Winnifred Tataw's Blog

Book boxes are designed to keep books safe and stylish. Custom packaging plays an important role in protecting books from dust and damage while giving them a clean, professional look.

Whether you are shipping, gifting, or displaying books, the right book boxes can make a big difference. Let’s explore some of the best book packaging ideas that ensure protection, style, and creativity.

Slipcase Packaging

Slipcase packaging is a classic and stylish option for books. It’s a sturdy cover, open on one side, that allows the book to slide in and out easily.

Why it’s great:

Protects the book’s cover and edges from wear and tear.
Ideal for box sets, collector’s editions, or book series.
Offers a clean and premium display look.

Slipcases are often used for luxury book boxes because they can be made from rigid board or thick cardboard. They can be customized with premium finishes like foil stamping, embossing, or linen wrapping. They not only protect but also improve the book’s presentation, making it a favorite choice among publishers and collectors.

Clamshell Book Boxes

Clamshell boxes open like a hardback book. They consist of a tray on one side and a lid attached with a hinge on the other.

Why it’s great:

Provides complete protection from all sides.
Perfect for rare, signed, or limited-edition books.
Adds a luxury feel with a unique design.

Many custom boxes for book shipping use the clamshell style when safety and presentation both matter. The rigid material used keeps books from bending, while the magnetic or ribbon closure adds a smooth finish. These boxes are also great for gifts or premium sets.

Magnetic Closure Boxes

Magnetic closure boxes are stylish and secure, offering a premium unboxing experience. They come with a built-in magnet that keeps the box lid tightly closed.

Why it’s great:

Provides easy opening and closing.
Keeps books safe and secure during storage or gifting.
Looks elegant and high-end.

These are a popular choice for book-style boxes. The clean edges and smooth closure make them suitable for gifting novels, coffee table books, or art collections. You can also add printed graphics, soft-touch coatings, or gold foiling for a more premium look.

Bookend Boxes

Bookend boxes are a creative packaging style that serves both as protection and decor. They look like regular books when placed on a shelf, but actually work as boxes that open to reveal a product or a real book inside.

Why it’s great:

Doubles as decorative storage on shelves.
Offers a surprise unboxing experience.
Great for themed gifts, collector editions, and book clubs.

Packaging for book boxes like these is both useful and practical. Brands often use bookend-style boxes for gift sets, stationery kits, or even promotional campaigns. 

Mailer Boxes

Mailer boxes are among the most common for shipping, especially for online bookstores, publishers, and subscription services. They are made of corrugated cardboard and designed for easy assembly and secure closure.

Why it’s great:

Strong and lightweight for shipping.
Keeps books safe from bending or moisture.
Cost-effective and eco-friendly option.

Mailer boxes are ideal for single or multiple books. They can also be personalized with printing or branding for a more professional look. Many brands use these boxes to highlight their branding and ensure the product reaches customers safely.

Two-Piece Boxes

Two-piece boxes consist of a separate base and lid that fit together snugly. They are sturdy and versatile, offering a premium packaging option.

Why it’s great:

Simple, elegant, and easy to open.
Great for limited-edition or gift books.
Customizable in any size, color, and finish.

Two-piece boxes are often used for luxury packaging where presentation matters. The thick, rigid board makes the box sturdy, and you can add texture, foil, or a glossy print for a unique design. Whether you are packaging a single book or a set, this style gives a stylish look.

Drawer boxes

Drawer boxes, also called slide-out boxes, are another elegant choice for book style boxes. They feature a sliding tray that pulls out from a sleeve, similar to a drawer.

Why it’s great:

Offers an engaging unboxing experience.
Protects books completely from dust and impact.
Perfect for collectible or high-end books.

Many publishers use drawer boxes to pack collector’s editions or signed copies. They can also include custom inserts to keep the book secure and prevent movement inside. These boxes can be made from rigid or kraft material, depending on whether you want a luxury or sustainable design.

Conclusion

From mailer boxes for everyday shipping to luxury book boxes like slipcases, clamshells, and magnetic styles, each type offers something unique.

