Both the memoir and self-help genres draw on personal experiences to teach lessons, but memoir emphasizes the story while self-help emphasizes the lesson. Memoir is used to inspire readers and perhaps help them out of a difficult time, while self-help is an expansive genre combining professional advice and personal vignettes to teach self-development, productivity, career planning, wellness, and anything in between. However, in all self-help books, the author explicitly tells the reader what they can take away from the author’s lessons and personal experiences in a certain area.

Behind every great author is a great editor — and behind every brilliant author might be several. The quality of editorial work that goes into a manuscript can be what makes or breaks a book’s success.

We were saddened to read the recent news about Scribe Media (https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2023/05/scribe-media-shuts-down-lays-off-staff/), and it got us thinking about the options authors have when something like this happens.

If your indie publisher has suddenly closed its doors, you’re probably in shock, and you might feel like it’s the end of your publishing journey. But the reality is, there are tons of options - you just need to know where to start. We’ve compiled some advice below to help you get your book back on track.

Now that you have written or are thinking of writing a manuscript, you might be curious (and maybe even a little scared) to know how much it is going to cost you to bring your book into the world. The correct answer to this financial question is the ever-aggravating response of “it depends.” From the publishing method you choose to your end goals to the materials you begin your publishing journey with, many factors play into calculating publishing cost, and there is no one-size-fits-all investment every author pays.

Pick up any book off the shelf and on the spine, usually at the bottom, you’ll see a business name. Often that name has “Books” or “Press” at the end, and it can be accompanied by a small logo. That name is the imprint, the book industry term for the brand the book is published under.

At Greenleaf, which is a hybrid publisher, we spend a lot of time answering questions about how we’re different than a vanity press. And yes, there are big differences. It is critical to know how to spot those differences to make sure you avoid the vanity press scams and find a hybrid publishing house that is a good fit for you.

Submitting your manuscript—whether to traditional or hybrid publishers—can be a daunting process for authors, which is why we are going to give you the inside scoop on how the submission process works and what publishers look for in a manuscript.

The past decade or so has introduced many changes in the publishing industry, making non-traditional routes highly viable options for bringing books to market. But with these new alternatives like hybrid publishers—such as Greenleaf—digital publishers, and the many options for self-publishing, some dubious actors have learned how to take advantage of writers, preying on those desperate to get their work published. That’s why, as you begin searching for a publisher to help turn your manuscript into a full-fledged book, it’s essential that you know how to spot and avoid publishing scams.