Print run: Decide how many books to print like a boss

Print run: Decide how many books to print like a boss. A man wearing a navy-and-white shirt holds out a stack of books. Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Ask Nicola Q&A: What a life-story coach knows about book print run numbers + print numbers

Hello and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a life-story coach I get many queries about planning, creating, polishing and publishing.

And in this series my answers aim to help new creators just like you!

This edition of Ask Nicola starts with the question:

I have finished writing my autobiography but don’t know how many books to get printed? Who and what should I consider before placing a print run order?

Wow, how exciting you are getting ready to print your life story – congratulations!

Now keep reading to find out how many books I suggest …

Continue reading Print run: Decide how many books to print like a boss

Best of 2020: Best articles of 2020 about writing advice + writing tips

Best of 2020: Best articles of 2020 about writing advice + writing tips. Christmas shortbread decorated with white icing and surrounded by gold glitter plus red-and-white string. Photo by Olia Danilevich from Pexels

Best 2020 highlights on using music and memories, writing painful stories, online writing tools and new podcast

The end of a crazy 12 months is nearly here and what a year 2020 has been!

Indeed I’m counting my blessings that my family and I will be allowed interstate to see my parents for the first time in over a year.

So I’ll be taking a break from the website until the new year to relax and get ready for more writing in 2021.

But before I head off I’m leaving you with the best of 2020 articles from Forever Young Autobiographies. 

These have been read hundreds of times because they are helpful to plan, write, polish and publish an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Certainly take a read over the next few weeks while you switch off and savour the holiday period.

OK let’s jump in …

Continue reading Best of 2020: Best articles of 2020 about writing advice + writing tips

How to document family stories: This might be the best way in 4 steps!

How to document family stories: This might be the best way in 4 steps! A smiling older man dressed in a dark coat and white shirt reads a light-blue book while sitting outside next to a multistory building. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Everything you should know about recording your family stories and family history (plus Black Friday 2020 deal!)

One of the most popular questions I am asked as a life-story writer is how to document family stories?

And the answer is there are many different approaches!

However, I’ve come up with a simple system after many years as a journalist interviewing and sitting down to write different people’s stories.  

Most importantly this system is fun, rewarding and repeatable!

Furthermore, these steps are perfect if you want to record family stories for key events or any time of the year.

And they make a great foundation to start other life-story projects like an autobiography, memoir or biography.

So let’s take a look at four steps to document family stories (and keep reading for a great Black Friday 2020 deal on the Your Family Stories System!) …

Continue reading How to document family stories: This might be the best way in 4 steps!

Gift giving for writers 2020: See how easily you can get gift giving sorted

Gift giving for writers 2020: See how easily you can get gift giving sorted. A woman holds out a red decorated gift box topped with a red bow. Photo by Porapak Apichodilok from Pexels

How to get ideas for Secret Santa and Christmas wish lists in record time

It is the time of year when birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas begin to roll into one.

And it is also the time of year when we swap our writers’ hats for elves’ hats.

It has been one crazy year with Coronavirus quarantine and we all deserve a bit of cheer and gift giving in our lives.

Therefore I’ve come up with a few present ideas for yourself or the writers in your life.

These gifts would be perfect for those sitting down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

And are helpful no matter how far along a writing journey: planning, writing, editing or publishing.

So spread a little joy with these gift giving ideas to suit all price points …

Continue reading Gift giving for writers 2020: See how easily you can get gift giving sorted

Book dedication: How to do book dedications in 5 minutes

Book dedication: How to do book dedications in 5 minutes. Close-up of baby's hand resting in father's open palm. Photo by skalekar1992 from Pixabay

Amazing secrets about dedication meaning and book dedication examples

We are giving thanks this week as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas holidays loom.

So today’s life-story article is dedicated to … dedications!

Indeed it’s funny how important things can fly under the radar.

Certainly when sitting down to write there is much to think about and consider.

For example, planning, writing, editing and polishing our autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

However, it is important to remember to write a dedication before printing.

So let’s take a look at what exactly is a book dedication, why it’s needed and how to craft one.

