Out of Five Cats: October
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… (Read More)
The Book Shelf
October Publishing News Roundup
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… (Read More)
Penguin Random House Spring Showcase 2023 Event
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… (Read More)
Spooky Season Shelf: Nonfiction book recommendations for autumn
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… (Read More)
8 Top Tips for Getting over Writer’s Block
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… (Read More)
This Is Your Sign to Do a Year Abroad
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… (Read More)
The BookTok Effect: How social media influences book marketing
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… (Read More)
How to Find the Right Creative Writing Degree
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… (Read More)
The Pros and Cons of a Creative Writing 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… (Read More)
How to Embrace Writer’s Block
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… (Read More)
The Golden Ticket: How much money can you make from publishing a book?
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… (Read More)
Should Authors Create and Narrate Their Own Audiobooks?
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… (Read More)
5 Ways to Start Writing
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… (Read More)
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 conjures up images of Snow White and her vain step-mother. However, some authors unwittingly fall into its snares… (Read More)
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 than attempt to put their own writing out into the world. Even thinking of the overwhelming number of… (Read More)
Which Type of Publishing Do You Choose? The pros and cons of traditional publishing, self-publishing, vanity publishing, and hybrid publishing
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…… (Read More)
The 5 Biggest Mistakes That Nonfiction Authors Make… and They’re Not What You Think They Are
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… (Read More)
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, and personal development books, plus books on personality. What does it all mean, and how do you know… (Read More)