Choosing the right packaging depends on the book’s purpose, whether it’s for shipping, display, or gifting. With so many creative book packaging ideas, you can protect your books while giving them a professional and stylish touch. The right book boxes not only protect your books but also leave a lasting impression on readers and customers.

The post 7 Popular Book Packaging Ideas in 2025 first appeared on Win's Books.

One of the best things about reading fantasy is how every author reinvents magic to fit their story. Some make it logical and rule-based, while others keep it mysterious and wild. The way magic works can completely change how a story feels. So here are five common types of magic systems,

1. Hard Magic Systems

Hard magic systems work like science. They have strict rules, limits, and logic. You can usually explain how a spell works or why something is possible. These systems feel structured and often focus on clever problem solving. Hard magic makes fantasy worlds feel believable and strategic. It gives readers the thrill of understanding how magic works.

2. Soft Magic Systems

Soft magic is the opposite. No one really knows how it works. it feels ancient, spiritual, or chaotic. These systems aren’t meant to be explained; they’re meant to inspire wonder. Soft magic keeps the sense of mystery alive. It’s not about logic, it’s about awe, fear, and the unknown.

3. Elemental Magic

This kind of magic draws power from nature, elements, seasons, or even the land’s spirit. It often reflects balance, respect, and harmony. Elemental magic feels ancient and spiritual. It reminds us that power often comes from harmony, not control.

4. Hybrid Magic Systems

Hybrid systems mix hard and soft magic together. There are clear mechanics, but still hidden depths. You know some rules, but not all. It’s similar to real-world science. Hybrid systems give readers both structure and wonder, a mix of explanation and enchantment.

5. Sacrifice Magic

Some magic systems focus on cost. To use magic, someone has to give something up. Either an object, a life, memories, or even morality. This type of magic often explores the dark side of power, Magic with a price feels intense and dark. It makes every spell a moral choice and every victory bittersweet.

There’s no single “right” way to design a magic system. Some authors want their worlds to feel like puzzles or dreams. Whether it’s built on logic, mystery, or sacrifice, a good magic system doesn’t just power the story… it defines it.

Live. Love. Laugh.

The post Different Types of Magic Systems Found In Fantasy Books first appeared on Win's Books.

If you enjoy discovering new reads and connecting with fellow book lovers, the online book community is a never-ending goldmine of creativity and insight. from personal reflections to professional reviews, here are 5 book blogs you should follow to enrich your reading journey.

1. Winnie Tataw’s Blog

Winnie Tataw’s blog is a must follow for anyone who enjoys reading fantasy, young adult fiction and world building. As the author of The Gods’ Scion series, Tataw blends personal writing advice with creative inspiration. Whether you’re an aspiring author or simply a fan of strong storytelling, her blog offers a unique and uplifting perspective.

2. Modern Mrs. Darcy

Run by Anne Bogel, this blog is a staple in the reading community. From thoughtful book recommendations to reflections on reading habits, Morden Mrs. Darcy perfectly combines lifestyle and literature.

3. Nicki’s Book Blog

Nicki’s book blog is warm, funny, and brutally honest. She doesn’t just review books; she describes how they feel and how they made her feel. Her posts make you want to curl up with a blanket and get lost in the true meaning of how a story feels.

4. The Literary Edit

For readers who adore classic and contemporary literature, The Literary Edit offers elegant reviews and curated reading lists. The blog’s tone feels like sitting down with a well-read friend who always knows what book you should start next.

5. The Bookish Elf

If you’re looking for diverse recommendations across genres, from thrills to romance, The Bookish Elf is a wonderful resource. Their book lists and author interviews are always fresh and engaging.

Following book blogs like these connects you to a larger community of readers, writers, and dreamers. You’ll discover new voices, support authors, and find books that challenge and inspire you.

Live. Love. Laugh.

The post Five Book Blogs You Should Follow and Interact With first appeared on Win's Books.

Hello everyone! Welcome to another author spotlight! These will be posts where I discuss and showcase, predominantly women and people of color, their writing talents and published works. So without further ado let’s get on with the Author Spotlight!

