Category Archives: Writing

eBook

Helicon Books EPUB validator

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Helicon Books epub validator is more than just another epubcheck.  From the website:

Helicon Books validator has many advantages over other EPUB validators. It uses the epubcheck software from the IDPF but adds many additional tests.

First of all we don’t just take epubcheck output and display it, we display an easier to read and easier to understand error messages. Some error messages have long text, we display only the important part and let you read the rest only if you want (by clicking a ‘read more’ link).

Contact us if you need more information about any error, or if you want to learn more about EPUB3 and how to make it better.

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Writer Reference

Amazon Publishing announces launch of Waterfall Press – a Christian Imprint

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Amazon Publishing today announced the launch of Waterfall Press, a new Christian imprint that will specialize in faith-based non-fiction and fiction. Waterfall Press non-fiction will aim to provide spiritual refreshment and inspiration to today’s Christian reader, while fiction will include stories in the romance, mystery, and suspense genres. Waterfall Press titles will be published by Brilliance Publishing, part of the Amazon.com group of companies, which currently offers readers self-help and personal growth books under the Grand Harbor Press imprint.

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Writer Reference

Self-Publishing 101: Using the Right Search Words

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

 has posted over at Western Fictioneers about using the right search words to use when listing your novel over at Amazon.  From the blog:

Search words are one of the most important tools used to sell a novel, so you want to use them wisely. At Amazon you are allowed 7. That’s it, so you have to pick carefully. Did you know there are rules for what search words are allowed and which ones aren’t? The following is a list of what not to use.

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eBook, Success Stories

Smashwords Year in Review 2013 – Indie Authors the Stewards of Publishing’s Future

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Mark Coker has posted another Smashwords “Year in Review” article over at the Smashwords blog.  From the article:

Welcome to my annual Smashwords year in review.

It was another amazing year.

On behalf of all employees at Smashwords, I want to start by thanking every Smashwords author, publisher and agent that publishes and distributes with Smashwords.  We serve at your pleasure and we appreciate your trust, partnership and support.

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Success Stories

Self-Publishing and The Power of Creative Intention

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Orna Ross recently posted a wonderful blog entry about creative intention over at the ALLi Self Publishing Advice website.  From the article:

Planning to write 1000 words a day through 2014? Resolving to definitely get that title that’s been hanging around forever up and out there?

Oh yes, it’s that time of year when indie authors make our resolutions about the books we are going to write (and sell and publish) over the coming months.

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