Creative Control – Write on the World

For independent authors, feedback is invaluable. But when it comes to getting pre-publication opinions on your book, should you use beta readers, ARC readers, or both? While they serve different purposes, each plays a crucial role in refining and marketing your book before publication.

There is a major difference between a beta reader and an ARC reader.

What are beta readers?

Beta readers are early readers of your full manuscript draft. Think of them as workshop partners—people who help you shape your book before it reaches the final stages. They provide feedback that might lead to deep revisions, pointing out plot holes, character inconsistencies, pacing issues, or anything else that could improve the reading experience. Because of this, beta readers are typically used before the final proofreading stage, when there’s still time to make significant changes.

Continue reading →

Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Is it wrong to use AI for book covers? Here’s why the answer isn’t simple

July 3, 2025June 18, 2025 Mandy Webster

If you’ve spent time in publishing spaces lately, you’ve probably seen the heated arguments over AI-generated book covers—and the moral panic that sometimes comes with them. The core of the opposition sounds reasonable: artists deserve to be paid. Many AI image generators are trained on existing artwork without permission. Some argue that using AI is stealing from creatives and eroding the value of real human labor. In this view, choosing an AI cover over hiring a professional designer is not just a budget decision—it’s an ethical failure.

To be considered a new, copyrightable work, a derivative work must be substantially different from the original and reflect the artist’s own creative input. Where should we draw the line when the “artist” is AI? Should accessibility be a consideration?

It’s also true that AI doesn’t yet create perfect, consistent, or always-usable art. Many covers made with AI look slick on a screen but fall apart in print. Designers bring not just visual skill but marketing savvy, genre expertise, and an understanding of composition that a prompt can’t replicate.

And yet, the conversation around AI art often lacks nuance.

Continue reading →

Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Book cover design for independent publishers: making your book stand out

July 2, 2025June 18, 2025 Mandy Webster

They say not to judge a book by its cover—but when it comes to indie publishing, readers absolutely do. Your book cover is often the first—and sometimes only—chance to grab someone’s attention, so it needs to make an impact. Whether you’re working on a shoestring budget or ready to invest in professional help, understanding your options for book cover design is crucial. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of designing your own cover, hiring a designer, or trading services to create a cover that does your story justice.

In this series, we’ve reviewed the planning, writing, evaluating, and revising steps of the novel writing process. Now it’s time to publish your novel!

DIY book cover design

Designing your own book cover can be a cost-effective solution, but it requires a solid understanding of design principles. Many publishing platforms offer cover generators, but these tools are often limited and produce generic-looking covers. I used them for my first couple of books, but I quickly realized that I wanted to represent my work more professionally. If you choose to design your own cover, keep these key factors in mind:

Continue reading →

Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

How to select the right independent publishing platform for your novel

June 30, 2025June 13, 2025 Mandy Webster

Once you’ve finished writing your novel, the next big decision is choosing the right platform on which to publish it. With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming to determine the best fit for your book. Before diving into the platform selection process, it’s crucial to define your publishing goals. Below are a few examples of goals you may wish to achieve.

Maximum reach: If you aim to reach a global audience and prioritize sales, platforms like Amazon KDP and Barnes & Noble Publish are excellent choices.

Creative control: If you want complete control over your book’s design, formatting, and distribution, platforms like Lulu and IngramSpark offer more customization options.

Royalties: Consider the royalty rates offered by different platforms. Some platforms offer higher royalties, while others may have lower rates but provide additional services.

Continue reading →