September 30, 2009 at 9:01 pm (Events, Tips, copyright, self-publishing)
Tags: Associated Press, Denny Chin, Google, Google Book Settlement, publishing, self publising, self-publishing
To opt in or out? With court developments arising last week, the implications, at least as they stood, may be moot.
The AP released an article last week noting the Justice Department’s, deem of the current agreement as a threat to give Google the power to increase book prices and discourage competition, though it said a renegotiated settlement might obey U.S. copyright and antitrust laws.
In his subsequent adjournment order, US District Judge Denny Chin noted that “the current settlement agreement raises significant issues, demonstrated not only by the number of objections, but also by the fact that the objectors include countries, states, nonprofit organizations, and prominent authors and law professors.” However, “the proposed settlement would offer many benefits to society, as recognized by supporters of the settlement as well as DOJ…if a fair and reasonable settlement can be struck, the public would benefit.”
If you’re published and chose to opt-in. Still writing and have this topic on the radar, this is good news. While the settlement probably won’t affect any of us directly, that we are taking the democratization of important materials into collective is a step in the right direction.
Have fun and keep writing
- Karl
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September 29, 2009 at 4:43 pm (Choosing a Publisher, Distribution, Tips, marketing, self-publishing)
Tags: agent, Distribution, on-demand, self-publishing
In a recent blog post, literary agent Nathan Bransford wrote of on-demand printing and distribution:
“No warehouses, no catalogs, no print runs. Online vendors, as we’ve seen, will sell anything. In this scenario, does the Author of the Future, especially one with a built-in audience, really need a publisher? Well… yes. Maybe.”
Bransford goes on to argue in favor of the author/publisher relationship, stating that the role of the publisher lies in the dirty work – copy editing, cover design, distribution, marketing, etc. We know that writing and publishing is often the easy part – the real execution comes in getting books effectively into the marketplace. That is where real self-publishing options stand out. Be prepared to pay for the services you and your publishing consultant determine best suited for your goals. In the long-run, you’ll thank your self. And so will the readers who have the privilege of enjoying your work.
Bransford: “But publishers would have to be extremely author-friendly — they would be providing a service, not relying on their traditional role as gatekeepers and distributors. Publishers won’t be able to rely, as they have traditionally, on the fact that authors need them in order to reach their audience, just as authors won’t be able to rely on publishers losing money on most of the books they publish.”
Keep your eyes and ears open. Self-publishing is on the way.
- Karl Schroeder
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September 26, 2009 at 9:54 am (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: anointed for appointment, book review, olaniyi adelabu, self publish
Anointed for Appointment
by Olaniyi Adelabu
A recent review submitted by this self-published author:
The book – Anointed for Appointment – is non-fiction. It’s the most explanatory book I’ve ever read on the use and power of anointed oil. The author has written this book to educate the reader on the real meaning, purpose, uses, spiritual components, dos and don’ts of anointing oil. He reveals the source of anointing, its importance and different ways of administering it, just with the main purpose of getting readers equipped with necessary things to be know about this concept – Anointing.
This book is an eye-opener which will definitely meet the need of the reader in providing them with the necessary information on Anointing and anointing oil – a physical symbol. It would clear all misconceptions and mishandling of anointing oil. And readers will surely become better in their beliefs and administering/application of anointing oil after reading the book.
The book is writhing for people of all ages with or without any amount of belief in anointing oil. That’s why its written in such a way that clears all doubt about the source, importance, handling and so on of the anointing oil.
It is also to be noted that the author is duly qualified to write this book. Because of his gathered enormous experiences from the use of anointing oil in the due course of ministry as a seasoned deliverance minister for years. The last chapter – chapter six – of the book provides readers with some of his experience in the deliverance ministry. They are interesting! He also has some other works on the pipe line which are also going to shake the kingdom with grate implications.
The bottle of “Goya or Olive’ oil you buy from a shop is mere chemistry. But when it’s sanctified – prayed on – it becomes purer with God the father, Son and the Holy Ghost as the components. It’s really a weapon of warfare! Pastor Michael Olaniyi Adelabu has really downloaded from heaven to write this ageless book.
Now, ‘do more than read, absorb’
~ Omole – Great G. K.
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/anointedforappointment
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September 25, 2009 at 7:35 pm (Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher, Distribution, Tips, self-publishing)
Self-publishing has seen some solid press over the past couple of weeks.
