Katherine Pickett, Editor<p>I played around with Canva for quite a while before I decided to invest in hiring a cover designer. Take a look at some of the cover concepts I was considering before landing on the final cover for my novel, Debra Lee Won't Break.</p><p><a href="https://popediting.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/cover-evolution-getting-to-the-right-cover-for-my-novel/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">popediting.wordpress.com/2025/</span><span class="invisible">04/30/cover-evolution-getting-to-the-right-cover-for-my-novel/</span></a></p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/selfpub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>selfpub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/design" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>design</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/books" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>books</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/disability" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>disability</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/BikeTooter" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>BikeTooter</span></a></p>
Recent searches
No recent searches
Search options
Only available when logged in.
urbanists.social is one of the many independent Mastodon servers you can use to participate in the fediverse.
We're a server for people who like bikes, transit, and walkable cities. Let's get to know each other!
Administered by:
Server stats:
525active users
urbanists.social: About · Profiles directory · Privacy policy
Mastodon: About · Get the app · Keyboard shortcuts · View source code · v4.3.8
#IndiePub
0 posts · 0 participants · 0 posts today
Court Cantrell prefers not to<p>Just had a total "hey IT, the cup holder on my computer tower doesn't work right" moment.*</p><p>I was previewing my current ebook project on KDP and could not figure out why the heck my Table of Contents wasn't showing up. Fiddled with chapter headings, converted "corrected" docx to epub AGAIN, tried to upload again multiple times, no joy.</p><p>Finally realized that I had been uploading the docx to KDP instead of the epub. </p><p>*SIGH*</p><p><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/SelfPub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SelfPub</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/AuthorPub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>AuthorPub</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndiePub</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/PublisherProblems" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PublisherProblems</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/WritingCommunity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>WritingCommunity</span></a></p>
LJ<p>This blew me away. I had no idea the local paper was going to do such a big story on me! Wow! People in town told me I needed to see the cover of the Ware River News, but not why. </p><p>And I've had folks stop me telling me how much they loved the book. </p><p>:swoon: </p><p><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/HappyAuthorIsHappy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>HappyAuthorIsHappy</span></a></p><p><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndiePub</span></a><br><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/Bookstadon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Bookstadon</span></a></p>
LJ<p>Central Massachusetts folks - Tomorrow afternoon I will be hosting a reading, signing, and reception to celebrate the publication of my 9th novel, LITANY FOR A BROKEN WORLD.</p><p>Sunday March 16<br>4 pm<br>Stone Church Cultural Center in Gilbertville, MA.</p><p>Copies of the book will be available for sale.</p><p><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/bookstodon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>bookstodon</span></a> <br><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndiePub</span></a></p>
LJ<p>If you're an indie author & need to order author copies in paperback for any reason, even if you use Amazon POD, it's a good idea to ALSO set up your books at Ingram Spark. Why? </p><p>1. Anyone can ask their local bookstore to order your book through Ingram. Bookstores will NOT order via Amazon</p><p>2. Author copies can be expedited. Amazon's take weeks. Ingram's prices are comparable, even w/ rush production. (2nd day shipping is expensive, but UPS ground was not & took 3 days)</p><p><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndiePub</span></a></p>
LJ<p>Thank you to <span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://wandering.shop/@maryrobinette" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>maryrobinette</span></a></span> for giving me space on her blog today to talk about "My Favorite Bit" of LITANY FOR A BROKEN WORLD. </p><p>I won't keep you in suspense: My favorite bit is Poplar. I mean, it wasn't even close. She really is the best good dog. </p><p><a href="https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-favorite-bit/my-favorite-bit-lj-cohen-talks-about-litany-for-a-broken-world/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">maryrobinettekowal.com/journal</span><span class="invisible">/my-favorite-bit/my-favorite-bit-lj-cohen-talks-about-litany-for-a-broken-world/</span></a></p><p><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndiePub</span></a> <br><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/Bookstadon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Bookstadon</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p>"[With DEBRA LEE WON'T BREAK] we decided my husband would not be involved in the publishing part. He is writing his own books now and has other interests. While it is the right decision for us, it made self-publishing look even more bleak. And when my attempts at traditional publishing didn’t pan out, I felt a little … bereft."</p><p>Read more to find out how I turned things around and why I'm now so, so excited to be self-publishing my first novel!</p><p><a href="https://popediting.wordpress.com/2025/03/09/meet-the-publishing-team/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">popediting.wordpress.com/2025/</span><span class="invisible">03/09/meet-the-publishing-team/</span></a></p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/books" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>books</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/blog" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>blog</span></a></p>
