. If you’re already in BookWright, they have their own tab there too. 

A huge bonus of creating a notebook or journal is that there is only a single paper choice, so in essence, there is no choice. One less chance to get bogged down. 

And the cover, for me, is softcover all the way—which keeps the price down. 

Finally, I’m a fan of making journals of at least one hundred pages. This page count makes the journal feel more significant but also assures I’ll be carrying it and working on it for months at a time. If I get through four of these notebooks in a year, I feel like I’ve been journaling the way I need to be journaling. 

Journals are fun, and they are personal. There is no judgment, no pressure and they are impossible to get wrong. Not many things in life fall under this description, so take the time to enjoy the process and the opportunity to make something so close to home, even if the work inside comes from the other side of the planet.  

***

Dan Milnor is a professional photographer and Blurb’s creative evangelist. He helps us all feel free to make books. And he consistently impresses us with his journals—even if he frustrates us by not selling them!

Ready to make one? Join us at Blurb.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: Creative Journals appeared first on Blurb Blog.

The reality is creativity ebbs and flows. It’s not a fixed trait but a skill that you can hone. The pursuit of how to be more creative hinges on our mindset, environment, and how we approach creativity as a process.

Like Sir Ken Robinson, thought leaders in this space advocate that creativity is more than just having original ideas. It’s a process of bringing something valuable into existence. This process-oriented view suggests that creativity is competence one practices through problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to view things from different perspectives.

With this in mind, let’s explore how to become more creative and experiment with various ways to boost your creativity.

Habits and mindset for boosting creativity

Creativity isn’t just about having sudden sparks of genius. It’s a lifestyle you can cultivate with the right habits and mindset. Here are several key habits and mindsets that contribute to boosting creativity.

1. Embrace curiosity and wonder

Curiosity is like rocket fuel for creativity. We light up our creative spark by asking questions, seeking out new experiences, and looking at things from unique angles. Curiosity leads to exploration and experimentation, which are essential for creative breakthroughs. Cultivating a habit of asking “What if?” or “Why not?” can lead us down roads less traveled to discover innovative ideas and fresh perspectives.

So, how do you embrace curiosity and wonder? It’s essential to incorporate specific practices into your daily life. For starters, set aside time for daydreaming, allowing your mind to wander freely and explore new ideas without constraints. While it may seem counterproductive, research shows that daydreaming can help you better engage with meaningful long-term pursuits, significantly boosting creativity.

Along the same lines, one technique worth trying is to embark on “silent walks,” leaving your phone behind and simply following where your feet and thoughts take you. 

Engaging in a new medium or hobby you’ve never tried before can also ignite your creativity. Whether picking up a musical instrument, trying your hand at painting, or experimenting with a new cooking recipe, these activities stimulate your brain and inspire fresh perspectives.

2. Maintain a growth mindset

Psychologist Carol Dweck introduced this concept. It’s about growing our abilities and intelligence with hard work and persistence. This thinking pushes us to take risks, bounce back when things get tough, and keep learning—making it vital to boosting creativity.

Based on Dweck’s principles, several practical ways to develop a growth mindset exist. They’re easier said than done, but remember, it’s about developing a mindset, not a checklist of to-do’s.

• Recognize fixed mindset traps: Acknowledge the existence of a “fixed mindset” and become aware of how it manifests itself. Intentionally shift your perspective when faced with challenges or setbacks.
• Embrace challenges: See challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Embrace the chance to develop new skills and knowledge.
• Don’t fear failure: View failure as a learning experience and an opportunity to improve. Embrace lessons that come from setbacks.
• Value effort and persistence: Understand the importance of sustained effort and perseverance in achieving goals. You can hone your intelligence and ability through dedication and hard work.

It’s also helpful to seek feedback as a tool for growth and improvement and understand that imperfection is a part of the learning process and growth.

3. Keep a creativity journal

Have you ever had an idea flash through your mind, only to disappear moments later? Keeping a journal handy helps catch those fleeting thoughts. It’s also great for doodling or jotting down random musings without fear of judgment because who knows what connections might emerge.

In addition to capturing creative ideas and reflecting on your creative process, journaling provides a space to declutter thoughts, silence the inner critic, and listen to one’s voice, hopes, and needs, thereby maximizing creativity. It’s no secret why great minds like Albert Einstein, Frida Kahlo, Mark Twain, and Leonardo da Vinci used journaling as a conduit to enhance their creativity.

4. Practice mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a proven practice that increases focus and clarity, crucial elements in being more creative. Research suggests that regular practice can help clear mental clutter, which lets inspiration shine through, making it easier to access creative states.

But, there are a lot of techniques, and research suggests that certain types of meditation can be beneficial for stimulating creativity. 

Open-monitoring meditation is one powerful technique that involves observing and noting phenomena in the present moment and keeping attention flexible and unrestricted. It can be as simple as closing your eyes and letting thoughts pass through the mind. Open-monitoring meditation effectively stimulates divergent thinking, a key driver of creativity.

Mindfulness meditation also enhances creativity and innovation, with only 10 to 12 minutes being enough to experience benefits. While you can do it by sitting quietly, relaxing your mind and body, and listening to your breath, you can also incorporate mindfulness into your daily life by being more intentional and aware of your actions.

5. Seek inspiration from diverse sources

Creativity thrives on diversity. Soaking up different cultures or art forms or engaging with people outside your usual circle provides new perspectives that could trigger a richer pool of ideas and inspiration.

Immerse yourself in experiences you might not typically pursue, like attending cultural events or festivals outside your comfort zone and exposing yourself to new traditions and ideas. Visit niche museums or galleries dedicated to art forms you’re less familiar with, where you can explore unique and thought-provoking exhibits. Expand your reading list to include books from authors of different nationalities or backgrounds, offering fresh perspectives and insights. 

Make an effort to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and professions through networking events, workshops, or online communities. By diversifying your sources of inspiration and embracing novel forms of stimulus, you’ll fuel your creative reservoir with a broader spectrum of ideas and perspectives.

Fostering creativity through your surrounding environment

The spaces we hang out in tremendously impact our creative capacity. Let’s dive into how to tweak your environment to make it a hotbed for creativity.

6. Design an inspiring workspace

You don’t need a fancy studio to spark inspiration! A cozy corner decked out with comfy furniture and colors that tickle your senses can do the trick, too. What matters is creating a space where ideas feel welcomed and loved.

7. Clean up your physical space

Have you ever heard the saying “messy room, messy mind”? Clearing up clutter not only makes your workspace look good but also helps streamline thoughts. Plus, knowing where everything is saves time (and sanity).

8. Fill your surroundings with artistic vibes

There’s nothing like being surrounded by art or objects that stoke creativity, be it paintings, poems, or photo books. They serve as visual prompts for new ideas and keep motivation levels high.

9. Switch things up regularly

Often, familiarity breeds boredom, so shake things up now and then! Rearrange your workspace or try working from different places like cafes or parks occasionally, as they offer fresh stimuli that might just lead to remarkable new concepts.

10. Take nature walks to boost inspiration

Mother Nature is incredibly inspiring when you immerse yourself in it. Regular walks outdoors clear mental cobwebs and fuel creativity thanks to all those sensory experiences waiting outside our doorsteps.

A study by Stanford researchers found that walking boosts creative inspiration, with creative output increasing by an average of 60 percent. Further research shows that exposure to nature is associated with lower stress, better mood, improved attention, increased empathy and cooperation, and a reduced risk of mental health problems. 

11. Immerse yourself in cultural activities

Stepping outside the familiar often sparks innovation. Museums, galleries, and cultural events are perfect platforms for this. Exploring diverse perspectives through these mediums offers food for thought beyond normal boundaries. Making minor adjustments to your routines and activities can significantly impact your creative thinking and receptivity to great ideas.

Creative practices to expand your horizons

Fostering creativity is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and stimulating your imagination. Here are some activities to help unlock new artistic avenues.

12. Dive into new hobbies

Do you have a musical instrument collecting dust? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to try pottery? New hobbies bring fresh perceptions and experiences, which can be fantastic fodder for creative inspiration.

13. Try different artistic mediums

If you’re an artist or writer, don’t box yourself into one creative outlet. Painters might love the world of digital art. Writers could find joy in poetry or scriptwriting. Experimenting with different styles helps grow your skills and uncover new ways to express yourself.

Feel free to step outside your creative comfort zone and try an entirely foreign artistic medium. If you’re a writer, consider trying your hand at illustration or visual arts, even if you think you’re not particularly skilled. If you’re photography, try writing creative descriptions of the shots you take. While it might not come naturally, allowing yourself to be “bad” at something new can be surprisingly liberating. It frees you from the constraints of perfectionism and opens up the possibility of unconventional thinking. 

14. Hone your brainstorming skills

Techniques like mind mapping (more on this below) or SCAMPER are great tools for enhancing creative thinking. They push us to look at things from various angles, exercising our creative problem-solving skills 

SCAMPER is an acronym that stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. Each letter in the acronym represents a different approach to exploring new concepts during brainstorming. It’s a powerful tool for enhancing creative thinking because it encourages you to approach problems and ideas from multiple angles. 

For instance, you might ‘substitute’ one element of your project with something entirely different or ‘reverse’ the usual order of things to generate fresh insights. These techniques open the door to innovative solutions and help break through creative blocks. Hello, innovative solutions!

15. Team up with other creatives

Collaborating with other creatives can ignite a wildfire of ideas! Working together brings diverse viewpoints into the mix, resulting in more unique creations. Finding like-minded individuals can be as simple as joining creative communities and forums online, attending local art or writing workshops, or participating in networking events and conferences related to your field. 

Once you’ve connected with fellow creatives, consider hosting collaborative brainstorming sessions or working on joint projects. For writers, this could mean co-authoring a story or organizing a writing group. Visual artists might engage in collaborative exhibitions or art-sharing initiatives. Teaming up with other creatives helps you tap into a wealth of diverse perspectives, which can supercharge your creative endeavors.

16. Attend workshops and classes

Workshops offer structured environments where learning happens through doing—plus, they’re awesome places to meet fellow creators and expand your network. On a local level, explore community centers, art galleries, or libraries, which often host workshops on a range of creative topics. Many universities and colleges also offer continuing education courses that cater to creative pursuits.

Additionally, check out online platforms like Meetup, Eventbrite, or even social media groups related to your creative interests to find events and classes in your area. Reputable online courses and platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare provide a wide array of classes and workshops focused on specific creative disciplines. These structured environments enhance your skills and provide excellent networking opportunities to connect with fellow creators.

17. Join creative challenges or contests

Creativity often flourishes in the face of challenges and limitations. Participating in challenges forces us outside our usual parameters, leading to unexpected yet amazing results.

There are numerous platforms and organizations that regularly host such events. Visual artists can explore challenges like Inktober, where artists create ink drawings throughout October. If you’re interested in photography, consider joining the 365 Project, where you take a photo every day for a year. For writers, check out opportunities like the Writer’s Digest Short Story Competition and the Inkitt Novel Writing Contest.

These challenges provide structured guidelines and deadlines, pushing you to think outside your comfort zone and generate innovative ideas. You can find many more creative challenges and contests by browsing online communities, forums, or social media groups dedicated to your creative niche.

18. Seek regular feedback

Receiving regular feedback from peers, mentors, or colleagues is vital to any creative journey. Constructive criticism and insights from others can provide valuable perspectives that help you grow and refine your work. Just don’t take feedback personally. Instead, view setbacks and creative missteps as opportunities to learn and improve.

In the same vein, learning to embrace failure as a natural part of the creative process, understanding that it’s a stepping stone toward success. By actively seeking feedback and learning from your triumphs and challenges, you’ll continuously evolve and become more resilient in the face of creative risks.

Mind and brain exercises to sharpen your creative thinking

Think of your brain as a muscle— the more you exercise it, the stronger and more creative it becomes. Let’s dive into some workouts for that creativity muscle.

19. Play puzzles and brain-training games

Who said training can’t be fun? Crosswords, Sudoku, and logic puzzles are great ways to flex those cognitive muscles while having an enjoyable time in the process. Regular puzzle-solving keeps your mind sharp and primed for creative thinking.

20. Engage in mindful observation

While a seemingly simple practice, mindful observation can enhance your creative thinking. All it takes is a few minutes each day to carefully observe your surroundings or a simple object. Pay attention to the details you might usually overlook. Notice the textures, colors, and shapes. By training your mind to be present and observant, you’ll develop a keen eye for detail and find inspiration in the ordinary, which can be a wellspring of creativity.

21. Practice lateral thinking

Lateral thinking is all about approaching problems from fresh angles. Try challenging yourself with exercises like finding multiple solutions to a problem or reversing assumptions. But lateral thinking isn’t just about problem-solving. It’s a powerful tool for enhancing creativity in your artistic practice. Consider these creative applications.

• Explore multiple angles: Try depicting your subject from various perspectives when creating art. Paint it from above, below, or through a character’s eyes. This approach can yield unique compositions.
• Reverse assumptions: In writing, flip assumptions about characters or plots. Make the hero the villain or change expected endings. This adds fresh and surprising elements.
• Generate diverse solutions: When stuck, brainstorm multiple problem-solving ideas. In design, consider unconventional approaches. Lateral thinking encourages innovative ideas and experimentation in your creative process.

By incorporating lateral thinking into your creative practice, you’ll explore new horizons, question assumptions, and embrace fresh ideas that can elevate your work to new heights. Who knows what innovative answers might come out?

22. Try free-writing exercises

Have you ever tried writing without worrying about grammar or making sense? It sounds strange, but this kind of free writing bulldozes mental blocks, allowing an unfiltered flow of ideas. Here’s a practical approach to try.

• Set a timer: Dedicate a specific amount of time, such as 10-15 minutes, for your free-writing session. Setting a timer creates a sense of urgency and keeps you focused.
• Go analog: Opt for pen and paper rather than a computer. This tactile experience can help you stay in the flow without the distractions of editing.
• Don’t stop or go back: The key to free writing is to keep your pen moving or your fingers typing without pausing to correct grammar or punctuation. Write whatever comes to mind, even if it doesn’t make sense.
• Embrace chaos: Allow your thoughts to flow freely, even if they seem disjointed or nonsensical. It’s in this chaos that unexpected and creative ideas often emerge.

By incorporating these practices into your free-writing sessions, you can tap into a wellspring of unfiltered ideas that may evolve into meaningful projects.

23. Use mind mapping to organize ideas

Mind maps visually structure thoughts, helping to make connections between unrelated concepts. These templates are perfect for brainstorming sessions when you need many creative ideas fast!

Mind mapping involves creating a visual representation of your thoughts and ideas. You begin with a central concept or theme, often represented by a central image or word, and then branch out nonlinearly with related concepts, keywords, or phrases. It’s a flexible and dynamic way to capture and explore ideas.

Let’s say you’re working on a project for a new children’s book. Start with the central idea (say The Fearless Voyagers) at the center of your page. From there, branch out with major plot points, character development, setting descriptions, and themes or motifs. This way, you can easily visualize the structure of your novel and pinpoint areas that need more development.

Here’s another example. Imagine you’re brainstorming ideas for a new marketing campaign. You create a mind map with the campaign itself at the center. Branches extend to target audience, channels, and messaging. Under channels, you can further branch into social media, email, and search engines. Each can then branch into specific tactics or ideas, creating a visual representation of your campaign strategy. Further branching can help you break down each category into manageable tasks.

24. Try the Six Thinking Hats technique

The Six Thinking Hats, developed by Edward de Bono, is a technique for looking at decisions from multiple perspectives. Each hat represents a different direction of thinking (emotions, facts, creativity, and more). Let’s look at two of these hats to understand how they work.

• The White Hat (facts and information): With the white hat, focus on gathering objective data and facts related to the issue. Ask questions like, “What are the key facts?” This hat helps you make decisions based on concrete information, such as researching the target audience for a new coffee table book.
• The Red Hat (emotions and intuition): Switch to the red hat to explore your emotional response to the decision or problem. Ask, “How does this feel?” This hat encourages you to consider your instincts and emotions, such as assessing how the audience is likely to react to your photography.

Using these hats, you can approach challenges from different angles, leading to more creative ideas and well-rounded solutions. 

Techniques for creative professionals

Staying creative and productive is a must for us creatives. Here are some strategies to keep the idea mill churning.

25. Team brainstorming sessions

Brainstorming with your team can serve up a volley of ideas. Remember, no ideas are too wild. This collaborative vibe often leads to unexpected but brilliant solutions. Here are a few effective brainstorming techniques to try out next time you meet with your team.

• Brainwriting: Each person writes down three ideas related to the topic and then passes them to the person next to them, who builds upon them. 
• Rapid ideation: Quickly generate a large number of ideas in a short amount of time without discussion or analysis.
• Starbursting: Focus the discussion on a relevant problem or goal and have everyone jot down questions about it.

These techniques can help unlock creativity, encourage team participation, generate many ideas, and benefit brainstorming sessions.

26. Try design thinking principles

Design thinking focuses on empathy, ideation, and experimentation. This approach helps understand user needs better while brainstorming out-of-the-box solutions, leading to innovative designs that hit the mark. To get started, follow these key steps.

• Empathize: Begin by deeply understanding your users’ or audience’s needs and perspectives. Conduct interviews, surveys, or observations to gather insights into their experiences and pain points.
• Define: Define the specific problem you aim to address based on the insights gained during the empathy phase. Clearly articulate the challenge you’re trying to solve.
• Ideate: Engage in brainstorming sessions to generate a wide range of creative ideas without judgment. Encourage wild, out-of-the-box thinking to explore various solutions.
• Prototype: Create prototypes or mockups of your ideas to test and refine them. This step allows for experimentation and helps visualize potential solutions.
• Test: Gather feedback by testing your prototypes with users. Iterate your designs based on their input, refining your ideas until you reach an innovative solution that effectively meets user needs.

For more in-depth information and resources on design thinking principles, you can explore platforms like the Stanford d.school’s Design Thinking Bootleg or IDEO’s Design Thinking for Educators.

27. Get creative with random word generation

When facing a creative challenge, try this simple yet effective technique: randomly select a word from a source like a dictionary or an online word generator. Then, brainstorm ways to link that word to your problem or idea generation. 

For example, if your creative issue is developing a new advertising campaign, randomly selecting the word “hotdog” may lead you to consider concepts like pastimes, comforts, and conspicuous behaviors, which can spark innovative campaign ideas. While indeed very random, this unusual method helps break away from conventional thought patterns and encourages fresh and unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. 

28. Take yourself on an “artist’s date” 

Inspired by The Artist’s Way, set aside regular time for solo excursions or activities that fuel your creativity. Explore art galleries, visit a botanical garden, take a scenic hike, or simply wander through a new neighborhood. These “artist’s dates” can help you reconnect with your creative essence, discover new sources of inspiration, and break through creative blocks.

29. Cleanse your creative mind with a digital detox

In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the constant influx of information. Consider unplugging for a day or weekend. This digital detox can clear your mind and allow space for new ideas to flourish. 

Use this time to reconnect with the physical world, engage in outdoor activities, or practice mindfulness. You’ll be surprised at how rejuvenated and creatively charged you can feel after a digital break.

30. Experiment with contrasting styles and extremes

Go far beyond conventional boundaries by blending contrasting styles, techniques, or disciplines that seem entirely incompatible. For instance, create a fusion of classical and digital art or weave together polar opposite genres, like comedy and horror, in your writing. These unlikely combinations can lead to truly unique creations.

You can also experiment with extreme time constraints in your creative work. Set short, intense deadlines to force rapid idea generation or embark on long-term projects that evolve and develop over an extended period, allowing ideas to mature and transform gradually.

Play with the capabilities of artificial intelligence and non-human collaborators to inject unpredictability into your creative projects. Explore AI-generated art, music, or writing, or collaborate with technology-driven tools like machine learning algorithms. For instance, the multi-modal AI tools from Runway generate mindblowing outcomes worth dabbling in.

Leveraging technology to evoke creativity

Creativity meets technology, opening a world of exciting possibilities for artists, designers, and writers. Explore how tech can add that extra zing to your creative projects.

31. Learn a new tool

While many creators already have their go-to digital tools, mastering new ones can elevate your work and help you learn new skills. In addition to the tools you’re familiar with, consider exploring these:

• Adobe Creative Suite: A powerful set of design tools consisting of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Scrivener: This comprehensive platform helps writers organize and write projects efficiently.
• Blender: A versatile open-source software tool for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering.
• Hemingway Editor: Clarify and clean up complex sentences, common errors, and readability in your writing.
• BookWright: A free and user-friendly tool simplifying the book layout and design process.

Learning and integrating new tools in your creativity arsenal can sharpen your skill set and unlock fresh creative possibilities.

32. Try AI-powered assistants

AI is changing the way we create. From generating ideas to busting writer’s block, think of it as having an assistant always ready with suggestions. Here are a handful of AI platforms worth trying out.

• DALL-E: This AI model generates images from text descriptions. Creatives can use it to spawn images and graphics based on their unique ideas and concepts.
• Plotagon: This tool uses AI to transform scripts into animated videos. It’s powerful for creators looking to turn their stories into visually engaging content.
• Miro AI: Automatically generate mind maps and seamlessly transform your ideas into diagrams or clusters of information.
• Fontjoy: Generate unique font combinations and mix and match different fonts for the perfect pairings.
• Jasper: An AI platform that offers generative text and visual art tools, enabling you to create stunning supporting imagery and content with just a few lines of text.

Remember, though, AI is here not to replace but to enhance your creativity. 

33. Social media as your muse

Platforms like Instagram or Pinterest are brimming with inspiration. Plus, online communities offer feedback, support, and even collaboration opportunities. So go ahead and explore groups on Facebook or search your interests on TikTok. Think of it as creative exploration, not just time wasted.

34. Start a blog or podcast

Creating a blog or podcast can be a creative project in itself. These mediums offer the opportunity to delve into topics you’re passionate about, interview other creatives, and build a community around your interests.

35. Learn to code for interactive projects

Learning to code can open new creative possibilities. Not only can skills in web development, app development, or even game design allow for the creation of new projects, but coding can add a new dimension to your existing creative work, such as creating a photography portfolio website, an interactive interior design experience, or simply marketing your work online.

36. Explore VR and AR as new canvases

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are pushing the boundaries of how we experience and interact with art. They offer immersive environments where you can create and explore in three dimensions. For artists and designers, this means a whole new canvas for experimentation. It can provide writers with new ways to tell stories and engage audiences.

To explore VR and AR as a creator, start by researching these technologies and get suitable hardware for exploration. This could be as simple as a tablet, gaming computer, or laptop, or as elaborate as VR headsets, AR glasses, or motion controllers. 

Depending on your hardware and aspirations, you can choose from different development platforms like Unity or Apple’s ARKit. Start with small projects to build your skills. If things start to blossom, you can take your VR/AR interests further by engaging with online communities for support, collaborating with more experienced creators, and staying current with the latest advancements.

Prompts and practices for cultivating daily creative habits

Integrating daily practices and challenges is essential to foster continuous growth and innovation in any creative field. Here are some exercises and prompts that’ll push creative boundaries and keep your creative juices flowing.

37. Take on 30-day creative challenges

How about creating something new every day for a month? Photographers could try snapping unique photos daily, while designers might whip up logos in various styles.  Here are a few examples based on different creative disciplines.

• National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo): A challenge for writers to pen a complete novel in November. But who says you can’t create your version any time of the year?
• The 30-Day Photo Challenge: This challenge provides a variety of daily photography tasks, including self-portrait, rule of thirds, black & white, texture, high angle, low angle, and architecture, aiming to boost creativity and skills.
• 30-Day Reel Challenge: Specifically for Instagram, this challenge focuses on creating daily video reels using prompts to help creators explore and utilize Instagram’s reel feature.

With these challenges, it’s not about building an impressive portfolio but about stepping outside your comfort zone by forcing yourself to create something, even if it’s far from perfect.

38. Add downtime to your day

Incorporate moments of downtime into your daily routine. Think of it as taking creative breaks to let your mind wander freely without specific goals or distractions. 

Set aside short intervals, even as few as 10 minutes, throughout your day to disconnect from screens and distractions, find a comfortable space, and simply relax. Allow your thoughts to flow without any specific agenda. This practice provides mental space for creative ideas to emerge naturally, leading to unexpected bursts of inspiration.

39. Capture your dreams each morning

Begin your day by capturing your dreams in a dedicated dream journal. Keep this journal by your bedside, along with a pen or pencil. As soon as you wake up, take a few moments to reflect on your dream. You may not remember every detail at first, but you may be surprised by how well your dream recall improves over time.

Jot down sketches, descriptions, or any vivid details you remember. Don’t worry about grammar or coherence. The goal is to record your meaningful details while they’re still fresh after waking up. This daily practice can transform your dreams into tangible creative material, providing a unique source of subconscious inspiration for your creative projects.

40. Set aside ‘curiosity time’

Dedicate a specific time each day to indulge your curiosity and explore new topics. Choose a subject or theme that piques your interest, whether a historical event, a scientific concept, or a cultural phenomenon. 

Set aside 20 minutes to an hour for curiosity research. Utilize books, online resources, documentaries, or podcasts to delve into particular topics that interest you. Take notes, jot down questions, and immerse yourself in the learning. Regularly engaging in this intellectual exploration will expand your knowledge base and uncover fascinating ideas for your creative work.

41. Create with soundscapes

Transform the ambient sounds of your daily life into a creative resource. Throughout the day, use a portable recording device or an app like FieldScaper or AudioShare to capture snippets of ambient noise from your surroundings. Collect sounds from various settings, such as nature, urban environments, or your workplace. 

When working on creative projects, incorporate these sounds to enhance the auditory experience. Blend them into your compositions, audio narratives, or multimedia works to infuse your creations with a sense of place and authenticity. Or just listen back to your recordings while writing, painting, or doing what you do creatively.

42. Commute differently for fresh perspectives

Break the monotony of your daily commute by embracing different routes or modes of transportation. Instead of following your usual path, opt for alternative routes that expose you to new environments, scenery, and perspectives. Experiment with walking, cycling, or public transportation. 

During your commute, pay close attention to the sights, sounds, and details you encounter. Allow this change in routine to refresh your perspective and stimulate your creative thinking. Over time, you’ll gain fresh insights from your daily commutes, which can inspire new ideas for your creative projects.

43. Engage in sensory experiences daily

Hone your creative senses by engaging in sensory experiences daily. Explore different sensory activities like blindfolded taste tests, tactile exploration of textures and materials, or listening to music with closed eyes. 

For a taste test, blindfold yourself and sample various foods, paying close attention to flavors and textures. Or test the waters with tactile exploration, focusing on the sensations of different surfaces or objects. Listening to music with your eyes closed is another simple way to allow yourself to become fully immersed in the auditory experience. 

These practices heighten your sensory awareness, enabling you to tap into different parts of your brain deeply. In turn, you can draw creative inspiration from your heightened senses.

Last word: becoming more creative and making it stick

Boosting your creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about cultivating habits that encourage fresh ideas and innovative thinking. It’s about embracing the new, the unfamiliar, and sometimes, the uncomfortable. 

As you venture through your creative endeavors, remember that each step, each challenge, is an opportunity to expand your horizons and enrich your craft. Stay curious, stay open, and let your creativity unfold uniquely and beautifully.

***

At Blurb, we are all about turning creativity into reality! Our self-publishing platform is tailored for artists and innovators like you who want to convert imaginative ideas into beautiful books. With a range of customizable features, high-quality printing, and easy-to-use bookmaking tools, Blurb lets you craft books, journals, notebooks, and magazines that are not only visually impressive but also deeply reflective of your personal style. Begin your book journey with us today.

The post How to be more creative: 43 ways to boost originality appeared first on Blurb Blog.

We’re so excited to share this interview because Benjamin’s journey exemplifies the possibilities for creatives who want to turn their art into profit. From leveraging her website and newsletter to reach her dedicated audience to battling against social media algorithms, her experiences provide valuable insights for every creator working in today’s digital era.

In addition to her digital presence, she has found a passionate audience through self-publishing unique and beautiful books with Blurb. As you read on, you’ll gain a deeper insight into Benjamin’s creativity, bookmaking process, and vision for the future of self-publishing. Stay tuned for a dose of inspiration and practical advice that could be the catalyst for your own creative journey.

You are the amazing creator behind The Handwriting Club and Shutterbean, your photography and food blog. Tell us about your creative journey to this point.

After a stint in my early 20s managing a recording studio, followed by working in a cubicle under harsh and soul-sucking fluorescent lighting, I felt terrible letting my creativity go to waste. I was trained in graphic design and photography and wanted to continue the momentum I had built in my schooling, which is why I started my blog, Shutterbean, in 2007. I was looking for accountability in my photography and was curious about building a community online. 

My blog became a regular practice of sharing my creative pursuits with photography, food, and art in blog format. It took me about 7 years of working as a bookkeeper while consistently maintaining the blog to turn my creativity into a full-time gig. Here I am at it, 16 years later, with thousands of photos and recipes under my belt. It has been a lot of hard work, but I have found it to be extremely rewarding to look back at what I’ve done and how much I’ve grown in the process.

Why do you believe print and writing by hand is crucial in the Digital Age? 

I will always and forever be a pen-and-paper person (thanks to my mom!). While there is ease and convenience of doing things online, you cannot beat the magic of being able to write something down on paper. Digital devices can be a huge distraction and require things like charging and batteries. As much as I can play around with fonts and graphic design, nothing beats a handwritten note.

Handwriting is full of feeling and personality. All the information about a person is right there, from the pen that was chosen to the paper preference! If you have a pen and an index card, which I stash in every part of my house and car, you have a place to put your thoughts and feelings. 

The best thing is that no alerts pop up when you’re writing things down. It’s an incredible way to be present.

How did the idea for your Currently Workbook annual series come about? 

I’ve shared a monthly recap called Currently beginning in 2016. This monthly column has showcased some of my journal pages, pictures, and writing of what went on each month. It’s been a way for me to self-reflect and make notes of what I was doing every month. 

After my mom died in 2017, I was left with over 30 years of her calendars. She left a trail of magic behind, but there were so many things that I wished I knew about how she spent her time—like what she thought, what she was reading, eating, listening to, reading, and more. 

I spent the first year of my grief planning and designing my Currently Workbook because I wanted to build an offline tool that would help me catalog my months in analog mode. If someone wanted to join in on the self-reflection process, all they needed was a workbook, not a blog. 

I knew that if I made something that was easy and fun, it wouldn’t be that intimidating to do. By sharing my workbook pages with my audience online, it’s held me accountable to do the work. I haven’t missed a month yet! 

What is your creative process like when working on this project each year? Has anything changed since your first edition?

I have shared my pages in my workbooks since 2019. The best part about it is that I can see how much my art and handwriting have improved over the years. I’ve had fun playing around with the layouts over the years and have added fun sections like seasonal bucket lists and pages to add self-portraits so you can see how you looked over time.

The very cool byproduct of creating this project is that my art practice has grown, and my handwriting is finally where I’ve always wanted it to be. 

Every month tells a story. The more years go by, the more others have joined in on the process, and it has been an absolute delight to see how everyone uses their Currently Workbooks! It’s so wild to see how our handwriting plays together. 

I know my mom would be very proud that I’ve been able to help others spend less time on their devices and more time on self-reflection.

You have an impressive collection of workbooks, journals, and zines up for sale on Etsy—plus prints, stickers, and more. How do you decide what to create for your shop?

I’ve always just made things that I would want to use, and it’s worked out for me so far. I am a one-woman machine, so as much as I would like to add a bigger selection to my shop, I keep a pace that is maintainable. 

My goal is to get help with my growth, and I am on my way to that!

You also run a blog, a newsletter, and multiple social media accounts. What is your secret to keeping your creative energy flowing?

I have learned that it’s important to build a creative practice. The key to being consistently creative is to build a structure where it’s safe to play and experiment. 

That’s why I decided to create a time management system with my Intentions for the Week planner and my Currently Workbook. They both have given me the structure I needed while giving me the room to be creative because I can ultimately be creative with time! 

What marketing tactics have been the most successful for your work? And are there any that you’ve tried that you won’t do again?

I’ve marketed through my website, newsletter, and social media channels. I share my art primarily on my Instagram account and now my YouTube channel. 

The biggest challenge I face as a working artist is fighting against algorithms and getting my work in front of a decent percentage of my audience. When you’re a small business, it’s hard to keep shelling out money for ads that might not work.

My newsletter and website have been my most successful routes, as I have a very thoughtful and dedicated audience. I feel very lucky that my consistency and hard work have paid off. 

What led you to self-publishing? And why did you choose Blurb?

I met Daniel Milnor (Blurb’s Creative Evangelist!) at a blogger conference, and his enthusiasm for creating books inspired me to get started making my own. He reminded me of the value of being able to hold something you’ve made in your hands. He encouraged me to make a photo book, and I’ve been obsessed ever since!

Share about your bookmaking process with Blurb. What do you love? What’s a challenge?

I have made quite a few books with Blurb. My first book was a photo book of my summer of 2016. After that, I created my Food Journal followed by my first Currently Workbook.  

From there, I made a book celebrating my mom after her death called Things Mom Used to Say followed by my Intentions for the Week Planner and my photographic coloring book, Flowers.

I’ve really enjoyed the process of designing a book, having it printed, and seeing how it works for me in my everyday life! It’s pure magic! 

Self-publishing has also been a great additional income stream for me. Blurb has made it easy for me to get products into the hands of others. While I ship books to customers through my Etsy shop (I personalize each package with extra magic), Blurb has helped me reach other countries through their international shipping. 

The biggest challenge I’ve run into is paper quality and printing consistency. I have lost a lot of time and money trying to get the paper dialed in. I am currently getting my Intentions for the Week Planner re-printed to be at the same quality level as the previous print batch. 

How do you see the future of self-publishing, particularly for niche genres like journals and notebooks?

Self-publishing is very exciting. If you have an audience built-in, you’re more than halfway there! As much as we are moving forward with technology, there will always be paper lovers and people who love writing things down. At least, I hope so! 

What advice would you give to others seeking to turn their creativity into their business?

My advice is to work hard at building your audience and customer base. Stay on top of new technology and avenues of income. Experiment, accept feedback, and keep up the good work. Sharing your process and journey along the way is very inspiring and will help people stay tuned to what you have to offer next! Making videos of your products in use is very helpful.

Is there anything exciting you’re working on that we should stay tuned for?

This past year I started a substack for The Handwriting Club, where I shared my passion for handwriting, paper, and pens. I will also be creating an accountability group where we will work on our Intentions for Week and Currently Workbooks together! More info to come in my newsletter.

The post Currently Workbook: Behind the Book with Tracy Benjamin appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Sure, fantasy novels will always be trendy from a genre point of view. But the diversification of book formats, creator voices, distribution channels, and self-publishing outlets is rapidly reshaping how audiences and creators navigate the literary landscape.

To bring you up to speed, here are some of the most relevant and compelling book trends to look for in 2024.

Surging popularity of self-publishing

Self-publishing isn’t just a publishing option; it’s a burgeoning industry that offers creators more control and potentially higher earnings. Let’s decode what this means for you as a creator.

• Rapid growth in self-publishing: The self-publishing market is booming with a 17% annual growth rate, significantly outpacing the traditional publishing market’s 1% growth, indicating a dynamic and expanding arena for new creators.
• Earnings and royalties: Financial gains can be substantial in the world of self-publishing. Creators on only platforms are reaping substantial rewards, with more than 2,000 authors earning over $100,000 in royalties in 2022 alone. Even better, self-publishing platforms typically offer creators up to 70% of sales revenues, considerably more than traditional publishing royalties.
• Women leading the way: In an encouraging trend, 67% of top-rated self-published books are written by women, offering a contrast to the traditionally published book landscape. 
• The power of independence: The story of Brandon Sanderson, who raised a record-breaking $41 million through Kickstarter for his self-published books, exemplifies the potential of independent publishing.
• Recognition and respect: The self-publishing field is gaining recognition, with prestigious awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the British Book Awards now open to self-published creators. This elevates the status and potential of self-published works in the literary community.
• Publishing frequency and genre diversity: Many self-published creators are prolific, with over half publishing more than 10 books. Romance, fantasy, and crime/thriller genres dominate, accounting for 57% of self-published books.
• Market share and sales: Self-published ebooks comprise 30-34% of all ebook sales, with an estimated 300 million self-published books sold annually. This reflects a substantial market share and opportunity for new creators.
• Realistic expectations: While the average self-published book sells 250 copies at an average price of $4.16, the potential for significant earnings exists. However, it’s important to note that 90% of self-published books sell less than 100 copies, and 20% of authors report no income. This highlights the importance of marketing and audience engagement in self-publishing success.
• Comparative success: Comparatively, among authors who published their first book in the last 10 years, more self-published authors (1,600) have earned over $25,000 a year than traditionally published authors (1,200), according to one survey. 

In addition to novelists and authors, more photographers, fashion designers, and visual artists are self-publishing their books, from interior design portfolios to coffee table books. 

Not only are higher margins a major draw to self-publishing, but this avenue provides you with complete control over the publishing process and ownership of your work. The absence of traditional publishers and literary agents allows for diversity to thrive and underrepresented voices to be heard, eliminating all creative barriers.

Self-publishing companies offer a range of services, including design, formatting, distribution, and marketing assistance, which are essential if you’re a creator who may not have the resources to manage these aspects independently. In turn, the accessibility, marketability, and print quality of self-publishing platforms have been pivotal drivers in reshaping the book publishing landscape.

Trending book genres

Certain book genres are getting more attention than others as we head into 2024. Based on the most popular books to be published in 2023 and popular genres in recent years, several noteworthy genres are on-trend. Of these, young adult, romance, fantasy, mystery and thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, self-help, and memoir are expected to be popular book genres in 2024. 

We also looked at publishing trends by Eightify, Alyssa Matesic, and a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of ThriftBooks. Collectively, we found these to be the most popular text-driven book genres of 2023.

• Fantasy
• Romance
• Young Adult
• History
• Sci-Fi
• Comedy
• Action-Adventure
• Mystery
• Horror
• Thriller/Mystery
• Self-help
• Mythology
• LGBTQIA+

We also explored the top genres for photo books, graphic novels, and art books in 2023. 

• Trending photography books: Some of the leading photography book genres include portrait photography, landscape and nature photography, documentary photography, fashion photography, street photography, fine art photography, black and white photography, travel photography, wildlife photography, and photojournalism. There’s plenty for you to pick from!
• Popular graphic novel genres: Graphic novels continue to be a popular genre, with a wide range of sub-genres and styles. Some of the most prominent graphic novel genres include fiction, memoir, life-writing, documentary journalism, and comic-strip narratives. If you have an interest in selling your visual storytelling, it’s a smart plan to try these genres in 2024.
• Top art books: Art books are an extremely diverse category, encompassing various styles, movements, and artists. Rather than chasing a trend, you’ll want to feature your work alongside text, whether you’re sharing your painting, sculpture, or more.

These popular genres reflect the diverse and evolving nature of visual storytelling and artistic expression, offering a range of content for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Proliferation of photo books

Photo books have become a popular creative outlet for an increasingly diverse market of consumers. While the general photo album market for weddings, family vacations, and more is the biggest pool in this rising tide, the proliferation of photo books extends into many professional applications.

Professional photography portfolios are one of the largest categories, with landscape, wildlife, portrait, and street photographers being a driving force in 2023 and likely will continue into 2024. 

However, such printed works aren’t limited to these photography-specific genres. Independent artists of all types—graphic artists, fashion designers, painters, sculptors, and illustrators—use photo books to showcase their work through a visual narrative. Even marketers are using photo books for visual storytelling and branding purposes. 

If you’re interested in sharing your photo book, the emergence of new technologies is helping to expand the market with state-of-the-art photo printing technologies. Plus, the availability of print-on-demand photo book services allows for professional-quality custom prints and photo books like never before.

