Writing in a Nutshell

"Saved me hours of painstakingly boring work. If only it had been available a few years ago!" ~Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan

"A very thorough step-by-step guide to the preparation of a self-published book. If you are a writer who wishes to "do-it-yourself" but without spending ages researching how to, this book is ideal." ~Terry Freedman, writersknowhow.org

"If Jessica Bell’s Writing in a Nutshell series has not yet become the standard craft reference for all aspiring writers, then it should have. The books in the series cover everything about writing creative fiction and non-fiction from showing—not telling —to polishing a finished manuscript. They have now been joined by the sixth, and perhaps ultimately the most useful, book in the series: Self-Publish Your Book. This amazing volume tells you step-by-step how to take the manuscript you have been lovingly incubating under Bell’s expert gaze, and turn it into a volume as professionally produced as Bell’s books themselves. The book is divided into sixteen chapters that cover everything from formatting the manuscript properly, through cover design, choice of format (eBook or paperback, or both?) to getting your book into the hands of the distributers, from where people can actually buy your baby. It’s quite technical, but it needs to be, and everything is explained in Bell’s extremely user-friendly prose that could make brain surgery seem like, … well … something a lot easier than brain surgery. In recent years, self-published authors have taken a lot of flak from the traditional publishing industry—most of whom are running scared—for a lack of professional quality, particularly in terms of production values for books. With this book, Jessica Bell gives you the tools to break through that reputation, sharing the secrets of her own success as an author and self-publisher, backed by her years of experience as an editor and writer. If self-publishing is a revolution, then Bell has placed herself firmly at the head of it, holding the flag. With this book and the rest in the series, you too can become part of the movement and take the publishing power into your own hands." ~Luca Marchiori, ELT writer, food blogger, and editor

“In each Nutshell guide, Jessica Bell provides a focused and effective master class on a single aspect of the writer’s craft. To read each book feels like taking a personal tutorial, with expert advice couched in friendly, supportive terms and reinforced by carefully planned exercises. A highly recommended source of practical help to refine any author’s writing skills.” ~Debbie Young, author of Sell Your Books, the Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries, and editor of The Alliance of Independent Authors Self-Publishing Advice Blog.

“I found that working through the guide helped me pinpoint the areas in my own novel that lacked vivid setting and description. It’s so hard to edit your own work, but Jessica Bell’s guides have been invaluable for teaching me the fine art of self-editing and revision. I highly recommend this guide as a standalone, but I believe the guides work best in conjunction with one another. They also make great gifts for writers, especially those in your critique group!” ~Angela Mackintosh, Founder/CEO at WOW! Women On Writing

"Bang-useful checklist with lots of tricks and tweaks to make your book the very best it can be." ~Hart Johnson, author of A Shot in the Light

"Reading this insightful, easy-to-use toolkit is like being on the receiving end of face-to-face tuition from one of today's leading indie authors. Most authors have to learn the tricks of the trade by trial and error. Jessica Bell is giving away all our secrets!" ~Jane Davis, award-winning author