Coreo Jones (coreopsismajor)<p>Somehow while I was editing my old epub gig yesterday it got automatically delisted, no backsies. </p><p>I have built a new epubs gig! Please spread the word. I am a pro at epub formatting and if you want your epub for a novel or other chapter book to shine, I'm your person. See my new gig page for the details, and please, hit me up, I love what I do! <br><a href="https://www.fiverr.com/s/2KZ86KL" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="">fiverr.com/s/2KZ86KL</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p><a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/indieauthors" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>indieauthors</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/indiebook" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>indiebook</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/selfpublishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>selfpublishing</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/ebookformatting" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ebookformatting</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/epub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>epub</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/freelance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>freelance</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/epub%E2%80%8Cs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>epubs</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/writer2epub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>writer2epub</span></a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/indieauthor" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>indieauthor</span></a></p>
LJ<p>Some real numbers related to self-publishing a book 3 weeks post release:</p><p>My books are avail in wide distribution, as ebook & in print.</p><p>This is my 9th published novel.</p><p>Production costs: approx $5,000 includes editing, cover art, book bub new release email, SFWA new release email, & netgalley x 1 mo.</p><p>I am able to do print/ebook formatting, so no cost.</p><p>ebooks sold since 2/10: 115<br>print books sold: 25</p><p>Total earnings to date: $465.00</p><p>(Continued)</p><p><a href="https://zirk.us/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndiePub</span></a> <span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://a.gup.pe/u/indieauthors" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>indieauthors</span></a></span></p>
Court Cantrell prefers not to<p>As the meme says, I want to be sparkly, in pinks and purples...but the world is on fire, and I am angry. I wanted to be happy -- I got traumatized. </p><p>But the <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/GOODNEWS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>GOODNEWS</span></a> is that if all goes smoothly, I shall hit "publish" on my newest book (my first ever non-fiction!) within the next 48 hours:</p><p>APPETITE FOR ANTITHESIS: (De)KNOWING GOD IN A LENTEN PRACTICE</p><p><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>indiepub</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/selfpub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>selfpub</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/AtheismForLent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>AtheismForLent</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/PeterRollins" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PeterRollins</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Lent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Lent</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/philosophy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>philosophy</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/theism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>theism</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/atheism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>atheism</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/DeathOfGodTheology" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>DeathOfGodTheology</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/existentialism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>existentialism</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/RadicalTheology" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>RadicalTheology</span></a></p>
Aimee Cozza Illustration<p>The Haven Spec Magazine kickstarter has only 4 days to go and is $806 away from funding. Can we give em a share? Maybe help them get there? <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/haven-spec-magazine/haven-spec-magazine-2025" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">kickstarter.com/projects/haven</span><span class="invisible">-spec-magazine/haven-spec-magazine-2025</span></a></p><p><a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/IndieAuthor" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndieAuthor</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/Scifi" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Scifi</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/Fantasy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Fantasy</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IndiePub</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/SFF" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SFF</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p>As I'm preparing my class Know Your Competition, I'd love to hear some of the ways you've used competition research to improve your book or your marketing plan. </p><p>Also, as I prepare this class, I'm reminded how much I love researching other books!</p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/Writers" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Writers</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/Writing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Writing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/WritersCoffeeClub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>WritersCoffeeClub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/class" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>class</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/competition" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>competition</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/publishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>publishing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/WritingCommunity" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>WritingCommunity</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p>Do you really need a press release for your book? Here's just one reason:</p><p>"If you Google your book title, you will probably notice Amazon and other big retailers first; your publisher and your own website can appear later. Having a press release can boost this rank in search queries."