Once predominately considered vanity publishing, self-publishing 1.0 generally meant books were, produced, printed, and then sold to authors to sit in their garages or basements.
But with new information technology, distribution methods, and integrated marketing support self-publishing is rapidly finding its place in the industry with even newly pressed self-publishing authors finding write-ups in the New York Times.
Readers and consumers, publishers, and retailers are adapting. Now even brick and mortar bookstores are changing the way the see self-published books as a value to their customers. From our friends at Self-publishing Review came this cool new program at the legendary Boulder Book Store:
At the 20,000-square-foot Boulder Bookstore in Boulder Colorado, Arsen Kashkashian said self-published books are “definitely a growth market for us.” After getting “inundated” with local authors looking to sell their self-published books, the bookstore instituted a policy and fee structure loosely modeled on publishers’ co-op policies. Self-published books are taken on consignment, and authors are charged a basic one-time stocking fee of $25. The fee goes up from there for a book’s newsletter placement, website promotion, etc. There is also a fee for participation at events, which usually feature several authors who divide the cost. As long as the book looks professionally bound, Boulder Bookstore will accept it on consignment. By the end of the year, Boulder will stock about 100 self-published titles on its shelves.
Regardless of where you may be in the writing and publishing process, self-publishing is barreling ahead full steam. Research, know your options, and become as successful published author as you can be.
-Karl
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September 23, 2009 at 12:10 am (Choosing a Publisher, Tips, self-publishing)
2 – Authors only have to purchase books they know will sell…
Wholesale definition: Printing costs are different than wholesale pricing. As an author, you’ll find printing at set costs, but what is not taken into consideration are the additional costs you’ll incur to retail and distribute books, including order fulfillment and shipping costs to your readers.
This is what distinguishes a printer from a leading full-service self-publishing option. Make sure yours allows the flexibility to set your own book prices and distribution discount. And ask, what are your per book costs and minimum orders. Its never too early to ask these questions.
– Karl
Have fun and keep writing.
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September 19, 2009 at 9:26 am (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: Alis Rowe, book review, One Lonely Mind, self publish
One Lonely Mind
by Alis Rowe
Recent reviews for this self-published book:
Review 1: Excellent!
By Mr. J. Campbell (UK)
One Lonely Mind follows the turbulent exploits of Nazim, a desolate soul, as he attempts to find peace and closure after the passing of his mother.
Nazim, a sensitive, caring and thoughtful persona, is alone in a world of suffering and despair until he meets the love of his life: Angel (a character so deep and intriguing she warrants her own book).
Captivated and enthralled with Angel, Nazim will stop at nothing to provide for her and give her the lifestyle she desires. Nazim’s character undergoes considerable transformations as he attempts to win Angel’s heart.
I found One Lonely Mind to be a gripping read from start to finish. This book had me in awe over the depth of emotion and sensitivity explored by the author – for this reason alone, I would be happy to recommend this book to anyone.
~
Review 2: An amazing story!
By Mr. T. Nolan (UK)
One Lonely Mind is a fantastic journey concerning two lost souls who meet on a beach on a cold winter’s night with nothing but each other for company. This book engages the reader right from the word go and from the first word I read, I could not put this book down. The language the author has used is emotive and encapsulating with deep heartfelt meanings which the reader can interpret for themselves.
The book also explores the deep meanings that they feel towards eachother from the perspective of Nazim and his constant battles with his own feelings towards this girl he has met on the beach. Who goes from being a complete unknown and almost ghost like to the love of his life and the person he knows as if they had known each other all their lives.
Their situation is far from perfect, but Nazim does his best to make sure Angel has the life she deserves and to be treated like the princess he holds her as.
Will there be a fairytale ending? Or is life too complicated?
As a person who reads very few books and struggles to engage and relate to the subject matter, I found this book an absolute joy to read and have read it many times, each time finding different meanings and turmoils the pair face and will definitely be reading it once more and looking out for another addition to this one!
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.alisrowe.co.uk
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September 18, 2009 at 6:14 am (Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Tips, self-publishing, writing)
Tags: publishing, royalties, self-publishing, writing
1 – Authors are required one-time only upfront investment…
Yes, quality self-publishing services will require a one-time upfront investment. While not as important as your book pricing structure, distribution, and royalties on the back-end. Upfront service prices deserve a quick look.
