covers Archives - Forever Young Autobiographies

ISBN: What you should know about book ISBN numbers and ISBN registration

Ask Nicola Q&A: Do I need an ISBN number for a life story?

G’day 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 Q&A series my response aims to help new writers!

So this Ask Nicola edition begins with the question:

Do I need an ISBN to publish a life-story book for family and friends?

Terrific you are planning to sit down and record your memories for family, friends and future generations!

Next let me demystify ISBNs quickly and simply …

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

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?

Book covers: How to create a memorable cover design

What a print designer knows about front cover design and book cover layout

First published October 19, 2017: This article has been updated and improved.

It’s a funny thing but often the front page of a newspaper is the last page to be sent to the press.

Frequently it is left to the end, right before deadline, for breaking news.

But after working on thousands of page ones as a newspaper designer over the years, I know page one is prime real estate: it is the paper’s ‘shop window’.

The same can be said for your autobiography, memoir, biography or life story project.

A great book cover will intrigue and interest your readers to turn the page.

Here are three key points to keep in mind when you are designing your ‘page one’.

How to write a book title: Catchy headlines and good book titles

7 amazing secrets to writing book titles (PLUS catchy titles examples)

What are the first words your reader sees when they pick up your book?

The cover titles.

These headlines are short but powerful.

They entice and intrigue your reader to turn the page.

I have written thousands of headlines as a daily print newspaper print editor.

I know what sings and what falls flat.

Want to write no-stress, catchy headlines for an autobiography cover and chapters?

Keep reading for my favourite tips and tricks.