Diversification in the industry

The Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS), which gathers statistics about diversity in the publishing workforce, clearly shows a lack of diversity in the publishing industry, specifically underrepresented groups. In short, the industry has been historically white.

But race alone isn’t the only major disparity. DBS also highlighted gender, sexual orientation, and disability-related differences in the publishing industry. Cis women are among the most dominant gender group, representing 74% of the industry, while 81% of the overall industry identifies as straight or heterosexual. 

In response, there’s a considerable push for greater diversity in the book industry, with publishers recognizing the need for diverse voices in books. In 2024, we can expect to see publishers continuing to diversify their workforces’ racial and cultural makeup. 

While the efforts of major publishing houses will be pivotal in shaping the trade book publishing sector, hundreds of indie publishers will also affect the industry’s direction toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. These publishers are committed to promoting diversity in all forms of publishing and championing inclusion and employment equality. They support and specialize in publishing diverse and inclusive books, amplifying marginalized voices, and providing opportunities for underrepresented creators. 

If you’re a member of a historically marginalized group or a creator focused on uplifting their stories, 2024 could be your year for a publishing deal. And if publishing deals aren’t your focus, the proliferation of self-publishing is contributing to a more equitable and inclusive publishing landscape that enriches the literary and artistic community.

Adoption of AI

Artificial intelligence is one of the hottest topics in the book industry. However, the use of AI extends far beyond content creation and writing assistance. In 2024, we can anticipate AI having a mainstream role in many aspects of the book industry.

• Editing and proofreading: AI technologies are rapidly increasing the efficiency of the editing process, allowing you to quickly and accurately identify errors, detect plagiarism, and generate reports. Authors A.I. is one such tool that provides an expert analysis of your work in minutes.
• Marketing and promotion: AI will enable books to morph into additional revenue-producing mediums in ways we’ve never seen before. AI-powered marketing can help you target the right audience, optimize ad campaigns, and track performance. Craft compelling marketing messages with tools like JasperAI or design engaging branding materials with the help of Looka.
• Data analytics: AI can analyze market trends, audience preferences, and book sales data to provide valuable insights for publishers and booksellers. This information can help you identify emerging genres, understand reader behavior, optimize pricing strategies, and make data-driven decisions. While there are tons of options, KNIME is a free and open-source platform offering a complete toolkit for analyzing and mining data with machine learning.
• Book discovery and searchability: AI-powered search algorithms can enhance the discoverability of books. By analyzing book content and user interactions, AI can tailor search results to show relevant books that readers might like. Librarian AI is an early-stage example worth checking out.

Other popular tools like Admiral, DeepL, Spiny, and Hemingway are testaments to the adoption of AI in the book industry, and we can expect to see more platforms in the coming year. 

Expansion of children’s books

If you think the widening market of photo books is compelling, wait until you see the expansion and diversification of children’s books in 2024. Here, we anticipate seeing more children’s books centered around three main topics.

• Diversity and inclusivity: There is an increased demand for children’s books with diverse characters and stories representing different cultures and backgrounds. It’s not just about skin color or ethnicity. Children with disabilities or in non-traditional family structures deserve to see themselves in the books they read. 
• Emotional intelligence: Today, children face mounting social complexities and struggles, so there’s a growing need for books that help children understand and manage their emotions. This goes hand-in-hand with how to navigate prevalent social issues children face, like bullying, discrimination, school violence, and issues around social media.
• Environmental awareness: Creators are acutely aware that the next generation of leaders will ultimately shape the future trajectory of our environment. Books that speak to our planet and the importance of looking after it will continue to be a popular subject for children’s books.

For examples of these book trends, check out the exhaustive list of 2024 children’s book sneak previews from Publishers Weekly.

If you’re inspired to contribute to the vibrant and meaningful category of children’s books, consider what unique perspectives or stories you can offer. Embrace authenticity and think about how your book can resonate with young minds, whether it’s through innovative storytelling, engaging illustrations, or exploring topics not commonly addressed in children’s literature.

Growth in graphic novels

Another billion-dollar book market with explosive growth in recent years, comics and graphic novels are forecasted to see rising interest, especially with many new publications on the horizon.

Among the most important is a new line of graphic novels called DC Compact Comics, showcasing DC stories across many genres, including science fiction, thrillers, horror, fantasy, adventure, and mystery. Undoubtedly a highly anticipated wellspring of comic inspiration, these “read anywhere” graphic novels will be released in June 2024.

Equally important in a male-dominant book market, the female-driven YA graphic novels are a powerful series showcasing strong, heroic young women as prominent characters with their own stories to tell. More than just a trend, these works highlight women as the creative talent and fan base behind graphic novels.

It’s become so much easier for creators to reach a wider audience with their visual stories. If you’re a graphic novelist, consider collaborating with other creators, pushing your boundaries into new genres, and diversifying your character creation. This is the year to push yourself!

Striving toward sustainability

Sustainability and eco-conscious book publishing trends are becoming increasingly urgent in the book industry. In the US alone, around 32 million trees are used to produce books each year. The book production process emits over 40 million metric tons of CO2 on a global scale. 

While audiobooks and ebooks are an obvious solution to this environmental problem, there are alternatives to becoming more sustainable and carbon neutral. By utilizing print-on-demand services and printing books only when needed, publishers and bookmakers can deliver books more cost-effectively while minimizing waste and using fewer resources. 

Likewise, you can help enable these trends by working with small indie publishing platforms, self-publishing with print-on-demand services, and prioritizing sustainability as one of your primary criteria when choosing a publisher. While major publishing houses like Penguin are making strides toward sustainability, their long-term goals are distant compared to what we creatives can do today to make positive change happen. 

Ascension of audiobooks

An undeniable behemoth in the book industry, audiobooks are expected to continue to grow in popularity and revenue in 2024. In the US, the audiobook market is expected to escalate at a rate of 20% to 25% per year over the next seven years, and the global audiobook market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 26.3% from 2023 to 2030. 

According to Words Rated, the audiobook share of the global publishing market will exceed 10% by 2027. By 2030, projections show that audiobooks will account for over 21.3% of the global book publishing revenue.

The audiobook market skews on the younger side, with 57% of audiobook listeners between 18 and 44 and the largest individual growth in audiobook listeners between 18 and 24 years old. The ascension of audiobooks is a call to action for you to consider diversifying your work into digital formats, which could mean reaching new audiences that wouldn’t otherwise pick up a printed copy. 

As the audiobook market continues to grow, you can explore platforms like Audible, Scribd, and Google Play Books to publish their audiobooks. Given that only 1% of audiobooks on Audible are self-published, collaborating with an audiobook publisher or a professional narrator could significantly increase your chances of success in this competitive market. 

Additionally, advancements in AI technology offer an accessible alternative for turning written content into audiobooks, though the human touch of a professional narrator often provides a more engaging listening experience. If you’re considering self-publishing, platforms like Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) can help connect with narrators and producers and distribute your audiobook across major platforms. 

While the audiobook landscape may require additional effort and investment on your part, the potential to reach a broader, tech-savvy audience makes it a worthwhile to try in 2024.

Direct-to-consumer sales

Driven by the surge in self-published book sales and more creators aiming to take ownership of their books’ profitability, direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales are gaining traction as a significant trend in the book industry. For emerging authors and creators, the emphasis has shifted towards establishing a direct rapport with their audience, circumventing the conventional distribution and marketing channels.

Engaging in D2C sales is not merely a transactional choice but a strategic investment in your brand. You are building trust with your audience and offering them more chances to interact directly with your branding. Thanks to modern publishing avenues, like print-on-demand, getting more economical and flexible, the process of selling books directly to your fans is actually simple.

By adopting a D2C model and using your own channels (like your website, social platforms, email list) to sell your work and communicate with fans, you can foster a closer connection with your audience, retain greater control over your work, and maximize your earnings potential. It’s an empowering and forward-thinking approach that is reshaping the future of publishing.

Short-form content

Short-form content is becoming more popular among readers, meaning book publishers and self-directed creators must find new ways to craft content for quick consumption. Short-form content is easily consumable, bite-sized pieces of information that an audience can quickly digest. 

Serialized content, short stories, zines, and flash fiction are some of the digestible content that meets this rising demand. This is particularly relevant in digital publishing, with shrinking attention spans and an over-abundance of content, making it an uphill battle to capture an audience’s attention. 

So what does that mean for you and your currently published books? It may be smart to translate your long-form work into digital short-form content like blog posts, PDF guides, videos, and reports. While this type of content won’t likely replace books, it will serve as a healthy supplement to make your work more well-known and wildly distributed. 

Smarter book marketing

Beyond trending book genres and formats, the world of book marketing is increasingly dynamic and exploring new methods every year. The strategies and channels creators use to promote their books are constantly evolving. And in 2024, we can expect to see a few major trends that will work in your favor.

• Authenticity: Authenticity is becoming more important in book marketing, with audiences responding positively to marketing messages and content that’s genuine and relatable over well-polished, high-quality productions.
• Social media: Now more important and relevant than ever, social media continues to be a powerful tool for book marketing, with creators and publishers using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with their audience and promote their books.
• Connecting directly with fans: Powered by influencer marketing, social media, and trends like #BookTok, we can expect to see a continued effort in connecting directly with fans over traditional marketing strategies.
• Virtual events: Virtual events have become more prevalent in recent years, with creators and publishers using platforms like Zoom and Facebook Live to host book launches, creator talks, and other events that ultimately support book sales.
• Email marketing: Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to maintain lasting relationships with your audience. You can work to build your email lists to promote your books and connect more deeply with your audience.

Technology will continue to play a significant role in book marketing and how promotional content is produced and consumed. As we saw, the advent of artificial intelligence is changing how some creators market their work and manage relationships with a target audience.

Be a proponent of change with Blurb

Self-publishing platforms like Blurb have been instrumental in these trends and give creators the liberty to bring their books to life. With intuitive bookmaking tools, vast customizability, and print-on-demand capabilities, Blurb offers an economical solution to create bookstore-quality finished products. Learn more and start your project today.

The post Book trends to look for in 2024 appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Bullet journaling is a versatile practice that melds creativity with productivity, offering a customizable space to record, reflect, and organize our thoughts. It’s a blank canvas for your creative personality and an easy way to keep yourself accountable and on the right track.

A bullet journal provides limitless utility, from organizing your thoughts and decluttering your mind to planning your to-do’s and setting your intentions. Here, we explore the essentials of this handy tool and how to start a bullet journal for your own pursuits.

What is a bullet journal?

As the name implies, a bullet journal is a medium for personal organization that uses bullet points and symbols to log information in a single notebook. It provides a framework to become more organized and productive while also serving as a creative outlet.

Originally developed by designer Ryder Carroll and first shared with the world in 2013, the name “bullet journal” comes from using abbreviated bullet points. But it also derives from using dot journals and gridded pages using dots rather than typical notebook lines.

A bullet journal is simple and task-focused. All you need to get started is a blank notebook and a pen. You can use it to organize reminders, plan to-do lists, and brainstorm ideas. It can also serve as a mindfulness tool for meditation as well as an artistic conduit to channel your creative flair.

Inherent to bullet journaling is flexibility—offering plenty of room to customize your journal with daily, weekly, monthly, or future collections. If the format you use one week doesn’t land, try a different spread for next week. Simple in structure, bullet journaling provides you with the framework, and you fill in the rest.

How to make a bullet journal: a starter’s guide

Starting a bullet journal is an exciting venture, allowing you to exercise your left and right brain in a uniquely personalized way. Follow these steps to create a bullet journal that aligns with your intentions, preferences, and style.

1. Choose your journal

The first step in creating your bullet journal is selecting the perfect notebook. This is a personal choice that should resonate with your intended use. First, consider the size: Do you want something small and portable or a larger canvas? Also, pay attention to paper quality, especially if you plan to use pens or markers that may bleed through.

The type of pages is also a critical factor. Consider what style best suits your planned activities. Dotted pages offer a subtle guide for writing and drawing; lined pages might suit those who prioritize writing, while blank pages provide the freedom of a blank canvas. 

Selecting a journal is like picking the right canvas for your art or the perfect camera setting to capture the shot. As a creative, think about what fine details matter, like a paper that suits your medium, be it ink, pencil, or even light watercolor. Consider whether you prefer a journal that lays flat with dotted grids for precision or blank pages for free-form expression. This is the foundation of your creative journey.

If commercially available bullet journals don’t resonate with you, no worries. You can create your own. Consider designing your personalized bullet journal and using print-on-demand services to bring it to life. 

Psst. With Blurb, you can customize a journal with your own prompts, illustrations, charts, and quotes. Then print as many copies as you need with various sizes and cover options. Learn how to make a journal using BookWright.

2. Decide on its purpose

What do you want to achieve with your bullet journal? Is it for tracking daily tasks, fostering creativity, or increasing productivity? Defining the purpose of your journal will help guide its structure and content.

If it’s for productivity, you might include more planning and task-oriented spreads. If it’s for mindfulness and reflection, pages for gratitude logging, mood tracking, or journaling might be more prevalent. For creative expression, leave space for sketches, doodles, and brainstorming.

Your bullet journal can be more than just an organizer. It can be a storyboard for your projects, a sketchbook for your ideas, or a diary of your artistic journey. Define its role in your creative process—whether it’s to track progress, brainstorm ideas, or collect inspiration.

Your journal’s purpose may evolve, but a clear starting point will keep it organized and focused.

3. Gather your supplies

Once you determine the purpose of your bullet journal and know what you want to do with it, it’s time to gather your tools. Arm yourself with various pens, markers, and rulers for precise lines and colorful accents. You can also use embellishments like stickers and washi tape to add a fun and personalized touch.

Making a bullet journal with hardcopy materials is one way to do it, but it’s not the only way. Using digital tools is an effective alternative, especially if illustrating is not your jam or crafting tends to leave behind a messy trail. 

Instead, use programs like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, and BookWright to create your spreads before printing them into a book. This method allows for endless creativity and precision and aligns your bullet journal with your vision while maintaining professional-grade quality.

In the digital assembly of your bullet journal, consider the visual elements that will shine once printed. Utilize different textures, fonts, and graphics that reflect your creative style. When chosen thoughtfully, these elements will transform your printed bullet journal into a tactile masterpiece that captures your artistic essence.

4. Set up your key

The “key” is the backbone of your bullet journal, providing a quick reference to understand your entries at a glance. Ryder Carroll used these designations in his original bullet journal, but you can adopt your own versions to suit your journal’s style and needs.

• (task)
X (task completed)
> (task migrated)
< (task scheduled)
⚬ (event)
– (note)
* (priority)
! (inspiration)

Beyond the basics, consider adding symbols that align with your personal or professional needs—perhaps different icons for various types of meetings or creative sessions. Consider what types of entries you’ll make most frequently and how a key can make the journaling process smoother. 

Your key is more than just a list of symbols. It’s a shorthand for your creative process. Design symbols representing different stages of your projects, mood indicators for creative brainstorming sessions, or icons for different types of inspiration. This personalizes your journal and streamlines your workflow.

5. Create your index

Think of your index as a dynamic table of contents. At the very beginning, save the first four to six pages of your bullet journal for the index. Here, you’ll write the page numbers of your entries as you track them so you can find them again quickly.

With space allocated to your index, number the remaining journal pages. As you add content, you can promptly log it in the index with the corresponding page number. This might seem tedious initially, but it will pay off in the long run by making navigation quick and effortless. 

When creating your bullet journal, adding page numbers and utilizing templates for a Table of Contents (TOC) can enhance its functionality. Many bookmaking software options offer these features for ease of organization. For example, with Blurb’s BookWright tool, you can easily number your pages and use templates to design a user-friendly TOC, making navigation through your journal more intuitive and efficient.

Envision the index like a map of your creative workflow. As you outline the structure of your journal, think about categorizing pages by project, inspiration, or type of artwork. This way, your index becomes a quick reference guide to your evolving portfolio of ideas and creations.

6. Set up your future log

Your future log is your planning powerhouse. Divide it by month, and under each section, list significant dates, deadlines, and events. Don’t forget to leave some space for goal setting or jotting down ideas and future projects you’d like to tackle. This log keeps you organized, helps balance your workload, and ensures that creative projects get the time they deserve.

Your future log can be a visual timeline for project deadlines, exhibitions, or personal milestones. Use color coding or different layouts to represent various aspects of your life and work. This section can be a bird’s-eye view of your creative journey through the year or for a specific project.

7. Design your monthly spread

When setting up your monthly spread, start with a calendar to have a clear overview of the month. Next to it, include a to-do list for your most important tasks. Add a habit tracker to monitor daily practices or a mood tracker if mindfulness is a focus. 

This space is great for a creativity corner, perhaps a small section for daily doodles or lines of poetry. The aim is to have everything you need for the month in one spread, so customize it to fit your unique rhythm and routine.

Your artistic skills will shine here. Design a monthly spread that reflects your style—minimalist, abstract, detailed illustrations, or a collage of ideas. Think of this spread as a canvas for monthly inspirations and themes, not just a planner.

8. Plan your weekly or daily spreads

Choosing a weekly or daily layout depends on your task volume and detail preferences. Weekly spreads provide a broader view that lets you plan days in advance, while daily spreads allow for extensive detail for tasks and notes. 

Whichever you choose, ensure space for spontaneity—leave blank areas for sketches, random thoughts, or inspirational quotes. Remember, you can craft your bullet journal to be as much about creativity as it is about organization.

These spreads can be a playground for experimentation. Mix up layouts, try different artistic techniques, or use these pages to sketch small daily drawings. Each week or day can uniquely represent your current mood or project.

9. Add collections

Collections are where your bullet journal becomes an inventory of your personal and professional life. These include lists, trackers, planning pages, or brainstorming spaces dedicated to specific projects or themes. 

As a creative, you might have collections for project ideas, color palettes, favorite quotes, or books to read. Think about what will fuel your creativity and support your goals, then dedicate pages in your journal to these themes. Over time, these collections become a rich archive of your journey, ideas, and projects.

10. Make it your own

A bullet journal is your creative playground, where organizational and artistic boundaries are blurred. Add a personal touch with doodles, stickers, washi tape, or other embellishments that spark joy and inspiration. Consider using thematic colors for different sections or incorporating your own sketches and artwork. 

Keep in mind that this journal is an extension of you. Make it a space that reflects your personality and creative spirit and, most importantly, a space you look forward to engaging with every day.

This is where you infuse your personality into every page. Whether it’s through thematic illustrations, personalized color schemes, or creative headers and footers, let each page reflect your unique artistic voice.

11. Review and reflect

At the end of each month, take a moment to step back and assess your bullet journal journey. Reflect on the layouts and systems that have been most effective and those that might need tweaking. Ask yourself what accomplishments you’re most proud of and what lessons you’ve learned. 

Use this reflection as a tool for continuous improvement, adapting your bullet journal to better suit your evolving needs and goals. This practice not only ensures that your bullet journal remains an effective tool but also fosters a habit of mindfulness and self-awareness.

Reflection is vital in the creative process. Use your bullet journal to reflect on your progress, appreciate your achievements, and learn from challenges. This section can include visual reflections, sketches of progress, or notes on evolving styles and techniques.

12. Making and selling your bullet journal

Creating and selling your concept is always possible if you’re looking to take your project to the next level. Utilizing a self-publishing platform makes it easy to print your bullet journal into a physical product and distribute it through various channels. Indie print-on-demand platforms allow you to print multiple copies of your journal while creating a potential revenue stream. 

When making a journal to sell, ensure the design is universal and can cater to a wide audience. Include explanations or guides on using the journal effectively, and consider branding your book to uniquely position it against comparable products on the market. Selling your bullet journal can be a rewarding way to share your creative process with others while tapping into a potentially fruitful revenue stream.

For the creative entrepreneur, your bullet journal can be a prototype for a product line. Document your design process, brainstorm marketing ideas, or track customer feedback. This section becomes a roadmap for turning your creative passion into a viable product.

Bullet journal ideas worth exploring

There is no shortage of practical ideas for bullet journals. To help get your creative juices flowing, explore some of these possibilities.

• Daily log: Create a list of tasks you need to get done, scheduled events, and notes you want to record.
• Creative goals tracker: Set your artistic or creative goals and monitor progress toward achieving them.
• Publishing timeline: Outline and track critical dates and milestones for your publishing projects.
• Photoshoot planner: Organize and plan the details of upcoming shoots.
• Creative inspiration log: Document sources of inspiration, ideas, and creative sparks.
• Gallery submissions tracker: Keep a log of your artwork submissions to galleries, including dates and responses.
• Color palette page: Design pages dedicated to color palettes for various projects or inspirations.
• Client details: Keep track of client information, project details, and communications.
• Character profiles: Develop and track detailed profiles for characters in your writing or other creative projects.
• Exposure settings log: Record exposure settings for different photography sessions for future reference.
• Monthly memories: Create a page to record memories from the month, such as photos, quotes, or highlights.
• Brain dump: Write down all your thoughts and ideas to clear your mind.
• Gratitude journal: As a powerful tool for mindfulness training, take a moment to jot down things you are grateful for each day.
• Habit journal: Keep track of habits you want to establish or break.
• Mood tracker: Record your mood daily to help you identify patterns and triggers.
• Reading log: Keep track of books you have read or want to read.
• Travel record: Record your travel experiences, including places you’ve been, or create a list of places you wish to see.
• Spring cleaning list: Create a list of cleaning tasks and decluttering projects to tackle.

These ideas only scratch the surface of possibilities when starting your bullet journal. Let your creativity lead the way as you dive into the world of bullet journaling. Explore more custom journal ideas to find inspiration, and when you’re ready, bring your unique vision to fruition. Remember, your bullet journal is not just an organizer; it’s a conduit for your creativity and a chronicle of your artistic journey.

***

Blurb offers a seamless solution if you’re looking to transform your bullet journal ideas into a tangible concept. We specialize in bookstore-quality, print-on-demand books, ideal for artists and creatives like you to materialize your ideas. With custom journal options, professional-grade printing, and user-friendly tools, Blurb empowers you to create bullet journals that are functional, visually stunning, and deeply personal. Start your project today.

The post How to start a bullet journal: a guide for creative minds appeared first on Blurb Blog.

A book launch is more than just a single event or release day. It’s a long-term strategy that encompasses all the activities, promotions, and connections made in the weeks and months leading up to the moment your book hits the shelves or goes live online.

As a springboard to marketing and promoting your book, your launch strategy is the basis for creating a buzz, building anticipation, and establishing a solid foundation for your book’s success. We’ve designed this comprehensive guide on how to launch a book regardless of your budget or level of experience as a self-published creator. 

How to launch a book in 15 steps

1. Define objectives

Timeline: 6 to 12 months before launch

Before planning your book launch strategy, take a step back to define your launch goals. Your objectives will serve as your compass, guiding every decision and implemented strategy. Clear, specific, and achievable goals create a roadmap that leads to a fruitful and fulfilling book launch.

Begin by asking yourself why you created this book and what you hope to accomplish with its launch. Are you looking to establish yourself as a thought leader in a specific genre? Do you want to inspire and entertain your readers? Or is your primary goal to generate income?

Consider these example book launch objectives as a springboard for your own.

• Maximize income generation: Aim to achieve a specific revenue target within the first few months post-launch, indicating a successful commercial performance.
• Entertain and engage an audience: Set a goal to reach a certain number of readers or downloads, reflecting your book’s ability to captivate and entertain.
• Establish authority: Position yourself as a thought leader or expert in your field, gauging success by your invitations to speak, guest blog, or contribute to panels.
• Share knowledge and teach: Try targeting a specific educational impact, like your book being included in educational programs or receiving feedback on how it has informed or educated readers.
• Kickstart or elevate your career: Set objectives around career milestones post-launch, like signing a book deal, gaining representation, or getting job leads through book sales.
• Reach the widest possible audience: Measure your success by the geographical spread of your readership, translations into other languages, or the diversity of audiences engaged.
• Promote a cause or influence public opinion: Contribute to public discourse, policy changes, or increased awareness on specific issues and track your book’s success by its mentions in the news and on social media.
• Express creativity: Define success in terms of personal fulfillment, artistic recognition, or contribution to the literary or artistic community.

By determining your objectives early on, you set the stage for a book launch that’s not only successful but also aligns with your personal and professional aspirations. But remember that the process is a marathon, not a sprint.

2. Decide on a launch date

Timeline: 6 to 12 months before launch

Choosing the right date to launch your book is more than just marking a day on the calendar. It’s a strategic decision that influences the visibility and momentum of your launch. Here are a few tips to help determine the best launch date.

• Research publishing trends: Research trends and publishing calendars to understand when books in your genre typically hit the shelves. There are reasons specific genres perform better at certain times.
• Consider external factors: Give thought to major holidays, events, or other significant book releases that could overshadow your launch. Choose a date when your book can shine without unnecessary competition.
• Plan pre-launch activities: Ensure you have ample time for pre-launch marketing activities, gathering reviews, and setting up distribution. A rushed book launch could lead to missed opportunities and unnecessary stress.
• Align with retailer timelines: Some retailers have specific timelines for setting up pre-orders or listing new books. Ensure your chosen date aligns with these requirements to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
• Leverage seasonal opportunities: If your book’s themes are related to a specific season, holiday, awareness month, historical event, or trending topic, launch in that timeframe. You can leverage the raised awareness to improve your chances of securing media coverage.
• Remain flexible: Be prepared to adjust if unforeseen circumstances arise. Flexibility is critical to navigating the unpredictable world of book publishing.

By carefully selecting your launch date, you set a clear timeline for all your pre-launch activities and ensure your book debuts when it can capture attention and achieve your defined objectives.

3. Establish your budget 

Timeline: 5 to 10 months before launch

A successful book launch doesn’t happen by chance. It requires careful planning and strategic investment. A well-thought-out budget ensures you allocate resources efficiently, optimizing every dollar spent. 

Take stock of how much money you can allocate to your book launch without straining your finances. Consider your personal funds and potential income from pre-orders or other book-generated revenue streams.

As you move through this guide, list all potential expenses for your book launch, including promotional materials, events, distribution, advertising, and professional services like publicists and designers. Prioritize these expenses based on their potential impact and necessity.

The overall cost of launching a book varies widely depending on the genre and the publishing path. For self-publishing, the average cost of publishing a book is between $2,000 and $4,000, including editing, cover design, and marketing expenses. Traditional publishing can have lower upfront costs, but marketing expenses can range from $500 upwards to over $10,000. 

The earnings of self-published authors can also vary widely, but recent surveys indicate that independent authors earn more than in years past. The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) survey found that the average income for self-published authors rose 53% in 2022, reaching a median of $12,749. However, another survey found that 33% of self-published authors make less than $500 per year, and 20% report making no income from their books. In short, take your earning projections with a grain of salt. 

4. Build an online presence

Timeline: 4 to 9 months before launch

A strong online presence is paramount for a successful book launch. It allows you to connect with your audience and establish yourself as a credible author or creator. Here’s how to go about it.

• Create a professional website: Your website is the central hub for all information related to your book and your work as an author or creator. Ensure it’s user-friendly, visually appealing, and provides all the necessary details about your book. For more, explore tips for creating a successful author website.
• Develop a dedicated book landing page: Create a specific landing page for your book on your website. This page should include a compelling book description, cover image, bio, and links to pre-order or purchase the book. Consider adding a book trailer or sample chapter to entice visitors.
• Optimize for search engines (SEO): Use relevant keywords related to your book’s genre, themes, and content to optimize your website, landing page, or product page listings like Amazon for search engines. SEO increases visibility and helps attract organic traffic.
• Start building an email list: An email list is one of your most valuable assets for launching your book and growing your community. Include a sign-up form on your website to collect emails from interested readers. Provide an incentive, like a free webinar or exclusive content, to encourage sign-ups.
• Engage through regular newsletters: Once you start building your email list, engage with your subscribers through regular newsletters. Share updates about your book, behind-the-scenes content, and promos to keep them interested and invested in your work.
• Establish a social media presence: Identify the platforms where your target audience is most active and establish a presence there. Share regular updates, connect with your audience, and join relevant communities to increase visibility. Learn more about how to use social media to sell your book.
• Connect with influencers and bloggers: Identify influencers, bloggers, or other creators in your niche who might be interested in your book. Reach out to them for potential collaborations or features to expand your reach.

Building a robust online presence takes time and consistency, but the payoff is worth it. 

5. Create a social media plan 

Timeline: 3 to 6 months before launch

Social media is an invaluable tool for building buzz and connecting with your audience in the lead-up to your book launch. A carefully crafted social media plan ensures you engage effectively with potential readers and generate excitement around your book. Here are the fundamentals of crafting a strategic social media plan.

• Leverage the right platforms: Focus on social media platforms where your target audience is most active. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest are popular choices, but don’t overlook niche platforms relevant to your book’s genre or themes.
• Organize your social media content: Plan your social media posts, ensuring a consistent presence. Your content calendar should include promotional posts, behind-the-scenes content, and engaging community-building messages.
• Share your creative journey: Give your audience a glimpse into your creative process, the inspiration behind your book, and the journey to publication. Sharing in this way humanizes you as a creator and builds a personal connection with your audience.
• Tease with snippets: Include intriguing snippets or quotes from your book to pique interest. Ensure these snippets are shareable and encourage your followers to spread the word.
• Update your followers: Keep your audience informed about your book launch’s progress, upcoming events, and where they can pre-order or purchase your book.
• Given the visual nature of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, incorporate high-quality images, graphics, and videos related to your book and your creative journey.
• Spark interest with contests and giveaways: Engage your audience and increase visibility by running contests or giveaways. Encourage participants to share your book, tag friends, or use a specific hashtag to broaden your reach.

Beyond marketing, social media is a powerful tool for creating a community of supporters who are as excited about your book as you are. Use it wisely and authentically, and watch your audience grow.

6. Organize galleries and book signing events

Timeline: 3 to 6 months before launch

Showcasing your original work at galleries and arranging book signing events are excellent book launch strategies. These in-person events allow readers and art enthusiasts to engage with your work, creating a memorable experience that boosts book sales and enhances your reputation as a creator.

If your book includes visual elements like illustrations, photographs, or artwork, consider organizing gallery showings of your original pieces. Contact local galleries, art spaces, or community centers for availability and terms. Highlight the unique aspects of your work and how it could attract visitors to their venue. Ensure that your book is available for purchase at these events, allowing attendees to take home a piece of the experience.

Similarly, consider connecting with local bookstores, libraries, or other relevant venues to organize book signing events. You don’t need to be an accredited author to make this happen. Simply tailor your pitch to each location, explaining why your book would resonate with their clientele and how an event could drive traffic to their space. But be prepared to discuss logistics such as date, time, and any promotional efforts you’ll undertake to ensure the event’s success.

Once your events are confirmed, promote them vigorously through your online channels, local community boards, and relevant organizations or groups.

7. Embark on a blog and podcast tour

Timeline: 2 to 4 months before launch

Blogs and podcasts are powerful mediums to amplify awareness about your book and build hype among prospective readers. By appearing on various blogs and podcasts within your genre or industry, you can reach new audiences and establish yourself as a credible voice in your field.

Start by identifying blogs and podcasts that align with your book’s themes, genre, or target audience. Reach out with a personalized message, explaining why you believe your book would interest their audience and proposing a topic or angle for your appearance. Be sure to highlight unique insights or experiences you can bring to their platform.

Being featured on blogs and podcasts allows you to share your story, discuss your book in-depth, and connect with potential readers on a personal level. It’s an opportunity to showcase your expertise, share your passion, and build momentum for your book launch. 

8. Determine a venue or streaming platform for your launch event

Timeline: 3 to 6 months before launch

The launch event is a pivotal moment in your book release journey, providing an opportunity to celebrate your hard work and share your creation with the world. The format of your event—virtual, in-person, or hybrid—informs how to plan and promote this special occasion.

In-person event

If you host a physical event, secure a venue that aligns with your book’s theme and audience. Local bookstores, cafes, galleries, and community centers can be excellent options. Consider the venue size, available amenities, and associated costs.

Virtual event

Virtual events allow for a wider audience without the geographical constraints of a physical location. Choose a reliable streaming platform and test your equipment in advance to ensure a smooth experience.

Hybrid event

A hybrid event combines elements of both virtual and in-person experiences, catering to a broader audience. Ensure that both in-person and online attendees have opportunities to engage and participate. Pay attention to the technical aspects of hosting a hybrid event, ensuring that the virtual component is seamlessly integrated and provides a high-quality experience for online attendees.

9. Create a press kit

Timeline: 2 to 3 months before launch

A press kit, also known as a media kit, is a comprehensive package of information and promotional materials about your book designed to make it easy for journalists, bloggers, and influencers to cover your story. Creating a well-crafted press kit is essential in your book launch process, as it plays a momentous role in your public relations and media outreach efforts.

A press kit centralizes all the essential information and resources that media professionals need, saving them time and increasing the likelihood that they will cover your book. But what details should you include in your press kit? Here are the basics.

• Book cover and creator photo: High-resolution images that media outlets can use in their coverage.
• Press release: A concise document that announces your book launch, highlights its unique aspects, and provides essential details like the release date, available formats, and where to purchase. Learn more about how to write a press release for a book launch.
• Creator bio: A brief biography showcasing your background, achievements, and previous publications. Tailor it to highlight aspects of your story that are most relevant to your book.
• Book blurb: A captivating summary of your book, providing enough detail to intrigue but still leave them wanting to learn more.
• Contact info: Clear and easy-to-find contact details for yourself or your PR representative, ensuring that interested parties can easily get in touch.
• Testimonials or endorsements: If you have received positive reviews or endorsements from credible sources, include them in your press kit to add credibility and appeal.

Depending on your book’s content and theme, you might include additional resources such as artwork, infographics, or sample chapters.

10. Announce your book launch

Timeline: 1 to 2 months before launch

Now that all your preparations are in place, it’s time to announce your book launch to the world formally. This builds anticipation, creates buzz, and ensures your target audience knows about your upcoming release. Your announcement should be engaging and informative, providing all the essential details about your book and its launch. 

Share your announcement across all your social media channels, website, and email lists. Tailor your message to suit each platform. Offer early purchasers a pre-order discount or exclusive content to encourage immediate action. 

As the announcement gains traction, be responsive to comments, messages, and any inquiries you receive. This extra effort helps build a community around your book and shows that you value their interest and support.

11. Connect with reviewers and influencers

Timeline: 1 to 2 months before launch

Expanding your book’s reach through reviewers and influencers is a strategic step in your launch plan. Identify individuals in your genre who hold sway over your target audience. Ensure your outreach is personalized and shows genuine familiarity with their work, making your book more appealing for them to review or feature.

Prepare digital or physical copies of your book and have your updated press kit ready to share, providing all the necessary information for a comprehensive review or feature. Remember to follow up respectfully if you don’t receive a response initially, and be understanding of their time constraints.

Once your book is reviewed or featured, share the coverage across your channels and express gratitude to the reviewer or influencer. Positive reviews and features enhance your book’s credibility and extend its reach to potential readers, contributing significantly to the success of your launch.

12. Mobilize your super fans

Timeline: At launch

Assembling a dedicated email list of super fans can be a game-changer for your book launch. These individuals are already invested in your work and will likely provide positive reviews to help build momentum from day one. 

Before your launch, identify potential super fans from your existing network, social media followers, or email subscribers. Engage with them regularly and foster a genuine connection. Compile a list of these individuals with their contact information, ensuring you can reach out to them quickly and efficiently when your book launches. 

On your launch day, email blast your super fans, expressing gratitude for their support and asking if they would consider leaving a review. Provide a direct link for purchasing or accessing your book to make the process seamless. Having super fans ready to support your book launch with positive reviews can significantly boost your book’s early visibility and credibility, setting a strong foundation for its overall success. 

13. Leverage paid advertising

Timeline: At or post-launch

If your budget permits, paid advertising can amplify your book’s visibility and attract potential readers. Tim Ferriss used Google AdWords, now known as Google Ads, to test various titles. “The 4-Hour Work Week” was a bestseller at 1.35 million copies sold.

Platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, Amazon, and Google offer robust targeting options, ensuring your ads reach the right audience. For instance, Facebook is great for its detailed targeting options (which also covers Instagram users), while Amazon directly reaches potential buyers. But paid advertising can quickly become expensive, so managing your resources wisely and targeting your ads precisely is critical.

14. Pursue book awards

Timeline: Post-launch

After your book launch, gaining recognition through awards enhances your book’s prestige and attracts additional attention. Winning or even being nominated for an award can significantly boost your book’s credibility and visibility.

Look for awards specific to your genre or the type of book you’ve created, whether it’s a novel, photography book, comic book, children’s book, or another category. Carefully review eligibility and submission guidelines. Ensure your application is complete and professional. This process may include providing copies of your book, a synopsis, a bio, and an entry fee.

If your book receives any nominations or wins an award, highlight these achievements in your marketing materials, on your website, and through your social media channels. Recognition from book awards can be leveraged for future projects, enhancing your reputation and increasing the appeal of your subsequent works.

15. Maintain post-launch momentum

Timeline: Post-launch and ongoing

The culmination of your book launch doesn’t mean the end of your promotional efforts. Maintaining momentum is crucial for long-term success and sustaining interest in your work.

Stay active and engaged with your audience through social media, email newsletters, or community events. Continue sharing updates about your book, related content, or personal anecdotes to maintain audience investment in your journey. Encourage readers to leave reviews and share their thoughts on your book. Positive feedback can be highlighted in your promotional materials, while constructive criticism can provide valuable insights for future projects.

Sustain your post-launch energy by remaining connected with your community. This connection may plant a seed for your next creative endeavor.

Last tips for launching your book

Launching your book is a critical milestone with many moving parts, so you want to ensure a seamless process as best you can. Here are some final tips to help ensure a successful book launch.

• Capture the moment: Consider hiring a professional photographer or videographer for your launch event. High-quality visuals enhance your promotional efforts and provide valuable content for your online presence.
• Strategic pricing: Initially, you might want to price your book lower to attract more buyers and encourage reviews. You can adjust the price as your book gains traction.
• Prepare marketing materials: Ensure all marketing materials, from banners to brochures, are ready well in advance. They should be professionally designed and consistent with your book’s branding.
• Practice your pitch: Be ready to succinctly explain what your book is about and why people should be interested. A compelling pitch can make a big difference in capturing attention.
• Plan for contingencies: Have a backup plan for potential technical difficulties or other issues during your launch, especially if it’s a live event or virtual gathering.
• Seek support: Don’t hesitate to ask friends, family, or fellow creatives to help you with different aspects of the launch. Having a support network can significantly reduce the stress of the event.
• Prepare for the long haul: Remember that a book launch is just the beginning. Be ready to continue promoting your book and engaging with your audience long after the launch.

Lastly, take a moment to celebrate your hard work and the realization of your creative project. Creating and self-publishing a book is a major milestone, but launching your book is an entirely separate journey. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring a rewarding book launch. 

***

Blurb is a vital resource for indie self-publishers, offering an end-to-end platform that simplifies the publishing and distribution process. With Blurb, you have the flexibility to sell your books through many channels, including Blurb’s no-fee bookstore, global retailers like Amazon, and thousands of other bookstores via Ingram’s extensive network. This broadens the reach of self-published works while minimizing the guesswork involved in distributing your book to the world. Learn more and start your project.

The post <strong>How to plan a book launch: step-by-step guide</strong> appeared first on Blurb Blog.

In this post, we embark on a voyage to explore some of the best books to gift. From timeless tales to uniquely crafted originals, prepare to elevate your gift-giving game and discover that thoughtful present to delight your loved ones.

Classic literature

Something about classic literature continues to capture our imagination and hearts. Here, we’ve curated a handful of enduring tales that make for meaningful and cherished gifts.

The Sun Also Rises

by Ernest Hemingway

The Sun Also Rises is a classic novel that captures the experiences of the Lost Generation post-World War I. It taps into a breadth of themes related to love, youth, and the disillusionment of a generation. Hemingway’s terse prose and emotional depth make this book poignant, especially for readers interested in historical or literary novels.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

by Agatha Christie

This crime and mystery novel features one of the most iconic twists in literary history, as mustached detective Hercule Poirot unravels a murder mystery in a small English village. Agatha Christie’s ingenious plot twists and captivating storytelling make The Murder of Roger Ackroyd an exciting gift for mystery lovers.

