Q: Whenever you’re at a dinner, wedding, or any other social event, do your best to engage in conversation with a variety of people present at the event. Even if you’re shy, try to introduce yourself to 1 or 2 new people. This will help you build self-confidence and let other people know that you are gracious and interested in meeting new people.  Avoid looking at your phone as much as possible, as this will send the message that you’re bored and have something more important to do. Ask people questions about themselves to make them feel like you’re genuinely interested in getting to know them. While it’s fine to enjoy a glass of wine or two, make sure that you don’t allow yourself to be overserved at social events. The more you drink, the more difficult it will be for you to act like the proper young lady you are. It’s perfectly acceptable to decline additional drinks if you start to feel like your abilities are impaired. If you feel like you’ve had a bit too much to drink, make sure that you eat plenty of food and drink plenty of water, or politely excuse yourself and leave. To be a proper young lady, it’s essential that you learn and use some of the basics of proper table etiquette. While some elements of proper behavior change over time, having good table manners is always an important way to show that you are polite and respectful. Here are a few of the basics of table etiquette you should use:  Always place your napkin in your lap when you sit down at the table. Wait until everyone at the table has been served before you start eating. Pass food trays and dishes to your right when being served family-style. Never talk with food in your mouth. Instead, chew and swallow all your food before speaking at the table. Whether you’re attending a large party or small dinner party, avoid showing up empty-handed whenever possible. Even if you only bring a side dish or a small plant, offering something to the host or hostess will let them know how much you appreciate the invitation. If you’re going to be a guest in someone’s home for a holiday or other celebratory event, consider bringing a gift that is on-theme. For example, if you’re going to a Christmas dinner, you could bring a festive ornament or poinsettia plant. If you don’t like something that’s being served, you don’t need to announce it to the host or hostess or any other guests. Instead, just politely decline and pass the dish to the next guest. If someone asks you if you want something specifically that you don’t eat, you can respond politely by saying, “No thank you, but it looks lovely!” While it’s important that you express your views on important subjects, there is a time and a place for such conversations. Arguing with another guest at a dinner party about politics, for example, can be unproductive and rude. Instead, try to stick to positive, pleasant topics when you’re at a social event. If someone says something that you disagree with or find offensive, you can always approach them later in private without making a scene at a party or at the dinner table. When you attend a social event, make sure that you find the host or hostess before the end of the event to both thank them and pay them a compliment. They likely put a lot of effort into making their home or other event space welcoming and beautiful, and it will mean a lot to them if you acknowledge that. For example, if it’s your first time visiting someone’s house, try saying to them, “I absolutely love your home. I feel so welcome here.” That way, you’ll be able to compliment both their décor sense and their hospitality. Being polite and helpful are two of the most important elements of being a proper young lady. While the host or hostess will likely decline, they’ll surely appreciate your gracious offer to help clean up. By showing your appreciation and willingness to help, they and other guests will be more likely to want to invite you to functions in the future.
A: Engage in conversation with other people at social events. Avoid drinking too much at social functions. Use proper table manners when you eat in public. Bring a dish or gift when you are a guest in someone’s home. Keep your food and eating preferences to yourself at the table. Avoid bickering about important issues in lighthearted social settings. Compliment the host or hostess’s home or decorating skills. Offer to help clean up when you’re a guest at a dinner party.

Q: Reread your final manuscript with your working title in mind. Does it still fit? Strive for a final title that is concise and compelling. A title should sum up the message of your book in a way that piques interest but is not excessively mysterious. Include the title in a larger font on the cover of the book.  Google your prospective title to make sure it isn’t already taken. Sharpen your title idea by using precise nouns and active verbs. “Sadness beside the Tree” is less compelling than “Longing under the Maple.” Keep key plot points or spoilers a secret with your title. If there is a subheading to your title, put it below the title in a smaller font. The exact point size of each will depend upon the look you’re going for and the physical size of the book. Seek out at examples at your local bookstore to get inspiration. If you’ll be hiring a graphic designer to create your cover, simply write down your final title name. You designer will incorporate your title into your design. Add your byline, meaning “by Your Name,” on the cover of your self-published book underneath the title in a smaller font. If you want to write the book under a pseudonym or pen name, include that name in the byline instead of your own. . Write a brief teaser for your book that supplies key information, such as the main characters, a sneak peek at the plot, and the setting, as well as a hint at how these themes unite together. It should be concise (not longer than a paragraph) and written from a third person perspective. Seek out books in your genre to note what fonts, images, and colors are popular right now. Bring a notepad, so you can write down any ideas you get as you look. Strive for the same feel of best-selling books in your genre to make the most impact.  Bring a camera to take photos of any covers that inspire you. Pay attention to color combinations and images that grab your attention. Your potential readers will likely feel the same way. The art director of the New York Times Book Review selects the best covers from each year’s crop of books. Review this list for a professional’s opinion of the most compelling recent designs for different genres: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/books/review/book-covers.html Refrain from being too literal or expository in your cover design. Including too many images can be busy and confusing, or worse, look boring and outdated.  For example, if your self-published book is about polygamy, rather than having a cover with many brides, a stressed-looking groom, and lots of children, opt for a cover with multiple wedding bands on a finger to sum up the idea. If your self-published book is about balancing children and work, a pacifier sitting on a calculator could be an effective symbolic representation. Everyone remembers those cheesy murder-mystery covers: A detective behind a door with a flashlight, inset images of the villain, a secret trunk, and other mystery paraphernalia. Steer clear of that cluttered look!
A:
Refine your working title into a final one. Include your name. Include a synopsis on the back Browse covers at your local bookstore for cover art ideas. Go for a symbolic approach when selecting cover images for your book.