July 31, 2009 at 10:51 pm (Choosing a Publisher, Distribution, Tips, self-publishing, writing)
Publishers Weekly announced on-demand published title output up a whopping 132% in 2008 over the previous year whereas traditionally published books down over 3%. The total number of self-published, on-demand books overtook the traditional side for the first year ever last year, demonstrating further the inevitable climate change in the publishing industry.
Print and communication technology is leveling the playing field democratizing the way books publish. Strong self-publishing outfits are adapting to meet that market and help authors find success in the industry. But just because a self-publishing service provider spends big bucks getting their name out there doesn’t mean they’ll invest the same effort for your book. Pricing flexibility and marketing services and options are critical in finding success in this new environment. Do your homework, invest well, and let your publisher take you for the ride.
Have fun and keep writing!
- Karl
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July 31, 2009 at 2:52 am (Uncategorized)
August marks the one year birthday of our blog! Over the last year we have offered lots of tips and advice about self-publishing, before and after the publishing process. We welcome feedback and suggestions if there are topics you’d like us to cover, so please let us know.
Who we are:
Self Publishing Advice offers advice for authors before and after the self-publishing process. Karl Schroeder gives helpful tips and things to consider when choosing a publisher. Kelly Schuknecht provides information about promoting a self-published book.
Whether you are an author looking for the self-publisher that fits your direction and goals or you have already published your book and are now focusing on building your sales, Self Publishing Advice will have helpful tips just for you.
We also post a weekly book review of a self-published book (submitted by the author). To submit your review, please send it to selfpublishingadvice@gmail.com with a .jpg image of your cover. Self Publishing Advice will post your review and cover image on our blog.
We look forward to sending you more tips and advice about self-publishing and book promotion in the coming years. Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Karl & Kelly
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July 27, 2009 at 2:09 am (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: book review, larry solomon, Reader Views, self publish, wrongsized
Wrongsized
by Larry Solomon
We featured reviews for this self-published book yesterday. The author sent us one more (excellent) review for the book from ReaderViews:
This has got to be one of the funniest books I have ever read on one of the saddest subjects I can think of, Unemployment. What Larry Solomon did with this subject can only be compared to a Mel Brooks’ movie. From introduction to the final page, he will keep you laughing for hours with his insights into corporate America, the job market, the interview and the best one – Temp jobs.
Working hard and hoping to get that promotion that he so readily deserved, Larry describes how it happened. Instead of the promotion he was hoping for, he was presented with a pink slip.
It all began with the Harvard MBA (Efficiency Expert) that came into his office after the takeover. Heads were starting to roll and Larry (being the good manager that he was) tried to protect the people in his department with every fiber of his being only to find himself unemployed.
His story is not any different from anyone else that has found himself in this position (present company included); the difference is; that Mr. Solomon manages to show us the ridiculous side of the situation. From interviewers that were in diapers when he got his degree to the Temp jobs he held, Larry Solomon keeps you in stitches all the way through the book.
I especially liked the descriptions of his wife and how supportive she was in his plight, right down to making him sleep on the couch. Terry was the average wife, nagging Larry to get a job and quit sitting in front of the TV. She nagged him to the point where he finally broke down and went to a Temp agency. What happens there and the many trials and tribulations of being a Temp are the icing on a ridiculously funny book.
Larry Solomon will have your belly hurting (especially if you have been laid off). I gave “Wrongsized: Become chronically unemployed in 26 easy steps” one of my rare A+ ratings and recommend it to any one and everyone, even if you haven’t been laid off.
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/wrongsized
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July 25, 2009 at 10:38 am (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: book, larry solomon, reviews, wrongsized
Wrongsized
by Larry Solomon
This self-published author sent us two recent reviews for his book:
Mr. Solomon’s book is both insightful and unabashedly funny. Filled with laughs, this is a testament to the American tradition of finding humor in the most adverse situations. It’s a veritable survival guide to today’s economy – a must read for everyone.
—B. L. James
Wrongsized is a funny and enjoyable book to read, but more importantly it gives you a new way of looking at the world you live in. None of us are locked into a single path, and Larry Solomon helps us to see the possibilities that are there for us in a lighthearted, humorous way.
— Mai Tai Dave
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/wrongsized
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July 20, 2009 at 3:05 am (Book Reviews)
Tags: book review, bookreviewsbydebra
Book Reviews by Debra is a brand new resource for authors, providing the service of book reviews and editing to authors and publishers.
Book reviews are free or you can pay $75 for an Express Review (a guaranteed review in two weeks or less).
Visit BookReviewsByDebra.com to find out how to submit your self-published book for a review.
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July 18, 2009 at 10:23 am (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: book, James Nicholas Logue, Reader Views, review, The Student Prophet
The Student Prophet: Initiation Rites
by James Nicholas Logue
This self-published book was recently reviewed by www.readerviews.com:
As a psychologist and reviewer I found this book to be an incredible read. I have many friends who are clairvoyants and psychics and yet I never believed their ability. The author has reached into a world that is unknown to most.
Jeff Fitzpatrick is a young man who has a gift to see what is coming. Many will pass him off as “crazy.” There are in our world special people who can “see” what is coming. Through the help of angels and strength they learn to use this talent to help others.
Trying to fit into college and have fun with his friends, Jeff realizes that many times he sees what is going to happen. He doesn’t understand how or why, but he knows it gives him the “willies.” Yet at the same time, he knows that he must let someone know of his dreams.
He works with the FBI and has found that it is difficult to be in school, have a life and work for the FBI. Yet his dreams will not let him go. He also finds that God has a different purpose for him in life. Is he prepared for this? Is his family?
“The Student Prophet: Initiation Rites” by James Nicholas Logue is a great book that captures you from the first pages and you can’t put it down.
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/thestudentprophet
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July 16, 2009 at 10:18 am (self-publishing)
Tags: book, format, large print, niche, self publish, senior
It’s no secret that writing a book is hard. That is why most authors publish multiple formats of each book they write. Why only publish one format when the same words can be used to publish many different formats?
As the average lifespan increases, the overall population is aging and that makes it a perfect time for LARGE PRINT editions. A large print edition of your book is exactly that — the same words, just formatted at a larger print size (usually 14-16 point font) to make it easier to read for seniors.
Imagine opening up a whole new marketing opportunity for your self-published book. If your current book is already successful, publishing a large print edition may add another great revenue stream. And if your book isn’t performing so great, a new edition may give it the shot in the arm it needs to find a new market, and re-attract interest in the original edition, as well.
Seniors are a huge market with a voracious need for books (plus disposal income). They are their own niche market, and yet, a niche market that is general enough to seek cookbooks as well as poetry as well as general non-fiction, and fiction. If you’ve been having trouble finding a niche for your book, seniors may be the place to look (and if you haven’t had any trouble, that’s even more reason to add seniors to the list!).
Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com
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July 14, 2009 at 6:03 pm (Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher, Distribution, Networking, Tips, Viral Marketing, self-publishing)
Tags: Amazon, fiction, marketing, platform, publishing, self-publishing
The reason books sell has little to do with content quality. At least initially. Just like any other product on the retail market, books sell because readers know about them.
Some books have the advantage of author platform, or industry applicability, and can hit strong out of the gate. The more nebulous quality of fiction can result in a slower start, but a much longer shelf-life.
The point is this, know your market and leverage your resources to meet those potential readers. Outline a marketing plan with your self-publisher that takes advantage of internet marketing and retail resources like Amazon who has pre-qualified readers based on profiles and virtual book pairings.
Work smarter. Work harder. Become a successful self-published author.
- Karl Schroeder
self-published
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