“What’s tonight’s topic?” asked a St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA) member, as I was setting up the welcome table. I’m membership chair of SLPA, and I arrive early. It never fails that someone arrives just as early or even before I do! “Tom” (not his real name) was there when I arrived; this was a…
DetailsHow big is an ad? Specifically, how big is a 1/8-page ad? This was a request I received a request from a client to create a 1/8-page ad for a charity program book, but the request came without specific information. This happens all the time! I immediately replied to both the client and the charity:…
DetailsI met Corinne Richardson at a St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA) “networking-blitz” meeting in December 2005. When she looked at my business card, she recognized the name, “Kodner,” and then we discovered we also had a mutual friend. She said, “I’m writing a book, and I’d like you to design it when it’s ready.” Several…
DetailsHow do color and typefaces affect your website rankings? The short answer is emotion. People respond to color and design with feelings. If they resonate to the colors on your site, the fonts that tell your story, and the way elements are arranged on the screen, they are likely to linger a little longer. They…
Details“Can you help teach a graphic design high school class about good book cover design?” asked Rob Durham, a teacher at Marquette High School. “The students are making their own e-books from short stories they have written. I’m showing them how to self-publish on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).” “Sure,” I replied. “I would love to…
DetailsIn April 2013, I attended IBPA Publishing University in Chicago. I had heard good things about this event from members of St. Louis Publishers Association and decided to go with my SLPA friend, Kim Wolterman. Kim said, “There’s always something to learn.” She was right! Some take away lessons and ideas worth sharing: A. Publishing…
DetailsMost people are curious and overwhelmed by self-publishing. At a recent St. Louis Publishers Vendor Showcase, local author-services providers, such as book designers, editors, book coaches, printers, and illustrators, had the opportunity to display our products and services and explain to authors what we do. Many aspiring authors stopped by my table and asked questions.…
DetailsCover and interior book design for Our Father’s Voice began with a call from author Felicia Graber. She and her brother. Dr. Leon Bialecki, spent many years of transcribing, translating, and editing their father’s interviews about his experiences during the Holocaust. The interviews with Salomon Lederberger were originally recorded in 1981. Felicia had turned them…
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