10 Secret Traits of a Successful Self-Publisher by the Red Hen

Creating a Self-Publishing business is not for everyone, only those who:

• are unshakable in their conviction that their book must be published–that the world needs it
• are undeterred by rejections from traditional agents and publishers
• are intelligent enough, and with enough moxie to promote their book themselves, and by themselves if necessary
• have, or can get together the funds for the art, editing, and printing of the book, and
• will not settle for a second rate product that demeans them, and tarnishes the reputation of self-publishers everywhere
• understand that writing the book was the easy part, selling it takes major time commitments
• are tenacious as a pit bull
• know that they will earn more money by keeping the profits on each sale
• are smart enough to set aside funds for future reprints of the book
• are determined to operate their businesses in wise and irreproachable manner

I was tempted to elaborate on each of these ten points, but I think they stand on their own. Those who would be self-publishers must know that they are starting a business. Just like any other business endeavor, they must create a business plan, a marketing plan, and make plans for distribution.

The traditional publishing industry laughs at self-publishers because most will sell 100 books or less. They think that it proves self-published books are inferior. I don’t share that point of view. Sales figures reveal nothing about the quality of the writing, or the thinking behind it. I read a lot, and I’ve read many traditionally published books that were a waste of paper and ink, but they got through the system because they would sell. Publishing is still a business even at the loftiest and most snobby levels. A book that won’t sell is of no value to them, and is valueless to a self-publisher as well.

Vanity publishing is a different thing altogether

Some books are a vanity effort never meant for mass distribution. I’m not speaking of those. Authors who are writing for their friends and families are not obligated to the rules of business. Their reward is not profit driven and I honestly praise them and wish them well. “They’s good people,” as grandma would say.

Forty Thousand Dollars and nothing to show for it

I do feel bad for an author who puts all of her hopes and dreams into a book and believes that the world will beat a path to her door. It won’t.

I also feel bad for aspiring authors who are so book hungry that they are ready to believe any snake oil salesman that comes along. This past year I was introduced to a woman who had spent over $40,000.00 with an Internet firm who promised her the moon. $40 grand later not one copy of the book was printed. She was referred to a friend of mine who helped her with the editing, page layouts, and cover design. Then they came to me for the printing. For about one-quarter of the cost she now has a garage full of books that would proudly sit on any bookstore shelves alongside traditionally published volumes. Is she happy? You bet she is.

A new business is like a new baby

I keep pounding this drum, but The Red Hen Association of Self-Publishing Authors is being created so that we can steer each other toward reputable services, and away from the disreputable. The association is determined to provide educational opportunities for authors to learn everything they need to know to successfully run their self-publishing businesses. There is no magic wand. Anyone who promises miracles should be suspect. Successful self-publishing, assuming you have a market worthy book, can bring you an excellent, and even superior living, but you have to work it like a business. And a new business is like a new baby, it requires all the time, money, and energy you can muster, but end the end the rewards are worth it.

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Click here on getting your free guide to publishing through the mail or in PDF.

Simple Way to Self Publish

Here’s what happens. You have a book and suddenly you do not know what to do with it. You ask around and you get all these advices from friends, the internet and strangers telling you to do this and that. Your head is spinning in 360 degrees and you wished that this was taught in grade school so that whenever the time comes for you to get right down to it – you are already a PRO.

But no. You have to ask around because you have no idea who to turn to. You have to be wary of people telling you that this is the best place there is because everyone claims everything they know IS the best place. Don’t they just blah the blahs of all blahs? Next thing you know, you spent all your life savings and you only get your book sold at Amazon for $50. You wished you could just have shut your mouth the last time you decided to whip out your credit card.

I’d say that when it comes to dealing with your book, nothing is ever free, easy and light.

How to get started:

A book publisher multi-tasks as your EDITOR, LAYOUT ARTIST, DISTRIBUTOR, MARKETER and RETAILER. If he happens to not be part of any of the above, ditch the guy. You already had all the stress in the world completing your manuscript, you do not need any more of those from him.

1. EDITING and LAYOUT: Gather all your materials – manuscript, images, dedication page, foreword and glossary if you have one. If you have a PDF file, you can submit that, too, but only for reference purposes to your artist. Getting a book together requires editing and a PDF format is a read-only file. They cannot work on it.
2. DISTRIBUTION: Find a publisher who will distribute your book to channels online. Get listed with Books in Print and Ingram.
3. MARKETING: Get a marketing plan and go big time – book exhibit, Kirkus, press releases with publisher. Target market to niche – disseminate information.
4. RETAILER: Book orders
5. Bask in the glory.
6. Indulge in that piña colada.

The Festival of Books

What could be the best time for writers to assemble and exchange ideas through an event produced specially for the industry that they are in?

