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Screenshot from Word for the article "How to prepare your manuscript".
Interior LayoutBook Design GuidesBlog

Book Design 101: How to prepare your manuscript to make your designer cry tears of joy

If you want to make your designer’s day, here’s a few simple rules on how you can prepare your manuscript before sending it off for formatting – four DO’s and three DON’Ts!

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Female hands holding an -ebook reader.
ResourcesBook Design GuidesBlog

EPUB accessibility 101 – and what does it mean for authors

How to make sure that your EPUB meets the accessibility criteria? And what does accessiblity even mean?

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A photo of multiple books opened on random pages.
Interior LayoutBook Design GuidesBlog

6 formatting mistakes that make your book (layout) look self-published

The goal of correctly formatting a book is giving your reader a comfortable reading experience… but sometimes, you’re faced with a choice of “what will make the reader the least uncomfortable”

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Photo showing an open book - a table of contents.
DesignInterior LayoutUncategorizedBook Design GuidesBlog

5 ways to make your novel’s layout unique

A short guide to make your novel’s layout fun, unique, and eye-catching - with decorations, drop caps and small caps, and other methods.

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Book Design GuidesBlog

Book Design 101: File Formats You Should Know as an Author

Self-publishing means dealing with A LOT of different files – in all possible formats. Here’s short guide to all the textual and visual file formats that you might find useful as an author.

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Book Design GuidesBlog

E-books 101: what they are and how they work

When publishing a book, you may find yourself facing a dilemma – should I publish a paper edition only, or should I also have an e-book? In the paragraphs below, you will find all the basic informat

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Get in touch!

marta@martadec.eu

Third personal artwork of 2026!!! Yes, I'm excited Third personal artwork of 2026!!! Yes, I'm excited. 😆 

I had this idea in my mind for a long time, and I finally had the time and energy to bring it to life. I have several dragon-related artworks started - for some reason it was a recurring theme in my sketches lately. 

We did just enter Mermay though, so expect a different creature next. :3 

#digitalartwork #digitalillustration #dragon

digital illustrator ~ book cover illustration ~ fantasy ~ fantasy artwork ~ medieval ~ knight ~ archer ~ bow ~ sunrise ~ stronghold ~ epic fantasy ~ digitalartist ~ book cover artist
"The Grassman Terror" by Leo Vaughn, a novella wit "The Grassman Terror" by Leo Vaughn, a novella with Big Foot in the background. 😎 Book cover design and illustration. 

The thing I learned while painting this: what are the proper pistol grips. Being an illustrator is always an educational experience. 😆 

#bookcoverdesign #bookcoverdesigner #bookcoverartwork

book cover artist ~ book cover illustrator ~ indie book ~ self-publishing ~ horror ~ urban fantasy ~ sasquatch ~ book cover art ~ book design ~ book designer
I used to do these every month last year...and the I used to do these every month last year...and then I stopped. So here's a personal and work-related wrap-up of this year so far.

Includes lots of cat pictures! 😺

#bookcoverdesigner #digitalartist #bookdesigner

kitty ~ black cat ~ new flat ~ book designer ~ book illustrator ~ painting ~ procreate ~ ipad artist ~ furnishing ~ memories