To The Lighthouse

by Virginia Woolf

To The Lighthouse is an introspective narrative that explores human consciousness and the passage of time through the lives of the Ramsay family. Virginia Woolf’s poetic tone and deep philosophical insights make it a profound book to gift to reflective readers.

Bambi, A Life in the Woods

by Felix Salten

A story familiar to most, this touching novel follows the life of a young deer named Bambi as he grows and learns about nature’s beauty and harsh realities. It’s a beautifully written tale that’s great for both young readers and adults who appreciate a story of growth and life.

Show Boat

by Edna Ferber

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edna Ferber, Show Boat is a romance novel that explores the lives of a multigenerational family living and working on a Mississippi River showboat. It’s a dramatic narrative that delves into themes of racial prejudice, love, and the passing of time, making it a gripping read for those interested in historical accounts and social themes.

Culinary chronicles: cookbooks and more

Whether it’s a heartfelt cookbook of family favorites or a creative take on classic cocktail recipes, books related to food and drink make for gifts that encourage shared experiences.

Will Travel for Food

by McKenna Ganz

A vibrant cookbook that combines a sense of wanderlust with a love for discovering new recipes, Will Travel for Food is a collection of recipes and flavors from around the world that recreates the experience of traveling. Packed with stunning photos and easy-to-follow recipes, it’s one of the best books to gift to those who love to travel and experience new cultures through food.

Zip. Zero. Zilch.

by Jillian Poll

A perfect book to gift to the health-minded friend or family member who still likes to have fun, Zip. Zero. Zilch. The Zero-Proof Beverage Guide is a collection of 22 alcohol-free beverage recipes. From the Blushing Beatrice to the Heart of Hawaii, this mixology guide promises easy-to-make, festive, and delicious drinks.

The Not-So-Italian Italian Cookbook

by Bridget Callahan

This refreshing custom cookbook is a unique take on Italian cuisine. As a tribute to the author’s Italian-American grandmother, The Not-So-Italian Italian Cookbook features a nostalgic collection of her most iconic recipes and culinary traditions. Callahan adapted each recipe to suit the family’s tastes and preferences, so you can expect an untraditional take on Italian classics, inviting your own creative twist.

right nutrient combinations COOKBOOK

by La Fonceur

More than just a collection of healthy recipes, this cookbook meets nutritional guide optimizes food pairings to enhance vitamin and mineral absorption. Ideal for those who are plant-based or simply health-conscious, right nutrient combinations COOKBOOK features Indian-inspired vegetarian recipes that combine ingredients for optimal health benefits.

Graphic narratives: comics and graphic novels

Graphic novels are engaging and fun to read, making them a great gift for reluctant readers or anyone who wants to enjoy a good story in a visually appealing format. 

The Wee Stravaigers

by Morvern Anderson

A beautifully told custom comic book that awakens the imagination of both young and old readers, The Wee Stravaigers tells the story of two friends who voyage onto an abandoned island filled with historic ruins and revelations. When they discover a collection of old crofts, they begin to peel away the layers of their own life and identity. 

Nudes Nudes Nudes

by Edgar Alanis

A seductively humorous blend of comic art and academic subject matter, Nudes Nudes Nudes retells stories of art history uniquely and hilariously. The book highlights some of the world’s most iconic nudes, from Olympia to the Venus de Milo, portrayed in classic works of art. It’s a delightful book for anyone, especially amateur historians and avid comic readers needing something fun and different.

Mixed Up

by Clare Conteh-Morgan

Mixed Up is a mini-memoir by Clare Conteh-Morgan about her identity as a white-presenting biracial woman, exploring themes of race and ethnicity, identity, and privilege. The beautifully illustrated comic book offers a glimpse into her personal identity journey, as told through various memories and reflections on her life events.

Untitled

by Lauren Cohen

A related graphic novel worth gifting to anyone who’s lived in the Big Apple, Lauren Cohen’s stories of a female artist’s first-time move to New York is a culmination of relatable insecurities about life, loneliness, feminism, sex, politics, the art world, and life in New York. Told in a New Yorker-style comic format, each page captures the nuances of life in the chaotic, ever-bustling city.

For the young and young-at-heart: children’s books

Children’s books make for lighthearted reads that aren’t limited to young readers. They’re inspiring books to gift toddlers, parents, and kids at heart, regardless of age. 

Have You Seen My Hot Dog?

by Angie Chua

Written and illustrated by Angie Chua, Have You Seen My Hot Dog? is a quirky and fun children’s book that tells a cute tale of two dachshunds hunting for a lost hot dog. The book is inspired by Chua’s own dachshunds, Harriet and Jager, making the perfect gift for dog lovers, young and old.

Grandma Makes the Christmas Cake

by Erica Graham

This how-to storybook is a journey with a little girl and her granny as they take on the tradition of baking Grandma’s famous Christmas cake. Not only is it a remarkable story for entry-level readers, but it’s a timely book for a thoughtful Christmas gift. Preview the Grandma Makes the Christmas Cake on the Blurb Bookstore.

Dear Big Brother

by Abeni Moreno

Dear Big Brother is a beautiful story of a young woman reflecting on all the unforgettable memories she shared with her older brother during their adolescence. Dear Big Brother reflects the Chicano community, showing the author’s brother and all Chicano young men that they are loving, paternal, and knowledgeable, even if society has told them otherwise.

Mimi and BiBi

by Jo Fernihough 

A bilingual counting book designed for young children, Mimi and Bibi Count to Ten is an adorable tale of two twins who learn how to count in English and French, all with the help of their animal friends.

Modern must-reads

Explore tailored journals and memoirs reflecting personal experiences or contemporary masterpieces touching on today’s world. Here are a few modern must-reads we recommend as some of the best books for gifts.

For the Culture

by ARLOSpeshYnoti

The perfect book to gift the digitally-savvy music lover in your life, For the Culture is a custom magazine that captures the perspectives behind the Good Music Twitch community. It tackles questions about how we evolved to meet the social challenges of the pandemic and how the ever-evolving Twitch community came to thrive during and long after the lockdown.

Gong Sau Wong: A Tribute

by Eric Lilleør

This custom biography offers an intimate glimpse into the life and legacy of renowned Wing Chun master Sifu Wong Shun Leung through firsthand anecdotes and reflections shared by 25 of his students. Gong Sau Wong: A Tribute invites readers into the remarkable journey of the “King of Talking Hands,” highlighting his profound impact on Wing Chun and his connection to Bruce Lee. 

Another World

by Maximillian Matthews

Through a blend of memoir and cultural commentary, Another World is a stunning debut by Maximillian Matthews that explores the intricacies of living with multiple marginalized identities amidst modern-day cultural and ideological challenges. Through an abolitionist lens, Matthews delves into topics like identity, sexuality, mental health, and systemic oppression, ultimately urging readers toward envisioning and building a more inclusive, liberated world.

The Cosmic Dream Journal

by Aimee Hodgins

Designed to help readers engage with their dreams and explore their subconscious mind, The Cosmic Dream Journal features prompts and exercises to help readers record and decode their dreams. Author Aimee Hodgins found that journaling helped her dreams become more vivid and varied than her waking thoughts. This inspired the creation of this dedicated dream journal, a thought-provoking gift for explorers of the subconscious.

Art and photography books

Whether as a new coffee table book or a specific topic for inspiration, art and photography books make for excellent gifts during the holiday season. 

In Paris

by Tallitha Campos and Sabrina Silveira

A lovely book to gift to those who romanticize French culture, In Paris – Coffee, Photography, Design is a beautiful collection of illustrations and photography that capture the beauty and bustle of Paris. Creators Tallitha Campos and Sabrina Silveira take readers on a tour of the iconic French capital, showcasing the nuances of the city’s exquisite tastes.

Blutiful

by Joshua T. Moore

Blutiful is a collection of photographs taken along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to North Carolina over eight years. It’s a stunning custom coffee table book featuring the expansive mountain landscape, serene woodlands, and flowing waterfalls that characterize this unique part of the Appalachian Mountain range.

Adoptable

by Caroline Herzog

Adoptable showcases the heartwarming journeys of dogs who find loving homes through the compassionate individuals who adopt, rescue, and foster. A blend of photographs and narratives depicts people’s experiences on the path to meeting their four-legged best friends.

Spirit Animals Reimagined

by Margaret Loftin Whiting

Spirit Animals Reimagined is a unique coffee-table book with a modern take on ancient animal spirits, drawing inspiration from Native American art and beliefs. Through vibrant illustrations and prose, the book explores the symbolic narratives of various animals, blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary creativity to evoke cultural and natural connectedness.

Creating your custom book with Blurb

Publishing your own custom book with Blurb is an incredible way to gift something meaningful. Transform your ideas into a photo book to give or offer a journal or notebook as a blank canvas for your loved ones to fill. It’s a gesture that goes beyond conventional gift-giving, capturing personalized stories, recipes, photos, or anything they hold dear. 

Here’s how to turn this thoughtful idea into a tangible present with Blurb.

• Ideation: The process begins with an idea. It could be anything from a collection of family recipes, a personal novel, a photo journey, a dream journal, or a curated art portfolio.
• Choose your format: Blurb offers a range of formats to choose from. If you’re aiming for something more traditional, there are options like creating photo books, cookbooks, or novel formats.
• Designing: You can use Blurb’s free desktop software, BookWright, to create your book from scratch. Alternatively, if you’re acquainted with Adobe InDesign, Blurb plugs right in, offering seamless integration to design a custom book.
• Reviewing and uploading: Once your design is ready, you can preview your book, ensuring everything is just how you want it before placing your order. Then upload it to Blurb’s platform and print!
• Printing: Blurb handles the printing, ensuring high-quality materials and professional binding. Whether it’s a photo book recounting a family adventure or a collection of treasured recipes, the finished product is bound to be cherished.
• Gifting: With your order placed, all that’s left is to wait for this personalized book to arrive, ready to be gifted. It’s a present that carries the thoughtfulness of a handpicked book and the added touch of personal creativity and memories.

With Blurb, the possibilities are endless, making the gift of a custom book not just a present but a personal experience or story waiting to be told. Start your project today to have your book ready for the holiday season.

The post Books to gift this holiday season: from classics to custom creations appeared first on Blurb Blog.

It could be a collection of family-favorite recipes organized into a cookbook or a compilation of stunning photos for a coffee table book. Or what about a notebook filled with quotes from their favorite authors to encourage them to write? There are no limits to the creative bookmaking possibilities that make for heartfelt gifts. 

Gifting a self-made book during the holidays is gifting a tangible slice of your heart. Let’s explore how to create such memorable keepsakes and what the process entails.

Five steps to make a book as a gift

Creating a book as a gift is a thoughtful endeavor, blending creativity with affection. We’ve outlined five steps to help you turn your vision into a cherished gift your loved ones can hold.

1. Choosing the theme for your book

One of the most crucial parts of creating a personalized book is settling on a central theme or topic. It forms the foundation on which you’ll build your entire project. Here are some potential book ideas and themes to consider, helping to ensure your gift is both unique and from the heart.

• Personal stories or memoirs: Documenting special memories, challenges, triumphs, or unique experiences is deeply personal. If you’re a parent or grandparent, writing a memoir and printing it allows your family to connect with your journey—and learn from your experiences long after you’re gone.
• Family recipes handed down generations: Everyone loves a good, hearty family recipe. Gather those precious handwritten index cards and passed-down secrets into a cookbook or recipe book. Making a cookbook is a powerful way to keep family traditions alive and share a love for cooking.
• Creative photo books: Visuals speak volumes. Whether it’s a series of candid shots, a family photo album, or a collection of treasured friendship memories, a photo book encapsulates moments that words often can’t.
• Collection of personal letters or messages from loved ones: Reach out to close family members, friends, and colleagues and compile heartfelt letters, anecdotes, or messages about your giftee. These collections let them know how loved they are by all.
• Personalized children’s stories: Craft a whimsical or educational tale featuring the children in your family. Infusing familiar names and characteristics can make bedtime stories a delightful experience. A lot goes into these books, so peruse our guide to writing a children’s book to check all the boxes.
• A year in review: Journey back through the past year, highlighting significant events, milestones, or simple joys. It’s a beautiful way to chronicle growth and changes—whether the gift is for you or a favorite person.
• Travel albums and photo books: Have you and your loved ones embarked on memorable journeys together? A travel album filled with photos, ticket stubs, and short descriptions can revive the magic of those adventures. And you can learn more about creating a travel photo book here.
• Comic books to tell a personal story: Embrace your artistic side! Convert personal anecdotes or friendship tales into a series of comic strips or panels. It’s a fun, visual way to tell a story, and your giftee will adore your illustrations. For inspiration, explore these comic book ideas.
• Notebooks or journals: Make space for creativity and reflectiveness with a journal or notebook. Choose one with blank pages or lined paper, or get creative by adding inspiring quotes or artwork to the cover.

Choosing a good theme is about what resonates most with your gift recipients. It’s the first step in crafting a sentimental book they’ll cherish for years.

2. Designing your book

After zeroing in on your theme, design is the next big decision. Your book’s design doesn’t just include its visual aesthetics but also the tactile feel of the book—a factor that can elevate the overall experience of your gift. Here are a few key considerations to help you through this stage.

Pinpointing your book’s format

• Hardcover versus softcover: A hardcover feels premium and is more durable. It’s perfect for books meant to be keepsakes or handed down through generations. Softcovers, however, are more flexible, lightweight, and economical, ideal for zines and notebooks that your recipient might carry around.
• Book size: You can choose from various book dimensions, depending on your needs. A huge family recipe book or photo album might benefit from a large landscape format, while personal stories or memoirs might feel more intimate in standard portrait size.
• Book format: If you’re printing with Blurb, you have many format options. Opt for a layflat photo book if you want expansive photos crossing spreads. Pick a trade book for portable, affordable gifts that still look bookstand-ready. Make a notebook or journal for—you guessed it—notebooks or journals. Or try a magazine if you’re aiming for serialized content. 
• Paper type: Consider the weight and texture of the paper of your book, as well. A cookbook might need thick, glossy pages that withstand spills and stains, while a layflat wedding album might benefit from a matte finish that exudes timeless elegance.

Designing a cover

• Add personal artwork: If you’re artistically inclined, consider designing your own book cover art. It adds an unmatched personal touch your giftee will love.
• Start with a photograph: A poignant photo from your collection could also make for an evocative cover.
• Try a template: Choose from different types of book covers, and if you use bookmaking software like Blurb BookWright or Adobe InDesign, you can find pre-designed templates that you can tweak to suit your theme.
• Mind your typography: The font you choose sets the tone of your book. Use legible fonts (no more than two) that complement your book’s overall feel.

Interior layout basics

• Pick a tool: Choose a tool you feel comfortable with. If you’re a pro with Adobe InDesign, stick with it! The tool offers many layout options and a high degree of creative flexibility. For those looking for an easier route, Blurb’s own BookWright is an intuitive option offering templates to help you design your book without steep learning curves. 
• Give your book structure: Use sections, chapters, or page numbers so your loved one can easily navigate your book. Next, think about how you want the pages to flow from one to the next—do you want a consistent layout, or do you want to mix it up for more visual interest?

• Incorporate design elements: Don’t be afraid to add borders, illustrations, or other design elements that complement your theme and imagery. However, don’t go overboard—simplicity is often key.
• Balance images and text: Depending on your theme, strike a balance between images and text. Ensure neither overwhelms the other and both get their due spotlight.
• Get consistent: No matter what bookmaking tools you use or structure you set up, maintaining consistency in margins, font sizes, and spacing is crucial. It ensures the book is easy on the eyes and feels professionally crafted.

Crafting the design is akin to wrapping a gift. It’s the first thing noticed and sets the stage for what lies within. While the content is the heart of your book, good design ensures it’s presented in the best light, making it a beautiful gift inside and out.

3. Compiling content and writing

Creating engaging content is where you express your thoughts, share your experiences, or display your creativity through words and images. Each page should add value to the experience and align with your overarching theme. 

Consider including personal anecdotes, cherished memories, or valuable insights to make the book truly unique and heartfelt. Remember to proofread your content to ensure it’s error-free and flows seamlessly from one page to the next. With the right content, your book transforms from a simple gift into a timeless keepsake.

Tips for effective writing

Effective writing is rooted in authenticity. Embrace your unique voice and let it shine through in every word you jot down. Remember the age-old adage, “Show, don’t tell.” 

Instead of merely stating facts, immerse your reader in vivid imagery, making the experience more felt. As you navigate different sections, maintain a consistent voice—humorous, nostalgic, or earnest—to create a coherent reading experience.

Crafting heartfelt messages

The true charm of a custom book often lies in personal messages and stories. Draw from your treasure trove of memories. Share anecdotes, tender moments, inside jokes, or mischievous escapades that resonate with your theme. 

Directly addressing the recipient can pull at their heartstrings. Using phrases like “Remember the summer when…” or “Our first Christmas Eve…” evokes memories and establishes a deep emotional connection.

Organizing your material

Organization can make or break the reading experience. Depending on your content, consider arranging it chronologically, especially for memoirs or travel tales. This approach offers readers a linear journey. 

For other themes, like recipe books, thematically grouping content offers a more segmented, easy-to-navigate format. Regardless of your chosen method, balance text and visuals to maintain an engaging rhythm throughout.

Seeking contributions

If your book is a collective memory trove, like a family anthology, don’t shy away from involving others. Seeking contributions can add diverse flavors to your narrative. 

Collaborate with family members for unique anecdotes or photos, but provide clear guidelines. This ensures that the final compilation has a harmonious blend while each voice is distinct.

The importance of editing and proofreading

Finally, once your heart and soul are on the pages, the next crucial step is refining. Grammar and spelling checks are fundamental; tools like Grammarly can be invaluable allies here.

Additionally, a feedback loop is essential. Sharing your draft with a trusted friend can offer fresh perspectives and highlight areas of improvement. As you review, ensure a smooth flow and consistent narrative tone, polishing your book perfectly.

4. Printing your book

Creating your personalized book culminates with the final and equally crucial step of getting it printed. It’s like baking; you’ve mixed all your ingredients, and now it’s time to get it in the oven.

DIY printing versus professional printing services

While DIY printing offers immediate results and a hands-on approach, it might not always yield the best quality, especially for larger projects. It’s budget-friendly for short-run, personal keepsakes. 

On the other hand, professional printing services—whether at your local printer or from a print-on-demand service online—ensure your book gets the high-quality finish it deserves, with options for premium paper, binding, and cover types.

The print quality and finish can significantly impact how your gift is received. Whether crafting a single precious keepsake or multiple copies for a wider audience, choosing the right printing method ensures your labor of love shines in all its glory.

5. Packaging and presenting your book as a gift

After all the meticulous planning, writing, designing, and printing, your book is almost ready to be presented. But let’s not underestimate the magic of that first moment—the unveiling.

Make your gift extra special

• Include an inscription: Consider including a special inscription at the beginning or end, a personal note emphasizing the bond you share with the recipient. 
• Wrap it up: Good things come in beautifully wrapped packages. Choose a wrapping paper or material that resonates with your book’s theme or simply one that the recipient would love. It could be elegant, quirky, or minimalist. The key is thoughtfulness. 
• Add related gifts: To elevate the gifting experience further, consider accompanying the book with related items. Include a bookmark for a memoir or a maple cutting board for a recipe book.

First impressions might not be everything, but they set the tone. The anticipation as the wrapping unfolds, the touch and feel of the book’s cover, and the initial pages—all create an initial experience even before your recipient explores the content. Make sure this moment is as magical as the journey you’ve curated inside the book.

Examples of gift books

Many creators have used Blurb to bring their gift ideas to fruition. Maybe it’s the many options, the affordability, or the easy bookmaking tools—whatever the reason, we’re grateful that creators share books with us.

Below are a few examples of these gift-worthy books and the stories behind them.

The Doors of San Miguel de Allende

A memorable journey to the picturesque Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende led to this unique photo book. This traveling couple wandered the town’s cobblestone streets, captivated by the myriad of distinctive doors, each telling its own story. 

Their enchantment resulted in The Doors of San Miguel de Allende, a birthday photo book. Even better than memorable photos, the creator paired each door image with lyrics from a corresponding Mexican folk song. To make the experience even more immersive, they added a custom playlist and a Spotify code on the first page—so the giftee could listen to the music that inspired the project as she browsed the pages.

Mother Roberts’ Recipes

Mother Roberts’ Recipes is a beautiful example of someone collecting a family’s favorite recipes into a heartfelt cookbook. Personalized with photos and recipe instructions from Mother Roberts herself, this cookbook is a cherished gift for her loved ones. 

What’s even cooler is that Ella’s Books, a bespoke book design service, took these recipes and turned them into a professionally designed cookbook. (Printed by Blurb, of course.) Ella can do the same for you.

A Year in the Life

Diana, mom and photographer, has been documenting her life in books since 2009. As of 2022, her collection encompasses 14 yearly photo books. 

“My Blurb photobooks are some of my family’s most prized possessions,” she writes. “They’re filled to the brim with memories of years gone by, both of big milestones such as welcoming my children but also many little moments that would have otherwise been long forgotten. I love looking through these books with my family. Our photobooks serve as a reminder of what’s important in life and remind us to be grateful for all that we have.”

Make your gift book with Blurb

Blurb makes it easy to bring your stories and memories to life. With user-friendly bookmaking tools and a range of design and printing choices, creating a book is a fun, rewarding process. 

Dive into the bookmaking world with Blurb and let your stories find their forever home.

The post How to create a book as a gift appeared first on Blurb Blog.

People get bogged down in megapixels and frames-per-second, but the camera size is far more important in my mind. Do you want to carry it or not? A large camera that gets left at home might not be the best idea if photography is something you want to practice.

My new camera is tiny. It literally fits in the palm of my hand, which might make someone think it’s not a serious camera, but it is. The file size is only 26 megapixels, but that works just fine for me. The autofocus is solid, the viewfinder works in all kinds of light, and the camera does many things I’ll never need or want it for. The best part is it’s always with me because it’s so small and light.

Snapshots still matter

One of the things I love most about this camera is that it works wonderfully for snapshot photography. The snapshot has a long history in photography but is also a style of image that’s the subject of ridicule among serious photographers. 

I see the snapshot in a very different light. 

I think snapshots are just as important as any other kind of image. I’ll explain why, but first, let me define “snapshot.”

Snapshots offer freedom

Oxford Languages says a snapshot is “an informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small, handheld camera.” Well, there you have it: a small, handheld camera. But let’s revisit the first part of this definition. “An informal photograph…” 

Sometimes, as consumers and professional photographers, we get too serious about being serious. Sometimes, we try to make everything more significant than it really is. 

If you’re a professional surviving off your talents as an image-maker, it’s very easy to fall prey to only making work that contributes to or defines you as a photographer. Take it from me—someone with 30 years of professional photography experience—this is incredibly stifling.

Snapshots represent photographic freedom. These images are the postcards of our lives. They aren’t meant to define anything or anyone but rather to simply record the endless moments that form the tapestry of human existence.

Snapshot photography is everywhere, and it exists in good light, bad light, out-of-focus fuzziness, and accidental gems. There is no right or wrong with a snapshot. There is no rule to follow or procedure to employ. Snapshots are personal sketches.

A little snapshot story

Several weeks ago, my wife and I dug out an ancient slide projector and looked through tray after tray of images that her 86-year-old uncle had captured. Even though he was the family’s visual historian, he was a snapshot photographer. 

There wasn’t a single overly sophisticated image in the lot, but guess what? The images were incredible, not to mention hilarious, and functioned perfectly as the highlight reel of their family. Within 10 minutes of seeing the first image, both my wife and her uncle were laughing and crying.

Don’t mobile phones take snapshots? Umm, no.

You could easily argue that the mobile phone is the ultimate tool for snapshot photography, and it surely does function well in this role. Still, I would argue there is something different about a snapshot made with a phone versus one made with a camera that requires the user to hold it to their face while looking through a viewfinder. 

This isn’t about better or worse. This is about something different. 

The narrow, tunnel-like feel of the viewfinder works to eliminate distraction. With a camera, there are no text messages, phone calls, or social media apps. There is only what lives inside that viewfinder. 

But whatever tool you choose, just remember that making snapshots is the key element. Just snap away, no judgment. Your snapshots, your life.

***

Dan Milnor, professional photographer and Blurb creative evangelist, is all about sharing his photography and bookmaking expertise. Are you ready to turn your photography into a photo book? Join us at Blurb.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: Snapshot Photography Tips appeared first on Blurb Blog.

If you don’t have a photograph or illustration for your cover, finding artwork online is a great option! Here’s the tricky part: Only some images or graphics are up for grabs. Using stock images for book covers is a common route, but it can come with some barriers (like keeping things original and avoiding redundancy). Plus, using copyrighted images without permission is a fast track to legal headaches and a damaged reputation that could hurt your career as an author or creative. 

So, where can you find book images that won’t land you in hot water? Enter the world of royalty-free images. Let’s explore the top places to find these creative resources and dive into how to use them to legally find the perfect book cover image. 

15 best royalty-free image websites for book creators

There is no shortage of websites where you can find royalty-free images for book covers and other book-related projects. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Best for free hi-res photos: Unsplash

For those seeking a plethora of stunning images from indie photographers, Unsplash is a top choice. Its expansive variety of high-resolution images is a big draw. However, due to its widespread popularity, some images might be overused. But the best part? It’s entirely free, with a paid upgrade available.

2. Best for designers: Canva

A go-to for both skilled designers and beginners alike, Canva boasts over 2 million photos and offers intuitive design tools with book cover templates. Though the platform is brimming with features, its free tier has certain limitations. Canva Pro pricing starts at a flat rate of $29.99 per month.

3. Best for basic needs: StockSnap

When simplicity and quality are paramount, StockSnap comes through by offering a broad assortment of free photos in a user-friendly environment. While it’s known for do-what-you-want permissions, it’s lesser known and somewhat limited in variety. Nevertheless, the platform is entirely free for all users.

4. Best for genre-focused images: Getty Images

A popular choice for editorial photography and media, Getty Images is also highly regarded among creative professionals for stock photos. With a library of over 477 million assets, it’s one of the most diverse sources for genre-focused images. The biggest drawback is cost. Prices range from $125 to $500 for royalty-free photos.

5. Best for extensive collection: 123rf

Offering a massive library of options, 123rf has a whopping 200+ million images, from vector graphics to photos perfect for book covers. The site also has built-in AI tools for generating unique images and written content. Pricing is set on a per-image ($1 per credit) or subscription basis ($39 per month).

6. Best for multimedia assets: AdobeStock

A favorite among creative professionals, AdobeStock is a great option if you’re looking for more than just premium-quality photos. They offer graphics, vectors, video footage, illustrations, templates, and even 3D assets. AdobeStock’s versatility can elevate any book project. There are both credit packs and subscriptions, with individual plans starting at $29.99 per month. 

7. Best for quality and variety: Shutterstock

Ideal for creators who want top-notch quality and an endless array of options, Shutterstock is a paid stock photo platform that provides a vast selection of images, including a dedicated section for books. A subscription plan starts at $29 for ten credits or $59 for 25 credits.

8. Best budget option by a premium provider: iStock

Owned by Getty Images, iStock provides an affordable alternative without compromising on quality. With millions of photos, illustrations, videos, and more, they cater to diverse needs. They also offer budget-friendly subscription options for frequent users. Prices can range from $8 to $36 for a standard license.

9. Best for unique collaborative collections: Death to Stock

For an authentic, curated collection of high-quality visuals, Death to Stock has built a grassroots community of artists that supports individual freedom of expression. The platform’s straightforward subscription model of $15 per month makes it a popular choice for designers needing unique and visually appealing content.

10. Best for creative commons images: Flickr

For a blend of free and paid images, Flickr is like a social media network of user-generated content. You can access a wide range of royalty-free imagery by filtering searches to show royalty-free photos under the Creative Commons license. However, always double-check licenses before using images for your book project.

11. Best for authenticity: Photocase

Ditching the conventional, Photocase offers real-life, genuine stock photos. For creators seeking unconventional imagery, this platform delivers the perfect backdrop for one-of-a-kind books. Pricing starts at $15 for five credits, but you may need to upgrade for larger-sized print needs.

12. Best for boutique book marketing: Image Apothecary

The collection of stylized stock photos from The Image Apothecary is curated for bookmakers and creators who need images for book covers, promotional graphics, and social media posts. You can seamlessly edit images to create personalized book marketing materials. Pricing averages about $12 per photo.

13. Best for fantasy and paranormal themes: Bewitching Book Stock

The magical world of Bewitching Book Stock offers royalty-free images centered around witches, magic, and the supernatural, making it a top choice for fantasy and paranormal books. A standard license is a flat fee of $20.

14. Best for thematic book cover collections: Arcangel

A website that focuses on creative stock photography and illustrations for book covers, Arcangel specializes in unique and personalized content that’s relevant to your genre or industry. Most photos are already well-positioned to accommodate standard book dimensions. Purchasing royalty-free photos starts at about $100 and up, depending on the size.

15. Best for historical imagery: Period Images

Period Images is a niche source of book cover photos for a wide range of genres, particularly regency, contemporary, victorian, fantasy, western, and paranormal. The collection of options is truly original. A royalty-free print license costs $19.95 per photo.

What does royalty-free mean?

The term royalty-free is widely used but often misunderstood. So, what exactly does it signify?

At its core, royalty-free describes the licensing agreement associated with an image. When you acquire a royalty-free image, you have the right to use that image without the obligation to pay the owner ongoing royalties for each use. It’s like purchasing a book: Once you own it, you can read it repeatedly without incurring additional charges.

However, a common misconception is that royalty-free means the image is free of cost. While there are stock image websites and companies that offer royalty-free images at no charge, many require an upfront fee. What’s crucial to understand is that after this initial payment (if there is one), there are no recurring fees each time you use the image afterward.

In short, royalty-free means you’re free from continuous financial obligations after obtaining the image, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s free. While a zero-cost image might sound enticing, sometimes the best royalty-free images for book covers come with an initial fee.

Who should use royalty-free images?

Pretty much everyone can benefit from royalty-free images—whether you’re a self-publisher looking to sell your book, a book cover designer needing to make magic happen for a client, or a personal bookmaker gifting or keeping your book. If you want an awesome cover and don’t have images or illustrations at the ready, stock photos are for you!

Royalty-free images are an excellent resource for professional creators selling books. An attractive, high-quality cover can significantly boost your visibility and sales. Using royalty-free images lets you have access to a vast pool of versatile and unique visuals that can be tailored to your book’s theme. Avoiding ongoing royalties allows you to manage your budget effectively and focus more on your making and marketing efforts.

Professional book designers, especially those working with self-publishers, can also greatly benefit from royalty-free images. Designing a book cover that aligns with your client’s vision and the book’s content can be challenging, and having an extensive collection of images at your disposal can be a game-changer. This way, you can present multiple options to your clients, iterating until you find that perfect imagery that resonates both with the creator and target audience. 

Lastly, personal bookmakers who are creating books as gifts for friends and family can also leverage stock imagery. Crafting a personalized book is a beautiful, thoughtful gesture, and your cover plays a key role in making that first impression. With royalty-free images, you can cater your cover to your loved one’s tastes, hobbies, or interests. Plus, you won’t have to break the bank doing it with plenty of free options.

Pros and cons of using stock photos for book covers

While royalty-free stock photos and images can be a sound resource for all types of book covers, it’s essential to approach them with a discerning eye. And because they’re becoming an increasingly popular option for self-published authors, it’s worth weighing the benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

• Professional look: One of the standout benefits of royalty-free images is their professional quality. Many stock photo platforms vet photographers and curate collections, ensuring you get a polished look perfect for your cover.
• Vast choices: Dive into a stock image platform, and you’ll be met with thousands, if not millions, of options. No matter your book’s genre or theme, there’s likely an image to match.
• Affordability: With varied pricing models, including subscription-based, package deals, or individual purchases, you can often find a quality image within your budget. And remember, royalty-free means no ongoing costs every time you use the picture.
• Reduced legal risks: Sticking to reputable stock image platforms decreases the chances of copyright infringement, saving potential legal troubles and associated costs.

Cons

• Tricky fine print: Not all royalty-free licenses are created equal. Some might restrict how or where you can use the image, especially if it involves commercial purposes, like selling books. Always review license terms closely.
• Shady sites: While there are many reputable platforms, there are also websites that falsely claim images are royalty-free. Ensure you’re sourcing from trusted platforms to avoid unexpected complications.
• Risk of repetition: Here’s the catch—if you can access a beautiful royalty-free image, so can countless others. There’s a chance that another author might select the same image for their cover, which can diminish the unique identity of your book in the marketplace.
• Limited customization: While stock images provide a fantastic foundation, they only sometimes allow deep customization. A royalty-free image might not hit the mark if your vision involves a highly specific scene or nuanced detail.

The creative process of book cover design can be enjoyable, but choosing the right image is crucial. Consider the pros and cons, tailor your choice to your book’s unique needs, and always read up on the licensing details. With the right approach to image curation, you can make your book stand out on any shelf.

Tips for choosing royalty-free book cover images

So, how do you effectively sift through the myriad of images to find the perfect one for your book cover? Let’s just say it takes more than having a creative eye for book cover design. 

Follow these tips to ensure you select the right royalty-free image that resonates with your book’s content, appeals to your target audience, and is legally yours to use.

• Mind the sizing. Always consider your book’s final size and orientation when selecting an image. Remember, an image that looks good on a computer screen may not translate well to a printed cover. Look for high-resolution images that you can resize without losing quality.
• Experiment with keywords. Stock image platforms operate on keyword searches. Try multiple variations, synonyms, and related terms to widen your net. For instance, if your book is about resilience, you might also search “perseverance,” “strength,” or “endurance.”
• Steer clear of overused images. Some images are trendy and used extensively across various platforms. When you find an image you like, do a reverse image search to see how commonly it appears elsewhere. Also, consider how often an image has been downloaded, if available. Aim for unique selections that require some digging.
• Consider your book’s theme and audience. Align your image choice with your book’s tone, mood, and subject. A dark, brooding image might not be suitable for a light-hearted romance novel. A cover that is visually coherent with your book’s content is crucial for setting the right reader expectations.
• Edit and customize. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the image when designing your book cover. Crop specific sections, adjust the color balance, add filters, or overlay text. Incorporating your unique touch will help your image match your book’s theme and give it a distinct identity.
• Always double-check licensing. Even on platforms offering royalty-free images, there can be variations in licensing agreements. Some might require attributions, while others limit the number of print copies. Ensure you’ve thoroughly understood and are comfortable with the terms before finalizing your choice.
• Give credit when necessary. While royalty-free images don’t always require attribution, giving credit when it’s due is a good practice, especially if the license mentions it. Besides being legally sound, it’s a nod of appreciation to the creator.

The wide world of royalty-free images can feel overwhelming, but approaching it with a clear strategy can make all the difference. 

How Blurb can help

In the pursuit of bookmaking, having the right tools to bring your vision to life is essential. Enter Blurb. With our intuitive design software, BookWright, you can seamlessly integrate your chosen images into a captivating book cover. But beyond cover design, BookWright ensures that every page inside matches the professional quality of the cover. 

As you embark on your self-publishing adventure, remember that we are here to simplify the process and elevate your work to new heights. Check out BookWright or sign up with Blurb today and let your story shine inside and out.

The post How to find and use royalty-free images for book cover design appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Here, we set the record straight on what defines a low-content book and how it can be a meaningful, profitable endeavor for savvy creators willing to think outside the box. 

What is a low-content book?

Have you ever picked up a diary, coloring book, or notebook with prompts or graphics? These are typical examples of low-content books. 

Simply put, a low-content book is a type of book that has a low word count compared to a typical novel or textbook. Instead, these books provide space for users to fill in their own content or generate their own creations, like drawings, patterns, or written responses. 

Low-content books are like blank canvases, awaiting your personal touch. They’re generally repetitive and intended to be populated by the user, whether it involves journal entries, record keeping, figuring out puzzles, or coloring in shapes.

Types of low-content books worth exploring

Despite the minimalist nature of this book type, low-content books are a rising trend in the publishing industry, continuously evolving with new types and formats. Low-content book themes in higher demand focus on areas of gratitude, mindfulness, and self-care. Other types of low-content books include:

• Coloring books: These have illustrations ready for you to bring to life with colors. Not limited to children’s books, they come in themes ranging from animals and nature to intricate patterns to favorite movie and book characters.
• Journals: Unlike standard notebooks, journals might have prompts, questions, or themes that guide you in writing or reflecting on your day, dreams, or feelings. 
• Planners and agendas: These help organize your time, tasks, and activities. They might include calendars, to-do lists, and sections for goals or notes.

• Activity books: These can include puzzles, mazes, word searches, dot-to-dots, and other fun activities.
• Notebooks with dotted or gridded pages: Popularized by the “bullet journal” trend, these notebooks offer a structure that helps create lists, charts, and even custom layouts.
• Sketchbooks: While they may look like regular notebooks, sketchbooks contain specific types of paper ideal for drawing and sketching.
• Logbooks: These journals help you track certain activities. Examples include workout logs, food diaries, and bird-watching logs.
• Prompt books: These provide a specific prompt or question on each page, sparking creativity or reflection. For example, a prompt might ask, “What made you smile today?” or “Sketch the view from your window.”
• Guest books: Commonly found at events, weddings, and places of accommodation, these books allow guests to leave notes, signatures, and messages.
• Recipe books: Blank recipe books allow you to fill in your favorite recipes, creating a personalized collection of culinary adventures.

Given this vast spectrum, there’s no denying the creative possibilities to produce low-content books that offer value and purpose for specific uses and audiences.

Benefits of low-content books

Venturing into the world of low-content books can be fulfilling and lucrative. Let’s dive into the benefits for creators interested in exploring this category:

• Easy to produce: Unlike novels or textbooks that require extensive research and editing, the simpler design and layouts of low-content books make the production process quicker and less complex.
• Niche opportunities: The world of low-content books is vast, allowing creators to cater to specific niches. From horticultural planners designed for avid gardeners to coloring books for vintage car enthusiasts, the possibilities are endless.
• Passive income: Once you’ve designed and published a low-content book, it can continue to generate income without much additional effort on your part.
• Flexibility: Creating low-content books allows for a flexible schedule. Without the pressure of meeting story development or intensive research deadlines, you can work at your own pace and tweak as you see fit.
• Creative outlet: For those with a creative streak (particularly photographers, illustrators, and graphic designers), a low-content book is like a blank canvas. Photographers, for instance, can create themed journals featuring their work, while illustrators can showcase their art in coloring books.
• High demand: With the rise of self-care and mindfulness trends, many people seek tools to help them reflect, organize, or simply relax. Low-content books like journals, planners, and coloring books fit the bill perfectly.
• Personal growth: Beyond the commercial aspect, designing such books can inspire personal growth. It nudges creators to think about what users might need, want, or find therapeutic—encouraging empathy and understanding.

Low-content books present a wide-ranging opportunity for creators to merge their passions with a viable income source, all while offering value to their audience.

How to create a low-content book

Embarking on the journey of creating a low-content book is both exciting and rewarding. Before you get started, consider several fundamental ideas and steps:

1. Define your audience

It’s essential to clearly understand who your book is for. Are you targeting young children, busy professionals, or self-actualization enthusiasts? Clearly defining your target demographic can help guide your book’s design, content, and marketing strategy. Take a page from this guided journal for mothers, an effectively targeted low-content book tailored for a specific audience.

2. Find your niche

In the expansive world of low-content books, finding a specific niche can help your book stand out. Your niche can also shape your book’s profitability. But don’t limit your niche to what’s most profitable—go with what you’re passionate about.

