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A damp squib, and the variation damp squid, is a metaphor. We use it figuratively to describe an event or situation that is disappointing or less impressive than expected. The correct form is a damp squib. But perhaps because of the ease of pronunciation, a damp squid is now not uncommon to see or hear.…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere now, so publishing AI-written articles is an obvious temptation. The speed and efficiency of AI writing tools are breathtaking. Why spend hours writing an article when you can do it in less than 30 seconds? But therein lies the problem. It’s too easy, and taking the easy way in anything…
Publishing AI-Written Articles Online Is A Tempting Idea Read More »
Can you publish a paperback book for free? Yes, you can, and it’s a great way to add credibility by offering a print version of your book in addition to an ebook. Like an ebook, when someone buys your print version, you will earn a royalty payment with no upfront costs. If you publish with Amazon,…
Champing and chomping at the bit are two variations of the well-known expression. It means to be eager, impatient, or restless to do something. Champing at the bridle was the original version of the idiom, dating back to the 17th century. But the verb and object changed over time as our language evolved. While champing at…
Champing And Chomping At The Bit Are Both Correct Read More »
There’s no doubt that the ways writers can make money have become a little more challenging. AI search in particular has affected many writers. However, that’s not the end of the world. Things change online all the time, but some tried-and-true methods still work, with a little updating. One positive is that readers value and…
Self-publishing with Amazon is easy. But if you live in a country where Amazon KDP pays by check (or cheque), receiving your royalty payments can be a problem. It is not only very slow, but you will be subject to minimum thresholds before you can receive any payments. In addition, you will need to pay…
Why Amazon KDP Pays By Check For Author Royalties Read More »
It’s very common to use sentences that begin with there is and there are. But using these two structures too often can weaken your writing. Whenever you see one, it’s always a good idea to consider editing the sentence. Sometimes, it’s as simple as deleting the word there and moving the verb. There is a…
Once you self-publish a new title, you can’t delete a print book in paperback or hardcover versions. It applies to books published using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or any other publishing service. When a new book is published, the ISBN identifying numbers are registered with many catalogs and listing services. Even if you remove a…
Why It’s Impossible To Delete A Print Book After Publishing Read More »
How do pre-order customer reviews work for Kindle ebooks? It might be a mystery if you are a self-publishing author because Amazon customers can’t add a customer review to a Kindle ebook on pre-order. But when you look at the Coming Soon section of Amazon books, you can see many ebooks on pre-order with hundreds…
Kindle Pre-Order Customer Reviews Explained For Authors Read More »
How many writing tools and software programs do you need to write? I’m a writer, so I spend a lot of time on my keyboard every day. But contrary to what you might think, I use very few programs, and they are mostly free writing tools. Over the last few years, I have tried to…
The Writing Tools And Software I Use Now Are Usually Free Read More »
