Category: Writing Tips | SelfPublishBooks.ie

How long does it take to publish a book?

This is a question we are often asked and unfortunately, it is a question that isn’t easy to answer. Every single book that we have published and printed at selfpublishbooks.ie is unique in their own way. Even books that are the same genre, size and page count will take different times to complete. What follows is a general rule when putting a book together as to how long you should allow for each process to take please. Just note that …

NaNoWriMo 2017 – What You Need to Know

It’s that time of year again: NaNoWriMo!

Horror Fiction – 4 Tips to write a Terrifying Story

Horror fiction is a genre that has lasted the ages, transcended generations and left a mark in literary history. From Bram Stoker to Stephen King, horror writers have left a mark on the literary scene and resonated with readers all around. So much so that readers are left turning on their light at night to ward away the dark. Which, let’s be honest, is part of the fun. Here are 4 of our favourite tips for making writing terrifying your …

Writing Poetry – 4 Ways to get Started

There is no one way to write poetry. The great thing about poetry is that it can come in all shapes, sizes and forms and helps us to question what those forms might be. But if you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some of our favourite ways to kick-start the poetry process. Capture a moment Sometimes people think on a large scale, but some of the most effective poetry captures a moment and harnesses the emotions for the audience …

Proof-Reading – Our Top 5 Tips

They say you are your own worst critic. And in some ways, that can be the case. However, sometimes editing your own work can be hard and you miss out on little details that can make or break your piece of writing. Here are some of our top tips for proof-reading: Print it People read differently on screen and on paper, so print out a copy of your writing. If you read aloud, your ear might catch errors that your …

Read moreProof-Reading – Our Top 5 Tips

Crime Fiction – Make your Story Criminally Good

Sometimes, crime does pay. Sometimes the darker the narrative, the more juicy the plot, the more fun the crime novel can be. Writing is hard and finding your way through the words takes an immense amount of time, but with these tips, you might be able to help make your novel more about crime, and less of a punishment. Make it exciting The worst crime a writer can commit is to be boring. If a crime novel turns out to …

7 Writing Tips from Top Authors

Writing is all about inspiration. The biggest tip any writer can give is to read, write and rewrite, but here are a few more famous writing tips to get you in the mood to put pen to paper. “My first rule was given to me by TH White, author of The Sword in the Stone and other Arthurian fantasies and was: Read. Read everything you can lay hands on. I always advise people who want to write a fantasy or science fiction …

Make an Impression – Writing your First Line

Writing your book is brave. Writing its first line is even braver. There is no other way to describe it. From the moment your audience opens your book, you need to hook them in and that can be daunting. This is your first opportunity to hook readers in. That’s why the first line of your book can be quintessential is making it a must read. Check out some of our favourite ways to capture your audience from the get go. …

Writing a Memoir – Things to Remember

Often, the most compelling ways to capture the importance of specific life event is through a memoir. It is a highly personal thing, to write a memoir. To invite readers into your life and let them experience what you did. Those who do so, and who get their work published, are among the bravest out there. When writing your memoir try to follow these tips to make it a compelling read for not only those who know you, but also …

6 Simple Steps to Improve your Writing

Writing is hard work, but it is so worth it. Writing talent is like a muscle: it needs to be exercised frequently to be kept in tip-top shape. Here are 6 of our top tips to make your writing go from good to great. 1) Be Visual And Conversational Trying to make the reader “see” is a good goal and being concrete has huge effects. Trying to create an immersive world for your reader can be a long road, but …