3. Quality over quantity

While it might be tempting to churn out multiple books quickly, it’s essential to prioritize quality. A well-organized and mindfully crafted book will resonate more with your audience and earn you a better reputation in the long run. Creating multiple low-content books at the expense of quality will only tarnish your efforts and slow your momentum.

4. Write and design with purpose

Every page in your low-content book should serve a purpose. Whether it’s a journal prompt or a coloring book design, make sure it aligns with your book’s overall theme and provides value to the user.

5. Choose the right tools

A plethora of tools are available for book design, from Adobe InDesign for professional layouts to free bookmaking platforms like Blurb’s BookWright. Familiarize yourself with the tools you have at your disposal and choose one that best fits your needs and skill level.

6. Formatting is key

Ensure your book is formatted correctly, especially if you want to print and sell your book. This includes considering things like design layouts, margins, page numbers, and using high-resolution images.

7. Gather feedback

Before you finalize and publish your low-content book, gather feedback. Share your book with friends, family, or potential target audience members. Their insights can help you refine your product and address any overlooked issues.

8. Marketing and distribution

Once your book is ready, think about how you’ll get it into the hands of your audience. Platforms like Blurb’s can be great for self-publishing but you may also wish to consider other distribution methods or local bookstores.

9. Continuous learning

The first book you create might not be a bestselling masterpiece, and that’s to be expected! Every book is a learning opportunity. Consider customer feedback, learn from reviews, and continuously refine your process.

With these steps in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a low-content book that resonates with others and brings you success.

Selling low-content books

Successfully selling your low-content book means blending creativity and business savvy. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this journey effectively:

1. Plan your marketing strategy

A well-thought-out book marketing strategy is the backbone of any successful book sale. Identify your book’s target readership and tailor your promotional efforts to appeal directly to them. Analyze where your audience spends most of their time online and how they typically discover new books. The channels you choose—social media, online bookstores, or email marketing—should align with these findings.

2. Leverage online platforms

There are many channels to explore when selling a self-published book. Ours at Blurb is more than just a creation tool. While it facilitates the design and printing process, it also offers an online bookstore where you can set and adjust your prices, allowing you to control profit margins while reaching a global audience.

3. Engage in active promotion

Once you’ve figured out where to sell your book, determine how to get people there. Most low-content book creators use a combination of the following.

• Social media: Visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are perfect for low-content books. Regular posts showcasing your book’s inner designs or interacting with potential readers can generate interest and drive sales.
• Personal website or blog: Create a dedicated website or blog for your book(s). This provides a central hub where readers can learn more, access sample pages, and make purchases directly or be directed to online retailers. Leverage SEO to attract organic traffic, whether to your website or Amazon product listings.
• Email marketing: Start a newsletter to update subscribers on new releases, special promotions, or behind-the-scenes content. Offering a free page or two from your low-content book as a download can incentivize sign-ups.
• Reviews: Collaborate with niche bloggers or influencers. Their recommendations can bring credibility and visibility to your work, reaching audiences you might not have reached on your own.

4. Explore local opportunities

Getting your foot in the door at local bookstores is a great starting place for promoting your book. And participating in local events gives you a direct connection to potential readers. Whether it’s a craft fair, a book show, or a community market, these venues allow you to personally introduce your book, explain its uniqueness, and even garner immediate sales.

5. Price your book right

Your product, its placement, and positioning strategy are all essential elements of your marketing mix. But don’t forget about your book’s price. The cost of your book should align with the value it provides. Low-content books generally sell for between 4 and 12 dollars. The more sophisticated and comprehensive the book, the higher the price.

To encourage more sales, consider promotional pricing at launch or bundling different books together for a special rate. Such incentives not only attract attention but can also lead to higher volume sales.

Real-world examples of low-content books published via Blurb

Many authors and creators have explored the world of low-content books and chose Blurb to bring them to life. Here are a few notable examples.

The Cosmic Dream Journal

This journal invites users to record and reflect upon their dreams, set against an inspiring cosmic backdrop to facilitate a deeper exploration of their subconscious mind.

The Unicorn Coloring Book

Bursting with magical illustrations, this coloring book offers enthusiasts a chance to dive into a fantasy world of unicorns, allowing them to add color and bring these mystical creatures to life.

Things I Did Well – Internalize

Designed to bolster self-confidence and positive reinforcement, this journal provides a dedicated space for individuals to acknowledge and celebrate their daily accomplishments and personal growth.

Feelings: A Mood Journal

Acting as an emotional barometer, this journal encourages users to track and articulate their daily moods and emotions, promoting self-awareness and emotional well-being.

Reawaken Planner

More than just a daily organizer, the Reawaken Planner is a guide for personal growth and mindfulness, helping users schedule tasks, set intentions, and reflect on their journey.

Each book serves as a tool for self-discovery, creativity, or organization—catering to different needs while offering interactive experiences.

How Blurb can help

Blurb is a self-publishing platform for every stage of your book’s journey. We’re a complete solution that supports creators from the initial design phase to sales, distribution, and feedback collection. 

Thanks to intuitive design tools, Blurb simplifies the self-publishing process, ensuring every book meets bookstore-quality standards. Once printed, you can leverage Blurb’s versatile selling options, setting your prices and tapping into a global market via Amazon or the Blurb Bookstore.

There’s incredible potential to tap into the world of low-content books. Sign up to get started with Blurb.

The post What are low-content books? And how do you create and sell one? appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Because photography tools have become so accessible and ubiquitous, it means we also have a lot of newcomers to the photography scene. If you’re new to the idea of making pictures and want to learn how to take better shots, here are eight tips and tricks that could come in handy as you explore your world.

Dan Milnor’s top advice

1. Get close

The famous war photographer Robert Capa said, “If your photographs aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.” Anytime you think you have the image of your dreams, take one step closer and see how it looks. 

2. Less is more

When it comes to photography equipment, it’s easy to go down the path of thinking you need the latest and greatest. You don’t. In fact, all you need is something you’re willing to carry, which for many of us means our mobile phone. I’ve had workshop students shoot entire classes with only their phones and their images were not only stellar, they looked fantastic in the books they created during class.

3. Think about light

I believe that light is the single most important element when it comes to the foundation of strong photography. Try to shoot when the light is optimal. Early morning, late afternoon, and even at night when the darkness adds to the mood.

Want to learn more? Here’s a guide to photography lighting techniques.

4. Be patient

It’s easy to always be in a hurry these days, but being patient can pay off in major ways when it adds to the drama in your images. If you see a potential image, don’t be afraid to wait for the setting to become just right.

5. Stay curious

Curiosity is arguably the most important trait a photographer can have. Curiosity leads to visual investigation, which tends to lead to great photographs.

6. Edit your photography

Don’t post everything you shoot. Edit photographs and showcase only your best. This way, when people see your name in the feed, they know to stop and pay attention because what you post is always at a high level.

7. Make prints and books

Putting your work in print forces you to apply critical thought to your work. Print forces us to ask, “What are the absolute best images I have?” and “What image would work best as the cover of my book?”

Answer some of those questions in our guide to choosing images for your printed book

8. Try what scares you

If you are someone who prefers to make pictures of buildings and landscapes, force yourself to photograph people. Start with a friend, then eventually move on to people in your circles. Portraiture is a great skill to have.

Ultimately, enjoy the process. Photography means different things to different people, and whatever it means to you is precisely right. A hobby or a job or even a hobby you hope becomes a job. Start small, start close to home, and enjoy every minute. 

***

Dan Milnor is a professional photographer and Blurb’s creative evangelist. He helps creators learn to shoot and self-publish. So if you’re ready to turn your photography into a photo book, join us at Blurb.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: Top Photography Advice appeared first on Blurb Blog.

We chat with Batchelar about their two decades of experience running a marketing agency, how it translated into their self-published book, and what advice they have for indie bookmakers aiming to promote their own books. You’ll definitely want to take notes on this interview and pick up the book, Reframing Marketing: A 3-Step Plan for Effective and Ethical Marketing.

You have an impressive multi-decade career in marketing! Can you tell us about your background and how it influenced your decision to write Reframing Marketing?

After running a digital marketing agency for 15 years, we worked with a business coach who suggested we try teaching what we knew in order to diversify our business. I had been working on a way to share our knowledge for a number of years and, after working with many different types of businesses, had distilled it into a repeatable methodology. Out of curiosity, I thought I would look for a book that would help me market my personal brand to see if I could learn more to get my message out to more people. I wanted to do it in an ethical way, and I couldn’t really find a book that did that, so I thought, well, if I can’t find it, maybe I should write it.

Reframing Marketing is an alternative to the win-at-all-costs approach. It’s not about slick tactics, get-rich-quick schemes, or high-pressure sales pitches. This book is about ethical marketing that is manageable and connects you with customers who are ready to say yes.

How has your experience as a marketing mentor shaped the insights that ended up in your book?

I’ve worked with a lot of different companies over the years. Some businesses have tried and tested methods of marketing that are well documented. I have found that for people who market themselves and the work they do. Often coaches, mentors, and entrepreneurs, there really wasn’t anything that felt right. It was all very manipulative and focused on making a quick sale, often at the expense of the client. It just didn’t feel right for a lot of people I had worked with. So the idea for the book grew out of that.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers will discover that marketing doesn’t have to be complicated and that the fundamentals are simple. The three-step plan outlined in the book is designed to make it easier to get started or to start again. The book is designed to help make marketing part of running your business rather than something you feel you should do or want to put off.

Is there a part of the book that you’re particularly proud of or excited for readers to discover?

It took a lot of work to distill what I wanted to share down to the three steps. However, I’ve had a lot of feedback from people saying that the simplicity of it helps them to be clearer and more confident about themselves.

Why do you believe ethical marketing is so crucial in today’s business landscape?

In a world where we are surrounded by marketing, and it is being done to us all the time, it is easier than ever to manipulate people’s decisions and feelings. This only works when the sale matters, not the client. I believe it can be done differently; there is a way to do marketing that doesn’t rely on this industrial-era thinking that works for both you and the client. I’m not saying this will solve all the world’s problems, but if we can move beyond the relentless drive to sell people more stuff they don’t need and instead towards helping people do better things, the world will be a better place for all of us.

Could you share an instance where ethical marketing made a significant difference in a campaign?

I often hear from people who have gone back to marketing after reading the book; they tell me that the conversations they have now are with people who aren’t focused on price or details; their only question is, when shall we start? This kind of marketing makes all the difference when people feel ready to invest and can’t wait to say yes. It’s transformative for them and for the business.

Is marketing a book different than marketing other services or products? If so, why and how?

In some ways, marketing a book is different from other products and services. You are, in essence, selling a promise to someone, not just the physical book. One thing I have found in marketing a book is that real marketing is the change you are saying will come from investing time and effort into reading and, in my case, working through the book. So marketing is much more than it appears on the surface, which is what makes it really interesting. You’re trying to get people thinking and inspired to want to make the change your book is offering. It allows for a lot of creativity.

Can you share any specific, successful tactics you’ve used for marketing your book? 

Everything I have done marketing this book has been based on the work in the book, so I can lead by example. I make weekly videos based on topics I have written about in the book, which I share on LinkedIn. At the end of the videos, I point people towards the book and invite them to learn more. 

With the book being all about ethical marketing, a curator for an event saw one of the videos and asked if I would speak at their next event as the head speaker. They said they wanted someone with authority to present and lead a discussion, and who better than the person who had written a book on the topic? So it’s not all about selling copies. It’s about building a reputation as the go-to person on your topic.

What led you to choose self-publishing for Reframing Marketing? And why did you choose Blurb as your platform?

I wanted to self-publish because this book has a narrow audience. I don’t want to be the next bestseller, I want to have something accessible to my audience at a price point that means anyone can get started with ethical marketing. Self-publishing means I control the book, the IP, and the distribution. I can partner with other people and even give the book away if I want to. I put a lot of time and effort into writing the book, so I wanted to be able to use it in any way I wanted in the future. Blurb was very easy to use with Reedsy, which I used to typeset the book.

Tell us about your process of designing your book with Blurb.

I used Reedsy to typeset the book, so once it was looking good in there, it was really simple to import it into Blurb. I used Canva to make the cover file and took a few goes to tweak it to fit the margins. The tool made it super simple to go from typeset manuscript to printed book.

Did you encounter any challenges during the self-publishing process, and if so, how did you overcome them?

If you have never done this before, there are a lot of new words to learn in order to set everything up correctly. You also have to think of your book in terms of pages rather than a long document, which is what you write the book as. Once you understand the process, it all makes sense.

Do you have any advice for creators looking to market their self-published works?

Keep writing, and don’t sweat the details too soon. I didn’t know if I could write enough words to make a whole book, but once I started it just flowed out. I actually ended up with too many and had to edit it down. I also found that working with an editor was a rewarding experience, as their outside eyes spot things you have read many times and missed.

What’s next for you following the publication of Reframing Marketing?

I am working on another version for small businesses and teams. It’s based on the same three-step plan and has exercises and new sections for this audience.

Finally, how do you hope Reframing Marketing will influence the marketing industry moving forward?

My vision is to change the way people think about and do marketing. Even if people change one thing about the way they get new clients to be more ethical, it will all add up, and together, we can show others that it can be done and there is a more ethical and effective way to do marketing.

***

Blurb is a self-publishing platform that allows you to create, self-publish, promote, share, and sell your own books. We provide bookmaking tools and the knowledge to create, print, and sell professional-quality photo books, magazines, and more. 

The post Reframing Marketing: Behind the Book with Simon Batchelar appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Fortunately, today, there are plentiful resources to help you learn everything you need to know to turn your ideas into a tangible, printed book. So, if you’re eager to create colorful worlds that ignite young imaginations through illustrating children’s books, this how-to guide is tailored for you. Let’s start with the basics.

Seek inspiration

It can be daunting at first if you’re entering the realm of illustrating a children’s book with little experience in this genre. But fear not. Start by seeking inspiration from successful illustrators and authors in this genre.

Immerse yourself in popular children’s books. Examine how visuals are employed to narrate a tale. Explore different styles and techniques used by various illustrators. This will help you understand different approaches and how visual storytelling works in children’s literature.

• Art galleries: Visit galleries that exhibit work from renowned illustrators or specialize in children’s artwork. It’s like a crash course in creativity.
• Social media platforms: Follow established illustrators on Instagram or Pinterest. Take a sneak peek into their creative process and let it ignite your imagination.
• Illustration books: Explore books that showcase artworks from multiple artists across diverse genres, including children’s literature. It’s a treasure trove of artistry.

Inspiration isn’t limited to other people’s work. It can come from anywhere—nature walks, everyday objects, dreams, and imagination. Stay open-minded as you embark on this creative voyage.

Research your genre and audience

Creating an illustrated children’s book is more than just drawing cute characters. You need to be aware of your desired demographic’s interests and outlooks, remembering that children’s literature can vary depending on age. 

Kids’ books span different age groups, each with unique needs and preferences, so be mindful of who you’re trying to reach.

• Age-appropriate content: Pictures tell the story for infants and toddlers before age 5. So, keep illustrations simple yet captivating to hold their attention. For older kids and complex narratives, you’ll need more detailed art. Try adding subtle elements like metaphors or symbolism to your artwork.
• Diverse characters: Children’s literature is all about embracing diverse characters and themes. Create inclusive visuals that reflect the society in which we live. 
• Cultural sensitivity: It’s often best to tell stories from our own experiences. But our individual experience can’t speak for our entire culture or identity group. Make sure you depict each character and culture respectfully and authentically. Research cultural symbols or consult experts to avoid misrepresentation.
• Mindset: To illustrate effectively for children, step into their shoes. What would fascinate them visually? What colors would attract them? Keep these considerations in mind to resonate better with young readers.

Remember, illustrating a children’s book isn’t just about showcasing artistic skills. It’s about communicating ideas clearly so even young minds can understand easily.

Collaborate with your author

Collaboration is critical if you’re an illustrator but not a writer. Understanding and executing the author’s vision—or vice versa—can be challenging but effective. Here are some tips for successful author-illustrator collaboration.

• Clear communication: Talk it out. Make sure you understand what the author or publisher wants from your illustrations. Don’t hesitate to inquire.
• Regular updates: Keep in touch. Share your progress and get feedback on your drafts.
• Flexibility: Be open-minded. Remember, it’s about working together to bring each other’s vision to life.

Eric Carle and Bill Martin Jr.’s work on “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” is an excellent example of successful collaboration over four decades. Martin wrote the book in an incredible half-hour and reached out to Carle to illustrate it after seeing his work in an ad. Their effective communication led to one of the most beloved children’s books ever published, selling millions of copies over their life-long friendship.

Choose your art style

After immersing yourself in the world of children’s literature and understanding your audience, it’s time to choose your art style. This is an essential step as it will set the tone for your book and help communicate your story effectively.

Begin with popular styles

During your research, you’ve probably already come across the classic styles most often used in children’s literature. But, just in case, here’s a list of the top styles that you can consider before starting to illustrate.

• Watercolor: Watercolor is a popular medium for children’s books due to its soft and dreamy quality. It’s great for creating atmospheric backgrounds and delicate details. Examples include Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit series.
• Cartoons or comics: This style often features bold lines and vibrant colors, with exaggerated features to depict characters. It’s perfect for humorous or action-packed stories. Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants is a classic example.
• Cut-outs or collages: This style involves cutting out pieces of paper, fabric, or other materials and arranging them to create images. Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a famous example of this style.
• Digital art: With advancements in technology, many illustrators are now using digital tools to create their artwork. Digital art can mimic many traditional styles, like watercolor, oil painting, and more, but with the added benefit of easy editing and manipulation.
• Pencil or line drawings: These are simple, yet effective, especially when paired with a good story. They can be black and white or paired with a splash of color for emphasis. An example would be E.H. Shepard’s illustrations in Winnie the Pooh.
• Mixed media: This style combines different mediums, like ink, paint, and collage, to create rich, layered illustrations. A good example would be Lauren Child’s Charlie and Lola books.

Find your voice

With some examples in mind, it’s time to figure out what will work best for you—and the story. Here are a few things to keep in mind while narrowing down your style.

• Identify your strengths. Start by identifying what you’re naturally good at. Are you adept at creating whimsical watercolor sceneries, or do your strengths lie in digital art? Maybe you excel at simple line drawings or intricate patterns? Identifying your strong suit will make the process more enjoyable and the final product more polished.
• Match your style to the story. Next, consider the story you’re illustrating. A humorous tale might call for exaggerated, cartoonish characters, while a serious or educational book might benefit from more realistic illustrations. The art style should enhance the narrative and make it more engaging.
• Consider your age group. Remember, different age groups respond to different styles. Younger children might prefer bold, bright colors and simple shapes, while older kids may appreciate more detail and complexity.
• Experiment and refine. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles until you find one that feels right. Sketch, doodle, paint, and play around with different mediums. You might discover a style you never knew you had!
• Stay consistent. Once you’ve chosen a style, consistency is key. Make sure your illustrations maintain a uniform look and feel throughout the book. This helps create a cohesive visual experience for the reader.

Remember, there’s no “one size fits all” in choosing an art style. It’s about finding what works best for you and the story you’re telling.

Pick your color and mood

Choosing the right colors and style for your children’s book is like picking the perfect outfit—it can make a big impression. Color sets the mood and engages young readers, so choose wisely.

Basic color theory is your secret weapon. Warm colors like reds and yellows bring the energy, while cool blues and greens create a calming vibe.

• Bold or pastel colors: Bold colors grab attention, perfect for action scenes. Pastels create a softer look, great for bedtime stories.
• Saturated or desaturated: Saturated colors are bright and intense, perfect for lively scenes. Desaturated shades give a vintage feel or a more subtle tone.

Your illustration style matters, too. Realistic drawings bring depth, while abstract illustrations leave room for imagination.

• Detailed illustrations: Meticulous planning creates intricate pages. Techniques like pen and ink or watercolors can help.
• Simplified artwork: Minimal lines and shapes focus on characters’ expressions. Perfect for highlighting actions and emotions.

Remember these applicable clichés: Less is more. Consistency is key, so don’t confuse young readers with sudden shifts. Keep it fun and engaging.

Develop characters and setting the stage

The essence of a children’s book lies in the characters and their environment. When illustrating, invest time creating inspiring characters and vibrant settings that resonate with the storyline.

Create captivating characters

Your character design should be as unique as their personalities. Experiment with different shapes, sizes, and colors until you find what best represents your character’s vibe. Your characters’ personalities ultimately tell the story and provide lessons for children, so it’s one of the most critical components to get right. 

Design vibrant settings

The setting immerses young readers into your story. Whether it’s an enchanted forest or a bustling cityscape, fill each scene with details that bring the environment to life. Use color schemes to set mood and atmosphere: bright hues for joy, darker tones for mystery or danger.

Keep it cohesive

A consistent visual style throughout your book maintains continuity and enhances reader engagement. This means maintaining consistency in both character designs and settings.

• Character consistency: If your main character has blue eyes on page one, those eyes need to stay blue unless there’s a plot reason for a change. Keep track of these details with your characters—maybe create a “character sheet” for reference to list specific traits to help you keep track.
• Setting consistency: If there’s a tree outside the protagonist’s house at the beginning, include it every time we see their home again. This is a simple example of how small details make a big difference in illustrating cohesive and consistent children’s books. 

Your illustrations offer more than just supplementary decorations. They’re the primary medium that tells the story visually.

Sketch and storyboard

The first step in bringing your children’s book to life is sketching initial concepts. Unleash your creative power and let the ideas pour forth. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage; these sketches are just a starting point.

A handy tool for illustrators during this phase is a simple sketchbook. It’s like a playground for your ideas, where you can experiment and explore different possibilities without any limits. Plus, it’s screen-free and eco-friendly.

Build a storyboard

Once you have some preliminary sketches, it’s time to start storyboarding. Think of it as creating a visual roadmap for your book. It’s like GPS for your illustrations, guiding you through each scene and ensuring a smooth journey for your readers.

Instead of words, you’ll be using images to tell your story: a silent movie but with pictures.

Tips for effective storyboarding

• Keep it simple: Stick figures and basic shapes are your best friends. There’s no need for fancy illustrations, yet—simplicity is key.
• Show action: Use lines and arrows to show movement. Your illustrations should be so clear that readers can understand what’s happening without text.
• Maintain consistency: Keep your character designs consistent throughout the book unless there’s a deliberate change in the storyline. We don’t want any identity crises.

Following these steps gives you a clear vision of your project before diving into the more complex stages. A little planning goes a long way, so don’t overlook storyboarding as a navigation tool to guide the process.

Draft thumbnails and roughs

Once you have your characters, setting, and storyboard down pat, it’s time to really get into the creative process. Start creating thumbnail sketches and roughs of your illustrations. 

Sketch thumbnails

Thumbnails are small, black-and-white drawings that help you refine composition, expression, perspective, angles, and lighting. They also provide a great platform to experiment with different ideas before committing to a final image. When sketching your thumbnails, feel free to make as many as you need in order to find the right solution. 

It’s a good idea to sketch your thumbnails in sequence and as spreads, so you know exactly where page turns are and where you might want an illustration to span both pages.

Work on the roughs

When you are satisfied with your thumbnail sketches, it’s time for your roughs. These are uncolored sketches that build off your storyboard and thumbnails, but with more refinement. It’s a good idea to lay out your roughs in their intended page size, text, and with a light gray border, so you can easily see where the gutters will be.

Try to focus on expression and character poses as much as possible during this stage and make sure they are working together to tell the story. You also want to consider any elements that may need fixed perspective or require careful composition—these details should all be worked out now. This is where you can plan for page turns and decide where you want an illustration to span both pages. When everything looks good, it’s time to move on to the inks.

A final tip: keep your rough stages simple and loose. They don’t need to look like they are done—they just need to get your ideas across. 

Make a book dummy

A book dummy is a mockup of your book, and it’s a really important part of the process, especially if you’re collaborating with a writer. This physical representation of your book will help you better understand the flow, spacing, and pacing of your story.

We’d suggest you make your dummy the actual size of your final book. This will help you understand how the scale feels in little hands. Paging through your dummy will help you make sure that the pacing, sequencing, and page turns feel right. Plus, you can send it to your author, editor, art director, or even friends to get feedback and get aligned before you finalize your work.

It’s actually such an important part of the process, we have an entire guide to making a book dummy. 

Finalize your illustrations

Once you feel very good about your book dummy, it’s time to truly begin the illustration process. You have your blueprint, it’s time to add all the beautiful details that will bring your story to life. It’s important to remember that the illustrations need to be able to stand on their own—they should be complete and crisp enough for a viewer who may not be able to read the text.

Many illustrators take their roughs and block out color, starting with the darkest and moving to middle tones then the highlights. From those blocks of color, it’s time to add depth with gradients, masking, and light and shadow. Last up is the texture, to create a sense of reality.

Of course, your process may look different! Going from roughs to polished illustrations depends on your medium, tools, timeline, and style. Remember to enjoy the process.

Try digital tools

As an illustrator, getting acquainted with digital tools that can help enhance and execute your work can be very helpful. With that in mind, we’ll outline two digital tools that make the process smoother, and offer features that traditional mediums might lack.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a popular choice for children’s book illustrations. It offers vector-based graphics, meaning you can scale your illustrations without losing quality—perfect for print. With numerous brushes, effects, and color options, Adobe Illustrator lets you create detailed and vibrant images.

• Brushes: The software has various brush types like calligraphic, scatter, art, etc., each offering unique strokes and textures.
• Effects: From shadows to 3D objects or artistic filters—the possibilities are endless.
• Color options: You can access millions of colors and gradient options, allowing for depth in your illustrations.

Procreate

If you prefer working on a tablet device, Procreate, exclusive to iPad users, is an excellent choice. Procreate provides an intuitive interface paired with high-resolution canvases, making it ideal for detailed work. Its vast library of customizable brushes lets you add personal touches to your creations.

• Layers: This feature helps manage complex compositions by separating elements into different layers, which you can edit individually later if needed.
• Gestures: The app supports multi-touch gestures, giving artists more control over their canvas as they draw.

No matter what tool you choose, remember that practice makes perfect. Spend time exploring these applications’ capabilities before starting on the final artwork. Experimenting helps unlock new techniques while understanding how to best use them within the context of children’s book illustrations.

Gather feedback

Creating illustrations for a children’s book is like a dance—it takes sketching, coloring, and much refining. One of the most critical partners in this dance is feedback. Embrace it and use it to help your illustrations shine.

Communicate with collaborators

If you’re working with an author, editor, or another illustrator, communication is key. We’ve talked about it before, but it’s worth mentioning again. Communication can make or break a project, so be sure to stay in touch and continually bring your collaborators along as you are finalizing your illustrations.

Remember, not everyone provides feedback the way you like to receive it. Try to not take anything personally, and coach others on how you best respond to feedback. For example, you can ask the author to provide specific examples of how they want a certain scene reworked. Or, if you’re close to the end of a project, remind your team that you can only accept project-ending red flags, rather than nitpicking edits.

Seek feedback from colleagues 

If you’re working alone or just want peer-to-peer feedback from fellow illustrators, it’s a great idea to reach out to them directly. Join online communities like DeviantArt or local art groups to showcase your illustrations and get input from fellow creators. You can earn constructive feedback from multiple, potentially hundreds, of people on these platforms.

Hire an editor

While your author or peers can offer fantastic feedback, there’s nothing that can beat a paid editor. So consider hiring a professional editor who specializes in children’s literature. They can give you valuable insights into how your illustrations align with the story, characters, and target audience. Plus, they can make sure that any typos, inconsistencies, or print errors are caught before you start marketing your book!

Not all feedback needs to feel like a punch to the gut. Feedback is great, but don’t let it hurt your artistic soul. This project is yours, so stay true to your style.

Understand printing formats and specifications

As you’re planning to bring your children’s book illustrations to life, there are a lot of details to consider when formatting and eventually printing your book. Let’s whizz through some of the most common printing formats and specifications.

• Format: Choosing the perfect format for your book is like finding the right pair of shoes—it has to fit just right. From small square books for tiny hands to larger landscape books for shared reading, Blurb offers various book formats and size options to suit your needs.
• Paper quality: Don’t underestimate the power of paper. A glossy finish can make your illustrations pop, while a matte finish adds an elegant touch. With Blurb, you can choose from paper options like Premium Lustre, uncoated proline pearl photo, and more.
• Digital versus print color spaces: Color spaces can be tricky, but we’ve got your back. RGB for digital screens and CMYK for print production—it’s like speaking two different languages. Adobe Illustrator has detailed guides to help you manage these spaces effectively.
• Bleed settings and margins: Don’t let those white edges ruin your masterpiece. Use bleeds to extend your design beyond the trim area. Treat margins like bodyguards for your text and images, ensuring nothing gets cut off during binding or trimming.

Now that you have the knowledge to conquer the printing process, you can assemble and polish your illustrations for a flawless finished product.

Publish and market

Once you’ve finished illustrating and assembling your children’s book, it’s time to publish and market it. When publishing a children’s book, you can go traditional, which can be an uphill battle for most creators. Or you can take complete ownership of your book and self-publish it.

Traditional publishing houses

If you choose the traditional route, let the publisher handle the marketing and distribution. Just pray they accept you and find an agent to pitch your work. This option is a long shot for authors and illustrators without a track record in the industry.

Self-publishing

Self-publishing gives you complete control and ownership over your children’s book. Not only do you have to finance the project, but you also have to handle marketing and distribution. Platforms like Blurb take much of the guesswork out of the equation and make self-publishing a book easy.

Marketing approach

Marketing your self-published book requires a strategic vision that uses a combination of approaches. Here are a few to consider.

• Identify your target audience, including parents or gift givers, and tailor your marketing efforts to them.
• Write an enticing book blurb that inspires and excites readers to want more.
• Establish a presence online by creating a website, blog, social media, or a combination of these platforms to help spread the word about your book.
• If your book is listed on Amazon, encourage reviews by contacting friends, family, and influential bloggers in your genre.
• Host a launch event at your local bookstore or library to celebrate the release of your book.
• Donate copies of your book to schools, daycare centers, or libraries to help build awareness.
• Build an email list to keep your audience engaged and informed about your book.
• Use keywords and metadata to optimize your book’s listing or web content to show up across search engines better.

Not all of these marketing tips will apply to your children’s book, but mastering a few of these channels can help get your book known. Remember that marketing a self-published children’s book takes planning and effort, but it is essential to reach your target audience and ultimately sell your book.

Why use Blurb for children’s books

Blurb is a preferred platform for self-publishing children’s books because it offers a range of tools and resources to help authors and illustrators create, print, and sell their books, all while allowing them to maintain complete creative control over the final product.

Blurb offers free bookmaking and design tools that allow creators to easily drag and drop illustrations onto blank pages and use any of their fonts. Once published, Blurb allows creators to promote and sell their self-published book in various ways, including in the Blurb Bookstore, on Amazon, and with worldwide online retailers.

Get started today with Blurb!

The post How to illustrate a children’s book appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Book printing is a less glamorous yet universal process that applies to every physical copy in every genre. It doesn’t matter if you’re an aspiring children’s book author, a talented photographer, a creative comic book artist, or any independent writer; understanding the book printing process is crucial in determining the outcome and expense of your project.

We’re here to explore the essential steps to get your book printed and printed professionally. We’ll discuss the different printing options available to self-publishers, along with the pros and cons of each. We’ll demystify printing terminologies like paper type, binding options, ISBN, barcodes, and the proofing process. 

Armed with this knowledge, you will have the confidence to navigate the printing process and ensure your book meets bestseller print standards. We also get that budget can be a significant concern, so we share strategies to help keep your printing costs manageable without skimping on quality.

Book printing options

Two primary options to consider when printing your self-published book are offset printing and print-on-demand (POD). Each method has its benefits and drawbacks. But in most cases, POD often works best for self-published creators, while offset printing can be more efficient for publishing houses working with established authors.

What is offset printing?

Offset printing is a traditional, cost-effective method suited for large print runs. It involves creating metal plates to transfer ink onto rubber blankets and, finally, onto the printing surface. This process is the industry standard for delivering high-quality results in large quantities. It’s ideal for creators with a substantial demand for their books.

Offset printing is cost-effective for large print runs and offers superior print quality, making it ideal for visually rich books. It allows for extensive customization, allowing you to choose from various paper types, finishes, and ink colors to match your vision. As the method used by traditional publishers, offset printing involves higher upfront costs due to plate creation and minimum print quantities. Managing inventory can also be challenging if demand is uncertain.

What is print-on-demand (POD)?

POD is a modern printing method that revolutionized self-publishing. With POD, you print books as you receive orders, eliminating large financial investments and tricky inventory management.

Print-on-demand reduces upfront costs as you only print books when orders come in, saving on storage and logistics. It also allows the flexibility to print single copies or small batches, making POD great for testing the market or niche audiences. However, the cost per unit may be higher than offset printing for larger quantities. 

Finding a printing service

The next step is pinpointing a reliable printing service that meets your requirements and publishing standards. With such an array of digital book printers available, evaluating several factors when picking your service is wise.

• Services offered. Begin by assessing the services provided by different printing companies. As a rule, only work with providers that specialize in book printing. These providers generally have the experience, expertise, and technology tailored to your requirements. 
• Printing quality. The quality of your book is super important, so thoroughly examine samples of their previous work. Request print samples or look for books they’ve printed to gauge the paper quality, binding, and overall finish. A professional printing service should showcase consistency and excellence.
• Customization options. Consider the level of customization each service can provide for your book. Ensure they offer a variety of paper choices, finishes, and binding options to actualize your creative vision. Look for the flexibility to create a unique and visually appealing book that aligns with your artistic direction.
• Turnaround time. Time is of the essence in publishing. Ask about each service’s production timeline and turnaround times. Be sure the company you choose can deliver within your desired timeframe without compromising quality.
• Pricing and quotes. Get detailed quotes from multiple printing services and carefully review their pricing structures. Compare the costs for different quantities and evaluate any additional fees or setup costs. Balance the overall cost to self-publish your book with the level of service and quality provided.
• Reputation and reviews. Research each printing service’s reputation. Seek customer reviews and testimonials to learn about the service’s reliability and communication and gauge past clients’ satisfaction.
• Distribution. Consider every printing service’s shipping options and distribution capabilities. Ensure they can handle the distribution of your book to various retailers—or directly to customers if you’d like.
• Proofing process. Verify every service’s proofing process to ensure you can review and approve a physical copy (proof copy) of your book before the full print run. Your review is crucial to catch any potential errors or layout issues before your book goes into production.

Working with the right printing partner can make a significant difference in delivering a beautiful, bookstore-quality product that exceeds your readers’ expectations and represents your work in the best possible light.

Essential elements that go into printing a book

You must check several boxes before submitting your work for printing. Preparing your manuscript, choosing your binding and paper type, and navigating printing costs are all necessary steps in turning your book into a tangible finished product. This section dives into the essential elements of printing a book, helping to ensure a frictionless journey across the final self-publishing line.

1. Manuscript: preparing for print

A critical step in pre-printing is ensuring your manuscript is properly prepared and formatted for production. Pay attention to your margins, font selection, page numbers, headers, and footers. Here’s how.

• Margins: Adequate margins ensure your text doesn’t get too close to the edge of the page, which prevents content from being cut off during printing and binding.
• Font selection: Choose a legible font that suits the genre and style of your book. If you publish an ebook, stick to standard fonts to ensure compatibility across different reading devices.
• Page numbers: Include page numbers consistently throughout your manuscript for seamless navigation.
• Headers and footers: Add headers with the book’s title and chapter names for easy reference.

While polishing your manuscript, consider investing in developmental editing services before getting into layout and print. A developmental editor will help you improve your book’s structure, content, and style before publication. Catching narrative inconsistencies and stylistic challenges early can pay dividends in the long run.

2. Professional editing and design

The quality and readability of your book’s content are pivotal to its success. While you can do a lot independently, recruiting support in this area makes sense for many self-published creators. 

It’s no secret that it’s difficult to catch typos in your own writing. Psychologists call this generalization—the mind’s default mechanism to store information and understand meaning rather than technicality. So, hiring a professional editor is invaluable in ensuring your book is free from errors, typos, and grammatical mistakes. Undoubtedly, a well-edited book elevates your credibility as a self-publisher. 

In addition to editing help for your copy, photos, and other content, consider a book designer. Investing in professional book design can elevate your book’s marketability and curb appeal. Designing a captivating book cover can distinguish your book on the shelves and capture potential readers. And an organized, aesthetically pleasing interior layout creates an enjoyable reading experience. 

In short, don’t skimp on proper book editing and design. You put a lot of time, energy, and resources into creating your book. Maximize your investment by ensuring your book looks and reads like a future bestseller.

3. Paper and binding options

Your choice of paper and binding significantly impacts the look and feel of your final book. With visually oriented books, like photo books, opting for quality is key. But for literary novels with hundreds of pages, efficiency is more of a factor. When weighing these options, consider the following.

• Paper weight: Different paper weights affect the thickness and durability of your book. A heavier paper adds substance and longevity, while a lighter paper is better for portability and affordability.
• Paper color and finish: Paper color and finish contribute to the overall aesthetics of your book. Choose between white, cream, or colored paper, and test out matte or glossy finishes. If your printing service offers a proof or swatch kit, try printing your photo book on different paper so you can see how your images show up on each type.
• Binding options: There are many options, including perfect binding, spiral binding, and hardcover binding. Each has unique advantages, with perfect binding being cost-effective, spiral binding providing flexibility, and hardcover offering durability and a premium look.

Some printing services offer swatch kits, allowing you to experience different paper types and finishes before deciding. Spend time figuring out which materials work best with your book vision and budget.

4. Cover options: paperback versus hardcover

The front cover is your book’s first impression, so choosing the right type is vital. If you’re unsure which book option is best, let’s explore both in detail.

• Paperback: Paperback covers are flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective. They are perfect for novels, zines, and serialized books with frequent updates or revisions. However, they’re less durable than hardcovers.
• Hardcover: Hardcover books exude a premium feel and durability, making them ideal for special editions, coffee table books, and books with a longer shelf life. However, hardcovers are typically more expensive to produce.

Consider your book’s genre, target audience, and budget when choosing between a paperback and hardcover. Or, best yet, offer both and let your fans decide! 

5. Typeface: choosing the right font

Selecting the right typeface is essential for the book’s cover and interior. Typography complements your book’s design, helps set the tone, and enhances readability. But choosing the right font is not always easy. Here’s what to think about when picking.

• Prioritize readability. Clear and legible fonts are integral to any book design. After all, what is a book’s point if a reader can’t make out the photos, captions, or text?
• Match the font to your book’s genre and tone. The right font can immediately create a cohesive and immersive reading experience.
• Maintain consistency. Avoid using too many fonts; limit your selection to two or three for a cohesive design.
• Experiment with font sizes and line spacing. Play around to strike the right balance between readability and aesthetics.
• Seek feedback. Gather opinions on the font’s readability and appeal from mentors and trusted advisors.
• Consider san-serif and serif. Sans-serif fonts are usually best for contemporary genres, while serif fonts are great for classic or historical genres.

Remember that simplicity and legibility often trump decorative or overly stylized fonts. 

6. ISBN and barcode: the essentials for distribution

An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique identifier that distinguishes your book from others in the market. It is essential for sales, distribution, and libraries. You can obtain an ISBN from your country’s ISBN agency or through self-publishing platforms. Blurb issues ISBNs for free with any book created using BookWright, our Adobe InDesign plugin, or our PDF to Book uploader tool.

Barcodes are also crucial for retail distribution. They encode the ISBN and facilitate accurate scanning at bookstores. Many printing services provide barcodes and ISBNs or offer guidance on obtaining them.

7. Proofing: ensuring perfection

Before proceeding with the entire print run, request a physical proof copy of your book. Many printing services offer this option, which allows you to review your final product and catch any remaining errors, layout issues, or formatting glitches. A proof copy is a great way to comb through your book and ensure it’s ready before giving the green light to initiate a complete print run.