Meet the Author!

Candice Lola is a fiction writer and essayist based in New York City. She is a graduate student in NYU’s Experimental Humanities program, focusing on Creative Writing and Human Rights. She is also closet gothic fantasy fan, a sommelier of cheap wines, a burner of fine foods, and a fan girl of all things geeky.  Her stories are heavily allegorical representations of her sociopolitical musings and fever dreams.

Candice Lola has published work with Indigo & Midnight, The Huffington Post, Medium, In The Words of Womyn (ITWOW) Journal, and other literary publications.

How did your writing journey start?

The answer to this is so complicated for writers, so often we’ve had false start after false start before we realized that we cannot survive without taking our writing seriously. My story isn’t much different, I got a tiny poem published at 7, wrote secret stories on blogging website under a fake name when I was 17, and then ran from writing until I was 27, where I realized that if I didn’t take my writing seriously, I would regret it for the rest of my life.

What initially inspired you to create Women of Glass and Other Parables , and what did you want this collection to say about womanhood and resilience?

Many of the stories in this collection started out as practice and exercises almost ten years ago. I had applied to NYU and got waitlisted, and then rejected. I dropped my hours at work and started practicing nearly every day, trying to get looser and closer to my actual writing voice. Women of Glass is a manifestation of my true voice, which honestly was fucking terrifying in the beginning. I didn’t mean to write horror, I didn’t mean to add violence or magic or anything of the sort. When I didn’t censor myself, this is what I wrote, and I grew to accept it. 

So much of womanhood is about shame. We are relegated to a narrow existence that demands we dress up or cut off our “ugly” parts. Women of Glass is what happened when I gave my shadow self the pen. I want it to inspire more women to make friends with the dark, with the power, with themselves. That is the secret to resilience, I’ve noticed; knowing which parts of you are actually you, and which parts someone added on, which parts you can discard, and which part you absolutely must guard with your life. 

How did you come up with the characters in these stories, and do any of them reflect your own experiences, beliefs, or emotions?

The characters arose after many edits, after many editors returned my work to me confused as to what I was trying to do. I realized that I needed to give my reader some sort of vehicle, a point of view to anchor to, and so I forced myself to settle down and write characters. They are all versions of myself, I think, I haven’t decided yet. So many of them are named after people I grew up with, people I admire, or just names that I think are beautiful. There is only one story that is very loosely based on a true story though, Flytrap. My mother was an amazing storyteller. She told me about the demon fly while I was braiding her hair for my sister’s wedding.

Each story in the collection feels layered with symbolism and emotion. How did you balance realism with the mystical and spiritual themes woven throughout?

This is a tough question for me because I believe it happens intuitively. People in my family love to speak in riddles; my mother was a grand storyteller and my father is a pastor. We love us a good idiom or metaphor. Symbolism at times has felt like the only safe way to describe what I’m experiencing, what I’m thinking.

Which story or character in Women of Glass and Other Parables was the most difficult or rewarding for you to write?

LaQuonda from Of God and Wonders is my absolute favorite, hands down. Her story is an examination of religion, specifically how I have experienced religion as a young, curious girl. Writing her symbolism took a lot out of me, partially because this was one of the first stories I completed for the collection, and partially because the frustration from that time of my life threatened to shut down that story completely.

The collection centers deeply on the Black feminine experience. What did you want readers, especially Black women, to take away from these stories?

I want Black women, firstly, to feel beautiful when they read this collection. I had the most fun coming up with ways to describe Black beauty; dark skin that reflects in blue and pink, cotton hair that rises into a halo, dark color that pours over the skin like honey. I took my cues for that from Toni Morrison specifically, it was so clear how beautiful she believed Black people were. 

I want every woman that reads this to look their shadow self in the face. I want them to fight through their fear and make peace with it. I want them to question everything unsatisfying and painful and out loud, interrogate why you are tolerating that. Don’t hide your anger. Question it. Investigate it. Let it OUT. Understand that you are big enough, powerful enough, to shape the world into what you want; in fact that is your call.

