This week, we’re calling out some of our favorite titles for fun summer reading. These books have all been produced by Inspira, and we are delighted to share them with you! There were so many to choose from; it was hard to pick—so please check out our portfolio for even more excellent choices from our own Inspira authors. Fiction or nonfiction, dystopian thriller or picture book, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

How to actually use beta readers, from selecting them to leveraging them for the best possible feedback.

A beta reader is a person who reads an unpublished manuscript with the intention to offer the author feedback. They aren’t editors, they aren’t critics—they’re just people who are willing to read your book and tell you what they think. For authors who want to get an idea of how their target audience will respond and whether their perceived trouble spots in the book “work” or not, beta reading is an indispensable part of the publishing process.

Rituals aren’t just hacks that let us get more done: they are habits we cultivate as writers. Rituals serve as signals that it’s time to write—and they can be anything. Showing up to our writing in consistent ways helps us become more consistent in our work.

When we at Inspira meet with authors about publishing their books, one of the first questions we ask them is: “Who is your target audience?” This is one of the most critical questions authors can ask themselves because the answer informs every aspect of the publishing process. From writing to editing to design to marketing, knowing your book’s target audience sharpens your focus and helps you get your book to the people who most need to read it.

It is an intoxicating dream: getting a message out to the world, impacting others with your storytelling, dazzling the masses with your expertise, maybe even becoming a bestselling author!

Here’s the thing: it doesn’t always work out that way. Becoming an author is a master class in releasing expectations and embracing the creative process with grace.

Taking a retreat from your regular writing practice is a great way to set yourself up for success in the coming year. It can look different for everyone: you don’t have to go to a cabin in the woods for a writer’s retreat—though it wouldn’t hurt! Simply setting aside a morning or afternoon with your phone off and the kettle on can be transformative. The point is to minimize distractions and clarify your writing goals so you can spring into the new year with clarity and motivation.