You may also want to get a second set of eyes and recruit the services of a professional proofreader or copy editor. Hiring a professional editor can be invaluable for several reasons:

• Unbiased evaluation: Professionals provide an impartial review, catching errors you might miss due to familiarity with the content.
• Language expertise: Editors enhance grammar, punctuation, and clarity, elevating readability and flow.
• Consistency and style: Editors ensure consistent spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, maintaining a cohesive writing style.
• Enhanced content: Editors can suggest revisions to strengthen the book’s content and message.
• Visual elements: Proofreaders verify accuracy in images, captions, and tables, ensuring correct placement and labeling.
• Catching last-minute errors: Professional editors find those last-minute mistakes that may have slipped through multiple self-edits.
• Saving time and effort: Hiring a professional frees up time for other aspects of publishing, helping you focus on what you do best.

8. Cost considerations

Printing costs are a significant aspect of self-publishing, and there’s much to be mindful of. Here’s where to start.

• Setup costs: Offset printing may involve upfront setup expenses, like creating printing plates or molds for your book. These costs are more significant for offset printing than print-on-demand, where setup fees are minimal or nonexistent.
• Per-copy costs: The per-unit cost of printing each book varies based on print quantity, trim size, paper type, and binding options. Bulk printing with offset may reduce the per-copy cost, making it cost-effective for higher print quantities.
• Shipping: If you’re distributing physical copies of your book, you must consider shipping costs. The printing facility’s location and the book’s destination influence shipping expenses.
• Additional charges: Depending on your requirements, there may be additional charges for services like rush printing, special finishes, or customizations.

To keep costs manageable without compromising quality, consider these cost-saving strategies.

• Print-on-demand is cost-efficient for creators with uncertain demand or those testing the market. It eliminates the need for significant upfront investments and inventory storage.
• Digital printing is more economical for short print runs, as it eliminates setup costs associated with offset printing.
• Opt for a standard trim size for your book to avoid additional trimming costs during production.
• Bulk printing with offset may be cost-effective due to reduced per-unit costs if you anticipate high demand.
• Invest in self-promotion and marketing to increase book sales—it takes money to make money, as they say.

By grasping all the costs involved in self-publishing and implementing relevant cost-saving strategies, you can effectively budget your book printing expenses accordingly and price your product with an adequate profit margin.

Print your book with Blurb

We’re Blurb, a print-on-demand service built by and for indie self-publishers. Our easy-to-use bookmaking software tools, array of customization options, and convenient print and distribution capabilities provide a cost-effective yet professional-quality solution. 

With Blurb, only print what you need when you need it, saving on upfront costs and minimizing inventory risks. You can also leverage Blurb to help sell and distribute your book across popular channels, including Amazon. 

Start your self-publishing journey and turn your work into the print version you envision.

The post How to print your book: a guide for self-publishers appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Since you’re here, you know a children’s book’s layout is fundamental to its success. How the story unfolds on the pages, the arrangement of illustrations and text, and the overarching flow of the story all play a role in captivating the interest of young readers.

Here, we explore the art of effectively using children’s book templates, focusing on essential layout tips that will allow you to design visually stunning books. Learn the ropes of storyboarding, flow, and consistency to elevate your book’s creative appeal and narrative. 

What you need before getting started

Before creating a children’s book, you need a clear vision. Here’s what you need before diving into your children’s book design.

• Create compelling idea. Every great children’s book starts with a concept. It could be an otherworldly fantasy, a morale-building adventure, or an inspirational journey into a particular topic. No matter what, a benchmark requirement is an interesting idea that resonates with your target readers and ignites your passion for storytelling.
• Make a well-defined plan. Writing a children’s book requires careful planning. Outline the plot, characters, and overall structure of your book. Consider the age group you want to target, too. A systematic plan is a stable roadmap to keep you on track throughout designing and assembling your book.
• Understand your target audience. You must tailor your children’s books to a specific age group, as each has distinct preferences and cognitive abilities. Take time to understand the age group you’re writing for. This knowledge will help you maintain consistent language, themes, and design choices.
• Build engaging characters. Memorable characters are the heart of any successful children’s book. Develop characters that children can connect with and root for throughout the story. Give them thought-provoking personalities and relatable traits that resonate with young readers.
• Balance text and illustration. Children’s books often rely on a combination of copy and images to convey the story. Consider how much text you’ll use on each page and how it will interact with the visuals.
• Design quality illustrations. Captivating illustrations are paramount in children’s books. Whether you’re an illustrator or collaborating with one, the artwork should align with your vision and enhance the storytelling experience.
• Find a children’s book template. While some creators prefer starting from scratch, using a book template can significantly streamline the design process. Templates offer a blueprint for book design and layout structure, which can be immensely helpful in cohesively arranging your book’s content.

With these boxes checked, you’ve done most of the hard work toward designing your children’s book. The next phase is to assemble a storyboard and start organizing the components of your template and layout.

Creating a storyboard

A storyboard is a sequenced visual representation of your children’s book. It’s a roadmap that outlines the flow of the story and text and illustration placement on each page. Crafting a storyboard shapes a clear and organized structure to deliver your book’s narrative. 

How to create a storyboard

Storyboarding involves visually structuring a story’s sequence of events, settings, character development, and key plot points. By organizing the story into separate cells, you can focus on each narrative element and create a visual blueprint that helps keep everything flowing smoothly.

• Outline the plot. Break down your story into key scenes or chapters. Summarize the main events in each section, keeping in mind the pacing and progression of the narrative.
• Sketch the layout. Create rough sketches for each page, indicating illustration and text placement. Consider the visual flow and how the illustrations interact with the text to enhance the storytelling.
• Consider page turns. Pay special attention to the page turns. Use them to build anticipation and surprise the reader. Each page turn should naturally transition to the next part of the story.
• Review and revise. Once you’ve completed the initial storyboard, review it thoroughly. Request feedback and editing support to improve your narrative’s overall structure and coherence.

How the storyboard helps with templates and design

The storyboard becomes even more valuable when working with a children’s book template. It can help instruct the design modifications and customization of a template to match your specific ideas and content better. Here’s how the storyboard aligns with the template and aids the design process.

• Layout customization. The storyboard gives you a clear sense of each page’s layout. With this visual roadmap, you can easily adapt a template’s predefined elements to match your desired arrangement of text and illustrations.
• Hierarchy. A well-structured storyboard establishes the visual order of your book. It allows you to see prominent focal points and emphasize vital elements on each page, making it easier for young readers to follow the story.
• Consistency and cohesion. Creating a storyboard ensures a consistent design throughout the book. Cohesion in the book’s layout, typography, and illustration style is the basis for a polished and professional-looking children’s book.
• Efficiency in design. The storyboard provides a clear plan of action that minimizes guesswork by directing how each page will look, even before applying any template.

The storyboard is a powerful tool to help you visualize your ideas, identify any potential gaps or inconsistencies in the story, and seamlessly transition from page to page.

Crucial layout components of a children’s book

Many components must come together to create a cohesive children’s book layout. Each element plays a role in engaging young readers and immersing them in the story. Let’s dive into each so you can choose templates that work best for every part of your book.

1. Book cover

The book cover is the first thing children see, and it serves as a gateway into the magical world inside. The cover’s design should spark curiosity and intrigue, inviting children to pick up the book and explore further. 

Consider a template that will allow you to show off your most vibrant and eye-catching illustration, the one that reflects the essence of your story. And, while your visuals should be the most attention-grabbing, your title and author’s name should also be clear and legible in the template you choose. Remember to customize your layout using fonts matching the rest of your book. 

2. Front matter

Front matter typically includes the title page, copyright page, and dedication. Find a simple, uncluttered template with consistent fonts and design elements that align with the book’s theme. Front matter sets the stage for the story and establishes the book’s credibility, but it shouldn’t distract or disrupt the reading experience.

3. Scene breaks

Scene breaks signal transitions within the story. Novelists usually use visual icons and line breaks to indicate a shift in time or setting, a change in point of view, or skip over unimportant moments. 

A children’s book differs slightly from a novel, as every page or spread is a natural scene break! Look for a children’s book template that allows you to use single pages to capture a whole scene and entire spreads for key story scenes. 

4. Page spreads and page turns

As mentioned above, page spreads and turns are hugely important in your book design process. Spreads are two facing pages in a book, where illustrations and text interact cohesively across the fold. These are full-spread panoramic views of a scene well-suited for dramatic images and important story events. You’ve already chosen a template with both individual pages and spreads. Now it’s time to organize those page spread layouts mindfully by ensuring the visuals complement the text and add depth to the storytelling. 

Page turns are another structural element that can build suspense, reveal surprises, and enhance the pacing of a book. Strategically placed page turns create tension and anticipation, encouraging children to flip to the next page eagerly. You’ve probably built this tension into your storyboard, but as you move through the design process, keep these moments of pause in mind.

5. Trim size

As you look for the perfect template, consider the overall size of your book! This will affect how much information you can fit on a page and the overall design feel. Choose an age-appropriate trim size that feels comfortable for young hands to hold. 

Generally, large hardcover books make for great children’s books, as they enhance the view of illustrations and text while also making for easier page-turning. But smaller sizes can also work well for board books and early readers. Use a trim size that best accommodates the nature of your book’s content, audience, and reading experience.

6. Illustrations

Illustrations are the heart and soul of a children’s book. They provide a visual narrative that complements and enhances the written text and visual cues that help comprehension and relatability. 

While not built into children’s book templates, you’ll want to consider your imagery as you select the right one for your book. It will inform which templates are most appropriate as well as the book’s overall design. If you’re part of a bookmaking team, ensure you’re collaborating. Whether you’re the author or illustrator, if you’re working with another person, getting on the same page allows your book to be cohesive, visually appealing, and consistent.

7. Word count

Balancing word count in children’s books is essential to keep the story engaging and appropriate for your target age group, as different age groups have different word count expectations. A template that works for a chapter book for older children won’t work for youngsters—so carefully consider your word count as you choose your layouts.

For early readers (ages 5 to 8), aim for word counts between 1,000 and 2,500 words. For picture books, keep the word count to around 600 or less. Longer chapter books for children can range from 4,000 to 10,000 words. 

Of course, these are general ranges and depend on the specific genre, story, and audience. But as a general rule, remember that children’s books generally rely on concise and impactful storytelling. Focus on your story’s essential elements; every word should contribute to the narrative.

8. Font and typography

When it comes to typography best practices, choose easy-to-read fonts that are child-friendly and align with the book’s theme. While children’s book templates often have fonts baked in, you should be able to easily customize each layout to better fit your story.

As a rule, your font and typography should match your story’s mood and tone. Consider opting for a larger font size for younger readers and experimenting with different styles for emphasis or character dialogue. Again, this is an excellent place for author and illustrator collaboration if you’re working on a team. This will ensure the font works well with the illustrations.

9. Colors

Colors are a powerful tool in children’s book design, setting the tone and atmosphere of the story. Most templates you find will have a pre-selected color scheme, but don’t feel locked in. Personalize any template you work with to have it fit your narrative needs.

Consider using bright, cheerful colors for light-hearted tales and softer, muted hues for soothing narratives. A carefully chosen color palette can enhance the emotional impact of the illustrations and create an immersive reading experience.

10. Back matter

Back matter is another opportunity to be creative and provide added value to readers, be it activities, games, or additional information that complements the story. Again, this is where the book’s age group and reading level are relevant considerations. Keep back matter engaging and informative, encouraging further interaction with the book. And make sure you select a template that gives you the space and layout you need for all the content you’re planning!

Tips for a successful children’s book layout

We’ve given you a lot to think about above. But no matter which templates you choose or components you add to your book, there are a few best practices.

• Find a balance between text and illustrations to create an engaging reading experience. 
• Maintain a consistent layout throughout the book with the same margins, spacing, and alignment on each page to create a cohesive visual experience.
• Plan for page turns to create suspense, reveal surprises, and enhance storytelling. Use page spreads to create a dramatic effect or to add emphasis.
• Use theme-relevant fonts with clear and distinct letters to aid readability.
• Ensure a clear visual hierarchy to guide young readers through the story.
• Test the layout with children to gather feedback and make improvements.
• Embrace simplicity and avoid clutter in the design to keep the focus on the story.

By appropriately customizing each component of your children’s book template, you can create a stunning layout that captivates young readers, stimulates their imagination, and leaves a lasting impression. 

Find design inspiration in children’s books from other creators

These case studies demonstrate how effective layout choices can elevate children’s books, making them engaging, visually appealing, and memorable. 

The Birds in the Backyard

The Birds in the Backyard is a visually stunning children’s book that exemplifies the power of a well-designed layout. The template used in this book allows for the perfect balance between elaborate illustrations and informative text placement. The vibrant color scheme captures the attention of young readers, while the clear visual hierarchy guides them through the book. 

Amara’s Yoga Dreams

Amara’s Yoga Dreams is a beautiful example of how a simple layout supports the storytelling experience. The template’s larger font sizes and spacious page spreads allow young readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of yoga with Amara. The strategic placement of illustrations alongside the text illustrates the yoga poses, making the book interactive and easy to follow for children. 

Wyatt the Pirate

Wyatt the Pirate is an explorative example of customizing a children’s book template to create a captivating and adventurous story. The layout’s clever use of bold and playful fonts and imaginative illustrations bring the characters to life. The page spreads and scene breaks strategically build anticipation, encouraging young readers to explore the journey of this brave little pirate. 

Ten Happy Planets

Ten Happy Planets is a wonderful example of how a children’s book layout effectively and effortlessly communicates educational concepts. The template’s clean and flexible framework supports the content in a way that’s visually appealing and accessible. The bright colors and engaging illustrations capture the attention of young readers, making learning about the solar system an engaging experience.

The Dog Named Yes

The Dog Named Yes is a heartwarming example of how a children’s book can shine even with drawings made by kids. The simple and charming illustrations, created by the children themselves, add a unique and endearing touch to the book’s layout. The template’s simple, consistent text layout complements the childlike illustrations, leaving the focus on the illustrations that let young readers connect with the story on a personal level. 

Use a children’s book template and design tools from Blurb

Blurb is a print-on-demand company that empowers self-publishers to bring their books to life—and sell them! Our user-friendly bookmaking tools and children’s book templates simplify the design process. From there, we offer everything you need to sell and distribute your book.

Blurb is a proven solution for countless children’s book authors. To see examples, visit our bookstore to find hundreds of children’s books online. You’ll find books for babies, toddlers, and kids, all produced by self-publishers like you from around the world.

Get started on your children’s book project with us today!

The post Design that captivates: A creator’s guide to children’s book template layouts appeared first on Blurb Blog.

In this interview, he shares insights on how his filmmaking and writing inform each other, recounts his successful and not-so-successful marketing efforts, and offers valuable advice to fellow creators on launching and marketing their own works. Lerma also opens up about his journey with self-publishing, his transition from a Spanish to an English audience, and the unique considerations he makes when deciding what genre of writing to create and publish. Buckle up for a journey through the creative process of one of today’s most exciting young creators!

You’re a director, producer, and writer—making videos since you were 13 and publishing books since you were 16. You also adapt your short stories into films. How do your filmmaking and writing inform one another?

Every project always starts with a concept or idea. Whenever I have an idea or a concept, I always try and stop whatever I’m doing to write it down, mostly because I’m a really forgetful person. Then I decide the best avenue to tell this story, whether it’s a book, live-action film, or animated film. 

I also have rules for myself. For example, I will only do an animated film if there is absolutely no way I can tell it with live-action. My writing and filmmaking will always go together because I love to tell really personal stories.

Marketing a book can be a challenge for even the most talented creators. Tell us about your most successful marketing efforts.

I had a book go viral back in 2020. With my debut as an author, I took videos of the reaction of my friends as I revealed to them that I made a book. I uploaded that video to the internet, and it gave the book really good exposure.

With 102,000 readers on Apple Books and Google Play, you have quite the following! To what do you attribute your literary success?

I got really, really lucky to have that many people read my words. However, it’s not in the way you think. Back in 2021, I released some of my old work for free on certain platforms, and it somehow went viral and has risen me to the top spots of Free Books in Mexico.

Unfortunately, not all that audience has translated into new followers, but I’m grateful that many people took the time. However, a few thousand have reached out and expressed their love for my books specifically.

On the other hand, what marketing efforts haven’t been as successful? And what did you learn from them?

I learned very early on that indie books are hard to sell—especially if you are 15 and just starting out. I tried a myriad of ways to promote my book, and one method I would not try again is making a smaller book out of a bigger one. 

I was working on the follow-up book to my first in the middle of the pandemic, but I knew a release in the chaos would be hard. I decided to take 60 out of the 230 pages and make them into a separate project. I learned that a book launch should be a very big deal, not just a small video you post on a random Saturday afternoon without warning.

Do you have any advice for creators launching and marketing their own books?

Absolutely. One, please, please, please, get a professional book editor. I made the mistake of just using the free online spell checker, and it was one of the dumbest mistakes ever. 

Two, analyze other books’ fonts and font sizes. See what’s popular and the standard, then use it. You need to give your book a pro look. My font recommendations would be Adobe Hebrew, Baskerville, and Bembo Book! 

Three, don’t be scared of coming off as too much of a self-promoter. If you are not excited about your book, no one else will be either. 

Four, try and see what else you can do with your books. Perhaps, if you make a poetry book with illustrations, you can make a coloring book or an animated short film. You decide!

What is your personal experience with self-publishing? Why did you go the self-publishing route with Blurb?

When I was 15, I looked up “how to publish a book (easy),” and that’s when I discovered self-publishing. I clicked a video, and it was a video from a girl just saying how good Blurb was. I looked up Blurb and was amazed and excited because now I would have the power to hold a book of mine in my hands.

What draws you to print in the Digital Age? What do you feel is print’s role in the world today?

Tech might be cool and all, but there will always be a need for that good ol’ classical feeling of a physical book with the page-turning and new-book smell. I think the same way music artists are still releasing their music on vinyl, there are enough people on the planet that love holding art. I’m one of those people.

You’ve moved from Monterrey, Mexico, to Chicago. You’ve also recently released an English translation of one of your bestselling Spanish books. What led you to pursue an English audience?

Because here’s where the big leagues are! I knew in high school I wanted to come to the US. The film industry, in general, is much much bigger here than in Mexico. And it’s the same with the literature industry. 

I’ve always wanted to be in the big leagues, and little by little, I’ll eventually get there. While I was putting new projects out in Spanish, I always had at the back of my mind that, eventually, I would have to rebuild my audience from the ground up. 

Before moving out to Chicago, I translated my most popular literary works to have something to show when I arrived. After arrival, I’ve made all new stuff, like my new book, “Adultish,” coming in early 2024.

You’re a multidisciplinary artist and writer—publishing illustrated poetry, essays, and short stories. How do you decide what genre of writing to create and publish?

I love all writing, but when I was 14, I asked myself, What on earth am I going to make a book about? I knew I wanted to make something my classmates would want to read. Because I knew most of them did not read long novels or stories, I saw an opportunity to create relatable, short (but not that short), digestible poems. 

My end goal is to write a novel, so at 18, I took the challenge of writing a little longer form fiction novelettes and short stories—a big change from writing poetry for the past few years. Going down that path is my first baby step before I write my debut novel, which I think I’ll be ready to write in 2025. I need to learn how to structure a story and arcs still. Baby steps.

Releasing shorts monthly and self-publishing projects yearly is impressive! What do you get out of creating at such a fast pace? How do you feed your creative well to avoid burnout?

Planning! I could talk about my planning all day. I try to plan at least six months in advance of whatever I’m doing. 

I see my fans as someone I have this huge crush on. With crushes, you might want to give them a Valentine’s Day gift, Christmas gift, or birthday gift, and with each little gift, you make sure it’s the best possible thing you can give of yourself. Now, there’s a chance they hate it, or it’s not the best thing you can give them. That fear, of having my “crush” turn me down, is what motivates me to make my films and books the best for them. 

And yes, my films and books would be the metaphorical gift I would give my crush. The truth is, I love the people that have supported me. They are some of the most interesting and cool people, and the fact that they care at all for what I do is amazing. It’s precious and something I’ll never take for granted. Ever.

What’s next for you? Any other books or films in the works?

Yes! In the short term, I just finished a new animated film called ’Treasure Haunt,’ coming out September 8 on my YouTube Channel. I’m back making short films, so many more to come! For the long term, I’m planning the release of my sophomore poetry collection, “Adultish,” in early 2024!

Anything we didn’t ask that you’d like to mention?

Of course! Dear people of the internet, I invite you to join me on my journey of making cool new films and books! If you want to watch my short films, they are all on YouTube. Just search “Carlos Lerma,” and they should be the first thing to come up! 

I also want to thank all the incredible people who have supported me because, without them, I wouldn’t have kept going, eventually making me the person and artist I am today!

***

Find Carlos Lerma’s book, Underdog Days, and follow his work on his website.

The post Underdog Days: Behind the Book with Carlos Lerma appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Despite its wide use in other industries, many self-published bookmakers haven’t tapped into email. But if you’re here, you probably know how lucrative email marketing can be for self-publishers. Marketing emails have a significant impact on the purchasing decisions of 59% of respondents of a recent SaleCycle survey, and more than half of them make purchases through these emails on a monthly basis. A report by McKinsey & Company found that email outperformed Facebook and Twitter combined in acquiring customers by 40 times. Email marketing also offers an unbeatable ROI, generating $36 for every $1 spent on average. And these are just some of the stats that we could share.

Email lists are the foundation of successful book marketing strategies. For indie self-publishers, it’s a way to communicate with your dedicated fans outside the control of social media algorithms. That means you control who and how often you notify your audience of new book launches, products, or updates. Here we demystify the concept of email marketing, helping self-publishing creators leverage this channel to sell more books. 

What is email marketing?

Let’s start with the basics. Email marketing is a direct communication channel where businesses send emails to a group of people who have opted in to raise awareness about products or services, cultivate relationships, and convey information. For self-publishers, the “product” is your book, and your “customer” is your audience.

The opt-in nature of email marketing lends itself to a higher level of engagement. When individuals subscribe to your mailing list, they express an interest in your work and permit you to enter their personal space—their email inbox. This increases the chances of them actually reading your messages and fosters a loyal base, as these subscribers have willingly chosen to stay updated about your work.

The importance of email marketing for self-publishers

Building an email list may seem daunting, especially starting from scratch. But here are compelling reasons why email marketing is indispensable for self-publishers.

• Direct reach: Email marketing ensures your message lands directly in your audience’s inbox, increasing visibility.
• Cost-effective: With a high return on investment, email marketing is a budget-friendly choice for self-published authors, photographers, and bookmakers.
• Personal touch: Tailored messages encourage a more intimate connection and enhance fan engagement.
• Controlled audience: Emails reach those genuinely interested in your work, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.
• Measurable impact: Tools enable tracking open rates, click-through rates, and conversions, allowing you to adjust your strategy based on data.
• Establishes authority: Regular quality content helps establish you as a genre authority, enhancing your reputation and credibility.
• Continuous engagement: Regular updates and interactions keep your audience connected and build anticipation for future releases.
• Long-term relationship: Consistent, valuable communication promotes long-term relationships, building a loyal fan base and improving current and future sales.

An effective email marketing strategy can enhance your relationship with your audience, drive engagement, and, ultimately, sell more books.

Using email marketing to sell books

With a clearer understanding of the what and why of email marketing, it’s time to delve into the how. Here are practical strategies to help you sell more books with email marketing.

Setting up an email list

The foundation of your email marketing strategy is your email list. You’ll need an email marketing service provider, like Mailchimp or ConvertKit, to set it up. Once you create an account, you can create a signup form to gather subscribers. Embed this form on your website, blog, and social media platforms.

Acquiring new email subscribers

Growing your email list is all about providing value. A few idea starters include:

• Provide an incentive like a free webinar, a discount on your photography book, or a helpful guide in exchange for their email address.
• Use your social media accounts, website, and blog to promote your email list.
• Organize contests or giveaways where joining your email list is part of participation.
• If you attend events or creator meets, invite attendees to join your mailing list.
• Encourage your existing subscribers to forward a friend your email. Consider offering incentives for successful referrals.

Crafting a welcome email

Your welcome email sets the stage for subscriber expectations. Introduce yourself, thank the subscriber for joining, provide them with the promised incentive, and give them an idea of the content and frequency to expect from your emails.

Creating a follow-up email strategy

After the welcome email, develop a sequence of follow-up emails. This could include sharing insights about your creation process, revealing what inspires you, or discussing your journey as an indie creator. The goal is to keep the reader engaged and give them a reason to look forward to the next email.

Planning your email schedule

Consistency is crucial in email marketing. Whether you send weekly, monthly, or quarterly emails, adhere to a schedule to stay on top of your subscribers’ minds and build anticipation.

Sending unscheduled emails

Surprise your subscribers occasionally with unscheduled emails. Include exclusive content, a spontaneous discount on your book, or even a thoughtful holiday message.

Deciding what to write

Ensure your emails provide value. You can share writing tips, recommend books you’ve enjoyed, discuss your experiences as a creator, or delve into the backstory of your book. The key is to balance promotional content with informative or entertaining content.

Share news about your work

Consider sharing behind-the-scenes of upcoming books, cover design reveals, release dates, or any other updates related to your work. This keeps your fans connected to your journey and builds anticipation for your next book.

Offer sneak peeks

Sneak peeks are an excellent way to pique interest. An excerpt from your upcoming book or a look at your editing or creating process can engage subscribers and provide useful information for their journey as a bookmaker.

Organize giveaways or incentives

Everyone loves a good giveaway. Whether it’s a free copy of your book, access to an exclusive photoshoot, or a chance to name a character in your next book, giveaways increase engagement and spread word-of-mouth about your work.

Remember that email marketing isn’t just about selling—it’s about creating meaningful connections with your audience. You’ll increase your book sales and cultivate a loyal fan base by providing value and engaging content.

Email marketing case studies

Although email marketing has proven effective across many industries, it’s especially important for the top self-published bookmakers. Below are a few case studies that showcase the power of email marketing in the book world.

Leveraging current clients for new books

Photographer Jesse Freidin considers email a key part of marketing his photography business. “I do a monthly newsletter and have found it effective and easy. Every time I send it out, people reply—asking me how I am, chatting about my current work, or booking a new session,” he writes. Each time he launches a photography book, he emails his ever-growing client base about the release and sees the sales roll in. 

Building a fan base with serialized content

Fantasy author Robin Sloan uniquely leveraged email marketing by offering a serialized novel sent via newsletters. Readers had to subscribe to his mailing list to receive weekly chapters. This not only built Sloan a dedicated fan base of over 6,000 subscribers but also provided an engaged audience for his future work.

Pre-launch buzz through email marketing

Young Adult author Sarah Maas used email marketing to create pre-launch buzz for her new book. Through email, she revealed cover designs, shared sneak peeks, and offered exclusive pre-order bonuses. These buzz-building strategies built anticipation for the book and ensured it hit the ground running upon release.

Scaling book sales with targeted emails

Author Mark Manson took email marketing to another level when launching his book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. He used targeted emails to share personal stories about the book’s theme, creating a deeper emotional connection with his readers. Manson segmented his email list based on their engagement level and tailored his emails accordingly. For example, subscribers who frequently opened Mark’s emails received more detailed content and special offers. This approach resulted in significant reader engagement and contributed heavily to the book becoming a bestseller.

Building an email list

Creating an email list might seem like an uphill struggle if you’re just starting your self-publishing journey. However, with a few creative strategies, it can be an enjoyable process that connects you with an audience. Here are some practical ways to build your email list.

• Use your website. Your creator or author website is the perfect place to invite visitors to subscribe to your email list. Incorporate email subscription forms on every page, and make sure they are easily findable and quick to fill out.
• Offer incentives. People love freebies. Offering a bonus like a promo on your last book, a free print, or a useful photography guide can entice visitors to subscribe. You could also offer behind-the-scenes content or sneak peeks of upcoming work.
• Leverage social media. Use your social media platforms to invite followers to join your mailing list. You can host giveaways, contests, or gated Q&A sessions with a subscription to your mailing list being the entry ticket.
• Harness your blog. If you maintain a blog, use it to gather subscribers. Offer blog content early to email subscribers or create subscriber-only content.
• Network at events. Invite attendees to join your mailing list whenever you attend photography events, book readings, or creator meets.
• Promote your list in your books. Include a call to action in your book, inviting readers to join your email list for bonus content, exclusive meet and greets, and more.
• Collaborate with other self-publishers. Collaborate with other bookmakers to host joint giveaways or events, cross-promote each other’s mailing lists, or contribute to each other’s newsletters.
• Prioritize quality over quantity. It’s not just about having a massive email list but having engaged subscribers. Make sure you’re offering quality content that appeals to your target audience.

Remember that cultivating a dynamic, engaged email list is a process. It requires patience, consistency, and genuine, consistent effort. But the rewards of audience engagement and book sales can be immense.

Keeping email subscribers engaged

Engaging your email subscribers is crucial to maintaining a healthy list and eventually boosting your book sales. Here are several strategies to keep your subscribers hooked.

• Provide consistent value. Unfailingly deliver content that provides value to your subscribers. This could range from bookmaking tips and genre-specific conference recommendations to guest interviews with fellow creators and insights into your creative process.
• Use personalization. Personalizing your emails can go a long way in boosting engagement. Use your subscriber’s name in your emails, recommend books based on their preferences, or segment your list to deliver more targeted content.
• Maintain a regular schedule. Be consistent with your email-sending schedule. Consistency helps build anticipation for your emails and keeps you top-of-mind for your subscribers.
• Engage in two-way communication. Encourage your subscribers to reply to your emails or ask questions. These exchanges foster a sense of community and can provide valuable insights about your audience.
• Celebrate milestones. Share your achievements and milestones with your subscribers. Whether it’s the anniversary of your first book launch, reaching a subscriber milestone, or winning an award, celebrating these moments can cultivate camaraderie.
• Ask for feedback. Occasionally ask your subscribers for feedback about your emails. What do they enjoy most? What would they like to see more of? Asking for subscriber feedback shows that you value their opinion and helps you tailor your content to meet their needs better.
• Offer exclusive discounts or early access. Give your subscribers benefits they can’t get elsewhere, like exclusive discounts on your books or early access to your new releases.
• Share real-life stories or experiences. Sharing personal anecdotes or experiences helps to connect with your audience on an intimate level.

The goal is to keep your subscribers engaged and make them feel valued. With these strategies, you can turn your email list into a vibrant community of fans eagerly awaiting your next book.

Email marketing is an under-utilized powerful tool for self-publishers, allowing you to build a dedicated community eager to engage with your work. From building your list to keeping subscribers engaged, email can offer personal, meaningful interactions with your audience. 

At the end of the day, your fans aren’t just customers—they’re your community. And with effective email marketing, you can strengthen that community, one email blast at a time.

***

Blurb is a platform dedicated to empowering self-published creators, and we understand the importance of effective marketing for your books. That’s why we provide the tools for creating stunning books and resources to help you navigate the exciting journey of self-publishing. Blurb can help you sell your book through distribution channels like Amazon, Ingram, and our bookstore.

The post How to sell books with email marketing: a guide for self-published bookmakers appeared first on Blurb Blog.

This comprehensive guide explains how to make a coffee table book that stands out in quality and content. You’ll learn about different types of coffee table books you can create, from photo-driven volumes to more storytelling narratives, along with the steps to conceptualize your book and bring it to life.

What is a coffee table book?

Imagine you’re having friends over, and you want to spark interesting discussions or just give them something visually pleasing to look at while they sip their coffee. That’s where a coffee table book comes in. Coffee table books are usually oversized and hardcover, filled with beautiful images and engaging content, and intended for prominent display. 

Coffee table books cover a wide range of topics, from travelogs and food inspiration to cultural eras and fashion design. They’re not meant to be read like a storybook from start to finish but rather savored in tiny portions. Think of them as visual snacks for the eyes or conversation starters, designed to be picked up, flipped through, and enjoyed at leisure. 

For creative professionals, publishing and selling a coffee table book can be one of the most lucrative options in the bookmaking world. Aspiring designers and artists can also utilize this format to share their art and publish their work in a tangible form, helping them reach a wider audience and establish a name in the industry.

Lastly, coffee table books can also be perfect memory keepers and family heirlooms, capturing important moments or documenting the past via scrapbook or journal. The creative possibilities are limitless.

Types of coffee table books you can make

Coffee table books come in all genres about topics as general or niche as you can imagine. It can be helpful not even to think of them as books—they’re conversation starters, sources of inspiration, and artistic statements. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity.

• Photography books: Transform your travel photos or striking local shots into an engaging snapshot of a journey or travel guide.
• Cookbooks and food books: Combine tantalizing recipes and culinary traditions to create a delectable coffee table book.
• Cookbooks and food books: Turn your DIY projects or gardening tips into visually compelling how-to guides that are informative and eye-catching.
• Musical themes: Express your passion for music with a book featuring concert snapshots, musician bios, or album artwork histories.
• Design inspiration: Fashion enthusiasts, interior designers, and artists: Leverage this format to display your work or the work that inspires you.
• Historical and cultural eras: Use the coffee table book format to capture critical historical events or explore iconic cultural influences.
• Fine art collections: Enhance your living room aesthetic with a curated collection of fine art pieces, complete with insightful explanations.

The secret is to pick a topic close to your heart. Crafting these unique pieces has no hard and fast rules, so let your imagination take the lead. Below you will find steps to make your coffee table book.

1. Conceptualize your coffee table book

When you set out to create a coffee table book, the first and arguably most important step is conceptualization. Conceptualizing your coffee table book involves defining its purpose, identifying your target audience, visualizing its design, and determining its content.

Define your purpose

Start by asking yourself: “What do I want this book to achieve?” Your coffee table book could serve lots of purposes. It might be an artistic expression, a collection of your favorite travel photos, or a showcase of a specific theme or subject matter. Perhaps it’s a way to share a personal story or to promote a brand or a cause. Defining the purpose of your book will not only guide your content creation but also influence the design and layout decisions you’ll make later on.

Identify your target audience

If you are planning to sell your book or distribute it to anyone but yourself, you need to think about the person who will hold it at the end. Your target audience will influence your books’ content, design, and marketing strategies. 

• Identify their interests: What topics would appeal to your audience? Are they interested in art, fashion, travel, photography, or a particular hobby or subject matter? The theme of your book should align with the interests of your audience.
• Consider their aesthetic: Your audience’s design preference can significantly impact the style and content of your book. A book targeting Y2K-loving millennial dog owners might have a different tone and visual style than one aimed at Victorian homeowners.
• Think about their lifestyle: Is your book for casual readers who casually flip through it over coffee or for collectors who will pore over every detail? Understanding this can help determine how in-depth your content needs to be.
• Evaluate their budget: High-quality coffee table books can be quite pricey. Ensure the production cost and the resulting price point of your book matches the spending capacity of your target audience.

Visualize your design

Next, think about how you want your book to look and feel. Your coffee table book should represent you and your target audience, so consider blending the two. What kind of aesthetic do you want to create? Elegant and minimalistic, or vibrant and eclectic? 

Consider the color scheme, layout, and type of imagery you want to use. Are you more into black-and-white photography, or do you love bold, colorful illustrations? You don’t have to get into all the details, but having an overall vision will help you as you begin curating and designing your book. Remember, your book should tell a story through its visuals, so this isn’t the step to skimp on.

Now visualize your book’s format, size, paper quality, and cover design. These aspects contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of your book and should align with the purpose of your book. For instance, if your book is about minimalist architecture, you might opt for a clean, sleek design with lots of white space.

Determine the content

Finally, decide what content to include in your book. Most coffee table books are visually oriented, so high-quality photographs will likely form the bulk of your content. However, you might include other elements like illustrations, infographics, maps, or text. If you include text, consider how it will complement the images. It could provide context, tell a story, or offer insights related to the visuals.

Remember, the best coffee table books don’t just look good—they also engage the reader and spark conversation. So, when conceptualizing your book, consider how your choices will contribute to these goals. With a clear concept, you’ll have a solid foundation to build your coffee table book.

Need some inspiration? Check out these awesome custom coffee table book ideas to see how others have nailed it. Don’t overlook creating mood boards and jotting down all your thoughts, as wild and far-fetched as they may seem. You never know what might turn out to be pure genius.

2. Curate your book’s content

A fundamental step in creating an eye-catching coffee table book is curating your content. Whether your book comprises photographs, artwork, text, or a combination, ensuring that every included piece resonates with your theme and contributes to a cohesive narrative is essential. While you’ve already determined what general content you’ll include, now is the time to gather all your raw materials and begin editing away.

Select high-quality imagery

When it comes to curating your image content for a coffee table book, it’s all about creating a visual narrative that resonates with your chosen theme. Here are some steps to guide you through the process:

• Gather your imagery: Collect all potential images related to your book’s purpose and vision. This is the brainstorming phase, where quantity matters more than quality. Pull from your work, licensed stock photos, or create new images if necessary.
• Sort and select: Now comes the challenging part—choosing the best images. Look for pictures that tell a story, evoke emotions, or catch the eye. Variety is key here: mix close-ups with wide-angle shots, colors with black and white, action shots with still life.
• Create a flow: Arrange your chosen images in a way that tells a story or guides the viewer through your theme. This could be chronological, thematic, or based on visual aesthetics like color or composition.
• Quality check: Ensure all selected images are high resolution for print. Poor-quality images can detract from your book’s overall appeal.

Incorporate relevant text

While coffee table books are primarily visual, the copy is crucial in enhancing the overall narrative and aesthetic appeal. A good coffee table book offers snippets of information that engage readers without overwhelming them—think quotes, anecdotes, or short descriptions relevant to the subject. Here’s how to curate your text:

• Write your copy: Engage the reader and evoke emotion. Use descriptive language to help readers connect with the content by providing additional information that the visuals alone can’t convey.
• Balance text and visuals: Aim for concise but insightful captions and descriptions that add depth to your images without stealing the show. Too much text can be overwhelming, while too little might leave your audience confused.
• Organize your content: Structure your text for easy reading. Use headings and subheadings to break up the text or create sections or chapters based on different themes or topics. This helps guide the reader through your book.
• Edit and proofread: Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors can distract from your content and appear unprofessional. Consider hiring a professional editor or proofreader to ensure your text is polished and error-free.

3. Choose the right format and size

The size and format of your coffee table book can significantly influence its overall appeal. Traditionally, coffee table bookmakers have been encouraged to go big, as most use an oversized hardcover format. Instead of following the crowd, be practical within your target audience’s budget and the nature of the content you’ve curated.

Here’s what to think about when choosing format and size:

• Orientation: Landscape books set the stage for a cinematic experience, perfect for showcasing photography or art collections. If you’re more into words than visuals, go for portrait orientation, which aligns better with reading habits.
• Book format: There are many different book options on the market, from premium layflat photo books that will show photography seamlessly across spreads to pocket-sized trade books meant to sell.
• Cover: Hardcover or softcover, image wrap or dust jacket—plenty of decisions to make regarding your cover. Remember, this is your chance to stand out.
• Paper quality: High-quality paper adds a touch of luxury and enhances image clarity. It also comes at a premium, so if keeping costs down is important, consider a low-fi look on more economical paper.
• Audience preference: Consider the preferences of your target audience. Would they prefer a compact book that’s easy to handle or a larger one that makes a statement? Do they want a collectible item on museum-quality paper that will last hundreds of years or a rough-and-tumble book to travel with?
• Content: If your book features intricate illustrations or detailed photographs, a larger format will make it easier for your audience to see those details. You might also want to invest in top-tier paper and printing. If not, skip the costly materials for better margins.
• Budget constraints: Larger, hardcover books are typically more expensive to produce and purchase. Make sure the cost aligns with your audience’s budget.
• Uniqueness: A non-traditional size or format can make your book stand out. But it can also force you to do offset printing and buy hundreds of copies up front.

Remember, every decision should emphasize your content, allowing your best work to shine.