The worlds you build often blend pain, divinity, and transformation. What message do you hope readers carry with them after finishing the book?

Every bit of you is there for a reason.

So…what are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on a novel that I believe will be an extension of one of the stories in Women of Glass. It’s been interesting focusing on such a big project. I’m having a good time. Other than that I’m just trying to get enough sleep, to be honest. It’s my favorite hobby.

Candice was fun to interview and work with! She is such a unique writer and person! If you want to get in contact or connect with Candice you can follow her on:

FacebookTwitterInstagramHer blog

Thank you all for reading and remember:

Live. Love. Laugh.

The post Author Spotlight: Candice Lola first appeared on Win's Books.

As autumn deepens and shadows stretch earlier each evening, there’s nothing like a good horror read to keep you company in the dark. These five young adult horror stories not only deliver chills down your spine but also brings in voices too often under-represented.

1. She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran (2023)

Tran, a Vietnamese American queer author, pens a beautifully unsettling ghost story. In this book, Jade Nguyen returns to her father’s ancestral home in Vietnam and begins to experience haunting and folklore tied to her family’s past. 

2. There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer (2024)

A contemporary slasher-horror twist: Noelle, a horror-movie buff, invites friends over for a Halloween party. But when the Halloween “fun” goes off roads, she’ll have to use everything she knows about horror tropes to survive. 

3. The Dark Place by Britney S. Lewis (2023)

A tense horror novel by a Black author. After Hylee is somehow pulled back in time to a night tied to her brother’s disappearance, she must untangle what’s real, what’s supernatural, and what’s linked to her own past. 

4. Compound Fracture by Andrew Jospeh White (2024)

This novel mixes supernatural horror with socio-political tension. It follows Miles, a trans, autistic teen caught in a feud with a corrupt sheriff, who becomes haunted by a ghostly relative. 

5. They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran (2025)

This novel is also by Tran, this one is a newer release. It ventures into ecological horror and body horror, centering around mutated wildlife and secrets under rising waters. 

These stories prove that horror is more than scares, it’s about the voices that haunt, challenge, and redefine the genre. This fall, let these authors remind you that fear can be beautifully diverse.

The post Spooky Stories Week: 5 horror fiction books for young adults first appeared on Win's Books.

The Beginning to a New World

Fantasy maps are more than just pretty drawings. They’re blueprints of imaginary worlds, tools used for storytelling, and sparks of inspiration. Whether you’re building a world for a novel, D&D campaign, or just for your own personal fun, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own fantasy map.

1. Start with a Concept and Rough Outline

Decide the big picture. Will your world be a single continent, a chain of islands, a floating realm, or an underground world. Sketch rough coastlines, shapes, and ideas.

2. Define Geography

It’s up to you but adding mountains, rivers, and forest add a more realistic and descriptive feel to the map. Just remember rivers flow downhill, mountains form ranges, and deserts often sit behind mountains where rainfall is blocked.

3. Illustrate Key Features

You don’t have to be an artist but the more detail you put into your map the better you can visualize your land. Ditch the triangles for mountains and draw actual mountain icons. Add some trees or even a cliff edge. This adds character and helps the map “read” at a glance.

4. Shade Land and Water

Depth and texture bring maps to life. Darken coastlines, add wave lines, or shade in the mountain slops. Oceans, lakes, and rivers look more dramatic with gradient shading.

5. Add a Compass

A compass rose turn a sketch into a finished map. This element makes it feel authentic, which in returns gives players and readers orientation.

6. Label Cities and Regions

Pick out a name for your mountains, forests, oceans, rivers, lakes, and towns. If you’d like you can use curved text along the bodies of water, larger texted font for regions, and a smaller texted font for villages. Hand lettered styled fonts add flair to the map.

7. Apply Texture and Final Touches

To give your map an aged or magical feel, create stains, use colored paper, and add parchment textures. Most people use brown paper for their map, but this isn’t mandatory. The color of your map depends on the vibe of your magical world.

