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.