4. Design your layouts

A well-crafted design is essential for producing a powerful visual impact. Design page layouts that showcase your content effectively and provide an optimal reading experience.

Be sure to consider the impact of whitespace and how to use it appropriately in your layouts. Whitespace isn’t just empty space; it’s about balance and focus. Use it strategically to guide the reader’s eye and highlight essential elements. 

Think about how you want readers to navigate your book. What should they see first? What should they linger over? These simple layout design concepts can offer a simple starting place:

• Grid-based designs: Clean and structured, perfect for photo-heavy books or aligned text.
• Mixed-layout designs: Flexible and visually interesting, ideal for various content types.
• Singular-focus designs: Let the work speak for itself with one piece per spread.

Consider typography choices too. Font style, size, and color contribute to the aesthetic harmony of your book pages.

Sketch out rough layouts and then use Blurb’s BookWright to craft them digitally. This software offers easy-to-use templates you can customize to suit your vision. But remember that no uniform solution exists when devising coffee table books; your inventiveness is vital.

5. Consider the flow

Your coffee table book’s design is not just about compiling photos or text; it’s about creating an intriguing narrative, a journey for your readers. Consider the flow of your content to make this voyage appealing and seamless. Think about how each page transitions into the next, ensuring no abrupt changes in tone or theme could disrupt your reader’s experience.

Tips for nailing a cohesive flow

• Select your content wisely: Whether it is photographs from your latest project or snippets of prose, choose elements that complement each other well. The best coffee table books tell stories; they aren’t simply collections of unrelated images or texts.
• Create a logical sequence: Arrange your chosen material to create progression and continuity. Like any good story, top coffee table books have clear beginnings, middles, and ends.
• Maintain consistent themes: Don’t plot colorful portraits in the middle if you’re making an Ansel Adams-inspired coffee table book showcasing stunning topographic landscapes in black and white photos. Consistency helps your readers follow your narrative and feel your book is of professional quality.

6. Craft engaging captions and text

If your coffee table book includes text, ensure it’s as captivating as the visuals. You’ve already gathered your copy, but now it’s time to take another pass. 

Remember, captions, anecdotes, quotes, and introductions supplement your book’s storytelling and overall engagement, but balance and execution are key.

• Captions: Add humor and inspiration, or enhance your images’ overall storytelling and contextual delivery by adding captions. They explain what’s happening, who’s in the picture, where it was taken, and its relevance.
• Anecdotes: Stories or descriptions that provide context or additional information about the moment captured in the photo. Anecdotes add a personal touch that keeps readers connected. 
• Quotes: Include quotes from relevant famous individuals or even yourself. They provoke thought and stimulate discussion.
• Introductions: Set expectations with an introduction at the beginning of each book section. In short, lead in by providing background information.

Here are some additional tips for revising your text as you add it to your layout:

• Avoid jargon: It can confuse your readers. Opt for simple language instead.
• Show, don’t tell: Use descriptive language that paints vivid pictures in readers’ minds.
• Edit ruthlessly: Remove unnecessary words and phrases; every word should serve a purpose.

Remember, less is often more when including captions and texts. Don’t overwhelm readers with too much information.

7. Choose a top-notch print service

Don’t underestimate the importance of picking a high-quality print service for your coffee table book. Print quality can make or break your book, so go for a service specializing in bookstore-quality coffee table books.

To help narrow your options, consider these factors:

• Quality: Look for services with rave reviews on print quality, especially for coffee table books.
• Paper type: Different paper types can drastically affect how images look. Make sure the printer offers options suitable for your content.
• Binding options: Coffee table books often use hard-cover binding for durability and an upscale look, but choose what suits your project best.
• Print technology: When going the route of self-publishing, opt for printers that use modern digital technology for better image reproduction.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that a great starting point is Blurb. We offer endless customization options, various sizes, cover styles, and premium paper choices perfect for showcasing stunning visuals in coffee table books. Plus, you can sell your books through global distribution channels like Amazon or the Blurb Bookstore.

8. Review and edit

The final step before printing multiple copies is to print a proof to review and edit your coffee table book. Examine each page thoroughly to ensure flawless design, layout, captions, and overall aesthetic. Go through each page with a critical eye. Is the image quality up to snuff? Is there enough whitespace? Any font inconsistencies?

It can be helpful to gather feedback from detail-oriented friends and colleagues or hire a professional editor to review your book. They might spot things you missed because you’re too close to the project.

9. Plan your budget and pricing strategy

Self-publishing your coffee table book requires careful planning, particularly regarding budgeting. A good coffee table book isn’t the cheapest book to print. You must factor in the pricing of elements like premium quality paper, printing, design work, and distribution.

Estimating production costs

The first step is estimating your production costs. Consider your expenses upfront if you’re creating a premium-grade photo book or using fine art paper for your project. Unlike traditional publishing houses that can absorb production costs due to volume sales projections, self-publishers must fund their projects and estimate their production costs wisely.

Setting your price point

Once you have estimated the production cost per unit, it’s time to set your book price point. It should be affordable enough to attract potential buyers while helping you turn a profit. If generating income from your project is essential to its success, your pricing strategy could make or break it. In turn, it’s critical to know what similar coffee table books sell for, as this information provides insight into what customers might be willing to pay.

10. Marketing and distribution

The most essential elements to have in place when marketing a self-published coffee table book are a well-designed book cover, a great title, and a well-organized flow. In short, the book must be of the best quality possible. So, invest in a professional cover and take the time to polish your content.

With those boxes checked, here are some marketing and distribution tips to help make your coffee table book a success: 

• Be clear about your target audience: Knowing how to market a book is easier if you know who to market to. You already identified your target in step one, but now is the time to narrow down your target audience into smaller categories that are easier to target.
• Establish an online presence and promote your book on social media: Get a professional website, create a blog, and use social media platforms to promote your book. Funneling your marketing efforts and traffic to your website and social media accounts rather than directly to Amazon can be smart.
• Earn Amazon reviews: If you’re distributing your coffee table book on Amazon, encourage readers to leave reviews. This boosts your book’s visibility and overall credibility.
• Join online book clubs and forums: Engage with readers and other authors in online book clubs and forums. This builds relationships and gets your book in front of more people.
• Offer free copies to book bloggers and reviewers: Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers to offer them a free copy of your book in exchange for an honest review. This helps increase your book’s visibility and credibility.
• Host a launch event: Celebrate the moment with a launch event! Throwing a book party is a perfect way to engage with your readers and promote your book.
• Attend book fairs and events: Attend book fairs and events to promote your book and connect with potential readers.
• Use metadata to optimize your book’s discoverability: Use relevant keywords and categories to optimize your book’s discoverability on online platforms and search engines.

Wrapping it up 

Creating a coffee table book is an artistic endeavor that demands creativity, vision, and a keen understanding of your target audience. It’s more than just a collection of images; it’s a tangible expression of your passion and a way to share that with others.

From defining the purpose of your book to planning its launch, every step in the process is crucial. Remember, your book should be aesthetically pleasing, engaging, and meaningful to your readers. So as you embark on this journey, remember to keep your target audience in mind, as they are the ones who will ultimately connect with your work. Make sure your book resonates with their interests, lifestyle, and budget.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to create something you’re proud of that represents your unique vision and aesthetic. With careful planning and a clear concept, you’ll be well on your way to creating a coffee table book that stands out.

***

Blurb is a self-publishing platform that enables creators to produce high-quality works that rival traditional publishing houses and access the global market through an online bookstore and distribution channels. 

If your goal isn’t simply to make a stunning piece of home decor but to bring your passion project to life and share it around the globe, Blurb is an accessible platform to start your journey. To get the ball rolling, register an account today.

The post How to make a coffee table book: A 10-step guide to getting started appeared first on Blurb Blog.

First, let’s discuss the details. The mini square comes in a softcover with a matte finish and can hold anywhere from 20 to 80 pages. You can print on the front and back covers and the spine. We use Premium Lustre paper, which you’ll love for its rich colors and deep blacks with high contrast and good saturation. We like to say it’s premium-grade paper at a mid-grade cost. And it’s Forest Stewardship Council certified.

Now onto the fun part. The mini square has incredible versatility and potential—especially as a keepsake or gift. The fact that it comes with a mini price point of $12 makes it all the more appealing. 

Mini square ideas

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas we think the mini square is perfect for.

Travel and road trips

Camping weekends, smaller getaways, even birthday trips would benefit from a smaller commemoration of the fun had and memories made.

Family vacations 

Whether snorkeling or skiing or scaling roller coasters, the mini square is ideal for capturing family time. Consider making one for each trip or every year to have a full set of memories to look back on.

Baby books

Mini humans make for great subjects of the mini square. Gather your favorite shots and give them as gifts to grandparents. The size is perfect for portraiture since we all know there are never too many pics of your beautiful baby! 

Custom wedding keepsakes

Picture this: different photo books of your wedding, each with their own focus. While one features bridesmaids, another highlights family. And you guessed it, they make perfect gifts, too.

Holiday and stocking stuffers

The mini square makes the perfect gift. It will fit as snugly into a stocking as it does in a gift bag or shipping envelope. There’s no end to what you fill it with either: pet pics, art, street photography, your smiling face.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

You might want to include tissues with these for all the tears of joy they’ll bring! Photos of you and your parent through the years are sure to melt many a heart, not to mention proudly appearing on nightstand tables. 

Everyday casual moments

A small book of all the things that make you happy? One devoted to butterflies or your favorite animal? Your yearly Halloween costume party? We made the mini square for singular reasons and the mini moments in your life. 

How to make your mini square

So now that you know what to make, let’s talk about how. You can design using our free bookmaking software BookWright, with versatile and flexible design templates, layout suggestions, image retouching, and other tools built right in. Or you can use our Adobe InDesign plugin or PDF uploader. 

If you’re a creative professional wanting to sell your book, the mini square (like all photo book sizes) can be sold on the Blurb Bookstore and through Amazon* both at the same time to encourage more interest. Our print-on-demand capabilities mean you can print as many copies as you want upfront or one-by-one as the orders come in. And all our books are delivered with a removable barcode on the back and shrink-wrapped to protect them from dirt and dust.

Whew! That was a lot of info for a mini-sized object, but trust us, the mini square is the best thing since—and ironically almost the same size as—sliced bread. Give it a try. We know you’ll love creating, owning, and gifting it. 

Ready to make a photo book? Choose from six book sizes (but do try our mini square at some point!).

 *Not applicable for books made with our iOS app.

The post Blurb announces the Mini Square photo book appeared first on Blurb Blog.

To begin at the beginning, I first heard the word blog in the late 1990s at an invitation-only creative festival in Laguna Beach, California. I almost didn’t warrant an invite. I was new to California, relatively new to photography, and most importantly, a total nobody. But I had one friend on the list, and he convinced the festival director that I was harmless and wouldn’t eat much. 

Halfway through the first day, during a presentation by a 15-year-old web designer who was so popular he was no longer accepting new clients, I heard the word blog. “What’s a blog?” I wondered to myself.

I leaned over to the person next to me and asked, “Hey buddy, what’s a blog?” Unbeknownst to me, the person I asked was the founder of what would arguably become the most popular blogging platform in history. He looked at me with patience and pity, motioned at the paper journal I was using to take notes, and said, “A blog is just like your notebook, only in digital form.” That moment completely changed my life. I left the event, walked home, and made my first keystrokes on my blog later that day.   

Shortly after the initial blogging break-in period, I began to investigate the world of my fellow bloggers. What I found was amazing. Having come from the journalism world—all structured and proper—what I found in the blogging world was like the Wild West. There was a high level of skill and talent but wrapped in a level of creativity, passion, individuality, and entrepreneurship that I had not encountered before. Looking back on this period now, I realize these pioneering people were some of the first online community builders long before social media and its influence became the norm for billions of people.

One of the ways bloggers built a following and kept in touch with their readers was via the email newsletter. You might think the world has changed, and in numerous ways, it has, but when it comes to the email newsletter (something many folks believe is an outdated mechanism), this antiquated gem is as relevant today as it was back then. In fact, I would argue when it comes to building an audience—a real audience—and selling books, there is no better tool available than the email newsletter. Here’s why.

First, a reader must subscribe or opt-in to receive a newsletter. This means there is no confusion when it comes to what someone is signing up for. They provide their email address, which becomes part of the subscriber list. In essence, subscribers are giving you permission to populate their inboxes. Most people consider their email a semi-sacred place where anything unwanted is immediately filtered out, but by subscribing, they are saying, “Please send me something on a regular basis.” This shows a high level of commitment.

Another important aspect of why email newsletters are so valuable is that in the era of 15-second videos and imagery consumed in a fraction-of-a-second thumb swipe, an email newsletter feels like a conversation. In-depth, personal, and exclusive, the newsletter has become a digital relationship with those most interested in knowing us and our work. Some of the best email newsletters I subscribe to will often take 15 minutes or more to consume, longer if they provide links to outside references.

In addition, email newsletter subscribers are more likely to be real humans. Studies on social networks show up to 80 percent of the traffic is bot traffic, meaning non-human entities complete most transactions. With an email newsletter subscriber, you can verify who they are and why they are interested in your work. Once you have the email address, you can begin to correspond, letting the subscriber know you look forward to building your relationship over time.

Newsletter subscribers also have a much higher click-through rate than social media followers. Email subscribers are more than ten times more likely to engage with your work than social media followers. Not to mention, email subscribers typically spend three hours a day checking work email and two hours a day checking personal email, which means they are spending more than ten times the amount of time on email as on social media.

When it comes to our beloved books, email newsletter subscribers are far more likely to engage with their pocketbooks when compared to followers on social media, especially when they receive exclusive content via the newsletter. It is also possible to engage with your subscribers to better understand their budget and what they are interested in. Do they want a large, collectible coffee table-style photography book or something smaller, cheaper, and more behind the scenes?

Finally, another beauty of the email newsletter is that the newsletter is not beholden to someone else’s algorithm or advertising campaign. You don’t have to worry about someone determining whether your email will be seen or not seen, and you don’t have to worry that random advertising will take over.

The email newsletter is a critical part of crafting an online ecosystem. You can build a community of value by creating your audience one person and one email address at a time. One email per month is all that’s required. Building a creative community takes time, so if this seems daunting, don’t worry about it. Start slow, start small, and focus on the story you want to tell. Be honest, humorous if possible, and then get ready to sell some books.

***

Dan Milnor is Blurb’s creative evangelist, helping creators learn to self-publish and self-promote. If you’re ready to build a high-quality book to print and distribute, head to Blurb today.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: The Power of the Email Newsletter appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Find his book, Heuer Carrera Chronographs 1963-85, in the Blurb Bookstore.

Your book Heuer Carrera Chronographs 1963-85 is one of Blurb’s bestselling photo books! To what do you attribute its success? 

There are lots of watch books available, but the majority are for brands like Rolex and Omega. There are far fewer available for the brands I cover, so that is one advantage. Also, as well as featuring beautiful photography, my books contain very specific information, which makes them invaluable as references for people who are interested in watch collecting. Having access to this information can save collectors substantial amounts of money by avoiding making mistakes when they’re buying vintage watches.  

Can you share any interesting facts or stories you discovered while researching this book?  

Part of my research has involved collecting watch serial numbers. Through this, I’ve been able to identify the number of watches in particular production runs, and this made it clear that certain watches are incredibly rare—some with a production run of fewer than 50—which is really interesting for collectors. 

Where did your passion for watches come from?

My passion for watches came after my wife bought me a watch for our engagement 15 years ago. Due to my research-minded nature, I got hooked on the design and story of vintage watches. Previously, I didn’t wear a watch that cost more than £100.

You are a collector and researcher of vintage watches, and you also offer authentication and consultation services. How are you leveraging your books in your overall business strategy?  

To be honest, my approach has always been to create books that I would be interested in reading. I research and write about the watches that I enjoy collecting, and I like sharing that knowledge with fellow enthusiasts. The books seem to be popular with both experienced collectors and those who are just starting out, and through them, people then contact me when they want to learn more. 

Who is your book’s target audience? What strategies have you found most effective in reaching out to them? 

Watch collectors are the main audience, as well as websites or other media outlets that cover watches and luxury collecting. Sharing content via social media channels, especially at times of bookstore-wide promotions, has been effective. 

You have 24K followers on Instagram! How do you use your impressive social media following to promote your books and your business?  

I share images of the books and photography that’s featured in the books via social media.  I’m not overly strategic about this. I take the approach of sharing what I would be interested in seeing, and people who share a passion for vintage watches tend to find it. 

Social media accounts prosper from having a combination of great images and being informative and engaging with your followers. I prefer not to post too much, especially when it may be repetitive.

Why did you go the route of self-publishing versus traditional publishing? And why did you choose Blurb?  

In the beginning—over a decade ago—I ordered a batch of books and was making daily trips to the post office to ship them. One of the best things about Blurb and the print-on-demand service is the convenience of having Blurb take care of everything, including dispatch. It’s a system that has always worked like clockwork. In essence, all I need to focus on is producing the book, and then Blurb handles everything else and sends me the profits each month!

It goes without saying that the quality has always been high, which is extremely important for this sort of book, and any problems have been addressed quickly and efficiently. Also, because I’m always continuing to research watches, I often discover new things. Using Blurb, I can update the books when that happens or create new covers or limited editions, none of which would work as well with a traditional publisher. 

What have been the biggest lessons you’ve learned from self-publishing? What about the challenges you’ve faced?  

It’s always best to get a test copy, but after a decade of producing books via Blurb, I am now able to confidently look at the online tool and know that what I can see is exactly what will be produced.  

Pricing can be tricky to get right! How did you determine the pricing strategy for your book?  

The book pricing is pitched at a level competitive and comparable with similar watch books. 

Looking back, is there anything you would change about your process of creating or marketing this book?  

I have learned many lessons over time with regard to what works, how to fully utilize the tools available, and what layouts work best. The books that I sell now are definitely more professional and polished than at the start of the process, which I guess is part of the journey. 

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to self-publish and self-promote their own book?  

Take your time and remember that the longer you take to familiarize yourself with the tools and work on the layout and content, the better the end product will be. 

***

Blurb is a print-on-demand company built for self-publishers. Inspired to create your own niche book to boost your business? Blurb makes it easy to self-publish your own book—whether you want to print it for yourself or sell it to your fans.

The post Heuer Carrera Chronographs 1963-85: Behind the Book with Richard Crosthwaite appeared first on Blurb Blog.

So whether you’re elevating your portfolio or boosting your branding and marketing efforts, we’ll explore how creating a photo book can help you express your creativity and take control of your work.

Are photo books worth it?

Dismissing print and photo books as irrelevant can be easy. After all, you can instantly reach a global audience with a website, ebook, or Google ad—or get discovered by going viral on TikTok or Instagram. 

So why print in the digital age? Here’s TL;DR on why photo books are worth it. 

• Tangibility is timeless. First, photo books offer a hands-on experience that no screen can match. You can touch the pages, feel the texture, and get up close and personal with your photos.
• Photo books are the ultimate storytellers. They let you curate your best shots into a cohesive narrative, like a director creating a blockbuster movie. And, like a movie in a theater, you aren’t fighting for your audience’s attention with popup ads and the next post a click away.
• They’re a high-impact medium. We’ve all gotten used to scrolling, clicking, typing, and tapping to the point where digesting any digital content is slightly numbed by the interaction of a device. Swap a digital device for a photo book, and you bring your stories to real life.
• You gain complete creative control. Here’s the cherry on top: Photo books give you total say over how your work is presented, from layout to paper quality. It’s like having your personal art exhibit without the pitch, setup, and location-bound setting.
• Your marketing and branding get elevated. Whether you aim to showcase your work as a portfolio or tell a specific story with your photos, a book offers an engaging platform to level up the engagement and memorability of your work, especially when it comes to marketing and branding yourself as a professional.
• Photo books are the perfect keepsakes. Unlike digital files that can disappear into the abyss of tech failure, physical copies are here to stay. They’re like time capsules of your creative journey, ready to be passed down to future generations.

There are a plethora of photo-sharing platforms that are convenient and low-cost. Print-on-demand photo books are one such platform! And with print, you can make a powerful, standout impression that makes your work more memorable and enjoyable to digest. 

Why photo books add value to any project

There’s no denying that photo books hold their value, especially in an era when we view most things from a device. Producing a physical portfolio or photo book can elevate your work and build your brand as a photographer, artist, or creator. It’s a power move for your creativity. Let’s dive deeper into the reasons that make creating photo books worthwhile.

1. Narrative storytelling

A photograph can tell a much richer tale than any number of words. It’s a whole story in one shot. But we often scroll past images on digital platforms without genuinely understanding their meaning. That’s where photo books win against digital content.

A photo book lets you curate your work so that each image flows seamlessly into the next, giving you total control over the narrative. Flipping through the pages and experiencing how one photo leads to another takes viewers on an immersive journey through your creative vision.

• Narrative control. Every page turn in a photo book reveals something new and unexpected. You control the suspense, climax, and photographic narrative.
• Structure. Digital platforms often display images individually, rather than as part of a thematic collection. With a book, you can ensure each image is seen with the others that help bring it to life.
• Context. While photos are powerful on their own, captions provide additional insight into the captured moment or what inspired you. A photo book gives you space to add depth and truly weave a story.
• Detail. From paper choices to font selection, every element contributes to the tale you’re telling. Photo books allow greater direction over each design detail.
• Permanence. Digital platforms and formats change, but a photo book remains constant. Your narrative in a photo book is preserved exactly as you intended it, forever.

Photo books give you the freedom to control your narrative. In a world where content is consumed and forgotten within seconds, photo books offer the time and space to weave a story that will be remembered. 

2. Elevated portfolios

Today, putting your work on the web is a requirement for almost any creative field. But let’s not forget about the impact that traditional mediums can have. Since a website is status quo, a tangible photo book can make your portfolio stand out—especially during in-person meetings.

A photo book also lets you showcase your photos in a way that digital portfolios can’t. Flip through pages filled with stunning images on high-quality paper, and you’ll see. The physical act of touching and turning pages adds depth to the viewing experience, something that you can’t replicate digitally. It enhances engagement and creates a stronger connection between viewers and your work.

• Professionalism. A well-designed photo book shows you went above and beyond to prep for your meeting. Plus, it shows you know print as a craft.
• Curation. Unlike digital platforms with unlimited space, you must curate your images and create a cohesive narrative to fit within a book.
• Attention. When hiring managers look at a physical object, they can’t scroll away or get distracted by an email notification. A book helps keep them in the moment and focused solely on your work.

Printing a portfolio book offers unlimited creative possibilities, enabling you to present your work originally. Still on the fence? Explore the pros and cons of a portfolio book versus a digital portfolio. (Psst. We think you should do both.)

3. Impactful brand building

In the visual arts world, having a standout brand is a must. A photo book is your secret weapon for showcasing your unique point of view and making a lasting impression.

A photo book isn’t just a compilation of photographs; it’s an opportunity to display your distinct flair and leave a long-lasting impression. It’s a physical representation of your artistic identity that captivates viewers and leaves them wanting more.

• Trust. Physical books invite viewers to engage, touch, and feel your work. This makes your brand feel real and substantial, enhancing trust with your potential clients.
• Personalization. Print-on-demand photo books allow for a high level of customization, from adding a dedication to swapping out projects. Personalizing books for your top-tier clients shows you care.
• Quality. Photo books let you showcase images in their best light while controlling for issues like display calibration. If your wedding package includes a print book, you are showing off the final product a prospective client can expect.
• Longevity. Photo books are long-lasting, making them a constant reminder of your brand’s message and values. Unlike digital content, which can quickly become lost in the endless online stream, a photo book remains a permanent fixture on a desk or coffee table.

Your choice of paper, cover material, design layout, and overall photo book format come together to shape the perceptions and image of your brand. With print-on-demand brands like Blurb, you can customize these elements to align with your brand’s personality while leveraging bookstore-quality standards.

4. Smarter networking

Pro photogs know that connections are crucial in this industry. A photo book can be a powerful tool for establishing relationships and growing your network. Think of it as your calling card—showing the people you want to know who you are and what you can do.

Your book is your opportunity to present your unique perspective and an embodiment of your creative vision. As people navigate your book, they are not just browsing images. They’re taking time to ponder if your visions combined can lead to fruitful collaborations or professional opportunities.

• Better business card. The purpose of a card is to continue a connection. A photo book has the added benefit of not just sharing your contact information, but also giving an in-depth look at your work. Add in the story of who you are as a creator, and you have an artifact that will make others want to keep in touch.
• Example of your work. Showing others what you can do is the fastest way to gain their confidence. If you’re seeking collaborators, bring a photo book of work you’ve done with others. If you’re a designer looking to get in the door to an agency, take a book of your agency work.
• Conversation starter. Just like a coffee table book prominently displayed can start a chat, a photo book can serve as a conversation piece during networking events. People are more likely to engage in a conversation when there’s something physical to discuss.
• Versatility. While many think of photo books as expensive, hardcover collectible pieces, a photo book can be economical too. You can create one that is only a few pages and can be printed on regular paper or cardstock. Build what works for you—whether you’re mailing tons of cheaper books to generate work or printing a single, spendy layflat for a few high-profile meetings.
• Reference material. Having an actual portfolio book to show off your work is invaluable. It can clearly illustrate your process, range of skills, and how you approach different projects. Bring one with you to meetings with your mentors to gain valuable feedback.

Plenty of creatives bring a tablet or computer to networking events and coffee chats to show off their work. But there are so many reasons to consider a print book, too. By integrating photo books into your networking strategies, you can leave an unforgettable impression.

5. Limited editions

There’s nothing like viewing photography in print. Original images hung up in a gallery or museum let you experience a work of art larger than life. But there are only so many museums and galleries. That’s why photo books, for many, are the most practical way to view a photographer’s work. And, unlike art hung on a wall, they’re pieces of art you can hold.

Producing a limited-edition photo book can elevate your photography to the realm of fine art. These collectible items can become desirable for enthusiasts, collectors, or fans who appreciate your book’s exclusivity and uniqueness.

• Exclusivity. Limited edition photo books offer a sense of exclusivity, making them intriguing to collectors and even casual fans of your work. They can also increase the perceived value of your photography, which will help your brand.
• Increased value. Collectibles increase in value if the artist becomes more popular or the work itself becomes historically significant. If you’re a star on the rise, yours is an excellent investment for collectors.
• Marketing advantage. Announcing a limited edition run creates urgency, making it a great marketing strategy that can help to drive up demand and interest in your work.
• Control. Limited editions also allow you to maintain control over the distribution and ownership of your work. You can ensure that it remains rare and valuable, rather than mass-produced.
• Enhanced design. Take this chance to pull out all the stops. Add in special features like autographs, unusual format, bonus content—whatever you can think of.

If you’re looking to increase your visibility, generate excitement about your work, and add a new revenue stream to your business, try a limited edition run. It’s a great way to stand out from the crowd and add value for your collectors.

6. Engaging educational tools

Photo books are often like secret portals for viewing the world. A photo book isn’t just a collection of attractive visuals; it’s an opportunity to explore the lessons and stories behind each photograph. Whether art, history, geography, or personal experiences, photo books offer a fascinating means to learn and explore new things.

• The power of visual learning. Photo books are like learning stimulants for your readers’ brains. They use images to help engage and educate us about people, places, and points of history.
• Cultural exploration. Forget about armchair traveling through Instagram. A photo book dedicated to different cultures helps you offer a first-class ticket to viewers so they can understand niche aspects of the world.
• Historical documentation. History books are cool, but photo books are time machines. You can capture moments in history and bring them to life via photo books in a way that textbooks can’t. It’s like sharing a front-row seat of the past.

For all ages, photo books are both educational and inspirational. Remarkable photo books can be the catalyst for new travels and life directions. And the act of flipping through the pages is sensory, helping support retention and learning.

7. Archival documentation

A well-crafted photo book is the superhero of archival documentation and legacy preservation. Unlike digital versions that are prone to becoming obsolete and forgotten, a tangible book can preserve your work for distant generations.

• Preserving memories. Photo books keep memories alive for future generations. They’re like low-tech time capsules. Whether it’s family history or life milestones, photo books freeze your favorite moments in time with tons of detail.
• Nostalgia. Photos bring back memories, and many woven together makes you feel like you’re reliving the past.
• Catharsis. Creating a photo book can be soul-baring if you use your photography as self-expression.
• Inspiration. High-quality visuals in a photo book can help spark your creativity and present you with new perspectives.

This type of documentation extends well beyond just personal use. Photo books are a staple in museums and libraries, helping articulate history and preserve cultural heritage. 

The enduring appeal of photo books in a digital world

In a digital domain where screens reign, it’s easy to dismiss photo books. So, why consider photo books for your project?

• Show off your skills. A photo book is like a VIP pass to your photography prowess. It lets you curate your best shots and impress everyone with your artistic eye.
• Make a lasting impression. Want to leave a mark on clients or gallery owners? A stunning photo book or coffee-table book will do the trick. Creating a memorable experience with the tactile sensation of paper and high-quality prints is an irreplaceable part of viewing art.
• Get touchy-feely. There’s something magical about flipping through real pages and feeling the weight of high-quality prints. It’s a sensory experience that digital galleries just can’t replicate.
• Evoke emotions. Photo books can engage readers and evoke emotions to a degree that digital outlets can’t touch.
• Tell a story. With a photo book, you’re the storyteller. Arrange your photos strategically to guide viewers on a captivating narrative journey.

Not limited to these qualities, photo books also offer lasting archival value, networking potential, and educational utility. They’re the Swiss Army knives in the creative world of visual arts. 

***

Blurb is a self-publishing platform built for photographers. If you’re ready to unleash the power of print, check out Blurb’s photo book options. They offer something special that digital media just can’t match. 

The post 7 reasons why photo books are worth it in the digital age appeared first on Blurb Blog.

I am Jesse Freidin, considered America’s leading fine art dog photographer with work in over 150 private collections and in galleries from coast to coast. My current series, “Are You OK?,” addresses the dangers of the current wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country to erase the stigma and elevate the voices of those most affected.

I learned everything I know about photography as an apprentice at a fine art family photography studio in San Francisco—from processing film to working with clients to marketing myself. These mentors early in my career shaped my path, and I pay it back by offering one-on-one mentoring and portfolio reviews, plus classes on web building and social media for artists. I will put all that expertise into this marketing guide for photographers.

I’ll share my experience in developing a solid marketing plan focused on finding your niche, building relationships with clients, and creating stunning imagery. Along the way, I’ll also discuss the importance of providing good customer service and over-delivering to secure repeat customers. With the right plan in place, you can ensure your work gets seen by more people, and in doing so, build a successful and profitable photography business.

Define your style

No matter how good of a marketer or salesperson you might be, if your photographs aren’t up to par, then no amount of marketing can help promote your business effectively. That’s why we must start by honing in on your photographic style.

There are a lot of photographers who are generalists—who shoot landscapes, weddings, babies, and senior portraits all at once. For some people, that might work. But there are a billion photographers in our world right now. The way to stand out is to be extremely good at what you do and have a unique point of view.

I always suggest finding one or two topics you can photograph well, so you can tell people you’re a specialist and they can trust you. Marketing is all about trust. Build that trust by articulating your specialty and delivering.

Let’s get into how.

Find your niche

So how do you find your specialty? There’s the old saying, “Photograph what you know.” I’ll also add: Photograph what brings you joy. After all, if you do work you hate, even if you’re good at it, you’ll resent it quickly.

At the start of my career, I had been working with dogs for years and was really fascinated by the relationship between people and their pets. While apprenticing at the family photography studio, I realized I loved photographing dogs. 

But that’s not all. Many people in San Francisco loved their dogs and fine art—plus, they had money to spend on both. So I decided to fill the niche with black-and-white film, high-end dog portraits. It worked.

To find your niche, ask yourself what you know how to photograph and what topic you’re curious about in that genre. Start photographing those things more. This will help you drill down on your specialty, gain experience, and better express your passion.

Articulate your vision

Once you have your niche selected, answer this question: What do you want to say through your photography? Remember, you need to build trust with potential clients beginning with how you talk about your specialty.

In my case, I wanted to use dogs as a vehicle to talk about unconditional love. And while that’s almost too simple, it worked incredibly well because my clients immediately connected with my vision. 

Even commercial and lifestyle work requires a style and unique perspective. A good friend of mine and owner of The Labs & Co. does top-notch commercial work for pet businesses. They know how to work with companies, make contracts, execute a shot list, hire models, and find locations. They also have a vision of warm and engaging photography that’s different from others. A unique style is not just for fine art. 

As you photograph your niche more, talk about your vision more, too. Share your passion with your friends, family, and colleagues. Journal about it. Keep it up until you have a straightforward expression of your mission as a photographer.

Find your market

You can have a strong specialty and unique vision, but you also need a market for your photography business in order to make money. It’s all about balancing what you love and want to say with your photography with what’s not already being done.

Look at the current photography market in your city. If thousands of pet photographers do colorful work and you copy their work, you will have an extremely hard time competing.

When I was beginning my career in San Francisco, I knew there was a market for what I wanted to do because I was already working with dogs and doing photography. Only a few key players were doing colorful, wide-angle, silly dog portraits at that time. No one was doing the thing I knew I could do well: black-and-white, fine-art portraits of dogs. I just jumped in and took up that space because no one did.

So what does that differentiator look like for you? Do a lot of research on your niche and your location. Find out who is already doing work in your space and how to stand out. And make sure to never copy someone else. 

Don’t forget to look at potential clients as well. Be sure there are people who are willing and able to buy your work. Then keep honing your vision to create an elevator pitch that shares who you are as a photographer and the clients you serve.

Build a strong portfolio

Now that you know what you’re photographing and who you’re marketing to, it’s time to exhibit your work. My mentors taught me to print a show and put up as much beautiful work as possible in as many places as I could. This advice is still relevant, and I teach it to my students. 

The first step toward putting your work up is creating a killer portfolio you can take with you to share your vision with gallerists, shops, studios, and potential clients.

Create a starter portfolio

Every photographer needs to have a portfolio of at least 20 very strong photos—which should shift and change as time goes on. The only way to get to that strong portfolio is to create a first portfolio and then constantly photograph and edit yourself. Don’t wait until you’re ready, just start shooting now. 

If you don’t have 20 professional shots you love, ask friends to be your clients for free. If you don’t have any friends or colleagues that look and feel like the people you want to attract, use them anyway and switch out their shots with real clients as you go.

My first portfolio was all unpaid work, and it was kind of terrible, but that’s the only way I could get to the portfolio I have now.

Update your book

As you continually take new photos to sharpen your skills (and as you book new clients), keeping your portfolio current is essential. I updated my print portfolio yearly at the beginning of my career.

Feel free to experiment with different photo editing techniques or try out a variety of new camera settings. While the core of your portfolio should remain consistent, adding some variety will keep viewers engaged as they explore different aspects of your work. 

Be sure to think carefully about the quality of each image and its overall composition. Low-quality or poorly composed shots can hurt the perception of your work, so be sure every photo is one that you’re proud of and wouldn’t hesitate to show potential clients.

Make sure to take work out of your book as you add new work. As we mentioned above, 20 images are typically the sweet spot—any less, and your book looks sparse; any more, and it looks unedited.

Work with a mentor

It’s incredibly difficult (and at times irresponsible) to be a photographer for hire or run a business in a vacuum. If you don’t have other colleagues to talk to, whether they’re professionals or hobbyists, you’re going to have a tough time knowing what to do.

This is important for your portfolio as well. No matter where in our careers, we all need to get feedback from trusted colleagues and talk about our mistakes.

I encourage people to find other photographers in your city. Meet up and talk about your work as well as share clients and network. If you can’t find photogs near you, find forums of like-minded creators. Share ideas, ask questions, and then pay it forward and help someone else.

Make marketing material

When you’re running a photography business, you need two things: the ability to make powerful images and the skill to guide your clients every step of the way. The first step in that guided experience is branding and marketing. It will set the tone for the rest of your work.

The marketing materials you create depend on how much money you are willing to spend. Unfortunately, this is a real pain point when starting a business because you have to spend money to make money. But rather than printing dozens of portfolios and thousands of business cards, you should start cheaply.

I believe in the pairing of print and web marketing. The marketing materials that work well together are a website, printed portfolio, postcards, and social media accounts. We’ll tackle each of them here.

Start with branding

Before you jump into web design and create a ton of social media accounts, it’s important to solidify your messaging and visual identity. Consistency is incredibly important. It all goes back to the idea of marketing as a trust-building exercise. You automatically look more professional with an easily identifiable, clean brand.

Here are a few key elements that you should focus on when building your brand identity:

• Logo: You don’t need to spend much money on a logo these days—you can hire a freelancer online, ask a graphic design friend for a barter, or even build one yourself with online tools.
• Color palette: Pick one to three colors and stick to them. I’ve used the same red for 15 years, and my brand is recognizable because of my choice.
• Font: Using a dedicated font across all your marketing materials will go far in helping them look consistent and well-designed. Again, you only need one or two.
• Messaging: Since you have already articulated your vision and the clients you want to work with, creating a few lines of copy that you use regularly should be fairly easy. Use the same messaging on your website, Instagram bio, and even in-person elevator pitch. Some people call this a slogan, but I see it as a very articulate, well-crafted marketing message. 

Spending time on your brand lets clients see you’ve put effort into creating a solid experience. They’ll know you’ll put the same effort into every touch point—from first contact to session to photo delivery.

Remember, you’re building brand recognition and trust. As you create a logo, color palette, font, and messaging, reflect on your niche, vision, and market. Your ideal brand identity will clearly articulate who you are and who you serve. This will get you the right clients and help you keep them—resulting in more clients and higher sales.

Design your website

You don’t have to be a web designer to create an impressive but affordable website. Plenty of web-building apps and sites help you with pre-formatted layouts, domains, and tech—so all you have to do is fill in your information. Spend some time researching the best sites for design, and you may be able to get up and running with a website within a few days or weeks. If you need inspiration, look at what other people in your field have done with their websites. But remember, never copy anyone. 

You need to think about three things when building your website:

• Show off your body of work. Prospective clients need to see your skills to believe them. Put the 20 powerful images from your portfolio on your site front and center.
• Add strong messaging. Ensure you clearly communicate what you do, who you are, and the clients you work with. It’ll make it easier for your viewers to understand your specialty and decide if you’re a good fit.
• Clearly share your contact information. While your entire website should be well-designed, easily navigable, and functional, you need to make sure there is an obvious way to contact you. How else can they hire you?

Print your portfolio

I’ve always had a printed portfolio, whether a Blurb photo book or a box of prints in my studio. Print work allows your clients to touch and feel the quality of your work. Even if you don’t have a studio to display your images, you can make a small box of prints and bring it to client meetings.

While prints can get dirty when passed around, portfolio books are protected—and easy to print again if you use a print-on-demand company. I started with an 8 inch by 8 inch softcover portfolio. It’s affordable, portable, and still makes an impression. Over the years, I began using big square photo books with hardcovers. I make a new one every few years to bring to in-person meetings. With my book in hand, I can show off my skills during gatherings, events, and when setting up collaborations. 

You should, too! Research print-on-demand companies to find one that has the quality, size, format, and pricing that’s right for you. (Or just use Blurb, as I do.) 

Purchase postcards

I also really believe in the dependable postcard. They’re cheap while still feeling like a matted print someone might see in your studio. You need to make it something people want to put on their fridge or in their office. It needs to be so beautiful that they want to keep it around.

Postcards are better than business cards and photo prints because they let you show off your contact information and work simultaneously. They’re invaluable for photographers. And, just like your website design, there are plenty of postcard companies that will help with layouts and on-demand printing quickly and economically.

Start with one or two images on your postcards and see what resonates with your clients as you hand them out. What kind of positive feedback do you get, and how can you keep that up?

I’ve used the same image of howling dogs from one of the first clients I photographed for 15 years. If I made another round, I’d use the same image again. That’s because people always comment on the howling dogs. Since it worked well to capture attention, I’ve used it over and over again, and now it’s recognizable as one of my images.