Here are a couple of red flags.
1. HUGE DISCOUNTS! PUBLISH NOW AND SAVE XX%!!!
There are more than enough self-publishers offering HUGE savings. Always. That usually indicates that the savings aren’t real. Instead, packages and/or services are artificially inflated. This is true in any business across every industry. You’ve worked hard. You deserve what you pay for. I was born in Vegas. Ever been? Be wary of the bright, flashing lights.
2. GET PUBLISHED FOR FREE!!! (the opposite end of the spectrum)
Business 101. Nothing is free. It’s worth taking a look at the contract and asking, what am I really getting here. Not a good time to fall to instant gratification. You’ve worked hard and deserve a publisher that works for you in return. Again, make sure your get what you pay for. Well worth it is the time researching a publisher that will partner with you to publish your book as successfully as possible.
A quality self-publisher will value you, and upfront prices will stand by that.
- Karl
have fun and keep writing…
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September 17, 2009 at 3:58 am (Choosing a Publisher, self-publishing)
Tags: book sales, print, publishing, retail, self-publishing, wholesale
I sat down today to a quick brainstorm outlining the advantages of partnering with a top notch custom self-publisher, but came up just shy of double digits. Help!
Self-publishing Advantages top 10 list:
1 – Authors are required one-time only upfront investment…
2 – Authors only have to purchase books they know will sell…
3 – Authors have the control to set their own book profit or royalty percentages…
4 – Authors set their custom wholesale book pricing…
5 – Authors set their book’s retail price…
6 – Authors can work with a design team on their unique custom book cover…
7 – Authors are in control of the editing and proof process, publishing nothing they don’t expressly approve…
8 – Books don’t see print caps and never go out of print…
9 – Authors keep exclusive rights to their work
10 –
- Karl
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September 16, 2009 at 1:06 am (Uncategorized)
Paraphrased from the pen of an insightful publishing executive:
Sometimes choosing exactly the right words can be difficult, especially with so many available in the English language. So many contexts. Specific syntax. Audiences. What a remarkable discovery was the thesaurus. I dare say discovery not invention, because hey, wasn’t it inevitable? As writers, we’d be lost without it. Even among the most encyclopedic, how can we deny the thesaurus as an invaluable tool?
When Peter Mark Roget first published the thesaurus in 1852, die-hard dictionary-purists most likely refused to recognize its value. How many years or generations must have passed before the thesaurus and dictionary were to coexist in compliment of each other as they do now? No one thinks twice about picking up the one most appropriate at any given time.
It would be futile to engage a conversation regarding which is better – the dictionary or the thesaurus. They serve different functions. Need several definitions of a word to choose from? Pick up the dictionary. Need to choose the best definition? The thesaurus will deliver.
Let’s consider self-publishing as the thesaurus. The traditional publishing houses in New York are the dictionaries. One isn’t better than the other – they are just different. Serve different ends in the broader order of writing. But all writers, even dictionary-purists, would do well to consider using both. Brings to mind our recent news about Steven Covey’s decision to self-publish.
Food for thought as you keep up the most important task – writing.
- Karl Schroeder
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September 14, 2009 at 7:24 pm (Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Tips, editing, self-publishing, writing)
Tags: editing, fiction, ghostwriting, Green Building, non-fiction, self-publishing, slef publishing, writing
How is your content coming? Do you have a protagonist stuck in a loss of direction or buried in a dissipating story arc? Are you an industry leader in green building with every resource save time to pen your own book? Have you developed years of research on a story that needs to be told but lack the composition experience to make it as successful as possible?
We want to hear what you have to say. Perhaps its time to consider ghostwriting.
Ghostwriting functions as a collaborative writing effort between a principal author and contracted ghostwriter to develop content ranging in scope from a preliminary idea or outline to nearly completed manuscript.
Having existed in the publishing industry for generations, ghostwriting is finding a new niche in the growing self-published base of printed work . For self-publishing authors, ghostwriters can fulfill the role of acquisitions editor, content developer, and partner. But counter to the the traditional publishing model, the self-publishing author will remain in the driver’s seat through the process with their ghostwriter, working to develop direction based on the best interest of the author.
Ghostwriters can be contracted independently, and a handful of self-publishing options now provide them in-house and often at lower rates.
- Karl Thomas Schroeder
Have fun and keep writing…
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