While nonfiction is our bag at The Book Shelf, E.M. Forster’s The Machine Stops is stranger than fiction. It has an uncanny resemblance to the world we find ourselves living in, especially in the era of Covid-19, lockdown, and #fakenews. Humanity… (Read More)
As a nonfiction author, you may want to quote other people in your book—be it to set a certain tone, amplify your point, or teach the reader something important. However, the use of quotes is a minefield, and getting it wrong can… (Read More)
When it comes to business books, there’s no shortage of options available to entrepreneurs, wantrepreneurs, and small business owners hoping for success. But none of them have struck a chord with me quite like Michael Gerber’s The E-Myth. Or… (Read More)
Some people write books for the love. Some to entertain and enthral readers. Some to make the world a better place. Some to teach their readers a new skill or approach. But let’s be honest, most authors would… (Read More)
In our world of #fakenews and #posttruth, the 19th Century philosophical bad boy of nihilism has reared its head. Nihilism stems from the Latin word for “nothing”, and in essence, that’s what it’s all about. While there are different branches of nihilism,… (Read More)
Whether you’ve written a blog, a book, or some website content, you no doubt know that the text needs proofreading to ensure there are no errors or typos before you publish. You might also know that it’s very… (Read More)
As a nonfiction book editor, I see my fair share of great first drafts, but also some pretty average ones. A mediocre first draft isn’t too much to worry about if you have a talented editor to help you get it into shape. But if… (Read More)
Over recent years, the Ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism has gained a new lease of life. 3rd Century BC ideas are now motivational quotes on Pinterest and proposed in mainstream books like Calm the F*ck Down. But how do the ideas of Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca apply now? In a world of COVID-19, lockdowns, and… (Read More)
Self-publishing can be a magical thing. It opened up the publishing world to the masses, enabling anybody to publish a book without needing agents, a publishing contract, and traditional publishers. However, just because self-publishing is open to everybody isn’t… (Read More)
As a writer or author, you may want a professional to add that extra polish to your work. But do you need a proofreader or an editor, or both? Some people assume that these roles are the same…or that you… (Read More)
We’re living in unprecedented times, when many people are worried about the physical and mental health of their loved ones and vulnerable people in society, concerned that they will lose their job or business, and feeling isolated from their friends… (Read More)
Times of crisis like this demonstrate how important it is to know truth from fiction. Written content has a huge impact on what people believe, and misleading or incorrect information can cause problems. When it comes to the Daily… (Read More)
I’ll be the first to admit that I hated science at school. And when I say hated, I mean that I’d actively avoid it if I could find a locker to hide behind. It didn’t help that my physics… (Read More)
If you read the news, scour forums, or listen to podcasts, you might have encountered sensationalist headlines suggesting that the written word is dead. Or if it’s not quite dead yet—it’s certainly dying. But who certified its death? And is it a case of misdiagnosis? Is the written… (Read More)
Have you ever written a blog, proofread it, and posted it—only for someone to point out a glaring typo? Or carefully checked an essay for errors only for it to come back covered in red pen? In other… (Read More)
You’ve written a book. You’ve done some self-editing. You’ve made the decision to hire an editor and you’re ready to start your search. Inevitably, the question on your mind is how much is this going to cost me? It’s fair… (Read More)
In this age of consumerism and materialism, on a planet drowning in stuff and fast fashion, it’s understandable that “tidying” books like Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying have become incredibly popular. Ordinarily, a book on tidying isn’t a… (Read More)
I was delighted to be featured as a guest blogger on author Sally Jenkins’ writing blog recently. You can check out the original post here… Whether you’re a professional writer making a living from your words or someone… (Read More)