Worldbuilding and map building is process. Step back and check your geography for logic and flow. Share your ideas with others, play around with the names, and redraw the areas until it feels right to you. It’s not about perfection it’s about imagination and the thought put into it.

Live. Love. Laugh.

The post The Art of Fantasy Map Making first appeared on Win's Books.

Fantasy thrives when it draws from many voices, and Latine/x Hispanic indie authors are bringing incredible magic, culture, and imagination to the genre. From myth-inspired stories to spiritual journeys, these stories expand what fantasy can look like. If you’re ready to explore new worlds and support indie talent, here are five Latine/x Hispanic fantasy books you won’t want to miss.

Weekly Weavers : 5 Latine/x Hispanic Indie Fantasy Books to check out Angles Before Man by Rafael Nicolás

This queer retelling of Lucifer’s fall reimagines Heaven as a place of forbidden love, jealousy, and rebellion. Nicolás brings theology to life with bold, poetic writing that challenges tradition. It’s indie fantasy at its most daring.

2. Cradle of Sea & Soil by Bernie Anés Paz

Set in a Carribean inspired world, this story follows a mother and son who struggle with exile and prejudice. Half born outcasts, they face corrupt magic that threatens their land. It’s a powerful blend of Taíno roots and an epic fantasy adventure.

3. Bending Our Reality by Viviana Escobar

Escobar combines memoir, spirituality, and speculative elements in this indie guide to transformation. Breathwork, poetry, and imagination merge to create a magical framework for self-discovery. It’s a mix between fantasy and a spiritual journey.

4. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta

This YA fantasy is inspired by Indigenous and Latinx culture, set in a lush, dream-colored world. Indir is born into a lineage of Dreamers who see beyond the veil of reality, but when the king dies, a dangerous new ruler threatens to erase their power. It’s beautiful, urgent, and full of magic that feels both ancient and alive.

5. The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

Inspired by Venezuelan folklore, this dark fantasy follows two young women caught between magic, colonial legacies, and deadly bargains with gods. Lush worldbuilding and morally complex characters make it both enchanting and brutal. It’s perfect for readers who want Latin American myth woven into epic fantasy.

Indie books give space for creativity to flourish by letting authors weave folklore, identity, and imagination without limits. These five picks are only the start of a whole collection of Latine/x Hispanic fantasy waiting to be discovered.

Live. Love. Laugh.

The post Five Captivating Latine/x Hispanic Indie Fantasy Books You’ll Love first appeared on Win's Books.

A Pathway to Unlocking Creativity

Mystical writing is more than putting words on paper, it’s the art of opening yourself up to wonder, weaving imagery that feels alive, and channeling stories as if they come from someplace beyond. It’s the kind of writing that glows like candlelight and leaves readers with a sense of magic.

But how do you step into this magical, enchanted way of writing?

Step One: Set The Mood

Begin with intention. Light a candle, play soft music in the background, or sit quietly and breathe until you feel your mind soften. Any piece of writing, no matter the genre thrives when the mood is set just right. It tells your heart and mind that you are entering a sacred space of creativity.

Step Two: Let Symbols Speak

Mystical writing is rich with metaphors and imagery. Instead of simply describing, allow your words to shimmer with layers of meaning. This opens the door to a deeper, timeless resonance in your work and helps the reader to picture the scene, feeling, or character for themselves.

Step Three: Follow The Flow

Mystical writing is not about control or perfection; it’s about trust and confidence. Let the words flow without judgment and resistance. Often, you’ll discover messages, themes, or insights that feel like gifts from your own subconscious When writers trust in their work, it shows.

If you’re longing to explore this magical practice, here are three enchanted pathways you can take to either begin your journey or to sharpen it.

Mystical writing Classes: Through Win’s Books Publishing, author and publisher Winnifred Tataw hosts workshops like “Writing Workshop: Planning Out Your Story.” These guided sessions blend creative writing techniques with intentional practices to help you unlock intuition, deepen creativity, and bring enchantment into your storytelling.

