What is the priority of designing the world's best cover when so many are choosing to buy on line after they have already decided to purchase?

Hello everyone! As promised, here is the YouTube link for the Livestream of my book launch this Thursday, January 8, at 6:00pm Eastern Time US. I hope you can join. We have a fun show planned with a surprise guest. https://www.youtube.com/live/6s0Hq7gWzlE?si=8TED_wfuqBWBnSGH

As I close the chapter on 2025 and look ahead to 2026, I find myself pausing to reflect on all the blessings that have illuminated my authoring path this past year. From the stories I’ve been able to tell in my books to the conversations I’ve shared on podcasts heard around the world, to the comradery within this community, I have so much to be grateful for—and so much to look forward to. I’m especially excited to share some of my plans for 2026. I have two books currently ready for publication, and a third beginning to come into focus. I’m excited to present on webinars this year—one already lined up—and I will be returning to Author Nation and Reader Nation this November. Beyond these projects, I’m also refreshing my website, experimenting with video shorts, being a guest on several more podcasts, and exploring other new and exciting ideas. For a small taste of what’s coming, I’m sharing one of several “pairings” from my soon-to-be-published book, Grace and Love – Marriage Outtakes, Family Bloopers, and 50 Years of Heartwarming Moments. This project is very close to my heart, as I’ll be celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary in April. The book is built on small, everyday moments that still make me smile. Here’s one excerpt to give you a taste of Grace and Love together: Grace is living together long enough to accept that the thermostat war will never be won — only paused. It’s the lifelong battle of cooler versus warmer, fought season after season, decade after decade. Love is laughing about who touched it last, being empty nesters and knowing the answer before the question is even finished. It’s settling into a small nightly truce where the temperature is just right for sleep — fully aware the war will quietly resume with the morning light. Just imagine fifty moments like this. I want to thank you for your time, your generosity, and for welcoming me into your community. I’m grateful for the conversations we’ve shared, and I look forward to seeing what 2026 brings.

Hello everyone! 👋 I’m new to the community and excited to be here. I’m a children’s book author, and I joined to connect with fellow authors, exchange ideas, and grow together. I’d love to learn about what everyone here is working on. Looking forward to being part of this space!

I received a letter from Austin Macauley publishing, saying they like my work. Because I'm an unpublished author, they are offering me a hybrid package of paperback or hardcover/paperback, paperback/ebook, and all formats. The contract has first right of refusal on my next work, and repeatedly mention, I own the copyright, and that the copyright returns to me in two years' time. It all looks pretty good, but the reviews of this publisher say it is really a vanity press and they don't pay royalties, etc. What has your experience been with this publisher? What distinguishes hybrid from vanity press?