Welcome to Out of Five Cats! Here at The Book Shelf, we love reading, publishing, and cats. So, let’s combine all three—at the end of each month, we will post a roundup of our nonfiction reads for you to sample. This October we read some extraordinary nonfiction books, some being new releases and others long […]
by Shelby Jones What’s happened in the world of publishing over the last week? Here is your monthly roundup of news, announcements, book launches, and more. HarperCollins Union Workers Planning Second Strike in November “Publishing made me absolutely miserable.” Photo credit: John Maher After months of negotiations, unionised HarperCollins employees have announced that they will […]
by Shelby Jones When the invite came through from Penguin Random House to attend the General Spring Fiction Showcase Event for 2023, I nearly dropped tea all over my laptop (which is terrible as I would have ruined it and, worse still, been unable to accept this wonderful opportunity). This was the first in-person showcase […]
by Olga Bialasik October is flying by and Halloween is closing in so fast that we might not even notice it’s on our doorstep until we hear “trick or treat!” This time of year is perfect for cosying up with a spooky novel, whether it’s a bloody slasher or an eerie haunting of a story, […]
by Soria Nicholson Most writers fear those dreaded two words that we find ourselves plagued with every once in a while: writer’s block. Although a terrible affliction, it has simple yet effective remedies. We have put together a list of ways to guide you out of such a state. #1. Get rid of distractions Removing […]
by Soria Nicholson Eleven months ago, if someone had told me I’d soon be packing my bags and moving across the ocean to live in France, I would have been amazed. Back then, fear and uncertainty clouded my vision and all I could think about was how I would navigate a country I’d visited only […]
by Olga Bialasik Since the rise of social media, industries have taken advantage of its marketing potential and the internationality it affords businesses. The publishing industry is no different. For book publishers and authors, it’s a chance to boost sales through a higher global reach and to connect with enthusiastic audiences. For readers, it’s an […]
by Peri Cimen Undertaking a creative writing degree is a big decision and research is the first step. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or you’ve already published some work and are looking to expand your understanding of the craft, there are many things to consider, especially since you’ll be investing a lot into your degree. […]
by Peri Cimen You may have found yourself wondering whether you need a creative writing degree to succeed as an author. Of course, many writers specialise in other fields before deciding to write their first book, with some of them having no prior experience in writing. So, the answer is no. But that doesn’t mean […]
by Peri Cimen We’ve all been there. Whether you’ve been staring at a blank Word document for days or hit a wall during a long-term project, writer’s block can be frustrating and disruptive, and leave you feeling less than confident in your abilities. You may have scoured the internet for a solution and found that […]
by Ameesha Smith-Green As an aspiring author, you might be wondering how much money you can potentially earn from writing a book. In fact, if we had a pound for every time a soon-to-be author asked us this question, we’d be rich! Whether you’re thinking about the income from selling a moderate amount of copies […]
by Ameesha Smith-Green In the last five years, audiobooks have grown in popularity, which is understandable when you consider the changes in people’s lifestyles, the limited time available to sit down and read, and differing consumer habits such as listening to podcasts. So, it’s no surprise that services such as Amazon’s Audible are proving lucrative […]
by Shelby Jones The beginning is the hardest part—of anything. And you’re a writer, so putting your thoughts into action takes an immense amount of strength. If you already have your story idea, how do you begin writing it? Here are five ways to start… #1: Free writing Write freely, unemotionally, and without much thought. […]
by Ameesha Smith-Green “Mirror mirror on the wall, whose book is fairest of them all?” The term “vanity publishing” certainly conjures up images of Snow White and her vain step-mother. However, some authors unwittingly fall into its snares without realising what they’re really getting themselves into. So, in this guide we’ll explain what vanity publishing […]
by Shelby Jones Writing can be a minefield and many would certainly prefer to traverse great fields of potential dynamite than attempt to put their own writing out into the world. Even thinking of the overwhelming number of authors, bloggers, and journalists who appear to have their knack for the medium sorted is petrifying. But […]
by Ameesha Smith-Green As an aspiring author, you’re faced with a difficult decision early on: do you seek a traditional publishing deal or self-publish? The path you choose determines your next actions, like a choose-your-own-adventure book. And wait… there’s also vanity publishing and hybrid publishing to consider. So, how do you choose your publishing path? […]
by Ameesha Smith-Green Having worked in and around the publishing industry for the past 12 years, I’ve seen a lot of nonfiction authors get it right and a lot get it wrong. I started to notice certain patterns in the writers who were successful and spot common mistakes made by those whose books flopped. As […]
by Ameesha Smith-Green Even for those who love nonfiction, the terminology can sometimes get confusing. After all, there’s self-help, self-improvement, and personal development books, plus books on personality. What does it all mean, and how do you know which is right for you? Have no fear, our simple guide is here… What is self-help? Self-help […]