The Writing Fae: Discover The Writing Fae, a magical work by Winnifred Tataw and a few others. The Writing Fae is the perfect place to engage in poetry competitions. It also offers story seeds, prompts, and inspiration to help your words sparkle with wonder, while also gently guiding your imagination into enchanted directions.

Mystic Writers Membership: This membership site was created by Winnifred Tataw. Each month, members receive exclusive prompts, rituals and opportunities to write in circle with others. Together, the community honors writing as both an art and an opportunity to share their work with each other.

Mystical writing isn’t just something you do it’s a doorway you step through. With every word you can create spells of stories, poems of light, and prose that glimmers with mystery, all you have to do is begin.

Live. Love. Laugh.

The post How You Can Do Mystical Writing? first appeared on Win's Books.

If you’re a book lover, you know the magic of finding spaces that not only fuel your reading habit but also uplift voices. Black-owned bookish businesses are doing just that! They’re creating safe, inspiring spaces for readers while celebrating stories that reflect the diversity of the Black experience.

From nationally known shops to a local gem right here in South Carolina, here are a few businesses worth adding to your must-support list.

MahoganyBooks located in Washington, D.C. Specializes in titles written by, for, and about the African diaspora. MahoganyBooks has built a vibrant community around the powers of Black literature, and they also host in-person and online events that always brings readers together.

The Lit. Bar located in Bronx, NYC, is the only Indie bookstore that doubles as a wine bar in The Bronx. The Lit. Bar is a cultural hub that combines books, community, tasty drinks, and celebration into one cozy package.

Black Garnet Books located in St. Paul, MN, highlights Black authors and writers of color with a diverse and inclusive selection. What started online has now grown into a beloved community space that host events, discussions, and gatherings centered on storytelling.

Last but not least, South Carolina’s only Black woman-owned bookstore, Turning Page is more than just a place to purchases books, it’s what some may call a true community hub. Located in Goose Creek, SC, Turning Page has shelves full of diverse titles, host author events, and is even working on launching a book-mobile to bring literature to more neighborhoods across the state.

When you support these businesses, you’re doing more than buying a book, you’re helping to sustain spaces that amplify representation, community, and culture. So next time you’re looking for a new read, a bookish gift, or even a place to gather with fellow readers, consider checking out one of these Black-owned bookish business.

Live. Love. Laugh.

The post Bookish Black-Owned Businesses You Should Check Out and Support! first appeared on Win's Books.

Welcome to another Book Spotlight, where we celebrate love through literature with our feature of Question of Affection!

Book Cover (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Book Blurb:

Ian has always kept her life in order. Her career as a pharmacist, her independence, and her carefully guarded heart. After a disappointing heartbreak, she’s stopped expecting love to surprise her. But a chance encounter with a guy named Wyatt at a speed-dating event, stirs a spark she thought was gone.

Just as Ian begins to hope again, an unexpected connection with her new female neighbor shakes everything she believed about herself and what she wants. Tender, daring, and unapologetically honest, Question of Affection is a story about self-discovery, the courage to follow your heart, and the beauty of love in all its forms.

Price:

$16.99 (paperback)

Book Buyer Link:

Question of Affection Paperback — Win’s Books Publishing

Genre:

LGBTQ+ and Romance

More about the book:

Question of Affection is more than a romance, it’s a journey of identity, healing, and unexpected turns of the heart. Through Ian’s story, readers are invited to explore how love can arrive in surprising forms and how embracing vulnerability can lead to the most powerful connections.

About the Author:

Tia Lashay

Whether processing teenage or adulthood emotions, she finds solace in writing poetry, journaling, and creating short stories. A manuscript that she began over 10+ years ago has rarely been shared, as she typically keeps her writings private. Like many adults, Tia has followed the philosophy of sticking to her 9-5 job and keeping her creative pursuits private and unprofitable. However, after meeting a WBP owner, Winnifred Tataw, at a poetry event, Tia found the encouragement she needed to put her private passions on display!

author link

Live. Love. Laugh.

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The post Book Spotlight: Question of Affection! first appeared on Win's Books.