</p><p><a href="https://janefriedman.com/why-you-need-a-press-release-in-a-digital-age/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">janefriedman.com/why-you-need-</span><span class="invisible">a-press-release-in-a-digital-age/</span></a></p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/publishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>publishing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/books" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>books</span></a> <span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://a.gup.pe/u/bookstodon" class="u-url mention">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p>Got feedback on my summer presentations. Nice to see most people appreciated my publishing talks. Of course, 1 comment stood out. </p><p>In discussing self-publishing companies, ebook companies, Amazon, distributors, marketing, etc, here's the complaint:</p><p>"there were a few times that she admitted that she didn’t know some of the info." </p><p>I've been to talks where the speaker pretended to have all the answers. I prefer someone who can admit there's more info than any one person could know.</p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/WritersCoffeeClub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>WritersCoffeeClub</span></a> Oct 6<br />Are you self-published or trad-published? How's it going?</p><p>I self-published my how-to book and that went great. Still sell copies when I do events and sometimes even when I don't.</p><p>My booklet was a work-for-hire. That was good for business but much less lucrative.</p><p>My essays and articles have been published by journals, a few paying but mostly free. The articles were great for building my brand. Highly recommend that for other businesses.</p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/selfpub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>selfpub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/publishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>publishing</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p>I absolutely love working with authors who have read my book, Perfect Bound! </p><p>-They know what to expect<br />-They know editing costs money but is worth the investment.<br />-They are empowered and ready to do the work. </p><p>That attitude energizes me and makes me want to do my very best for them so they can succeed!</p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/AmEditing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>AmEditing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/Editors" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Editors</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/selfpub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>selfpub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/selfpublishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>selfpublishing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/3goodthings" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>3goodthings</span></a> <span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://a.gup.pe/u/3goodthings" class="u-url mention">@<span>3goodthings</span></a></span> </p><p>1. This weekend I narrowly escaped being hit by a car while on my bike. I crashed but wasn't hit.</p><p>2. I finally got to use a promo code for IngramSpark. I've been a member of IBPA for 8 years and this is the first time I remembered to use it.</p><p>3. It's Monday. Happy to be back at work.</p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/BikeTooter" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>BikeTooter</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/AmEditing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>AmEditing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/AmWriting" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>AmWriting</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/IndiePub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>IndiePub</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p>This Saturday, Feb 25, I will be talking to the N. Baltimore chapter of the Maryland Writers Association. This is a hybrid meeting. If you can't make it in person, join us on Zoom. We will discuss finding the right <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/editor" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>editor</span></a> for you. </p><p><a href="https://marylandwriters.org/meetinginfo.php?id=1057&ts=1676937987" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">marylandwriters.org/meetinginf</span><span class="invisible">o.php?id=1057&ts=1676937987</span></a></p><p>I will be there in person from 11 am to 12 pm!</p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/writing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>writing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/writingcommunity" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>writingcommunity</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/editors" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>editors</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/publishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>publishing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/books" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>books</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/MWA" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>MWA</span></a></p>
Katherine Pickett, Editor<p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/Writers" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Writers</span></a>! I have an opening for a new client in mid-February. If your <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/fiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>fiction</span></a> or <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/nonfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>nonfiction</span></a> manuscript is nearly ready for <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/editing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>editing</span></a>, please visit my website for rates, services, recent titles I have edited, and testimonials! </p><p><a href="https://www.popediting.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="">popediting.net/</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p><a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/publishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>publishing</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/indiepub" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>indiepub</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/editors" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>editors</span></a> <a href="https://urbanists.social/tags/amediting" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>amediting</span></a></p>
ExploreLive feeds
Mastodon is the best way to keep up with what's happening.
Follow anyone across the fediverse and see it all in chronological order. No algorithms, ads, or clickbait in sight.
Create accountLoginDrag & drop to upload