The Book Shelf

Mirror mirror on the wall, should I avoid vanity publishers?

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Should I Avoid Vanity Publishers

by Ameesha Smith-Green “Mirror mirror on the wall, whose book is fairest of them all?” The term “vanity publishing” certainly […]

6 Steps to writing better

How Can I Become a Better Writer

by Shelby Jones Writing can be a minefield and many would certainly prefer to traverse great fields of potential dynamite […]

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: The Truth About Which Is Better

An up-close photo of an open book with its book spine, in orange lighting

by Ameesha Green As an aspiring author considering publishing a book, you’ll be faced with the often difficult decision of […]

The 5 biggest mistakes nonfiction authors make might surprise you

The 5 Biggest Mistakes That Authors Make

by Ameesha Smith-Green Having worked in and around the publishing industry for the past 12 years, I’ve seen a lot […]

Self-help vs self-improvement: What is the difference?

What Is the Difference between Self-Help and Self-Improvement Books

by Ameesha Smith-Green Even for those who love nonfiction, the terminology can sometimes get confusing. After all, there’s self-help, self-improvement, […]

Yes, you really need a book editor. Ηere’s why

Do You Really Need a Book Editor? Yes, and This Is Why

by Hana Walker Imagine this: you’ve dedicated the past couple of years to working on a new book that you […]

How do you make a self-published book look professional?

How Do You Make a Self-Published Book Look Professional

by Ameesha Smith-Green Self-publishing can be a fantastic thing. It gives any aspiring author the ability to publish a book […]

12 Hours in York: An indie book shopping and tea drinking heaven

12 Hours in York 3

by Ameesha Smith-Green The pretty cathedral city of York is well-known for its black and white wooden buildings and confectionary, […]

Facing our literary history: is cancel culture threatening the classics?

Cancel Culture 2

by Beth Hutton The question of whether we can separate an artist from their work persists not only within the […]

 Your 5-point checklist to becoming a published author

How to Become an Author in 2022

by Ameesha Smith-Green So, 2022 is the year you’re going to become an author, right? Whether you set a New […]

Physical books vs e-books: The ultimate reader’s debate (and the danger of binge-reading)

Physical books vs e-books 2

by Becky Tandy Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a friend about whether print or digital books are better. […]

Does a million social media followers translate to a million book sales? The Billie Eilish case study

Billie Eilish blog

by Ameesha Smith-Green When it comes to pitching a manuscript to agents or publishers, having an author platform is seen […]

5 Winter holiday destinations for book lovers

5 Winter Holiday Destinations for Book Lovers

by Beth Hutton If you’re anything like me, then you’ll agree there’s nothing better than cosying up on the sofa […]

Cancelling “cancel culture”: What the new social buzzword means for the world of publishing

Cancelling Cancel Culture

by Beth Hutton Cancel culture is gaining momentum across academic circles and social media platforms alike, as people have been […]

Top 5 author marketing trends you shouldn’t miss out on

Top 5 Marketing Trends Authors Should Not Overlook

Sometimes, marketing your book can be harder than writing it. There are so many different strategies out there that it […]

Binge culture and its impact on the publishing industry

Binge Culture and Its Impact on the Publishing Industry

by Becky Tandy With the growing popularity of streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, bingeing has become a mainstream […]

New to reading? A guide to starting a love affair with reading

New to Reading

by Summer Black Some people are born to read, but others don’t fall in love with books until later in […]

A book lover’s guide to the best of Birmingham

A Book Lover’s Guide to the Best of Birmingham

by Beth Hutton With its rich literary history of liberal writers and radical thinkers, Birmingham is a creative hotspot for […]