Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh

How I Wrote 10,000 Words in 14 Days (And How You Can Too)

When I first started writing fiction, hitting just 500 words felt impossible. I’d write, delete, rewrite, delete again, trapped in an endless cycle of frustration. But recently, I challenged myself: write 10,000 words in just 14 days—and actually finish something. Spoiler alert: It worked.

The trick? Small daily goals, a super-simple outlining method, and zero editing (at least at first). Turns out, messy writing beats no writing every single time. Curious how I did it? Keep reading—I’ll walk you through exactly how you can do it too.

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Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh

How to Choose the Perfect Book Cover (Even If You’re Not a Designer)

Your cover is your book’s first impression—and it can make or break a reader’s decision to click. In this side-by-side example, you’ll see the clear difference between a professionally designed cover that grabs attention and one that falls flat. From genre alignment to typography and clarity at thumbnail size, these details matter more than you think.

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Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh

How to Self-Edit Your Novel Like a Pro (Before Hiring an Editor)

You finished your first draft.
Take a deep breath.
Now comes the phase that separates dreamers from published authors: self-editing.

Editing your book can feel overwhelming, especially after pouring your heart onto the page. But self-editing is one of the most crucial steps in the writing and self-publishing process—and it can make the difference between a messy manuscript and a story that truly shines.

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Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh

How to Research and Brainstorm Your Book Idea: The First Step to Writing a Story That Lasts

Every finished novel starts the same way: with a flicker of an idea.

But turning that flicker into a fully developed story? That takes intention, inspiration, and a little bit of strategy.

Whether you’re a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in between, the research and brainstorming phase of writing a book is where the real magic begins. In this post, we’ll break down how to turn that “what if?” moment into a powerful foundation for your story—with examples, tools, affiliate resources, and helpful tips to guide you from blank page to story plan.

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