Despite what I said above, business cards can also be a great idea. I’ve always had both. However, the point of a business card is to start a conversation. Someone once told me that the best way to use a business card is to pretend you don’t have any and ask the other person for theirs. With their contact in hand, you are in control of the conversation. You can follow up and continue networking rather than wait for an email or call. Networking should always be intentional, tactical, and friendly. Just remember to get those digits!

Launch your social media accounts

Social media is a powerful tool for photographers—it allows you to showcase your work and expertise, get discovered by clients, and build community with other photographers. Before you start, it’s essential to choose the social networks that best fit your goals. 

I began on Twitter over a decade ago, making it easy to connect with other photographers and companies worldwide. But if you specialize in wedding photography, it might make more sense to join Pinterest or TikTok. Most photographers have an Instagram account as well. Don’t discount Facebook and YouTube, especially if you plan on testing into paid ads.

After selecting the networks that make sense for your business, build your profiles. Include your logo, the messaging you created in your bio, and (most importantly) your website and contact information so there won’t be any guesswork when trying to reach you. I recommend using a link splitter app like Linktree on all social media, so you can offer multiple relevant links. 

Then start posting regularly—this could range from once a day to several times a week, depending on the channel and your available content and time. Make your posts beautiful and educational. It’s a great idea to include behind-the-scenes shots of how things look during photoshoots, plus helpful tips about photography or upcoming conferences and events that will allow you to connect with others in your field.

Need inspiration? Explore other photographers in your niche and note what they share with their followers. And don’t forget to get acquainted with the best practices for each social media platform you use. 

Market on a budget

Photography is a competitive industry, and while investing in marketing is necessary, it’s critical to make sure you’re getting the most out of your budget. Here we’ll discuss how you can use tools and techniques that are low-cost or free, like attending local events, building a newsletter, and using social media. All of these strategies can help create an effective marketing plan that doesn’t break the bank.

Pound the pavement

Catching the attention of your prospective clients is about showing your beautiful work in the places they go. We’ll talk about social media and online marketing but don’t discount hitting the pavement. Even in our digital era, you need to show people you are trustworthy, confident, and different than others. Getting your work in galleries and cafes equals direct communication with future clients. A beautiful print is always the best calling card. 

As I started my business, I went to high-end pet shops, home goods stores, and cafes with my print portfolio, business card, and dog. I’d introduce myself and ask if they’d be open to showing my work. I made connections the second I started introducing myself and displaying my work in relevant stores. I met business owners who were great for my business and got calls from clients who saw my work and wanted portraits of their dogs.

Ask yourself, what are the relevant shops for your prospective clients? What neighborhoods should you target? And how can you make connections with business owners and galleries who can display your work?

Consistently market via social media

Twitter was an amazing marketing tool for me in 2005. I used it to connect with other photographers and companies for collaborations, more than a tool to find clients. I find digital networking has been hugely influential in my business.

You should consider doing the same. Marketing is about generosity—and that is true of networking as well. Share valuable information, tips, and tricks on your social media account. Share connections between colleagues and companies. Share your knowledge and that goodwill will come back to you. A healthy sense of competition is fine, but let that come out in the professionalism of your work. Don’t be selfish with your connections, it’s never a good look. 

Many photographers will also try paid ads. Since they are very cheap to run, they’re worth testing and seeing if they work for your business and niche. But I think Google, Facebook, or Instagram ads—or other things like paid magazine features—are often distractions that don’t gain real traction. 

In social media marketing—and all marketing, for that matter— what gains real traction is consistency, authenticity, and being very good at what you do. It’s extremely simple, and there are no cutting corners.

Show up to events

For photographers, there’s nothing like real in-person connections. You are part of the business community, and attending relevant events lets people know who you are and what you stand for. 

Local art fairs, winter markets, niche industry events—look for any applicable opportunities to show your work in person. Every chance you have to show your community who you are and what you do is golden, especially in this age where there is so much digital noise and online competition.

If you’re nervous about attending events, it’s a skill you can learn. I’m a fairly quiet person and used to be kind of scared of people. I had to fake it until I made it since photography is a face-to-face job. To do that, I used to attend animal rescue events in my city to show my face and work, shake hands, and be of service. You can, too.

Lastly, if there is a local chamber of commerce or business association, join it as well. It may seem boring, but it’s a great way to show people you’re serious about being part of the local business environment and willing to give back.

Build a newsletter

Email newsletters are one of the best ways to constantly stay in touch with clients, both new and old. I do a monthly newsletter and have found it effective and easy. Every time I send it out, people reply—asking me how I am, chatting about my current work, or booking a new session for a new dog.

Building a list is relatively simple as well. Add a sign-up on your website and social media accounts. When you do in-person events, bring a tablet or sheet for your newsletter sign-up. It’s a low-stakes way for people interested in your work to keep in touch.

Then see what works for your clients. Try out different email cadences and topics. Mine has changed over the years, but I’ve found a sweet spot. I typically highlight a recent session, link to a blog with more information, and share upcoming events and shows. Of course, I also include a couple of clear calls to action—including a reminder to book a session. 

Offer your clients valuable content and remind them you’re still working. It’s as simple as that!

Test and iterate

Marketing your photography business isn’t a one-time job. It’s an ongoing process of testing different tactics, learning from them, and iterating for the future. By identifying what works and what doesn’t, you can refine your approach and effectively use your resources. 

As you visit galleries and events in your city, keep track of which one leads to the most new clients or best connections. When you market on social media or send your newsletter, check back on which one had the most views, clicks, and sales. 

You’ll likely find that marketing is trial by fire. Marketing is about making hypotheses and overcoming mistakes to discover the tried-and-true method for you. Don’t get discouraged if the first tactics you try aren’t immediately successful. Keep going; eventually, you will find what works for you and your clients.

Finally, when you get advice from your mentor, community, and guides like this, trust what resonates with you. Maybe business cards are more important than postcards for your industry, or a LinkedIn page is better than a Twitter account for you. A good business owner can take in a lot of information and filter what’s relevant.

Provide excellent customer service

We know marketing is about trust and generosity. You should also know marketing doesn’t stop once you’ve made a sale. In the photography industry, you want to nurture your existing relationships to increase your word-of-mouth sessions and repeat business. Really, really good customer service is the best way to have repeat clients. 

Client interaction starts the second someone Googles you or sees your postcard at a local coffee shop. And customer service continues in how you show up on a shoot, how you deliver your photos, and how you remind clients that you exist once your project is over.

In the dog portraiture world, customer service was about being great at my job as well as kind and accommodating. It was also remembering my clients’ names, their partners’ names, and of course, all their dogs’ names. 

As you decide how to achieve excellent customer service in your business, stick with a classic marketing rule: Always underpromise and over-deliver.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, marketing is about making meaningful connections and building trust between you and your clients. I hope you take my experience and advice to create an authentic, vibrant community for your business. And don’t forget to have fun doing it.

Believe in yourself and the power of perseverance. Don’t get discouraged if you aren’t immediately successful—instead, build resilience, take feedback, and use it to tailor your approach. With consistency, authenticity, and a clear understanding of who you are as a photographer, success is possible.

Good luck! I’m rooting for you. 

***

Jesse Freidin is a professional photographer who gained global recognition through his recognizable black-and-white fine art dog portraits. His latest project, “Are You OK?,” pairs portraits with interviews to elevate the voices of trans and non-binary young people in a country swept by anti-trans legislation. Freidin is turning his series into a book as part of the Blurb Creator Program. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook. 

Blurb is an indie publishing platform enabling professional and amateur photographers to design, self-publish, and sell their photography books easily. Learn how to sell your photography book now.

The post Marketing for photographers: tips to grow your business appeared first on Blurb Blog.

When I ask photographers about our platform, I often hear, “I already know everything about Blurb.” I love hearing this because it tells me that creators in the industry are wildly accepting our brand. But upon asking follow-up questions, plenty about Blurb remains a mystery. From paper types to trim sizes and book formats, Blurb offers a bevy of options that fly under the radar. 

Blurb’s trade book option

During this last talk, I asked how many people had already used Blurb. More than half of the audience raised their hand. Then I asked how many people wanted to sell their publications. Everyone who had already used Blurb raised their hands, and so did those who had yet to try the platform. Finally, I asked who had ever used Blurb’s trade book option. Not one person raised their hand. This is both frustrating and wonderful because the Blurb trade book is priced to sell and is arguably the most strategic product we make, so I knew when I began to unravel the full Blurb offering, the faces before me would start to light up. 

Before selling books

Making books and selling books are two separate adventures, but they are connected in more ways than you think. Selling books requires a plan, one that starts long before you hold your book in hand. 

A book is like a relationship, a marriage even, and requires planning, thoughtfulness, and an extended time frame. There is a series of questions you must ask before beginning a project you want to sell. 

• What is my goal? 
• Am I selling to people I already know, or am I selling to strangers? 
• What does my audience want? 
• What price point best fits my audience? 
• And what combination of book ingredients fits that price point? 

From there, you begin to work backward to create something that is the answer to all these questions.

Starting with a goal

I will often start a project with a sales goal. I created my first-ever magazine intending to sell one hundred copies. This might seem like a meager goal, but I didn’t see it this way. Again, this was my first-ever magazine project, and I didn’t yet have an easily identifiable audience. 

The few audience members I did know were Leica camera enthusiasts, which helped me determine my magazine’s subject matter. If I built something with a specific audience in mind, I would have a much higher chance of selling through my print run. I was also a somewhat unknown commodity then, so asking my audience to pay eighty or one hundred dollars for a publication was too much. A magazine priced at less than twenty dollars was a perfect fit. Much to my surprise, my run of one hundred copies sold out quickly, allowing me to move on to my next project. 

Finding your audience

Nowadays, I prefer to sell books to people I know. This is far easier than selling books to strangers. Why? Because those whom I have a relationship with know my story, my ideology, and my process. This means we have more than a superficial connection. 

If I have fifteen hundred people who subscribe to my newsletter, and I announce I’m selling two hundred copies of a publication, I don’t need to even venture into the public domain to find my audience. I can also correspond with my audience to predetermine their interest. Do they want a photography book or a behind-the-scenes tell-all? Do they want a fancy coffee table book or a small, informal, how-to style publication? And I can find out what budget best fits their budget. 

My ego might tell me to make a two-hundred-dollar, archival, hardcover masterpiece, but my audience only has twenty dollars to spare. Build to fit people, build to fit. And know this, when someone buys your book, they are not only buying your printed efforts, but they are also buying a small part of you. 

In the age of sharing, share only what makes you happy but know it does make a difference in sales. Set realistic expectations, take it slow, and make the best book possible. This might mean hiring a designer or a copy editor to ensure your public offering is top-notch. And remember this, a book is often about more than just sales. A book is a testament to your efforts and a calling card of the highest pedigree. Books resonate like nothing else, even in the Digital Age. 

***

Blurb is a self-publishing platform that makes it easy to design, print, sell, and distribute your self-published books and magazines. Learn more about self-publishing and marketing.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: Making a Book to Sell appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Now is your final chance to win a virtual one-on-one portfolio review with Dan Milnor, our creative evangelist.

Enter the Meet with Milnor contest from July 31 to August 11, 2023. Here’s how:

• Post 3-5 portfolio excerpts as an Instagram* carousel
• Add #MeetWithMilnor and #Contest to your caption
• Make sure your profile is public

One grand prize winner will receive a private, one-on-one portfolio review session with Dan Milnor, our creative evangelist. The contest winner will be selected at random after the contest ends on August 11.

* Remember to make your Instagram profile public, or we can’t see your entry!

OFFICIAL RULES (“Official Rules”)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER, WIN OR CLAIM PRIZES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE AN ENTRANT’S CHANCES OF WINNING. THE PROMOTION IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, ADMINISTERED BY, OR ASSOCIATED WITH INSTAGRAM.

THESE OFFICIAL RULES CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES THAT ALL DISPUTES BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION, AND ENTRANTS AGREE TO ONLY PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST SPONSOR AND SPONSOR ENTITIES AND/OR SEEK RELIEF ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT, OR AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

Blurb’s Meet with Milnor Contest (“Promotion”) is sponsored by RPI Print, Inc., (“Sponsor”), 116th Street Suite 161, Tukwila, Washington 98168.

1. PROMOTION PERIOD: The Promotion begins on July 31, 2023, at 12:01 AM Pacific Standard Time (“PST”) and ends on August 11, at 11:59 PM PST (“Promotion Period”). The Sponsor’s computer is the Promotion’s official clock. The Promotion is structured as a sweepstakes with one (1) Promotion winner who will be randomly selected at the end of the Promotion Period.

2. ELIGIBILITY: This Promotion is offered only to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry and are legal residents of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island. Employees of Sponsor, and any of its owners, parent companies, affiliates, directors, subsidiaries, franchisees, representatives, advertising, promotion and production agencies, agents (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”) and their immediate family members (i.e., spouse, parent, child, sibling, and the “steps” of each) and persons living in the same household of each (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Promotion. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state and local laws apply. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Entrants and/or potential winner may be required to provide proof of identification and eligibility as required by Sponsor. If it is discovered or suspected that an entrant has registered or attempted to register for the Promotion using multiple identities, all of that entrant’s entries will be declared null and void and any prize such entrant might have been entitled to win will not be awarded to and may be revoked from such entrant. Use of any automated system or any like methods to participate in the Promotion is prohibited and will result in disqualification of any entrant attempting such use.

3. HOW TO ENTER: Sponsor will publish one (1) post on the @blurbbooks Instagram account (Instagram.com/blurbbooks), with directions on how to enter the Promotion (each, a “Promotion Post” and collectively, the “Promotion Posts”). To participate, entrants must complete the following steps during the Promotion Period: (i) post 3-5 excerpts from their portfolio on their public Instagram feed (ii) post an original caption on their entry post (each, an “Entry” collectively, “Entries”) and the Entry must include the hashtags #MeetWithMilnor and #Contest within the caption. The Entry must meet the following “Entry Guidelines”: (i) the Entry must not include text or subject matter that is deemed by the Sponsor to be obscene, profane, pornographic, libelous or otherwise objectionable; (ii) the Entry must not disparage Sponsor or any other person or entity; (iii) the Entry must not contain material that is political; (iv) the Entry must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age; and (v) the Entry must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of, or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state. (vi) Each entrant’s social media account must be public to participate in the Promotion.

IMPORTANT: Your Entries must include both hashtags #MeetWithMilnor and #Contest in your comment or reply to be eligible. Entries which do not include both hashtags will be disqualified and ineligible to receive a prize.

Limit: one (1) Entry per person per Promotion Post during the Promotion Period. If it is discovered or suspected, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, that an entrant receives or attempts to receive more than the stated number of Entries, all of that entrant’s Entries, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, may be declared null and void and any prize(s) he/she might have been entitled to will not be awarded to and may be revoked from him/her. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, the Entry will be declared made by the primary account holder of the account associated with the email address designated in the social media account used to enter the Promotion. The “primary account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the applicable email address. The potential winner may be required to show proof of being the holder of the email address designated in the social media account used to enter the Promotion.

Sponsor’s Use of Entries: By posting, commenting, sharing, or uploading an Entry entrant consents to and hereby grants to Sponsor a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, create derivative works from, and display the Entry on a worldwide basis, and to incorporate it into other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed, including for promotional or marketing purposes. If requested, entrant will sign any documentation that may be required for Sponsor or its designees to make use of the non-exclusive rights entrant is granting to use the Entry. Sponsor reserves the right to remove (and to require that entrant remove) and to disqualify Entries that violate the guidelines outlined above, violate these Official Rules, or for which a DMCA notice or other infringement claim is received.

4. PRIZE: One (1) winner will be randomly selected to receive one (1) 30-minute virtual portfolio critique with Blurb’s creative evangelist, Dan Milnor. The total ARV of all available prizes in the Promotion is $100.00. There is no substitution for any Prize, except Sponsor who reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute a prize or portion of prize of comparable value. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash, except in the sole discretion of Sponsor. All Prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Incidental expenses and all other costs and expenses which are not specifically listed as part of a Prize in these Official Rules, and which may be associated with the award, acceptance, receipt, and use of all, or any portion of the awarded Prize are solely the responsibility of the Prize winner. All federal, state, and local taxes associated with the receipt or use of the Prize are solely the responsibility of the Prize winning entrant. In no event will more prizes than are stated in these Official Rules be awarded. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible Entries received during the Promotion Period.

5. SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: At the end of the Promotion Period, one (1) Entry will be randomly selected in a drawing from all eligible entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The drawing will be conducted by Sponsor or its designee, using randomization methods selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion from all eligible Entries received during the Promotion Period.  Before being declared a winner the potential winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, tax acknowledgment, and, except where prohibited, a Publicity Release (“Affidavit”). If requested by Sponsor, the potential Prize winner must return a fully executed Affidavit to the Sponsor or its authorized designee within seven (7) calendar days from the date it is sent to the potential winner or the Prize may (in Sponsor’s sole discretion) be forfeited. Only the winner will receive the prize and they will be responsible for providing the prize to the friend mentioned in the Entry. If a potential winner is disqualified, found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, declines to accept a prize, or in the event that the potential winner fails to return an executed Affidavit within the seven (7) calendar day deadline (if applicable), the Prize may be forfeited. If the Prize is forfeited, the Prize may be awarded to an alternate winner, who will be randomly selected from the eligible remaining Entries. Sponsor shall not be held responsible for any delays in awarding a prize for any reason. If, after three (3) good faith attempts to award the Prize to potential winners, Sponsor is unable to award the Prize, the prize may not be awarded.

ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES IMPOSED ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF A PRIZE ARE SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WINNER.

Sponsor will attempt to notify the potential winner as set forth above, but Sponsor is not responsible for any undelivered messages or other communications, including without limitation messages or other communications that are not received because of a winner’s privacy or spam filter settings which may divert any Promotion messages or other communications, including any winner notification message or other communication. Prizes that are unclaimed, unredeemed, or returned as undeliverable will not be awarded. All other costs and expenses not expressly set forth herein shall be solely the winner’s responsibility. Promotion Entities shall not be held responsible for any delays in awarding the Prize for any reason. The Prize will only be awarded to a verified winner.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: By participating in this Promotion entrants (and if 18+ but a minor in their state of residence, their parents or legal guardians) agree that the Promotion Entities, and their respective affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, representatives, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, advertising, public relations, promotional, fulfillment and marketing agencies, website providers, Web masters and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, shareholders, designees and agents (“Released Parties”) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, postage due, or undeliverable notifications or mail; or for any computer, telephone, satellite, cable, network, electronic or Internet hardware or software malfunctions, failures, connections or availability; or garbled, corrupt or jumbled transmissions, service provider/Internet/website/use net accessibility, availability or traffic congestion; or any technical, mechanical, printing, or typographical or other error; or unauthorized human intervention; or the loss, access, or acquisition without authorization, or incorrect or inaccurate capture of registration information; or the failure to capture, or loss or disclosure of, any such information. The Released Parties are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by any website users, tampering, hacking or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion and assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, technical error, theft or destruction or unauthorized access or acquisition of the website, any Promotion-related website(s), or entrant information. The Released Parties are not responsible for any injury or damage, whether personal or property, to participants or to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in the Promotion and/or accepting or using a prize. The Released Parties shall not be responsible or liable for entries that are entered by any automated computer, program, mechanism or device, for any entries in excess of the stated limit or for entries that are late, forged, lost, misplaced, misdirected, tampered with, incomplete, deleted, damaged, garbled or otherwise not in compliance with the Official Rules, and all such entries may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be disqualified. If, for any reason, the Promotion is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion and/or proceed with the Promotion, including the selection of winner in a manner it deems fair and reasonable including the selection of the winner from among eligible Entries received prior to such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension. In no event will more prizes be awarded than are stated in these Official Rules. If for any reason, including but not limited to an administrative, printing, production, computer or other error or due to technical difficulties or incorrect announcements of any kind, more winning messages are distributed, or more prizes are claimed than are intended to be awarded according to these Official Rules, the intended prizes will be awarded among all verified prize claims received based on the judging criteria stated in these Official Rules. This Promotion is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

By entering the Promotion, each entrant (and if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian) agrees: (i) to be bound by these Official Rules and by all applicable laws and by the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be binding and final; (ii) to waive any rights to claim ambiguity with respect to these Official Rules; (iii) to waive all of his or her rights to bring any claim, action or proceeding against any of the Released Parties in connection with the Promotion; and (iv) to forever and irrevocably agree to release and hold harmless each of the Released Parties from any and all claims, lawsuits, judgments, causes of action, proceedings, demands, fines, penalties, liability, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) that may arise in connection with: (a) the Promotion, including but not limited to any Promotion-related activity or element thereof, and the entrant’s Entry, including any information provided, participation or inability to participate in the Promotion, (b) the violation of any third-party privacy, data security, personal, publicity or proprietary rights, (c) typographical or printing errors in these Official Rules or any Promotion materials, (d) acceptance, attendance at, receipt, travel related to, participation in, delivery of, possession, defects in, use, non-use, misuse, inability to use, loss, damage, destruction, negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the use of a prize (or any component thereof), (e) any change in the prizing due to unavailability or due to reasons beyond Sponsor’s control, including but not limited to by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not such action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened or actual terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot or any other cause beyond any of the Released Parties’ control, or as otherwise permitted in these Official Rules, (f) any interruptions in or postponement, cancellation or modification of the Promotion, (g) human error, (h) incorrect, unauthorized, or inaccurate transcription, receipt or transmission of any part of any Entry , (i) any technical malfunctions or unavailability of the website or any telephone network, computer system, computer online system, mobile device, computer timing and/or dating mechanism, computer equipment, software, or Internet service provider, or mail service utilized by any of the Released Parties or by an entrant, (j) interruption or inability to access the Promotion, the website or any other Promotion-related websites or any online service via the Internet due to hardware or software compatibility problems, (k) any damage to entrant’s (or any third person’s) equipment used to access the Promotion and/or its contents related to or resulting from any part of the Promotion, (l) any lost/delayed data transmissions, omissions, interruptions, defects, and/or any other errors or malfunctions, (m) any late, lost, stolen, mutilated, misdirected, delayed, garbled, corrupted, destroyed, incomplete, undeliverable or damaged Entries, (n) any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of the Released Parties, (o) lost, late, stolen, misdirected, damaged or destroyed prizing (or any element thereof), or (p) the negligence or willful misconduct by entrant.

Without limiting the foregoing, everything regarding this Promotion, including the website and prize components, are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions may not allow the limitations or exclusions of liability for incidental or consequential damages or exclusions of implied warranties, so some of the above limitations or exclusions may not apply. Check local laws for any restrictions or limitations regarding these limitations or exclusions.

7. DISPUTES AND ARBITRATION; CLASS ACTION WAIVER: This Contest is governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Washington without regard to any choice of law or conflicts of law rules, and the forum and venue for any dispute shall be in Seattle, Washington.

IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“AAA RULES”). THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES OR OTHER SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.

ENTRANTS AGREE THAT THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ANY ENTRANT AND/OR PROMOTION ENTITIES AND/OR ANY OTHER PARTY SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT, OR AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

ANY DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE END OF THE PROMOTION PERIOD, OR THE CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE FOREVER BARRED.

8. PRIVACY POLICY: Any information collected during an entrant’s participation in the Promotion will be collected by Sponsor or designee and used by Sponsor, affiliates, designees, agents and marketers for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Promotion as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor’s Privacy Policy as stated at https://www.blurb.com/privacy.

9. PUBLICITY RIGHTS: By participating in the Promotion and/or accepting a prize, each entrant (and if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian’s) grants Sponsor and Sponsor’s designee the perpetual right to use his or her name, social media user name (handle), biographical information, photos and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes on a worldwide basis, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter discovered including  without limitation live television, social media, and on the World Wide Web and Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.

10. GENERAL: Any attempted form of participation in this Promotion other than as described herein is void. If it is discovered or suspected in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion that an entrant has registered or attempted to register more than once using multiple email addresses, accounts, multiple identities, proxy servers or like methods, all of that entrant’s entries will be declared null and void, and that Entrant will be ineligible to win a prize. Also, if it is discovered that any entrant attempts to receive additional entries in excess of the stated limitation, that entrant may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be disqualified from the Promotion. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual found, in its sole opinion, to be tampering with the operation of the Promotion, to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner or with the intent to disrupt the normal operation of a Promotion. Any use of robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods to participate in the Promotion will void any attempted participation affected by such methods and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same. CAUTION AND WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. If any provision of these Official Rules or any word, phrase, clause, sentence, or other portion thereof should be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, then that provision or portion thereof shall be modified or deleted in such manner as to render the remaining provisions of these Official Rules valid and enforceable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules or the prize documents will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Sponsor’s interpretation of these Official Rules is final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Sponsor or Released Party’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision and such provision shall remain in full force and effect. All Promotion Entries and/or materials submitted become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. In the event of any conflict with any Promotion details contained in these Official Rules and Promotion details contained in any promotional materials (including but not limited to point of sale, television and print advertising, promotional packaging, social media, email communications, and other promotional media), the details of the Promotion as set forth in these Official Rules shall prevail.

11. SOCIAL MEDIA RELEASE AND DISCLAIMER. Each entrant acknowledges and agrees that this Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. By entering the Promotion each entrant hereby releases and agrees to hold harmless these entities completely from any liability in connection with the Promotion. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Promotion should be directed to Sponsor and not these social media platforms. By participating via any applicable social media platform, Entrants are also subject to such platform’s terms of use.

12. TO RECEIVE WINNERS LIST OR OFFICIAL RULES: The Official Rules (available during the Promotion Period) and Winners List (available after winner is confirmed) will be available on blurb.com/blog/meet-with-milnor-contest for a period of sixty (60) days after the close of the Promotion Period.

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Where did the idea for A Preview of 100 Days of Feelings, Emotions, and Moments come from?

A few days before the 2021 100-day project started, my cat got sick again. I was so stressed out that when I got home from the vet, I had a brief moment to paint. By painting how I felt, it relieved a lot of stress and pressure within me, and that’s when I made the decision to paint a feeling, emotion, or moment each day for 100 days.

As I kept painting, people started asking me if I would turn it into a book. Interestingly, that’s exactly what I had in mind, too. And I wanted to create something more than just a portfolio of my personal expressions—something that could be helpful or useful as well. When I saw Blurb’s newsletter about the 24-hour Zine Challenge, it was a perfect nudge for me to keep working on this project, sharing a preview of these 100 paintings in the form of a zine.

Why did you choose “Day 60: Thank God for Art” as the cover of your zine?

I tried many pieces for the cover design, and that one looked the most cover-like to me. I also remember the day I painted it was a hard day. I was really relieved and thankful to have a quiet moment to paint at the end of the day.

Which came first: the one-line poem or the painting?

It depended on the day. During the 100-day project, I would often paint at night before bed. I would take a moment to sit and recall my day to see if any feelings, emotions, or moments showed up strongly. Sometimes it came as a word, like on “Day 7: Sleepy.” Sometimes it was a sentence, like on “Day 2: Gratitude for the Hot Shower Before Bed.” Others came as a way I wanted to paint, like a brush movement, or a predominant color, then I would go from there. Often words came to mind soon after I would start to paint, but sometimes there weren’t any words, so I would leave it wordless.

Talk to us about where and how you showcase your work and how the zine challenge helped you persevere. 

I was attracted to the nature of Instagram stories that only last for 24 hours—letting the previous day go and welcoming the new one. I think it was my attempt to practice letting go in the digital world.

Blurb’s 24-hour Zine Challenge was a perfect push for me to continue transforming this personal painting challenge into a book. I had no mature design ideas yet at that point, so I thought making a lightweight zine would be a great warmup and practice for what was yet to come. Additionally, I find that having a set deadline, a specific page count, and a predetermined book size helps me take the first step in starting a bigger project. The constraints provided by the challenge eliminated any room for decision paralysis, making starting it easier.

What did you learn about yourself or your art in doing this project for 100 straight days?

I learned that I have the ability to be persistent and consistent and how to be patient with myself when I miss and skip a day. I learned I really enjoy working with words and paintings. While this was something I already knew as a manga lover, this project allowed me to explore it in a broader context. I also learned that making art is very healing for both myself and others who view it. It became evident to me that we humans have a lot in common with how we feel. Additionally, I received interest from people who wanted to learn how to express themselves through painting. As a result, I am currently preparing an art class about it. Mostly, I learned that life is a little easier when I paint.

Do you distribute this zine? How do you market your work?

I have distributed this zine through various channels. I shared this zine on Instagram and my website as well as through email and text, and I’ve also shared the zine in person.

What other types of books have you made?

I usually make handmade books in limited editions. They are either hand painted, screen printed, or printed on inkjet printers, then I hand bind each copy. They’re usually poetic short story books.

You mention how creativity is a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing. Can you talk more about how it has helped you?

I started painting before my earliest memories. It has been a natural language for me; however, in the pursuit of becoming a professional artist, I was influenced and got sidetracked from that natural inclination, and my relationship with making art became less fulfilling and more stressful. I couldn’t paint anything serious for many years. I couldn’t paint what I had been painting, and there was nothing new I wanted to paint. I thought maybe it was time for me to let it go completely. With a hole in my heart about my art, my personal life had also become quite challenging. It was from the strong desire of feeling better that I started to write and paint again. 

This time I allowed myself to paint whatever: the good and the bad feelings, the pretty and the ugly, in both real and imagined objects. That’s when I rediscovered how much I love to paint and make stuff with my hands, and how by doing so, I become more whole. One of the reasons I think painting is a powerful tool for healing is that it helps me to see myself more clearly, the things I like about myself, and those I want to improve. It has helped me to be in touch with what really is and accept what I see.

What is your personal experience with self-publishing or publishing in general? Why did you go the self-publishing route with Blurb?

I have experience in designing books for a living, including art magazines, cookbooks, and non-picture books. I also illustrated and designed fiction books. I enjoy working with teams for each stage of making a book. 

When it comes to my own books, I desire a greater degree of creative control. It allows me to shape every aspect of the final outcome and have the freedom and responsibility from the design to the distribution. I especially like the freedom of printing one or many copies of my book using Blurb. I’m not very experienced in marketing and distribution, so gratefully Blurb’s bookstore makes it easy to publish my books and provides tips about marketing and distribution.

What’s next for you? Any other book ideas in the works?

I would like to keep working on and finish the big 100-day book as well as put together the art class and share the power of painting with more people. There is also a storybook I want to finish. It’s about a young woman who learns what freedom means to her from a journey she embarks on.

Anything we didn’t ask that you’d like to mention?

I would like to mention on a personal note that my 18-year-old cat passed away Monday, June 26, 2023. He was a very loving, friendly, and compassionate cat who loved everyone and enjoyed life to the last minute even though he was very ill. I want to honor him and the inspirations for the paintings he gave me. Lastly, I am immensely grateful for the love and support I have received on my artistic journey. It may have felt lonely at times, but actually, I was never alone.
 

***

Blurb is a self-publishing company made by and for indie creators. Ready to create your own zine? Blurb makes it easy to self-publish your own zine—whether you want to print it for yourself or sell it globally.

The post A Preview of 100 Days of Feelings, Emotions, and Moments: Behind the Zine with Nia Wang appeared first on Blurb Blog.

As a comic book writer, you’re constantly exploring various graphic novels and comics—some of which may be ready to publish and share with the world. If you’re still getting started, we suggest checking out this post on how to start a comic book, which provides a step-by-step process for beginning.

This guide focuses on how to self-publish a comic book, taking you from finalizing your art to printing and marketing your work. It may not be as fun as the creative process, but it’s crucial for turning your work into a finished product. Let’s dive in.

Benefits of self-publishing your comic book

Historically, getting your work published meant submitting your work to a major comic book publisher in hopes of sparking their interest. For many comic writers, this avenue was a distant long shot, limited to the best of the best and highly-regarded creators who already had a track record in the industry.

Nowadays, self-publishing platforms have lowered the barrier to entry, making it possible for anyone with a finished concept to publish a comic book. In addition to accessibility, the ability to self-publish your comic book comes with many benefits, including:

• Retaining creative control: Self-publishing allows you to take control of your creative process. From deciding on the story arc to depicting your characters with creative liberty, you to tell your story without constraints.
• Faster publishing times: Self-publishing typically results in faster publishing times than traditional publishing.
• Bigger return on investment: One of the most desirable benefits of self-publishing a comic book is keeping more of the profits. That’s because creators partnering with traditional publishers only receive a percentage of the sales.
• Complete ownership: Unlike traditional publishing, self-publishing means retaining complete ownership of the finished product, giving you complete creative and marketing control.
• More fulfilling endeavor: Although writing and designing comic books and graphic novels is time-consuming, it can be extremely fulfilling.
• Involvement in every aspect of the book’s production: Self-publishing means you’ll make decisions about every part of the book’s creation, from content to cover.
• Superior quality control: Some self-publishing platforms, such as Blurb, provide professional quality control and fast turn-around times, rivaling the finished product of major publishing companies.

Self-publishing gives creators complete control over every aspect of their comic book’s design and content. Likewise, cutting out middlemen, like book agents and publishers, means indie creators can keep more of the revenue generated from their work. It’s a no-brainer why so many creators are pursuing the control, liberty, and fulfillment of self-publishing.

Finalize your comic book

After countless hours of hard work creating your comic book, it’s time to finalize all the moving parts to get it ready for publishing. Here are some key considerations to help in finalizing your comic book before moving forward with self-publishing your work.

Determine your desired format type

The term “format” can have many meanings in the publishing world. But in this context, decide whether your comic book will be in digital form, printed copies, or a hybrid of both. In this guide, we emphasize printing physical copies. However, most of the advice applies to all formats and finished products.

Use the correct formatting

The other meaning behind the format focuses on layout and sizing. The arrangement of your book’s content should align with the dimensions of your desired book format. Blurb’s trade books, available in 5 by 8, 6 by 8, and 8 by 10 inches, match well with most comic book specs. The magazine format is also suitable if you want more page real estate.

The formatting of your comic book is crucial for a professional look and feel. Ensure all pages have consistent margins, font sizes, and panel spacing. Also, verify that all images are high-resolution for printing purposes. These formatting considerations are critical when assembling the final version of your comic book.

Edit and proofread

It’s wise to hire a copy editor or proofreader to review your comic book before you upload it for printing and distribution. Although you might be confident in your editing skills, getting a second set of eyes on your work pays dividends to ensure your book is polished and professional. In addition to correcting spelling and grammar mistakes, experienced editors help with word choice and fine-tuning the flow and delivery of your stories.

Design your comic book’s cover

If you’ve yet to create a cover for your comic book, this is a key box to check in finalizing your work. Your cover design should be eye-catching enough to attract potential readers while accurately representing your book’s content. Select an appropriate color scheme and imagery that showcases key characters and complements your story arc but doesn’t give too much away.

Decide how many copies you’ll need

You’ll want to determine how many copies to print based on demand or budget constraints. This decision helps determine what self-publishing platform to use if you’ve yet to select one. For instance, some platforms require a certain minimum amount, while other print-on-demand providers allow you to print single copies as needed.

Choose a self-publishing platform

There is no shortage of self-publishing platforms, each offering its own bookmaking tools, printing options, and distribution reach. Depending on the format and goals of your comic book, some platforms are more suitable than others. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular options, along with the pros and cons of each.

ComiXology

Now a brand under the Amazon umbrella, ComiXology is a popular digital comics platform. Amazon has created the Kindle Comic Creator tool specifically designed for independent comic book creators. It allows creators to publish their work digitally and reach a wide audience of comic book readers.

• Pros: Access to a large and established reader base; potential exposure to a broader audience; integration with Kindle devices and apps; royalty payments for sales.
• Cons: Unable to publish on other sites; no indie creator highlights on storefront; high cost; limited control over pricing.

Webtoon

Webtoon is a popular webcomic platform that offers a unique vertical scrolling format. Creators can publish their comics on Webtoon Canvas, gaining access to a large and engaged online community.

• Pros: Wide exposure to a dedicated readership; potential for viral reach and popularity; optimized for mobile viewing; potential to earn revenue through the Ad Revenue Sharing Program and Patreon integration.
• Cons: Primarily digital-focused; limited control over formatting due to the vertical scrolling format; more suited for ongoing serialized stories rather than traditional print editions.

Gumroad

Gumroad is a platform that enables independent creators to sell digital products directly to their audience. It supports self-publishing digital comic books and offers marketing and sales tools.

• Pros: Direct sales to your audience; flexibility in pricing and content; additional features for building a fan base and managing subscriptions; ability to sell digital and physical products.
• Cons: Less focused on the comic book market; self-promotion and marketing efforts required; limited discoverability on Gumroad’s platform.

Tapas

Tapas is a webcomic platform that allows creators to publish and monetize their comics. It offers a mix of free and premium content, providing opportunities for creators to earn revenue through ad revenue sharing and tipping.

• Pros: Access to a large and engaged readership; ability to earn revenue through ad revenue sharing, tipping, and premium content; opportunities for promotional features and contests.
• Cons: Primarily digital-focused; limited control over the pricing of premium content; potential competition with a large number of other creators for visibility.

Morris Publishing

Morris Publishing is a self-publishing platform tailored explicitly for comic book creators. It offers a range of services, including printing, distribution, and fulfillment, to help creators bring their comics to a physical audience.

• Pros: Focus on physical book printing and distribution; professional printing quality with customization options; assistance with distribution and fulfillment.
• Cons: Limited digital reach and discoverability; potentially higher upfront costs for printing and services; self-promotion required to build an audience.

Blurb

Blurb is a world-class self-publishing platform that supports various types of publications, including comic books. It provides easy-to-use tools and templates to create and publish your comic book in various print formats and across integrated distribution channels to sell your work.

• Pros: Flexibility to print physical copies on demand; fully-customizable layouts and designs; high-quality professional printing; the ability to sell through Amazon and Blurb’s bookstores.
• Cons: Comic book market is one of many supported types but not a core focus; self-promotion and marketing efforts are required to reach an audience.

If going the digital route, there can be advantages to choosing platforms specializing in comics. But if you want to print professional-quality hardcopies, utilizing the print-on-demand services at Blurb is a great option that many comic book creators choose.

Fund your comic book 

If your comic book is more than just a hobby or passion project—it’s a business venture aimed at making money—then you’ll need sufficient funds to print and market your book. That’s where things get tricky! Here are the top ways to get your comic book or graphic novel into the market.

Crowdfunding platforms

Create a compelling Kickstarter campaign and offer backers rewards based on different pledge levels. Craft an engaging pitch, showcase sample artwork, and share your vision for the comic. Promote your campaign through social media, email newsletters, and engage with potential backers to generate interest.

Similar to Kickstarter, Indiegogo allows creators to launch crowdfunding campaigns. Utilize the platform’s tools and resources to create an engaging campaign page, reach out to your existing network, and connect with your new audience and backers.

Pre-sales and pre-orders

Offer pre-sales or pre-orders for your comic book through your website or online platforms like Gumroad, Big Cartel, or Shopify. Promote the opportunity to secure a copy of the book before its release, potentially with exclusive bonuses or limited editions to incentivize early purchases.

Depending on your audience, leverage social media and email marketing to generate buzz and direct potential readers to your pre-sales page. Stay engaged with your audience, provide updates, and create a sense of anticipation for your comic book release.

Patrons and subscription models

Establish a Patreon page or offer a subscription model through platforms like Gumroad or Tapas. Provide patrons or subscribers exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, early previews, or bonus material. Regularly engage with your supporters and make them feel part of a community. Consider offering different tiers of membership or subscription levels with varying benefits and rewards to cater to supporter preferences.

Collaborations, sponsorships, and contests

Seek collaborations with brands or businesses that align with your comic book’s themes or target audience. This approach explores partnerships that can provide financial support, cross-promotion, or sponsorships to help fund your project. Engage with local businesses or organizations interested in supporting local artists and creators. Seek out potential sponsors or patrons willing to invest in your comic book.

