Self-help is the Marmite of the book world. It seems that readers either ravenously consume self-help books or find them utterly unhelpful. Personally, I believe that self-help books are only as effective as the person reading them allows them to… (Read More)
As an author or aspiring author, you’ll no doubt find yourself working with an editor at some point. In our last blog, we looked at the various types of authors that you might be. Today, we’ll look at the various types of editors so you know… (Read More)
If you’re an author or aspiring to be one, you’ll probably end up working with an editor at some point, whether it’s a freelancer editor in the process of self-publishing or an in-house editor at a traditional publisher…. (Read More)
In February 2016, I returned from travelling the world for a year and had no idea what to do next. Questions swirling around in my mind were: Do I wait to re-join the publisher I worked for before… (Read More)
The news hit last week that Reni Eddo-Lodge had become the first black British author to ever top the UK paperback non-fiction charts. It’s no coincidence that her 2017 book Why I No Longer Talk to White People about Race has gained… (Read More)
If you’re thinking about hiring a freelance editor for your book, you might be wondering what it’s like to work with an editor and what you’ll gain from the experience. At The Book Shelf, we work with authors on a… (Read More)
According to a recent survey, 80% of adults have thought about writing a book at some point. But if you’re an aspiring book writer, the big question is: what do you write about? In fact, choosing your topic is arguably the… (Read More)
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)