This weekend, the Festival of Books by the University of Los Angeles gives you a two day affair with your one and true love: books! The Festival of Books brings together the people who create books with the people who love to read them and convenes at the University of Los Angeles this Saturday and Sunday on April 25 and 26 respectively. The festival also includes nearly 300 exhibitor booths representing booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations.

The festival promised:

• 50 book and poetry readings
• 100 author panels
• Hundred of book signings
• Dozens of literary presentations

Booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations sell and promote books and book-related merchandise and distribute related information at the festival of books. Fun, isn’t it? Many of the independent booksellers participating in the festival represent the diverse ethnic and cultural communities of Los Angeles and sell books of different languages and genres.

Expect to meet people of all ages across California and perhaps all over the country who share your love for the literary art.

Festival of Books is free and open to the public.  See more information here. 

See how many venues an author could have?

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Click here on getting your free guide to publishing through the mail or in PDF.

Happy National Poetry Month!

           The Academy of American Poets as a non-profit organization who aims to support American poets of all stages to promote contemporary poetry has every reason to celebrate the month of April every year. Since its advent in 1996, the Academy initiated a month long national commemoration of poetry and whenever April comes, they present several special events to ensure that poetry gains national attention in the media.

 

This concept called the National Poetry Month seeks to widen the attention of individuals and the media (to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern).

 

The National Poetry increases the visibility and availability of poetry in popular culture. It also acknowledges and celebrates poetry’s ability to sustain itself in the many places where it is practiced and appreciated.

 

 

 

            National Poetry Month’s Activities:

 

• Posters: Each year the Academy creates and distributes nearly 200,000 official NPM posters, which are mailed for free to teachers, librarians, and booksellers nationwide.
• Events: The Academy presents several special events and readings in April. Some of our special events include a 10 Years/10 Cities reading series and our star-studded annual Poetry & The Creative Mind.
• Publicity: To ensure that poetry gains national attention in the media each April, the Academy mails several thousand press releases and media kits each year to editors and journalists across the country. As a result, thousands of articles about poetry appear in newspapers, magazines, and online media outlets. The Academy also acts as the official clearing house for news and information about National Poetry Month.
• Inspiration & Guidance: The Academy offers a plethora of practical resources for celebrating NPM, including tips for teaching poetry during April, creating a poetry book display in your bookstore or library, presenting a poetry reading or contest, and much more.

Self Publishing to Promote Books at Publishers Weekly

Xlibris, the self-publishing industry leader, has announced the launch of their Publishers Weekly Marketing Packages to help self-published authors in promoting their books.

These packages enable authors to maximize the full potential of their marketing campaign by promoting their self-published book on the different Publishers Weekly services that cover both print and online media.

FULL STORY HERE.

How to Get Your Copyright

Publishing is synonymous to getting that copyright for protecting your book which is why it is highly important to publish it.

If you are looking for self-publishing companies to publish your book, I know of a few companies that practically holds court to everything a book needs from getting you your book cover design customization, layout consultation, copyediting, even marketing and copyright – at affordable costs.

The best thing about publishing the book yourself is that it’s a convenience that you don’t have to approach the copyright office yourself. You just have to sit back and relax! You don’t have to drive all the way to their office and fall in line. The copyright.office normally requires you to submit at least two copies of your manuscript if you And through us, you don’t have to provide them 2 copies of the book in order for them to process the copyright for your book. Providing those 2 copies would be pretty expensive you know.

Another best thing about self-publishing companies is that they have programs that will already cover the part where your book will be copyrighted.

You can actually get free information about self-publishing here:

How to choose the best self help book

Among the most popular and most sought after books published, self-help books right now are very much in demand and seem to be well replacing the How To genre book of all times. When a reader chooses a self-help book, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong with her. It is based on how she relies on herself for development, improvement and healing. To actually acquire information available to the public, she can rely on these self help books to get the desired results on her self-help journey.

Self-help books are significant tools in our lives that could be used as an indirect reference guide. A tool is useful when it is suited to the task at hand and that is how self-help books should serve their purpose. If a person seeks improvement on her love life, she can perhaps bury herself with Dr. Barbara Walters, the most famous relationship fixture there is on the planet. If a person seeks practical help with the kitchen, those yellow books on a DUMMY’s GUIDE TO could actually be instrumental.

Now it may be overwhelming to choose which published self help book you might want to depend your path to development with considering the countless of books that people are publishing now.  Try to narrow down which ones are your top selections then you can start from there. There are possibly a lot of things you might want to improve on yourself but let us just address them one at a time. Start with your top selections then work through the rest.

