Hit the Books
The gift of the sidequest
Two years ago, Blurb hosted a photo walk and meetup in New York City. Before our walk began, a guy walked up holding a small publication and said, "Here, ...
Behind the Books
Why this Emmy-nominated photographer walked away from traditional publishing—twice
Marc Karzen has spent his career in rooms most photographers never get near. Born in Paris and raised between Louisville and Los Angeles, he came up as a magazine ...
Self-Publishing
How to get your self-published book into bookstores (and other retail spaces)
Imagine seeing your self-published book in the real world. A poetry collection face-out in an independent bookstore. A photo book stacked neatly in a museum shop. A novel featured ...
Behind the Books
How a startup’s content library became a breakout bestseller
Some of the strongest business decisions come from taking a fresh look at the content you already have. As Chief Creative Officer at SOFLETE, Jeff Perlstein helps lead a ...
Planning & Creating
11 custom coloring book ideas that are guaranteed to sell
Coloring books may remind you of childhood, but today they’re doing so much more. They’ve evolved into fun, versatile, and surprisingly powerful tools for small businesses, helping creators connect ...
Planning & Creating
How to make limited edition books your next big revenue stream
Limited edition books have a unique kind of pull. They signal exclusivity, and for brands and businesses of all shapes and sizes, that sense of scarcity is a powerful ...
Self-Publishing
How to find your niche: turning passion into a profitable book project
A strong niche cuts through the noise. When you know exactly who you’re creating for, your ideas land faster, your community grows stronger, and your work starts generating real ...
Ideas & Examples
24 zine ideas for DIY creators and self-publishers
Editor's note: This post was first published on July 15, 2022 and most recently updated on December 22, 2025.
Zines have always been a playground for creative expression—part art ...
Ideas & Examples
Eleven creative Wire-O notebook ideas to make and sell
If you’re the kind of creator who always keeps a notebook close, a Wire-O format might be your new favorite way to work. The sturdy double-loop binding lets pages ...
Behind the Books
Refueled: Behind the Magazine with Chris Brown
Chris Brown has never been one to follow the rules of publishing. When he launched Refueled Magazine nearly two decades ago, it wasn’t with mainstream templates or strict editorial ...
Ideas & Examples
50 unique book ideas to spark your next creative project
Editor's note: This article was originally published on August 31, 2018, and most recently updated on September 4, 2025.
Everyone has a story to tell. Yes, that means you, too!
Whether you’re ...
Behind the Books
Behind the Books: The creators behind Stories that Bind
For the past two decades, Blurb has been more than a self-publishing platform—it’s been a tool for photographers, designers, and storytellers to bring their visions into the world. From ...
Blurb
How print‑on‑demand technology revolutionized self‑expression
History likes loud turning points: Gutenberg setting metal type, Eastman packaging roll film, Jobs unveiling the first iPhone. But sometimes revolutions slip in quietly.
Print-on-demand (POD) was one of those. ...
Planning & Creating
The Just Start Challenge: How to make a book in just 7 days
You don’t need perfect photos. You don’t need the perfect idea. You don’t even need a full weekend. You just need a plan—and the decision to start.
If you’ve ever ...
Promoting & Marketing
The evolving creative: How self-publishing can help you pivot careers
In today’s rapidly changing world, we often find ourselves at significant crossroads. Whether it means contemplating a major career shift, navigating personal life transitions, or simply feeling the itch ...
Behind the Books
Iceland (Second Edition): Behind the Book with Greg Lehming
So often, we consider books as the culmination of a long process of creation, editing, design, and those final, perfecting touches. We get it: Making a book is not ...
Hit the Books
Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: How to Grow Without Losing Your Soul
Last weekend, I drove south to work on my ongoing New Mexico project. What project, you ask? Well, that’s a bit complicated.
The origins of this project date back to ...
Hit the Books
Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: Lessons from Antarctica—Simplifying for Success
A year ago, I was headed to Antarctica.
The trip became a reality when a photographer friend arranged for me to gain passage on a ship headed south. Before this ...
Behind the Books
Rising Waters: Behind the Book with Alice de Kruijs
This month, our focus is on creative sustainability. Sustainability, on its own, is often associated with environmentally conscious actions aimed at lowering waste and lessening our impact on the ...
Behind the Books
East to West: Around the World with The Raw Society
In 2016, Jorge Delgado-Ureña and Christelle Enquist co-founded The Raw Society. At first, the organization focused solely on offering on-location photography workshops. Over time, The Raw Society grew into ...
Hit the Books
Cultivating Creative Cross-Pollination with Dan Milnor
I was recently asked if I had any regrets in life. I thought to myself: Where do I begin? I mean, I do, but I try to focus on ...
Tips & Tricks
Collaborative books and publishing: How to blend creative disciplines for a unique final product
Back in ye olden days of publishing, a single book required the involvement of dozens of craftspeople. If the paper was meant to last, it had to be made ...
Promoting & Marketing
The power of books as marketing materials for small and large businesses
Like most businesses, you’re always on the lookout to stay connected with your audience in relevant ways. So you find yourself in a perpetual loop: Make another post. Check ...
Promoting & Marketing
How to transform existing creative projects into new revenue streams
Learn how to repurpose your book content into new revenue streams! Blurb provides creative business strategies to boost your self-published book sales.