Also, explore contests and awards that offer financial support or exposure to winners or finalists. Winning or recognition by these competitions provides validation and visibility for your work. Check out Script2Comic and Negative Space for contests that may be worth exploring. 

Publishing your comic book

Once you’ve finalized your comic book and chosen the ideal platform, it’s time to submit your book and have it self-published. Each platform has its own process, but most will involve some combination of the following.

Create or upload your book

The content of your book should be finalized and ready to publish. Many platforms have proprietary tools for this. With Blurb, you can use its free bookmaking tool called Bookwright or sync with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Lightroom to create your book. You can also upload a PDF of your book to have it published. 

Choose your book size and paper type

Depending on your book’s format, choose from different styles and sizes, like 8 by 10 inch hardcover books for limited editions or 5 by 8 inch softcover books for affordable and portable comics. Remember to carefully select your paper type and printing options—there’s no reason to pay for full color if you are creating a black and white copy, but you’ll definitely want premium paper and premium color printing if you’re crafting a high-quality, full-color print edition.

Order a proof copy

A proof copy is a single copy of your book that allows you to review and make any necessary changes before ordering additional copies. If you plan to distribute your book, it’s standard practice in the printing world to order and review a proof copy to ensure it’s exactly how you want it. This is a good time to pass it around to friends and family to see who can find any errors before you print multiple copies or put it up for sale online.

Print on demand

Print-on-demand technology means books are printed as they are ordered, rather than all at once as larger traditional publishers do. Printing copies as needed eliminates the required resource for large inventories—not to mention figuring out how to ship your book to buyers. Unlike days past, print-on-demand doesn’t compromise on quality. Today, your finished product will match the pristine quality you’d expect from traditional publishing houses.

Set your price

Self-publishing a comic book allows you to determine the price of your book. In setting the price, take into account your publishing costs and any fees or percentages that distribution channels like Amazon take when your book is sold. Pricing can be tricky, so you’ll want to do a deep dive with our ultimate guide to pricing for self-published creators.

Market your comic book

Let’s get real. Marketing your comic book isn’t always easy. Yet, it’s crucial to make your book successful in an increasingly saturated space. Here are some of the best marketing and distribution strategies when self-publishing your comic book. 

Build an online presence

There’s more than one way to create your web presence, but we recommend starting with a website. This could be a personal portfolio website to market yourself as an author or a fully-functional ecommerce store where people can buy your book. 

Next, invest in building or growing your social media presence. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest are effective for cultivating a following and promoting your comic book. You can also experiment with social media advertisting to raise awareness and generate traffic to your site.

Leverage distribution channels

This is where publishing through niche comic book platforms has its advantages. Platforms like ComiXology and Webtoon have strong track records in helping creators reach a broad audience of comic book readers. However, sometimes these platforms are limited to digital-only books.

Make sure you are harnessing the distribution potential of each of your sales channels, like Amazon, Ingram, and Blurb’s online bookstore. Many online retailers have ways to run ads and tips on optimizing your book’s descriptions so you can show up higher in search results. Do plenty of research and take advantage of these channel-specific marketing solutions.

Attend comic book conventions

Attending comic book conventions and events is a great way to meet prospective customers, connect with existing fans, network with other creators, and ultimately, sell your book. The comic book scene is a community of passionate people. So, attending in-person events is a powerful way to reach hyper-targeted audiences actively interested in exploring new comic books and emerging creators.

Work with online and offline retailers

Certain retail outlets, such as local bookstores, aren’t going to stock your book automatically. Typically, you must reach out, pitch your book, and secure valuable shelf space. You can also contact numerous online comic bookstores, some of which have local storefronts.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in marketing your comic book. Some creators build momentum by buying paid ads and media placements, offering free samples to generate interest and build a fanbase, or collaborating with other brands and influencers. Just keep your marketing efforts ethical and relevant to those you’re trying to reach.

How much does it cost to self-publish a comic book?

The cost of self-publishing a comic book depends on a range of factors, such as the book’s length, printing method, book size, paper choice, and marketing strategy. Of course, the cost of these factors weighs heavily on the publishing platform you choose and your overall project goals, as the options and quality of printing services can vary widely.

In general, the cost of self-publishing a comic book usually varies between a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Hobbyists aiming to make a comic book for fun can fund their project for far less than creators looking to sell their book to the masses.

For instance, if you only need one copy at a time, Blurb’s print-on-demand allows you to publish your comic book for as low as $13.99 per book for a 5 by 8 inch paperback trade book format with up to 24 pages.

Conversely, volume print runs can reduce costs with bulk orders. This is advantageous for creators anticipating high demand for their work and substantial sales potential. However, this option is generally more suitable if you have significant marketing momentum and budgets in the thousands of dollars.

Self-published comic book creators examples

Creators ranging from creative enthusiasts to notable writers have used Blurb to self-publish their comic books. Here are a few of those creators and the work they’ve put out into the world.

Lauren Cohen

Artist and writer Lauren Cohen self-brands herself as the Other New Yorker, the underlying theme of her comic graphic novel. In addition to her new life and experiences in New York, Lauren’s 122-page comic book is a culmination of her relatable insecurities about life, current events, politics, feminism, loneliness, sex, and the art world. 

Edgar Alanis

Graphic designer and illustrator Edgar Alanis tastefully combines the world of academic art history with hilarious comic narratives in his self-published comic book titled Nudes Nudes Nudes. Each chapter of the book retells the origin stories behind specific iconic nudes portrayed through art history, but in a way that brings humor and lightness to an otherwise extremely niche topic. 

Morvern Anderson

Scottish illustrator and comic specialist Morvern Anderson is a talented artist whose work transports readers to another world. Her self-published book, The Wee Stravaigers, (“stravaiger” meaning one who wanders or strolls), is an adventurous story of two friends who explore an abandoned island filled with historic ruins and revelations. It’s an epic encapsulation of Morvern’s unbound storytelling capacity and artistic abilities.

Michael Johnson

French comic writer and illustrator Michael Johnson compiles his comic opera titled Success! into a dense 480-page book organized into multiple acts and scenes. Rich with comical characterization, hilarious storytelling, and extraordinary illustrations, Michael’s one-of-a-kind comic book is a true work of art and a testament to his creative potential.

Danna Feintuch

Equal parts creative exercise and therapeutic outlet to process her mother’s passing, Arlyne Feintuch’s Places I’ve Left My Mom is a short, 16-page self-published comic book that contains illustrations of the various places around the world where she left her mom. Available as a 5 by 8 inch softcover book, it’s the perfect example of how self-publishing your comic book can be kept simple.

Self-publish your comic book with Blurb

Ideal for all types of creators, Blurb is an easy-to-use online platform that allows you to design, publish, and sell your comic book across multiple distribution channels. Assemble your book using Blurb’s free design tool BookWright, or leverage popular tools like Adobe InDesign, Lightroom, and Photoshop that integrate seamlessly with Blurb. Blurb’s free and customizable templates make it simple to get started or take advantage of the PDF to book tool to turn already created comics in PDF form into a book.

When ready to publish, Blurb provides a complete range of custom format options, like pristine layflat books or more economical softcover format. Once published, you can sell and distribute your book through Amazon, Ingram, or Blurb’s Bookstore.

The post How to self-publish a comic book: the go-to guide for independent comic creators appeared first on Blurb Blog.

The free reign of zines allows for untethered creativity and unrestricted delivery of theories—making it a common medium for nonconformist countercultures and alternative communities. But today’s zines have taken new shape beyond yesteryear’s handwritten, photo-copied publications. They’re now an elevated art form that creatives make their own, whether mutual aid collectives or established artists. 

In this guide, we’ll explore everything from the origins of zines to practical steps to make one.

What is a “zine?”

A zine, short for “magazine” or “fanzine,” is a self-published print work, typically produced in small batches, featuring original content in a structure that may be journalistic, narrative, comic-like, or completely abstract.

Historically created and bound through various DIY methods, anyone can craft a zine with a sharpie and a photocopier. But today’s new-age zines are taking the shape of physical and digital forms, including online websites, Instagram accounts, and the classic typewriter handouts. They can cover a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from art, music, photography, social and political issues, sexuality, literature, personal memoirs, and much more.

The beauty of zines centers on a lack of rules. In addition to the subject matter, the zine’s content may be handwritten, typed, collaged, printed, or in any way that combines words and imagery. They’re typically small-circulation booklets reproduced via photocopier, but newer technologies have made it possible to create and publish zines online and distribute them digitally.

Zines are generally not intended for profit but rather to create and share ideas. While the early rise of the internet diminished its popularity, zine culture is now alive and thriving as it returns to the mainstream. But unlike before, the distribution of zines has taken new shapes through social platforms like Instagram and print-on-demand technology. 

A brief history of the zine

Zines originated in the science fiction fandoms of the 1930s, taking their name from fanzine, which is short for “fan magazine.” The first of its kind was called The Comet, an alternative publication by the Science Correspondence Club in Chicago which catapulted a trend of science fiction zines created by fans.

Since then, zines have become an enormous part of underground, non-commercial publications, usually focused on areas of activism or niche interests. They were a common format used to promote punk music in the 1970s, when the genre received very little interest from more prominent music publications.

Notable historical examples of zines include:

• Sniffin’ Glue: A vessel for UK’s punk scene in the 1970s, Sniffin’ Glue was a zine inspired by the Ramones song “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue.” It was roughly written and organized but struck a chord, going from a mere 50 copies sold to upwards of 15,000.
• Bikini Kill: An influential zine to the early 1990s riot grrrl movement, Bikini Kill was a collaborative feminist zine featuring poems, articles, and interviews. It was created by members of the band, also named Bikini Kill, and focused on feminism, punk rock, and activism.
• J.D.s: A widely acknowledged zine that launched the queercore movement, J.D.s was an early example of LGBTQ+ activism that provided vital communication between members of the subculture. Hundreds of zines followed suit, allowing queercore culture to spread to smaller communities lacking a queer scene.

Why create a zine?

So, what’s a zine good for compared to other books and print publications? For one, zines offer a free creative expression for your ideas, particularly those considered alternative or unconventional and not likely to be picked up by traditional publishers. 

Creating a zine allows you to express your true self, connect with others, and share your work without breaking the bank. Let’s look at a few more reasons you might create a zine.

• Showcase your unique perspective. You get to be the critique! Share your thoughts on art, politics, or personal experiences.
• Cover niche interests. Fill the gap in mainstream media and provide content for others who share your passion.
• Foster community. Collaborate and make friends within the creative community.
• Promote your work. Use zines as an accessible platform to showcase your photography, art, or writing. Some creatives use zines as business cards, leave-behinds, or portfolios to land gigs.

Creating a zine also offers opportunities to learn new skills, like writing, editing, layout design, and self-publishing a book for distribution. If you’re a young creative seeking a channel to broadcast your ideas or get experience, zines can make a powerful statement while bringing like-minded people together. 

Choosing a topic for your zine

Now, let’s get into the actual creation of your zine, starting with topic selection. Choosing a topic for your zine is crucial, as it sets the tone and direction of your publication. While you probably have a rough idea of what you envision for your zine, it’s important to pin down just how niche and specific or broad and encompassing you want to get with your zine’s content.

Here are some tips on how to choose a topic for your zine.

• Pick subjects and topics you’re passionate about, whether sharing marginalized voices and non-mainstream political positions or exploring specific topics related to music, food, health, tech, science, and more.
• Consider choosing a topic that resonates with both you and your friends or colleagues. Zines are often about community and shared passions. This can encourage more people to want to get involved—whether joining you in the next publication or simply picking up a copy and cheering you on.
• Think about the topics you could talk about for hours on end. Let your imagination fly and explore the exciting, novel, or curious ideas you come up with. We’ve seen zines on pets, street photography, and even objects that make funny faces. Whatever you can talk about can be made into a zine.
• Begin by listing general subjects you’re interested in or passionate about—like food, pinball machines, or backpacking. Then, underneath each one, create a list of content ideas you could include in your zine.
• Seek inspiration (and differentiation) from other zines and publications within similar genres, and consider incorporating subtopics that complement the main focus.

Remember, there’s no barrier to entry when it comes to making a zine, so you can really do whatever you want. You can keep it as professional or as playful as you like. But by pinning down your topic, you can ensure consistency and keep your audience wanting more. That’s especially important if you’re planning a zine series!

Planning your zine

One of the most critical aspects of your zine is its design. This can take many different shapes, all impacting content delivery and presentation. Before you dive right into creating, there are some significant components to be mindful of when designing your zine.

Medium

Designing a zine for the web can be vastly different than creating a zine for print. So you should plan your zine specifically for the channel you’ll use to share it. 

For instance, if you’re using Instagram to share your digital zine post by post, start with vertical image dimensions sized at 1080 by 1350 pixels with a 4:5 aspect ratio or square posts at 1080 by 1080 pixels at a 1:1 aspect ratio.

As for printed zines, there are far fewer dimension limitations. If you’re going the DIY route, design your zine around the paper size you’ll use. If you’re printing with an online service to create a higher quality finished product or more copies than you’d like to assemble by hand, check the print company’s specifications before you begin. When we create zines, we use dimensions like the small square (7 by 7 inches), standard portrait (8 by 10 inches), or large square (12 by 12 inches).

Format

Similar to the medium, your zine’s format involves the actual makeup of how it’s constructed. This is particularly important for physical, printed zines. Here are some common formats.

• Stitch-bound zines: Common for DIYers, you sew this format together with thread.
• Perfect-bound zines: To craft these professional-feeling zines, you must glue them together at the spine. Better yet, use a print-on-demand company to print your zine as a traditional book.
• Accordion zines: You’ll fold this classic zine format like an accordion, with each panel containing a different part of the zine.
• Tiny zines: These micro-zines come in the size of matchboxes or other small containers.
• Large poster-sized zines: Often used for music or art, you can create a folded zine that opens up like a poster.
• Digital, online-only zines: Make digital zines for global, online distribution. Choose from common formats like blogs, social media accounts, and webcomic sites. 

Ultimately, your chosen format will depend on your preferences and your zine’s content.

Color

Do you plan to print your zine in full color or black and white? Color can impact your zine’s style, tone, and printing cost. Sticking with black and white can usually make printing your zine more affordable, but this decision should align with the mood you’re trying to convey.

Keep in mind that if you plan to print in black and white, you can still choose to use color when creating your zine. Consider making a limited-edition or web-only color version and a black-and-white version to distribute more widely. All-in-all, select colors, patterns, images, and shapes that work together to create a cohesive design.

Visual elements

Do you want lots of photos and images, or is taking a minimalist approach with tons of whitespace more your thing? Will you use handwritten text, like the old analog-style zines, cut and paste typed words, or use software to place your type on each page perfectly? 

Your choices of different visual elements can shape your message and inform the content’s layout and order. Don’t overthink this step. And if you’re feeling stuck, take out some of your favorite zines and think about the visuals you like most. Are there any style choices you’d like to include in your zine?

Layout and order 

In the art of zine-making, no real rules tell you how to do things. But having some degree of structure is extremely helpful in maintaining an organized flow of content in your zine.

While this may vary from edition to edition, consider dividing your zine’s core layouts into sections. You might have certain styles or templates for your zine’s main themes or chapters, followed by standard page layouts for presenting ideas. Keep the arrangement and order of these pages intuitive and easy to follow.

At this stage, a loose outline is a great place to start. You don’t need to create each page or each element on each page. Just having an idea of where you’re going is enough.

Leverage design tools

Many tools are available to help you design your zine—and many templates help if you don’t consider yourself a designer. Take advantage of using digital design software to make your zine if handmade art isn’t your forte.

Design software like Adobe InDesign or Blurb Bookwright can be beneficial in putting together your zine’s design layout, complete with page numbers, print-friendly color, and a stylish design. These tools make the transition from design to printing seamless, allowing you to easily self-publish your zine with a print-on-demand company.

Pick the tools you’ll use before you start creating. Are you going old school with a pen, scissors, and copy machine—or will you use your iPad or computer?

Producing and assembling your zine’s content

While planning is integral to zine-making, producing your zine’s actual substance is where things get fun. Let’s zero in on writing, arranging, and assembling your content. Here we’ll break down the process step by step.

Plan your content

You already have your medium, format, visual style, loose outline, and design tool picked. Now you’ll need to consider the different types of content you want to include in your zine. 

Narrow down your content. Are you including articles, poems, stories, artwork, photography, collages, or interviews? Brainstorm ideas aligned with your topic and add them to your rough outline.

Getting a sense of the content type and a more detailed narrative flow can help you in the writing process. After all, there isn’t much scarier than a blank piece of paper! Knowing the chapters of your work and some bullet points on what you’ll add to each will help go from the big picture to the nitty gritty.

Write or collect your content

Begin composing the written pieces for your zine or collaborating with others involved in the project. Now is the time to research and write if you’re including articles, poetry, or how-to guides. Conduct interviews or collect stories if you’re sharing the voices of others. If your zine is visually driven, you can simply think about your title, dedication, or about page and skip to the next step.

When you’re co-creating with your community, now is your chance to review or revise others’ work for clarity and coherence. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and readability—or don’t. You’re the editor-in-chief of your zine, and you make the rules. Your zine can be as polished or grunge as you choose. 

Compile artwork and visuals

Gather or create artwork, illustrations, or photographs that align with your zine’s theme and individual pieces. Ensure that the visual elements complement and enhance the written content, if you have any. Once you have everything compiled, narrow down your visuals to only your strongest. Culling your work is a critical part of the process.

Pay special attention to your cover art since it’s the first thing a reader will see. You might even ask a community member to illustrate or paint something special for your cover—or pull your most iconic visual from inside your zine.

Lastly, we know you will, but always ask permission and credit the artists appropriately if you’re using someone else’s work.

Arrange and sequence

Consider the flow of your zine. Decide on the order in which you want to present the content. Think about how the pieces will transition from one to another and create a cohesive experience. Experiment with different arrangements and combinations until you find the best sequence. 

You’ll also want to add any navigation elements, like a table of contents or headings. This will make your zine easier to digest.

And don’t be afraid to cull more content in this process—whether that’s your copy or your imagery. Zines are usually short and to the point; this is your time to ensure yours is as sharp as possible.

Finishing touches

Contemplate adding any additional elements to enhance your zine. This could include a glossary, an introduction, or even personal handwritten notes and doodles. Mentioning who’s behind the zine, what the mission is, or setting the intention of your zine can help reinforce “why” people might gravitate to your work.

Adding a summary or blurb to your back cover is a great idea, especially if you’re planning on selling your zine at bookstores. Whatever you can do to entice readers to open your zine will be well worth your effort. 

Print and assemble

After finalizing the design and contents of your zine, it’s time to print it. Depending on your resources and preferences, you can print it at home, use a local print shop, or utilize online printing services. 

No matter how you print and assemble your zine, you’ll want to choose a paper and finish type that best suits your zine. We highly recommend printing and assembling a single proof copy before creating more. It’s essential to edit your work—and even get a mentor or friend’s feedback. Doing this step will ensure you don’t have any unwanted typos, margin errors, or color issues.

Zine-spiration: examples of Blurb-made zines

The Blurb community has created a wide range of zines over the years—using tools from Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and In-Design to Blurb Bookwright. These zine ideas come to life via professional-quality booklets and magazine-like publications. Here are a handful of our favorites.

Humans After All – Zine #2

Created by Canadian visual storyteller Fred Ranger, Humans After All is a zine series that zooms in on the human experience by sharing immersive photography that captures human life’s complexity, vulnerability, and beauty. A hybrid between a photo book and a magazine, this second edition of Humans After All is a testament to turning one’s photography passion into a reflective page-turning experience that we can all relate to.

The LA Dream: Art Block Zine; Vol. 7, Issue 2

The Art Block Zine is a biannual zine created by the DSTL Arts program, a nonprofit arts mentorship organization based in Los Angeles, California. The LA Dream is the name of this issue’s theme, and it encapsulates stories, visual art, and poetry to express the various dreams of those who live and work in LA. A true community-driven zine, all proceeds support DSTL Arts and the free programs it offers to emerging artists from underserved LA-based communities.

working the park, no 2

Created by New York City street photographer Regi Metcalf, working the park, no 2 is a black and white zine that captures people’s raw nature and vibrancy and diverse forms. In this second edition of the zine series, Regi compiles 44 pages of his photography, primarily set in Washington Square Park in New York City.

Hype Zine Volume 4

Drawing on the inspiration for the early, collage-based zines, Hype Zine Volume 4 is a collection of interviews and artist showcases densely packed into a 116-page zine. Originally published on the Hype Zine website, this publication is an excellent example of a multi-format zine that has a handmade collage aesthetic presented in a digitally-forward way.

Easy Does It: Volume One

Introspectively poetic, Dani Kreeft’s seasonal print zine, Easy Does It, is a quarterly publication of reflective journal entries combined with nostalgic film photos. In this first volume of Easy Does It, Dani marries conversational words with winter travel photos of California and Arizona. It’s a minimalist zine with lots of white space. But it doesn’t compromise on inspiration, giving readers clues on how to reshape their perspectives on the world around them.

Sharing your zine

In the same way that making your zine offers limitless creativity, sharing your zine with your audience is a marketing art in its own right. That’s to say, there are many ways to share, distribute, and promote your zine. Here are a few thought starters to help you get the ball rolling.

Establish an online presence

Whether your zine is digital or print, harness the power of the internet to share and promote your zine. Create a digital presence for your zine through a website, blog, or social media platforms. Share previews, excerpts, or behind-the-scenes content to generate interest. 

Devise a distribution strategy

Decide on the distribution channels for your zine. You can start by distributing it locally through independent bookstores, art galleries, zine fairs, or community events. Or, explore opportunities to collaborate with like-minded individuals or organizations that align with your zine’s theme. Consider leaving copies where your target audience is likely to find them, such as coffee shops, libraries, or related events.

Join zine communities

Engage with zine communities and networks both online and offline. Participate in zine fairs, festivals, or workshops to connect with other creators and potential readers. Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to zine-making or related topics. Sharing your experiences, collaborating, and exchanging zines with other creators can help expand your reach and visibility.

Collaborate and cross-promote

Collaborate with other artists, writers, creatives, and zine-makers to promote your zine. Cross-promotion helps expand your audience by tapping into your collaborators’ existing networks and communities. You can even explore creating collaborative zines, featuring each other’s work, or organizing collective zine projects. 

Hold a launch party

Launch parties are a good idea if you’re trying to make your zine a well-known entity in your community. Depending on your topic and target audience, you can incorporate live music, guest speakers, brand collaborations, and other creative partnerships to make a lasting impression with your event. 

Keep in mind that promoting and sharing your zine is an ongoing process. As long as you want to continue growing your audiences, make an effort to continuously seek opportunities, adapt your strategies, and explore new avenues to connect with readers who will appreciate and support your work.

Start assembling your zine with Blurb

Whether you’re looking to create a grungy zine of digital collage work or an elevated zine with sharp edges and inspiring content, the creative possibilities are endless. Blurb can help you bring your zine to life with intuitive bookmaking design tools, self-publishing print capabilities, and built-in distribution channels to broadcast your work. Upload PDFs of work you already have or start building with Blurb’s design tool integrations. Or, if you’re stuck on how to get started, begin by exploring these zine ideas and topics to spark your creativity.

The post How to make a zine: a beginner’s guide to getting started appeared first on Blurb Blog.

The answer may seem ambiguous for many of us—because we just don’t know. Sure, you can typically save some money by printing at a high volume. But committing to a run of 300 copies may seem like too much, especially if you’re uncertain how well-received your book will be.

The print-on-demand option allows you to control the production stream and print however many copies you need. It’s become a modern solution for self-published creators, providing a more convenient and economical way to bring your work to the market.

So, what is print on demand?

Print on demand is a modern publishing method that allows creators to print books when ordered or as needed rather than printing large quantities upfront. This approach makes self-publishing more accessible and economical for creators.

Traditional book publishing can be costly, as you must invest in bulk printing of your work, which may result in excess inventory if the book doesn’t sell well. Historically and still today, this avenue typically involves working with book publishers, who only work with creators they are confident will sell many books.

With print on demand, however, you can produce high-quality printed materials according to your need—eliminating the cost of unsold stock.

How does print on demand work?

You’ll be happy to know the process behind print on demand is easy. To get started, you’ll first need to create your book using a book design tool, like Adobe InDesign or BookWright. Once your book and cover design is complete, upload these assets to your chosen bookmaking service provider like Blurb. (We’ll talk more about how to pick your service provider later.) 

Each self-publishing platform guides you through the necessary steps of formatting and setting up your book for printing. In general, the process usually consists of selecting specific details. Here’s what to think about.

• Trim size: Choose the dimensions of your finished book based on industry standards or personal preference.
• Cover type: Explore options like a layflat hardcover for full-spread photo books, traditional hardcover with dust jacket or image wrap for art books, or a softcover book for comics and novels.
• Paper type: Balance quality with cost when choosing your paper type. Premium bookstore-quality paper works well for cookbooks, luxurious paper is ideal for photography books, and standard paper is great for low-cost books without visuals.
• Binding style: Decide between options like perfect bound, saddle-stitched, or hardcover, depending on the nature of your project.
• Laminate type: Select matte or glossy finishes for added protection and visual appeal.
• Color or black and white: Determine whether full-color pages are necessary for your book’s imagery and text or if black-and-white is preferred.

Once you’ve uploaded your book’s digital file and selected the specifications, it’s time to choose the number of books you’d like to print. The beauty of printing on demand is that it removes the risk of guesswork. You can start by printing five or 10 copies of your book or print 50 or 100 copies at a time. Or maybe you want just one!

When selling and distributing your book on the market, some self-publishing services provide print-on-demand books as they’re ordered. For instance, when someone orders a copy of your book online—either through your book printing platform directly or via a third-party retailer like Amazon—the book is printed and shipped to the customer as a one-time order fulfillment process. This eliminates the need for large print runs, reducing upfront costs and minimizing waste. Plus, you don’t need to ship them yourself!

What can print on demand be used for?

Print on demand is the perfect solution for a photographer, artist, designer, author, or anyone looking to create and self-publish a book. Whatever your creative niche or trade, there are virtually no limits to what you can use print on demand for. 

Photo books

A photo book is a great way to showcase your photography skills as a product or portfolio. With print on demand, it’s easy to create professional-quality photo books without worrying about minimum orders, shipping, or storage space.

Food and cookbooks

Cookbooks, recipe books, and food books are other popular books that benefit from printing on demand. You can create beautiful cookbooks filled with delicious recipes and stunning photos and print as many as you need when you need them.

Travel books

If you’re passionate about traveling and want to share your experiences with others, creating a travel guidebook or photo journal could be a rewarding creative project. With print-on-demand technology, it’s easy and economical to turn your adventures into captivating travel books that people will love reading over and over again.

Children’s books

The children’s books industry has grown significantly, thanks largely to print-on-demand publishing options. It’s never been easier for authors to create a children’s book, allowing complete control over their print volume while still maintaining quality standards set by traditional publishers.

Portfolios

If you’re an artist, designer, copywriter, or creative, having a portfolio is essential to showcase your work. But a common problem is knowing how many portfolio books to print. Print-on-demand technology is the solution that solves the “how many” conundrum without compromising on world-class production.

Business books

Self-publishing a book featuring your business expertise in entrepreneurship, marketing, or finance creates credibility within your industry or profession. You can regulate your inventory with print-on-demand publishing to develop professional, bookstore-quality business books.

Comic books and graphic novels

The comic book industry has seen an influx of new authors thanks partly to print-on-demand publishing options. Creators can explore their comic book ideas without the commitment of high-volume runs or working with a large-scale publisher.

Zines, poetry books, yearbooks—the possibilities of types and genres are practically limitless. With print-on-demand books, you can test your market with minimal financial risk and quickly get your book out into the world.

Why is print on demand rising in popularity?

Parallel with trends in self-publishing, print-on-demand books have seen heightened demand over the years. The underlying reasons center on convenience, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility. More specifically, creators can enjoy:

• Low upfront costs: Unlike traditional publishing methods, which often require a significant investment to print large quantities of books, print on demand allows you to produce as few or as many copies as needed without breaking the bank.
• No inventory management: Print-on-demand services print and ship your books directly to customers upon order placement, so you don’t have to worry about storing or managing physical stock.
• Faster time-to-market: Once your book design is complete, it can be published through a print-on-demand platform within days instead of waiting months for traditional printing processes.
• Eco-friendly: By only producing what’s needed when it’s ordered rather than mass-producing thousands of copies at once, you can significantly reduce waste from unsold books.
• Creative control: You retain complete creative control over your work with self-publishing via print-on-demand platforms. This includes designing custom covers and interiors, choosing suitable pricing options, and making and reprinting revisions to your book.

In addition to these benefits, technological advancements have also played a role in making high-quality digital printing more accessible. Global distribution channels make it easier than ever before for independent authors and creators worldwide to reach audiences who may not otherwise discover their work. All these factors combined contribute to an increased demand for self-published, print-on-demand books.

What are the benefits of print-on-demand books?

So far, we’ve outlined the core advantages of print on demand for self-published creators and authors. But there are additional benefits; let’s take a look.

1. Speedy production and distribution process

Print-on-demand production is much faster than conventional book printing methods because it doesn’t require large-scale setups or equipment adjustments between orders. Additionally, many top print-on-demand companies offer global distribution options so your book can reach a wider audience.

2. No inventory management required

With print on demand, there’s no need to manage inventory or storage space since you print books when ordered by you or your customers. This not only saves time but also reduces overhead expenses.

3. Creative control and customizable options

In contrast to traditional publishing houses that can impose restrictions on design elements, print on demand gives bookmakers full creative control over their work. From cover designs to interior layouts, print on demand enables endless customization possibilities.

4. Cost-effective printing

Print on demand eliminates large upfront investments, as you only pay for what you print. This allows creators to avoid the high costs and lack of accessibility associated with traditional publishing methods, like bulk printing and warehousing.

5. Sustainable approach

Print on demand reduces waste in the publishing industry by only producing copies as needed, thus minimizing the number of unsold books in landfills.

6. Scalability

The plates used in traditional printing houses are only good for one use. So once a run has sold out, you can’t reorder your book without another round of setup and proofing. 

What does that mean? If you published 5,000 books and need 500 more the following week, it’s too late. Or, if you sold only 500 books but ran 5,000 copies, you’re left with many extra copies and a low return on investment. Digital print on demand provides a more scalable solution. 

7. Revise with ease 

Presenting your work to the world one copy at a time makes it easier to iterate. You can make changes and print additional copies on demand. You can fix errors, and customize covers and content from the same file, at no extra cost. Printing on demand offers the lowest risk and the greatest flexibility.

How much does print on demand cost?

From the order quantity to the cover type, there are countless variables to figure out how much a print-on-demand book will cost. For example, a 350-page, 5 by 8 inch, black-and-white trade book ideal for a novel will cost anywhere from $5.20 to $9.50 as of June 2023. At the top of the spectrum, a 50-page, 10 by 8 inch, premium paper layflat hardcover photo book ideal for wedding photography will run you between $125.50 and $289.

While it’s nearly impossible to provide an accurate estimated cost for all print-on-demand publishing without the specifics of what you’re printing, there are some common cost-determining factors. Here’s what to watch out for.

• Trim size: This refers to the dimensions of your finished book. Different trim sizes come with varying costs due to the amount of materials used.
• Binding type: Your choice of binding, like perfect bound or hardcover casebound books, also impacts the overall cost. Hardcover books typically come at a higher price than paperback.
• Laminate type: Selecting a specific laminate finish for your cover (glossy or matte) affects the final pricing, too. Some print-on-demand companies will charge extra for premium finishes like matte lamination.
• Color options: Choosing between black-and-white or full-color ink significantly influences your printing costs: color prints are generally more expensive than black-and-white. 
• Paper choice: The quality and weight of paper used in printing also impact the total expense. Thicker papers usually come at an additional fee.
• Page count: Dense trade books with hundreds of pages cost more than shorter reads with just a few pages. 
• List price and royalties: Lastly, setting a list price is essential in determining your earnings from each sale through royalties after deducting the printing costs. Higher list prices can lead to higher royalties but may also affect the overall sales volume.

In short, the cost of print-on-demand books varies widely. Use our pricing calculator to get a feel for how much your project will cost based on factors like those above.

Top print-on-demand providers at a glance

If you’re looking to self-publish your book and print on demand, there are several top players you can choose from. Each has unique advantages and disadvantages, but they all allow printing as many or as few copies as you need.

Blurb

Blurb (that’s us!) is a popular choice for authors and creators who want complete control over their book design and distribution. The platform offers easy-to-use tools that allow users to customize every aspect of your book’s layout and format. Blurb also provides access to global distribution channels like Amazon and Ingram. It’s the only print-on-demand company on this list specifically designed for visual creators.

Pros:

• High-quality book options designed for visual creators like photographers, illustrators, and designers
• Multiple bookmaking tool options with customizable templates—from free Blurb BookWright, or plugins with InDesign, Photoshop, and more
• Distribution through multiple channels, including Amazon and Ingram
• No upfront fees or minimum orders required

Cons:

• Slightly higher pricing than other print-on-demand providers on the market
• No online book-building tool

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon KDP is one of the most widely used print-on-demand services on the market today. It offers many features, like free ISBNs, automatic distribution through Amazon’s worldwide network, along with royalties of up to 70%. KDP also has a large library of book templates, so you don’t need to design your book from scratch.

Pros:

• No setup fees or minimum orders required
• Global distribution through Amazon’s global network
• Free ISBNs for both digital and print books
• Marketing and promotional tools available to creators

Cons:

• Book quality isn’t as high as other print-on-demand providers
• Fewer customization options for books
• Lower royalty rates for books sold outside of Amazon, limiting distribution options

Did you know? If you design a photo book with Blurb, you can distribute it on Amazon!

Lulu

Lulu is a user-friendly platform allowing users to create professional-quality print-on-demand books quickly. It offers features like free ISBNs, automatic distribution through retail channels, including Barnes & Noble and Ingram’s Global Retail Network, and royalties up to 90%. They also offer premium services like cover design and editorial assistance at an additional cost.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface with templates for use with InDesign, Photoshop, and Word
• Distribution through multiple channels, including Barnes & Noble, Ingram’s Global Retail Network, and the Lulu Bookstore
• Premium services like cover design available at an extra cost

Cons:

• No bookmaking tools
• Only English books can be sold in the Lulu Bookstore
• Pricing can be slightly higher compared to other print-on-demand providers
• Limited book customization options for some users

IngramSpark

IngramSpark is a popular choice among independent authors and publishers, with access to over 39,000 retailers globally. They offer high-quality printing services and distribution channels, allowing booksellers and libraries worldwide to purchase your book.

Pros:

• Distribution through multiple channels, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble
• No setup fees or minimum orders required
• Free online book-building tool

Cons:

• Less user-friendly platform than others on this list
• Slightly higher print costs than other print-on-demand providers

Blurb creators can distribute Blurb trade books or notebooks to 39,000 online and physical bookstores globally via Ingram!

Contrado

Contrado offers an array of customizable products such as clothing, accessories, and homeware but also provides an excellent quality print-on-demand book-publishing service. Their website offers many tools for users who want complete control over their book’s design layout.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface with lots of templates
• More printing options than books alone
• Distribution through multiple channels, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Cons:

• Higher prices than other print-on-demand providers in the market
• No free ISBNs provided, which can add additional costs for users

Choosing the right print-on-demand provider is critical to self-publishing your book. You’ve just read a high-level overview, so carefully research those you’re considering, as self-publishers may offer different tools and features.

Print your book on demand now

Print on demand has revolutionized how people publish their work without going through large-scale printing companies. With the right print-on-demand provider, you can publish your own book quickly and easily. Plus, you don’t have to worry about printing enough copies for distribution—you only have to order what you need. So explore your options today and start printing on demand!

Good luck with your self-publishing project! We’re excited to see what you create. 

***

Blurb is a self-publishing and print-on-demand platform. Leverage free tools and templates, complete customization, and stunning professional-quality books. Turn your book idea into a print masterpiece by getting started today.

The post What is print on demand for books, and how does it work? appeared first on Blurb Blog.

Outside help comes in many forms, but let’s back up a minute and think about why knowing what is good and what is not is so critical to growth as an artist. I firmly believe that every generation of creativity only produces a small number of people who truly change the playing field of their chosen industry. In my case, photography. 

Every decade or so, someone comes along that makes the rest of us stop and stare. Their work forces us to rethink everything we already know and everything we can only dream about. Knowing who these people are and their achievements allow us to gain context. When we understand this context—and where we fit into it—we can better understand the quality of our own work.

When I work on a project long enough to convince myself it has relevance, I start looking for someone to validate or undermine my beliefs. This is where things start to get real, and where the idea of a critique begins to take shape. 

For some, a critique can be a somewhat traumatic experience, knowing the person doing the critique may or may not like the work. For others, the critique, even a harsh resetting of reality, is the only way to move forward.

For those of you who have never subjected your work to a critique, just know that most critiques land somewhere in the middle. There tends to be a sweetness of the getting-to-know-you period, followed by the saltiness of the this-part-could-be-better stage. You might think the salty side would be crushing, but the opposite is true because a critique, in great part, is about trust.

When choosing someone to critique your work, look for someone with real credentials. There is a reason why our industry has full-time picture editors, full-time book designers, and full-time curators, gallerists, and agents. These people spend their entire life immersed in their chosen field. Day after day, they cull from the great herd of creatives. They know the legends and can spot the up-and-comers, and they certainly know their context, which is why their eyes on your work can be so important. When you sit with them, an inherent level of trust is involved, meaning you can trust their opinion based on their experience and expertise.

Several times a year, at least in the photography industry, portfolio reviews are held at various locations across the country. Typically for a small fee, an attendee can have their work critiqued by a range of industry professionals. I look at which location fits my needs, but I also study the list of reviewers and their credentials. And I look for both professionals working in my industry as well as those outside my field. Showing photography to a designer, illustrator, or art museum curator can lead to fresh takes on my work.

But a critique does far more than just analyze the quality of the work. A critique forces us to edit our work, and I mean truly edit. When you sit with a reviewer, you will have limited time, so if you arrive with 200 pictures in your portfolio, things will not go well. You must edit your work down to only the most significant pieces. Think 20–and realize that a printed portfolio will often resonate more than a laptop or iPad.  

A review also forces us to learn how to sequence our work. Which picture or illustration should we show first? What piece should go last? 

Finally, a critique also forces us to learn how to speak about our work. This is a hugely important aspect of being a professional creative that often gets overlooked in the feedback process.

Several times a year, I serve as a reviewer (the person giving the critique). Often, attendees will sit down in front of me and immediately open their printed portfolio or laptop and begin showing their work. I always stop them and ask who they are, why they are doing what they are doing, and why I am looking at their work. There needs to be a coherent answer. Think of this as your elevator pitch. 

There is a major difference between: “Thank you for asking, I am currently working part-time at a university fundraising department, but my goal is to be a full-time photographer by this time next year, and I’m showing you this work because I’ve worked on this project for 18 months and need to know if I’m missing any major pieces of the story.” And: “Not really sure why I’m here, but it seemed like a cool thing to do.”

Getting your work critiqued is about having your efforts studied by someone who isn’t in love with the work. The reviewer wasn’t there when you made the pictures, designs, or illustrations. Their job is to simply put a critical eye on the work while providing feedback. 

Some reviewers will love your work, and others will not. Be prepared for tough love. If someone sees something in your work but knows there is still work to be done, their job is to tell you this straight up. As a friend once said to me before looking at a body of my work, “I’m not your friend right now. I’m your editor. When this is over, I will go back to being your friend.” 

Take notes, ask questions, thank your reviewer, and leave them with your contact information. Critiques have led to the discovery of many of the world’s best creatives. With hard work and a little luck, you might be next.

The post Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: The Critique appeared first on Blurb Blog.