How to Choose the Best Self-help book:

1. Whether it could be spiritual, financial, health, medical or mental, identify what are the specific things that you are looking for to improve in your life and address it first.
2. Look for books that have experts in the area you are interested in. Read reviews of the books first submitted by readers. Feedback like that helps with your book choice in the future.
3. After deciding on the book, do a background check on the author to find out how credible they are. Author is qualified by training and experience about the topic.
4. Ask around for recommendations from friends. You would know the efficacy of the book from people who declared that the books are helping them.
5. Book should acknowledge the complexity of real life issues that you are facing.
6. Book should be focused on the addressed issue.
7. Book should offer a detailed description and explanation of all the facets of the topic with step-by-step guidance on how to proceed. It should point out potential problems, with suggested solutions or responses.
8. Self help books should not CLAIM to help you SOLVE everything. They should offer a solidly researched program that is related to the work that has already been done in the field. They should be encouraging without promising overnight magic or development.

The first step to deciding on the kind of assistance that you are seeking is a sign of your determination to live the kind of life you wanted with a little help on the side. Think of it as a side dish on all your meals – they help appetize it. Luckily, there are more resources now that ever before and that actually makes us fortunate enough that we can seek guidance without hitting any crux.

Remember that you have taken the first step to seeking assistance and guidance. Doing the research on the right self help book for you may help you find solutions faster and quicker.

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Free information on how to publish a self help book is here.

Self publishing is for everyone.

Yes, self publishing is for you, and for your neighbor, and for your third degree cousin, and for your fifth grade teacher, and even for your 10-year-old son. The self publishing industry has opened a way for ordinary people to share their extraordinary stories and experiences through accessible, affordable and as-soon-as-possible book publishing.

This means that becoming a published author is no longer limited to a privileged few; it has now become an attainable dream where everyone can publish their book — whether they want to release it to the masses to simply share it with their closest family and friends. And the good thing about this is that even though self publishing is much more accessible and much more expedient than the traditional way of publishing, the quality of the finished product — your book — is just as good.

So, whether you’re a fledgling writer waiting for your big break, or a seasoned author working on your next book, there is always something self publishers can offer you. Whether you’re looking to publish a book of your memories, or just want to share your best recipes, self publishing is for you.

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Find out how to get your book published in black-and-white… and here for full-color publishing.

This article is a repost from this site.

BOOK PUBLISHER GIVING AWAY YEAR-END GIFTS

‘Tis the season to be jolly and gay and giveaways?

When the year is about to end, almost everyone is panic-buying their way to handing out the ubiquitous present to their loved ones that will blow them away with their thoughfulness and generosity.

Isn’t this just perfect timing?

This book publisher aims not just to please but also to remain dedicated to giving the best services authors deserve when it comes to handling their book production.

Publishing services are on sale for less than 50% on its original price. Say you wanted to publish at their program that originally costs $899, you’d be ecstatic that you only will fish out $450 out of your pockets – consider that a red slash like they are on those tags hanging from retail purchases.

But wait. There’s more. ON TOP OF YOUR PUBLISHING SERVICES comes a FREE GIFT.

You have three ecards to choose from.

 

Or, you can give this away, too.

A Gift Certificate is very much for the aspiring author whose manuscript is all but ready to be published. The bearer of the certificate has ONE YEAR to submit his book before his certificate expires. I’d have to say that this is mighty fetching.

You have until the end of this month to take advantage of such a special treat for you. Christmas decided to be early, after all.

HOW TO PUBLISH MANGA

Manga, or Japanese comics, is just like any other regular comic book except that its illustrations have that distinct Japanese character. If you want to self-publish Manga, you can have unlimited black and white illustrations on a regular paperback book. Publishing companies support this kind of setup, too.

Although Manga comics have a distinct and specific character when it comes to the paper it uses, the advent of new publishing venues slackened their preferences and decided to give way to different options.

Now, should you decide to self-publish a book of manga comics, choose a publishing plan that will give you full leverage of your book’s requirement – which is of course, unlimited illustrations.

Manga has already evolved right now because back originally Manga comics are only published in Japan. When it was introduced into the Western world, people started to embrace these Japanese-looking characters, incorporated them into the comic world and even made superheroes out of them. Manga became synonymous to Anime and gained more popularity due to its wide audience of the superhero and the Sailor Moon short skirts aficionado. To get started, here are the following steps to organize your Manga book:

 

1. Prepare subject matter. If you are a beginner, start with a mini-comic. Make a list of the subject matter you cover and then find people on the web that talk about those subjects. That is a good place to start.

2. Consider that manga books are small-sized books. If your publisher can’t do the regular 4.25” x 5.5” then resize it.

3. Fit your schedule. Are you coming up with one whole storyline that will take months to make series of or just short stories you can dish out every once in a while?

4. WRITE and EDIT. Manga must be in ENGLISH. No graphic violence if possible and no adult content.

5. SUBMIT Manga to Publisher.

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Free information on how to publish a book is here.