Continue reading Book dedication: How to do book dedications in 5 minutes

Ask Nicola Q&A: 4 tips to remember when turning a book into an ebook

Ask Nicola Q&A: 4 tips to remember when turning a book into an ebook. Woman in a blue denim skirt reads an ebook while relaxing in a rainbow-coloured hammock outside. Photo by Perfecto_Capucine from Pixabay

What life-story writers ought to know about creating a hyperlink, how to make a PDF + more!

G’day and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a life-story coach I’m asked many questions about planning, writing, polishing and publishing life stories for family and friends.

And in this Q&A series I explain how I help writers just like you who are sitting down to write an autobiography, biography, memoir or other life-story project!

So this edition answers the question:

How can I make an ebook? Is it as simple as saving my Microsoft Word manuscript as a PDF file format? What other things do I need to think about? 

Continue reading Ask Nicola Q&A: 4 tips to remember when turning a book into an ebook

Book launch: A toast to 8 book party tips to try

Book launch: A toast to 8 book party tips to try. Five balloons coloured yellow, green and pink, photographed against a cloudy blue sky. Photo by Padli Pradana from Pexels

Super book launch ideas + book launch party suggestions

What’s the next best thing after finishing your autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project?

Holding a book launch party to celebrate!

Certainly finishing a book is a momentous achievement and definitely deserves to be shared and enjoyed. 

Coronavirus has put a dampener on parties, as I recently found out firsthand with my grandmother’s book.

But a celebration of some description (while observing health restrictions) should definitely be entertained after all the time spent sitting down to write and navigating the planning, writing, polishing and planning phases.

So let’s get this party started with eight top book launch tips … 

Continue reading Book launch: A toast to 8 book party tips to try

Ask Nicola Q&A: Secrets to creating a super book back cover

Ask Nicola Q&A: Secrets to creating a super book back cover. Woman in a blue dress stands reading a book next to a lake as the sky turns pale pink at sunset. Photo by Ike louie Natividad from Pexels

How to come up with a book back cover design in 4 easy steps

Hi and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a writing coach I’m asked many questions about planning, writing, polishing and publishing life stories for family and friends.

And in this series I show how I help new writers just like you!

So this week’s Ask Nicola answers this question:

I’m nearly ready to publish my autobiography for family and friends! Do I need to design a book back cover? If so what do I need to keep in mind?

Continue reading Ask Nicola Q&A: Secrets to creating a super book back cover

Midyear 2020 highlights: Best of 2020 articles and writing tips for beginners

Midyear 2020 highlights: Best of 2020 articles and writing tips for beginners. Woman holds a green sticky note with a hand-drawn smile in front of her face. Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels

Best 2020 writing advice about writing challenges, a life in pictures, dialogue + publishing a 100yo’s autobiography!

Recently I took some time out from my writing projects.

Firstly, I needed to focus on the Forever Young Autobiographies podcast launch (check out the show here!). 

But also because 2020 has been one hell of a ride – I needed a break!

So as we hurtle into the back half of the year I thought it was time we re-energised our writing groove to keep working on our autobiographies, memoirs, biographies and other life-story projects.

Therefore to get you motivated I have gone back through this year’s articles for 2020 highlights.

So here are the best 2020 planning, writing, polishing and publishing posts you have been finding most popular and helpful …

Continue reading Midyear 2020 highlights: Best of 2020 articles and writing tips for beginners

New podcast! Why you should listen to audiobooks and podcasts today … you’ll be happy you did!

New podcast! Why you should listen to audiobooks and podcasts today ... you'll be happy you did! Smiling man wearing a suit and white headphones stands outside while listening to audio with his eyes closed. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Everything you need to know about why audiobooks and podcasts are great for writers

I’ve got some exciting news! 

The Forever Young Autobiographies podcast show is up and running.

You can check it out here!

New episodes are released weekly plus there is a HUGE back catalogue with 20+ shows on planning, writing, polishing and publishing life stories.

I’m a huge fan of listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

For instance, I ‘read’ most of the autobiography, memoir and biography books I review for the website via audiobook.

So to celebrate the launch of the FYA podcast, this week’s article is all about why you should listen to audiobooks and podcasts to improve your own writing.

Plus there is an audiobook competition at the end you will want to enter!

Continue reading New podcast! Why you should listen to audiobooks and podcasts today … you’ll be happy you did!