Table Of Contents
1Can Self-Publishing Make Your Book a Reality?
?Appendix
1.
Can Self Publishing Make Your Book a Reality?
They say everyone has a book in them.
As it happens, the publishing industry is in the middle of a huge transition.
But what is self publishing?
What is interesting is that the self-published title also relies on promotion a lot of it.
1.3 Options for Self-Publishing
Dont be put off by this.
There are a few things that you still need to know.
Similarly, unless youre also an artist, you will need assistance with the cover of your book.
Sure, these are all expenses, but theyre also one-off outlays.
Note, however, that there are options for those of you on limited budgets.
Finally, there is the actual task of publishing.
1.4 What Types of Book Can You Self-Publish for Riches?
1.5 Is Self-Publishing Really the Answer?
With a clear outcome defined, you’ve got the option to then plan more effectively.
1.6 So, What Do You Want from Self Publishing?
If youre hoping to make a lot of money from self publishing, however, think again.
This isnt a project that will deliver riches instant or otherwise.
The reason is simple.
Understanding which format to choose will affect the way in which you lay out your book.
Knowing this in advance can save a lot of time later on.
you might avoid some of this by starting with a compatible layout and format in mind.
See Chapter 4: Self-Publishing in Print, and Chapter 5: Digital Self-Publishing, for more.
Then and only then should you consider proofing and editing the book.
There are several ways it’s possible for you to do this.
3.1 Proof Reading On Your Own
Although difficult, it is possible to proofread your own work.
The reason for this is that proofing work that you are familiar with can be extremely difficult.
Many of the tips above can be used in conjunction with the following suggestions.
There are several ways in which you might do this.
Their advice comes from years of experience, and should prove extremely valuable.
Self-Publishing in Print
There are two basic options for self publishing print and electronic publishing.
Well take a look at publishing eBooks in the next chapter.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Youll be able to find them by running a web search.
On the whole, printers come with one of two different types of website.
The first will be a basic contact site, with a few details about different printing packages and prices.
Note that the vast majority of printers will require payment up front.
You should also be aware that the amount they quote will affect how you price your book.
Pull a book off your shelf and flip it over.
Although useful, ISBN numbers are expensive.
There is further information about ISBNs in the Appendix.
This alone can prove an extremely attractive proposition.
For instance, page counts are based on the way in which the book is bound.
There are different ways to achieve this.
You cannot afford to let a bit of public domain artwork from Wikimedia Commons decorate your book.
Spend time looking for a good artist or graphic designer on websites such aswww.peopleperhour.com.
Once youre happy with the proof copy, you will need to sign-off on the transaction.
If you choose the former, you should see the book listed for sale later that day.
Thats when the real work begins.
Digital Self-Publishing
Several digital platforms and marketplaces are available for self publishing.
5.1 Kindle
Perhaps the most famous eBook platform is Kindle.
This is so that the book will remain compatible with older Kindle models.
Kindle Direct Publishing is free, and pays authors monthly.
KDP Select offers a share of a $6 million fund to independent authors and publishers.
(Amazon also offers the Kindle Select library lending service for Amazon Prime customers.
However, unless you are hugely successful, youre unlikely to make any significant income.
But there is a shortcoming…
In addition, Bookbaby also requires an initial $99 sign-up fee and a further $19 annual subscription.
Lulu also offers an editing, formatting, cover design and marketing service for a premium, of course.
For further information on marketing, see Chapter 7: Launch Your Book.
5.6 Which eBook Service Should You Use?
You might even find that they would like you to do a signing something that always attracts customers.
Well discuss this in more detail in Chapter 7.
If you dont have a local bookshop, think about the content and topic of your book.
Will it appeal to a particular group of people?
Might there be interest from specialist stores in your area?
What better way to do this than via Amazon, the worlds biggest library of books for sale?
Selling a printed book through Amazon is not easy without an ISBN number.
Of course, if you have already opted for the bulk-printing option, this could prove frustrating.
So what is the best course of action?
It is an option worth considering.
However, it isnt the only answer, as youll find out later in this guide.
However, there are two good alternatives.
First, list your book on eBay, where it is likely to be seen regularly.
The second alternative is to sell your book through your blog or website.
This payment is called a royalty, and is a different figure depending on which service you have chosen.
Different media types attract different royalty rates, however.
Additionally, there have been complaints about censorship, and many authors have experienced problems submitting books.
But how does this compare with print self publishing?
As far as Print on Demand books are concerned, the game is a little different.
As such you should be prepared to take a lower percentage of the sale price.
To do this, you will need a promotion strategy.
Different authors take different approaches, largely based on what theyre comfortable doing.
However I would argue that pushing against these comfort zones is a good way to find even more readers.
And what could be better than chatting to people who pay you for something you have created?
8.1 Promoting Your Book
Launching your book can either go well or go badly.
Ideally you should start the blog early in the writing process.
Various blog software packages are available.
These are both simple to set up and require no expert technical knowledge.
I dont think there is a successful author around today who doesnt have a Facebook or Twitter account.
With Twitter, all you will need to do is create an account with an appropriate name.
Some writers do this in their own name or in the name of their book.
Services such as Twuffer.com enable you to schedule Tweets, which might prove useful.
Engaging with potential readers on Twitter and Facebook is important, as is striking up a conversation.
Twitter is perhaps more suited to this, with Facebook a good standby or alternative to a blog.
Use Twitters search tools to find people interested in the topics youre writing about, and follow them.
Only broach this when they respond to your book-centric tweets.
Book buyers are a strange breed.
Theyre not all on Facebook, theyre not all on Twitter.
It can also be used to publicize any events that you have coming up.
Local authors are in high demand in independent bookshops, as well as in many larger chains.
8.2 Putting it Together for a Successful Book Launch.
Used individually, these concepts should see you build an audience and sell books.
This might require some coordination, but it certainly shouldnt be difficult to achieve with careful planning.
Managing Distribution
With your book now available to buy, you will need to make distribution easy.
you might effectively sit back and watch the dollars roll in, while actively promoting the book.
Things are a little different if you have ordered printed copies of your book in bulk, however.
for deal with this effectively, you should begin by purchasing the most effective packaging for your book format.
Similar boxes are available to buy in bulk at stores such as Staples or online at eBay.
After ordering and receiving these, wrap your book up in one and head to your local post office.
9.2 Organizing Your Manuscripts for Different eBook Marketplaces
Distribution for eBooks is another matter entirely.
But dont think there is nothing for you to do here.
One of the key differences between different versions of the same manuscript will be the first page.
Here you will include the name of the printers, for instance.
Push on with promotion, launch your book and be successful.
APPENDIX
What Is an ISBN?
Every edition and print run of every book has its own ISBN for identification purposes.
Not all books have an ISBN.
While this is advantageous, it isnt ideal.
As ISBN numbers are persistent and unique, this will be the case for as long as records exist.
you’ve got the option to do this atwww.bowker.comin the USA orwww.isbn.nielsenbook.co.ukin the UK.
Note that although single ISBNs are expensive, buying in bulk brings the price down considerably.
Guide Published: June 2013
